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The Best Mechanical Keyboards

By Kimber Streams
Updated
A few of our favorite mechanical keyboards, next to some extra keycaps, a keycap puller and some USB dongles.
Photo: Connie Park

Every clack of a well-made keyboard can bring joy. If you spend most of your day typing, coding, or gaming, a mechanical keyboard can be a comfortable, customizable upgrade over the shallow, drab keyboard that came with your computer.

After spending months testing the most promising mechanical keyboards, we recommend the Keychron V3, Keychron V5, and Keychron V6 because they offer the best typing experience and the most extra features for their surprisingly reasonable prices.

Everything we recommend

Our pick

The tenkeyless Keychron V3 provides the most enjoyable typing experience and the most features—RGB, hot-swap, programmability, and an optional knob—for a reasonable price.

The Keychron V5 offers all the quality and features of the V3, and it provides all the keys of a full-size keyboard, including a number pad, in a significantly more compact layout.

Buying Options

The Keychron V6 feels just as wonderful to type on and has all the same extra features, and its full-size layout includes a number pad. But it takes up much more desk space.

Runner-up

The Multix 87 feels just as great to type on, and it’s available with a variety of cute keycap options. But it lacks a backlight and isn’t as easy to program.

Budget pick

A satisfying typing experience and full programmability in VIA for less than $50. But it lacks hot-swap, its keycaps feel cheaper and will wear out sooner, and its backlight is red only.

Buying Options

Upgrade pick

The Keychron Q3 Pro has a heavy-duty aluminum case, can connect via Bluetooth, and feels great to type on. But it’s tall, and you can’t adjust the height.

Buying Options

The Q5 Pro has the same quality and features as the Q3 Pro, and it has all the keys of a full-size keyboard in a more compact layout.

Buying Options

$210 from Keychron

May be out of stock

The Q6 Pro is the full-size version of our upgrade picks. It feels just as excellent to type on and has the same features, but takes up more desk space.

Buying Options

$210 from Keychron

May be out of stock

How we picked


  • Highly customizable

    Many mechanical keyboards allow you to customize the keycaps, switches, and backlighting, and even the behavior of your keys.

  • A range of sizes

    We have tenkeyless and full-size keyboard picks, as well as separate number pad recommendations.

  • For any task

    All of our picks work well for typing, programming, or gaming.

  • At any budget

    We have budget picks that don’t suck, as well as feature-packed picks for enthusiasts.

Read more

Our pick

The tenkeyless Keychron V3 provides the most enjoyable typing experience and the most features—RGB, hot-swap, programmability, and an optional knob—for a reasonable price.

The Keychron V5 offers all the quality and features of the V3, and it provides all the keys of a full-size keyboard, including a number pad, in a significantly more compact layout.

Buying Options

The Keychron V6 feels just as wonderful to type on and has all the same extra features, and its full-size layout includes a number pad. But it takes up much more desk space.

The tenkeyless Keychron V3, the 1800-layout Keychron V5, and the full-size Keychron V6 stand out for their quality and value. Our picks have sturdy cases, durable PBT keycaps, and smooth lubricated stabilizers, and they boast fancy features typically reserved for much pricier models, including RGB backlighting, hot-swappable switches, and full programmability with the easy-to-use VIA software. All three models come with keycaps for Windows and Mac, and swapping between the two operating-system layouts is simple. But these models lack a wireless connection, and the fun rotary knob costs extra.

Runner-up

The Multix 87 feels just as great to type on, and it’s available with a variety of cute keycap options. But it lacks a backlight and isn’t as easy to program.

The Vortex Multix 87 feels as wonderful to type on as the Keychron V3, thanks to its sturdy case, durable PBT keycaps, and smooth stabilizers. Like our top pick, the Multix 87 has hot-swappable switches and can easily toggle between Windows and Mac layouts. But it’s not as easy to customize as our VIA-compatible top pick, and it lacks a backlight and a knob.

Budget pick

A satisfying typing experience and full programmability in VIA for less than $50. But it lacks hot-swap, its keycaps feel cheaper and will wear out sooner, and its backlight is red only.

Buying Options

The Keychron C3 Pro offers the best typing experience you can get for under $50, with solid build quality, smooth stabilizers, and full programmability in VIA. But the C3 Pro is available with fewer switch options than our top pick, and it lacks hot-swap so you can’t easily change those switches later. Our budget pick comes with lower-quality ABS keycaps that feel cheaper and will wear out faster than the PBT keycaps on our top picks. And the C3 Pro is only available with a red backlight.

Upgrade pick

The Keychron Q3 Pro has a heavy-duty aluminum case, can connect via Bluetooth, and feels great to type on. But it’s tall, and you can’t adjust the height.

Buying Options

The Q5 Pro has the same quality and features as the Q3 Pro, and it has all the keys of a full-size keyboard in a more compact layout.

Buying Options

$210 from Keychron

May be out of stock

The Q6 Pro is the full-size version of our upgrade picks. It feels just as excellent to type on and has the same features, but takes up more desk space.

Buying Options

$210 from Keychron

May be out of stock

If you want a keyboard with a higher-quality aluminum case and a wireless connection and don’t mind paying quite a bit more for it, we recommend the Keychron Q3 Pro, Q5 Pro, or Q6 Pro. These models provide an excellent typing experience and have a ton of extra features: They can connect to up to three devices via Bluetooth, they’re fully programmable using VIA, and they have RGB backlighting, hot-swappable switches, and a rotary knob. But the Q Pro series keyboards have tall cases with steep slopes that cannot be adjusted, and their tall included keycaps exacerbate this flaw.

A mechanical keyboard is a highly personal choice. If you’re looking for one with a different vibe, take a look at the other good mechanical keyboards we found during testing. If you want a mechanical keyboard with a more compact layout, check out our guide to compact mechanical keyboards.

A red, white and blue keyboard on a wooden background.
My current favorite keyboard: a BananaSplit60 in a bamboo case with Kailh Box White switches, DSA Drifter keycaps, and a custom cable. Photo: Kimber Streams

I’ve tested hundreds of keyboards for Wirecutter since 2014. In that time, I’ve accumulated at least 15 of my own—this is too many mechanical keyboards! I’ve spent thousands of hours typing on all these different options to land on recommendations for people who need only one keyboard.

Mechanical keyboards can be more enjoyable to type on, more durable, and more customizable than typical laptop or desktop keyboards. If you spend all day typing, it’s very satisfying to customize the size, switches, keycaps, and layout to your exact needs.

Our picks in this guide include full-size keyboards and tenkeyless models without a number pad. If you’re looking for something even smaller, head over to our guide to compact mechanical keyboards.

Any keyboard can work for any task—there’s no such thing as a keyboard for typing, or a programming keyboard, or a gaming keyboard. This guide’s picks are aimed at people who primarily type or code, but our top pick here also happens to be the best gaming keyboard.

We recommend prebuilt keyboards that you can plug in and use immediately, but there’s a whole world of custom mechanical keyboards. Building your own opens up a ton of size, layout, switch, and programmability options, but such keyboards are less readily available and require more tinkering.

Mechanical keyboards bring with them a lot of jargon: layouts, switches, keycap profiles, and so on. Here’s a high-level overview of the terms you need to know to buy the right keyboard for your needs. For even more detail, see our explainer on how to shop for a mechanical keyboard.

Illustration: Sarah MacReading, Dana Davis

Size:

  • Tenkeyless (TKL or 80%):We recommend tenkeyless boards—which lack a number pad but have all the other keys—because smaller keyboards allow you to place your mouse closer to your body, which can reduce strain on your shoulders, neck, and back. You can always use a separate number pad for specific tasks.
  • 1800 layout (96%): This layout has all the keys of a full-size keyboard, but smushed together to reduce wasted space. It’s the best option if you need an attached number pad and want to save a few inches of desk space, but finding replacement keycaps is harder because this layout has a few non-standard key sizes.
  • Full-size (100%): Full-size keyboards have all the letters, numbers, modifiers, and function-row keys, as well as navigation keys, arrow keys, and a number pad.

Switch options: Mechanical switches come in three main varieties: linear, tactile, and clicky. Linear switches feel smooth when you press them. Tactile switches have a noticeable bump partway through the keypress. And clicky switches feel similar to tactile ones but have an added click sound to match the tactile bump. If you don’t already have a preference, we recommend tactile Brown switches made by Cherry, Gateron, or Kailh because these popular, readily available switches are good for most tasks and quiet enough for most offices. We cover all the switch varieties in depth in our introductory guide to mechanical keyboards.

Build quality: Cheap keyboards can feel and sound hollow, may flex under regular typing pressure, and tend to have stabilizers that rattle or squeak. Higher-quality keyboards made of metal or thicker plastic will feel sturdy and sound melodious with every keystroke.

A close-up of two mechanical keyboards, side-by-side, showing the difference between thin ABS keycaps and thicker PBT keycaps.
ABS keycaps (top) tend to be thinner and will develop a shine, whereas PBT keycaps (bottom) are thicker and more durable. Photo: Michael Murtaugh

Keycaps: Keycap profiles define the height and shape of the keycaps in each row. We prefer keycaps made of PBT—a type of plastic—because they tend to be more durable and develop less shine than keycaps made from ABS, a more lightweight plastic that’s prone to wear.

We also like to see a variety of stylish keycap options, though you can always change keycaps later. It’s easiest to find replacement keycap sets for boards with ANSI standard keycaps, which includes our tenkeyless and full-size picks.

Removable cable: A removable USB cable is preferable to a built-in one, because if the cable breaks, it’s easier (and cheaper) to replace than the whole keyboard.

Programmability: Many mechanical keyboards allow you to record macros, remap or customize certain keys, and futz with the backlighting. Some keyboards use switches on the bottom or back of the keyboard to alter the behavior of a few keys. Others offer onboard programming. And still others come with manufacturer-specific software or support VIA, a simple, user-friendly option.

Backlight: If a keyboard comes with backlighting, we prefer it to be either a tasteful white or programmable RGB.

Hot-swap switches: Rather than having to desolder old switches and solder in new ones, on a hot-swappable keyboard, you can simply pull the switches out and snap new ones into place.

Wireless:We look for stable wireless connections that don’t cut out, lag, or cause double key entries, as well as keyboards that can still work in wired mode when the battery runs out.

We test each keyboard by using it for at least one day of work, which involves lots and lots (and lots) of typing. We explore each keyboard’s customization options and pay attention to the quality of the cases and keycaps. Finally, we use the finalists for several more days of constant typing and test any wireless and Bluetooth connections on Windows and macOS.

Our three picks for best mechanical keyboards overall, the Keychron V3, V5, and V6, in front of a blue background.
Photo: Connie Park

Our pick

The tenkeyless Keychron V3 provides the most enjoyable typing experience and the most features—RGB, hot-swap, programmability, and an optional knob—for a reasonable price.

The Keychron V5 offers all the quality and features of the V3, and it provides all the keys of a full-size keyboard, including a number pad, in a significantly more compact layout.

Buying Options

The Keychron V6 feels just as wonderful to type on and has all the same extra features, and its full-size layout includes a number pad. But it takes up much more desk space.

Dimensions:V3: 14.17 by 5.75 by 1.46 inches
V5: 14.96 by 5.83 by 1.46 inches
V6: 17.32 by 5.75 by 1.46 inches
Connection:removable USB-C
Keycap material:PBTBacklight:RGB

Of the keyboards we’ve tested, the Keychron V3, Keychron V5, and Keychron V6 offer the most comfortable typing experience and the most extra features for their reasonable prices. All three have sturdy cases, durable PBT keycaps, and smooth lubricated stabilizers, as well as fun features like RGB backlighting, hot-swappable switches, and full programmability with the easy-to-use VIA software. Our picks come with keycaps for Windows and Mac, and you can easily swap between the two operating-system layouts using a switch on the back of each keyboard. But these keyboards lack wireless connections, and the optional knob costs extra.

The keychron V5 mechanical keyboard, with some of its keys pulled out by a keycap puller.
The Keychron V3, V5 and V6 all have hot-swappable switches, so you can change the feel of your keyboard without a soldering iron. Photo: Connie Park

Our picks are easy—and fun—to customize. We recommend starting with Keychron K Pro Brown switches, but our picks also have hot-swap sockets that support both three- and five-pin switches, so you’ll be able to change out the switches for new ones without needing to solder. Keychron also offers two different cases for each layout, called Carbon Black and Frosted Black (the latter of which looks particularly cool with the RGB backlight).

A close-up of the rotary knob on the top-right corner of a Keychron V5 mechanical keyboard.
You can get the V3, V5, or V6 with a rotary knob that you can use to control the volume or perform other actions, but it costs $10 extra. Photo: Connie Park

They offer an extremely satisfying typing experience for the price. The plastic cases on the V3, V5, and V6 are sturdy and don’t flex under pressure, and our picks’ pre-lubed stabilizers feel smooth and sound quiet. All three models have a flat profile with a gentle slope, as well as sturdy feet in the back with two height options if you prefer a steeper angle.

The Keychron V3 (top) is the most compact of our top picks, while the Keychron V6 (bottom) takes up the most desk space. The V5 (middle) fits all of the same keys as on the V6 in a size closer to that of the V3. Photo: Connie Park

The included keycaps have a comfortable, friendly shape. After weeks of typing, the OSA-profile PBT keycaps that come with our picks didn’t develop any surface wear. The tenkeyless V3 and the full-size V6 have standard keycaps, so it’ll be easy to find replacements if you want to change your keyboard’s vibe. But the V5 has nonstandard right Shift, bottom-row, and number-pad keys that you’ll need to look out for if you replace your keycaps.

The Keychron V3 supports VIA, robust and intuitive software for reprogramming key behaviors and backlighting.

Our top picks are fully programmable through the easy-to-use VIA software. At the time of our testing, the software didn’t automatically recognize all of them, but Keychron includes accurate step-by-step instructions for all three models on their respective product pages. Once the keyboard appears in the software, you can remap keys, record macros, and customize the RGB backlighting.

The V3, V5, and V6 each have a USB-C port and a switch for Windows and Mac modes on the back. Photo: Connie Park

Our picks come with keycaps for Windows and Mac. These keyboards also have a convenient switch on the back left to swap between the Windows and Mac layouts. In addition, Keychron includes a removable braided USB-C–to–C cable and a USB-C–to–A adapter, as well as useful tools for changing switches and keycaps.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Keychron V3, V5, and V6 all lack a wireless connection. If you do want a mechanical keyboard with a wireless connection, consider instead our compact mechanical keyboard picks or the Keychron K8 Pro in the Other good mechanical keyboards section.

A close-up of the keys on a keychron V5 mechanical keyboard, showing the font and size of the letters on each key.
The keycap legends have subtle inconsistencies that may bother some people. Photo: Connie Park

The keycap legends have some subtle inconsistencies in letter size and spacing. If you find that sort of thing bothersome, you may want to consider a different keyboard.

Keychron’s one-year warranty for our picks is very limited. If you have an issue, the warranty states that the company “will only replace the defective parts of the keyboard, not the whole keyboard.” We haven’t seen widespread reports of problems with our V-series picks, but we did have a frustrating experience with a pricier Q-series keyboard covered by the same policy.

Our pick for best mechanical keyboard without a backlight or full programmability, the Vortex Multix 87.
Photo: Connie Park

Runner-up

The Multix 87 feels just as great to type on, and it’s available with a variety of cute keycap options. But it lacks a backlight and isn’t as easy to program.

Dimensions:13.78 by 5.75 by 1.5 inchesConnection:removable USB-C
Keycap material:PBTBacklight:none

We recommend the Vortex Multix 87 if our top picks are unavailable or if you prefer the look of this model and don’t care about a backlight, full programmability, or a rotary knob. The Multix 87 feels just as delightful to type on as our top picks, and it also has hot-swappable switches, works with Windows and Mac, and can easily switch between the two operating-system layouts. But the Multix 87 isn’t as easy to customize as the VIA-compatible Keychron V3, and it’s not available in full-size or 1800 layouts.

The Multix 87 has easy-to-swap switches but no backlight. We recommend starting with the Gateron G Pro Brown switches, but like our top picks, our runner-up has hot-swap sockets that support three- and five-pin switches. At this writing, no Multix 87 models come with backlighting, but Vortex does offer a selection of case colors and tasteful keycap options to match your personal style. (The Summer model is one of the cutest keyboards I’ve tested—just look at it!)

A close-up of the vortex logo imprinted on the case of the Multix 87 mechanical keyboard, between the keys.
I don’t love the swirly Vortex logo on the Multix 87’s case, but it’s not glaringly ugly. Photo: Connie Park

Like our top picks, the Multix 87 feels excellent to type on. Its plastic case doesn’t flex under pressure, and the silicone sound-dampening pad inside the case helps produce a pleasant, melodious “thock” sound. Like the Keychron V-series, our runner-up has a flat profile with a gentle slope, as well as sturdy feet with two height options to customize the angle. I don’t love the Vortex logo on the case, but it’s subtle and easy to ignore compared with most ugly company logos I’ve seen slapped on keyboards.

A size comparison between the Voltex Multix 87 and the Keychron V3, showing that the Voltex is slightly more compact.
The Vortex Multix 87 (top) is a bit more compact than the Keychron V3 (bottom). Photo: Connie Park

This keyboard’s doubleshot PBT keycaps feel thick and durable. Even though the Cherry-profile keycaps aren’t quite as comfortable as the rounded OSA-profile keycaps that come with the Keychron V-series models, they’re pleasant enough. We did notice a few inconsistencies in font weight and kerning on the keycap legends, but most people are unlikely to pick up on these differences unless they’re actively looking.

Our runner-up is not fully programmable. The Multix 87 can easily switch between its Windows and Mac layouts and record macros (PDF), and though the media keys aren’t labeled on the keycaps, the keyboard comes with a handy cheat sheet so you can memorize them. The Vortex Multix 87 does all the basic keyboard stuff, but if you want a fully programmable keyboard, get the Keychron V3.

The Multix 87’s feet allow you to adjust this keyboard’s height and slope. Photo: Connie Park

Like our top picks, this Vortex model lacks wireless capability. Vortex includes a removable USB-C–to–A cable, as well as a handful of extra keycaps and tools to swap your switches and keycaps. The Multix 87 doesn’t have Windows- and Mac-specific keycaps like our top picks do, but we like that the included keycaps are OS-neutral.

A black Keychron C3 Pro sitting on a blue background.
Photo: Michael Hession

Budget pick

A satisfying typing experience and full programmability in VIA for less than $50. But it lacks hot-swap, its keycaps feel cheaper and will wear out sooner, and its backlight is red only.

Buying Options

Dimensions:14.35 by 5.43 by 1.65 inchesConnection:removable USB-C
Keycap material:ABSBacklight:red

If you’re looking for the cheapest decent mechanical keyboard, we recommend the Keychron C3 Pro. It offers, by far, the best typing experience you can get for under $50, with solid build quality, smooth stabilizers, and full programmability in VIA. But compared with our top picks, the C3 Pro is available with fewer switch options, and it lacks hot-swap so you can’t easily change those switches later. Our budget pick also has lower-quality ABS keycaps that feel cheaper and will wear out sooner, its design doesn’t look as nice, and it’s only available with an edgy red backlight.

The Keychron C3 Pro with a red backlight on behind the keys, sitting on a blue background.
The C3 Pro is only available with a red backlight, but you can turn it off if you don’t like it. Photo: Michael Hession

The C3 Pro’s backlight is red, and it lacks hot-swap. Our budget pick is only available with Keychron Brown or Red switches—they feel smooth and satisfying to type on, unlike the gritty switches common in most budget keyboards. But Keychron doesn’t offer a clicky switch option, and you cannot easily change out the switches. You can turn off the red backlight if you don’t like it, but we’d prefer something more neutral, like white.

The Keychron C3 Pro and the Keychron V3 sitting next to each other.
The C3 Pro’s (top) design isn’t as sleek and minimalist as our top pick’s (bottom). Photo: Michael Hession

Our budget pick offers the best typing experience you can get for less than $50. Although it can’t match our top pick, this budget board has quality switches and smooth stabilizers that don’t rattle, and it doesn’t flex under ordinary typing pressure. Other cheap keyboards we’ve tested felt like banging on a damp, hollow log covered in gritty sand. The C3 Pro doesn’t sit as flat on a desk as our top pick, the V3; our budget pick is taller and has a steeper slope.

The ABS keycaps feel cheaper and will wear out sooner. These lower-quality, OEM-profile keycaps don’t look or feel as nice as the keycaps that come with our top pick. But our budget pick has a standard layout, so you can replace the keycaps with something nicer without spending a ton.

The programming screen for the C3 Pro.
The C3 Pro is fully programmable in VIA, a nice bonus in a budget mechanical keyboard. Image: VIA

Like our top picks, the C3 Pro is fully programmable with the easy-to-use VIA software. At the time of our testing, the software didn’t automatically recognize the C3 Pro, but after following the step-by-step instructions on Keychron’s website we were able to remap keys, record macros, and customize backlight effects.

Our budget pick works with both Windows and Mac, and has key legends to match. Photo: Michael Hession

The C3 Pro is compatible with Windows and Mac. This model doesn’t come with OS-specific keycaps like our top pick does, but the included keycaps have legends for both operating systems and you can swap between layouts with Fn + Caps Lock. Keychron includes a USB-C–to–A cable, a few red keycaps, and a keycap puller.

The Keychron Q3 Pro, Q5 Pro, and Q6 Pro keyboards sitting on a blue background.
Photo: Michael Hession

Upgrade pick

The Keychron Q3 Pro has a heavy-duty aluminum case, can connect via Bluetooth, and feels great to type on. But it’s tall, and you can’t adjust the height.

Buying Options

The Q5 Pro has the same quality and features as the Q3 Pro, and it has all the keys of a full-size keyboard in a more compact layout.

Buying Options

$210 from Keychron

May be out of stock

The Q6 Pro is the full-size version of our upgrade picks. It feels just as excellent to type on and has the same features, but takes up more desk space.

Buying Options

$210 from Keychron

May be out of stock

Dimensions:Q3 Pro: 14.37 by 5.43 by 1.8 inches
Q5 Pro: 16.06 by 5.75 by 1.8 inches
Q6 Pro: 17.56 by 5.43 by 1.8 inches
Connection:removable USB-C, Bluetooth (three devices)
Keycap material:PBTBacklight:RGB

If you want to spend more for a higher-quality aluminum case and a wireless connection, get the Keychron Q3 Pro, Q5 Pro, or Q6 Pro. These models feel awesome to type on and have a ton of extra features: They can connect to up to three devices via Bluetooth, they’re fully programmable using VIA, and they have RGB backlighting, hot-swappable switches, and a rotary knob. But they all have tall keycaps and cases with steep slopes that cannot be adjusted.

Our upgrade picks are customizable and come in fun colors. Keychron offers the Q3 Pro, Q5 Pro, and Q6 Pro with Keychron K Pro Brown, Red, and Banana switches—there’s no clicky switch option—and all three models support hot-swap for easy upgrades. You can choose from a few different color cases and keycaps, or order a barebones model if you prefer to bring your own keycaps and switches.

A ground-level view of the ends of the Q3 Pro and V3showing their difference in height.
The Q3 Pro is taller and has a steeper slope than the V3. Its height cannot be adjusted. Photo: Michael Hession

The Q Pro models provide a top-notch typing experience, but they’re very tall. Our upgrade picks all come with heavy, aluminum cases, and their lubricated switches and stabilizers feel smooth and rattle-free. But compared with our top picks, the Q3 Pro, Q5 Pro, and Q6 Pro have taller cases with steeper slopes and lack height adjustment options. If you—like me—prefer a keyboard with a more neutral slope, these aren’t the keyboards for you.

A red keycap and a blue keycap side by side to show off the height difference.
The included keycaps (left) are also very tall compared with the ones that come with our top pick (right). Photo: Michael Hession

The included KSA-profile keycaps are also tall. We haven’t yet encountered any surface wear on the included PBT keycaps, but I found the KSA profile uncomfortably tall. Their height got in the way of the rotary knob, too—on the Q3 Pro and Q6 Pro, I found myself accidentally hitting the Backspace key when adjusting volume, and the Q5 Pro was similarly cramped. The legends also have similar inconsistencies as our top pick’s, a flaw that’s less forgivable on a $200 keyboard.

Like our top picks, the Q3 Pro is fully programmable using VIA. Image: VIA

Like our top picks, the Q Pro models are easy to program using VIA. The Q3 Pro, Q5 Pro, and Q6 Pro weren’t automatically recognized by the software at the time of our testing, but after following these instructions we were able to quickly and easily reprogram the keys, macros, and backlighting.

A close shot of the Q5 Pro's switches and charging port.
Our upgrade picks have two switches on the back, one for swapping between wired and wireless mode, and the other for swapping between Windows and Mac layouts. Photo: Michael Hession

Our upgrade picks can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth and support both Windows and Mac. You can swap between OS layouts and connection types using the physical switches on the back of the keyboard, and all three models come with extra keycaps for both operating systems. Keychron also includes a USB-C–to–C cable with a C-to-A adapter, as well as other tools for customizing the keyboards.

Keychron’s one-year warranty for these models is very limited. If you have an issue, the company “will only replace the defective parts of the keyboard, not the whole keyboard.” This is disappointing service for such an expensive keyboard.

If you want a fun, retro-looking keyboard: The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard has a design reminiscent of the NES and Famicom game consoles—and it feels great to type on, too. Like our top picks, it has smooth stabilizers and comfortable PBT keycaps, and it supports hot-swap so you can change the switches if you don’t love the included clicky Kailh BOX Whites. The Retro Mechanical Keyboard can connect via wire, USB dongle, or Bluetooth. It lacks a backlight, though, and customization is limited in the 8BitDo software.

If you’re looking for a cheaper wireless option: The 1800-layout Keychron K4 Pro and full-size Keychron K10 Pro are similar in design and features to our top picks, plus they can connect to three devices via Bluetooth. But the tenkeyless layout Keychron K8 Pro’s case is quite a bit taller, which some people may find uncomfortable. All three models come with cables that are too short for some desk setups, though that’s easily remedied with an extension cable.

Budget boards with better aesthetics: Compared with our budget pick, the tenkeyless Keychron C1 Pro and full-size C2 Pro have higher-quality PBT keycaps and look nicer, but they cost nearly twice as much. The basic versions of the C1 Pro and C2 Pro have a white backlight and lack hot-swap; if you’re going to spend more for RGB or hot-swap, you’re better off with our top picks instead.

If you need a number pad: The Epomaker TH21 is the best basic number pad. It’s available in two versions, a cheaper, wired-only model and a more expensive wireless version that can also connect via USB dongle and Bluetooth. The TH21 feels excellent to type on, it has PBT keycaps and an RGB backlight, and you can program macros using the Epomaker software.

A fancier number pad: The Keychron Q0 Plus has the same excellent build quality as our upgrade picks, and it’s considerably more customizable than the TH21. Because it’s fully programmable using VIA, you can set up the Q0 Plus as a macro pad of frequently used shortcuts. It also has five extra macro keys and a rotary knob, but it lacks a wireless connection.

We plan to test the Drop Ctrl V2 and Shift V2, which have been updated with hot-swap support for both 3- and 5-pin switches, upgraded stabilizers, and VIA support. We also plan to test the Logitech Pro X TKL.

At CES 2024, we saw the $150 Cidoo V87 and the $60 Cidoo V21. Both models have a retro aesthetic and support all the features we look for in an upgrade pick and a number pad. We plan to test them alongside the $50 HP 430 Programmable Wireless Keypad and the $40 Epomaker EK21 for our next update.

On the CES 2024 show floor, we also saw the Epomaker Brick 87, which is a fun tenkeyless keyboard with a scroll wheel on the thumb rest and a strip to attach LEGO bricks for decoration along the top. Epomaker has not yet announced pricing or availability for this model, but we plan to test it once it’s available at retail.

Tenkeyless options

The Varmilo VEA87 and Varmilo VEA87 Mac (sometimes listed as the VA series V2) have superb build quality and a wide variety of PBT keycap options, but they lack hot-swap and aren’t fully programmable.

The Epomaker EP87 Triple Modes has limited keycap and switch options, and its case had a cheap-feeling texture.

The Leopold FC750R feels great to type on, but lacks RGB, hot-swap, and full programmability.

The Drop CSTM80 is expensive for a keyboard that lacks wireless and comes with ABS keycaps.

The Monokei Standard, ironically, doesn’t have standard keycaps. It also lacks a backlight, its spacebar rattled, and its Enter and Backspace keys emitted a high-pitched ping.

The Keychron Q3 is similar to our upgrade pick, but it lacks wireless.

The Ducky One 2 TKL lacks media and volume keys out of the box; you have to program them yourself, and there are enough missing or incorrect instructions to make the process a real pain in the ass. We had to rely on GitHub user Chris Schmich’s correct instructions for programming media keys on the One 2.

The Ducky One 3 TKL is even worse to program media keys and other macros on—it doesn’t come with a manual, and the unit we bought wasn’t able to record macros until we installed a firmware update. (The 1.09 firmware I installed had its own set of issues that the company was aware of.) The Ducky subreddit is full of owner reports of problems with the One 3.

The Topre Realforce TKL R2 (and the RGB version) has unique Topre switches that feel delightful to type on, but it’s very expensive, it has a non-removable cable, and it’s not compatible with most third-party keycaps.

Drop’s Expression keyboards lack hot-swap, have limited switch options, and are expensive. Their ABS keycaps will wear faster than the PBT keycaps on our top picks, and the unit we tested scooted around easily on my desk.

Drop’s Signature keyboards are even pricier than the Expression line. Their included switches feel scritchy, many of the keycaps are ABS, and there’s no option for a rotary knob.

The WASD Code V3 and WASD V3 have lower-quality ABS and PBT keycap options, and the Costar stabilizers in these models rattle and make it harder to swap keycaps. The cable-management channels are also too narrow.

The Womier K87, with its acrylic case and RGB backlighting, is a very pretty keyboard. But the spacebar squeaks, the stabilizers rattle, and the keycaps feel thin and brittle.

Buckling-spring keyboards don’t meet Wirecutter’s criteria for switch variety and are not compatible with MX-style keycaps. But people who love buckling-spring keyboards really love buckling-spring keyboards. Unfortunately, I’m not one of them. The Unicomp Mini M is the loudest keyboard I have ever encountered—my partner could hear me typing on it rooms away, across the entire 2,000-square-foot apartment, with his headphones on. If you have a buckling-spring keyboard and love it, I’m happy for you. But I can’t recommend this keyboard to anyone who doesn’t already know what they’re getting into.

The Durgod Taurus K320 doesn’t match our picks in build quality, keycap quality, or design. Buyer reviews indicate that the company has a poor track record of support.

The ABS keycaps on the KBParadise V80 feel cheaper and will wear out sooner than the PBT keycaps of our top picks. We also experienced an annoying, loud pinging noise during typing.

For more information on the gaming keyboards we dismissed, see our gaming keyboards guide.

Full-size options

Like the Keychron Q3, the Keychron Q5 and Keychron Q6 lack wireless.

The Leopold FC900R lacks features like RGB, hot-swap, and full programmability.

The Varmilo VA108M costs more than the Keychron V6, yet it lacks RGB, hot-swap, and programmability and is covered in a tacky fake-wood texture.

The Ducky One 3 Full-size has the same macro-recording issues as its tenkeyless counterpart.

Budget options

The Keychron C1 and Keychron C2 were our previous budget picks, but the C3 Pro provides a similar typing experience for a lower price.

The iKBC TypeMan CD87 V2 and iKBC TypeMan CD108 V2 have PBT keycaps but cost more than our budget pick. They also have non-removable cables and lack labeled media keys, Mac-specific keycaps, and a backlight.

The full-size Logitech K845 has rattly stabilizers and gritty-feeling TTC switches. It also has a built-in cable and no Mac-specific keycaps.

The EagleTec KG060 (and its KG061 variant) has mystery switches that felt scratchy, and its flimsy case flexed during regular typing.

Wireless options

The tenkeyless Leopold FC750RBT and full-size FC900RBT are mostly identical to the Leopold FC750R and FC900R with the addition of a Bluetooth connection, but they lack hot-swap and programmability.

The Varmilo VED87 struggled to pair via Bluetooth.

The Keychron K8 is dealbreakingly tall in the front and uncomfortable to type on. It has poor build quality, ABS keycaps, and squeaky, rattly stabilizers.

Number pads

The Leopold FC210TP has a built-in cable, and its alt functions don’t work on Mac. The FC210TP also lacks RGB backlighting, hot-swap, and programmability.

The Varmilo VA21M is extremely tall and didn’t work on macOS Monterey.

This article was edited by Caitlin McGarry and Arthur Gies.

  1. Keycap Profiles, Keycaps.info

  2. Switch List, Keybumps

  3. Giacomo Coltorti, Double-Shot vs. Dye-Sub Keycaps: Explained, Switch and Click

  4. livingspeedbump, Physical Keyboard Layouts Explained In Detail, Drop, December 16, 2016

  5. Keycap Length And Things You Should Know, Dwarf Factory, April 19, 2021

  6. Weyman, Keycap Size Compatibility, WASD Support, February 1, 2022

  7. A lesson in Keycaps, Originative Co.

  8. Gregory Vodden, The 6 Best Mechanical Keyboards - Winter 2023, Rtings.com, February 3, 2023

Meet your guide

Kimber Streams

Kimber Streams is a senior staff writer and has been covering laptops, gaming gear, keyboards, storage, and more for Wirecutter since 2014. In that time they’ve tested hundreds of laptops and thousands of peripherals, and built way too many mechanical keyboards for their personal collection.

Further reading

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