"Shorter" workers and kids need "low profile" (knee clearance) ergonomic keyboard trays and platforms; don't get a device that has lots of bulkiness beneath the tray for people under 5' 4". Chances are, they will hit their knees on the bottom of the mechanism. Our JTG and NPE articulating keyboard trays offer some of the lowest profiles available. All of our keyboard trays are much more than cheap keyboard drawers.  Ergonomic articulation makes all the difference in the world and allow users to place their keyboard trays in optimal positions.

Padded palm rests can help keep hands and wrists straighter to reduce unsafe and uncomfortable postures. Some people still refer to palm rests as wrist rests. Wrong! Wrists should not rest on anything. You may gently rest your heel of your palms. The duration and frequency at which you may rest your palms is a subject of debate among the experts. Few would disagree that it is fine to gently rest your palms during breaks from keying.

We suggest options that allow use of the mouse as close to the keyboard as possible. A good ergonomic keyboard tray allows frequent mouse users to place the mouse in a position that requires no overt reaching or stretching.

Avoid keyboard "drawers" or pull out trays that provide little, if any, height adjustability. Odds are very high that any given single height position tray is going to be an inappropriate height. Most keyboard drawers or pull-out trays don't provide any tilt capability, which is another important feature required to reduce awkward hand postures during keying tasks. The ergonomic keyboard trays please most ergonomists and workplace safety professionals.

Avoid flimsy, cheap products from office supply stores. Many of these products represent the absolute lowest common denominator in support solutions and they invariably turn out to be substandard. On the other hand, if you key infrequently or only occasionally, then a $35.00 pull out tray may be appropriate.

Easy keyboard tray height and tilt adjustments work hand in hand with a worker's ability to change seating postures to help workers achieve numerous postures. The more built in flexibility a workstation has, the greater the likelihood of reduced discomfort, reduced injuries and greater productivity.

For those who will install their own keyboard tray for the first time: All but one of our keyboard arm products operate in conjunction with a track system that attaches to the underside of the desk. These tracks are about 6 inches wide and can run between 16 to 28 inches in length depending on the model. Make sure you have the depth needed to install your chosen track. If your surface is too shallow, you will need to cut the track down with a hack saw or something akin to a hacksaw. If your desk has a skirt, apron, support bar or obstruction underneath, you will have to build up the area where you plan to install your track to the same height as the obstruction, so that the track can be mounted level from front to back. We usually use plywood or MDF strips and attach them to the bottom of the surface. Always check the screws supplied with the keyboard tray to make sure they are short enough not to come through to the other side of your work surface.