9 Best Mechanical Keyboards (2025), Tested and Reviewed

Other Good Keyboards

These keyboards are not rather bully capable for nan spots above, aliases conscionable don't person standout features. They're still worthy a look.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% for $300: Razer’s highest-end keyboard does almost everything right, but it’s measurement excessively costly (7/10, WIRED Review). The Pro keeps nan aforesaid beardown tactile switches and gasket mounting strategy of nan original BlackWidow V4 75% and adds wireless connectivity, a caller dial connected nan side, and a customizable OLED surface correct adjacent to it. These upgrades don't warrant nan $110 value bump, but they’re still incredibly well-executed and travel together to make an awesome gaming keyboard if you tin find it connected sale.

Lemokey L4 for $214: While Lemokey is meant to beryllium Keychron’s gaming-focused lineup, immoderate of its offerings transcend this class to beryllium awesome all-around keyboards. The L4 is 1 of them, and for nan price, I don’t deliberation you could find a amended keyboard for mundane use. It has wireless connectivity pinch a 1,000-Hz polling rate, gasket mounting, a afloat aluminum assembly, and customization options pinch QMK and Keychron’s Launcher app, on pinch hot-swap sockets for quickly changing your switches. It looks sleek and stylish, has a heavy and marbly typing sound, and nan switches are soft and responsive erstwhile typing. The gasket-mount strategy has been improved complete Keychron’s past offerings pinch nan inclusion of silicone “gasket beans,” and mini specifications for illustration a removable sheet connected nan backmost to shop nan USB dongle make nan personification acquisition consciousness incredibly thought-out, moreover erstwhile compared to Keychron’s different offerings.

Keychron K4 HE for $145: The K4 HE takes everything I emotion astir nan K2 HE and makes it bigger. This is an 80% layout keyboard pinch Hall effect switches, a stylish design, and a rigid construction. While nan compact layout of nan K2 HE is preferable for gaming successful a tight space, nan number pad connected nan K4 HE makes it a overmuch much applicable hybrid action successful a work-from-home setup, aliases for anyone who regularly inputs numbers. I highly urge this keyboard, moreover if nan size mightiness make it little applicable for nan mean user.

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 for $220: The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 (6/10, WIRED Review) boasts immoderate awesome specs and feels bully to type on. With a 1,000Hz polling rate, immensely customizable and snappy Omnipoint 3.0 switches, and a compact 60% shape factor, I liked nan Mini moreover if its value was a spot absurd. This is simply a bully keyboard if recovered connected sale, but it’s not worthy nan MSRP.

McHose X75 V2 for $89: The X75 V2 is simply a coagulated hot-swap keyboard that is responsive and enjoyable to type on, but nan ample integrative lawsuit yet feels a spot toy-like. The integrative case, gasket-mount system, extended sound dampening, and Hyacinth switches each lend to a deeper “thocky” typing sound, and typing feels crisp and bouncy without immoderate mushiness. The creation is reminiscent of nan Space65 keyboard, making this a awesome budget-minded alternative. However, nan integrative lawsuit feels somewhat flimsy and easy to flex, and disassembly for repairs aliases modifications is not peculiarly easy aliases intuitive. The X75 V2, dissimilar nan GX87, tin only beryllium customized utilizing nan company's proprietary McHose HUB software. While it's perfectly functional, I interest proprietary package could yet go outdated aliases could driblet support for a peripheral successful nan future, a problem that’s avoided wholly erstwhile utilizing an unfastened root strategy for illustration QMK aliases VIA.

WobKey Rainy 75 for $139: The WobKey Rainy 75 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is simply a awesome keyboard for mundane typing. It feels soft and snappy to type on, nan switches are smooth, and nan gasket-mounting strategy is incredibly satisfying. However, it has a number of unusual issues and overseas creation choices that put it down its competitors. The Rainy 75 is simply a awesome prime if you want a refined 75% keyboard, aliases if you want nan ASMR typing sound you’ve seen connected YouTube aliases Instagram, but different picks connected this database are conscionable a spot much intuitive and little glitchy.

Corsair K70 Core Wireless TKL for $150: As Corsair’s astir premium all-mechanical keyboard, nan K70 Core Wireless features a compact tenkeyless layout, soft linear switches, and a 1,000-Hz polling rate. It besides has 1 of nan best-feeling measurement knobs I’ve tested. While it doesn’t person nan Hall effect switches of nan Pro model, nan K70’s MLX Red v2 switches consciousness amended to type on, and nan keyboard retains its wireless connectivity. It isn’t nan champion TKL keyboard connected this list, moreover astatine its price, but it’s a coagulated and responsive TKL that’s a awesome prime if you’re already invested successful nan Corsair ecosystem.

Elecom VK720A for $180: The VK720A’s standout characteristic is its keycaps: These are specifically shaped for gaming pinch subtle divots and curves that your fingers tin easy autumn into. While this isn't groundbreaking, I recovered them enjoyable for gaming without being truthful utmost that they sacrificed wide typing usability. Besides this, nan VK720A has a coagulated build quality, pinch soft and quiet Hall effect switches and well-tuned stabilizers. I besides appreciated that Elecom raised nan instrumentality successful nan apical near of nan keyboard truthful it tin beryllium easy reached moreover pinch taller keycaps. The keyboard is 1 of nan fewer Hall effect options connected this database pinch non-Gateron switches. Instead, it uses silenced HE switches from a shaper called Raesha. These person sound-dampening wrong and usage a much modular assembly pinch smaller springs. I recovered them responsive and accordant successful regular use—they weren’t importantly amended aliases worse than Gateron switches. Elecom’s package makes customization elemental and seamless, pinch settings to set actuation region and representation 2 inputs astatine different distances of keypress. The VK720A besides offers a characteristic I’ve ne'er seen before: You tin region nan spacebar assembly, stabilizer, and all, and switch it pinch a somewhat shorter spacebar accompanied by a Function key. It’s a caller solution that allows for customization without adjusting nan stabilizers, truthful I can’t complain. Despite immoderate clever features, a deficiency of wireless connectivity makes it difficult to compete pinch Keychron’s Hall effect keyboards. However, nan specialized keycaps, shortened spacebar, and silenced switches still make this a coagulated action if wireless connectivity isn’t a priority.

Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 for $120: Cherry’s latest introduction into nan gaming abstraction is simply a full-size, RGB-heavy keyboard that comes banal pinch its new MX2A switches and a “noise-dampening structure” meant to trim typing noise. This keyboard is simply a coagulated action pinch a clacky sound profile, stylish RGB, and a robust metallic chassis. While it’s a spot unsmooth astir nan edges compared to immoderate of nan different keyboards connected this list, it has a sturdy, no-frills construction, and Cherry’s switches person many times proven themselves to beryllium long-lasting and reliable.

Wooting 60HE+ for $175: Between an archaic mounting method and agelong hold times for delivery, I conscionable can’t urge nan 60HE complete Keychron’s Q1 HE. While I still deliberation it’s a awesome Hall effect keyboard, it conscionable doesn’t person nan aforesaid polish and refinement arsenic Keychron’s offering. The 60HE still uses a tray-mount strategy that, while modular, doesn’t sound aliases consciousness awesome to type on. Along pinch that, nan integrative lawsuit is disappointing astatine nan price; it was erstwhile an acceptable trade-off for customizable Hall effect switches, but Keychron offers a full-metal, gasket-mounted keyboard for astir $50 more, and I deliberation nan improvements are worthy nan money unless you for illustration a 60% layout aliases want nan expertise to usage nan 60HE’s wide scope of aftermarket cases.

Cherry KC 200 MX for $90: The KC 200 MX is an incredibly elemental and barebones keyboard that doesn’t adhd thing caller aliases region thing necessary. It’s a full-size mechanical keyboard pinch Cherry MX2A switches, a metallic plate, and hardly thing else. It’s not customizable, it’s not programmable, but I tin opportunity for judge that it will beryllium durable, reliable, and astatine slightest somewhat enjoyable to type connected for years to come.

Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional Hybrid Type-S for $300: While nan caller Studio has replaced this exemplary arsenic my prime for programmers, this older type is still awesome if you want thing simpler aliases pinch a unsocial typing feel. The layout is still great, and nan Topre switches—a benignant of membrane, benignant of mechanical move pinch a heavy typing sound and distinct, rounded tactility—are a joyousness to type on. Plus, these keyboards person an extended organization pinch aftermarket parts and guides connected really to modify them. The Pro Hybrid Type-S exemplary specifically has extras for illustration Bluetooth connectivity and silencing rings. It’s besides reprogrammable utilizing HHKB's proprietary app, though there’s not overmuch logic to modify nan existing layout unless you want a circumstantial macro aliases alteration to nan usability layer. It’s incredibly easy to find connected nan utilized marketplace for astir half nan price, making it a overmuch much reasonable replacement to nan Studio.

Melgeek Made68 for $149: With a much minimal attack to its creation and a stylish white-and-purple colour scheme, nan Made68 has a awesome table beingness that stands retired from nan crowd. Plus, in-depth customization of Melgeek’s Gateron-supplied Hall Effect switches intends that incredibly granular adjustments tin beryllium made to this keyboard’s typing experience, moreover down to nan actuation region of individual keys. The outer quality tin besides beryllium customized, pinch removable broadside panels and a swappable ray diffuser connected nan back. The diffusers are presently disposable in black, green, and red, pinch each including caller metallic broadside panels. However, you will request a screwdriver group to region immoderate of these panels, since an Allen wrench isn’t included pinch nan keyboard. Overall, nan Made68 sounds and feels bully to type on. The tray equine isn’t perfect for typing feel, but nan emblematic issues pinch typing consistency aren’t arsenic salient present arsenic different akin keyboards. At this price, a somewhat flawed typing acquisition is simply a worthwhile tradeoff for customizable Hall Effect switches and a satisfying typing sound.

Avoid These Keyboards

Not each keyboard will beryllium a winner. Here are a fewer I don't deliberation are worthy nan price.

HiGround Opal Base 65 for $120: In my testing (5/10, WIRED Review), I recovered nan Opal Base 65 fell down nan title successful almost each way. With a tray-mount assembly, clunky software, and a single-piece integrative case, I can’t find immoderate logic to prime this keyboard complete thing else.

Satechi SM1 for $100: I don’t consciousness compelled aliases inspired by this keyboard by immoderate means, and erstwhile you’re spending $100 aliases much connected a keyboard, it should beryllium inspiring, aliases astatine nan very slightest enjoyable to use. The SM1’s typing acquisition is underwhelming moreover by nan standards of a low-profile keyboard. It sounds hollow to type on, has a shallow and scratchy keypress, and nan build value doesn’t consciousness coagulated astatine all. Despite being mechanical, I would comparison nan personification acquisition to a laptop’s built-in keyboard successful position of building and typing satisfaction. Combining this pinch nan deficiency of immoderate customization package (meaning a wholly fixed layout) and nan usage of proprietary tactile switches pinch nary hot-swap capability, nan Satechi SM1 is an underwhelming keyboard each around, particularly erstwhile compared to standard-height mechanical keyboards successful nan aforesaid value range.

Das Keyboard 5QS Mark II for $219: This keyboard intends high, but yet misses. The Das Keyboard 5QS Mark II (4/10, WIRED Review) has incredibly precocious RGB lighting that tin beryllium programmed to show push notifications, upwind forecasts, aliases moreover banal marketplace changes, but I recovered nan excessive simplicity of this to make it astir useless unless you spent a batch of clip memorizing what different colors corresponded to. Past that, this keyboard felt incredibly dated: The assembly, typing feel, and aesthetics each felt for illustration a keyboard from nan 2010s successful nan worst ways.

Chillkey ND75 LP for $105: On paper, this low-profile keyboard hits each nan marks for a premium typing-focused keyboard: Full-POM switches, gasket mounting, an aluminum case, screwless metallic assembly, and a surface successful nan bottommost correct corner. It moreover comes pinch other parts for repairs and a group of screws to person nan keyboard to a top-mount (which is simply a clever inclusion that I would for illustration to spot done connected much keyboards). However, nan first portion I was sent had a fewer salient issues correct retired of nan box. Wireless connectivity was inconsistent, and much importantly, nan keyboard would perpetually get stuck repeating keys erstwhile typing. I fixed this by disconnecting and reconnecting each nan soul cables, but it still raised questions astir nan keyboard’s build quality. I was besides sent a “revised” portion from Chilkey that did not person these issues, but nan internals appeared identical. I’m besides not judge really I consciousness astir nan request to region a keycap to move betwixt wired and wireless modes, but I admit nan cleaner exterior arsenic a result.

Corsair K70 Pro TKL for $180: While nan K70 Pro’s Hall effect switches consciousness awesome to type on, Corsair only put HE switches successful nan halfway cluster of keys. The usability row, navigation cluster, and different keys not recovered successful nan halfway of nan keyboard usage Corsair’s MLX Red mechanical switches. This, positive a deficiency of wireless connectivity, makes this keyboard (5/10, WIRED Review) look for illustration a fund type alternatively of its champion of nan best, particularly erstwhile compared to likewise priced HE keyboards from brands for illustration Keychron, which person afloat sum of Hall effect switches.

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL for $250: At astir $70 supra nan K70 Core TKL, you would expect SteelSeries’ Apex Pro TKL to usage wholly Hall effect switches successful this keyboard. Instead, nan Apex Pro TKL still has a substance of Hall effect and mechanical switches: The halfway cluster is HE, and nan extracurricular keys are each mechanical. If you’re buying from SteelSeries, get nan Apex Pro Mini instead: You’ll prevention $20, get backmost immoderate table space, and person nan aforesaid number of Hall effect switches.

KSI Wombat Willow for $145: I wanted to for illustration this keyboard, arsenic it has everything I should like: a unsocial layout, a metallic case, PBT keycaps, and Gateron switches. But it conscionable doesn’t activity that well. The typing sounds hollow and rattly, nan typing angles are either wholly level aliases almost flat, and for immoderate reason, each clip I alteration Caps Lock, it automatically types “20 02 00” (and aft performing a mill reset, it types “01 06 07” instead). I couldn’t find immoderate measurement to hole this utilizing KSI’s WB Pouch software. However, it does do immoderate clever things: The number pad is placed truthful that nan main keyboard’s Enter cardinal tin beryllium pressed pinch your thumb during use, and nan 2 rows of Function keys consolidate a batch of keys vertically to prevention connected horizontal space. I wish nan assembly and polish matched up to this keyboard’s awesome imagination because nan thought itself is fantastic.