9 Best Mechanical Keyboards (2024), Tested and Reviewed

Other good keyboards

These keyboards aren’t good enough for the position above, or they just don’t have standout features. They are still worth a look.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% off for just $300: Razer’s latest, highest-end keyboard can do just about everything, but it’s too expensive (7/10, “Wired” review). The Pro retains 75% of the same powerful tactile switches and spacer mounting system as the original BlackWidow V4, and adds wireless connectivity, new watch faces on the side, and a customizable OLED screen next to it. These upgrades don’t justify the $110 price increase, but they still perform very well, and together they make for an impressive gaming keyboard if you can find one on sale.

Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 for $119: Cherry’s latest foray into gaming is a full-size RGB keyboard featuring New MX2A switch and a “noise reduction structure” designed to reduce typing noise. This keyboard is a solid choice, with rattling sound, stylish RGB, and a sturdy metal chassis. While it’s a little rough around the edges compared to some of the other keyboards on this list, it has a solid, no-frills build, and Cherry’s switches have proven themselves to be long-lasting and reliable time and time again.

Get 60HE+ for only $175: Considering the outdated installation methods and long wait times for delivery, I can’t recommend the 60HE over Keychron’s Q1 HE. While I still think it’s an excellent Hall-effect keyboard, it’s just not as polished and polished as Keychron’s offerings. The 60HE still uses a tray mounting system which, although modular, doesn’t sound or feel great when typing on it. In addition to this, the price of the plastic casing is also disappointing. This used to be an acceptable compromise for customizable Hall-effect switches, but Keychron offers an all-metal, spacer-mounted keyboard for about $50 more, and I think the improvements are worth it , unless you like the 60% layout or want to be able to use the 60HE’s various aftermarket boxes.

Cherry KC 200 MX $90: The KC 200 MX is an extremely simple, barebones keyboard that adds nothing new and removes nothing essential. This is a full-size mechanical keyboard Cherry MX2A switcha sheet of metal and almost nothing else. It’s not customizable, it’s not programmable, but I can safely say it will be durable, reliable, and at least somewhat enjoyable to type on for the next few years.

Happy Hacking Pro Hybrid S-Type Keyboard is now $360: While the new Studio has replaced this model as my choice 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—membrane-like, somewhat mechanical switches with a deep typing sound and a distinctive rounded feel—are a joy to type on. Additionally, these keyboards have extensive communities with aftermarket parts and guides on how to modify them. The Pro Hybrid Type-S model notably features additional features such as Bluetooth connectivity and a noise-canceling ring. It can also be reprogrammed using HHKB’s proprietary application, although there’s not much reason to modify the existing layout unless you want specific macros or change functionality layers. It’s easy to find on the used market for about half the price, making it a more reasonable alternative to the Studio.

Melgeek Made68 only $149: Made68 has a more minimalist design with a stylish white and purple color scheme that makes it stand out on the desktop. Additionally, the deep customization of the Hall-effect switches offered by Melgeek Gateron means that the typing experience on this keyboard can be made extremely finely tuned, right down to the actuation distance of a single key. The exterior can also be customized, with removable side panels and a replaceable light diffuser on the back. Diffusers currently available black, green and red Each includes new silver side panels. However, you’ll need a set of screwdrivers to remove these panels, as an Allen key isn’t included with the keyboard. Overall, the Made68 sounds and feels great to type on. The tray-style keyboard doesn’t feel ideal for typing, but the typical issues with typing consistency aren’t as prominent as with other similar keyboards. At this price, the slightly flawed typing experience is a worthwhile trade-off for the customizable Hall-effect switches and satisfying typing sound.

Switch recommendations

Switches are an important part of a mechanical keyboard – if you already have a keyboard, try replacing the switches if you want a fresh experience. I’m working on a guide to my favorite switches, but if you want a silent, tactile, or linear switch, here are my recommendations.

Silent switch

One of the most common questions I get from friends and family is the silent switch. For coworkers, roommates, family members, or partners, the constant clicking sound of a mechanical keyboard can be jarring. There are silent linear switches and silent tactile switches, but I find the silent linear switches to be more tolerable in terms of typing feel and actual silence. However, even the best silent linear switches can feel a little leave Compared to non-silent switches.

The best silent switches today are Haimu’s heartbeat ($11 for 36 switches). Once lubricated, the switch is almost completely silent, and more importantly, it has virtually none of the “mushy” or “squishy” feel that most silent switches have. Instead, it has a clean and slightly soft bottoming effect, but lacks accompanying sonic response. The second one is slightly quieter Gazo Bobagum. The switch is nearly silent, and while it does have the usual “mushy” bottoming feel of silicone, it’s not that bad when the rest of the switch is as smooth as it is. These are also great if you’re a fairly light typist who doesn’t have bottoming keys, or you don’t mind slightly mushy bottoming keys.

linear switch

Linear switches are usually the default choice for mechanical switches. Two of my favorites are from Gateron: Oil king switch ($49 for 70 servings) and Cream Soda Switch ($53 for 70 servings). Oil Kings are one of the best linear switches available today. Out of the box, they’re smooth, sound great, and require zero modifications. You don’t need to lube them, shoot them, replace springs or anything else. Just drop them into your keyboard. Cream soda switches, on the other hand, are a perfect combination of different switch technologies. Use long stem to produce a more obvious bottoming sound, proprietary technology ink The plastic straps provide a smooth and deep sound, and the factory lubrication is comparable to manual lubrication. They feel very smooth and sound great out of the box, although they could still benefit from the addition of film.

tactile switch

I find that a lot of people are looking for the wrong things when buying tactile switches. Although ultra-tactile switches with obvious bumps are very popular on the Internet, I find that these types of switches usually only feel good on their own and are difficult for ordinary people to adapt to. Instead, I always advocate something in the middle: a crisp, responsive bump, but not so harsh that it distracts from typing or makes it uncomfortable after extended periods of time.

Classics always stand the test: Duroc T1 ($45 for 110 servings) Switch is a great place to start, I’ve always had a soft spot for it Novelkeys Touch Cream (10 for $12) switches, you need to do quite a bit of damage to them, even compared to other switches. dropped sacred panda ($42 for 35 people) They pretty much live up to their reputation – they’re sturdy, thick, feel great to type on, and I’ll always love them Boba U4T It has a wonderful sonic profile and great tactile impact.

Avoid using these keyboards

Not all keyboards are going to be winners. Here are a few that I don’t think are worth the price.

Zojie SM1 is priced at $99: I don’t find this keyboard attractive or inspiring in any way, and when you spend $100 or more on a keyboard, it should Instructive, or at least enjoyable to use. Even by low-profile keyboard standards, the SM1’s typing experience isn’t impressive. Typing sounds hollow, the keys are shallow and scratchy, and the build quality doesn’t feel solid at all. Despite being a mechanical keyboard, I would compare the user experience to a laptop’s built-in keyboard in terms of construction and typing satisfaction. Combined with the lack of any custom software (meaning a completely fixed layout) and the use of proprietary tactile switches without hot-swappable functionality, the Satechi SM1 is an overall underwhelming keyboard, especially compared to others on the market Compared to standard height mechanical keyboards.

HiGround Opal Base 65 on sale for $120: In my tests (5/10, “Wired” review), I found the Opal Base 65 to lag behind the competition in almost every way. With its tray-mounted components, bulky software, and one-piece plastic casing, I can’t find any reason to choose this keyboard over any other.

KSI Wombat Willow on sale for $145: I want to love this keyboard because it has everything I want should For example: unique layout, metal casing, PBT keycaps and Gateron switches. But it doesn’t work that well. Typing sounds hollow and rattling, the typing angle is either completely flat or almost flat, and for some reason it automatically types “20 02 00” every time I enable caps lock (after performing a factory reset it Type “01”) 06 07″ instead). I couldn’t find any way to solve this problem using KSI’s WB Pouch software. It does do something neat, though: the numeric keypad is placed so that it can be used with thumb presses Below the main keyboard’s Enter key, two rows of function keys integrate many of the keys vertically to save horizontal space. I hope the assembly and polish match the grand vision of this keyboard, because the idea itself is great.