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Other Good Keyboards
These keyboards aren’t good enough for the above spots, or they just don’t have outstanding features. They are still worth watching.
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro for $300 75%: Razer’s newest and highest-end keyboard does almost everything right, but it’s too expensive (7/10, WIRED Review). The Pro retains 75% of the same powerful touch switches and gasket mounting system as the original BlackWidow V4, and adds wireless connectivity, a new dial on the side, and a customizable OLED display next to it. These improvements don’t justify the $110 price increase, but they’re still incredibly well-executed and come together to make an impressive gaming keyboard if you can find one on sale.
Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 for $119: Cherry’s latest entry into the gaming space is a full-sized, RGB-heavy keyboard. new MX2A switches and a “noise dampening structure” designed to reduce typing noise. This keyboard is a solid choice with a solid sound profile, stylish RGB and a solid metal chassis. While it’s a bit rough around the edges compared to some of the other keyboards on this list, it has a solid build, and Cherry’s keys have proven time and time again to be durable and reliable.
The 60HE+ retails for $175: Between the archaic mounting method and the long wait times for delivery, I can’t recommend the 60HE more than Keychron’s Q1 HE. While I still think it’s a fantastic Hall effect keyboard, it just doesn’t have the same polish and elegance as the Keychron’s offering. While the 60HE is still modular, it uses a tray mounting system that doesn’t sound or feel good to record. However, the plastic case is disappointing for the price; it was an acceptable trade-off for the once-customizable Hall-effect keys, but Keychron offers an all-metal, gasket-mounted keyboard for about $50 more, and I think it’s worth the money unless you prefer a 60% layout or the upgrades you want. Ability to use a wide variety of aftermarket situations of the 60HE.
Cherry KC 200 MX for $90: The KC 200 MX is an incredibly simple and bare-bones keyboard that doesn’t add anything new or remove what’s necessary. This is a full size mechanical keyboard Cherry MX2A switchesmetal plate and hardly anything else. It’s not customizable, it’s not programmable, but I can safely say 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 $360: While the new Studio has replaced this model as my go-to for programmers, this older version is still great if you want something simpler or with a unique typing feel. The design is still excellent, and the Topre keys—a kind of membrane, kind of mechanical key with a deep typing sound and a distinctive, circular feel—are a joy to type. Plus, these keyboards have a large community with aftermarket parts and instructions on how to replace them. The Pro Hybrid Type-S model specifically has extras like Bluetooth connectivity and mute rings. It can also be reprogrammed using HHKB’s custom software, although there isn’t much reason to change an existing layout unless you want changes to a specific macro or function layer. It’s pretty easy to find on the used market for about half the price, making it a more affordable alternative to the Studio.
Melgeek Made68 for $149: With a more minimal approach to its design and a chic white-and-purple color scheme, Made68 has a great desktop presence that stands out from the crowd. What’s more, the deep customization of Melgeek’s Gateron-powered Hall Effect keys means that incredibly granular adjustments can be made to the typing experience of this keyboard, even down to the actuation distance of individual keys. The exterior can be customized with removable side panels and a replaceable rear light diffuser. Diffusers are available now in black, green and red colors each including new silver side panels. However, you will need a screwdriver set to remove any of these panels, as an Allen key is not included with the keyboard. Overall, the Made68 sounds and feels good to type. The tray mount isn’t ideal for typing feel, but typical issues with typing consistency aren’t as noticeable here as other similar keyboards. At this price, it’s a worthwhile trade-off for a slightly flawed typing experience, customizable Hall Effect keys, and a satisfying typing sound.
Change recommendations
Photo: Henry Robbins
Switches are a big part of a mechanical keyboard – if you already have a pad, try swapping the keys if you want a new experience. I’m working on a guide for my favorite switches, but if you want a silent, tactile, or linear switch, I have my recommendations below.
Silent keys
One of the things friends and family ask me about the most are mute switches. For coworkers, roommates, family members, or partners, the constant clicking and clicking of a mechanical keyboard can be grating. There are silent linear and silent tactile switches, but I find the silent linears to be more acceptable in terms of typing feel and actual silence. However, even the best silent linear switches will have some feel off compared to a silent switch.
It is the best silent switch available today Haimu heartbeat ($11 for 36 keys). Once lubricated, this switch is almost perfectly silent, and more importantly, it does so without the “squishy” or “squishy” feel that most muted switches have. Instead, it has a clean and somewhat mellow bottom line, betrayed by the lack of vocal response to accompany it. In the second place sits a little more quietly Gazzew Bobagum. This switch is almost silent, and while it has the usual “matte” silicone feel, it’s not too bad when it’s as smooth as the rest of the switch. They’re also great if you’re a fairly light typist, don’t press down on the keys, or don’t mind a little more down-down.
Linear switches
Linear switches are often the standard choice for mechanical switches. Two of my favorites are from Gateron: Oil King keys ($49 for 70) and Cream Soda Keys ($53 for 70). Oil Kings is one of the best linear switches available today. Out of the box they are smooth, sound great and require zero modifications. You don’t need to oil them, film them, change the springs or anything else. Just put them on the keyboard and you’re golden. Cream Soda switches, on the other hand, are a great mix of different switching technologies. The use of a long-pole body for a more distinctive low-end sound is proprietary Complex factory lube on par with plastic and hand rub for a smooth and deep sound, they feel incredibly smooth and sound great out of the box, although they could still benefit from adding film.
Touch switches
I see a lot of people looking for the wrong things when shopping for touch switches. While ultra-tactile switches with different kicks are popular on the internet, I find that these types of switches often feel too good and can be difficult for the average person to adjust to. Instead, I always advocate something in the middle: a sharp, sensitive bump that isn’t so sharp that it distracts from writing or feels uncomfortable after a long time.
The classics always stand: Durock T1 ($45 for 110) keys are a great starting point and I’ve always had a soft spot Novelkeys’ Cream Touch ($12 for 10) keys, even if you need to break them a little compared to other keys. Drop Holy Pandas ($42 for 35) mostly live up to their reputation – they’re solid, heavy-touch instruments that feel great to type on, and I always do Boba U4T for their fantastic sound profile and great tactile impact.
Avoid these keyboards
Not every keyboard will be a winner. Here are a few that I don’t think are worth the price.
Satechi SM1 for $99: This keyboard doesn’t force or inspire me in any way, and when you spend $100 or more on a keyboard, it should do inspiring or at least enjoyable to use. The SM1’s typing experience isn’t up to par even by low-profile keyboard standards. It sounds hollow to type, the keys are shallow and scratchy, and the build quality doesn’t feel solid at all. Despite being mechanical, I would compare the user experience to a laptop’s internal 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 custom touch switches that aren’t hot-swappable, the Satechi SM1 is an all-around incredible keyboard, especially compared to standard-height mechanical keyboards. same price range.
HiGround Opal Base 65 for $120: In my test (5/10, WIRED Review), I found the Opal Base 65 to fall short of the competition in almost every way. With a tray mount, clunky software, and a lumpy plastic case, I can’t find any reason to prefer this keyboard over anything else.
KSI Wombat Willow for $145: I wanted to like this keyboard because it has everything for me should do such as: unique layout, metal case, PBT keys and Gateron switches. But it doesn’t work that well. Typing sounds loose and boomy, typing angles are either perfectly straight or almost straight, and for some reason it automatically writes “20 02 00” every time I turn on Caps Lock (and after factory reset it says “01”. 06 07″ instead). I couldn’t find any way to fix this using KSI’s WB Pouch. It does do some smart things, though: The number pad is positioned so you can hit the main keyboard’s Enter key with your thumb when in use, and two rows of Function keys combine multiple keys vertically to save horizontal space. I wish the build and polish matched the gorgeous vision of this keyboard, because the idea itself is fantastic.
