One of the best mechanical keyboards of 2024

It’s exhausting to beat the tactility, sturdiness, or beauty of a mechanical keyboard, however there are a variety of choices on the market, and never all of them are created equal. Listed here are our prime picks, together with each wired and wi-fi fashions starting from compact keyboards with laptop-style layouts to full-size keyboards full with numpads — from finances to… not so finances.

Many of the keyboards beneath use a 75 p.c structure, which is a compact type issue that maintains a operate row and arrow key cluster, like most laptop computer keyboards. It’s an incredible place to begin until you really need an connected quantity pad or know you favor a unique structure. Almost all of our suggestions additionally are available different layouts, which we’ve linked the place doable. 

Whereas any keyboard can be utilized for gaming, this information focuses on one of the best keyboards for typing and normal workplace work, so enter latency and polling charge weren’t main deciding elements. When you’re after a keyboard particularly for gaming, take a look at our information to the greatest gaming keyboards.

Connectivity: USB / Keycaps: Double-shot PBT / Sizzling-swappable: Sure / Obtainable sizes: 60 p.c, 65 p.c, 70 p.c, 75 p.c, TKL, 1800, Full dimension, 65 p.c Alice, 75 p.c Alice / Obtainable layouts: ANSI, ISO / Swap choices: Ok Professional Purple, Ok Professional Blue, Ok Professional Brown / Battery dimension: N/A / North- or south-facing switches: South-facing

The Keychron V1 is one of the best entry-level wired keyboard. Beginning at simply $84 for a totally assembled mannequin (although often on sale for much less), it’s among the many extra inexpensive choices on this checklist, however it feels virtually as good to kind on as keyboards that price twice as a lot. Its construct high quality is gorgeous and durable, and it sounds nice to kind on.

Whereas the V1 has a 75 p.c structure, a well-liked compact design that omits the numpad and different keys to provide you a laptop-style expertise, Keychron has different V-series keyboards in quite a lot of sizes. These vary from extra conventional keyboard layouts just like the tenkeyless V3 and full-size V6, to extra compact fashions just like the V2 (which has a 65 p.c structure that omits the devoted operate row) and the much more compact V4 (with a 60 p.c design that omits the arrow keys totally). Some V-series keyboards are additionally accessible in worldwide layouts.

For such a low value, the V1 is filled with options normally discovered on fanatic keyboards. It affords hot-swappable switches with south-facing RGB backlighting, and its switches and stabilizers really feel good and easy. It’s absolutely programmable: you’ll be able to remap each key utilizing the intuitive and highly effective VIA software program on prime of QMK — which works on Home windows, Mac, and Linux and allows you to do the whole lot from shifting keys round to programming macros immediately into the keyboard itself.

The V1 comes with sturdy double-shot PBT keycaps. You get a alternative of Mac and Home windows keycaps within the field, and a swap on the again of the keyboard allows you to toggle between layouts immediately. You will get it with a quantity knob for an additional $10 (pictured) or save $20 and purchase a bare-bones model with out keycaps or switches. Our pattern got here with Keychron’s personal tactile Ok Professional Brown switches, however there are additionally clicky and linear choices.

If wi-fi connectivity is necessary to you, then Keychron affords the Keychron V1 Max, which might connect with your pc utilizing both Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz USB dongle. It additionally makes use of a extra premium-feeling gasket-mounted building, which makes for a nicer typing really feel. We severely thought of recommending the V1 Max over the V1, however determined towards it for now. The V1 Max has the next beginning value, partly as a result of it comes with a quantity knob as commonplace and partly as a result of the V1 is often discounted. And secondly, the wired V sequence that the V1 is part of is — as outlined above — accessible in a wider alternative of sizes and worldwide layouts, that means it’s extra seemingly that you just’ll discover a mannequin that fits your wants.

Count on this to vary within the coming months; the V Max sequence is already accessible in six layouts (in comparison with 9 for the V sequence), however for now the V1 stays our prime decide for most individuals.

Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz dongle (1000Hz) / Keycaps: Double-shot PBT / Sizzling-swappable: Sure / Obtainable sizes: 11 choices, starting from 60 p.c to full-sized and past / Obtainable layouts: ANSI, ISO / Swap choices: Gateron Jupiter Purple, Gateron Jupiter Brown, Gateron Jupiter Banana / Battery dimension: 4,000mAh / North- or south-facing switches: South-facing

When you’re after one thing fancier than the V1 and the remainder of Keychron’s V-series, the Keychron Q1 Max is a superb step up. It has a sturdy aluminum chassis with a built-in quantity knob, affords a a lot nicer typing expertise, it’s absolutely customizable, and it’s wi-fi, with an possibility to attach over both Bluetooth or an included 2.4GHz USB dongle.

When you’re contemplating a premium keyboard, we expect it is smart to select the Keychron Q1 Max over the Q1 Professional ($199) or wired Keychron Q1 ($189 with knob). The Max has all of the options of the sooner two boards, with the additional flexibility of connecting through a 1000Hz 2.4GHz USB dongle along with Bluetooth and USB-C. The identical goes for the remainder of the Q Max sequence.

When you’re proud of a “good” somewhat than “great” typing really feel, then lots of the Q1 Max’s most compelling options — like VIA programming, hot-swappable switches, and per-key south-facing RGB backlighting — are additionally accessible on the wired V1 and wi-fi V1 Max above in addition to Keychron’s different V-series boards. 

Use the keyboard wirelessly, with its RGB lighting disabled, and the Q1 Max can fortunately go for weeks while not having to be recharged. However activate its backlighting, and its rated battery life drops by round half. The reliability of the two.4GHz connection was flawless in my testing — I didn’t expertise any dropouts throughout a month of use.

Along with its sturdy aluminum case and wi-fi connectivity, the opposite benefit the Q1 Max has over the V1 (although not over the V1 Max) is its gasket-mounted building, which supplies it a extra premium typing really feel. By successfully suspending its polycarbonate swap plate and PCB between gaskets, the keyboard has a considerable quantity of flex to it. That may not sound preferable, however it offers the Q1 Max a way more satisfying typing sound in comparison with what are generally known as tray-mounted keyboards just like the Keychron V sequence. Alternative swap plates are additionally accessible in several supplies if you wish to additional customise how the Q1 Max feels and sounds.

A possible draw back of the Q1 Max is that its battery life is just nice for those who flip off its RGB lighting. It’s additionally very heavy in comparison with among the different wi-fi keyboards on this checklist, which implies it’s not an incredible decide for those who plan to make use of the keyboard whereas out and about.

Like most of Keychron’s different boards, the Q Max sequence is out there in a variety of various layouts. Sizes vary from the compact Q60 Max by way of to the full-size Q6 Max. So until you’re after a distinct segment structure just like the 40 or 70 p.c, you need to be capable to discover the fitting dimension for you.

Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth / Keycaps: PBT Dye-sub / Sizzling-swappable: Sure / Obtainable sizes: 75 p.c / Obtainable layouts: ANSI / Swap choices: Kailh low-profile Phantom tactile, Kailh low-profile Ghost linear  / Battery dimension: 2,000mAh / North- or south-facing switches: North-facing

Low-profile mechanical keyboards supply a lot of the tactility and sturdiness of typical mechs however with a squatter design which may really feel extra acquainted for those who’ve spent a lifetime typing on laptop-style keyboards. Of those, we advocate the 75 p.c Lofree Flow84 (previously generally known as the Lofree Circulation), which has nice battery life and a premium aluminum building.

The Flow84’s specs are much like these of the NuPhy Air75, which was our earlier low-profile keyboard decide. However Lofree’s keyboard feels much better to kind on, and it sounds higher, too. The Flow84 is a wi-fi Bluetooth keyboard with a alternative of both linear or tactile switches, and these switches are additionally hot-swappable, so you’ll be able to change your thoughts later for those who so select. Know, nonetheless, that the swap pin structure means you’re restricted to Lofree’s Kailh switches. The switches do use commonplace MX-style stems, and you’ll find appropriate low-profile keycaps from NuPhy amongst others.

In my testing, battery life was good, with the keyboard nonetheless reporting 70 p.c of its cost remaining after a month of every day use with the backlight off. Lofree advertises that the Flow84’s battery life is 40 hours, which I can solely assume is with the backlight on, supplying you with nearer to per week of cost. You may join it to a Mac or Home windows machine wirelessly through Bluetooth or with an included USB cable.

There are a few different choices to contemplate on this class relying in your wants. The NuPhy Air75 stays an incredible decide for those who’re on a tighter finances (its MSRP is $109.95), or for those who’d favor the decrease enter latency of a 2.4GHz dongle over Bluetooth for a wi-fi connection. There’s additionally Logitech’s MX Mechanical Mini, which lacks hot-swappable switches however advantages from a battery life that extends to as a lot as 10 months with its backlighting turned off.

Learn our Lofree Circulation assessment.

Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz dongle / Keycaps: Dye-sub PBT / Sizzling-swappable: Sure / Obtainable sizes: 65 p.c, 75 p.c, 96 p.c / Obtainable layouts: ANSI, ISO / Swap choices: Gateron Professional Purple, Gateron Professional Brown, Gateron Professional Black, Epomaker Budgerigar, Gateron Blue, Gateron Professional Yellow / Battery dimension: 4,000mAh / North- or south-facing switches: South-facing

For an inexpensive wi-fi mechanical keyboard that isn’t made by Keychron, we just like the Epomaker TH80 Professional. The TH80 Professional feels implausible to kind on, helps Bluetooth connections to as much as three completely different units, and likewise features a 2.4GHz wi-fi USB dongle for those who don’t wish to fiddle with Bluetooth pairing. We additionally like that it has separate Mac-specific keycaps within the field and that it’s comparatively gentle and transportable in comparison with the Q1 Max.

Just like the Keychron V1 and Q1 Max, the Epomaker TH80 is a 75 p.c keyboard with hot-swappable switches and a quantity knob. It has a plastic case and metal swap plate, and whereas it doesn’t really feel fairly as high-end as Keychron’s Q-series keyboards, it’s received good, crisp PBT keycaps in MDA profile, easy stabilizers, and a typing really feel that’s on par with the marginally cheaper wired-only Keychron V1. Our assessment pattern got here with linear Gateron Professional Yellow switches, however different linear and clicky choices can be found.

The Epomaker TH80’s structure may be remapped with software program that works on each Mac and Home windows computer systems. It’s not as slick or highly effective because the VIA app utilized by Keychron’s boards however nonetheless allows you to remap each key (apart from the Perform key) with various keys or macros. (In contrast, VIA allows you to transfer the operate key, too, or add extra operate keys for various layers.)

The TH80 doesn’t have secondary capabilities printed on its keycaps, so that you’ll have to maintain its guide readily available to remind your self what they do. And whereas it options per-key RGB lighting (with south-facing LEDs), retaining the backlighting on in wi-fi mode completely tanks its battery life. I received simply two and a half days of use over Bluetooth with the keyboard’s RGB lighting set to most in comparison with eight workdays with the backlight off earlier than I needed to plug it in to recharge. Both method, you get a lot better battery life out of the costlier Q1 Max.

Though the TH80 is available in our favourite 75 p.c structure, Epomaker has a bigger model with a numpad in addition to a smaller 65 p.c mannequin. When you’re on a tighter finances, the Royal Kludge RK84 is somewhat cheaper with out compromising an excessive amount of on typing really feel, although its software program is Home windows-only and its structure is a bit more smushed.

Connectivity: USB / Keycaps: Not disclosed / Sizzling-swappable: Sure / Obtainable sizes: 65 p.c, 75 p.c, Full dimension / Obtainable layouts: ANSI / Swap choices: Blue, Brown, Purple (unbranded) / Battery dimension: N/A / North- or south-facing switches: North-facing

At lower than half the value of among the different keyboards on this checklist, the $55 65 p.c LTC Nimbleback punches properly above its weight. It’s very full-featured for its value, with shine-through RGB lighting and hot-swappable switches, and it even has a built-in USB hub with a pair of USB Sort-A ports to plug additional equipment into your pc.

As you would possibly anticipate given the value distinction, the LTC Nimbleback’s building isn’t as stable because the Keychron V1’s, and it doesn’t really feel as good to kind on as lots of the picks above. Its switches really feel barely much less easy and extra scratchy with every press, there’s a slight rattle to the stabilizers on bigger keys just like the house bar, and it sounds a bit hole total. It’s additionally made from plastic, and whereas it is reprogrammable, its companion software program is just accessible on Home windows. However the LTC Nimbleback’s typing really feel holds its personal towards extra equally priced rivals, together with the $69 Keychron K6.

The LTC Nimbleback is out there with clicky, linear, or tactile switches (we had the latter). If the mannequin listed right here seems somewhat too small in your liking, there are additionally 75 p.c and full-size variations accessible. 

Connectivity: USB / Keycaps: Not disclosed / Sizzling-swappable: No / Obtainable sizes: Cut up / Obtainable layouts: ANSI / Swap choices: Cherry MX Brown, Cherry MX Silent Purple / Battery dimension: N/A / North- or south-facing switches: North-facing

They’re very a lot a distinct segment possibility, however loads of individuals swear by break up keyboards, that are designed to allow you to kind together with your palms additional aside and your shoulders in a extra impartial place. Of those, we advocate the Kinesis Freestyle Professional. 

It doesn’t have hot-swappable switches, which implies you’re caught with the Cherry MX Brown or Cherry MX Silent Purple switches that it comes with until you’re prepared to do some soldering. However at $179, it’s comparatively inexpensive by the customarily exorbitant costs of break up keyboards (the ErgoDox EZ Unique begins at $325, for instance, whereas the ZSA Moonlander is $365), and it has a structure that’s a lot nearer to a standard keyboard than a variety of different ergonomic choices. It means there’s much less of a studying curve for those who’re coming from an ordinary keyboard structure. 

That’s to not say there aren’t hot-swappable ergonomic choices on the market. We actually loved the ZSA Moonlander, for instance. ZSA’s Oryx configurator software program affords a ton of choices to create extremely custom-made layouts, and optionally available equipment like an angled stand and tripod mounting package imply you’ll be able to tailor the keyboard to your actual wants. It additionally affords hot-swappable switches, which we usually contemplate an important a part of a contemporary keyboard, however we don’t suppose that justifies the value premium for most individuals. However at $365, the Moonlander is, by some margin, the costliest keyboard on this checklist, and its columnar structure and thumb clusters take a variety of getting used to. (Although ZSA does can help you return the keyboard inside 30 days of if you get it.) 

When you completely should have probably the most customizable ergonomic possibility accessible, then the ZSA Moonlander is a superb decide. However most individuals who simply desire a extra ergonomic keyboard with a well-recognized structure can be happy with the Kinesis Freestyle Professional.

Extra reporting by Jay Peters.

Up to date October eighth with new pricing.