The Best Mechanical Keyboards (2024), Tested and Reviewed Leave a comment
These are keyboards I examined that aren’t fairly ok for the spots above or are good throughout the board with out standout options. They don’t do issues fairly in addition to their competitors however are nonetheless stable in their very own proper.
Wooting 60HE+ for $175: Between an archaic mounting technique and lengthy wait occasions for supply, I simply can’t suggest the 60HE over Keychron’s Q1 HE. Whereas I nonetheless suppose it’s a improbable Corridor impact keyboard, it simply doesn’t have the identical polish and refinement as Keychron’s providing. The 60HE nonetheless makes use of a tray-mount system that, whereas modular, doesn’t sound or really feel nice to kind on. Together with that, the plastic case is disappointing on the value; it was as soon as a suitable trade-off for customizable Corridor impact switches, however Keychron affords a full-metal, gasket-mounted keyboard for round $50 extra, and I believe the enhancements are definitely worth the cash except you like a 60% format or need the flexibility to make use of the 60HE’s wide selection of aftermarket instances.
Cherry KC 200 MX for $90: The KC 200 MX is an extremely easy and barebones keyboard that doesn’t add something new, or take away something needed. It’s a full-size mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX2A switches, a steel plate, and hardly anything. It’s not customizable, it’s not programmable, however I can say for certain that it will likely be sturdy, dependable, and a minimum of considerably gratifying to kind on for years to come back.
Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional Hybrid Type-S for $259: Whereas the brand new Studio has changed this mannequin as my decide for programmers, this older model continues to be nice if you would like one thing easier, or with a singular typing really feel. The format continues to be nice and the Topre switches—a kinda-membrane, kinda-mechanical swap with a deep typing sound and distinct, rounded tactility—are a pleasure to kind on. Plus, these keyboards have an intensive group with aftermarket elements and guides on tips on how to modify them. The Professional Hybrid Sort-S mannequin particularly has extras like Bluetooth connectivity and silencing rings. It’s additionally reprogrammable utilizing HHKB’s proprietary app, though there’s not a lot motive to change the prevailing format except you desire a particular macro or change to the perform layer. It’s extremely straightforward to seek out on the used marketplace for round half the worth, making it a way more cheap various to the Studio.
Melgeek Made68 for $119: With a extra minimal strategy to its design and a trendy white-and-purple coloration scheme, the Made68 has a fantastic desk presence that stands out from the gang. Plus, in-depth customization of Melgeek’s Gateron-supplied Corridor Impact switches signifies that extremely granular changes will be made to this keyboard’s typing expertise, even right down to the actuation distance of particular person keys. The exterior look may also be custom-made, with detachable aspect panels and a swappable gentle diffuser on the again. The diffusers are presently out there in black, green, and red with every together with new silver aspect panels. Nevertheless, you will want a screwdriver set to take away any of those panels, since an Allen wrench isn’t included with the keyboard. Total, the Made68 sounds and feels good to kind on. The tray-mount isn’t very best for typing really feel, however the typical points with typing consistency aren’t as outstanding right here as different comparable keyboards. At this value, a barely flawed typing expertise is a worthwhile tradeoff for customizable Corridor Impact switches and a satisfying typing sound.
Melgeek Cyber01 for $169: Taking a notedly maximalist strategy to keyboard design, the Cyber01 appears virtually straight out of Cyberpunk 2077. With a blocky, futuristic font and gritty sci-fi graphics plastered over the polycarbonate keycaps and chunky plastic case, this keyboard seems like a contemporary twist on the stylized gaming peripherals of the 2000s. It’s kind of gaudy, however this keyboard shocked me. The Corridor Impact switches, whereas noticeably mushy on the bottom-out, are extremely clean and responsive, and the case feels fairly stable too. The switches’ actuation distances will be adjusted utilizing Melgeek’s Hive software program (though it took me some troubleshooting to get these options to work). My largest subject is the sub-par typing sound, with noticeable rattles and lifeless spots ensuing from the tray-mount meeting and weird design. Whereas I really feel like each different Corridor Impact keyboard beats this keyboard in a minimum of a technique (together with the Made68 above), I don’t suppose this keyboard is essentially all that dangerous. In the event you love the styling, this is perhaps the keyboard for you.
