Ben grew up on a healthy diet of Nintendo, Xbox, and PC Games. He founded High Ground Gaming in 2014.
Reviewed by Benjamin Barr
A wrist rest rarely comes to mind when putting together the ideal gaming setup. They are not exciting and flashy like a new mouse or keyboard, nor are they a necessity such as a desk or an office chair. However, the fact remains that humans are spending more time than ever before in the sitting position. Whether for work or play, hours on end in front of the monitor can have consequences for our bodies. In this article, we take a look at the best wrist rests — both keyboard and mouse — that help mitigate some of the risks.
Zoom In: The 10 Best Wrist Rests
In this wrist rests review section we are going to take a closer look at the best wrist supports available for purchase.
Fellowes Memory Foam Wrist Rest
The best memory foam wrist rest
Manufacturer: Fellowes | Type: Keyboard Wrist Rest | Sizes: 1 | Exterior: Jersey Fabric | Interior: Memory Foam | Dimensions: 20 x 3 x 1 inches| Price: 💰💰
The Fellowes Wrist Rest is one of the best keyboard wrist rests available. The memory foam does an excellent job of redistributing pressure away from high-risk areas. The price is right on this one. Furthermore, you’re getting something that is fairly durable with its jersey cover. The nonskid backing keeps it in place even when you’re in a heated debate typing 200 WPM to that asshole on the other side of the country. The soft pillow of memory foam embraces your wrists in its loving embrace and never forgets.
- USERS LIKE
- Stays put
- Easy to wipe clean
- Excellent support that’s perfectly balanced
- USERS DISLIKE
- Narrow, tapered design
- Long-lasting chemical smell
- Actual size is slightly smaller than listing reports
Innovera Softskin Gel Keyboard Wrist Rest
The softest gel keyboard wrist rest
Manufacturer: Innovera | Type: Keyboard Wrist Rest | Sizes: 1 | Exterior: Innovera Softskin | Interior: Gel | Dimensions: 20.25 x 4.3 x 1.15 inches| Price: 💰💰
Innovera claims their softskin material is softer than any fabric and smoother than other wrist rests that use gel. Truth be told, the softskin is nice and the wrists like it. In addition, this outer shell material is highly resistant to staining and water. Quite innovative of Innovera we do say.
- USERS LIKE
- Firm support
- Extremely durable and easy to clean
- Doesn’t lose its supportiveness, even after months of daily use
- USERS DISLIKE
- No upward slant
- Fits most, but not all, keyboards
- Comes with a California chemical warning
Innovera Softskin Gel Mouse Wrist Rest
The softest mouse wrist rest
Manufacturer: Innovera | Type: Mouse Wrist Rest | Sizes: 1 | Exterior: Innovera Softskin | Interior: Gel | Dimensions: 4.8 x 3 x 1 inches| Price: 💰
This is one of the best mouse wrist rests on the market. It uses the same soft skin material that Innovera’s keyboard wrist rest uses (featured at #4 in this list). The nonskid backing keeps it in place when in the mousing hand is clicking away.
- USERS LIKE
- Lasts for years
- Excellent support (on the stiffer side)
- Eliminates pain in wrists, hands, and fingers
- USERS DISLIKE
- Slippery
- Lacks breathability
- Pungent chemical smell
ROCCAT REST Max Ergonomic Gel Wrist Pad
The middle-ground wrist rest
Manufacturer: ROCCAT | Type: Keyboard Wrist Rest | Sizes: 1 | Exterior: Rubber | Interior: Gel | Dimensions: 8.85 x 0.8 x 1.75 inches| Price: 💰💰
We are generally really big fans of ROCCAT products around here. Their gaming wrist rest pad is definitely one of the best wrist supports out there in terms of craftsmanship. The gel-infused cushioning and outer cloth material we are particularly fond of. However, the length of this wrist rest is a little awkward. It is a little too large for one wrist but a little too small at 8ish inches for both wrists.
Overall we’d recommend using it as a 60% keyboard wrist rest, or as a spacious wrist rest for the mouse hand. The grippy backing ensures it won’t move much even during vigorous mouse swiping in the heat of the 30th round in a CS:GO match.
- USERS LIKE
- Very supportive
- Sleek black design
- Reduces wrist pain
- USERS DISLIKE
- Too firm
- Very narrow
- Mainly suitable for 60% keyboards
Glorious PC Gaming Race Keyboard Wrist Rest
The top pick for PC gamers
Manufacturer: Glorious PC Gaming Race | Type: Keyboard Wrist Rest | Sizes: 3 | Exterior: Cloth | Interior: Foam | Dimensions: 14 x 4 x 1 inches| Price: 💰💰💰
Are you in the ranks of the elite? What better way to show it than a couple of wrist rests of the chosen ones. This is in our opinion is one of the best gaming wrist rests out there. With many size options for different types of keyboards and even a mouse wrist rest option, you can find exactly what you’re looking for. Stitched edges, rubber bottom, foam interior, and a smooth cloth surface round these wrist rests out nicely.
Glorious PC Gaming Race offers a number of wrist rest customizations. Color-wise you get your pick of grey or black; thickness, slim or regular; and there are four size options for full size, tenkeyless, and compact keyboards as well as a small mouse wrist rest.
- USERS LIKE
- Comfy foam
- Plenty of compression w/ 25mm thickness
- Anti-slip rubber base keeps wrist rest firmly in place
- USERS DISLIKE
- Awful branding
- Boxy design, no contours
- Expensive (over $25) for a fabric wrist rest
Glorious Gaming Mouse Wrist Pad
The best mouse wrist rest for gaming
Manufacturer: Glorious PC Gaming Race | Type: Mouse Wrist Rest | Sizes: 1 | Exterior: Cloth | Interior: Foam | Dimensions: 8 x 4 x 0.7 inches| Price: 💰💰
Compared to their bigger brothers, mouse wrist rests rarely get enough attention. Even when companies do make them, it’s more of an afterthought add-on – not a standalone product that shines on its own.
But that’s not the case with the Glorious Gaming Mouse Wrist Pad, which features a thoughtful design made specifically for gaming.
Among its top features is a generous 8-inch width, which extends the length of your entire mouespad, protecting your wrist as it whips to and fro in competitive titles. It also features a comfy cloth exterior and medium-range firmness that provides the ideal level of support. Throw in the anti-fraying stitched frame and rubber anti-skid base, and you’ve got a top-tier, quality accessory guaranteed to last years!
- USERS LIKE
- Anti-fraying stitching adds style and durability
- Smooth cloth and foam core feel great and supportive
- Nonskid rubber base stays put, even under fast-paced situations
- USERS DISLIKE
- May be too long for some
- Tends to curl up on either side
- Some users dislike the medium-range firmness; would prefer something softer
3M Gel Wrist Rest
The best for the money
Manufacturer: 3M | Type: Keyboard Wrist Rest | Sizes: 1 | Exterior: Leatherette | Interior: Gel | Dimensions: 18 x 2.7 x .75 inches| Price: 💰💰
If you’re looking for a standard black, no-frills wrist rest 3M has you covered. The leatherette material they’ve used with this wrist rest is highly durable and wears well. Another thing to note about this wrist rest is that it comes in four variations: 7, 18, 19, and 25-inch options. Those on the hunt for the best wrist rest for typing will appreciate the gel-like material.
- USERS LIKE
- Easy to wipe clean
- Noticeable reduction in stress on the wrists
- Quite comfortable with an uncanny balance of firmness
- USERS DISLIKE
- Thin leatherette prone to tearing
- Incidents of gel oozing from interior
- Too small, with a max width of 2.7 inches
Belkin WaveRest Gel Wrist Pad
The top budget mouse wrist pad
Manufacturer: Belkin | Type: Mouse Wrist Rest | Sizes: 1 | Exterior: Cloth | Interior: Gel | Dimensions: 5.5 x 3 x 1 inches| Price: 💰
Those of us in pursuit of the best wrist pad for the mouse may find the WaveRest from Belkin a great mouse mat wrist support solution. As far as pricing goes, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better offer. This wrist rest is also great for those who use calculators and other types of desktop machinery often. The WaveRest contours to your wrist’s curve and helps reduce the pressure that potentially could lead to a repetitive motion disorder.
- USERS LIKE
- Sleek black color
- Ideal size at 5.5 by 3 inches
- Comfy gel-like material supports you wrist like a cloud
- USERS DISLIKE
- Dirties easily
- Prone to sliding
- Mild chemical smell
Castle Bailey Leather Keyboard Wrist Rest
The best leather wrist rest
Manufacturer: Castle | Type: Keyboard Wrist Rest | Sizes: 3 | Exterior: Leather | Interior: Rubber | Dimensions: 18 x 4 x 1 inches| Price: 💰💰💰
The Bailey Wrist Rest by Castle is a leather rest that is priced accordingly. Featuring genuine leather, this one is sure to get better with age and be resistant to all manner of wear and tear.
It is harder than many wrist rests, though the rigidity could help supports wrists and aid them in maintaining an elbow level height. Furthermore, it is a bit wider than most pads which offer more surface area for resting lower arms in addition to the wrists. This model is available in brown, gray, and the black color pictured above.
Castle also offers this wrist rest in a compact, TKL version (about 14 inches long) as well as a 60% version (about 11.5 inches long). For owners of mechanical keyboards and enthusiasts, you can find a matching size for these relatively new keyboard lengths.
Disclosure: “The Bailey” is a product created by Top Shelf Media, which also owns and operates this website. We are committed to transparency and honesty in our descriptions and believe this product merits a mention here due to its quality and relevance to our users.
- USERS LIKE
- Genuine leather construction
- Becomes ever-more comfortable with use
- Classic and minimal design w/ Castle embossed logo
- USERS DISLIKE
- Some users find it too firm
- Initial chemical smell that goes away after a few days
- May be too thick for some low-profile keyboards and too wide for some users preferences
Castle Motte Leather Mouse Wrist Rest
The best leather wrist rest for mouse hand
Manufacturer: Castle | Type: Mouse Wrist Rest | Sizes: 1 | Exterior: Leather | Interior: Rubber | Dimensions: 7.25 x 3.5 x 1.0 inches| Price: 💰💰
This wrist rest is designed for supporting the mouse hand (that’s going to be the right hand for most folks). It is the brother to the Bailey keyboard wrist rest featured above. You get the genuine leather material but this time in a compact wrist rest made for placing on a mouse pad or desk in front of your wired or wireless mouse.
Another idea for wrist support for the mouse hand is purchasing a brace for rigid support. Those already suffering from a lot of pain may want to go this route. The Mueller Fitted Wrist Brace is considered the best wrist brace for carpal tunnel and is around $10 bucks.
Disclosure: “The Motte” is a product created by Top Shelf Media, which also owns and operates this website. We are committed to transparency and honesty in our descriptions and believe this product merits a mention here due to its quality and relevance to our users.
- USERS LIKE
- Clean, durable stitching
- Comes in multiple colors
- Comfortable leather exterior
- USERS DISLIKE
- Not very breathable
- Very firm
- Some find the cushioning too high
Wrist Rest Guide Part I: General Thoughts on Office Ergonomics & Wrist Rests
A move towards ergonomics in the office and at home has been an ongoing trend for some time now, but it’s been gaining steam in recent years. According to the Washington State Department of Labor, Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD’s) account for over 60% of office workers’ compensation claim costs. Some companies even have HR employees dedicated to the task of applying ergonomic principles to keep the rest of their staff healthy and happy. With more of the world jumping online and moving into technology-related jobs every day, it is unlikely that this trend or these musculoskeletal disorders will go away.
Neck Strain, lower back pain, hand and wrist tendonitis, and carpal tunnel being among the most common reported injuries. It may seem silly when comparing injuries such as these to a construction type job-related injury such as a broken arm but frankly can still cause a lot of pain (a recent study found lower back pain the #1 ergo issue worldwide). Whereas once a broken arm is mended and heals the pain typically subsides altogether, there is no easy fix for musculoskeletal disorders. It’s an ongoing battle.
Good posture can go a long way towards preventing back pain and wrist pain. Monitor arm’s length away, don’t crane your neck, eliminate excessive reaching, hands at or below elbow level, rest your eyes periodically, and don’t forget to take stretch breaks and get up and walk around every so often. This is just a fraction of the advice we receive. The problem is it can take an ungodly amount of discipline to maintain a regime like this over the course of the day, particularly in the afternoon or at night when your body is tired.
The concept of setting yourself up for success can go a long way here. By putting together the right office environment your body will be nudged towards better habits and ultimately a healthier posture. In turn, this reduces the risk for developing one of these pesky (or even debilitating) aches and pains. One of the big wins in setting up an ergonomic space is getting a keyboard wrist rest and mouse wrist rest. Just like a high-quality office chair (my Steelcase Leap did wonders for my lower back pain) will go a long way to cure back pain, wrist rests help alleviate lower arm and wrist troubles.
Wrist Rest Guide Part II: Do Wrist Rests Help Prevent Problems?
You don’t want to make matters worse rather than better. It’s certainly important to consider if ergonomic gizmos are even worth the trouble. One thing wrist rests are very good at is support the wrists and keeping them at a straight, neutral angle. Problems arise when a wrist rest is too bulky and puts too much pressure on the underside of the wrist. Another possible issue to look out for is when a wrist rest forces the user to bend their wrists sideways to reach the keys.
Wrist rests aid in keeping the wrists straight. Instead of having a gap between the keyboard and your body where the wrists ‘sink’ to touch the desk, you have a safe zone with the right wrist rest. While typing this will support the wrists and keep them in a neutral position as well as supporting the hands so they are at the correct elbow level height. Furthermore, between bouts of typing, you’ll have a place to rest your palms and wrists so they are not making contact with the hard surface of your desk.
Problems arise when the wrists stay in a non-neutral posture for too long. Picture being too far below your keyboard or too far above it, this would force the wrists to take an awkward angle to engage in typing on the keyboard. This would cause localized pressure on the nerves or tendons in the wrist (where there are many) and could cause damage. Even a slight angle over an extended period can cause havoc in this part of the body that is susceptible to injury.
Image: A Compressed Median Nerve Can Lead to Pain, Tingling, Burning
The two most common musculoskeletal wrist issues are tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Tendonitis is the inflammation of tendons (tissues that connect muscles to bones). It is generally caused by the overuse of certain muscles, which as one could imagine, happens to the hands and fingers of gamers and office workers. Untreated tendonitis can actually lead to carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of a compressed nerve in the wrist. Once tendons become inflamed, they cause the carpal tunnel (wrist area) to narrow which then can press on the median nerve. That can be really painful or at the very least lead to some tingling and burning.
Related Reading
- Ergonomics Gaming Guide
- Best Ergonomic Keyboards
- Best Ergonomic Mice
- Best Ergonomic Desks
- Kinesis Freestyle Edge Review
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