Review: Logitech Wave Keyboard & Lift Mouse – They’ve Got Your Back… And Your Wrists!

As a graphic designer, my hand is constantly on my mouse throughout the day (No that’s not a euphemism!) When I’m writing reviews for products, my hands are glued to the keyboard or rather, my wrists are.

As a consequence of this, I frequently get bouts of Carpal tunnel syndrome which can last for days on end. This inevitably impacts my productivity in carrying out my work and anyone who has also had this affliction will know that the pain can be excruciating. I think it’s fair to say that my work environment could do with some ergonomic improvements. This is where the Logitech Wave keyboard and Lift mouse can help.

Let’s look at the keyboard first:

Back in the days when mechanical typewriters were invented, the QWERTY keyboard was configured to keep the most frequently used keys away from each other to prevent the mechanism from jamming. So, you could say that this was an ergonomic consideration.

Although times have changed, the layout of the keyboard largely remains the same. Keyboards are usually laid out on a more or less flat surface to complement the aesthetics of the computer. However, the keys still follow a very orderly, horizontal layout which, when you think about it, causes your wrists to turn slightly outwards as the forearms come in at an angle as they extend from your elbows.

The Wave keyboard adopts a curvature to the layout of the keys with a cushioned palm rest. This allows the placement of the hands on the keyboard to feel more natural. This reduces the effort required to type as the keys are more accessible. For number crunchers, the keyboard benefits from an extended number pad so you’re not restricted to using the numbered buttons along the top of the keyboard. Furthermore, the user isn’t required to extend their fingers so much. While in the short-term, this may appear to offer little benefit, the cumulative effect of this design improvement could result in fewer instances of trauma (and days off work) caused by Carpal tunnel syndrome. The inclusion of a cushioned palm rest and tilted legs should provide further comfort and support to the hands.

While the keyboard is both Mac and Windows compatible, Logitech has recognised that we Mac users have some discerning requirements and have graciously produced Wave Keys (keyboard) and Lift (mouse) for Mac with added functionality. In either case, the keyboards require 2xAAA batteries with a battery life of up to 36 months. It comes in graphite or off-white colour options and boasts some good-to-know eco credentials too. While the off-white plastics are 46% post-consumer recycled material, the graphite option is 61% post-consumer recycled material. All of the paper packaging is also FSC™-certified.

Let’s look at the Lift mouse now:

The genesis of the ubiquitous computer mouse makes for interesting reading. Originally made of wood and resembling an over-sized matchbox, I don’t think ergonomics featured very much in its conception. We have come a looong way since those early days in the 1960s. The mouse has undergone countless manifestations over the decades. While some changes were made for the sake of change, as a designer, I believe that change is pointless without improvement.

I’ve used a few Logitech mice over the years and it is evident that form & function have always gone hand-in-hand in their design and production considerations along with knowing who their customers are and how they interact with their devices.

Until now, our wrists are generally twisted 90º when we hold our mice on a desktop. Now, I’m not a scientist but I believe that, as with the keyboard, prolonged use over years could result in subtle changes to the physiology of the wrist which could have an undesirable impact on productivity at work. The Lift mouse allows the user to keep their wrist in a near-vertical position which to me, feels more relaxed and refreshingly natural. Think about it. When you drive a car, how would you feel if your hands were constantly in the twelve o’clock position on the steering wheel? Makes sense huh?

The Lift mouse benefits from six buttons all within easy reach of the hand. There is the Left/Right click, Back/Forward, Middle button, Scroll-wheel with middle click buttons. The buttons are mostly flush with the silhouette of the mouse so, with practice, you will be able to carry out multiple functions with ease. The buttons can be customised with the Logi Options+ app which is available on Mac and Windows.

Being wireless, the mouse has a range of around 10-m and the signal is received via the Logi Bolt USB receiver which is included in the box. It runs on a single AA battery for up to 24 months which ought to be plenty long enough as the mouse utilises Bluetooth^® Low Energy Technology.

For image-conscious users, the Lift mouse comes in a choice of three colours – Graphite, Off-white and Rose. Just like the Wave keyboard, the Lift mouse also boasts impressive eco credentials with the off-white and rose options being comprised of 54% post-consumer recycled materials while the graphite option comprises 70%.

If, like me, you’re left-handed, fret not. Logitech have a left-handed option for us geniuses too!

Further information and Costs

Logitech Wave keyboard is currently $149.95 AUD
Logitech Lift mouse is currently $129.95 AUD
For further information or to purchase the Wave keyboard and Lift mouse, head on over to logitech.com.