The 6 Best Mechanical Keyboards of 2023

We’ve updated this guide with more information on Keychron's warranty policy for our top picks.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

*At the time of publishing, the price was $95.

Among all the mechanical keyboards we’ve tested, the tenkeyless Keychron V3, the 1800-layout Keychron V5, and the full-size Keychron V6 stand out for their quality and value. All three models have sturdy cases, durable PBT keycaps, and smooth lubricated stabilizers, and they boast fancy features typically reserved for much pricier models, including RGB backlighting, hot-swappable switches, and full programmability with the easy-to-use VIA software. The V3, V5, and V6 all come with keycaps for Windows and Mac, and swapping between the two operating-system layouts is simple. All three models are available with a variety of Keychron K Pro switches; we recommend the Brown switches if you’re not sure which kind you like best. But these models can't work wirelessly—like most mechanical keyboards, they must be plugged in. And if you want the fun rotary knob that controls volume by default but can be reprogrammed to do other things too, you have to pay around $10 more.

We recommend tenkeyless keyboards—that is, models without a built-in number pad—because they allow you to place your mouse closer to your body, which can reduce strain on your shoulders, neck, and back. Most people don't use a number pad frequently enough to justify the desk space it occupies. If you do need a number pad sometimes, you can get a separate programmable numpad, such as the Keychron Q0, that you can move out of the way when you’re not using it.

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

The Vortex Multix 87 feels as wonderful to type on as the Keychron V3, thanks to its sturdy case, durable PBT keycaps, and smooth stabilizers. We recommend it if our top pick is unavailable or if you simply prefer this model's vibes and don't need a backlight, full programmability, or a knob. Like our top pick, the Multix 87 has hot-swappable switches, works with Windows and Mac, and can easily switch between the two operating-system layouts. But it's not as easy to customize as our VIA-compatible top pick, and it lacks a backlight. Note, too, that the Multix 87 is available only with a tenkeyless layout; at this writing, Vortex does not offer a full-size or 1800 version.

The tenkeyless Keychron C1 offers solid build quality and a satisfying typing experience. Compared with our top pick, its keycaps feel cheaper and will wear out sooner, and it is not programmable, but you can't beat the price.

The full-size Keychron C2 is identical to the C1 but has a built-in number pad, so it takes up more room on a desk.

May be out of stock

If you’re willing to trade quality and programmability for a lower price, get the tenkeyless Keychron C1 or the full-size Keychron C2. Both models offer solid build quality, feel good to type on, and aren't ugly—all uncommon qualities for keyboards in this price range. They’re also compatible with Windows and Mac, and they come with replacement keycaps for both operating systems. But the C1 and C2 have lower-quality ABS keycaps that feel cheaper to type on and will wear out faster than the solid PBT keycaps on our top picks, and these budget models are not programmable. Keychron offers optional upgrades for the C1 and C2, but if you plan to spend extra for RGB or hot-swap, you’re better off getting one of our top picks instead.

Unfortunately, availability is an issue with most great mechanical keyboards. If our picks are out of stock—or if you’re looking for a wireless tenkeyless keyboard, higher-end options, or a gaming keyboard—take a look at the other good mechanical keyboards we found during testing. If you’re seeking a mechanical keyboard with a more compact layout, check out our guide to compact mechanical keyboards.

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.

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

*At the time of publishing, the price was $95.

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

The tenkeyless Keychron C1 offers solid build quality and a satisfying typing experience. Compared with our top pick, its keycaps feel cheaper and will wear out sooner, and it is not programmable, but you can't beat the price.

The full-size Keychron C2 is identical to the C1 but has a built-in number pad, so it takes up more room on a desk.

May be out of stock

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 macro pads—and I chose the cases, switches, and keycaps and then assembled, soldered, and programmed most of them myself. This is too many keyboards! I’ve spent thousands of hours typing on all these different kinds of keyboards and switches to land on some reasonable recommendations for people who need only one keyboard.

Mechanical keyboards, named for the individual mechanical switch under each key, can be 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's very satisfying to customize the size, switches, keycaps, and layout to your exact needs.

Most keyboards suck. Upgrading to a mechanical one might be the right move. Here's how to find the perfect mechanical keyboard for your needs.

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.

Our picks in this guide include full-size keyboards as well as "tenkeyless" models, which are standard-size 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. This guide's picks are aimed at people who primarily type or code, but you can play games on them, too; I’ve logged many hours of Overwatch 2, Deep Rock Galactic, and Raft on our picks.

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 a ton of size, layout, switch, and programmability options, but such keyboards are less readily available, tend to be more expensive, and require more tinkering.

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

Size:

Switch options: We cover all the switch varieties in depth in our introductory 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. And clicky switches feel similar to tactile switches but have an added click sound to match the tactile bump. For people who don't already have a switch preference, we recommend Brown switches made by Cherry, Gateron, or Kailh 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 thin 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 doesn't do that. Cheaper keyboards also tend to have stabilizers that rattle or squeak when you press larger keys such as the spacebar, Backspace, Enter, and Shift, while higher-quality keyboards sound melodious with every keystroke.

Keycaps: Many keyboards come with keycaps made from ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), a lightweight type of plastic that is prone to wear and becomes smooth and shiny with use. Keycaps made of PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) tend to be more durable and develop less shine. You’ll also encounter an assortment of keycap profiles, which define the height and shape of the keycaps in each row. Since half the fun of owning a mechanical keyboard is customizing it to your taste, we like keyboards that are available with a variety of stylish keycap options. You can always buy different keycaps and add them later, though.

Most keyboards available in the US—including our tenkeyless and full-size picks—come with ANSI standard keycaps, and it's easiest to find replacement keycap sets for boards that follow this standard. Keyboards with compact full-size layouts (referred to as 1800 or 96% layouts) have some nonstandard keycap sizes, which makes finding replacement keycap sets trickier. Keycaps are usually described in terms of a "u" width; 1u, for example, is the size of each of the number and alphabet keys on a keyboard, or 18 mm. A 2u key like the Backspace key is twice the size of those 1u keys. Keyboards with 1800 layouts tend to have a 1.75u right Shift key in place of the standard 2.75u right Shift key, a few 1u modifier keys in the bottom row instead of the standard 1.25u size, and a 1u 0 (zero) key on the number pad instead of the standard 2u 0 key.

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

Programmability: Many mechanical keyboards allow you to 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 the 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, a simple, user-friendly option that 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 tends to cost more.

Hot-swap switches: Changing the switches on most mechanical keyboards requires desoldering all the old switches and soldering in new ones. But on a hot-swappable board, you can simply pull the switches out and snap new ones into place. Until recently this feature has been found only on expensive, high-end mechanical keyboards. 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 mechanical keyboard with a tenkeyless or full-size layout, but we’ll keep testing new options until we do. In the meantime, you can find some decent options in the Other good mechanical keyboards section, or consider our wireless compact mechanical keyboard picks.

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 and test any wireless and Bluetooth connections on Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS.

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.

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

*At the time of publishing, the price was $95.

Of the keyboards we’ve tested, the tenkeyless Keychron V3, the 1800-layout Keychron V5, and the full-size Keychron V6 are the most comfortable to type on and offer the most extra features for their reasonable prices. All three models have sturdy cases, durable PBT keycaps, and smooth lubricated stabilizers. In addition, all three boast fancy features typically reserved for more expensive keyboards, including RGB backlighting, hot-swappable switches, and full programmability with the easy-to-use VIA software. The V3, V5, and V6 come with keycaps for Windows and Mac, and you can easily swap between the two operating-system layouts using a switch on the back of each keyboard. But all three models lack a wireless connection, and if you want the optional knob—which controls volume by default but can be customized—you have to pay around $10 more.

We recommend the V3, V5, and V6 with Keychron K Pro Brown switches because they provide a gentle tactile bump without making too much noise for a shared space. But if you prefer, these keyboards are also available with clicky K Pro Blue or linear K Pro Red switches. Our picks also have hot-swap sockets that support both three- and five-pin switches, so you’ll be able to change out the switches for new ones without needing to solder.

Keychron also offers two different cases for each layout, called Carbon Black and Frosted Black (the latter of which looks particularly cool with the RGB backlight). Barebones versions of all three layouts are available too, if you’d prefer to bring your own switches and keycaps. Keychron sells a variety of switches, and I’ve personally had good experiences buying switches from NovelKeys, KBDfans, and 1upkeyboards.

The plastic cases of all three models seem sturdy, don't flex under pressure, and feel great to type on. In our tests, the pre-lubed stabilizers felt smooth and sounded quiet—lower-quality mechanical keyboards, in contrast, have noisy stabilizers that rattle and make the entire keyboard feel cheap. All three versions have a large bezel surrounding the keys; I don't love this design because it causes the keyboard to take up more desk space, and the bottom edge sometimes digs into my palm and thumb, but it doesn't seem to bother other testers who have used these keyboards.

The tenkeyless V3 takes up a bit more room on a desk than other tenkeyless options like the Vortex Multix 87 or the Varmilo VEA87, but it's not unwieldy. The V5 is nearly an inch wider than the V3, but its 1800 layout squeezes in all the same keys as on the much wider, full-size V6. (The V6 is more than 2 inches wider than the V5, and nearly 3 inches wider than the V3.) All three models have a flat profile with a gentle slope, as well as sturdy feet in the back with two height options if you prefer a steeper angle.

The OSA-profile PBT keycaps that come with the V3, V5, and V6 feel smooth—not gritty like many PBT keycaps—and they have a gently cupped shape that feels friendly and comfortable to type on. In our tests, after weeks of typing, they didn't develop any surface wear. The key legends lack shine-through, which means you can see the RGB backlight only around the keys rather than through them.

If you pay close attention to the doubleshot legends, you may notice some inconsistencies in the letter size and spacing. The differences are subtle; most people don't notice them unless they’re pointed out, and even then, some people can't tell that anything is amiss. But if you find that sort of thing bothersome, you may want to consider a different keyboard. The function-row keys have alternate functions printed on them, unlike on our runner-up, the Vortex Multix 87, so one of these Keychron keyboards is a better option if you don't want to memorize what all those keys do.

The tenkeyless V3 and the full-size V6 have standard keycaps, so it’ll be easy to find replacements if you want to change your keyboard's vibe. The 1800-layout V5, in contrast, has nonstandard right Shift, bottom-row, and number-pad keys that you’ll need to look out for if you replace your keycaps. (All three models have south-facing switches, which don't interfere with keycap compatibility.)

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

Like most mechanical keyboards, none of our top picks have a wireless connection. Keychron includes a removable braided USB-C–to–C cable and a USB-C–to–A adapter with each keyboard, but their cases lack cable-management channels. All three models have a USB-C port at the back left—which can be inconvenient if your computer lives to the right of your desk—but the included cable was long enough to reach my distant desktop, so it should be sufficient for most setups. These keyboards also have a convenient switch on the back left to swap between the Windows and Mac layouts, and they come with keycaps for both operating systems, as well as a wire keycap puller, a metal switch puller, a small screwdriver, a hex key, and some spare screws.

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

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

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

We recommend the Vortex Multix 87 if our top picks are unavailable or if you simply prefer the look of this model and don't care about a backlight, full programmability, or a rotary knob. The Multix 87 feels just as delightful to type on as the Keychron V3, thanks to its sturdy case, durable PBT keycaps, and smooth stabilizers. Like our top picks from Keychron, this Vortex keyboard also has hot-swappable switches, works with Windows and Mac, and can easily switch between the two operating-system layouts. However, although you can record macros on the Multix 87, it's not as easy to customize as the VIA-compatible V3. Note, too, that it's available only with a tenkeyless layout; at this writing Vortex does not sell a full-size or 1800 version.

We recommend the Multix 87 with Gateron G Pro Brown switches, though it's also available with linear and clicky switch options if you prefer. Like our top picks, the Multix 87 has hot-swap sockets that support three- and five-pin switches if you don't like the switch options available or if you feel like changing things up. At this writing, no Multix 87 models come with backlighting, but Vortex does offer a small selection of case colors and tasteful keycap options to match your personal style. (The Summer model is one of the cutest keyboards I’ve tested—just look at it!)

Like the V3, V5, and V6, the Multix 87 offers excellent build quality. In our tests, its plastic case didn't flex under pressure, and the silicone sound-dampening pad inside the case subdued any dissonance, leaving only a pleasant, melodious "thock" sound. I don't love the Vortex logo on the case, above the arrow keys, but it's subtle and easy to ignore compared with most ugly company logos I’ve seen slapped on mechanical keyboards.

The Vortex Multix 87 is a bit narrower than the Keychron V3 but is similar in depth and height. Like our top picks, our runner-up has a flat profile with a gentle slope, as well as sturdy feet with two height options to customize the angle.

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

Though the Multix 87 isn't fully programmable like our top picks, it can easily switch between its Windows and Mac layouts and record macros (PDF). You can also switch between the Windows and Mac layouts using Fn + Ins and Fn + Del, respectively. The media keys aren't labeled on the keycaps, but the keyboard comes with a handy cheat sheet so you can memorize them. The Vortex Multix 87 does all the basic keyboard stuff, but if you want a fully programmable keyboard, you’re better off with the Keychron V3.

Vortex includes a removable USB-C–to–A cable, and the Multix 87 has three cable-management channels set into the underside of its case. (Like our top picks from Keychron, this Vortex model lacks wireless capability.) Also in the box, you’ll find a metal switch puller, a wire keycap puller, and a handful of extra keycaps. The Multix 87 doesn't have Windows- and Mac-specific keycaps like our top picks do, but we like that the included keycaps are OS-neutral. The Multix 87's one-year warranty is serviced by MechanicalKeyboards.com if you purchase from that site.

Availability can be an issue with the Multix 87—it may not be in stock with the keycaps or switches you prefer. 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 tenkeyless Keychron C1 offers solid build quality and a satisfying typing experience. Compared with our top pick, its keycaps feel cheaper and will wear out sooner, and it is not programmable, but you can't beat the price.

The full-size Keychron C2 is identical to the C1 but has a built-in number pad, so it takes up more room on a desk.

May be out of stock

If you’re willing to trade some quality and programmability for a lower price, we recommend the tenkeyless Keychron C1 or the full-size Keychron C2. Both models offer solid build quality, provide a satisfying typing experience, and aren't ugly—all uncommon features for keyboards in this price range. They’re also compatible with Windows and Mac, and they come with replacement keycaps for both operating systems. But these budget models have lower-quality ABS keycaps that feel cheaper to type on and will wear out faster than the solid PBT keycaps on our top picks, and the C1 and C2 are not programmable.

Both models are available with Brown, Red, or Blue switches from Keychron and Gateron. 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. But if you’re inclined to spend extra for such features, you’re likely better off getting one of our top picks, the V3, V5, or V6, instead.

The C1 and C2 both offer excellent build quality for keyboards in this price range, even if neither can match the quality of our top picks. In our tests, the plastic case on both models felt solid and didn't flex much under pressure or scoot around on the desk during typing. The stabilizers on the spacebar and modifier keys neither squeaked nor rattled, though they didn't feel as smooth or sound as melodious as the stabilizers in our top picks, the Keychron V series.

The tenkeyless C1 and the full-size C2 are similar in size to our respective top picks, though these budget picks are a bit more compact due to their smaller bezel. The V series and the C series are similar in height, and both sets of keyboards have two feet on the underside if you prefer a steeper slope. We also like the plain black cases of the C1 and C2, which are free of the huge logos and tacky designs endemic to cheap mechanical keyboards. Like our top picks, both of these budget models lack cable-management channels in the underside of the case.

Compared with the substantial PBT keycaps on our top picks, these keyboards’ 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.)

The C1 and C2 aren't fully programmable like the V3, V5, and V6 are, but you can swap the OS keys between the Windows and Mac modes using a toggle on the back. (And you can switch between the included Windows- and Mac-specific keycaps, too.) 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 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 version also comes with a metal tool for changing out the switches.

The Keychron Q0 is the best mechanical number pad we’ve tested, with excellent build quality, RGB, hot-swap, and full programmability.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $89.

If you need a mechanical number pad, we recommend the Keychron Q0. It has all the same features as our keyboard picks—durable PBT keycaps, smooth stabilizers, RGB backlighting, hot-swap switches, and full programmability—plus a higher-quality aluminum case. The ability to fully customize the Q0 through the VIA software is a huge boon, as not only can this device function as a number pad, but you can also set it up as a macro pad of shortcuts you use frequently. And it works on both Windows and Mac, which isn't true of all the number pads we tested. (The Leopold FC210TP's alt functions don't work on macOS, and the Varmilo VA21M didn't work at all when we tested it on Monterey.)

The Q0's major downside is its price—packing all those features into a macro pad in an aluminum case is expensive, and it costs about as much as a whole keyboard. I’m holding out hope that Keychron will release a less expensive V0 number pad similar to our top-pick keyboards, but until then, the Q0 is the best option we’ve tested. If you need a cheaper, non-mechanical number pad, we recommend the Microsoft Number Pad.

If our top pick and runner-up aren't available, the next best options are the Varmilo VEA87 and Varmilo VEA87 Mac (sometimes listed as the VA series V2). These keyboards are the successors to our former top picks, the VA87M and its Mac variant, and they retain those models’ superb build quality and typing experience, wide variety of keycap options, and durable PBT keycaps. Varmilo has updated the new models with USB-C connections, and you can now swap between the Windows and Mac modes using the shortcuts Fn + W and Fn + A. We also like that the included keycaps feel smoother and less scritchy than the previous generation, without feeling cheap or thin. We don't recommend the VEA87 or VEA87 Mac over our new top picks from Keychron because they still lack hot-swap and aren't fully programmable, but they remain excellent keyboards.

If you want a wireless mechanical keyboard with a tenkeyless layout, we recommend the Keychron K8 Pro. (Wireless connections are more common in compact mechanical keyboards, and we have additional wireless picks in that guide.) The K8 Pro can connect to and switch between three devices via Bluetooth, and it has a wired USB-C connection, too. But compared with the Keychron V3, the K8 Pro is quite a bit taller—which some people may find uncomfortable—and its included cable is too short for some desk setups, though that's easily remedied with a $6 extension cable.

Like our top picks, the K8 Pro feels enjoyable to type on thanks to its solid build quality, PBT keycaps, and smooth, quiet stabilizers. (We’ve tested both the metal-case and plastic-case versions of the K8 Pro, and the plastic version feels just as nice to type on. It's typically a bit cheaper, too.) It also supports hot-swap, comes with keycaps and a convenient switch to change between the Windows and Mac modes, and is fully programmable in VIA.

If you want a keyboard with RGB backlighting, macro support, and other gaming-specific features, we recommend the HyperX Alloy Origins Core PBT. Any of our picks can work for gaming—and our top picks offer RGB backlighting and full programmability, too—but if you’re looking for a "gaming keyboard" in particular, this one can't be beat. (Avoid the non-PBT version of the Alloy Origins Core, which has thinner, ABS keycaps that feel and sound cheaper and will wear out much faster.)

The Alloy Origins Core PBT is 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. This keyboard falls short of our picks in build quality—its spacebar and modifier keys rattle—but even so, it has better build quality and software than the other gaming keyboards we tested.

At the CES 2023 trade show, Cooler Master announced the MK770, a wireless 96% keyboard with hot-swappable switches. The company has not shared pricing or availability for this model.

Keychron has announced the Q1 Pro, a version of its high-end Q series with the addition of a wireless connection. We’re testing the Q1 Pro for our compact mechanical keyboards guide, and we’re waiting for the company to release tenkeyless, 1800, and full-size versions so that we can test them as upgrade picks with Bluetooth for this guide.

The Keychron Q3 has the same features as our top pick and feels smooth and pleasant to type on. But it lacks wireless support, so aside from its (extremely heavy) metal case, you’re not getting much more than what the V series offers for around $100 less. We’re also wary of Keychron's limited warranty for these expensive Q-series models—if you have an issue, the company will not send you a replacement keyboard, they’ll only provide replacement parts that you have to install yourself. In our experience, it was frustrating to open up the keyboard, replace parts, and reassemble it only to discover that our issue wasn't fixed.

The Varmilo VA87M and VA87M Mac were our previous top picks, but we don't recommend them over the newer VEA87, which Varmilo has updated with USB-C, more comfortable keycaps, and a shortcut to swap between the Windows and Mac layouts.

Our previous runner-up was the Leopold FC750R. It still feels great to type on, but our new picks feel even better and offer additional features such as RGB, hot-swap, and full programmability for less money.

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

Offering the addition of hot-swap and USB-C, the Ducky One 3 TKL is the successor to the Ducky One 2 TKL. But the One 3 is even worse to program media keys and other macros on—it 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, so we don't recommend this model.

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

Our previous upgrade pick, the Drop Ctrl, allows you to create a negative slope without a separate keyboard tray by using two metal feet that magnetically connect to the front or back of the case's underside. But the Ctrl is trickier to program compared with the VIA-compatible Keychron Q3, and its stabilizers don't feel as smooth. 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 Q3 is a better option for the price, unless you require a flat or negative slope.

Drop's Expression keyboards lack hot-swap and have limited switch options, and the unit we tested scooted around easily on my desk. We like the stylish keycap options, but because they’re ABS plastic, they’ll wear faster than the PBT keycaps on our top picks and runner-up. These keyboards are also expensive.

Drop's Signature keyboards, which are even pricier than the Expression line, have solid-feeling metal cases, hot-swap, and a fun RGB light bar around the edge of the case. But the included switches feel scritchy, many of the keycaps are ABS, and there's no option for a rotary knob. The Keychron Q3 offers all of those features for a lower price and provides a better typing experience.

The WASD Code V3 and WASD V3 have ABS and PBT keycap options that are of lower quality than the keycaps that accompany our picks, and the Costar stabilizers in these models make it harder to swap keycaps. The cable-management channels on the underside of these WASD keyboards are also too narrow for the included USB-C cable and any of the others we tried—I struggled and failed to route the cable, though I 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.)

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

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

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

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

The 1800 layout Keychron Q5 and full-size Keychron Q6 are identical in features, build quality, and disappointing warranty to the tenkeyless Keychron Q3.

Our former full-size keyboard pick, the Leopold FC900R, is nearly identical to the Leopold FC750R. It, too, lacks newer features like RGB, hot-swap, and full programmability.

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

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

The Epomaker SK87 (and its wireless counterpart, the SK87S) is more expensive than our budget picks, its keycaps look and feel cheap, and its case has a conspicuous logo on the front.

Compared with the Keychron C1 and C2, the iKBC TypeMan CD87 V2 and iKBC TypeMan CD108 V2 offer higher-quality PBT keycaps but cost more. They’re larger, too, and they have nonremovable cables. On top of that, they lack labeled media keys, Mac-specific keycaps, and a backlight.

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 full-size Logitech K845 has stabilizers that rattle more than those of the Keychron C1 and C2, 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.

The tenkeyless Logitech G713 and Logitech G715 Wireless have gritty-feeling switches, rattly stabilizers, and limited programmability for their comparatively high price tags. Our top picks from Keychron and our runner-up from Vortex offer a better typing experience and cost less—and in my opinion, the Vortex Multix 87 is even cuter than these Logitech models, though it lacks RGB. The Keychron K8 Pro is a superior wireless option.

The Cooler Master CK530 v2 is available with tactile, linear, or clicky TTC switches. Its large case feels cheap, and its cable is nonremovable.

We tested both the wired and wireless versions of the Steelseries Apex Pro TKL. Both models have smooth, not-rattly stabilizers, a cool OLED display, and Omnipoint switches that allow you to customize their actuation point. (In theory, the higher the actuation point, the sooner your actions register in a game.) The Apex Pro was easy to set up and use, but I didn't notice a significant difference in my Overwatch 2 performance in comparison with our top picks. Both Steelseries models also cost relatively more and have cheap-feeling ABS keycaps, and the wired version has a clunky, nonremovable cable.

Equipped with Roccat-branded tactile or 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.

The full-size Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro isn't available with tactile switches, comes with ABS keycaps, and costs $230. At this writing, there is no tenkeyless version of the BlackWidow V4.

The Razer Huntsman V2 and Razer Huntsman V2 TKL aren't available with tactile switches and are expensive for keyboards that lack hot-swap.

The full-size Corsair K70 RGB Pro costs nearly twice as much as our full-size pick, the Keychron V6, and it has unpleasant, rattly stabilizers and lacks hot-swap.

The Logitech G413 TKL SE costs more than our budget picks and is available only with tactile switches. Its cable isn't removable.

The Logitech G915 TKL is expensive, and its cheap, brittle keycaps are not easily replaceable.

The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL, another model that costs more than the HyperX Alloy Origins Core PBT, has a nonremovable cable and stands taller than the other options we tested.

Although the Logitech G Pro X has hot-swappable switches, 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.

The Cooler Master MK730, the Fnatic miniStreak, and the Razer BlackWidow Lite have been discontinued or are no longer available with our recommended switch types.

The tenkeyless Leopold FC750RBT and full-size FC900RBT are mostly identical to the Leopold FC750R and FC900R with the addition of a Bluetooth connection. The Keychron K8 Pro provides a better typing experience, as well as hot-swap, full programmability, and RGB, for a lower price.

The Varmilo VED87 offers excellent build quality and comfortable PBT keycaps, but we struggled to pair devices via Bluetooth, and the Keychron K8 Pro has more features and costs less.

Both the iKBC TypeMan W200 and the full-size iKBC 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 excellent build quality and a reliable wireless connection, but in our tests it emitted an annoying pinging noise with every keystroke.

The Keychron K8—not to be confused with the Keychron K8 Pro—is dealbreakingly tall in the front and uncomfortable to type 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 I used this keyboard for a couple of weeks, my 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.

The Leopold FC210TP offers stellar build quality, sturdy PBT keycaps, and a gentle, comfortable slope. But its cable is built in, not removable, and although its number keys work on Mac, its alt functions do not. The FC210TP also lacks features in comparison with the Keychron Q0, which has RGB backlighting and hot-swap and can be fully reprogrammed.

The Varmilo VA21M is extremely tall—enough to force wrist extension—so we don't recommend it over other numpad options. It also didn't work at all when we tested it on macOS Monterey.

This article was edited by Caitlin McGarry and Arthur Gies.

Keycap Profiles, Keycaps.info

Switch List, Keybumps

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

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

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

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

A lesson in Keycaps, Originative Co.

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

Kimber Streams

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

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