How to find the right wrist rest to enhance your working comfort.
How can a wrist rest improve comfort?
If you find it uncomfortable to have your wrist touching your desk while working on a computer and using a mouse and keyboard, a wrist rest or palm support might be a good solution to help.
Some people report that using a wrist rest helps to relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and RSI (repetitive strain injuries), so if you suffer from one of these conditions, a wrist rest might make your working life much more comfortable.
Check your setup
By the way, make sure you have your basic workstation setup right, especially if you're experiencing any wrist discomfort. For example, are your elbows in line with your keyboard when typing and you're not sitting too low? You can get tips from our Guide to computer keyboard ergonomics.
What kinds of wrist rests and palm supports are available?
In a nutshell, some wrist rests and palm supports are designed for using with your mouse and other wrist rests go with your keyboard – you can use one of each if you wish.
Use with your mouse
You could use a soft and padded fabric wrist rest filled with beads such as the excellent ErgoBeads Mouse Wrist Rest which you put it in front of your mouse. The squashy PUK Wrist Support sits between you and your mouse and both these wrist rests can move around whilst you use your mouse. Remember that your 'palm' is the whole area between your fingers and your carpus (wrist joint), not just the centre of your hand or the bit at the base.
So one of the palm supports you could choose is the soft PlushTouch™ Black Mouse Pad Palm Support – it's padded and you put your mouse on it. You could alternatively get a model which is height-adjustable (with adjustable feet underneath it) to get the height of the palm support just right for you.
Use with your keyboard
Most wrist rests for your keyboard are padded, long, thin rectangular rests with non-skid backing. You could also choose the durable PlushTouch™ Keyboard Wrist Support with its soft, breathable material and built-in Microban® protection to fight the growth of bacteria.
Any questions? Would like a personalised recommendation?
Ask the Posturite product experts in an online chat.
Any other wrist rest features to note?
Look out for a wrist rest you can pop in your freezer for extra cooling relief when you need it. It's also possible to buy washable and antimicrobial rests.
How much does a wrist rest or arm rest cost?
Most wrist rests are low in cost, with many costing less than £30. A more sophisticated forearm rest costs around £140. Discounts are available at Posturite when subscribing to emails.
Forearm supports
Is it actually a forearm support that you need? The Ergorest 350 Series with Mouse Pad is popular and takes some of the weight off your whole arm, with good results reported for people's shoulder and arm comfort. Clamp it to your desk, place your wrist on the support and your mouse on the disc. The separate mouse station helps your wrist to remain in a natural position.
Flat mouse mats
There is still a place for mouse mats on today's desks! To enhance comfort and productivity, you could choose a portable flat mouse pad so that your wrists don't feel the cold hard desk surface and your mouse functions well. You could choose a large desk pad to place under both your mouse and keyboard.
Wrist and arm rest reviews
Reviews are a great way to help you choose a wrist rest or arm rest. Latest reviews include:
"This mouse pad palm support is amazing, it makes your job much easier when using your mouse and your wrist feels relaxed and not stiff. I would highly recommend this product."
Craig, reviewing the Height Adjustable Mouse Pad Palm Support.
"This is so comfortable to use and has eased the issue I had in my wrist. It's also great for destressing - the beads feel like a stress ball!"
Lydia, reviewing the ErgoBeads Mouse Wrist Rest.
"Just what I was looking for and it has eased discomfort in my wrist."
Caroline, reviewing the PlushTouch™ Mouse Pad Palm Support.
"Very happy. The construction is solid, stable, doesn't wobble and moves around so smoothly. I'm starting to forget that the wrist support is even there."
Charlie, reviewing the Ergorest 350 Series with Mouse Pad.
Most popular right now
Shop the full range of wrist rests at Posturite
