Whether you're looking for an accurate and functional keyboard for productivity use or a fully programmable keyboard with low latency for gaming, mechanical keyboards offer the next step in keyboard technology.
With a range of choices, it's important to understand your requirements. Whether it be RGB lighting, clicky or tactile switches, or programmable buttons.
Here are the best mechanical keyboards for typists and gamers.
If you're looking around for a premium wireless mechanical keyboard, the Logitech G915 is a great choice. It boasts impressive features that make it a serious contender in the keyboard market for typists and gamers alike.
If you are looking for a small portable keyboard, the Logitech G915 has a TKL (Tenkeyless) option available, or you can opt for the full-size version with all the keys available. The Logitech G915 comes with five programmable buttons, as well as onboard profiles for making your own sets of macros.
The Logitech G915 might be expensive, but it has been built to last, with high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum. It also features an extremely long-lasting battery, making it perfect for use in longer gaming or typing sessions.
- Five dedicated G-keys
- Low battery warnings
- LIGHTSYNC technology
- Aircraft-grade aluminum alloy
- Brand: Logitech
- Wireless: Wireless, Bluetooth
- Backlight: RGB
- Media Controls: Yes
- Battery: Rechargeable
- Num Pad: Yes
- Switch Type: GL Linear, GL Tactile, GL Clicky
- Replaceable Keys: Yes
- Long battery life
- Tenkeyless option available
- Wired and wireless options
- Programmable buttons and onboard profiles
- Premium look and feel
- Tactile, Linear and Clicky options
- Expensive
Corsair has quickly made a name for itself in the gaming market, and for a good reason; they produce some of the best gaming hardware on the market. And the Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 is no exception.
Premium Corsair keyboards might be a little more expensive, but with such great features, they are worth the money. The Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 is built with a solid brushed aluminum frame, offering a premium build quality designed not only to last longer but also to feel incredible.
The Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 works with Corsair's impressive iCue software, letting you easily change the keyboard RGB profile. You can even match up your style with any other Corsair products you might own.
- Anodized brushed aluminum frame
- 8MB profile storage
- USB pass-through port
- Macro programming
- Brand: Corsair
- Wireless: No
- Backlight: RGB
- Media Controls: Yes
- Battery: N/A
- Num Pad: Yes
- Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue, Brown, Red, Speed
- Replaceable Keys: Yes
- Great quality hand rest
- Great software
- Choice of mechanical switch types
- Impressive anti-ghosting
- Requires two USB ports
When playing competitive gaming, a small portable, yet feature-rich keyboard is important. The Corsair K70 RGB TKL checks all the right boxes for serious eSports gamers. With a solid aluminum frame, compact design, and detachable USB-C cable, it's perfect for transporting to eSports events.
With a choice of mechanical switches, ranging from super-fast Cherry keys to silent ones, it's easy to find the right setup to suit your needs. And with a built-in tournament switch, you can quickly change to static distraction-free RGB lighting, letting you focus on your game.
The PBT doubleshot keycaps are another feature that makes the Corsair K70 RGB TKL a durable keyboard, designed to last for one million keystrokes. Typists can rest at ease knowing that they will never experience ghosting, and that their keyboard has been built to last.
- Detachable USB Type-C cable
- 8,000Hz hyper-polling
- Dynamic per-key RGB backlighting
- PBT doubleshot keycaps
- Brand: Corsair
- Wireless: No
- Backlight: Yes
- Media Controls: Yes
- Battery: N/A
- Num Pad: No
- Switch Type: CHERRY MX SPEED
- Replaceable Keys: Yes
- Number of Keys: 88
- Compatible Devices: Windows
- Keyboard Description: Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard
- Compact design
- Choice of mechanical switches
- Solid aluminum frame
- Cherry Red switches cost double
4. Razer Turret
The Razer Turret is a great option for someone looking for a portable keyboard and mouse combo set. With a portable TKL design, retractable mouse mat, and included mouse, it's got everything you need in a portable setup.
Not only can you use the Razer Turret on your PC or laptop, but it also works great on the Xbox, making it the perfect keyboard and mouse combo for console gamers. It even comes with a dedicated Xbox button, making Xbox gaming with a keyboard and mouse even easier.
The only downside to the Razer Turret is Razer's software, which while powerful, can be a little confusing for less tech-savvy users. But once you are used to it, there are tons of great features to really customize your keyboard and mouse to your liking.
- 16,000 DPI 5G optical sensor
- Up to 43 hours battery life
- 2.4 GHz wireless USB receiver
- Magnetic mouse dock
- Dedicated Xbox button
- Brand: Razer
- Wireless: Yes
- Backlight: Yes
- Media Controls: No
- Battery: Up to 43 hours
- Num Pad: No
- Switch Type: Mechanical
- Replaceable Keys: No
- Number of Keys: 87
- Also includes a mouse
- Built-in mousemat
- Very portable
- Works on Xbox
- Not the best software
5. Keychron K10 Wireless
With so many gaming and typist keyboards to choose from, it's often easy to forget about the Mac offerings out there. But don't worry Mac users, we've got you covered. The Keychron K10 Wireless is a great choice for Mac users but also works on Windows and Android devices too.
With a large 4000mAh battery, the Keychron K10 Wireless is a wireless keyboard that has been designed to outlast you. Even when the battery runs out, you can simply plug it in, and carry on in wired mode.
The Keychron K10 Wireless features a complete Mac layout, while still working perfectly on Windows devices. But with the extra keycaps included, you can simply change the keyboard to the Windows layout whenever you need.
- RGB backlighting
- Aluminum frame
- Bluetooth 5.1
- 4000mAh battery
- Brand: Keychron
- Wireless: Bluetooth 5.1
- Backlight: RGB
- Media Controls: Yes
- Battery: 4000mAh
- Num Pad: Yes
- Switch Type: Gateron G Pro Brown
- Replaceable Keys: Yes
- Number of Keys: 104
- Compatible Devices: Windows / Mac
- Keyboard Description: 104 Keys Wireless Mechanical Keyboard
- Wired operation: Yes
- Dimensions: 18.25 x 7 x 2 inches
- Weight : 3.34lbs
- Bluetooth or USB connectivity
- Very long battery life
- Mac, Windows, and Android compatible
- Bluetooth can be unstable at times
6. SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL
The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is one of the most stylish TKL keyboards on the market. With a sleek design, beautiful RGB backlighting, and an OLED screen, it's undeniable that this is an impressive-looking keyboard.
With the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL's anti-ghosting, every keystroke is registered perfectly, no matter how fast you type. This makes it a great choice not only for gamers but also for typists too.
While the OLED screen on the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL looks absolutely stunning. However, there's little use to it, beyond seeing what music you are listening to on Spotify, or who you are talking to on Discord, which is likely information you already know. But, there's no denying that the screen looks the part, making the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL look even more stylish.
- Built-in OLED screen
- RGB backlighting
- Aircraft grade aluminum alloy
- Magnetic wrist rest
- Brand: SteelSeries
- Wireless: No
- Backlight: Yes
- Media Controls: Yes
- Battery: N/A
- Num Pad: No
- Switch Type: Red
- Replaceable Keys: Yes
- Number of Keys: 95
- Stunning lighting
- Comfortable wrist rest
- 100% anti-ghosting
- The OLED screen isn't that useful
7. Drop ENTR Mechanical Keyboard
The Drop ENTR Mechanical Keyboard is an affordable tenkeyless keyboard that offers incredible build quality. It's well-crafted and boasts a very comfortable typing experience, especially for this price range.
While there aren't many customization features, or anything that specific to gaming, the Drop ENTR Mechanical Keyboard is a pleasure to use. So, if you're a casual gamer who doesn't require a Numpad or lots of extra keys, it's a great choice.
The backlit PBT doubleshot keycaps are thick and responsive, and the overall build feels solid. The Drop ENTR Mechanical Keyboard oozes simplicity, yet it's a budget-friendly, well-made keyboard nonetheless.
- Doubleshot PBT keycaps
- N-key rollover
- Tactile switches
- Tenkeyless
- Brand: Drop
- Wireless: No
- Backlight: White LED
- Media Controls: No
- Battery: N/A
- Num Pad: No
- Switch Type: Halo True
- Replaceable Keys: Yes
- Number of Keys: 87
- Solid build quality
- Compact TKL design
- Detachable USB-C cable
- No accompanying software
8. Das Keyboard 6
This exceptional mechanical keyboard boasts Cherry MX switches which feel great, and respond well. The Das Keyboard 6 features a dedicated sleep key as well as two USB-C ports, allowing you to charge your devices. While it's quite a hefty keyboard that's not very portable, it does mean it's incredibly durable and solid to type or game on.
Like the Drop ENTR keyboard, the Das Keyboard 6 doesn't come with any configuration software. This can be frustrating for some typists or gamers, but the other notable features seem to tip the scales in favor of the Das Keyboard 6.
An expensive investment, this mechanical keyboard features tactile switches which are silent yet tactile. If you prefer clicky switches, the option is there too, but the Brown switches make for great typing thanks to a good balance between resistance and travel.
- White LED backlighting
- Cherry MX Brown switches
- Adjustable volume knob
- 2-port USB-C hub
- Brand: Das Keyboard
- Wireless: No
- Backlight: No
- Media Controls: Yes
- Battery: N/A
- Num Pad: Yes
- Switch Type: Cherry MX Brown, Cherry MX Blue
- Keyboard Description: Mechanical
- Solid build quality
- USB-C ports
- Easy to use
- Expensive
- No configuration software
FAQ
Q: Are Cherry MX the Best Switches?
Cherry MX Brown switches provide tactile keys, medium actuation, and silent travel. For gamers or typists who prefer more of a middle-ground, Cherry MX switches are considered the best option.
Q: Are Mechanical Keyboards Better?
Mechanical keyboards tend to be the keyboard of choice for many gamers as they offer low latency and are more tactile. They also often come with fully programmable keys and macros, allowing them to be customized for the game you're playing.
Q: Are Mechanical Keyboards Repairable?
Mechanical keyboards tend to last for around 10 to 15 years with medium usage. Similarly, Cherry MX switches can handle up to 50 million keypresses. However, if your mechanical keyboard stops working or encounters an issue with its keys, you can look to replace the keys or switches yourself for an affordable fix.