As we enter a new era of technology, using computers, laptops and desktops is now a necessity. If there is one thing in common about the old and the young using technology, is that keyboards are a must! Using a keyboard every day increases your productivity and makes your work easier. But did you know that long hours of typing without protecting your wrist will result in discomfort, strains and a bad posture?

Now you might be wondering, what’s the magical item that can prevent these things from happening to your wrists? The answer is a wrist rest. Wrist rests are a crucial part of an ergonomic working environment. Wrist rests elevate your hands rather than bending it at an upward, awkward angle. Moreover, if you rest your wrists against the surface of your desk for long hours, it will do more harm than good. This will affect your blood flow to your wrists, causing tissue damage in the long run. 

What is a wrist rest?

A wrist rest is a padded support that is placed under your wrists while typing on your keyboard. Wrist rests help to maintain the wrists in a neutral position, which can help to reduce fatigue, discomfort, and strain. Wrist strains are becoming increasingly common as many users are not using wrist rests to type for a long duration. Straining your wrists can impact your performance and mood. Thus, investing in a wrist rest is pivotal to protecting your wrists from harm.

In today’s day and age, wrist rests are available everywhere on the market. Be it in a computer store or online stores. However, choosing a wrist rest is primarily based on your preference and needs. Before deciding on which wrist rest to add to your workstation, you need to know the types of wrist rests on the market and the pros and cons of each type. Therefore, we will talking about all things wrist rest and to help you decide- an honest review of using both types of wrist rest. Let’s get into it!

Types of wrist rest

Before determining which wrist rest to purchase, there are a few factors to consider: type of wrist rest, quality and price. There are two major types of wrist rests in the market- Gel and Memory Foam. These two wrist rests differ in feel, function and comfort. It depends on which type suits your wrists better. Some other types of wrist rests include fabric and beaded, but this blog is aimed to compare the top two materials which are gel and memory foam.

• Gel Wrist Rest

Gel Wrist Rest

Gel wrists rest are typically wrist rests made from silicone gel. A gel wrist rest is typically made out of silicone gel. Silicone gel is a non-toxic, hypoallergenic material that is soft and comfortable to the touch. It is also durable and can withstand repeated use. Silicone gel is a popular choice for wrist rests because it provides good support and pressure relief. It also conforms to the shape of the wrist, which helps to maintain a neutral position.

The outer layer of a gel wrist rest is typically made out of a soft and durable material, such as neoprene, spandex and polyester.

• Neoprene: A synthetic rubber that is soft, flexible, and water-resistant. It is also very durable and can withstand repeated use.
• Spandex: A synthetic fiber that is known for its elasticity. It is also very soft and comfortable to the touch.
• Polyester: A synthetic fiber that is known for its strength and durability. It is also very soft and smooth to the touch.

These materials are often chosen for the outer layer of gel wrist rests because they are comfortable to rest on, easy to clean, and can withstand the heat of the dye-sublimation process. Some gel wrist rests may also have a fabric outer layer, such as cotton or velvet. These materials are typically softer and more absorbent than synthetic materials, but they may not be as durable.

• Memory Foam Wrist Rest

Seigaiha Sakura Wrist Rest

A memory foam wrist rest is typically made out of a type of polyurethane foam that has viscoelastic properties. This means that the foam is both soft and supportive, and it conforms to the shape of the wrist to provide pressure relief. Memory foam is a popular choice for wrist rests because it is very effective at reducing fatigue and discomfort. It is also durable and can withstand repeated use.

The outer layer of a memory foam wrist rest are also typically made of neoprene, spandex, polyester and fabric. Fabric: Some memory foam wrist rests may also have a fabric outer layer, such as cotton or velvet. These materials are typically softer and more absorbent than synthetic materials, but they may not be as durable. These materials are often chosen because they are comfortable and can withstand the weight and pressure of the wrist.

GEL vs Memory foam- which is better?

Wrist rests come in all shapes and sizes. Some are two separate components, oval shaped and many more variations. Here, we would like to compare gel and memory foam wrist rests. Firstly, let’s go into the features of each type before moving into their pros and cons.

Looking at their features, gel and memory foam wrist rests both differ in features and components. The best type of wrist rest for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for a supportive and cooling wrist rest, then a gel wrist rest is a good choice. If you are looking for a soft and comfortable wrist rest, then a memory foam wrist rest is yours to take. Looking for a wrist rest that is the best of both worlds? You can consider a hybrid wrist rest that combines the benefits of both gel and memory foam.

Pros and cons of gel and foam wrist rests

Gel Wrist Rest

Memory Foam Wrist Rest

If you’re looking to build a healthier and more productive workstation, you should consider investing in a quality wrist rest. Despite the different types of wrist rests, they all serve one purpose; which is to eliminate discomfort, supports your wrists and elevate productivity. Although wrist rests are often overlooked, it provides more benefits to you than you know.

Furthermore, wrist rest is an affordable tool to reduce the risk of Carpal Tunnel syndrome. The gel and foam tend to mould to the shape of your wrist and leaves your hands in a natural resting position. However, if contact between the wrists and the rests is too frequent or too heavy, the wrist rest can cause excessive pressure on wrist tendons. Thus, knowing how to utilize this wrist support is important and you can reap the benefits if you use them well.

Do bear in mind that higher-priced and quality gel and memory foam perform much better than the average quality. Not only are they long lasting, and doesn’t sag, most quality materials are also easier to clean. Not convinced? Read this article to amplify the needs of a good quality wrist rest.

An honest review by Thomas of TheKapCo

Still debating on which wrist rest to get? I have done the work for you. After using each wrist rest for two weeks, I will share my personal thoughts and what I think would be best suited for your needs!

Option 1: Gel Wrist Rest

• Excellent support
• Very cooling, perfect for hot weather
• Comfortable and stable
• No pain or discomfort
• Slightly more expensive, but good quality
• Non-slip bottom

Overall, my experience of using the gel wrist rest was wonderful. The silicone gel gave an excellent support for my wrists, ensuring my hands are placed in a neutral and natural position. Whenever I am typing, I will raise my wrist slightly so that they will not graze against the fabric of the wrist rest, causing friction and discomfort. The function of the wrist rest is mainly to provide an elevated place for your hands when you are not typing. Furthermore, the wrist rest prevents my wrists from leaning against the edge of the desk, making it comfortable and pain-free. Although it is slightly costlier, it can definitely withstand repeated use.

The next best thing is the cooling properties of the gel. Silicone gel is an amazing non-toxic, hypoallergenic material that can cool even the hottest people. The gel does not retain heat from the body, nor does it absorb sweat and odor. This makes it enjoyable to use, especially in a hot environment. From my experience, the wrist rest stays slightly cooler than room temperature and is comfortable to touch. Believe me, I have tried dissecting a gel wrist rest to show you what its like under the fabric. It's a soft, cool gel that's surprisingly therapeutic to touch! (refer to top right of the picture)

The gel wrist rest is very sturdy. The thick gel wrist rest does not compress over time while the non-slip bottom anchors it to the table. There are no pain or discomfort felt while using the gel wrist rest. I did not sweat on the wrist rest (maybe due to working in an air-conditioned environment), and there was no odor. I cannot claim that this experience is the same for everyone but generally, it was a good experience. My wrists were well-protected and supported throughout the two weeks of using the gel wrist rest.

Option 2: Memory Foam Wrist Rest

• Excellent support
• Soft and comfortable
• Warm after long usage
• No pain or discomfort
• Affordable and good quality
• Non-slip bottom

Most of our wrist rest here at The Kapco are made out of memory foam and fabric. It is made from high-quality materials that can withstand repeated use. After cutting open a Kapco Memory Foam Wrist Rest, I have noticed that the foam is attached onto the top cover. Thus, making it a strong, anti-damaging set. It took many slices to finally pierce through the top cover. This shows the resilience and quality of the product!

This foam wrist rest offers the same support and protection with the gel. The only difference is that the foam rest is softer, and will mould your wrist when pressure is applied. After your wrist is taken off, the foam will rise and return to its original form. It also conforms to the shape of your wrist and provide good pressure relief. Furthermore, after resting my wrists for about 5 minutes, the foam wrist rest started to get warm as it absorbs the heat from my hands. Some might feel uncomfortable with the warmth, but personally, I rather enjoyed the little warmth as my office was freezing cold!

The memory foam wrist rest is soft and comfortable to lay my wrists on. I feel it is MORE comfortable than the gel wrist rest, but that’s just my opinion and preference. I did not experience any pain or discomfort while using the wrist rest. Quite the opposite actually. I felt that I could type for days! More importantly, it is priced at an affordable range ($50) but ensures high quality material. 

In a nutshell: choosing a gel or memory foam wrist rest is a never-ending debate. Some people might find memory foam to be more comfortable. Others find themselves to be more efficient with a supportive gel wrist rest. It is entirely up to your own preference. Besides, you can also opt for other material options, but memory foam and gel are generally preferred due to easy maintenance and overall function. Ultimately, deciding which wrist rest types is perfect for you depends on what suits you best. Here’s a quick guide on how to choose your wrist rest.

How do I choose a wrist rest?

The best type of wrist rest for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for a wrist rest that is supportive, durable and cooling, then a gel wrist rest is a good choice. If you are looking for a wrist rest that is soft and comfortable, then a memory foam wrist rest is what you need. Read on the ultimate guide to learn more! But here's a general guide:

• Match the wrist rest to the width, height, and slope of the front edge of the keyboard 
  
  
• Ensure the wrist postures as straight as possible
  
  
• Choose fairly soft and rounded wrist rests to minimize pressure on the wrist
  
  
• If you live in a hot climate, you may want to choose a gel wrist rest to stay cool.
  
  
• If you are a heavy typist, you may opt for a memory foam wrist rest for more support.
  
  
• Check your budget and decide accordingly
  
  
• Get one that is easy to clean. Check out a complete guide on cleaning wrist rests here!

Key takeaways

• A wrist rest is a padded support that is placed under your wrists while typing on your keyboard.
  
  
• Wrist rests help to maintain the wrists in a neutral position, which can help to reduce fatigue, discomfort, and strain.
  
  
• Gel wrist rests provide a cooling effect, is more sturdy and generally better support.
  
  
• Memory Foam wrist rests provide soft, comfortable and elevates wrists to neutral position.
  
  
• The KapCo has a magnificent collection of memory foam wrist rests. Check them out here.

By investing in wrist rests, you protect your wrists while boosting productivity. Check out what else you can add to your workspace to increase efficiency here.

Thanks for reading!