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.
MCHose x UnboxTherapy UT98 for $139: Meant to be more of a productivity board than many of the options on this list, the UT98 is a 98% keyboard with a striking colorway and a compact-but-functional layout. I was impressed by how good the switches sound and feel. The Creamsicle switches have a satisfyingly deep typing tone and a smooth, bouncy typing feel, and the Silent Peach V2 switches are one of the better silent options. They feel a bit doughy when bottoming out, but don’t have the uncomfortable mushiness of many other silent switches. The number pad integration is not only functional, but has a trick up its sleeve: Right next to the Num Lock key is a macro that automatically opens your system’s calculator app. This can be easily tapped with your index finger or pressed as you move your right hand to the numpad. Directly below it is a roller knob that adjusts your system volume, which my pinky could easily access with only limited adjustment from the home row. While the UT98 does have a relatively thin plastic shell, I didn’t find the build quality to be particularly lacking besides that. The plastic shell also works with the switches to create a deeper typing sound compared to an all-metal housing, and it makes the keyboard significantly lighter for transport—a detail that pairs well with its Bluetooth and 2.4-GHz wireless connectivity. The YouTuber-themed branding is fairly minimal, and the two Unbox Therapy-themed keycaps can easily be replaced with included standard keys, meaning it can simply be a normal keyboard at the end of the day.
Logitech G Pro-X TKL for $220: While this keyboard offers great specs on paper, with high-speed polling, consistent wireless connectivity, and a few cool features, the typing experience doesn’t match up to other keyboards on this list. The switches sound rattly when typing, and the stabilizers in the unit I received were over-lubed, so typing on any of the longer keys felt incredibly spongy. However, this keyboard could still be ideal for a certain kind of buyer. The typing experience feels incredibly similar to classic Cherry MX Browns, but the 1,000-Hz wireless polling rate, smooth volume knob, and remapping through Logitech’s G-Hub software all make it a distinctly modern keyboard. If you have an older mechanical keyboard and want to modernize your setup while maintaining the “classic” typing feel, this could be the right option for you.
Keychron V1 Max for $115: 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. 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. 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.
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% for $300: Razer’s highest-end keyboard does almost everything right, but it’s way too expensive. The Pro (7/10, WIRED Review) 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 $50: 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 MX 3.1 is an RGB-heavy keyboard that comes stock with its 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 $155: 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 $100: 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 $299: 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 $119: 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.
Das Keyboard Deltaforce 65 for $200: This Deltaforce 65 keyboard (5/10, WIRED Review) has an impressive typing experience, and makes quite a few strong steps towards a modern design, I found that a less-than-stellar implementation of QMK remapping software, combined with some strange (and unfixable) choices in the base layout, made the keyboard feel deeply flawed in ways that could not readily be fixed. Official key combinations didn’t work, leaving certain inputs (including the Tilde key) impossible to use. While the typing experience and build quality were passable, and certainly a step in the right direction for the brand, it wasn’t enough to overcome severe issues with everyday usability, especially for programmers or experienced Windows users.
Tecware Spectre 75% for $90: The Tecware Spectre75 is a great keyboard in theory. It has a comfortable gasket-mount system, smooth factory-lubed switches, a compact yet functional layout, and a screen that can be used to adjust RGB lighting, display an image, or display CPU and GPU temperatures, among other things. All of these are adjusted using the knob to the right of the display, but in my testing, the two hardly wanted to cooperate: The knob regularly defaulted to volume controls even when trying to navigate the on-screen menus, and swapping between different presets for the screen would rarely work, often requiring a dozen or more attempts to change the display once. There was even a point where the keyboard randomly changed its language to Chinese when adjusting a setting unrelated to the language menu. The software feels cobbled-together with limited explanations, text not fitting into boxes and ending in ellipses, and a system for customizing the image on the screen that used an utterly baffling frame-by-frame system of uploading animated frames. I found that it’s incredibly easy to accidentally damage the lever on the back of the keyboard to swap between wired, wireless, and 2.4-GHz connectivity modes, leaving the keyboard stuck in whatever setting was last selected.
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’s 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.
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