9 Greatest Mechanical Keyboards (2024), Examined and Reviewed

Different Good Keyboards

These keyboards aren’t fairly ok for the spots above or simply do not have standout options. They’re nonetheless price a glance.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% for $300: Razer’s latest and highest-end keyboard does virtually all the pieces proper but it surely’s simply approach too costly (7/10, WIRED Review). The Professional retains the identical robust tactile switches and gasket mounting system of the unique BlackWidow V4 75% and provides wi-fi connectivity, a brand new dial on the aspect, and a customizable OLED display proper subsequent to it. These upgrades do not justify the $110 value bump, however they’re nonetheless extremely well-executed and are available collectively to make a powerful gaming keyboard if yow will discover it on sale.

Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 for $119: Cherry’s newest entry into the gaming house is a full-size, RGB-heavy keyboard that comes inventory with its new MX2A switches and a “noise-dampening construction” meant to scale back typing noise. This keyboard is a stable choice with a clacky sound profile, trendy RGB, and a strong metallic chassis. Whereas it’s a bit tough across the edges in comparison with a number of the different keyboards on this record, it has a sturdy no-frills building, and Cherry’s switches have repeatedly confirmed themselves to be long-lasting and dependable.

Wooting 60HE+ for $175: Between an archaic mounting methodology and lengthy wait instances for supply, I simply can’t suggest the 60HE over Keychron’s Q1 HE. Whereas I nonetheless assume it’s a improbable Corridor impact keyboard, it simply doesn’t have the identical polish and refinement as Keychron’s providing. The 60HE nonetheless makes use of a tray-mount system that, whereas modular, doesn’t sound or really feel nice to kind on. Together with that, the plastic case is disappointing on the value; it was as soon as an appropriate trade-off for customizable Corridor impact switches, however Keychron presents a full-metal, gasket-mounted keyboard for round $50 extra, and I feel the enhancements are definitely worth the cash except you like a 60% structure or need the flexibility to make use of the 60HE’s big selection of aftermarket instances.

Cherry KC 200 MX for $90: The KC 200 MX is an extremely easy and barebones keyboard that doesn’t add something new, or take away something obligatory. It’s a full-size mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX2A switches, a metallic plate, and hardly the rest. It’s not customizable, it’s not programmable, however I can say for certain that it will likely be sturdy, dependable, and a minimum of considerably gratifying to kind on for years to return.

Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional Hybrid Type-S for $360: Whereas the brand new Studio has changed this mannequin as my decide for programmers, this older model remains to be nice if you’d like one thing less complicated, or with a novel typing really feel. The structure remains to be nice and the Topre switches—a kinda-membrane, kinda-mechanical swap with a deep typing sound and distinct, rounded tactility—are a pleasure to kind on. Plus, these keyboards have an intensive neighborhood with aftermarket components and guides on the way to modify them. The Professional Hybrid Kind-S mannequin particularly has extras like Bluetooth connectivity and silencing rings. It’s additionally reprogrammable utilizing HHKB’s proprietary app, though there’s not a lot motive to switch the prevailing structure except you desire a particular macro or change to the operate layer. It’s extremely straightforward to seek out on the used marketplace for round half the value, making it a way more cheap various to the Studio.

Melgeek Made68 for $149: With a extra minimal method to its design and a classy white-and-purple colour scheme, the Made68 has an awesome desk presence that stands out from the gang. Plus, in-depth customization of Melgeek’s Gateron-supplied Corridor Impact switches implies that extremely granular changes may be made to this keyboard’s typing expertise, even all the way down to the actuation distance of particular person keys. The exterior look may also be personalized, with detachable aspect panels and a swappable gentle diffuser on the again. The diffusers are presently accessible in black, green, and red with every together with new silver aspect panels. Nonetheless, you’ll need a screwdriver set to take away any of those panels, since an Allen wrench isn’t included with the keyboard. Total, the Made68 sounds and feels good to kind on. The tray-mount isn’t supreme for typing really feel, however the typical points with typing consistency aren’t as distinguished right here as different comparable keyboards. At this value, a barely flawed typing expertise is a worthwhile tradeoff for customizable Corridor Impact switches and a satisfying typing sound.

Swap Suggestions

Switches are an enormous a part of a mechanical keyboard—if you have already got a board, attempt swapping the switches if you’d like a contemporary expertise. I am engaged on a information to my favourite switches, however under are my suggestions if you’d like a silent, tactile, or linear swap.

Silent Switches

One of the frequent issues family and friends ask me about is silent switches. For coworkers, roommates, members of the family, or companions, the fixed clicking and clacking of a mechanical keyboard may be grating. There are silent linear and silent tactile switches, however I discover that silent linears are extra acceptable when it comes to typing really feel and precise silence. Nonetheless, even the very best silent linear switches will really feel a bit off in comparison with a non-silent swap.

The perfect silent swap accessible right now is the Haimu Heartbeat ($11 for 36 switches). As soon as lubed, this swap is nearly completely silent and, extra importantly, manages to do it with hardly any of the “mushy” or “squishy” feeling most silenced switches have. As an alternative, it has a clear and barely mushy bottom-out that’s solely betrayed by the dearth of audible response to accompany it. In second place sits the marginally extra silent Gazzew Bobagum. This swap is nearly dead-silent, and whereas it does have the standard “mushy” bottom-out feeling of silicone, it isn’t that unhealthy when the remainder of the swap is as easy as it’s. If you happen to’re a reasonably gentle typist who doesn’t bottom-out keypresses, otherwise you don’t thoughts a barely mushier bottom-out, these are additionally nice.

Linear Switches

Linear switches are sometimes the default alternative 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 among the best linear switches accessible right now. Out of the field, they’re easy, sound nice, and require zero modification. You don’t have to lube them, movie them, swap the springs, or the rest. Simply put them right into a keyboard, and also you’re golden. The Cream Soda switches, then again, are an awesome combine of various swap applied sciences. Using a long-pole stem for a extra distinct bottom-out sound, proprietary Ink plastic for a easy and deep sound, and manufacturing facility lube that’s on par with hand-lubing, they really feel extremely easy and sound nice proper out of the field, though they will nonetheless profit from including movie.

Tactile Switches

I discover that lots of people search for the incorrect issues when purchasing for tactile switches. Whereas ultra-tactile switches with distinct bumps are common on-line, I discover these sorts of switches usually solely really feel good on their very own and may be troublesome to regulate to for the typical particular person. As an alternative, I all the time advocate for one thing within the center: a crisp, responsive bump that isn’t so drastic that it distracts from typing or feels uncomfortable after extended durations.

The classics all the time maintain up: Durock T1 ($45 for 110) switches are an awesome start line, and I’ve all the time had a mushy spot for Novelkeys’ Cream Tactile ($12 for 10) switches, even when that you must break them in fairly a bit in comparison with different switches. Drop’s Holy Pandas ($42 for 35) principally deserve their repute—they’re a stable, heavy tactile that feels nice to kind on, and I’ll all the time love the Boba U4T for his or her improbable sound profile and nice tactile bump too.

Keep away from These Keyboards

Not each keyboard will likely be a winner. Listed here are just a few I do not assume are definitely worth the value.

Satechi SM1 for $99: I don’t really feel compelled or impressed by this keyboard by any means, and if you’re spending $100 or extra on a keyboard, it ought to be inspiring, or on the very least gratifying to make use of. The SM1’s typing expertise is underwhelming even by the requirements of a low-profile keyboard. It sounds hole to kind on, has a shallow and scratchy keypress, and the construct high quality doesn’t really feel stable in any respect. Regardless of being mechanical, I’d examine the consumer expertise to a laptop computer’s built-in keyboard when it comes to building and typing satisfaction. Combining this with the dearth of any customization software program (that means a totally mounted structure) and the usage of proprietary tactile switches with no hot-swap functionality, the Satechi SM1 is an underwhelming keyboard throughout, particularly when in comparison with standard-height mechanical keyboards in the identical value vary.

HiGround Opal Base 65 for $120: In my testing (5/10, WIRED Review), I discovered the Opal Base 65 fell behind the competitors in virtually each approach. With a tray-mount meeting, clunky software program, and a single-piece plastic case, I can’t discover any motive to select this keyboard over the rest.

KSI Wombat Willow for $145: I wished to love this keyboard, because it has all the pieces I ought to like: a novel structure, a metallic case, PBT keycaps, and Gateron switches. Nevertheless it simply doesn’t work that effectively. The typing sounds hole and rattly, the typing angles are both completely flat or virtually flat, and for some motive, each time I allow Caps Lock, it mechanically varieties “20 02 00” (and after performing a manufacturing facility reset, it varieties “01 06 07” as a substitute). I couldn’t discover any solution to repair this utilizing KSI’s WB Pouch software program. Nonetheless, it does do some intelligent issues: The quantity pad is positioned in order that the primary keyboard’s Enter key may be pressed together with your thumb throughout use, and the 2 rows of Perform keys consolidate a variety of keys vertically to save lots of on horizontal house. I want the meeting and polish matched as much as this keyboard’s nice imaginative and prescient as a result of the thought itself is improbable.