By definition, a mechanical keyboard is a keyboard that uses an individual spring and mechanical switch under each key. While older users may have fond memories of the classic buckling-spring switches on their IBM Model M keyboards, today’s mechanical keyboards come in dozens of different flavors, with a variety of key switches that suit just about every occasion and preference, whether you’re playing a hectic FPS, writing the next great American novel, or manipulating numbers in a spreadsheet.
The springiness, the satisfying “click clack” with every key press…a mechanical keyboard should have it all. And that’s what our selection below—of the best mechanical keyboards we’ve tested—reflects, with our top choices for gaming, office use, budget buyers, ergonomics, and more. Read on for our favorites, followed by a deep-dive guide to how to choose the right board for you.
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More About Our Picks
Best Overall Mechanical Keyboard
Bottom Line:
In the Pro Type Ultra, Razer improves its premier productivity keyboard with max-speed switches and more wireless battery life to create what’s among the best non-ergonomic keyboards available.
Pros
- Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless
- Controls up to four devices
- Extremely comfortable for fast typing
- As quiet as a mechanical keyboard gets
- Bright backlight
- Cushioned wrist rest
Cons
- Pricey, as befits a wireless mechanical board
- Synapse 3 software requires registration, contains ads
- Windows only, not macOS
Why We Picked It
You might recognize the Razer Pro Type Ultra if you’ve checked out our best keyboard roundup, but there’s no denying the Razer Pro Type Ultra is an excellent pick for mechanical keyboard users and enthusiasts. The keyboard’s white paint job looks gorgeous on just about any tabletop, and once you put it to use, you’ll quickly understand why it’s our top pick. Razer Yellow switches, the company’s fastest and quietest, deliver a satisfying linear typing feel. Meanwhile, its sculpted soft-touch keys, hinged feet, and wrist rest provide ample comfort.
Who It’s For
For just about anyone! If you’re looking for a mechanical keyboard that fits just about every use case, then you won’t go wrong with the Razer Pro Type Ultra. It’s a great crossover keyboard for folks who need to project a clean-looking professional desktop by day, and get down and dirty with gaming at night.
Drop ENTR Mechanical Keyboard
Best Budget Mechanical Keyboard
Bottom Line:
The Drop ENTR is a simple mechanical keyboard, but its premium build makes it feel like so much more. Even better, its sub-$100 price means that you won’t spend an extraordinary amount of money for an excellent typing experience.
Pros
- Compact design
- Incredible build quality
- Gatreon Yellow switches
- Detachable USB-C cable
Cons
- No configuration software
Why We Picked It
Who says you have to spend top dollar for a mechanical keyboard? Drop delivers one of our favorite mechanical keyboards for less than $100—and who can say no to that? A sleek, compact tenkeyless design complimented by Gateron Yellow key switches make the Drop ENTR the perfect entry-level mechanical keyboard for those looking to dip their fingertips into the key switch pool and see what the hype is all about.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking for an entry-level mechanical keyboard or just an excellent compact keyboard on the affordable end of the spectrum, you won’t go wrong with the Drop ENTR.
Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT
Best Mechanical Keyboard for Gaming
Bottom Line:
With a modest update, Corsair’s K95 RGB Platinum XT turns one of the best gaming keyboards into an obvious go-to for video streamers.
Pros
- Same great K95 Platinum design and features.
- Elgato Stream Deck support.
- More onboard profiles.
- New and improved wrist rest.
- PBT doubleshot keycaps.
Cons
- Not an enormous upgrade over the previous K95 Platinum.
Why We Picked It
The RGB, the macros, the volume roller! The Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT Gaming Keyboard is a mouthful of a name, but more important, it’s a monster of a board. Outfitted with a choice of classic Cherry MX key switches, the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT features a fantastic design and tons of great features, including Elgato Stream Deck support. Sure, you might not need all of these bells and whistles, but hardcore gamers and streamers will appreciate the K95’s bevy of functions.
Who It’s For
For hardcore gamers, streamers, or those who have the money to spend on a premium product, the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT delivers a state-of-the-art gaming and typing experience.
MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic Mechanical Keyboard
Best Value Mechanical Keyboard for Gaming
Bottom Line:
Casual and hardcore gamers alike will find lots to love in MSI’s GK71 Sonic Mechanical Keyboard. Sensitive keys, a compact design, and cleverly implemented RGB lighting set it apart.
Pros
- Impressive RGB lighting
- Quiet operation
- Light-touch keycaps
- Nifty volume roller
- Wrist rest and keycap puller included
- Cable routing helps keep cords tidy
Cons
- Wrist rest is not magnetic
- No dedicated macro buttons
- No USB passthrough
- Ambient Link LED option is limited to a handful of games
Why We Picked It
Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you deserve to be condemned to the sparest of feature-deprived mechanical keyboards. There are plenty of diamonds in the rough in the keyboard market if you look (and by “rough,” we mean roughly the $100 range). Making use of MSI’s own Sonic Red key switches, the GK71 keyboard provides a silent light touch, which feels great—especially when tapping the same key repeatedly. Aside from the excellent keys, the GK71 comes with a wrist rest and a keycap puller, a volume roller, dedicated media buttons, and some very nice RGB lighting. It’s a deluxe feature set for a moderate price.
Who It’s For
You might be able to find mechanical keyboards for even cheaper than the MSI GK71’s asking price, but probably, most will lack the feature set and quality of life add-ons that this keyboard enjoys. For those looking to save a buck, the MSI GK71 Sonic provides everything a gamer needs at a good price.
Best Mechanical Keyboard for Esports
Bottom Line:
The Corsair K70 RGB Pro is a high-end gaming keyboard that offers a variety of mechanical switch options in a solidly built case, making it an excellent choice for deep-pocketed esports gamers seeking a competitive edge.
Pros
- Solidly built
- Dedicated media keys
- Volume roller
- Detachable, braided USB cable
- Per-key RGB backlighting
- Up to 8,000Hz refresh rate
Cons
- Expensive
- “Hyper-polling” differences hard to detect
Why We Picked It
The Corsair K70 shares a lot with the feature-rich K95 XT above, including its quality build and feature set. But what makes this keyboard a true “Pro” is its Cherry key switches (which come in MX Red, MX Blue, and MX Silver choices) and its tournament switch. The latter disables custom actions and macros to prevent accidental activation, changes the backlighting to a static single color to reduce distraction, and disables profiles or profile switching. All are features that are sure to put a smile on the faces of competitive players.
Who It’s For
For professional gamers or pros-to-be looking for a finely tuned keyboard that’ll serve them well on any battleground, the Corsair K70 delivers. It’s great for casuals, too!
Asus ROG Claymore II Wireless Keyboard
Best Wireless Mechanical Keyboard
Bottom Line:
Asus’ revised wireless mechanical ambidextrous gaming keyboard is full of upgrades and ready for the spotlight.
Pros
- Wireless and mechanical
- Number pad can attach to either side of the keyboard
- Four dedicated macro keys
- Perfectly light ROG RX opto-mechanical switches
- Detachable wrist rest
Cons
- Number pad doesn’t always feel secure
- Removable end caps for keyboard and number pad are easily lost
- USB passthrough only works in wired mode
- Very expensive
Why We Picked It
Asus’ revised wireless keyboard impresses us with its sharp design, detachable number pad, and RGB lighting. (The number pad, which can be repositioned on the left or right side of the board, makes this model a rare “ambidextrous” keyboard.) And with its 144 hours of battery life on a single charge, expect to get a lot of use out of this board before you reach for the included USB-C cord. With macros, volume rollers, Asus’ own brand of Cherry-like switches, and even a USB passthrough, the Asus ROG Claymore II has more than its fair share of conventional cool features, plus a few uncommon ones. Lefties, line up!
Who It’s For
Really, it’s good for both lefties and righties. If you’re eager to cut the cord without losing any functionality, the Asus ROG Claymore II is an easy recommendation. Expect a quality typing feel, deep functions, and plenty of battery to ensure hours of cordless freedom.
Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB Split Gaming Keyboard
Best Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboard
Bottom Line:
In the Freestyle Edge RGB, Kinesis brings best-in-class ergonomics to the gaming-keyboard scene for players serious about minding their wrists and hands in the course of their gaming endurathons.
Pros
- True Cherry MX switches in a choice of three varieties.
- Comfortable ergonomic design, once you’re accustomed to it.
- Superb, plush wrist rest.
- Per-key customizable RGB lighting.
Cons
- Driverless SmartSet app is more work than we’d like.
- Optional “lift kit” costs extra.
- Steep learning curve.
Why We Picked It
Ergonomics are important for any board, whether you’re gaming or working a spreadsheet, but the Kinesis Freestyle Edge is still one of our favorite mechanical keyboards thanks to its best-in-class ergonomics. I mean, look at the thing! Split the keyboard right down the middle for added comfort and even use the inverted optional lift kit to create an inverted-V, if you’re into that kind of thing. It takes some time to get used to, for sure, but your hands and wrists will thank you once they get a load of the plush wrist rest and Cherry MX keys.
Who It’s For
Great for gaming or general productivity, the Kinesis Freestyle Edge’s out-there design makes for an impressive and unmatched ergonomic mechanical keyboard.
Read Our Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB Split Gaming Keyboard Review
Best Mechanical Keyboard for the Office
Bottom Line:
The Das Keyboard 4C TKL is a premium mechanical keyboard that delivers a comfortable, versatile typing experience and saves space by dropping the number pad.
Pros
- High-quality build
- Space-saving tenkeyless design
- Responsive Cherry MX Brown mechanical key switches
- USB passthrough
Cons
- No key backlighting
- A little pricey for the feature set
Why We Picked It
Sure, your office setup probably has a basic keyboard, but if you wanna step up your productivity and comfort, the Das Keyboard 4C TKL is right for you. While it rids itself of the number pad, it comes with responsive Cherry Brown MX keys, a high-quality build, and even a USB passthrough for additional peripherals. And while there’s no backlighting, we imagine this won’t be too much of an issue when you’re in a well-lit office space.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking for a new office mechanical keyboard and you’re willing to pay a bit of a premium, the Das Keyboard 4C TKL might be right up your alley. Be the envy of your co-workers with this effective, high-quality keyboard.
Best Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard
Bottom Line:
NZXT’s Function Mini TKL manages to shrink a tenkeyless keyboard down even further without losing any functionality.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Lots of customization options
- Gorgeous keys and design including volume roller
- Well-designed software
Cons
- No wrist rest
- Few RGB presets
Why We Picked It
The NZXT Function Mini TKL comes up on our list because it’s such a compact device. Packing all the features of a tenkeyless board into such a small form factor is impressive enough, but potential buyers will have access to NZXT’s customization service, which offers tons of different key switches, colors, and even color accents. It looks great, and it performs even better.
Who It’s For
For those who like to accessorize and those who want to compartmentalize. The NZXT Function Mini TKL should appeal to those looking for a compact board with everything you’d expect from a tenkeyless board.
Fnatic Streak65 Gaming Keyboard
Best 65% Mechanical Keyboard
Bottom Line:
The Fnatic Streak65 has nearly everything that you’d want in a compact keyboard, including a top-tier typing feel, lightweight body, macro keys, and marked keycaps.
Pros
- Compact, 60-percent design
- Comfortable, low-profile switches
- Four dedicated macro keys
- Marked keycaps indicate essential function shortcuts
Cons
- Limited customization options
- Tightly packed keys
Why We Picked It
Some folks don’t have the space for a full-size keyboard or would prefer to consolidate their shortcuts in as few keystrokes as possible. Whatever the reason, so-called “65%” keyboards trim the fat off the keyboard to just the basics—and nothing beats our favorite 65% keyboard, the Fnatic Streak65. It features comfortable, low-profile switches; dedicated macro buttons; and concave keycaps that help reduce the learning curve that comes from typing on a smaller board. If a smaller keyboard is what you want, the Streak65 is an optimal choice.
Who It’s For
With just enough room for additional macros, the Fnatic Streak65 is a great choice for gamers looking for a compact mechanical keyboard they can take just about anywhere (or fit on any crowded desk).
Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless
Best 60% Mechanical Keyboard
Bottom Line:
The feature-rich Corsair K70 RGB Pro Mini Wireless is a stunner and one of the finest 60% keyboards we’ve seen.
Pros
- Excellent RGB implementation
- Hot-swappable key switches
- Included key cap and key switch puller
- Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connection options
- Compact and lightweight
- Can create up to 50 user profiles via Corsair iCue app
Cons
- Expensive
- 8,000Hz polling maximum may be overkill
Why We Picked It
If 65% mechanical keyboards are still too large for your typing pleasure, a 60% keyboard might be just what the doctor ordered, and we can’t help but prescribe the Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless. With a whopping 50 profiles via the iCue App, hot-swappable key switches, multiple wireless connections, and gorgeous RGB implementation, the lightweight K70 Pro Mini Wireless is an immediate winner.
Who It’s For
The Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless is a perfect fit for gamers with extremely limited space desk space, or who are constantly on the go and want to keep an elite keyboard close by. Yes, the price is somewhat high, but with the tiniest form factor you can find in a keyboard, the Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless still packs a lot of function in a small package.
Drop Shift Mechanical Keyboard
Best Customizable Mechanical Keyboard
Bottom Line:
The Drop Shift mechanical keyboard is an inventive full-size keyboard that feels great to type on, but its price and configuration options make it a niche pick.
Pros
- Unique design squeezes a full-size keyboard into a compact package
- Incredible build quality
- Halo True Switches
- Magnetic feet that allow for standard and reverse tilt
Cons
- Web-based configuration app is hard to use
- Expensive
Why We Picked It
Keyboard nerds should be well acquainted with Drop, the keyboard-component and custom-keycap maker that also happens to make exceptional keyboards. The Drop Shift Mechanical Keyboard is its enthusiast model. Drop’s luxurious Halo True switches provide an amazing typing feel, while its unique design manages to squeeze a full-size keyboard into a more compact package. It comes with a hefty price, but considering the quality and ease of customization, it’s a no-brainer for those looking for top-shelf components.
Who It’s For
It’s an expensive keyboard, but keyboard enthusiasts looking for the best of the best for all their typing needs will love the Drop Shift Mechanical Keyboard.
Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard
Best Mechanical Keyboard for Mac
Bottom Line:
Logitech finally serves up office workers a mechanical keyboard from its own stable. The wireless, low-profile MX Mechanical is a winner, offered in two sizes with three switch types.
Pros
- Full-size and tenkeyless models available
- Excellent, not-too-noisy typing feel
- Attractive backlighting
- Choice of three switch types
- Handy setup software
Cons
- Dull, dark appearance
- Impractical emoji key
- No wrist rest
- No macro programming
Why We Picked It
Mac users tend to look to Apple for their accessories, but they’ll quickly learn that there are plenty of premium alternatives like the Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard. Its gray-on-gray aesthetic might not be the most exciting, but it’s an excellent keyboard with quiet keys, attractive backlighting, and, most important—software that is compatible with macOS, something that is still not as common as you’d imagine. It could use a price cut, but depending on where you shop, it’s still probably less expensive than the Apple Magic Keyboard With Touch ID.
Who It’s For
Mac-ready mechanical-keyboard options may not be as robust as those on a Windows PC, but they exist. Mac users looking for a mechanical keyboard don’t have to look much further than the Logitech MX.
Mechanical Keyboards 101: How to Buy the Right Model
If you’re a computer user of, shall we say, “a certain age,” you remember a time when a room-filling cacophony of clicking was synonymous with typing as words appeared…uh, on a sheet of paper. Typewriters were, in a sense, the original mechanical keyboard, and generations of 20th-century office workers and aspiring novelists honed their typing chops on them. But as the hardy, ribbon-based machines gave way to computers, a different kind of mechanical keyboard came to the fore: the battlewagon keyboards of the early days of computing. And they were beasts. They used keys that clicked and rattled, and many of them felt like they would last forever. (Indeed, some of them are still in service.)
That’s the appeal of today’s mechanical computer keyboards: They feel like products built for the ages, in these days of disposable tech. Even throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, mechanical keyboards were as common a part of computer setups as floppy disk drives—because the people who were creating and using them knew what typing could, and should, be. Sadly, with the explosion of the home PC market in the 1990s and into the early 2000s, sturdy mechanical boards fell out of favor, as manufacturers looked for cheap, mass-market ways of getting tens of millions of people on their machines and online. Typing, that most basic of computing activities, became something you and your fingers had to endure, not enjoy, on subpar gear.
(Credit: Mike Epstein)
Luckily, the keyboard-quality pendulum has swung back in the other direction over the last decade. Mechanical keyboards are once again popular alternatives to the bundled cheapies. They cost more, but they are far more rugged than a run-of-the-mill model. And keyboard makers now make them in lots of flavors to serve most major subclasses of buyers: productivity-minded users (with plain models), gamers (with keyboards replete with LED bling and macro features), ergonomically minded folks, and more.
A mechanical keyboard is a bit of an investment, though, so here’s what you need to know in order to make the right choice.
Is a Mechanical Keyboard Really Worth It?
First and foremost, the thing that defines a mechanical keyboard is the key switch it uses. Most budget keyboards today use dome-switch technology, which registers a keypress when you type and push down a silicone dome and connect two circuit-board traces. (This technology is also sometimes referred to as “membrane switch” or “rubber dome,” with minor variations in the essential design.) Though this style is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, pressing the keys requires a relatively large amount of force, which can result in a heavy, mushy feel to the fingers and a lack of either tactile or auditory feedback when you type. Plus, after a fairly “short” time (five million keystrokes, give or take), the domes can lose their springiness or stop working altogether. So, you’ll probably have to replace the keyboard at least once or twice over the life of the computer that you use it with.
(Credit: Mike Epstein)
Mechanical switches, by contrast, get rid of the silicone altogether. Pressing down on the key activates a real, physical switch, usually involving a spring as the pushback mechanism, that registers what you type. Because the parts used are much more substantial than those in dome-switch keyboards, mechanical keyboards typically have a much longer life span. (Many boast ratings of 50 million keystrokes or more per switch, and may well outlast the first—or fifth!—computer you use them with.) The typing feedback also creates a more direct relationship between your fingers and what appears on the screen. Because of the hardware involved, mechanical keyboards tend to be thicker, heavier, and more expensive than their dome-switch counterparts. They are more of an investment, but one that will pay off in sheer satisfaction if the quality of typing really matters to you.
(Credit: Mike Epstein)
When shopping for a mechanical keyboard, you will want to pay attention, above all else, to the kind of switch it uses, and whether it offers auditory feedback (in other words, a click you can hear) or tactile feedback (a “bump” you can feel), or both. Also important is the amount of pressure that the switches require to activate (the “actuation force”). That will greatly affect its functionality and the possibility of finger fatigue.
Cherry MX Switches: What Color Is Best for a Mechanical Keyboard?
The best known and most frequently encountered mechanical key switches come from a company called Cherry Industrial. These “Cherry MX” switches come in a range of styles that offer different operation and feedback to better match with your own personal preference, and the work or play you plan to do most on them. (Note that most have an actuation point of 2mm.)
The different types of Cherry MX keys are named for colors. This rundown of the most common Cherry switches will help you better match what you need with the mechanical keyboards you can buy. Keep in mind that some keyboard makers use switches of a similar style, made by companies other than Cherry. But most manufacturers maintain the same basic “color” scheme and related traits to help keep confusion down. (So, for example, Cherry MX Blue switches, and Blue-“style” switches from other makers, both tend to be clicky.) Razer is a big exception, and largely does its own thing, with its own color-scheme names for its proprietary Razer key switches.
Cherry MX Blue
A close approximation of the old-school buckling-spring switch (see below), but with a new-style mechanism, Cherry MX Blue switches are both tactile and clicky. With Blue switches, you feel as well as hear the completion of a keystroke (via a bump when it activates, and a distinct click). These switches are ideal for serious typists (many of whom insist that the switches deliver a turbocharging bounce you can’t get anywhere else), but they are not best for gaming applications, as they have a rather higher actuation force (50 centi-Newtons, or cN) than you might prefer for a fast-twitch gun battle.
Another potential downside of the Blues: Some people find the keys’ audible click quite loud (and possibly, annoying), which may cause problems in close quarters, whether at the office or at home. An office full of Cherry MX Blue keyboards will sound suspiciously like a big-city newsroom, circa 1935.
Cherry MX Black
With the highest actuation force of the standard Cherry varieties (60cN), the Cherry MX Black switch can come across as stiff. This type is thus less suitable for the kind of nimble key work most speed and touch typists depend on, and fast-fingered gamers tend to shun it. But this makes Black an excellent switch for cases where precision is paramount: entering mission-critical data (say, for an accountant or at a point-of-sale terminal) or for certain kinds of more deliberate gaming, as you will seldom have to worry about accidentally striking a key twice. Cherry MX Black switches are also neither tactile nor clicky.
Cherry MX Red
Similar to MX Black, Cherry MX Red switches lack both tactile and auditory feedback. But they have a lower actuation force (45cN), so they can be hit more quickly and more often, giving you the edge in any game demanding ultra-quick input. MX Red keyboards tend to be favored by gamers who play games that require fast-twitch actions. These same qualities, however, keep them from being a good choice if typing is your primary activity, as they make it easier to register more keystrokes than you intend or to trigger typos on a slightly stray stroke. Certain highly precise typists, though, will appreciate their light touch.
Cherry MX Brown
If you spend about as much time scribing emails and Word documents as you do mowing down charging zombies in first-person shooters, the Cherry MX Brown switch may be for you. Its 45cN actuation force is identical to what you get from the Red switch and, like it, the switch isn’t clicky, but it gives you the same typing-boosting tactile bump you get from Blue. It’s often cited as a good balance for gaming and typing between the clicky MX Blues and the “fast” MX Reds.
Cherry MX Speed Silver
Much like MX Reds, Cherry MX Speed Silvers demand the same 45cN actuation force, albeit with a shorter actuation point of just 1.2mm. (Reds have a 2mm actuation point.) The total travel distance is shorter too, at 3.4mm as opposed to the 4mm travel distance of the Cherry MX Reds. Having to press down less of a distance contributes to these switches’ namesake trait: speed. As a result, the delay between pressing down a key and performing an action is kept to a minimum, making Speed Silvers a refreshed favorite for gamers.
(Credit: Mike Epstein)
Other Cherry MX Switches
The above switches are the kinds you’re most likely to find in a keyboard you purchase today, but Cherry’s rainbow does extend a bit further, to a few much less common types. Cherry Clear switches are tactile like Brown, but possess a higher actuation force; Green switches can be considered stiff Blues, both tactile and clicky; and White switches are quieter Greens. Several other types have specialized uses (such as just for space bars), but they will seldom be identified as such on any package or marketing material.
Non-Cherry Mechanicals: Who Else Makes Key Switches (and Are They Any Good)?
A number of companies make switches that either mimic or try to improve on the Cherry MX switch functionality. Some gaming-keyboard switches, for example, have shorter actuation points to register your keypress action more quickly. Razer, for one, recently developed a hybrid “Mecha-Membrane” variety that uses mechanical means to activate a silicone dome switch. We’ve seen this used in the likes of the Ornata Chroma, as well as in the Cynosa Chroma and its underglow-laden twin, the Cynosa Chroma Pro. But we’d consider these spinoffs as opposed to true mechanicals. (Cooler Master and SteelSeries have offered similar “hybrid” switches.)
(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)
Razer also offers true mechanical switches, known as Razer Green (tactile and clicky), Razer Orange (tactile and silent), and Razer Yellow (linear and silent). Here’s where one vendor goes off the color rails: The Razer Greens are most similar to Cherry MX Blue switches, Razer Oranges are closest to Cherry MX Browns, while Razer Yellows are congruent to Cherry MX Reds. Razer key switches exhibit unique travel distances and actuation points, too: Greens and Oranges are 4mm deep and actuate at 1.9mm, and Yellows are 3.5mm deep and actuate at 1.2mm. You’ll want to try these before you buy as they are a world of their own.
Logitech’s mechanical keyboards, on the other hand, have become increasingly popular for their homebrew Romer-G switches. These come in both Tactile and Linear flavors and are rated for a whopping 70 million keystrokes. Romer-G switches are outfitted with an actuation distance between that of the Cherry MX Reds and Silvers, and they require the same 45cN force to actuate. Furthermore, Logitech now posits GX Blue switches as an alternative to Cherry MX Blues.
Recommended by Our Editors
None of these has become quite as popular or as widespread as the Cherry MX switches, though, so for the most part they’re not worth discussing in depth. If you come across a keyboard brand using an unfamiliar switch type, try to determine both its actuation force (explained above) and its actuation point (at which depth of the keypress what you type is registered). Compare these values with those of the Cherry switches, and you should get an idea of what you’re in for. Trying them in person is also recommended; we’ve tried imitation Blue, Brown, and other switches, and noted some subtle and not-so-subtle differences in feel from the Cherry standard. One major, common maker of Cherry-like key switches is Kaihua Electronics, better known by its subsidiary brand, Kailh(Opens in a new window). Kailh switches are often used in lower-cost mechanical models, and indeed, if you yank a keycap off a late-model mechanical keyboard and don’t see the word “Cherry” on the switch, “Kailh” is the next most likely branding you might see.
One of the most unusual switches you can find is, in fact, a quintessential mechanical example. The buckling-spring switch was used in the now-legendary IBM Model M keyboards that made such an impact in the 1980s—some of which are still in use today. It can still be found in keyboards from Unicomp, the company that acquired the manufacturing rights to it. (The Unicomp Ultra Classic definitely lives up to its name.) Buckling-spring keyboards use a genuine spring to activate the switch; when it bends in the middle as you press it, it causes tactile and aural feedback (the latter from the spring hitting the sidewall of the switch enclosure). Keyboards using this style of switch are rare these days, but they’re prized for their unparalleled typing capability and psychological satisfaction.
What Are the Major Features of Mechanical Keyboards to Look For?
Their switches aside, mechanical keyboards have the same feature considerations as other kinds of keyboards. You may want key backlighting, whether of one color or an entire spectrum you can program at your whim. (“Per-key” RGB backlighting, in which you can program each key across the whole RGB spectrum, is the ne plus ultra of key backlighting, but it adds to the cost. See our favorite RGB keyboards.) Multimedia controls, whether they’re activated by pushing separate buttons or using a Function key to access a secondary ability on one of the standard keys, can make it easy to adjust volume or move backward and forward in your track list while playing music.
(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)
Look for convenience features such as a volume dial or roller. (Corsair is well known for nifty volume rollers on some of its high-end mechanical boards, but other makers have adopted them, too.) And dedicated macro buttons can be a real boon for gamers, saving you the trouble of executing tricky key combinations or menu manipulations every time you want to perform a common action.
Most mainstream and gaming models offer a 10-key numeric pad, which laptops frequently lack and is a necessity for anyone who needs to tally numbers or enter data into a spreadsheet. So-called “tenkeyless” models slice off the numeric pad in the interest of space savings and keeping your typing and mousing hands closer together. Bear that in mind if you’re looking at gaming keyboards, as tenkeyless models are a recent trend, especially in that subclass. If you want to go even smaller, so-called “60%” keyboards eliminate even more keys. Check out our 60% keyboard guide for everything you need to know about the category.
Mechanical keyboards can be particularly well suited to use with Macs. Many come with Mac-compatible configuration software, and you can even pop the keys off some models and replace them with Mac-specific keys such as Command and Option. Our roundup of the best keyboards for Macs gets into those details.
So, Which Mechanical Keyboard Should I Buy?
In any case, whatever you want from a keyboard, you can find a mechanical keyboard capable of making it a reality—with more heft, longevity, and style than you may have thought possible. Mechanical keyboards are back and here to stay, and likely to only get better as more and more buyers realize the benefits they offer to laser-focused typists, hardcore gamers, and everyone in between.
If you’re not wedded to mechanical key switches, check out our overall roundup of the best general-purpose keyboards we’ve tested, as well as the best gaming keyboards. And if you’re in the market for a pointing device to go with your keyboard, see our lists of the best computer mice and the best gaming mice. But if you want to go with a terrific clicky model, we’ve got a spec breakout of all of our above picks laid out below. Scroll on down.
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