RS Recommends
The Best Waterproof Keyboards to Prevent Damage From Spills and Splashes
An accidental spill shouldn't cost you half a day's worth of work
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If you’ve been using computers for long enough, you’re familiar with the sinking feeling of watching a glass of liquid pour over your keyboard. Shorting out one of the most-used tech accessories is an incredible inconvenience, and will severely limit your productivity until it’s replaced.
Rather than take a risk every time you eat and drink around your computer, you can get a waterproof (or water-resistant) keyboard instead. These full-sized, fully functional keyboards use special coatings or materials to shield the bottom of the keys from touching the water.
Beyond that, waterproof keyboards look completely normal; they have raised, mechanical keys, which are easier on your fingers than the slim, chicklet-shaped ones you’ll find on modern laptops. Whether you’re writing long essays, important reports, or want a little insurance against accidents, a waterproof keyboard is a wise upgrade.
What You Need to Know Before Buying a Waterproof Keyboard
There are many factors to think about when choosing the right waterproof keyboard for you; below are the most important ones, which we considered while we were researching this list.
Durability: Water and dust resistance on electronics is typically measured on the IP (Ingress Protection) scale. We found keyboards with a rating of up to IP65, which means they are completely dust-proof, and can withstand being shot with powerful water jets. That’s overkill for a keyboard, but nice to have. Some companies don’t use this scale, and we’ll call out the features that make their keyboard durable instead.
Wired vs. Wireless: Most waterproof keyboards are wired — Bluetooth or 2.4Ghz wireless components are just a bundle of electronics susceptible to water damage. That said, we have wired and wireless options in our guide, so you can make the best choice for you.
1. Sungwoo Foldable Silicone Waterproof Keyboard
Sungwoo’s full-sized keyboard is made completely out of silicone, which makes it foldable, rollable, dust-proof, and waterproof. The company doesn’t give an exact IP durability rating, but the flexible material they chose completely envelops the keys to prevent liquid from pouring in.
This is a wired keyboard with a cable length of 4.5ft, so you shouldn’t feel restricted when using it on a desk. Sungwoo’s care instructions say that while the keyboard is flexible, it should only be rolled, not twisted. When rolled, you shouldn’t put pressure on the keyboard. Beyond that, this is a neat, full-sized waterproof keyboard you can take anywhere.
PROS: Its silicone design prevents water or dust from getting in, and allows you to roll it up when you want to take it elsewhere.
CONS: Sungwoo doesn’t give an official IP rating.
2. Perixx Periboard Wired Waterproof USB Keyboard
If you’re seriously worried about spilling a drink on your computer keyboard, Perixx has the solution. Its keyboard has an IP65 rating, which means it’s completely dust-proof, and can be shot with water jets without shorting out. Perixx says the wired, mechanical keyboard has a “special inner structure and circuit board design” to prevent water damage.
Though it’s wired, this waterproof keyboard has a 6ft cable, so you’ll feel virtually unrestricted while using it. Flip-up feet at the back allow you to raise the keyboard and tilt it forward, making it more ergonomic and comfortable to use. If you spill a sticky liquid on the keyboard — think juice or soda — Perixx recommends hand-washing it.
This keyboard is waterproof, but not dishwasher-safe. The company says to air dry the keyboard for 12 hours after washing, which is a fairly long time, and not to rush by using a hair dryer.
PROS: This waterproof keyboard’s high IP rating, long cable, and ergonomic features make it a comfortable, ultra durable choice.
CONS: It does take quite a bit of time to dry once you’ve cleaned it.
3. Corsair K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard
Corsair is best known for its gaming accessories, and its K55 water-resistant keyboard has more flair and features than any of the others in our guide.
It’s earned an IP42 rating, which means it’s designed to prevent dust particles over 1mm from getting inside, or damage from dripping water. That means it’s less durable than some other waterproof keyboards, but can still handle the typical spill as long as you dry it quickly.
The K55 is a wired keyboard with three zones of dynamic, customizable backlighting, so you can see each key in the dark. Six “macro” keys on the left side allow you to set shortcuts to access certain features on your computer with a single tap. For added comfort, Corsair includes a soft-touch palm rest with this keyboard, which can be detached when you don’t want it.
If you spend a lot of time playing computer games, want to be able to type more easily in the dark, or miss having a palm rest when typing on a desktop computer, the K55 is a solid choice.
PROS: The K55’s customizable backlighting, palm rest, and macro keys make it more useful than a traditional keyboard.
CONS: Corsair doesn’t list how long the K55’s cable is, and it has a lower IP rating than some other keyboards we recommend.
4. KLIM Chroma Rechargeable Wireless Gaming Keyboard
Most people would agree that wireless tech accessories are less restrictive than wired ones, and if you’re one of them, KLIM’s waterproof keyboard is the right choice for you. It connects to your computer via a 2.4Ghz adapter that you need to plug into one of your computer’s USB ports.
Klim says its keyboard is waterproof, and designed to handle up to 10,000,000 keystrokes, but declines to give an official IP rating. In its official video, Klim shows the keyboard getting splashed with water, so it’s safer to say this keyboard is water-resistant than fully waterproof.
Klim is a gaming company, so its keyboard has backlit keys just like Corsair’s. But, it doesn’t come with a palm rest, which is great if you want to use this wireless waterproof keyboard on your lap, but not if you’re at a desk. The company does use membrane keys, though, which make it quieter to type on, and prevent water or dust from getting underneath and causing damage.
PROS: Its slim, wireless design and membrane backlit keys make it look and feel modern.
CONS: Klim declines to give an official IP rating.