Industrial keyboards are built for places where an ordinary office keyboard would wear out quickly: factories, warehouses, laboratories and healthcare settings. This category has over 80 models, with a built-in touchpad, a trackball or no pointing device at all. The main brands in our range are KEYSONIC, ACTIVE KEY, Contour Design and CHERRY.
How to choose an industrial keyboard
Environment and cleaning. Start with where the keyboard will actually work. Our range includes models marked for medical, industrial, office, home and universal use. If the keyboard will be wiped down or disinfected often, choose a sealed surface and check the manufacturer's IP rating for dust and water protection.
Operating temperature. Many models in our range are rated for 0 to 50 °C, which is enough for indoor rooms. For colder or hotter locations there are keyboards rated from -20 to 70 °C, and one model works down to -40 °C. If equipment is kept in an unheated warehouse, check the storage temperature as well.
Pointing device. A keyboard with a built-in touchpad, sometimes with mouse buttons, saves space on a terminal, a kiosk or a trolley. We stock models with a touchpad, models with a trackball and many with no pointing device. The last group suits workstations where a mouse is already connected or the work is done mostly with keys.
Keyboard layout. Our range includes German, US English, French, UK English and Swiss layouts. Choose the layout your users already know, and remember that the printed key legends stay as they are even if you change the layout in the operating system.
Connection and power. Most keyboards connect by USB and draw power through the same cable, so there are no batteries to replace. A few wireless RF models run on batteries, and one model has a PS/2 connector for older equipment.
Brands we carry
- KEYSONIC: the largest brand in this category in our range, with over 30 models, known for industrial and medical keyboards.
- ACTIVE KEY: specialises in medical keyboards that can be cleaned and disinfected.
- Contour Design: best known for ergonomic pointing devices such as the RollerMouse. Its products appear in our range under CONTOUR, CONTOUR ACTIVE KEY and CONTOUR HD as well.
- CHERRY: a German manufacturer known for its MX mechanical key switches.
Also in our range: Medigenic, Renkforce, MediaRange and TERRA.
Industrial keyboards: frequently asked questions
How does an industrial keyboard differ from a standard one?
An industrial keyboard is made for harsher conditions: dust, moisture, frequent cleaning and a wider temperature range. It often has a sealed surface and a built-in touchpad or trackball. Exact features vary by model, so check the IP rating and the operating temperature range.
Can an industrial keyboard be washed or disinfected?
Many sealed industrial and medical keyboards can be wiped with a damp cloth and disinfected, but not all of them. Check the manufacturer's description before buying: it states which cleaning agents are allowed and which IP rating the keyboard has.
Do I need a keyboard with a built-in touchpad?
You need one when there is no room for a mouse, for example on a trolley, in a kiosk or inside an equipment cabinet. If a mouse is already connected or the work is mostly done with keys, a keyboard without a pointing device is enough. Our range includes both types.
Are industrial keyboards available wirelessly?
Yes, but most models in our range are wired and connect by USB. A few wireless models use an RF connection and run on batteries, which need replacing from time to time. A wired keyboard is usually the better choice when you want steady operation with no maintenance.
