Will Logitech Start Using Cherry Ever Again
The research
- Why you should trust united states
- Who this is for
- How we picked and tested
- Our pick: Varmilo VA87M
- Flaws but not dealbreakers
- Runner-up: Leopold FC750R
- The best full-size keyboard: Leopold FC900R
- Surprisingly neat budget options: Keychron C1 and Keychron C2
- Upgrade choice: Driblet Ctrl
- A standalone number pad: Leopold FC210TP
- Other skilful mechanical keyboards
- What well-nigh a wireless mechanical keyboard?
- What to look forward to
- The competition
- Footnotes
- Sources
Why you should trust the states
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 10 mechanical keyboards and a macropad—and I chose the cases, switches, and keycaps and and then assembled, soldered, and programmed most of them myself. This is way as well 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 simply one keyboard.
Who this is for
Mechanical keyboards, named for the individual mechanical switch nether 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 y'all spend all 24-hour interval typing, it tin be satisfying to customize the size, switches, keycaps, and layout to your exact needs. Our picks in this guide include full-size keyboards every bit well equally keyboards without a number pad. If you're looking for something fifty-fifty smaller, head over to our guide to meaty mechanical keyboards.
Whatsoever keyboard can work for whatsoever job—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 than useful than others for sure tasks. This guide'southward picks are aimed at people who primarily type or code, just you can play games on them, also. If you desire a keyboard with more than gaming-specific features—such as a gaming mode that disables the Windows key, multicolored (or RGB) backlighting, and the ability to tape macros—we have a pick for yous in the Other good mechanical keyboards section beneath.
In this guide we recommend prebuilt keyboards that you tin plug in and use immediately, but there'due south a whole world of custom mechanical keyboards. Many of them involve ownership a kit or all the components and and so soldering and programming the keyboard yourself. That opens up nearly endless size, layout, switch, and programmability options beyond what our picks offer, only such keyboards are less readily available, tend to be more expensive, and require a lot of tinkering.
How we picked and tested
Size: Nosotros recommend tenkeyless (TKL) keyboards—which lack a number pad just have all the other keys—considering smaller keyboards take up less room on your desk. A smaller keyboard allows you to identify your mouse closer to your body, which can reduce strain on your shoulders, neck, and dorsum. We take total-size picks for people who need to use a number pad oftentimes, but virtually people are meliorate off with a tenkeyless model paired with a standalone number pad for occasional utilize. If y'all desire 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 iii main varieties: linear, tactile, and clicky.
- Linear switches feel smooth when yous press them, from superlative to bottom.
- Tactile switches have a noticeable crash-land partway through the keypress, which lets yous know that you lot've activated the cardinal.
- Clicky switches feel similar to their tactile counterparts just add a clicking audio to match the tactile crash-land.
We recommend Cherry MX Brown switches (followed by their equivalents from competing brands Gateron and Kailh) because they're pop, readily bachelor tactile switches that are expert for most tasks and tranquility enough for most offices.
Build quality: Inexpensive keyboards with plastic cases and backplates feel and sound hollow when you lot type, and they tin flex when you printing too hard on them. A keyboard fabricated 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'due south prone to wear and can become polish and shiny with heavy use. Keycaps made of PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) tend to be more durable, develop less polish, and take a grittier texture. Although wear depends on a lot of factors—how much you type, what your hand oils are similar, and and then on—in my experience, ABS keycaps have gotten shiny in a few months, while PBT keycaps have yet to develop whatever signs of wear after years of use. One-half the fun of owning a mechanical keyboard is customizing it to your gustatory modality, and then we like keyboards that are available with a diversity of stylish keycap options. A lack of options isn't a dealbreaker, though, since in most cases yous tin buy unlike keycaps and add them later.
Removable cable: A removable USB cable is preferable to a built-in one considering it'southward easier (and cheaper) to supervene upon than the whole keyboard.
Programmability: Many mechanical keyboards allow you to change the default beliefs of certain keys and have them perform other actions. The simplest mode is to utilize tiny switches on the bottom of the keyboard that alter the layout or beliefs of a few keys. For example, you tin switch between Windows and Mac layouts, swap the Caps Lock key to Ctrl, or disable OS-specific keys like the Windows or Control keys. Other keyboards offer onboard programming, in which yous press certain keys to record macros and customize backlighting. Still others come with software you can utilize to tape macros, remap or customize certain keys, and futz with the backlighting.
Backlight: Although backlighting can be a squeamish 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 about always costs more.
Hot-swap switches: This is a more than contempo feature, typically found only on expensive, high-end mechanical keyboards. Simply the ability to merchandise out switches at whatsoever time without having to break out a soldering fe is a nice bonus.
Wireless: Wireless mechanical keyboards aren't super common yet, though it's a characteristic many people want. We await for stable wireless connections that don't cut out, lag, or cause double key entries, as well equally keyboards that can still work in wired mode when the battery runs out. Unfortunately we haven't institute a wireless TKL keyboard worth recommending yet, only we'll keep testing new options until nosotros do. In the meantime, we have constitute a few great wireless mechanical keyboards with compact layouts.
For each round of testing, we examination each keyboard by using information technology for at least ane 24-hour interval of work, which involves lots and lots (and lots) of typing. We explore each keyboard'southward customization options and pay attention to the quality of the cases and keycaps. Finally, equally we narrow downwardly the contenders, nosotros utilise the finalists for several more days of constant typing.
Our pick: Varmilo VA87M
Our choice
| Dimensions: | 14.02 by 5.28 by 1.3 inches | Connection: | Removable Mini-USB |
| Keycap material: | PBT | Backlight: | None, white, or RGB |
Amid all the keyboards we've tested, the tenkeyless Varmilo VA87M stands out with summit-notch build quality—information technology doesn't flex under pressure, and its thicker keycaps last longer and provide a more enjoyable typing experience. Its compact design and apartment 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. Information technology works on both Windows and Mac, though Varmilo also sells the VA87M Mac, which has Mac-specific keycaps. In addition to providing conspicuously labeled media keys, the VA87M allows you lot to customize a couple of functions, but it isn't fully programmable.
You tin society the VA87M with any of a wide variety of Blood-red options, but if you're unsure, Cherry MX Brown switches offer a satisfying tactile crash-land without making besides much noise for a shared space. We too love that the VA87M is available with an assortment of fun keycap sets and matching cases. Most versions have a tasteful white backlight, just 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 level—in contrast to many of the cheaper EagleTec and Razer keyboards nosotros tested—and it didn't make whatever abrasive or unpleasant pinging noises while nosotros were typing, every bit the KBParadise V80 did. The VA87M's Cherry-style stabilizers likewise kept the modifier keys and spacebar from rattling during our typing, a trouble we encountered on all the gaming keyboards we tested, including the HyperX Alloy Origins Core.
Thanks to the VA87M'southward meaty, minimalist design, it doesn't take up any unnecessary room on a desk, and its borderless open layout looks fashionable and makes the keyboard easier to clean. Plus, it has a low-profile, generally apartment example, which is better for your wrists than a keyboard with a steeper slope or a college contour. (Only it does have anxiety in the dorsum if you lot demand them.)
The higher-quality PBT keycaps gear up this keyboard apart from other options that come with thinner ABS keycaps, which feel and sound cheaper and will wear downward with use and become shiny and slippery. PBT keycaps tin feel scritchy to people who are unaccustomed to them or sensitive to certain textures, but they're more than durable, and the thicker keycaps provide a more than pleasant-feeling and pleasant-sounding typing experience.
The VA87M is not fully programmable, and information technology lacks DIP switches. But it does offer conveniently located, clearly labeled media keys on F7 through F12, which you can achieve with one hand. Some keyboards nosotros tested, such equally the Ducky One two, lack media keys entirely. Others require two hands to actuate the keys or (like the Leopold FC750R) don't clearly characterization them on the keycaps—you have to memorize their location. You can customize a few behaviors on the VA87M: You lot tin can lock the Windows fundamental 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'south no setting to swap the Bone-specific keys hands, if you're a Mac user you'll have to swap those keys in macOS.
Depending on your desk setup, you tin route the included Mini-USB cable left or right through the cablevision-direction channels in the underside or permit it come direct out the center dorsum. 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 we tested also came with ii spare keycaps for Caps Lock and Scroll Lock with polish-through LED indicators. The VA87M'southward 1-yr warranty is serviced by MechanicalKeyboards.com if y'all purchase from that seller, simply we've seen reports of people who bought straight from Varmilo having problem getting their keyboards serviced.
Flaws only not dealbreakers
Like many of the best keyboards we tested, the Varmilo VA87M is sold in the United states primarily by specialty retailers, so it may not be immediately bachelor with the design or switches you want. MechanicalKeyboards.com offers preorders (though yous may have to wait a calendar month or ii) and maintains an incoming-shipments page. If yous 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 lot customize it to the degree that some other mechanical keyboards practise. If you require this feature, take a expect at some of our recommendations in the Other good mechanical keyboards section.
Runner-upward: Leopold FC750R
Runner-up
Leopold FC750R
The adjacent-best keyboard
The FC750R has similarly excellent build quality and design, simply information technology 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 past i.3 inches | Connectedness: | 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 every bit excellent build quality and a similarly compact, minimalist design, and it works with all the nigh pop switch types and so you can get your preferred typing experience. Information technology'due south even available with a few different tasteful keycap sets, though it lacks the diversity of the VA87M. The FC750R supports both Windows and Mac, and information technology 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 take to memorize them.
The FC750R is available with all the most popular switches, including the Cherry MX Browns nosotros recommend starting with. At this writing, no FC750R models come with backlighting, and at that place's no Mac-specific keycap ready like the Varmilo VA87M offers—all the sets we've seen come with Windows OS keys.
Outstanding build quality makes for a similarly outstanding typing experience. Like our top selection, the FC750R has fantabulous build quality, ranking as one of the best we've seen in that regard among the mechanical keyboards we've tested. The instance 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-manner stabilizers.
The FC750R's larger bezel makes it just barely wider and deeper than the VA87M, but information technology'southward nonetheless smaller than most of the keyboards we've tested. Since the keys are fix a little deeper in the example and the bezel is raised around them, this Leopold keyboard might be a trivial harder to make clean than our top option from Varmilo and its bezel-gratuitous, open layout. But the difference is mostly aesthetic. As with the VA87M, the FC750R'south depression-profile, generally flat case is ideal for your wrists, but it does take anxiety 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 too comes with a removable Mini-USB cablevision, and cablevision-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 left Ctrl, the Os fundamental with left Alt, and the OS key with the Fn key; you lot can too lock the Os key. The FC750R'south media keys aren't labeled on the keycaps or explained in the included manual. Nosotros found them in this Korean manual (JPG); F12 is volume upwards, F11 is volume down, F10 is mute, F9 is stop, F8 is next track, F7 is play/pause, and F6 is previous rails. We adopt the Varmilo VA87M'south 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 merely likewise on both Windows and Mac; all the media keys worked properly in both operating systems. The second DIP switch fifty-fifty allows you to swap the location of the Os and Alt keys to match the Mac keyboard layout, if you adopt to do so on the keyboard rather than in the operating system settings.
The Leopold FC750R comes with two actress keycaps to bandy Ctrl and Caps Lock, a PS/2 adapter (relevant simply for much older computers without an available USB port), and a cheap plastic keycap puller. This plastic tool can impairment the edges of keycaps, and then we recommend getting a wire keycap puller if yous plan to bandy keycaps, just the included ane volition do in a pinch. The FC750R's 1-year warranty is serviced by MechanicalKeyboards.com if you purchase from that site. We don't recommend ownership this keyboard from Amazon, since information technology's not articulate whether you'll exist able to get back up if yous order from there.
Availability is an issue with the Leopold FC750R—information technology may non be immediately available with the keycaps or switches you prefer. The aforementioned advice for the VA87M applies here: If you don't mind waiting, y'all tin preorder from MechanicalKeyboards.com or check that seller'due south incoming-shipments folio; if y'all tin't wait, consider our other picks.
The best full-size keyboard: Leopold FC900R
Also bully
| Dimensions: | 17.32 by five.51 by 1.3 inches | Connection: | Removable Mini-USB |
| Keycap cloth: | PBT | Backlight: | None |
If you prefer a born 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 whatever of the most popular switch types and a few different PBT keycap sets. Similar 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 transmission.
Our elevation-pick and runner-upwardly keyboards are both tenkeyless, and both have total-size counterparts with number pads. We recommend the Leopold FC900R over the Varmilo VA108M, the full-size version of our top selection, because the VA108M's build quality doesn't live up to that of its smaller sibling: In dissimilarity to the VA87M, which has a minimalist, low-profile case with cable direction built into the underside, the VA108M has a closed-profile case that's like to the Leopold design but suffers from a tacky fake-wood texture and no cable-management channels.
The FC900R has the same depth and elevation measurements equally its tenkeyless analogue, but information technology'southward more three inches wider due to the number pad. As a issue, the FC900R takes upward a lot more than room on a desk and forces your mouse further to the right, an arrangement that can cause cervix and shoulder strain for some people. We recommend ane of our tenkeyless picks plus a standalone number pad that you tin motility around your desk-bound as needed 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 FC900R has blank space and a logo. We don't honey this design decision, just few people use those keys anyway, and they can't exist 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 feel. Its keycaps feel cheaper and will wear out sooner than those of our top picks, only y'all can't beat the price.
Buying Options
| Dimensions: | C1: fourteen.06 by 5.12 by ane.5 inches C2: 17.xv by 5.12 by i.57 inches | Connexion: | Removable USB-C |
| Keycap cloth: | ABS | Backlight: | White or RGB |
If you're willing to trade some quality for a lower price, we recommend the tenkeyless Keychron C1 and the full-size Keychron C2. Both models offer surprisingly adept build quality, provide a satisfying typing experience, and have an attractive, minimalist blueprint—all uncommon features in this toll range. They're likewise compatible with both Windows and Mac, and they come with replacement keycaps for both operating systems. The biggest difference betwixt 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 starting time time today, I'd buy 1 of these. As of this writing, shipping from Keychron's website starts at $xx, only even with that added cost the C1 and C2 are meliorate than any similarly priced keyboards. (Sure models are as well 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—like to the divergence betwixt a slightly toothy, textured paper and an uncommonly shine paper—but we still found them much more pleasant to blazon on than other inexpensive switch options we tested. Keychron also offers optional upgrades: Yous tin upgrade from a manifestly white backlight to RGB, and from a standard circuit board to a hot-swappable one. Swapping out switches on virtually mechanical keyboards requires desoldering all the old switches and soldering in new ones. On a hot-swappable lath, you tin can simply pull the switches out and snap new ones into place.
The Keychron C1 and C2 both offering excellent build quality for keyboards in this price range, even if neither tin 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-bound during typing, though it did flex more under force per unit area than the stone-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 like in size to our top pick, and the total-size Keychron C2 is about the aforementioned size equally the Leopold FC900R. Though they're a bit taller than our meridian picks, neither Keychron is also tall or sloped to type on comfortably (and both models accept ii sets of feet on the underside, if you lot need a different slope). We too like the manifestly 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 example.
Compared with the substantial PBT keycaps on our top picks, the Keychron models' ABS keycaps feel worse to blazon on—they're notably thinner, smoother, and cheaper. But the included keycaps allow the backlight to smoothen through the legends, and the font isn't hideous. (Most cheap keyboards have blocky, ugly fonts.) And keycaps are easy to replace, if you desire to upgrade in the future.
The C1 and C2 aren't fully programmable, nor do they have DIP switches. But you can bandy the OS keys between Windows and Mac modes using an unobtrusive toggle on the back of the board, and y'all tin switch between the included Windows- and Mac-specific keycaps, too. In fact, nosotros wish all our picks came with keycaps for both Windows and Mac. All the role and media keys are clearly labeled, and Keychron includes articulate instructions for making the function or media keys the default, depending on your personal preference.
Both models come up 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 with a i-twelvemonth warranty. The hot-swap upgraded model besides comes with a metal tool for changing out switches.
Upgrade pick: Drop Ctrl
Upgrade pick
Drop Ctrl
The all-time, but expensive
The fully programmable Ctrl offers excellent build quality, hot-swappable switches, and RGB backlighting, only information technology's expensive.
Ownership Options
| Dimensions: | 14.5 by 5.5 by one.4 inches | Connection: | Removable USB-C |
| Keycap material: | PBT | Backlight: | RGB |
If you're willing to pay more for a prettier keyboard that y'all tin can tinker with, the Drop Ctrl is the one to get. It's just besides made and enjoyable to type on equally our top picks, information technology has an attractive design, and it offers several extra features such as hot-swappable switches, RGB backlighting, and total programmability. But it'southward about half an inch wider than our meridian picks, and then it's a chip less ergonomic. If y'all like the Ctrl'southward features merely want something more compact, consider the Drop Alt instead.
The Ctrl is available with Blood-red MX Chocolate-brown, Cherry MX Blueish, Kailh Box White, or Kailh Speed Silver switches, and it provides customizable RGB backlighting.one All-time of all, the Ctrl has hot-swappable switches, which means yous tin easily try new switch types. The Ctrl comes with a small metal tool that y'all can utilize 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.
Of all the keyboards I tested for this guide, the Ctrl had the best build quality and felt the best to type on. Its aluminum example felt solid during typing, and the Cherry-style stabilizers and thick PBT keycaps provided a consequent, rattle-free typing experience. The Ctrl also looks snazzy, with a transparent ring around the edges of the instance and shine-through keycaps to prove off the RGB backlighting.
1 of the Ctrl's few flaws is that it'southward wider than our top picks by most half an inch. Every bit a result, information technology takes up more horizontal space on a desk, which forced me to identify my mouse farther abroad than I found comfy. (But if you demand something more than compact, check out the Ctrl'southward smaller sibling, the Drop Alt.) The Ctrl is the only keyboard in this category nosotros've tested that allows for a negative slope without a separate keyboard tray—it comes with two metal feet that magnetically adhere to the bottom of the example to raise the forepart of the keyboard instead of the back. Without the included feet, the Ctrl lies completely flat; yous could also attach the feet to the back to provide a gentle slope alike to our top option'due south default position, if you prefer.
Unlike our other picks, the Ctrl is fully programmable—but doing so is tricky. If y'all don't want to get into the weeds of flashing a new layout to the lath, you lot tin customize the lighting, and the Ctrl has media keys programmed by default. (They're not labeled on the keycaps, so you'll accept to memorize their locations.) It also works with both Windows and Mac out of the box, though if yous want to movement the Os key location, you need to swap it in macOS or become through the full programming process.
The Ctrl has a removable USB-C cablevision that you lot can plug into either port on the dorsum of the keyboard. And the keyboard acts as a hub, and so you can utilize its other USB-C port to connect devices, also. It doesn't come with whatsoever extra keycaps, but the bundle includes a sturdy aluminum-handled wire keycap puller, a metal tool to change out the hot-swappable switches, and 2 magnetic aluminum feet. Drop covers the Ctrl with a one-year warranty and offers an extended three-year warranty for $forty if y'all purchase directly from the Driblet website.
A standalone number pad: Leopold FC210TP
Also great
Leopold FC210TP
The best number pad
The FC210TP is the best mechanical numpad nosotros've tested, with build quality to match our top keyboard picks and a flatter, more comfortable slope.
| Dimensions: | 5.35 by 3.46 by 1.iii inches | Connexion: | Not-removable wired |
| Keycap textile: | PBT | Backlight: | None |
If you need a number pad, nosotros recommend using 1 of our top picks with a standalone numpad instead of buying a total-size keyboard with a born number pad. The Leopold FC210TP matches the stellar build quality and keycap quality of our mechanical keyboard picks, and information technology's available with a variety of Ruddy MX switches. Merely 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 considering of its flatter profile and less intense slope. Although the VA21M has a removable cable and more than 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'southward build and keycap quality are equally excellent, and information technology tends to exist a trivial less expensive.
Other good mechanical keyboards
The next-all-time option: Ducky I 2 TKL
The build quality of the tenkeyless Ducky One 2 TKL is well-nigh as dainty as that of the Varmilo VA87M and Leopold FC750R, though its example is a little wider and its pattern is not quite equally minimalist. Although Ducky doesn't offer as many keycap options equally Varmilo does, the One 2 is still available with a few different PBT keycap sets, and the line fifty-fifty includes a model with RGB backlighting. The I 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 chip less expensive than our elevation picks, too.
We decided non to make the I 2 a top pick considering information technology lacks media and volume keys out of the box; y'all have to program them yourself, and in that location 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 fourth dimension to write up correct instructions for programming media keys on the Ducky One 2. If you follow them, it should take only near 15 minutes or so to properly configure your media keys, and yous'll never have to mess with that again.
The best gaming keyboard: HyperX Blend Origins Core
If y'all want a keyboard with RGB backlighting, macro support, and other gaming-specific features, we recommend the HyperX Alloy Origins Core. It'southward available with HyperX's own equivalents to Cherry MX tactile, linear, and clicky switches, and information technology has a removable USB-C cable and a minimalist blueprint (in comparison with other gaming keyboards, anyway). Using the Windows-only Ngenuity software, you tin can tweak macros, game way, and the per-key RGB backlight for three different profiles. The Core's build quality falls short of that of our other picks—its spacebar and modifier keys rattle, and information technology comes with thinner ABS keycaps. (HyperX does sell a parcel with PBT keycaps, though we haven't tested them.) Just the Core had ameliorate build quality and software than the other gaming keyboards we tested. Whatever of our picks can work for gaming, but if yous're looking for a keyboard with gaming-specific features, this 1 tin'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, information technology has a nonremovable cable, it lacks volume and media keys, and it unremarkably costs almost twice equally 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, simply information technology'southward usually even more expensive.) And Topre Realforce keyboards aren't compatible with the vast majority of 3rd-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 cheers to its unique Topre switches. In our other picks, the Crimson-mode switches provide a satisfying tactile feedback, and the combination of a sturdy case and thick PBT keycaps gives each keystroke a solid, aural clack. Just 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. Near people shouldn't spend this much on a keyboard, simply it is a damn nice keyboard.
What almost a wireless mechanical keyboard?
We tested a handful of wireless mechanical keyboards in 2021, only unfortunately nosotros weren't able to find whatsoever TKL or full-size options worth recommending. If you desire a great wireless mechanical keyboard, we have solid options in our compact mechanical keyboards guide. In particular, we recommend the Vortex Tab 75, which can connect via Bluetooth and has nigh still keys every bit TKL keyboards but in a more than meaty layout.
If you really desire a wireless mechanical keyboard in a TKL or larger layout, you'll accept to take some significant trade-offs. Here's what we found when we tested the models that met our criteria:
The iKBC Typeman W200 and total-size Typeman W210 offer decent build quality and PBT keycaps, simply both models connect via a USB-A dongle—not Bluetooth—and they run on AAA batteries. Even worse, they tin connect only wirelessly; in that location'due south no cable connectedness to fall back on if the wireless connection falters or when the batteries die.
The Logitech G915 TKL is a great keyboard with depression-profile switches. Information technology tin connect via Bluetooth, USB dongle, or Micro-USB, and information technology has lots of extra features such every bit RGB lighting and a volume roller. But it typically costs around $230, and its cheap and breakable keycaps are not hands replaceable.
We were optimistic about the Keychron K8, which comes with Windows and Mac keycaps and tin can connect via Bluetooth or USB-C. But it was uncomfortably tall in the front and bad-mannered to blazon on, which was a dealbreaker. The build quality of its example and its ABS keycaps as well neglect to measure up to what y'all can get from our picks, and its stabilizers are squeakier and decumbent to rattle more than those in other wireless options.
What to look forwards to
Now that the Unicomp Mini M is finally available, nosotros'd like to test it in the future, even though information technology doesn't come across our criteria for switch variety or keycap compatibility.
The competition
Tenkeyless options
The WASD Code V3 and WASD V3 have chunkier cases in comparison with our top picks, and both the ABS and PBT keycap options are of lower quality than the keycaps that accompany our picks. The cable-direction 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 cablevision, 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 effect 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 get in 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 tin can get a keyboard that won't destroy your USB cables and has amend-quality keycaps for much less, or yous can spend a fiddling more than for the higher-quality, even more customizable Drop Ctrl.
The Durgod Taurus K320 doesn't friction match the Varmilo VA87M, the Leopold FC750R, or the Ducky One 2 TKL in build quality, keycap quality, or pattern. Client reviews indicate the visitor 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 vesture out sooner than the PBT keycaps of our picks. In addition, while typing, we experienced an annoying, loud pinging noise that we didn't meet on any of our picks.
Full-size options
The Varmilo VA108M is the total-size version of our acme choice, just we don't recommend it over the full-size Leopold FC900R because it has a different example than the VA87M with no cable management, and it costs more than. Whereas the VA87M has a tasteful, smoothen instance and an open pattern, the VA108M is covered in a tacky faux-wood texture and has a partially airtight design. The VA108M also lacks cable-direction channels on the underside of the instance, 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'south are not, then if the texture and cable-management differences don't carp you lot, the VA108M is otherwise a solid keyboard.
Upkeep options
The iKBC Typeman CD87 V2 and Typeman CD108 V2 offer college-quality PBT keycaps but cost a lot more than than the Keychron C1 and C2. They're larger, too, and they have nonremovable cables, lack labeled media keys and Mac-specific keycaps, and don't accept a backlight.
The full-size Logitech K845 has stabilizers that rattle more than than those of our Keychron picks, and its TTC switches feel grittier. It also has a built-in cable, no cable-direction channels, and no Mac-specific keycaps. The TKL version isn't available in the The states yet, either.
The Nixeus Moda v2 was previously available with Kailh switches, but the model we purchased came with scratchy Outemu switches. For budget models, it'southward common for manufacturers to switch to the cheapest components they can get and non update their product pages, so we tin can't recommend this keyboard.
The Velocifire TKL02 is very, very cheap—and information technology 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 besides looked ugly and felt cheap. Typing on the TKL02 felt like banging on a clammy, hollow log covered in a blanket, and it looks similar the greasy erstwhile keyboard from a public library in the '90s.
The EagleTec KG060 (as well as its KG061 variant) is an fifty-fifty worse cheap keyboard. Its mystery switches felt scratchy, and it had the worst build quality, by far, of whatsoever keyboard nosotros tested—its flimsy instance flexed during regular typing.
Gaming keyboards
The Cooler Principal CK530 v2 is available with tactile, linear, and clicky TTC switches. Its case is bigger and feels cheaper, and its cablevision is nonremovable.
Equipped with Roccat-branded tactile and linear switches, the Roccat Vulcan TKL is more expensive than our pick from HyperX, and nosotros institute that its unique floating keycaps can't be replaced with common Cherry-contour keycaps.
The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is also more than expensive than the HyperX Alloy Origins Core. Its cable isn't removable, and information technology's taller than the other options we tested.
The Logitech Thousand Pro X has hot-swappable switches—meaning you can alter out switches without soldering—simply it's really expensive and saddled with poor build quality. The Pro X flexed nether pressure and had the rattliest stabilizers of all the gaming keyboards we tested.
Wireless options
Both the iKBC Typeman W200 and the full-size Typeman W210 connect via a USB-A dongle only and run on AAA batteries. They also lack a cable connexion to autumn back on if the wireless connection flakes or when the batteries die.
The Logitech G915 TKL typically costs around $230, and its cheap, brittle keycaps are non easily replaceable.
The Keychron K8 is dealbreakingly tall in the front and uncomfortable to type on. In add-on, 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'south 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. 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 nosotros don't recommend it over the Leopold number pad, even though the Varmilo model has a removable cable, its secondary functions piece of work properly on Mac, and it's available with more than stylish keycap options.
Footnotes
Sources
-
Mike Fahey, How To Pick The Right Mechanical Keyboard, Kotaku , February v, 2018
-
Anson Wong, Tom Li, The consummate guide to mechanical keyboard switches for gaming, PC Gamer , April 6, 2019
-
A lesson in Keycaps, Originative Co.
-
John Burek and Jeffrey 50. Wilson, The Best Mechanical Keyboards for 2021, PCMag , December 4, 2020
-
Catherine Galvani, The 7 All-time Mechanical Keyboards, Rtings.com , March 12, 2021
-
schmich, Programming Media Keys on the Ducky One 2 Skyline, GitHub , April xv, 2018
-
Weyman, Removing Scarlet MX Keycaps, WASD Support , July 29, 2019
-
David, USB Cablevision Repair, iFixit
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-mechanical-keyboards/
0 Response to "Will Logitech Start Using Cherry Ever Again"
Post a Comment