Internet customers say these are the best cheap mechanical keyboards
byNIGERIA•
0
The average person types somewhere between 38 and 40 words per minute, which translates to about 10,000 keystrokes per hour.
With that in mind, you can only image just how many millions of
clicks your computer keyboard endures over the course of a year. If
yours isn't equipped to handle all that wear, you naturally end up with a
dead key or two, loose key caps, and wonky buttons you have to hold
down for far too long before they actually activate.
Which is why you really need to invest in a mechanical keyboard, and
by invest, we don't mean spend an arm and a leg. Order one of the best
cheap mechanical keyboards and stretch your dollar as far as it will go.
Not only do mechanical keys tend to be more structurally sound than
their rubber dome counterparts, they are also easier to type on and even
more pleasing to use. Remember the clackaty clack typing noise
of yesteryear? The one you hear in all the 80s office movies? Well
mechanical keys give you that sound along with real time tactile
feedback that makes working on a computer oh-so satisfying.
The reason that today's plastic keyboards are so popular is because
they're cheap and flexible to manufacture, so companies can create
super-thin, foldable, and even roll-up keyboards that don't cost much
money at all. They also tend not to last as long though and aren't as
comfortable to type on, especially for long durations. Anyhow, you
didn't come here for Keyboarding 101. You want to know the best
affordable ones to buy, and we'll key you in based on what internet customers have had to say about them.
So whether you're a gamer, a writer, a late-night browser, or looking to start your own ASMR podcast, here are the best cheap mechanical keyboards, in no particular order:
Starting
off the list is this colorful 104-key mechanical gaming keyboard with
removable keycaps. It's specially designed to enhance durability while
providing tactile feedback. There is medium resistance, precise
actuation, and an audible click sound when you tap the keys.
If you type or game so intensely that you start to sweat, no biggie.
This ultra-affordable option (it's less than $50) is sweat and water
resistant.
Verified Amazon Purchaser Reginald G. Wilson writes:
"I bought this keyboard about a month ago. I've been
using it quite a bit. I'm not having any issues with it. The mechanical
key action is exactly what they claimed it to be. Clicky and tactile.
You probably wouldn't want to use this in an office cubicle environment
(unless you wanted to annoy your cubicle mates), but it's fine for use
at home or in your private office."
This Gofreetech keyboard has an excellent 4.7 star rating, so if you're really on a budget it's not a bad choice at all.
An even cheaper option is the RK902 by Rii.
This mechanical keyboard is constructed with five customizable gaming
lighting effects. You can also adjust the brightness of the keys as well
as the effect speed.
Verified Amazon purchaser Melanie Williams writes:
"I love that this keyboard lights up. It makes gaming at
night much easier if the lights are off and you cant see the keys. The
clicking noise the the keys make enhance the experience and gives it a
more retro feel. This is the ideal gaming keyboard I will always
recommend this to anyone."
The RK902 has a good 4.2 out of 5 star rating. The few reviewers who didn't like it weren't too thrilled with it's quality
Gamers
tend to be attracted to mechanical keyboards that have features like
programmable macro buttons (rapid-fire keys) and LED backlighting. WASD
created a custom mechanical keyboard that offers just that in a
relatively simple design. Oh, and don't let the price put you off, some
very popular mechanical keyboards can cost well over $200 bucks, so this
one's still a steal. The WASD 104-key keyboard features
ultra-rare Cherry MX Clear mechanical key switches. If you're wondering
who or what Cherry MX is, it's pretty much just a way for Cherry
Corporation, a company that has has manufactured keyboards since the
1960s, to distinguish between its different switch types. What makes the
MX switches particularly ideal is they combine solid actuation force
with quiet, non-click activation. So you get a medium stiff, tactile
feedback experience.
Top positive reviewer, Bigtallbill gave the WASD Keyboard 4 stars and rated it "PRETTY GOOD." here is an excerpt from their review:
"As a developer, i spend a lot of time typing, and i'm a
bit ashamed to say i dismissed mechanical keyboards for the longest
time. This is my first, and i have to say i'm very pleased with it after
a month or so of use."
The top critical reviewer Brandon Fisher gave it 3-stars on the other hand:
"Overall the keyboard feels nice when you type on it,
even for extended periods of time. I have no problem with the
functionality of the keyboard itself. I like the configuration you can
do through the dip switches on the back, such as allowing you to use the
scroll lock key to disable the windows key. The adjustable brightness
for the LED is also nice feature...What's not so great about this
keyboard is after just a couple years of use the key caps start to lose
the, what I'm assuming is, paint."
It may
not be as cheap as standard membrane keyboards, but it certainly isn't
as expensive as most of other mechanical keyboards either. The Nixeus Moda V2
features Kailh key switches, which is on par with most other companies
that set out to create really affordable keyboards. Since Kailhs are
made in China, they're much cheaper. Cherry, on the other hand, are more
of a novelty and are manufactured in Germany.
In any case, The Nixeus Moda
is pretty much a no frills keyboard. There aren't any macro keys for
gaming and it's not backlit with LEDs. But if you're one of the people
who doesn't like a backlit keyboard anyway, or don't really care at all,
this one is sorta tailored for you. Most importantly, it produces a
soft tactile bump feedback to your fingertips as you type.
Reinforced with a steel plate, this mechanical keyboard prides itself
on its longevity, promising long-time durability up to 50 million
keystrokes. It also has a three-year warranty.
More than 50% of Amazon purchasers think it's a 5-star choice, with reviewer Connie writing:
"First of all, I really like the sound the keys make.
They can be a little loud, and would not be a good choice to use during
the middle of the night, but I find the sounds to be somewhat pleasing
and a little relaxing. I also really like the layout of the keyboard. It
is nice and compact, which is handy since I do not have a lot of space
on my desk. I never use the number pad anyway. The board that the
keyboard uses is heavy and durable, but slides a little, though not
unless you apply a considerable amount of pressure to the keyboard.
I
have heard that kailh switches are lower in quality compared to cherry
mx, and that is something that I can not say myself, since I have never
used mx browns before. It is true that the sounds and clicks do not feel
consistent (some keys even sound a little springy) but for this kind of
price I do not really mind. I am not a professional gamer nor typist so
this keyboard suits my needs. What I can say though is that this
keyboard does not affect me playing casual games in any sort of way. If
anything, I think that I even improved using this keyboard. The only
downside that I have encountered so far is that my Q key is starting to
fade a little bit. Other than that, I have no complaints."
This
option uses mechanical switches by Romer-G, which are built for
professional performance, quick response, and durability. The red key
lighting is precise and clean through the keycap, so you can always see
what you're typing. PC Mag rates the Logitech G413 Carbon
EXCELLENT, praising the company for its sturdy construction and
programmable function keys. On the flip side, there's no wrist rest like
some of the others on this list and you can't customize the keyboard
backlighting, so you're pretty much just stuck with the red. Best Buy customers didn't seem to mind though, as 93% of customers would recommend this product to a friend. Verified purchaser DirkDigital writes:
"Very responsive mechanical keyboard. No fancy RGB
lighting display but why pay an extra $50 for it when you can have a
quality built keyboard with great backlit keys."
This
one is still a bit cheaper than other full size mechanical keyboards
with full RGB lighting. But the most important part is the mechanical
switches. The Steal Series Apex M750
uses its maker's own mechanical linear switches, which are similar to
Cherry's MX Red. There won't be any tactile feedback but what you do get
is a buttery smooth keystroke. This Amazon Choice
keyboard has exposed keycaps so you can see the lighting illuminating
out from below the key. You can program how the key colors act and react
using the company's engine software on your computer, which lets you
turn the backlighting into an audio visual that plays out on the
keyboard itself. Nearly 70% of Amazon reviewers believe it's a 5-star choice.
Reviewer TheDeepShell says:
"Absolutely LOVE this keyboard. I used to have one of the
non-lit models from steel series before I bought this and, obviously it
was also a great keyboard, but I found myself wishing I had bought the
backlit version. After all, late night Civilization 5 isn't going to
play itself. So, I sprung for this keyboard.
Yep, it meets my expectations. I also found the keys,
despite being cherry mx reds to be a bit more clicky than the other
keyboard (don't remember the name, but it's steel series' full sized non
backlit keyboard). This is something I loved - mx red feel and
responsiveness with even a nice little feeling of solidity on
downstrokes. It's not loud, but it just feels nice."
If you're looking for a 5-star choice that everyone loves, go for the Corsair Platinum K95.
Not only does it have a perfect customer score on Best Buy, but it's a PC Mag Editor's Choice.
This keyboard's customizable LED backlighting is all anyone can talk
about, delivering a multicolor light show that makes it fun and easy to
work in the dark. The Cherry key switches give it the ultimate
competitive advantage over the competition, and it has 8 MB of on-board
storage so you can easily access your saved files on the go. It has a
removable wrist rest that's reversible so you can choose between a more
textured pad and or a smoother option.
You have one row of macro keys for gaming, three brightness controls,
a volume dial, and multimedia function keys for you to use.
Verified Best Buy purchaser Ripperoni writes:
"This is by far the best Keyboard I have owned. It comes
with 6 buttons on the side you can program to anything, I actually still
have 5 of those buttons with nothing programmed. It also came with the
Performace Key Caps as well! The RGB on the K95 Platinum is awesome as
well, the light strip on top makes this my favorite RGB. If you are
looking at getting this, I promise you won't regret it."
Logitech built the G610
with industry superior Cherry MX switches. This keyboard is illuminated
with white LEDs underneath the keys, a step away from the colorful
rainbow of some of the others on this list. The G610 has a standard key
layout with additional media controls and a lighting brightness toggle.
Its footprint is relatively small because it doesn't have any macro
keys. We think it looks understated and pretty basic, but sometimes
that's what you want if you'll be doing a lot of typing in the office.
On the performance front, the low-noise switches thanks to Cherry MX
have a tactile bump for feedback with every keypress. It's a good 4-star
option if you believe Amazon reviewers.
Verified Amazon purchaser LeeIB writes:
"Coming from MX Cherry blues, I was skeptical, but DANG
this thing writes beautifully. I still do some late night browsing,
typing, and occasional gaming because how my work schedule is. Sound is
perfect."
This
is probably one of the best mechanical keyboards you can buy for under
$60. Underneath the thin plastic keycaps, you have slimmed down Kailh
switch. This low profile keyboard by Havit
is small and portable, with light blue LED backlighting. When it comes
to typing, it doesn't require much force. Since it's small your fingers
don't have to travel that far, so you'll probably be able to type
faster. It has the mechanical actuation you need and a 4.4 star rating
on Amazon.
Amazon reviewer Chad Glendenin writes:
"I'm using this keyboard with a Mac laptop, and it's
excellent. The low-profile keys make it feel somewhat like using a Mac
keyboard, unlike the Cherry MX-style mechanical PC keyboards, which have
keys that feel tall, wobbly, and narrow at the top in comparison.
Unlike other backlit keyboards I've tried, this one remembers my last
settings even after the system it's attached to has gone to sleep and
cut power. It has an easily readable font, rather than a gamer font, so
it looks a little more professional, and the keys have a nice,
mechanical feel to them, but they are not obnoxiously loud, so it's
better suited to a shared space. So far, I've noticed noticed two minor
downsides: one is that receptor for the USB input is finicky. At first, I
thought the keyboard was broken, but I just hadn't gotten the cable
fully engaged. The other issue is that the coating on the keys seems a
little cheap. I've been using this keyboard for less than a week, and
the part of the spacebar where my thumb hits it is already starting to
look a little bit shiny. Usually it takes a couple months for a keyboard
to start showing that. If you're on a Mac, install an app called
Karabiner to remap the keys. Also, the PauseBreak and ScrollLock keys by
default are the brightness up/down keys on a Mac."
You can take your digital adventures to the next level with this HyperX keyboard.
The keyboard is all black with white lettering, and its backlit keys
can take 50 million keystrokes per switch without experiencing a loss in
performance.
The top plate is a metal alloy so you won't have to worry about
durability, and there's an added bonus: There's a built-in slot at the
top so you can charge your smartphone. It is marketed as a gaming
keyboard and it comes with red textured key options on some of the keys.
But the features you really care about (or should anyway) are beneath
the key caps. You'll find genuine Cherry blue switches that are very
click-y and tactile so you can really feel when you actuate each key.
Verified Bestbuy purchaser Zoro writes:
"The design, the colors, the speed this keyboard brings with it are amazing. Love it!"
All 100%of Best Buy customers would recommend this to a friend.
The first thing you'll notice about this Das keyboard
is probably the aggressive styling of its aluminum face. If you aren't a
fan of having a very graphic keyboard, maybe consider some others on
the list. The Das Keyboard X40 Pro has adjustable red backlighting
that's supposed to help reduce eyestrain. It has five programmable macro
keys for fast gaming and Alpha-Zulu switches that allow for
lightning-fast precision when your gaming stakes are high. PCmag rates it EXCELLENT. The editor writes:
"Sturdy construction. Includes USB, audio pass-through
connections. Utilizes full n-key rollover. Removable top plate allows
for unique visual customization."
Amazon customers weren't as impressed though, giving it an overall 3.5-star rating.
Internet buyers love this mechanical keyboard by Razer.
The keys are a mid-height size and underneath the keys is a nice white
backplate that lets the LED lights add an extra pop to the chassis.
What really sets it apart is the magnetic, leather-ish wrist rest
that attaches straight to the front of the keyboard. If you spend a lot
of time typing or gaming it'll really come in handy. The Ornata is a
"mecha membrane" keyboard, which is fancy talk for a hybrid between
mechanical and standard keyboards.
One of its biggest selling points though are the RGB lights inside.
Use the software to create your own lighting effects or settle for
included presets. You can highlight certain keys if you want or combine
multiple effects.
The Razer Ornata has 4.4 stars on Amazon, and top contributor Miss M writes:
"I didn't purchase this keyboard for gaming, just
straight typing. I work in transcription and have many of the same
problems gamers do. I type faster when the keyboard gives me the right
tactile feedback, it can't be too loud, the key spacing needs to be
on-point, and even ghosting is a problem. The Ornata is one of the best
keyboards I've ever used and has noticeably increased my productivity."
You can also enjoy an immersive, colorful typing experience with this 4.6-star option from Aukey.
Like some of the others, it has RGB backlit keys so you can chose
between nine preset lighting effects, and seven different color options
for each key. It has tactile switches by Outemu, which are pretty much
just Cherry knockoffs according to Redditers.
You get the feedback and audible click sound, and it has a waterproof design so accidental spills don't equal Game Over. Amazon reviewer TheBeardedArtist writes:
"First off let me say how surprised I was at the
sturdiness of this keyboard. I was thinking it would feel much cheaper
than it does at this price point, but I'm happy to say I was wrong.
Getting used to the keys takes a few minutes since they are so precise
and any screw-ups in typing show, where my old keyboard was spongy and
allowed for some operator error. I like the precision, it will certainly
be nice for gaming."
