Top 9 Mechanical Keyboards (2024), Tested and Reviewed

Other good keyboards

Razer Black Widow V4 Pro 75%

Photo: Henry Robbins

These keyboards are not good enough for the above mentioned sites or do not have premium features. They’re still worth a look.

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro is 75% off for $300: Razer’s latest and greatest keyboard does almost everything right but is expensive (7/10, Wired review). The Pro keeps the same 75% sturdy tactile keys and gasket stabilization system of the original BlackWidow V4 and adds wireless connectivity, a new dial on the side, and a customizable OLED display right next to it. These upgrades don’t justify the higher $110 price tag, but they’re still incredibly well-executed and combine to make a great gaming keyboard if you can find it on sale.

Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 for $119: Cherry’s latest entry into the gaming space is a full-sized, heavy RGB keyboard that comes with it New MX2A switches The “noise mitigation structure” aims to reduce typing noise. This keyboard is a solid option with a crisp audio profile, stylish RGB, and a sturdy metal chassis. Although they’re a little rough around the edges compared to some of the other keyboards on this list, they have a sturdy, no-frills build, and Cherry switches have proven time and time again to be long-lasting and reliable.

Wooting 60HE+ for $175: Between the outdated installation method and the long wait times for delivery, I can’t recommend the 60HE over the Q1 HE from Keychron. Although I still think it’s a great Hall-effect keyboard, it doesn’t have the same polish and refinement that the Keychron offerings. The 60HE still uses a tray mounting system, which, while standard, doesn’t look or feel great to type on. Besides, the plastic case is disappointing for the price; They were once an acceptable trade-off for customizable Hall effect switches, but Keychron offers a full metal, gasketed keyboard for about $50 more, and I think the improvements are worth the money unless you prefer a 60% layout or want the ability to use a wide range of situations Aftermarket of 60HE.

Cherry KC 200 MX for $90: The KC 200 MX is an incredibly simple, stripped-down keyboard that doesn’t add anything new or remove anything essential. It is a full size mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX2A switchesa metal plate, and hardly anything else. It’s not customizable, and it’s not programmable, but I can say with certainty that it will be sturdy, reliable, and just plain fun to type on for years to come.

Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional Hybrid Type-S for $360: Although the new studio has replaced this model as the programmer’s choice, this older version is still great if you want something simpler, or with a unique sense of writing. The design is still great and the Topre switches—a somewhat membrane mechanical switch with a deep typing sound and a distinctly rounded tactility—are a joy to type on. Additionally, these keyboards have an extensive community of aftermarket parts and guides on how to modify them. The Pro Hybrid Type-S model specifically has extras like Bluetooth connectivity and audio silencing rings. It’s also reprogrammable using HHKB’s own application, although there’s not much reason to modify the existing layout unless you want a specific macro or functional layer change. It’s very easy to find on the used market for about half the price, making it a more reasonable studio alternative.

Melgeek Made68 for $149: With a more minimalist approach to its design and a sleek white and purple color scheme, the Made68 has a great office presence that stands out from the crowd. Additionally, the in-depth customization of Melgeek’s Gateron’s Hall Effect keys means that incredibly precise adjustments can be made to this keyboard’s typing experience, even down to the actuation distance of individual keys. The exterior can also be customized, with removable side panels and an interchangeable light diffuser at the rear. Publishers are currently available In black, green and red Each with new silver side panels. However, you will need a screwdriver set to remove any of these panels, since an Allen key is not included with the keyboard. Overall, the Made68 feels great to type on. The tray stand 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, the slightly imperfect typing experience is a worthwhile trade-off for the customizable Hall Effect keys and satisfying typing sound.

Switch recommendations

Photo: Henry Robbins

The switches are a big part of a mechanical keyboard – if you already have one, try swapping out the switches if you want a new experience. I’m working on a guide to my favorite switches, but here are my recommendations if you want a silent, tactile, or linear switch.

Silent keys

One of the things I get asked about most by friends and family is silent switches. For coworkers, roommates, family members, or partners, the constant clicking and clacking of a mechanical keyboard can be annoying. There are silent and silent linear tactile keys, but I find the silent linear ones to be more acceptable in terms of typing feel and actual silence. However, even the best silent linear switches will feel a little off on Compared to non-silent switch.

The best silent switch available today is Hemo heartbeat ($11 for 36 keys). Once lubricated, this switch is almost completely silent, and more importantly, is able to do so without any of the “mushy” or “squishy” feeling that most silent switches have. Instead, it has a clean, slightly soft base that is only revealed by the lack of audible response to accompany it. In second place it sits a little more muted Gazio Bubagum. This switch is almost silent, and although it has the usual ‘soft’ silicone feel, it’s not bad when the rest of the switch is as smooth as it is. If you’re a fairly light typist and don’t hit the keys from the bottom out, or don’t mind pressing from the bottom out a little, these are also great.

Linear switches

Linear switches are often the default choice for mechanical switches. My two favorites are from Gateron: Keys to the oil king ($49 for 70) and Substitute cream soda ($53 for 70). Oil Kings is one of the best linear switches available today. Right out of the box, it’s smooth, sounds great, and requires no modification. You don’t need to lubricate it, photograph it, replace the springs or anything else. Just put it in your keyboard, and you’re golden. Cream Soda switches, on the other hand, are a great combination of different switching techniques. Using a long pole stem for a more distinct sound from the bottom out, special ink Plastic for a smooth, deep sound, and with factory lubrication that’s on par with hand lubrication, they feel incredibly smooth and sound great right out of the box, although they could still benefit from the addition of a film.

Touch keys

I find that a lot of people look for the wrong things when shopping for touch switches. Although ultra-tactile keys with distinct ridges are very popular online, I find that these types of keys are often fine on their own and can be difficult to adapt to for the average person. Instead, I always advocate for something in the middle: a clear, responsive bump that isn’t so drastic that it distracts from typing or feels uncomfortable after long periods.

Classics always hold up: Duroc T1 ($45 for 110) Keys are a great starting point, and I’ve always had a soft spot for them Novelkeys Touch Cream ($12 for 10) The keys, even if you need to break them a little compared to other keys. drops Holy panda ($42 for 35) Mostly worthy of its reputation, it’s a sturdy, heavy-to-the-touch material that feels good to write on, and I’ll always love it Bubba U4T For its great sound profile and great tactile bump as well.

Avoid these keyboards

High Ground Opal Base 65

Photography: Henry Robbins; Getty Images

Not every keyboard will be a winner. Here are some things I don’t think are worth the price.

Saatchi SM1 for $99: I don’t feel forced or inspired by this keyboard in any way, and when you spend $100 or more on a keyboard, it He should Be inspiring, or at least fun to use. The SM1’s typing experience is disappointing even by low-end keyboard standards. It feels hollow to type on, has a shallow and scratchy keystroke, and the build quality doesn’t feel consistent at all. Despite being mechanical, I would compare the user experience to a laptop’s built-in keyboard in terms of build and typing satisfaction. Combining this with the lack of any customization software (which means a completely fixed layout) and the use of proprietary tactile keys without the ability to hot swap, the Satechi SM1 is a disappointing keyboard all around, especially when compared to standard-height mechanical keyboards in Same price range.

HiGround Opal Base 65 for $120: In my test (5/10, Wired review), I found the Opal Base 65 to lag behind the competition in almost every way. With its drawer mounting kit, clunky software, and one-piece plastic case, I can’t find any reason to choose this keyboard over anything else.

KSI Wombat Willow for $145: I wanted to love this keyboard, because it had everything I wanted He should Such as: unique design, metal case, PBT keycaps, Gateron switches. But it doesn’t work well. Typing feels blank and awkward, writing corners are either completely flat or almost flat, and for some reason, every time I enable Caps Lock, it automatically writes “20 02 00” (and after doing a factory reset, it writes “01 06 07” instead (of that). I couldn’t find any way to fix this problem using KSI’s WB Pouch software. However, it does some clever things: The number pad is positioned so that the Enter key can be pressed on the pad The main keys are with your thumb during use, and two rows of function keys combine a lot of keys vertically to save horizontal space. I wish the assembly and polishing matched the great vision of this keyboard because the idea itself is great.