The Best Mechanical Keyboards
All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Henri-Robbins.jpg)
Your keyboard is the most direct line of communication between yourself and your computer, whether gaming, working from home, or doing anything else in front of a screen. Why not invest in one that's reliable, fun, and enjoyable? I love mechanical keyboards—I even open boards and tinker with them. Over the past few years, I have tested dozens, ranging from the fastest gaming keyboards to those offering elevated typing experiences. These are the best mechanical keyboards of the hundreds you can find online.
With keyboard advances over the past few years, you can’t go wrong with anything in this guide—everything I recommend is well-built, sturdy, and feels great to type on. That said, what I like might not be what you like—more than anything else, the “best” keyboard comes down to what features you want and what kind of feel you prefer when typing.
We have more PC peripheral guides, including Best Keyboards (which include styles like chiclet keyboards), Best Gaming Mice, Best Computer Speakers, and Best Computer Monitors.
Updated May 2025: We've added the Mchose GX87 Ultra, Mchose X75 V2, Das 5QS, Corsair K70 Pro TKL, SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL, SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini, Wobkey Rainy75, Corsair K70 Core Wireless TKL, Elecom VK720A, Chillkey ND75 LP, Keychron K4 HE, and Keychron Q6 HE.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
First, Read Our Mechanical Keyboard Explainer
Things can get pretty in-the-weeds when shopping for a mechanical keyboard. You'll probably come across terms like switches, PBT keycaps, hot-swappable, 75% keyboards, TKL, and so on. If you're curious about what these mean, I recommend you read my comprehensive How to Choose and Customize a Mechanical Keyboard guide.
You do not need to understand all of these words if you want a fun, good, mechanical keyboard that just works—almost all of my recommendations below are fully assembled keyboards. They're all hot-swappable, so you don't have to feel locked to a particular type of switch. Spend some time with your new board, and if you want to make a tweak or try a new set of switches, well, that's the beauty of mechanical keyboards—you can customize them whenever you like.
What Switches Should You Get?
Switches are a huge part of a mechanical keyboard—if you already have a board, try swapping the switches if you want a fresh experience. I'm working on a guide to my favorite switches, but below are my recommendations if you want a silent, tactile, or linear switch.
One of the most frequent things friends and family ask me about is silent switches. For coworkers, roommates, family members, or partners, the constant clicking and clacking of a mechanical keyboard can be grating. There are silent linear and silent tactile switches, but I find that silent linears are more acceptable in terms of typing feel and actual silence. However, even the best silent linear switches will feel a bit off compared to a non-silent switch.
The best silent switch available today is the Haimu Heartbeat ($11 for 36 switches). Once lubed, this switch is almost perfectly silent and, more importantly, manages to do it with hardly any of the “mushy” or “squishy” feeling most silenced switches have. Instead, it has a clean and slightly soft bottom-out that’s only betrayed by the lack of audible response to accompany it. In second place sits the slightly more silent Gazzew Bobagum. This switch is almost dead-silent, and while it does have the usual “mushy” bottom-out feeling of silicone, it isn’t that bad when the rest of the switch is as smooth as it is. If you’re a fairly light typist who doesn’t bottom-out keypresses, or you don’t mind a slightly mushier bottom-out, these are also great.
Linear switches are often the default choice for mechanical switches. My two favorites are from Gateron: Oil King switches ($49 for 70) and Cream Soda switches ($53 for 70). Oil Kings are one of the best linear switches available today. Out of the box, they’re smooth, sound great, and require zero modification. You don’t need to lube them, film them, swap the springs, or anything else. Just put them into a keyboard, and you’re golden. The Cream Soda switches, on the other hand, are a great mix of different switch technologies. Utilizing a long-pole stem for a more distinct bottom-out sound, proprietary Ink plastic for a smooth and deep sound, and factory lube that’s on par with hand-lubing, they feel incredibly smooth and sound great right out of the box, although they can still benefit from adding film.
I find that a lot of people look for the wrong things when shopping for tactile switches. While ultra-tactile switches with distinct bumps are popular online, I find these kinds of switches often only feel good on their own and can be difficult to adjust to for the average person. Instead, I always advocate for something in the middle: a crisp, responsive bump that isn’t so drastic that it distracts from typing or feels uncomfortable after prolonged periods.
The classics always hold up: Durock T1 ($45 for 110) switches are a great starting point, and I’ve always had a soft spot for Novelkeys’ Cream Tactile ($12 for 10) switches, even if you need to break them in quite a bit compared to other switches. Drop’s Holy Pandas ($42 for 35) mostly deserve their reputation—they’re a solid, heavy tactile that feels great to type on, and I’ll always love the Boba U4T for their fantastic sound profile and great tactile bump.
What Connectivity Option Is Best?
You usually can connect a keyboard in three ways: wired, Bluetooth, or via a 2.4-GHz dongle. Here's what each of those mean.
Wired: This will always be the best connectivity option, because it means you won't need to recharge your keyboard, and you'll always get the fastest input speeds. That said, you'll have an unsightly cable running on your desk from your PC to the keyboard.
Bluetooth: Bluetooth is convenient, and most keyboards with Bluetooth let you connect to multiple devices, allowing you to quickly switch between them via a button. However, Bluetooth doesn't have the best range and latency, the latter of which is especially notable when gaming.
2.4 GHz: This is a little USB-A dongle (sometimes USB-C) that's included with the keyboard if it supports 2.4 GHz. It's the best wireless connectivity option because it offers lower latency (how quickly your inputs register), longer range, and more stable performance. The downside is you can only connect to one PC at a time with the dongle, and it saps battery life faster than Bluetooth. It's worth noting that you usually can use 2.4-GHz keyboards as wired keyboards as well.
Best Overall
Several WIRED Gear team members use Keychron mechanical keyboards every day. The company has a vast selection of keyboards (you'll find a few more in our guide), and they're all generally well-built with a simple user experience. Excellent straight out of the box, these are sturdy, reliable, and satisfying to type on. Everything from the gaskets to the stabilizers is dialed in from the start, meaning there’s hardly anything you need to upgrade, save for personal preference. Between a full-metal case, great repairability, customizability with hot-swappable Hall effect switches, and a solid typing sound, I don’t have any real issues with the wireless Q6 HE—or anything else in Keychron’s Q line. It even supports QMK/VIA, making remapping keys a breeze using either VIA or Keychron’s in-browser Launcher app.
The Q6 HE is a standard full-size layout, meaning every key you could need is here: The number pad, arrow keys, function row, and extra navigation keys are all in their standard locations, and there’s an extra knob and four macro keys in the top right corner. While this is a bit large compared to some of our other picks, this layout will likely be familiar and easy to use for most people. The Hall effect switches can be customized extensively, with features like Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation distances (mostly for gamers), along with a 1,000-Hz refresh rate, making this keyboard a great option for gaming and productivity. Overall, this keyboard is a fantastic option for efficiency-oriented typists who want an enjoyable typing experience and a sturdy build quality.
The Q6 HE is only available with linear Hall effect switches, but this keyboard is also available in the Q6 Pro or Q6 Max configurations with both linear and tactile mechanical switch options.
Specs Switches: Linear Hall effect (hot-swappable) Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth or 2.4-GHz dongle) or wired In the box: Includes USB-A to USB-A cable, USB-A to USB-C adapter Operating system keycaps: Mac and Windows Layout: Full-size (100%) Best Gaming Mechanical Keyboard
The BlackWidow V4 75% (8/10, WIRED Recommends) incorporates a lot of great innovations from the custom keyboard space into the framework of a gaming keyboard, improving almost every aspect of the average keyboard. I had a few small gripes with this keyboard’s assembly and repairability, but it’s a fantastic option for gamers who want to upgrade their typical Razer keyboard with extra features. This is a 75% layout, so it's smaller, eliminating areas like the numeric keypad typically found on a full-size keyboard.
The factory-lubed Razer Orange switches have a strong tactile bump and a satisfying typing sound, and the (expectedly) bright and flashy RGB lighting that’s typically absent in premium keyboards, along with an ultra-fast 8,000-Hz polling rate that’s perfect for fast-paced gaming. While some details like the lack of wireless connectivity and the plastic bottom case weren’t ideal, the typing experience and overall build quality more than made up for it.
Specs Switches: Tactile (hot-swappable) Connectivity: Wired In the box: Includes wrist rest and USB-C to USB-A cable Operating system keycaps: Windows Layout: 75%
Best Multiuse Keyboard
With a 1,000-Hz refresh rate, great switches, and a responsive and bouncy gasket-mount system, this keyboard blew me away with how nice it feels to type on and how competent it is for pretty much any application (8/10, WIRED Recommends). The McHose GX87 Ultra has a simple but refined look—the case is made of thick aluminum and is designed with simple, robust shapes that look great on a desk. The keycaps are thick PBT that feel great when typing. Most importantly, the internal assembly uses a gasket-mount system that combines with the Vintage White switches to feel bouncy and responsive while sounding crisp and poppy, much like the keyboard videos you see online.
Customization is easy: The GX87 Ultra can be taken apart using snap-release mechanisms (no screws), it has hot-swap sockets to change switches without soldering, and the keycaps are a standard layout that nearly any aftermarket set will support. I found the wireless connectivity to last a long time without constantly recharging the keyboard, and the layout and lighting were easy to customize using the open source QMK and VIA software.
Specs Switches: Linear or tactile (hot-swappable) Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth or 2.4-GHz dongle) or wired In the box: Includes USB-C to USB-C cable and USB-C to USB-A adapter Operating system keycaps: Mac and Windows Layout: TKL (80%) Best Budget Mechanical Keyboard
Keychron's V1 Max has most of the benefits of the BlackWidow V4 without the extras to keep the price close to $100. It's gasket-mounted, meaning the keyboard's plate is held into the case around the edges using strips of foam to isolate the plate from the case. This allows for some bounce and offers a quieter and more consistent typing sound across the keyboard. You also get wireless connectivity, RGB lighting, hot-swap sockets, and a great overall typing feel out of the box. Like the Q5 Pro above, it’s fully programmable using QMK and VIA software, meaning every key can be remapped. The V1 Max only has a 1,000-Hz polling rate compared to Razer’s 8,000 Hz (how fast the keyboard sends information to the computer), but 1,000 Hz is more than enough for most fast-paced games. Its RGB is much more rudimentary, but the rest of its specs more than make up for this, considering the price.
In the time I used this keyboard, I found its typing experience fantastically poppy and crisp, and all the materials are shockingly nice—solid keycaps, great switches, and a simple two-piece plastic case that’s easy to take apart. The largest trade-off is the quality of the case: The plastic isn’t super thick, and the entire keyboard easily flexes when bent. However, the gasket-mount system makes this hard to notice in regular use. More than that, a plastic case like this is lighter than metal, and any scrapes and dents it picks up will be much less obvious, making it an ideal candidate for use on the go or in an office, especially with the included wireless dongles for both USB-A and USB-C.
Specs Switches: Linear or tactile (hot-swappable) Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz with USB-C or USB-A receiver) or wired In the box: Includes USB-C to USB-C cable and USB-C to USB-A adapter Operating system keycaps: Mac and Windows Layout: 75%
-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Henri-Robbins.jpg)
Best Low-Profile Mechanical Keyboard
When I first learned about the Lofree Flow, I was skeptical. I’ve tried a few low-profile mechanical keyboards and never really saw the point—they all just felt (and sounded) like glorified laptop keyboards. But the Flow is different: With Kailh's full POM low-profile switches, a gasket-mounted metal case, and an impressive build, I genuinely found myself wanting to come back to this keyboard despite a pile of traditional mechanical keyboards (both personal and review samples) sitting next to me.
While I love the typing experience and assembly, my only gripe is a small one: The LED backlighting doesn't work perfectly for the provided keycaps, since the LED is on the bottom of the switch and the text is on the top. Besides that, it’s one of the first genuinely good low-profile keyboards I’ve typed on. Typing is smooth and satisfying, and the durable build reinforces all the best qualities of these fairly unconventional switches.
Specs Switches: Linear or tactile switches (hot-swappable) Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth) or wired In the box: Includes USB-C to USB-C cable Operating system keycaps: Mac and Windows Layout: 75% A More Compact Hall Effect Keyboard
Keychron’s Q1 HE (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is probably the most refined Hall effect keyboard available today. Hall effect switches use magnets to identify keypresses and are much more responsive and durable than mechanical switches. They're also adjustable—you can configure the W key to actuate with a slight press versus a full press, which can be handy for certain games. This is all available in Keychron’s in-browser Launcher software, which lets you adjust actuation points and response times, create multiple inputs at different distances, and even emulate a traditional controller joystick.
With great switches, immense customization, and Keychron’s usual high-quality gasket-mount system, I enjoyed typing on and gaming with this keyboard more than any other optical or Hall Effect keyboard I’ve used. Typing feels and sounds great, with a lower-pitched typing tone and smooth keypresses. The bottom-out feels softer than a traditional mechanical switch, but this softer typing feel can be better for longer typing sessions. Overall, it's just a really enjoyable keyboard and delivers an experience that won’t disappoint, even if the Q1 HE doesn’t do anything crazy.
Specs Switches: Hall effect (hot-swappable) Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz) or wired In the box: Includes USB-C to USB-C cable and USB-C to USB-A adapter Operating system keycaps: Mac and Windows Layout: 75%
Best Budget Hall Effect Keyboard
For less than $200, you get a keyboard with incredibly customizable Hall effect switches, a smooth typing feel, a deep and satisfying sound, wireless connectivity, and mid-century styling similar to the Fractal North PC case. Even though the K2 HE (9/10, WIRED Recommends) uses a tray-mount system that’s not quite as good as the Q1 HE’s gasket mounting, Keychron has refined its tray mount to feel satisfying and consistent across keys. The bottom-out still feels softer than a traditional mechanical keyboard, but I still enjoyed typing on this keyboard and found it even preferable for longer typing sessions.
Specs Switches: Linear Hall effect (hot-swappable) Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz) or wired In the box: Includes USB-C to USB-A cable Operating system keycaps: Mac and Windows Layout: 75% Best for Programmers
The Happy Hacking Keyboard has been a mainstay in the mechanical keyboard community for years, thanks to its fantastic layout and unique typing experience. The HHKB Studio (8/10, WIRED Recommends) takes the best parts of the previous generation and builds on them, adding a trackpoint and touchpads to make navigation more streamlined. Along with this, the Studio has multi-device Bluetooth connectivity and hot-swap sockets. The only downside of this model compared to other HHKB generations is the move from Topre to MX-style switches, but the company's unique switches serve as a great linear equivalent to the beloved tactile switch, and the standardized design allows for a lot more customization than before.
While the price is high even on sale, I don’t think any other options come close to what this keyboard can do. All the features blend well, and using the Studio eventually becomes second nature.
Specs Switches: Silent linear switches (hot-swappable) Connectivity: Wired (Bluetooth) or wireless In the box: Includes USB-A to USB-C cable Operating system keycaps: Merged Mac and Windows Layout: 60 keys
Best Sounding Keyboard
The Bakeneko 60 is the most well-known “entry-level” custom keyboard in the mechanical keyboard hobbyist space. It sounds good, feels good, and has a mounting method I can best describe as “jarringly simple.” (You stretch a giant O-ring around the keyboard internals and press the entire assembly into the case; the internals are suspended by the friction between the O-ring and the case.) Why does something so basic work so well? How does it work so well? I have no clue, but it’s one of my favorite mounting methods in terms of both sound and feel.
While the original Bakeneko 60 is a great place to start if how a keyboard sounds is important to you (it's also reasonably priced), it’s not the only O-ring mount keyboard available. You can get different variations, each with slightly different layouts and sound signatures. I like the styling of the Parallel Sequence ($169), a wonderfully simple 65% O-ring mount board. The Ciel65 ($210) is pricier but adds a brass weight to improve typing sound and add some weight. Along with this, CannonKeys offers the original Bakeneko in a 65% layout ($150) and with an internal weight ($190). However, I do think the original Bakeneko 60 is the most cost-effective option.
With any of these, you have to source the switches, keycaps, and stabilizers yourself. But part of the beauty of an O-ring mounted board is that almost any combination of these things will at least sound acceptable, and if it doesn’t work, you can take it apart and try again without needing to turn a single screw. I’ve tried these keyboards before with Gateron Ink Blacks, Cherry MX switches, and a few others, both linear and tactile. Almost all of them worked, and chances are, there’s already a sound test online for whatever switch you’re thinking of using. Oh, and the Bakeneko 60 supports QMK and VIA, so it's easy to reprogram.
Specs Switches: Not included Connectivity: Wired In the box: All the keyboard components (requires assembly); no cable Operating system keycaps: Not included Layout: 60%
Other Good Keyboards
These keyboards are not quite good enough for the spots above, or just don't have standout features. They're still worth a look.
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% for $300: Razer’s highest-end keyboard does almost everything right, but it’s way too expensive (7/10, WIRED Review). The Pro keeps the same strong tactile switches and gasket mounting system of the original BlackWidow V4 75% and adds wireless connectivity, a new dial on the side, and a customizable OLED screen right next to it. These upgrades don't justify the $110 price bump, but they’re still incredibly well-executed and come together to make an impressive gaming keyboard if you can find it on sale.
Lemokey L4 for $214: While Lemokey is meant to be Keychron’s gaming-focused lineup, some of its offerings transcend this category to be fantastic all-around keyboards. The L4 is one of them, and for the price, I don’t think you could find a better keyboard for everyday use. It has wireless connectivity with a 1,000-Hz polling rate, gasket mounting, a full aluminum assembly, and customization options with QMK and Keychron’s Launcher app, along with hot-swap sockets for quickly changing your switches. It looks sleek and stylish, has a deep and marbly typing sound, and the switches are smooth and responsive when typing. The gasket-mount system has been improved over Keychron’s past offerings with the inclusion of silicone “gasket beans,” and small details like a removable panel on the back to store the USB dongle make the user experience feel incredibly thought-out, even when compared to Keychron’s other offerings.
Keychron K4 HE for $145: The K4 HE takes everything I love about the K2 HE and makes it bigger. This is an 80% layout keyboard with Hall effect switches, a stylish design, and a rigid construction. While the compact layout of the K2 HE is preferable for gaming in a tight space, the number pad on the K4 HE makes it a much more practical hybrid option in a work-from-home setup, or for anyone who regularly inputs numbers. I highly recommend this keyboard, even if the size might make it less practical for the average user.
SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 for $220: The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 (6/10, WIRED Review) boasts some impressive specs and feels good to type on. With a 1,000Hz polling rate, immensely customizable and snappy Omnipoint 3.0 switches, and a compact 60% form factor, I liked the Mini even if its price was a bit absurd. This is a good keyboard if found on sale, but it’s not worth the MSRP.
McHose X75 V2 for $89: The X75 V2 is a solid hot-swap keyboard that is responsive and enjoyable to type on, but the large plastic case ultimately feels a bit toy-like. The plastic case, gasket-mount system, extensive sound dampening, and Hyacinth switches all contribute to a deeper “thocky” typing sound, and typing feels crisp and bouncy without any mushiness. The design is reminiscent of the Space65 keyboard, making this a great budget-minded alternative. However, the plastic case feels somewhat flimsy and easy to flex, and disassembly for repairs or modifications is not particularly easy or intuitive. The X75 V2, unlike the GX87, can only be customized using the company's proprietary McHose HUB software. While it's perfectly functional, I worry proprietary software could eventually become outdated or could drop support for a peripheral in the future, a problem that’s avoided entirely when using an open source system like QMK or VIA.
WobKey Rainy 75 for $139: The WobKey Rainy 75 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a great keyboard for everyday typing. It feels soft and snappy to type on, the switches are smooth, and the gasket-mounting system is incredibly satisfying. However, it has a number of strange issues and odd design choices that put it behind its competitors. The Rainy 75 is a great pick if you want a refined 75% keyboard, or if you want the ASMR typing sound you’ve seen on YouTube or Instagram, but other picks on this list are just a bit more intuitive and less glitchy.
Corsair K70 Core Wireless TKL for $150: As Corsair’s most premium all-mechanical keyboard, the K70 Core Wireless features a compact tenkeyless layout, smooth linear switches, and a 1,000-Hz polling rate. It also has one of the best-feeling volume knobs I’ve tested. While it doesn’t have the Hall effect switches of the Pro model, the K70’s MLX Red v2 switches feel better to type on, and the keyboard retains its wireless connectivity. It isn’t the best TKL keyboard on this list, even at its price, but it’s a solid and responsive TKL that’s a great pick if you’re already invested in the Corsair ecosystem.
Elecom VK720A for $180: The VK720A’s standout feature is its keycaps: These are specifically shaped for gaming with subtle divots and curves that your fingers can easily fall into. While this isn't groundbreaking, I found them enjoyable for gaming without being so extreme that they sacrificed general typing usability. Besides this, the VK720A has a solid build quality, with smooth and quiet Hall effect switches and well-tuned stabilizers. I also appreciated that Elecom raised the wheel in the top left of the keyboard so it can be easily reached even with taller keycaps. The keyboard is one of the few Hall effect options on this list with non-Gateron switches. Instead, it uses silenced HE switches from a manufacturer called Raesha. These have sound-dampening inside and use a more standard assembly with smaller springs. I found them responsive and consistent in regular use—they weren’t significantly better or worse than Gateron switches. Elecom’s software makes customization simple and seamless, with settings to adjust actuation distance and map two inputs at different distances of keypress. The VK720A also offers a feature I’ve never seen before: You can remove the spacebar assembly, stabilizer, and all, and replace it with a slightly shorter spacebar accompanied by a Function key. It’s a novel solution that allows for customization without adjusting the stabilizers, so I can’t complain. Despite some clever features, a lack of wireless connectivity makes it hard to compete with Keychron’s Hall effect keyboards. However, the specialized keycaps, shortened spacebar, and silenced switches still make this a solid option if wireless connectivity isn’t a priority.
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 for $120: Cherry’s latest entry into the gaming space is a full-size, RGB-heavy keyboard that comes stock with its new MX2A switches and a “noise-dampening structure” meant to reduce typing noise. This keyboard is a solid option with a clacky sound profile, stylish RGB, and a robust metal chassis. While it’s a bit rough around the edges compared to some of the other keyboards on this list, it has a sturdy, no-frills construction, and Cherry’s switches have repeatedly proven themselves to be long-lasting and reliable.
Wooting 60HE+ for $175: Between an archaic mounting method and long wait times for delivery, I just can’t recommend the 60HE over Keychron’s Q1 HE. While I still think it’s a fantastic Hall effect keyboard, it just doesn’t have the same polish and refinement as Keychron’s offering. The 60HE still uses a tray-mount system that, while modular, doesn’t sound or feel great to type on. Along with that, the plastic case is disappointing at the price; it was once an acceptable trade-off for customizable Hall effect switches, but Keychron offers a full-metal, gasket-mounted keyboard for around $50 more, and I think the improvements are worth the money unless you prefer a 60% layout or want the ability to use the 60HE’s wide range of aftermarket cases.
Cherry KC 200 MX for $90: The KC 200 MX is an incredibly simple and barebones keyboard that doesn’t add anything new or remove anything necessary. It’s a full-size mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX2A switches, a metal plate, and hardly anything else. It’s not customizable, it’s not programmable, but I can say for sure that it will be durable, reliable, and at least somewhat enjoyable to type on for years to come.
Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional Hybrid Type-S for $300: While the new Studio has replaced this model as my pick for programmers, this older version is still great if you want something simpler or with a unique typing feel. The layout is still great, and the Topre switches—a kind of membrane, kind of mechanical switch with a deep typing sound and distinct, rounded tactility—are a joy to type on. Plus, these keyboards have an extensive community with aftermarket parts and guides on how to modify them. The Pro Hybrid Type-S model specifically has extras like Bluetooth connectivity and silencing rings. It’s also reprogrammable using HHKB's proprietary app, although there’s not much reason to modify the existing layout unless you want a specific macro or change to the function layer. It’s incredibly easy to find on the used market for around half the price, making it a much more reasonable alternative to the Studio.
Melgeek Made68 for $149: With a more minimal approach to its design and a stylish white-and-purple color scheme, the Made68 has a great desk presence that stands out from the crowd. Plus, in-depth customization of Melgeek’s Gateron-supplied Hall Effect switches means that incredibly granular adjustments can be made to this keyboard’s typing experience, even down to the actuation distance of individual keys. The external appearance can also be customized, with removable side panels and a swappable light diffuser on the back. The diffusers are currently available in black, green, and red, with each including new silver side panels. However, you will need a screwdriver set to remove any of these panels, since an Allen wrench isn’t included with the keyboard. Overall, the Made68 sounds and feels good to type on. The tray mount isn’t ideal for typing feel, but the typical issues with typing consistency aren’t as prominent here as other similar keyboards. At this price, a slightly flawed typing experience is a worthwhile tradeoff for customizable Hall Effect switches and a satisfying typing sound.
Avoid These Keyboards
Not every keyboard will be a winner. Here are a few I don't think are worth the price.
HiGround Opal Base 65 for $120: In my testing (5/10, WIRED Review), I found the Opal Base 65 fell behind the competition in almost every way. With a tray-mount assembly, clunky software, and a single-piece plastic case, I can’t find any reason to pick this keyboard over anything else.
Satechi SM1 for $100: I don’t feel compelled or inspired by this keyboard by any means, and when you’re spending $100 or more on a keyboard, it should be inspiring, or at the very least enjoyable to use. The SM1’s typing experience is underwhelming even by the standards of a low-profile keyboard. It sounds hollow to type on, has a shallow and scratchy keypress, and the build quality doesn’t feel solid at all. Despite being mechanical, I would compare the user experience to a laptop’s built-in keyboard in terms of construction and typing satisfaction. Combining this with the lack of any customization software (meaning a completely fixed layout) and the use of proprietary tactile switches with no hot-swap capability, the Satechi SM1 is an underwhelming keyboard all around, especially when compared to standard-height mechanical keyboards in the same price range.
Das Keyboard 5QS Mark II for $219: This keyboard aims high, but ultimately misses. The Das Keyboard 5QS Mark II (4/10, WIRED Review) has incredibly advanced RGB lighting that can be programmed to display push notifications, weather forecasts, or even stock market changes, but I found the excessive simplicity of this to make it nearly useless unless you spent a lot of time memorizing what different colors corresponded to. Past that, this keyboard felt incredibly dated: The assembly, typing feel, and aesthetics all felt like a keyboard from the 2010s in the worst ways.
Chillkey ND75 LP for $105: On paper, this low-profile keyboard hits all the marks for a premium typing-focused keyboard: Full-POM switches, gasket mounting, an aluminum case, screwless metal assembly, and a screen in the bottom right corner. It even comes with extra parts for repairs and a set of screws to convert the keyboard to a top-mount (which is a clever inclusion that I would like to see done on more keyboards). However, the first unit I was sent had a few prominent issues right out of the box. Wireless connectivity was inconsistent, and more importantly, the keyboard would constantly get stuck repeating keys when typing. I fixed this by disconnecting and reconnecting all the internal cables, but it still raised questions about the keyboard’s build quality. I was also sent a “revised” unit from Chilkey that did not have these issues, but the internals appeared identical. I’m also not sure how I feel about the need to remove a keycap to switch between wired and wireless modes, but I appreciate the cleaner exterior as a result.
Corsair K70 Pro TKL for $180: While the K70 Pro’s Hall effect switches feel great to type on, Corsair only put HE switches in the center cluster of keys. The function row, navigation cluster, and other keys not found in the center of the keyboard use Corsair’s MLX Red mechanical switches. This, plus a lack of wireless connectivity, makes this keyboard (5/10, WIRED Review) seem like a budget version instead of its best of the best, especially when compared to similarly priced HE keyboards from brands like Keychron, which have full coverage of Hall effect switches.
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL for $250: At nearly $70 above the K70 Core TKL, you would expect SteelSeries’ Apex Pro TKL to use entirely Hall effect switches in this keyboard. Instead, the Apex Pro TKL still has a mixture of Hall effect and mechanical switches: The center cluster is HE, and the outside keys are all mechanical. If you’re buying from SteelSeries, get the Apex Pro Mini instead: You’ll save $20, get back some desk space, and have the same number of Hall effect switches.
KSI Wombat Willow for $145: I wanted to like this keyboard, as it has everything I should like: a unique layout, a metal case, PBT keycaps, and Gateron switches. But it just doesn’t work that well. The typing sounds hollow and rattly, the typing angles are either entirely flat or almost flat, and for some reason, every time I enable Caps Lock, it automatically types “20 02 00” (and after performing a factory reset, it types “01 06 07” instead). I couldn’t find any way to fix this using KSI’s WB Pouch software. However, it does do some clever things: The number pad is placed so that the main keyboard’s Enter key can be pressed with your thumb during use, and the two rows of Function keys consolidate a lot of keys vertically to save on horizontal space. I wish the assembly and polish matched up to this keyboard’s great vision because the idea itself is fantastic.
