Stacker Review logo
Best of

Best Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice for Small Business

Wrist and shoulder pain is the most common avoidable cost of desk work, and the fix is usually a $50 input device rather than a new chair. We scored ProtoArc's ergonomic lineup against the same six criteria we use for software: ease of use, features, value, integrations, support, and scalability. The EM01 NL trackball takes best overall for pure wrist relief, the XK01 split keyboard is the bigger win for heavy typists, and the EK01 folding keyboard covers travel.

Last updated

Quick Picks

Best Overall

ProtoArc EM01 NL Wireless Trackball Mouse

8.5 / 10

Trackball control keeps the wrist still all day.

Jump to ProtoArc EM01 NL Wireless Trackball Mouse

Best for Typists

ProtoArc XK01 Split Ergonomic Keyboard

8.3 / 10

Split layout fixes shoulder and wrist posture.

Jump to ProtoArc XK01 Split Ergonomic Keyboard

Easiest Switch

ProtoArc EM11 NL Vertical Ergonomic Mouse

8.2 / 10

Vertical grip with almost no learning curve.

Jump to ProtoArc EM11 NL Vertical Ergonomic Mouse

Best for Travel

ProtoArc EK01 Folding Bluetooth Keyboard

7.9 / 10

Folds to pocket size with a built-in touchpad.

Jump to ProtoArc EK01 Folding Bluetooth Keyboard

Our Recommendations

#1Best Overall

ProtoArc EM01 NL Wireless Trackball Mouse

Best for: Wrist relief during all-day desk work

SR SCORE

8.5

Very good

Stacker Review Score 8.5 out of 10, Very good

The EM01 NL is the product most people should try first if a standard mouse leaves their wrist sore by mid-afternoon. Because the ball does the moving, your forearm stays planted, and the sculpted rest supports the hand rather than forcing it flat. There is a real adjustment period of a few days, and precision work takes practice, but the ergonomic payoff is the strongest in ProtoArc's range.

Strengths

  • Trackball design keeps the wrist and forearm still
  • Multi-device pairing over Bluetooth and 2.4G
  • Rechargeable battery lasts weeks per charge

Drawbacks

  • Takes a few days to retrain muscle memory
  • Ball needs occasional cleaning

Key features

  • Trackball control. Thumb-driven cursor with no arm movement required.
  • Triple connectivity. Bluetooth plus 2.4G receiver with device switching.
  • Adjustable DPI. Multiple sensitivity steps for precision or speed.

Pricing summary

One-time purchase in the $40 to $60 range depending on promotions, well under specialist ergonomic brands.

Visit ProtoArc EM01 NL Wireless Trackball Mouse(opens merchant site in a new tab)Full ProtoArc EM01 NL Wireless Trackball Mouse review

Partner link. Scores and verdicts are set independently of commercial relationships.

#2Best for Typists

ProtoArc XK01 Split Ergonomic Keyboard

Best for: Heavy typists who need better shoulder and wrist posture

SR SCORE

8.3

Very good

Stacker Review Score 8.3 out of 10, Very good

Split keyboards fix the two habits that cause most typing discomfort: hunched shoulders and bent wrists. The XK01 separates the halves so you can set your own shoulder width, and the contoured key wells keep the wrists neutral. Typing speed dips for the first week, then recovers. For anyone typing several hours a day, it is the highest-impact upgrade on this list.

Strengths

  • Split halves adjust to your natural shoulder width
  • Contoured layout with integrated palm support
  • Works with Windows, macOS, iPadOS and Android

Drawbacks

  • One to two week learning curve
  • Wider desk footprint than a compact board

Key features

  • Split layout. Two halves positioned independently on the desk.
  • Cushioned palm rest. Keeps wrists neutral instead of extended.
  • Multi-device switching. Pairs with up to three devices at once.

Pricing summary

Typically $70 to $100, a fraction of premium split mechanical keyboards.

Visit ProtoArc XK01 Split Ergonomic Keyboard(opens merchant site in a new tab)Full ProtoArc XK01 Split Ergonomic Keyboard review

Partner link. Scores and verdicts are set independently of commercial relationships.

#3Easiest Switch

ProtoArc EM11 NL Vertical Ergonomic Mouse

Best for: An easy first step away from a flat mouse

SR SCORE

8.2

Very good

Stacker Review Score 8.2 out of 10, Very good

A vertical mouse is the easiest ergonomic switch to make because it still moves like a normal mouse. The EM11 NL holds the hand upright, which removes the forearm rotation that a flat mouse forces all day. It is the pick for anyone who wants relief without relearning how to point.

Strengths

  • Handshake grip removes forearm twist
  • Familiar pointing motion, almost no learning curve
  • Quiet clicks suited to shared offices

Drawbacks

  • Less wrist relief than a trackball
  • Sized for medium to large hands

Key features

  • Vertical grip. Keeps the forearm in a neutral position.
  • Rechargeable battery. USB-C charging with multi-week life.
  • Silent buttons. Low-noise clicks for calls and shared desks.

Pricing summary

Usually $30 to $45 as a one-time purchase.

Visit ProtoArc EM11 NL Vertical Ergonomic Mouse(opens merchant site in a new tab)Full ProtoArc EM11 NL Vertical Ergonomic Mouse review

Partner link. Scores and verdicts are set independently of commercial relationships.

#4Best for Travel

ProtoArc EK01 Folding Bluetooth Keyboard

Best for: Working from a tablet or phone while travelling

SR SCORE

7.9

Good

Stacker Review Score 7.9 out of 10, Good

The EK01 is a travel tool rather than a daily driver. Folded it fits in a jacket pocket, opened it gives near full-size key spacing with a touchpad, which is enough to answer email or draft a document from a tablet. Do not expect it to replace a desk keyboard, but it removes the excuse for carrying a laptop on short trips.

Strengths

  • Folds to pocket size for travel
  • Built-in touchpad on supported models
  • Pairs with iOS, Android, Windows and macOS

Drawbacks

  • Fold seam sits under the typing area
  • Not a comfortable full-day keyboard

Key features

  • Folding body. Collapses to roughly phone size for a bag or pocket.
  • Integrated touchpad. Cursor control without a separate mouse.
  • Bluetooth pairing. Switches between multiple mobile devices.

Pricing summary

Around $40 to $60 depending on model and touchpad option.

Visit ProtoArc EK01 Folding Bluetooth Keyboard(opens merchant site in a new tab)Full ProtoArc EK01 Folding Bluetooth Keyboard review

Partner link. Scores and verdicts are set independently of commercial relationships.

Comparison Table

ProtoArc EM01 NL Wireless Trackball MouseVery goodOverall winner

SR SCORE

8.5

Very good

Stacker Review Score 8.5 out of 10, Very good
SR Score
8.5 / 10
Best For
Wrist relief during all-day desk work
Ease of Use
8.0
Features
8.5
Integrations
8.6
Starting Price
From ~$45
Support
8.0
ProtoArc XK01 Split Ergonomic KeyboardVery good

SR SCORE

8.3

Very good

Stacker Review Score 8.3 out of 10, Very good
SR Score
8.3 / 10
Best For
Heavy typists who need better shoulder and wrist posture
Ease of Use
7.8
Features
8.4
Integrations
8.5
Starting Price
From ~$80
Support
8.0
ProtoArc EM11 NL Vertical Ergonomic MouseVery good

SR SCORE

8.2

Very good

Stacker Review Score 8.2 out of 10, Very good
SR Score
8.2 / 10
Best For
An easy first step away from a flat mouse
Ease of Use
8.8
Features
8.0
Integrations
8.5
Starting Price
From ~$35
Support
8.0
ProtoArc EK01 Folding Bluetooth KeyboardGood

SR SCORE

7.9

Good

Stacker Review Score 7.9 out of 10, Good
SR Score
7.9 / 10
Best For
Working from a tablet or phone while travelling
Ease of Use
8.5
Features
7.6
Integrations
8.4
Starting Price
From ~$45
Support
7.8

How We Evaluated

Recommendations come from documented research and standardized scoring, not sponsorships.

  1. 01

    Research

    We collect published pricing, plan limits, documented features, and integration lists directly from vendors and their documentation.

  2. 02

    Hands-On Evaluation

    Where hands-on evaluation notes exist in our content database, we record what was reviewed and when. We never claim testing we have not documented.

  3. 03

    Standardized Scoring

    Every product is scored 1-10 on ease of use, features, integrations, support, value, and scalability using the same rubric.

  4. 04

    Ongoing Updates

    Pricing and feature changes are re-checked on a recurring schedule, and each page shows the date it was last reviewed.

How to Choose

Start with where it actually hurts

Wrist and forearm ache points to the mouse, so change that first. Shoulder and upper back tension points to keyboard width, which a split layout fixes. Buying both at once makes it impossible to tell what helped.

Budget for an adjustment period

Trackballs and split keyboards cost you roughly a week of slower work while muscle memory catches up. Introduce them on a quiet week, not the day before a deadline.

Check hand size and desk depth

Vertical mice suit medium to large hands, and split keyboards need more desk width than a compact board. Measure the space before ordering for a whole team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ergonomic mice actually help?
For most people with mouse-related wrist or forearm discomfort, yes. Vertical mice remove forearm rotation and trackballs remove arm movement entirely, which are the two mechanical causes of strain in normal mouse use. They are not a treatment for an existing injury, so persistent pain warrants medical advice.
Trackball or vertical mouse?
A vertical mouse is the easier switch because you still point the same way, and it is the better first purchase for most people. A trackball gives more relief because the arm stops moving, but it takes several days to feel natural and precision work needs practice.
Is ProtoArc good quality?
ProtoArc competes in the value tier of ergonomic accessories, with solid build quality, multi-device Bluetooth, and rechargeable batteries at roughly half the price of premium ergonomic brands. You give up some switch refinement and software customization compared with the top of the market.
Are split keyboards worth the learning curve?
If you type for several hours a day, yes. Expect one to two weeks of reduced speed, after which typing recovers and shoulder tension is noticeably lower. For occasional typing, a standard keyboard with better desk height is enough.

R. Okafor

Analyst, sales and marketing tools

Covers CRM, marketing automation, and AI productivity software.

Last reviewed Our methodology

Related Comparisons

    Related Content

    REVIEWHardware & Equipment

    Z-Edge UG32 Gaming Monitor Review

    A 32-inch value monitor that delivers screen real estate and smooth refresh without the premium-brand tax.

    R. OkaforUpdated Read
    REVIEWHardware & Equipment

    Z-Edge U27I 4K Monitor Review

    The sharpest panel in Z-Edge's lineup, with 4K resolution and IPS color at a budget-friendly price.

    R. OkaforUpdated Read
    BEST PICKSHardware & Equipment

    Best Business Monitors for Small Business

    Value-driven monitors compared on resolution, panel type, and price for workstation and travel use.

    R. OkaforUpdated Read