Cheap best mechanical keyboard

Many mechanical keyboards carry a premium price tag, but this isn't always the case.

A good keyboard doesn't necessarily mean an expensive one. We've bought and tested over keyboards and narrowed our recommendations down to the best budget and cheap models available. These keyboards offer a reliable build quality and a satisfying typing experience for various uses, all without breaking the bank. Most of the options below use scissor or rubber dome switches, so if you're interested in a keyboard with mechanical switches, check out our best budget mechanical keyboards article instead. Check out our best keyboards article for other options within a wider range of price points. The Logitech Signature K is our recommendation for the best budget keyboard for most people.

Cheap best mechanical keyboard

By Jon Porter , a reporter with five years of experience covering consumer tech releases, EU tech policy, online platforms, and mechanical keyboards. If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. Here are our top picks, including both wired and wireless models ranging from compact keyboards with laptop-style layouts to full-size keyboards complete with numpads — from budget to… not so budget. Most of the keyboards below use a 75 percent layout, which is a compact form factor that maintains a function row and arrow key cluster, like most laptop keyboards. Given a primary reason for buying a mechanical keyboard is how it feels and sounds to type on, this was obviously a primary concern when putting together this list. For this list, we limited our recommendations to readily available, fully assembled keyboards. That rules out any that you need to assemble yourself or that are only available in group buys or limited-edition runs. With one exception, we prioritized keyboards that offer hot-swappable switches so you can easily replace them if they break or you just fancy a change in typing feel. Good cross-compatibility between Windows and Mac is beneficial, such as by offering keycap legends for either OS or being able to easily swap layouts with a switch or shortcut. Hot-swappable switches — switches that can be removed with a simple pulling tool without desoldering. Keycap profile — describes the shape of a set of keycaps. Cherry is a popular option that looks very traditional.

Specifications Switches: Low-profile tactile blue. While the best budget or cheap mechanical keyboard models may not have all the high-end features, some are just as sturdy and perform similarly to their more expensive counterparts.

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. 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.

Many mechanical keyboards carry a premium price tag, but this isn't always the case. While the best budget or cheap mechanical keyboard models may not have all the high-end features, some are just as sturdy and perform similarly to their more expensive counterparts. Many of the keyboards below come in a variety of switches, while others have hot-swappable PCBs, allowing you to easily change out the stock switches for those of your choosing. If you're new to mechanical keyboards, we recommend checking out our article Mechanical Switches: How to Choose. Alternatively, if you already know your way around the world of switches and are ready to buy a new set, you may want to see our recommendations for the best mechanical switches. We've bought and tested over keyboards, and below is a list of our top recommendations for the best budget mechanical keyboards. Likewise, if you want something cheaper, check out the picks for the best cheap keyboards. Or, if you'd rather look at a wider range of keyboards, see our list of the best mechanical keyboards.

Cheap best mechanical keyboard

Mechanical keyboards have exploded in popularity. Many different kinds of switches are available, each offering its own typing sensations and sounds. When it comes to picking switches and if you're looking for a helping hand, see our guide for how to choose mechanical switches. Alternatively, check out a lineup of our recommendations for the best mechanical switches. We've tested over keyboards, and below are our recommendations for the best models with mechanical switches to buy.

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Join the experts who read Tom's Hardware for the inside track on enthusiast PC tech news — and have for over 25 years. We also experienced an annoying, loud pinging noise during typing. The Huntsman Mini also offers plenty of customizability using Razer's Synapse 3 software. Type: Full-size. That said, they don't quite offer the same high-end performance. Kinesis Freestyle Pro. You can always use a separate number pad for specific tasks. The build quality is also impressive, and it feels very sturdy, even compared to some of the more premium options in Razer's catalog. If wireless connectivity is important to you, then Keychron has recently released the Keychron V1 Max , which can connect to your computer using either Bluetooth or a 2. I have two of these, and its Romer-G tactile switches are the best for typing I've used. But it lacks hot-swap, its keycaps feel cheaper and will wear out sooner, and its backlight is red only. Many mechanical keyboards carry a premium price tag, but this isn't always the case. 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.

The list in brief 1. Best Overall 2.

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. Keychron C3 Pro A tenkeyless starter keyboard. Dimensions: Q3 Pro: For any task. If you work off iPads, tablets, or even your mobile phone, we recommend the Logitech K Buyer reviews indicate that the company has a poor track record of support. By effectively suspending its polycarbonate switch plate and PCB between gaskets, the keyboard has a substantial amount of flex to it. This is the volume knob-equipped model. The Best Compact Mechanical Keyboards by Kimber Streams A compact mechanical keyboard takes up less space on a desk than a regular one—but you might need to be prepared to give up some keys in return. The tenkeyless Keychron V3 , the layout Keychron V5 , and the full-size Keychron V6 stand out for their quality and value. V3: A well-used Kinesis Freestyle Pro of four years, our pick for the best split keyboard for most people. LTC Nimbleback.