Backlit Cherry Mx Blue Keyboard Without Num Pad
Why you should trust us
I've tested hundreds of keyboards, mice, and other accessories for Wirecutter since 2014. Since I began covering mechanical keyboards for Wirecutter, I've accumulated 11 mechanical keyboards and two macropads—and I chose the cases, switches, and keycaps and then assembled, soldered, and programmed most of them myself. This is way too many keyboards! I've spent thousands of hours typing on all these different keyboards and switches to land on some reasonable recommendations for people who need only one keyboard.
Who this is for
Mechanical keyboards, named for the individual mechanical switch under each key, are more enjoyable to type on, more durable, and more customizable than typical laptop or desktop keyboards, which use membrane, butterfly, or scissor-switch mechanisms. If you spend all day typing, it can be satisfying to customize the size, switches, keycaps, and layout to your exact needs. Our picks in this guide include full-size keyboards as well as keyboards 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 really isn't any such thing as a special keyboard for typing, for instance, or a programming keyboard, or a gaming keyboard. That said, some features are more useful than others for certain tasks. This guide's picks are aimed at people who primarily type or code, but you can play games on them, too. If you want a keyboard with more gaming-specific features—such as a gaming mode that disables the Windows key, multicolored (or RGB) backlighting, and the ability to record macros—we have a pick for you in the Other good mechanical keyboards section below.
In this guide we recommend prebuilt keyboards that you can plug in and use immediately, but there's a whole world of custom mechanical keyboards. Many of them involve buying a kit or all the components and then potentially soldering and programming the keyboard yourself. That opens up nearly endless size, layout, switch, and programmability options beyond what our picks offer, but such keyboards are less readily available, tend to be more expensive, and can require a lot of tinkering.
How we picked and tested
Size: We recommend tenkeyless (TKL) keyboards—which lack a number pad but have all the other keys—because smaller keyboards take up less room on your desk. A smaller keyboard allows you to place your mouse closer to your body, which can reduce strain on your shoulders, neck, and back. We have full-size picks for people who need to use a number pad frequently, but most people are better off with a tenkeyless model paired with a standalone number pad for occasional use. If you want something even smaller, check out our guide to compact mechanical keyboards.
Switch options: We cover all the switch varieties in depth in our intro guide to mechanical keyboards, but here's the TL;DR. Mechanical switches come in three main varieties: linear, tactile, and clicky.
- Linear switches feel smooth when you press them, from top to bottom.
- Tactile switches have a noticeable bump partway through the keypress, which lets you know that you've activated the key.
- Clicky switches feel similar to their tactile counterparts but add a clicking sound to match the tactile bump.
We recommend Cherry MX Brown switches (followed by their equivalents from competing brands Kailh and Gateron) because they're popular, readily available tactile switches that are good for most tasks and quiet enough for most offices.
Build quality: Cheap keyboards with plastic cases and backplates feel and sound hollow when you type, and they can flex when you press too hard on them. A keyboard made of metal or thicker plastic is sturdier and shouldn't suffer from the same problems.
Keycaps: Many keyboards come with keycaps made from ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), a lightweight type of plastic that is prone to wear and can become smooth and shiny with heavy use. Keycaps made of PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) tend to be more durable, develop less shine, and have a grittier texture. Although wear depends on a lot of factors—how much you type, what your hand oils are like, and so on—in my experience, ABS keycaps have gotten shiny in a few months, while PBT keycaps have yet to develop any signs of wear after years of use. Half the fun of owning a mechanical keyboard is customizing it to your taste, so we like keyboards that are available with a variety of stylish keycap options. A lack of options isn't a dealbreaker, though, since in most cases you can buy different keycaps and add them later.
Removable cable: A removable USB cable is preferable to a built-in one because it's easier (and cheaper) to replace than the whole keyboard.
Programmability: Many mechanical keyboards allow you to change the default behavior of certain keys and have them perform other actions. The simplest way is to use switches on the bottom or back of the keyboard that alter the layout or behavior of a few keys. For example, you can switch between Windows and Mac layouts, swap the Caps Lock key to Ctrl, or disable OS-specific keys like the Windows or Command keys. Other keyboards offer onboard programming, in which you press certain keys to record macros and customize backlighting. Still others come with manufacturer-specific software or support VIA, which you can use to record macros, remap or customize certain keys, and futz with the backlighting.
Backlight: Although backlighting can be a nice addition, it isn't a requirement for typing or coding. If a keyboard does come with backlighting, we prefer it to be either a tasteful white or programmable RGB—though customizable backlighting almost always costs more.
Hot-swap switches: Changing the switches on most mechanical keyboards requires desoldering all the old switches and soldering in new ones. On a hot-swappable board, you can simply pull the switches out and snap new ones into place. This is a more recent feature, more commonly found on expensive, high-end mechanical keyboards. But the ability to trade out switches at any time without having to break out a soldering iron is a nice bonus.
Wireless: Wireless mechanical keyboards are becoming more common, and it's a feature that many people want. 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 haven't yet found an excellent wireless TKL keyboard, but we'll keep testing new options until we do. In the meantime, take a look at the Other good mechanical keyboards section, or consider a wireless mechanical keyboard with a compact layout.
For each round of testing, 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, as we narrow down the contenders, we use the finalists for several more days of constant typing.
Our pick: Varmilo VA87M
Our pick
| Dimensions: | 14.02 by 5.28 by 1.3 inches | Connection: | Removable Mini-USB |
| Keycap material: | PBT | Backlight: | None, white, or RGB |
Among all the keyboards we've tested, the tenkeyless Varmilo VA87M stands out with top-notch build quality—it doesn't flex under pressure, and its thicker keycaps last longer and provide a more enjoyable typing experience. Its compact design and flat slope are also more comfortable for most people than wider keyboards or those with higher profiles. And its minimalist design looks stylish, too. The VA87M offers plenty of switch options and colorful keycap sets to match your preference, and it comes with a removable Mini-USB cable and a wire keycap puller. It works on both Windows and Mac, though Varmilo also sells the VA87M Mac, which has Mac-specific keycaps. In addition to providing clearly labeled media keys, the VA87M allows you to customize a couple of functions, but it isn't fully programmable.
You can order the VA87M with any of a wide variety of Cherry options, but if you're unsure, Cherry MX Brown switches offer a satisfying tactile bump without making too much noise for a shared space. We also love that the VA87M is available with an assortment of fun keycap sets and matching cases. Most versions have a tasteful white backlight, but some lack a backlight and others have full RGB backlighting.
In terms of build quality, the Varmilo VA87M is one of the best mechanical keyboards we've tested. In our tests, its solid case didn't flex under pressure—in contrast to many of the cheaper EagleTec and Razer keyboards we tested—and it didn't make any annoying or unpleasant pinging noises while we were typing, as the KBParadise V80 did. The VA87M's Cherry-style stabilizers also kept the modifier keys and spacebar from rattling during our typing, a problem we encountered on all the gaming keyboards we tested, including the HyperX Alloy Origins Core.
Thanks to the VA87M's compact, minimalist design, it doesn't take up any unnecessary room on a desk, and its borderless open layout looks stylish and makes the keyboard easier to clean. Plus, it has a low-profile, mostly flat case, which is better for your wrists than a keyboard with a steeper slope or a higher profile. (But it does have feet in the back if you need them.)
The higher-quality PBT keycaps set this keyboard apart from other options that come with thinner ABS keycaps, which feel and sound cheaper and will wear down with use and become shiny and slippery. PBT keycaps can feel scritchy to people who are unaccustomed to them or sensitive to certain textures, but they're more durable, and the thicker keycaps provide a more pleasant-feeling and pleasant-sounding typing experience.
The VA87M is not fully programmable, and it lacks DIP switches. But it does offer conveniently located, clearly labeled media keys on F7 through F12, which you can reach with one hand. Some keyboards we tested, such as the Ducky One 2, lack media keys entirely. Others require two hands to activate the keys or (like the Leopold FC750R) don't clearly label them on the keycaps—you have to memorize their location. You can customize a few behaviors on the VA87M: You can lock the Windows key by pressing Fn + Win, and you can swap Caps Lock and the left Ctrl button by holding Fn + left Ctrl for more than three seconds. In our tests the VA87M worked well on Windows and Mac. But because there's no setting to swap the OS-specific keys easily, if you're a Mac user you'll have to swap those keys in macOS.
Depending on your desk setup, you can route the included Mini-USB cable left or right through the cable-management channels in the underside or let it come straight out the center back. Varmilo also includes a wire keycap puller, which is less likely to damage the edges of keycaps than the cheap plastic version Leopold tosses in with the FC750R. The Moonlight model that we tested also came with two spare keycaps for Caps Lock and Scroll Lock with shine-through LED indicators. The VA87M's one-year warranty is serviced by MechanicalKeyboards.com if you purchase from that seller, but we've seen reports of people who bought directly from Varmilo having trouble getting their keyboards serviced.
How the Varmilo VA87M has held up
Wirecutter senior staff writer Rachel Cericola ordered the Varmilo VA87M with Moonlight keycaps and Cherry MX Black switches in December 2020, and it took a month or two to arrive. After using it for more than a year, Rachel told me she found it to be "extremely comfortable" and praised "the feedback on the keys." She added: "I love how easy it is to clean."
Rachel did report one issue: She uses the VA87M's rubber feet in the back for a steeper angle, and occasionally when she moves the keyboard around on her desk, one foot folds up. I was able to re-create this problem on my VA87M. Though we don't recommend using the feet at all, if you prefer them we recommend lifting the keyboard to reposition it on your desk instead of scooting it across the surface. Or, if you like a steeper angle but don't want to deal with flimsy feet, consider our upgrade pick instead.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Like many of the best keyboards we tested, the Varmilo VA87M is sold in the US primarily by specialty retailers, so it may not be immediately available with the design or switches you want. MechanicalKeyboards.com offers preorders (though you may have to wait a month or two) and maintains an incoming-shipments page. If you can't wait that long for a new keyboard, take a look at our other picks.
Although the VA87M comes with all the functions most people use frequently and allows a bit of customization, it doesn't support macro programming and doesn't let you customize it to the degree that some other mechanical keyboards do. If you require this feature, take a look at some of our recommendations in the Other good mechanical keyboards section.
Runner-up: Leopold FC750R
Runner-up
Leopold FC750R
The next-best keyboard
The FC750R has similarly excellent build quality and design, but it doesn't offer as much switch or keycap variety as the VA87M does, and its media keys aren't labeled.
Buying Options
| Dimensions: | 14.25 by 5.51 by 1.3 inches | Connection: | Removable Mini-USB |
| Keycap material: | PBT | Backlight: | None |
If the Varmilo VA87M isn't available, we recommend the tenkeyless Leopold FC750R instead. The FC750R offers equally excellent build quality and a similarly compact, minimalist design, and it works with all the most popular switch types so you can get your preferred typing feel. It's even available with a few different tasteful keycap sets, though it lacks the variety of the VA87M. The FC750R supports both Windows and Mac, and it comes with a removable Mini-USB cable. But its media keys aren't conveniently labeled on the keycaps (or explained in the manual), so you'll have to memorize them.
The FC750R is available with all the most popular switches, including the Cherry MX Browns we recommend starting with. At this writing, no FC750R models come with backlighting, and a Mac-specific keycap set (like the Varmilo VA87M offers) is not an option, as all the sets we've seen come with Windows OS keys.
Outstanding build quality makes for an outstanding typing experience. Like our top pick, the FC750R offers excellent build quality, ranking as one of the best mechanical keyboards we've seen in that regard among those we've tested. The case didn't flex under pressure or make annoying pings while we were typing, and its larger modifier keys and spacebar were stable and melodious thanks to its Cherry-style stabilizers.
The FC750R's larger bezel makes it just barely wider and deeper than the VA87M, but it's still smaller than most of the keyboards we've tested. Since the keys are set a little deeper in the case and the bezel is raised around them, this Leopold keyboard might be a bit harder to clean than our top pick from Varmilo and its bezel-free, open layout. But the difference is mostly aesthetic. As with the VA87M, the FC750R's low-profile, mostly flat case is ideal for your wrists, but it does have feet in the back to raise that portion of the keyboard if you prefer.
Just like the VA87M, the FC750R comes with PBT keycaps, which are higher quality and more durable than those of most mechanical keyboards. It also comes with a removable Mini-USB cable, and cable-management channels are set into the underside of the case.
The FC750R isn't fully programmable, but it is more customizable than the VA87M. Tiny DIP switches on the underside let you swap the function of the Caps Lock key with that of left Ctrl, the OS key with left Alt, and the OS key with the Fn key; you can also lock the OS key. The FC750R's media keys aren't labeled on the keycaps or explained in the included manual. We found them in this Korean manual (JPG); F6 is previous track, F7 is play/pause, F8 is next track, F9 is stop, F10 is mute, F11 is volume down, and F12 is volume up. We prefer the Varmilo VA87M's helpful labels for these frequently used media keys to the FC750R's scavenger hunt and guessing game.
The manual says the FC750R isn't compatible with macOS, but in our testing it worked just as well on both Windows and Mac; all the media keys worked properly in both operating systems. The second DIP switch even allows you to swap the location of the OS and Alt keys to match the Mac keyboard layout, if you prefer to do so on the keyboard rather than in the operating system's settings.
The Leopold FC750R comes with two extra keycaps to swap Ctrl and Caps Lock, a PS/2 adapter (relevant only for much older computers without an available USB port), and a cheap plastic keycap puller. This plastic tool can damage the edges of keycaps, so we recommend getting a wire keycap puller if you plan to swap keycaps, but the included one will do in a pinch. The FC750R's one-year warranty is serviced by MechanicalKeyboards.com if you purchase from that site. We don't recommend buying this keyboard from Amazon, since it's not clear whether you'll be able to get support if you order from there.
Availability is an issue with the Leopold FC750R—it may not be immediately available with the keycaps or switches you prefer. The same advice for the VA87M applies here: If you don't mind waiting, you can preorder from MechanicalKeyboards.com or check that seller's incoming-shipments page; if you can't wait, consider our other picks.
The best full-size keyboard: Leopold FC900R
Also great
| Dimensions: | 17.32 by 5.51 by 1.3 inches | Connection: | Removable Mini-USB |
| Keycap material: | PBT | Backlight: | None |
If you prefer a built-in number pad, we recommend the Leopold FC900R, which is basically identical to our runner-up, the Leopold FC750R. This larger version has the same excellent build quality—something that's noticeable while you're typing—and it's also available with any of the most popular switch types and a few different PBT keycap sets. Like the tenkeyless model, it has a removable Mini-USB cable and works on both Windows and Mac. And it shares the same flaw: Its media keys aren't labeled on the keycaps or explained in the manual.
Our top-pick and runner-up keyboards are both tenkeyless, and both have full-size counterparts with number pads. We recommend the Leopold FC900R over the Varmilo VA108M, the full-size version of our top pick, because the VA108M's build quality doesn't live up to that of its smaller sibling: In contrast to the VA87M, which has a minimalist, low-profile case with cable management built into the underside, the VA108M has a closed-profile case that is similar to the Leopold design but suffers from a tacky fake-wood texture and a lack of cable-management channels.
The FC900R has the same depth and height measurements as its tenkeyless counterpart, but it's more than 3 inches wider due to the number pad. As a result, the FC900R takes up a lot more room on a desk and forces your mouse farther to the right, an arrangement that can cause neck and shoulder strain for some people. We recommend one of our tenkeyless picks plus a standalone number pad that you can move around your desk as necessary over the FC900R and its built-in number pad.
Whereas the Varmilo VA108M has four keys in the upper-right corner of the keyboard, the Leopold FC900R has blank space and a logo. We don't love this design decision, but few people use those keys anyway, and they can't be remapped on any of our picks.
Surprisingly great budget options: Keychron C1 and Keychron C2
Budget pick
Keychron C1
A starter keyboard
The tenkeyless Keychron C1 is an excellent value, with solid build quality and a satisfying typing experience. Its keycaps feel cheaper and will wear out sooner than those of our top picks, but you can't beat the price.
| Dimensions: | C1: 14.06 by 5.12 by 1.5 inches C2: 17.15 by 5.12 by 1.57 inches | Connection: | Removable USB-C |
| Keycap material: | ABS | Backlight: | White or RGB |
If you're willing to trade some quality for a lower price, we recommend the tenkeyless Keychron C1 or the full-size Keychron C2. Both models offer surprisingly good build quality, provide a satisfying typing experience, and have an attractive, minimalist design—all uncommon features in this price range. They're also compatible with both Windows and Mac, and they come with replacement keycaps for both operating systems. The biggest difference between these budget models and our top picks is their lower-quality ABS keycaps, which feel cheaper to type on and will wear out faster than the solid PBT keycaps on our other picks. But keycaps are easy to replace. If I were getting into mechanical keyboards for the first time today, I'd buy one of these. At this writing, shipping from Keychron's website starts at $20, but even with that added cost the C1 and C2 are better than any similarly priced keyboards. (Certain models are also available from Amazon with Prime shipping.)
Both models are available with Brown, Red, and Blue switches from Keychron and Gateron. Keychron's switches felt a bit stiffer and grittier than Gateron's—similar to the difference between a slightly toothy, textured paper and an exceptionally smooth paper—but we still found them much more pleasant to type on than other cheap switch options we tested. Keychron also offers optional upgrades: You can upgrade from a plain white backlight to RGB, and from a standard circuit board to a hot-swappable one. Swapping out switches on most mechanical keyboards requires desoldering all the old switches and soldering in new ones. On a hot-swappable board, you can simply pull the switches out and snap new ones into place.
The Keychron C1 and C2 both offer excellent build quality for keyboards in this price range, even if neither can match the quality of our much more expensive top picks. In our tests, the plastic case felt solid and didn't flex much under pressure or scoot around on the desk during typing, though it did flex more under pressure than the rock-solid Varmilo VA87M. The stabilizers on the Keychron models' spacebar and modifier keys were smooth and didn't squeak or rattle, a common problem with cheaper mechanical keyboards.
The tenkeyless Keychron C1 is similar in size to our top pick, and the full-size Keychron C2 is about the same size as the Leopold FC900R. Though they're a bit taller than our top picks, neither Keychron is too tall or too sloped to type on comfortably (and both models have two sets of feet on the underside, if you need a different slope). We also like the plain black cases, which are free of the huge logos and tacky designs endemic to cheap mechanical keyboards. But both models lack cable-management channels in the underside of the case.
Compared with the substantial PBT keycaps on our top picks, the Keychron models' ABS keycaps feel worse to type on—they're notably thinner, smoother, and cheaper. But the included keycaps allow the backlight to shine through the legends, and the font isn't hideous. (Most cheap keyboards have blocky, ugly fonts.) And keycaps are easy to replace, if you want to upgrade in the future.
The C1 and C2 aren't fully programmable, nor do they have DIP switches. But you can swap the OS keys between Windows and Mac modes using an unobtrusive toggle on the back of the board, and you can switch between the included Windows- and Mac-specific keycaps, too. In fact, we wish all our picks came with keycaps for both Windows and Mac. All the function and media keys are clearly labeled, and Keychron includes clear instructions for making the function or media keys the default, depending on your personal preference.
Both models come with a removable USB-C–to–USB-C cable, a USB-C–to–USB-A adapter, Windows and Mac keycaps, and a wire keycap puller; Keychron covers each model with a one-year warranty. The hot-swap upgraded model also comes with a metal tool for changing out the switches.
Upgrade pick: Keychron Q3
Upgrade pick
Keychron Q3
The best, but expensive
The easy-to-program Keychron Q3 offers excellent build quality, hot-swappable switches, an optional knob, and RGB backlighting, but it's expensive.
Buying Options
| Dimensions: | 14.37 by 5.39 by 1.65 inches | Connection: | Removable USB-C |
| Keycap material: | PBT | Backlight: | RGB |
In typing feel and design, the Keychron Q3 ranks among the best keyboards we've tested, but the main attraction of this high-priced model is its extra features, namely hot-swappable switches, stylish RGB backlighting, an optional knob, and full programmability through the easy-to-use VIA software. Even without tinkering, typing on the Q3 feels smooth and pleasant due to its switches, gently cupped keycaps, lubricated stabilizers, and gasket design. It works with both Windows and Mac, and it comes with extra keycaps for both operating systems. Compared with our other picks, though, the Q3 is a bit less ergonomic because it stands taller and doesn't allow you to customize the slope.
The Q3 is available with Gateron G Pro Brown, Red, or Blue switches, and all versions of the keyboard have customizable RGB backlighting. Best of all, the Q3 is hot-swappable, which means that you can easily try new switch types. (It's compatible with both five-pin and three-pin switches.) The Q3 comes with a small metal tool that you can use to carefully pull out the switches, and then you can simply snap in different ones. I've personally had good experiences buying switches from NovelKeys, KBDfans, and 1upkeyboards.
You can choose from three different keycap color options: carbon black, silver gray, and navy blue. Keychron sells a barebones version, too, if you prefer to buy switches and keycaps separately and install them yourself. You'll also find a version of the Q3 with a knob that controls the volume by default or can be customized for other actions; this version costs $10 more, but it's a neat addition that I found myself missing when I went back to other, knob-less keyboards.
The Q3 has superb build quality—of all the keyboards I've tested, it's one of the best I've seen in that regard—and feels wonderful to type on. Weighing 4.4 pounds thanks to its tank-like aluminum case, the Q3 is one of the heaviest keyboards I've ever encountered. That weight can be a good thing if you don't want your keyboard to slide around while you're typing, and a bad thing if you do want to move it or take it with you. The Q3's Cherry-style stabilizers and PBT keycaps provide the smooth, rattle-free typing experience we expect from a keyboard in this price range.
The Q3's main flaw: It's a bit tall, and it takes up more room on a desk compared with our top picks. The Q3 measures 14.37 long by 5.39 inches wide, a little more than the 14.02-by-5.28-inch Varmilo VA87M. And with the included OSA-profile keycaps (an unusual profile, named for being similar in height to the more common OEM-profile keycaps but closer in shape to the comfortably cupped SA-profile keycaps), the Q3 is about a third of an inch taller, maxing out at about 1.65 inches. If you need a flatter slope, consider our other picks instead.
The Q3 works with both Windows and Mac; you can swap the OS keys using a switch on the back of the board, and you can change between the included Windows- and Mac-specific keycaps. The keyboard is also fully programmable, and it's compatible with the easy-to-use VIA software, so it's much easier to customize than our former upgrade pick, the Drop Ctrl.1
We did encounter one issue: When we tried to customize the RGB backlighting through the VIA software, the software crashed. After we followed these instructions to update the Q3's firmware, it worked perfectly. Keychron confirmed to us that new Q3 keyboards will ship with updated firmware, so not everyone should need to follow these steps when they buy a Q3.
The Q3 comes with a 6-foot braided USB-C–to–C cable with a USB-C–to–A adapter; the cable plugs in on the back left side of the keyboard, and there's no cable management underneath the case. (Whether this design is fine or annoying depends on your desk setup: If your computer is off to the left, the plug is nearby, but if your computer is located to the right, like mine, the cord has to cross more of your desk.) In addition to the Windows and Mac keycaps, the Q3 comes with a wire keycap puller, a switch puller, a screwdriver, and a hex key, as well as extra foam, rubber feet, and spare gaskets and screws. Keychron covers the Q3 with a one-year warranty.
A standalone number pad: Leopold FC210TP
Also great
Leopold FC210TP
The best number pad
The FC210TP is the best mechanical numpad we've tested, with build quality to match our top keyboard picks and a flatter, more comfortable slope.
Buying Options
| Dimensions: | 5.35 by 3.46 by 1.3 inches | Connection: | Non-removable wired |
| Keycap material: | PBT | Backlight: | None |
If you need a number pad, we recommend using one of our top picks with a standalone numpad instead of buying a full-size keyboard with a built-in number pad. The Leopold FC210TP matches the stellar build quality and keycap quality of our mechanical keyboard picks, and it's available with a variety of Cherry MX switches. But its cable is built-in, not removable, and although its number keys work on Mac, the alt functions do not.
The Leopold FC210TP is our number-pad pick over the Varmilo VA21M because of its flatter profile and less intense slope. Although the VA21M has a removable cable and more keycap variety, and its alt functions work on Mac, it's very tall—taller than any of our keyboard picks—and thus forces wrist extension. Otherwise, the VA21M's build and keycap quality are equally excellent, and it tends to be a little less expensive.
Other good mechanical keyboards
The best wireless mechanical keyboards: Leopold FC750RBT and FC900RBT
The tenkeyless Leopold FC750RBT and full-size FC900RBT are similar to our runner-up and our full-size pick, respectively, and they cost about $20 more for the addition of a wireless Bluetooth connection. Both models run on two AAA batteries and can pair with up to three devices via Bluetooth and switch between them. But you need a paper clip or a similar small tool (neither keyboard comes with one) to pair the FC750RBT or FC900RBT with a new device, and both have an ugly logo on the front that the wired versions don't have. These wireless models have the same flaw as our Leopold picks—namely, the lack of labeled media keys—and due to small variations in the case and build, they don't feel quite as good to type on as their wired counterparts. But if you need a tenkeyless or full-size wireless mechanical keyboard, these are the best available options at this writing. If you can wait, the Keychron K8 Pro, which we describe in the What to look forward to section, may be a better option.
The next-best option: Ducky One 2 TKL
The build quality of the tenkeyless Ducky One 2 TKL is nearly as nice as that of the Varmilo VA87M and Leopold FC750R, though its case is a little wider and its design is not quite as minimalist. Although Ducky doesn't offer as many keycap options as Varmilo does, the One 2 is still available with a few different PBT keycap sets, and the line even includes a model with RGB backlighting. The One 2 comes with a removable USB-C cable, a wire keycap puller, and a few extra keycaps, and it works on both Windows and Mac. It's a bit less expensive than our top picks, too.
We decided not to make the One 2 a top pick because it lacks media and volume keys out of the box; you have to program them yourself, and there are enough missing or incorrect instructions in the included manual to make the process a real pain in the ass. GitHub user Chris Schmich took the time to write up correct instructions for programming media keys on the One 2. If you follow them, properly configuring your media keys should take only about 15 minutes or so, and then you'll never have to mess with that again.
The best gaming keyboard: HyperX Alloy Origins Core
If you want a keyboard with RGB backlighting, macro support, and other gaming-specific features, we recommend the HyperX Alloy Origins Core. It's available with HyperX's own equivalents to Cherry MX tactile, linear, and clicky switches, and it has a removable USB-C cable and a minimalist design (in comparison with other gaming keyboards, anyway). Using the Windows-only Ngenuity software, you can tweak macros, game mode, and the per-key RGB backlight for three different profiles. The Core's build quality falls short of that of our picks—its spacebar and modifier keys rattle, and it comes with thinner ABS keycaps. (HyperX does sell a bundle with PBT keycaps, though we haven't tested them.) Even so, the Core had better build quality and software than the other gaming keyboards we tested. Any of our picks can work for gaming, but if you're looking for a keyboard with gaming-specific features, this one can't be beat.
Damn nice, damn expensive: Topre Realforce TKL R2
The Topre Realforce TKL R2 doesn't fit most of our criteria: It's available with only one type of switch, it has a nonremovable cable, it lacks volume and media keys, and it usually costs about twice as much as our top picks. (The model with RGB backlighting does offer volume keys and the ability to customize the actuation point of all keys, but it's usually even more expensive.) And Topre Realforce keyboards aren't compatible with the vast majority of third-party keycaps, so your customization options are limited.
But despite those flaws, the Realforce TKL R2 was one of my favorite keyboards to type on thanks to its unique Topre switches. In our other picks, the Cherry-style switches provide a satisfying tactile feedback, and the combination of a sturdy case and thick PBT keycaps gives each keystroke a solid, audible clack. But each keystroke on the Topre Realforce TKL R2 produces a softer, more melodious "thock." If Cherry switches are regular butter, Topre switches are Kerrygold—smoother and richer. Most people shouldn't spend this much on a keyboard, but it is a damn nice keyboard.
What to look forward to
We tested the aluminum-frame version of the Keychron K8 Pro, and we were impressed by its build quality and typing experience, especially considering the price. It also supports hot-swap and easy programming through VIA, and its wireless connection was reliable in our testing. But its included cable is short, and at this writing, the K8 Pro is available only as a preorder with an estimated ship date of sometime in June. It has the potential to be one of our new top picks, and we plan to update this guide once we've tested the non-aluminum-frame version and once the K8 Pro is available at retail.
We plan to test the Keychron Q0, a customizable aluminum number pad with hot-swap and VIA support. We'll update this guide with our impressions once we've tested it and it's available at retail.
The competition
Tenkeyless options
Previously we named the Drop Ctrl as our upgrade pick because of its excellent build quality, hot-swappable switches, and stylish RGB light bar. It's the only tested keyboard in this category that allows for a negative slope without a separate keyboard tray, as it comes with two metal feet that magnetically connect to the front or back of the case's underside for your preferred slope. But the Ctrl is fussier to program compared with the VIA-compatible Keychron Q3, and at this writing, numerous owners are reporting issues with the provided configuration tool. We've also seen reports of key chattering—an annoying problem in which the keyboard registers multiple keypresses from a single stroke—and poor customer support from Drop. The Keychron Q3 is now a better option for the price, unless you require a flat or negative slope.
The Ducky One 3 TKL is the successor to the Ducky One 2 TKL, with the addition of hot-swap and USB-C. It's available with a variety of switches and keycap options, and it feels great to type on. But right now, the One 3 is even worse to program media keys and other macros on than the already-confusing One 2. The One 3 doesn't come with a manual in the box, and the unit we bought wasn't able to record macros at all until we installed a firmware update. (And then I discovered that 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 models; we'll keep an eye on it and see if the company fixes the problems through future firmware updates. Until then, we don't recommend this model over its predecessor.
The WASD Code V3 and WASD V3 have chunkier cases than those of our top picks, and both the ABS and PBT keycap options are of lower quality than the keycaps that accompany our picks. The cable-management channels on the underside of the WASD keyboards are also too narrow for the included USB-C cable and any of the others we tried—we struggled and failed to route the cable, though we did succeed in gouging chunks out of the included USB-C cable's plastic casing. (WASD told us that it was aware of the issue and recommended manually filing down the tabs intended to hold cables in place.) On top of all that, compared with the Cherry-style stabilizers on all the other keyboards we tested, the Costar stabilizers in these models make it a bit harder to swap keycaps. They're not bad keyboards, but these flaws aren't as forgivable in a keyboard that starts at $165—you can get a keyboard that won't destroy your USB cables and has better-quality keycaps for much less, or you can spend a little more for the higher-quality, even more customizable Keychron Q3.
The Womier K87, with its acrylic case and RGB backlighting, is one of the prettiest keyboards I've ever seen, plus it supports hot-swappable switches for around $40 less than our top picks. But the spacebar squeaks, the stabilizers rattle, and the keycaps feel thin and brittle. The K87 could be an awesome option if you wanted to replace the switches and keycaps and lubricate the stabilizers, but it isn't a great choice for most people looking for an excellent typing experience out of the box.
Readers have been asking me to test a buckling spring keyboard for years, and now that the tenkeyless Unicomp Mini M is available, I finally have. Similar to Topre keyboards, which hold a special place in my heart, 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 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. And because of this keyboard's classic design and gigantic bezels, it takes up a ton of room on many desks. To those readers who 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 the Varmilo VA87M, the Leopold FC750R, or the Ducky One 2 TKL in build quality, keycap quality, or design. Customer reviews indicate that the company has a poor track record of support.
Although the KBParadise V80 is available with more switch types than any other keyboard we considered, its ABS pad-printed keycaps feel cheaper and will wear out sooner than the PBT keycaps of our picks. In addition, while typing, we experienced an annoying, loud pinging noise that we didn't encounter on any of our picks.
Full-size options
The Varmilo VA108M is the full-size version of our top pick, but we don't recommend it over the full-size Leopold FC900R because it costs more and has a different case than the VA87M, with no cable management. Whereas the VA87M has a tasteful, smooth case and an open design, the VA108M is covered in a tacky fake-wood texture and has a partially closed design. The VA108M also lacks cable-management channels on the underside of the case, and the port is located on the back right of the keyboard. (If your computer happens to be to the left of your desk, that positioning is annoying.) The VA108M does have more switch and keycap options than the Leopold FC900R, and its media keys are helpfully labeled whereas the FC900R's are not, so if the texture and cable-management differences don't bother you, the VA108M is otherwise a solid keyboard.
The Ducky One 3 Full-size currently has the same macro-recording issues as its TKL counterpart. We'll update our recommendations if the company fixes the problems.
The Razer Huntsman V2 is available only with clicky or linear switches, and it's expensive for a keyboard that lacks hot-swap.
Budget options
The Epomaker SK87 (and its wireless counterpart, the SK87S) has RGB backlighting and hot-swap, and in our tests it felt decent to type on. But it's more expensive than our budget pick, its keycaps look and feel cheap, and its case has a conspicuous logo on the front.
The iKBC TypeMan CD87 V2 and TypeMan CD108 V2 offer higher-quality PBT keycaps but cost a lot more than the Keychron C1 and C2. They're larger, too, and they have nonremovable cables. On top of that, they lack labeled media keys and Mac-specific keycaps and don't have a backlight.
The full-size Logitech K845 has stabilizers that rattle more than those of our Keychron picks, and its TTC switches feel grittier. It also has a built-in cable, no cable-management channels, and no Mac-specific keycaps. The TKL version isn't available in the US, either.
The Velocifire TKL02 is very, very cheap—and it feels like it. In our tests, its Content Brown switches felt scratchy and unpleasant, its spacebar and modifiers rattled, and its ABS pad-printed legends looked ugly and felt cheap. Typing on the TKL02 felt like banging on a damp, hollow log covered in a blanket, and it looks like a greasy old keyboard from a public library in the '90s.
The EagleTec KG060 (as well as its KG061 variant) is an even worse cheap keyboard. Its mystery switches felt scratchy, and it had the worst build quality, by far, of any keyboard we tested—its flimsy case flexed during regular typing.
Gaming keyboards
The Cooler Master CK530 v2 is available with tactile, linear, and clicky TTC switches. Its case is fairly big and feels cheap, and its cable is nonremovable.
Equipped with Roccat-branded tactile and linear switches, the Roccat Vulcan TKL is more expensive than the HyperX gaming keyboard we like, and we found that its unique floating keycaps can't be replaced with common Cherry-profile keycaps.
The Asus ROG Claymore II is a full-size keyboard with a detachable number pad, but it carries a steep price and lacks a tactile switch option.
In addition to being $70 more than the HyperX Alloy Origins Core, the Razer Huntsman V2 TKL isn't available with tactile switches.
The Logitech G413 TKL SE costs more than our budget picks and is available only with tactile switches. Its cable isn't removable.
The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL, another model that costs more than the HyperX Alloy Origins Core, has a non-removable cable and stands taller than the other options we tested.
Although the Logitech G Pro X has hot-swappable switches—which means you can change out the switches without soldering—it's really expensive and saddled with poor build quality. The Pro X flexed under pressure and had the rattliest stabilizers among all the gaming keyboards we tested.
Wireless options
Both the iKBC TypeMan W200 and the full-size TypeMan W210 connect only via a USB-A dongle and run on AAA batteries. They also lack a cable connection to fall back on if the wireless connection flakes or when the batteries die.
The Vortex Tab 90 has all the keys of a full-size layout but saves desk space by snuggling all the keys up together. Despite the interesting layout, the keyboard's excellent build quality, and its reliable wireless connection, we don't recommend the Tab 90 because it emits an annoying pinging noise with every keystroke.
The Logitech G915 TKL typically costs around $230, and its cheap, brittle keycaps are not easily replaceable.
The Keychron K8 is dealbreakingly tall in the front and uncomfortable to type on. In addition, it fails to measure up to our picks in the build quality of its case and its ABS keycaps, and during our tests its stabilizers squeaked and rattled more than those of other wireless keyboards.
We read many owner reports of connectivity issues with the Filco Majestouch Convertible 2 TKL—and after we used this keyboard for a couple of weeks, our computer's Bluetooth connection stopped working completely. This keyboard has pad-printed ABS keycaps and decent, but not exceptional, build quality.
The Velocifire TKL02WS is identical to the TKL02 but with the addition of wireless support. It connects via a USB-A wireless dongle instead of Bluetooth, and it shares all of the TKL02's other flaws.
Number pads
The Varmilo VA21M numpad is extremely tall—enough to force wrist extension—so we don't recommend it over the Leopold number pad, even though the Varmilo model has a removable cable, its secondary functions work properly on Mac, and it's available with more stylish keycap options.
This article was edited by Signe Brewster and Mark Smirniotis.
Footnotes
Sources
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Mike Fahey, How To Pick The Right Mechanical Keyboard, Kotaku , February 5, 2018
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Anson Wong, Tom Li, The complete guide to mechanical keyboard switches for gaming, PC Gamer , January 4, 2022
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A lesson in Keycaps, Originative Co.
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John Burek, The Best Mechanical Keyboards for 2022, PCMag , March 21, 2022
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Abigail Roelens, 5 Best Mechanical Keyboards - 166 Tested - Spring 2022, Rtings.com , June 2, 2022
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schmich, Programming Media Keys on the Ducky One 2 Skyline, GitHub , April 15, 2018
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Weyman, Removing Cherry MX Keycaps, WASD Support , July 29, 2019
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David, USB Cable Repair, iFixit
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-mechanical-keyboards/
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