Since 2014 I’ve tested hundreds of keyboards for Wirecutter. In that time, I’ve accumulated at least 15 of my own—this is too many mechanical keyboards! I’ve spent thousands of hours typing on all of these different options to land on recommendations for people who need only one keyboard.

Mechanical keyboards can be more enjoyable to type on, more durable, and more customizable than typical laptop or desktop keyboards. If you spend all day typing, it’s very satisfying to customize the size, switches, keycaps, and layout to your exact needs.

Our picks in this guide include full-size keyboards and tenkeyless models 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’s no such thing as a keyboard for typing or a programming keyboard or a gaming keyboard. This guide’s picks are aimed at people who primarily type or code, but our picks here are also excellent options for gaming. We also have a full guide to gaming keyboards.

We recommend prebuilt keyboards that you can plug in and use immediately, but there’s a whole world of custom mechanical keyboards. Building your own opens up a ton of size, layout, switch, and programmability options, but such keyboards are less readily available, and they 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. For even more detail, see our explainer on how to shop for a mechanical keyboard.

Size:

• Tenkeyless (TKL or 80%): We recommend tenkeyless boards—which lack a number pad but have all of the other keys—because smaller keyboards allow you to place your mouse closer to your body. And that can reduce strain on your shoulders, neck, and back. You can always use a separate number pad for specific tasks.
• 1800 layout (96%): This layout has all of the keys of a full-size keyboard, but smushed together to reduce wasted space. It’s the best option if you need an attached number pad and want to save a few inches of desk space. But finding replacement keycaps is harder because this layout has a few non-standard key sizes.
• Full-size (100%): Full-size keyboards have all of the letters, numbers, modifiers, and function-row keys, as well as navigation keys, arrow keys, and a number pad.

Switch options: Mechanical switches come in three main varieties—linear, tactile, and clicky. Linear switches feel smooth when you press them. Tactile switches have a noticeable bump partway through the keypress. And clicky switches feel similar to tactile ones, but they have an added click sound to match the tactile bump. If you don’t already have a preference, we recommend tactile Brown switches made by Gateron, Kailh, or Cherry, because these popular, readily available switches are good for most tasks and quiet enough for most offices. We cover all of the switch varieties in depth in our introductory guide to mechanical keyboards.

Build quality: Cheap keyboards can feel and sound hollow, may flex under regular typing pressure, and tend to have stabilizers that rattle or squeak. Higher-quality keyboards made of metal or thicker plastic will feel sturdy and sound melodious with every keystroke.

Keycaps: Keycap profiles define the height and shape of the keycaps in each row. We prefer keycaps made of PBT—a type of plastic—because they tend to be more durable and develop less shine than keycaps made from ABS (a more lightweight plastic that’s prone to wear).

We also like to see a variety of stylish keycap options, though you can always change keycaps later. It’s easiest to find replacement keycap sets for boards with ANSI standard keycaps; this includes our tenkeyless and full-size picks.

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 record macros, remap or customize certain keys, and futz with the backlighting. Some keyboards use switches on the bottom or back of the keyboard to alter the behavior of a few keys. Others offer onboard programming. And still others come with manufacturer-specific software or support VIA, a simple, user-friendly option.

Backlight: If a keyboard comes with backlighting, we prefer it to be either a tasteful white or programmable RGB.

Hot-swap switches: Rather than having to desolder old switches and solder in new ones, on a hot-swappable keyboard, you can simply pull the switches out and snap new ones into place.

Wireless: 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 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 we pay attention to the quality of the cases and keycaps. Finally, we use the finalists for several more days of constant typing, and we test any wireless and Bluetooth connections on Windows and macOS.

Of the keyboards we’ve tested, the Keychron V3 Max, V5 Max, and V6 Max offer the most comfortable typing experience and the most extra features for their reasonable prices. All three have sturdy cases, durable PBT keycaps, and smooth, lubricated stabilizers, as well as fun features like RGB backlighting, hot-swappable switches, a rotary knob, wireless connectivity, and full programmability with the easy-to-use VIA software. Our picks come with keycaps for Windows and Mac, and you can easily swap between the two operating-system layouts, using a switch on the back of each keyboard.

Our picks are easy—and fun—to customize. We recommend starting with Gateron Jupiter Brown switches. But 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.

They offer a satisfying typing experience for the price. The plastic cases on the V3 Max, V5 Max, and V6 Max are sturdy and don’t flex under pressure, and our picks’ pre-lubed stabilizers feel smooth and sound quiet. 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 included keycaps have a comfortable, friendly shape. After weeks of typing, the OSA-profile PBT keycaps that come with our picks didn’t develop any surface wear. The tenkeyless V3 Max and the full-size V6 Max have standard keycaps, so it’ll be easy to find replacements if you want to change your keyboard’s vibe. But the V5 Max has nonstandard right Shift, bottom-row, and number-pad keys that you’ll need to look out for if you replace your keycaps.

Our top picks are fully programmable through the easy-to-use VIA software. At the time of our testing, the software didn’t automatically recognize 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 can remap keys, record macros, and customize the RGB backlighting.

The V Max models all support three connection types: wired, wireless USB dongle, and Bluetooth. The wireless connections were solid in our testing, and we appreciate the inclusion of both a USB-A and a USB-C dongle. Our picks each come with a removable braided USB-C cable, and you always have a wired connection to fall back on. All three models have convenient slots on the back to store both dongles when you’re not using them.

Our picks come with keycaps for Windows and Mac. These keyboards also have a convenient switch on the back left, to swap between the Windows and Mac layouts. In addition, Keychron includes a removable braided USB-C–to–C cable and a USB-C–to–A adapter, as well as useful tools for changing switches and keycaps.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Our picks aren’t as aesthetically flexible as other options. The V3 Max, V5 Max, and V6 Max are only available with black cases and keycaps that are gray, black, and red. The keycap legends also have some subtle inconsistencies in letter size and spacing. If you want a prettier keyboard with more color options, consider our runner-up pick instead.

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.” Our V Max-series picks are quite new, and we haven’t seen widespread reports of problems, but we did have a frustrating experience with a pricier Q-series keyboard covered by the same policy.

If our top picks are unavailable, or if you want prettier colors, we recommend the Epomaker x Feker Galaxy80. Thanks to its solid metal case and thicker keycaps, the Galaxy80 feels even nicer to type on than our top picks, and it has many of the same features: hot-swappable switches, RGB backlighting, wireless connectivity, and full programmability. But it ships with linear switches only, it lacks a rotary knob, and it isn’t as easy to customize as the VIA-compatible Keychron V3 Max. The Galaxy80 is also not available in full-size or 1800 layouts.

The Galaxy80 is available in several stylish colors, but it comes only with linear switches. For the case and keycaps, you can choose from white, black, pink, blue, or purple, and all of the options look cute. But the Galaxy80 is only available with linear Marble White switches; they were smooth and satisfying to type on, but we prefer keyboards with a wider switch variety. It does have hot-swap sockets that support three- and five-pin switches, so you can easily change the switches if you don’t like the default option. As our top picks do, the Galaxy80 has a customizable RGB backlight.

Our runner-up pick has a quality aluminum case, and it feels excellent to type on. The Galaxy80’s metal case doesn’t flex or emit any unpleasant, high-pitched pings. And several layers of sound-dampening material and lubricated stabilizers help produce a pleasant and melodious thock sound. It has a slightly angled profile, with a gentle slope, but unlike our top picks, the Galaxy80 does not have adjustable feet to customize the angle.

This keyboard’s doubleshot PBT keycaps feel thick and durable, and they look cute. The gently cupped MDA-profile keycaps feel just as comfortable as the rounded OSA-profile keycaps that come with the Keychron V Max models. And the Galaxy80’s slightly thicker keycaps contribute to the keyboard’s richer typing sound.

The Galaxy80 is fully programmable using Windows-only software. The software isn’t as intuitive as VIA, and, at the time of writing, it’s only available for Windows. But we were able to use the software to remap keys and customize backlighting without issue. You can easily swap between Windows and Mac layouts, using the switch on the back of the keyboard—no software required.

Like our top picks, the Galaxy80 supports wireless. It can connect via wire, a wireless USB-A dongle, and Bluetooth, though the included USB-C-to-A cable isn’t as nice as the braided cable that comes with our top pick. We experienced connectivity issues with the USB-A dongle on two out of three review units, but an inexpensive extender solved the problem. There’s also a switch and keycap puller in the box. But the included OS keycaps are for Windows. And it doesn’t come with extras—we’d prefer OS-neutral keycaps, or spares for both operating systems.

If you’re looking for the cheapest decent mechanical keyboard, we recommend the Keychron C3 Pro. It offers by far the best typing experience you can get for under $50, with solid build quality, smooth stabilizers, and full programmability in VIA. But compared with our top picks, the C3 Pro is available with fewer switch options, and it lacks hot-swap, so you can’t easily change those switches later. Our budget pick also has lower-quality ABS keycaps that feel cheaper and will wear out sooner, and it lacks a wireless connection. The C3 Pro’s design doesn’t look as nice, either, and it’s only available with an edgy red backlight.

The C3 Pro’s backlight is red, and it lacks hot-swap. Our budget pick is only available with Keychron Brown or Red switches—they feel smooth and satisfying to type on, unlike the gritty switches common in most budget keyboards. But Keychron doesn’t offer a clicky switch option, and you cannot easily change out the switches. You can turn off the red backlight if you don’t like it, but we’d prefer something more neutral, like white.

Our budget pick offers the best typing experience you can get for less than $50. Although it can’t match our top pick, this budget board has quality switches and smooth stabilizers that don’t rattle, and it doesn’t flex under ordinary typing pressure. Other cheap keyboards we’ve tested felt like banging on a damp, hollow log covered in gritty sand. The C3 Pro doesn’t sit as flat on a desk as our top pick, the V3 Max; our budget pick is taller and has a steeper slope.

The ABS keycaps feel cheaper and will wear out sooner. These lower-quality, OEM-profile keycaps don’t look or feel as nice as the keycaps that come with our top pick. But our budget pick has a standard layout, so you can replace the keycaps with something nicer—without having to spend a ton.

Like our top picks, the C3 Pro is fully programmable with the easy-to-use VIA software. At the time of our testing, the software didn’t automatically recognize the C3 Pro. After following the step-by-step instructions on Keychron’s website, however, we were able to remap keys, record macros, and customize backlight effects

The C3 Pro is compatible with Windows and Mac. This model doesn’t come with OS-specific keycaps like our top pick does. But the included keycaps have legends for both operating systems, and you can swap between layouts with Fn + Caps Lock. Keychron includes a USB-C–to–A cable, a few red keycaps, and a keycap puller.

If you want to spend more for a higher-quality aluminum case, get the Keychron Q3 Max, Q5 Max, or Q6 Max. These models feel awesome to type on, and they have a ton of features. They can connect via Bluetooth or USB dongle, they’re fully programmable using VIA, and they have RGB backlighting, hot-swappable switches, and a rotary knob. But they all have tall keycaps and cases with steep slopes that cannot be adjusted.

Our upgrade picks are customizable, and they come in more colors than our top pick. Keychron offers the Q3 Max, Q5 Max, and Q6 Max with Gateron Jupiter Brown, Red, and Banana switches—there’s no clicky switch option. And all three models support hot-swap for easy upgrades. You can choose between a black or white case and keycaps, or you can order a barebones model if you prefer to bring your own keycaps and switches.

The Q Max models provide a top-notch typing experience, but they’re very tall. Our upgrade picks all come with heavy, aluminum cases, and their lubricated switches and stabilizers feel smooth and rattle-free. But compared with our top picks, the Q3 Max, Q5 Max, Q6 Max have taller cases with steeper slopes, and they lack height-adjustment options. If you prefer a keyboard with a more neutral slope—like I do—these aren’t the keyboards for you.

The included KSA-profile keycaps are also tall. We haven’t yet encountered any surface wear on the included PBT keycaps, but I found the KSA profile uncomfortably tall. Their height got in the way of the rotary knob, too—I found myself accidentally hitting the Backspace key when adjusting the volume. The legends on our top and upgrade picks have similar inconsistencies; this is a flaw that’s less forgivable on a $200 keyboard.

Like our top picks, the Q Max models are easy to program using VIA. The Q3 Max, Q5 Max, and Q6 Max weren’t automatically recognized by the software at the time of our testing, but after following the step-by-step instructions on each product page, we were able to quickly and easily reprogram the keys, macros, and backlighting.

Our upgrade picks can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth or USB dongle. All three models, however, lack convenient storage for that USB-A dongle when it’s not in use. Keychron also includes a USB-C–to–C cable with a C-to-A adapter, as well as other tools for customizing the keyboards.

The Q3 Max, Q5 Max, and Q6 Max support both Windows and Mac. You can swap between OS layouts and connection types using the physical switches on the back of the keyboard, and all three models come with extra keycaps for both operating systems.

Keychron’s one-year warranty for these models is very limited. If you have an issue, the company “will only replace the defective parts of the keyboard, not the whole keyboard.” This service is disappointing for such an expensive keyboard.

If you like linear switches: The Epomaker Cidoo V87 feels incredible to type on. I love its pillowy, thocky typing feel and its beige retro aesthetic so much that I was reluctant to swap the V87 off my desk to test everything else for this guide. For around $150, the V87 has most of the same features as our upgrade picks—a sturdy metal case, PBT keycaps, hot-swappable switches, RGB backlighting, a rotary knob, VIA support, and wireless connectivity via Bluetooth or dongle. But it’s only available with linear switches and a beige case, so if those aren’t your jam, stick to our upgrade picks.

If you want a fun, retro-looking keyboard: The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard has a design reminiscent of the NES, Famicom, and Commodore 64 game consoles—and it feels great to type on, too. Like our top picks, it has smooth stabilizers and comfortable PBT keycaps, and it supports hot-swap, so you can change the switches if you don’t love the included clicky Kailh BOX Whites. The Retro Mechanical Keyboard can connect via wire, USB dongle, or Bluetooth. It lacks a backlight, though, and customization is limited in the 8BitDo software.

If you want budget boards with better aesthetics: Compared with our budget pick, the tenkeyless Keychron C1 Pro and full-size C2 Pro have higher-quality PBT keycaps, and they look nicer, but they cost nearly twice as much. The basic versions of the C1 Pro and C2 Pro have a white backlight and lack hot-swap; if you’re going to spend more for RGB or hot-swap, you’re better off with our top picks instead.

If you need a number pad: The Epomaker EK21 is the best basic number pad. It’s great to type on, and it has PBT keycaps, hot-swappable switches, and an RGB backlight. The EK21 has three connection options—wired, Bluetooth, or USB dongle—and you can program macros across four layers using VIA.

If you want a fancier number pad: The Keychron Q0 Max has the same excellent build quality as our upgrade picks, and it has more buttons to customize than the EK21. It’s fully programmable in VIA, and it has five extra macro keys and a rotary knob, so you can set it up as a macro pad of frequently used shortcuts. Like our upgrade picks, the Q0 Max can connect via wire, Bluetooth, or a wireless USB dongle.

Tenkeyless options

The Keychron V3 is the previous version of our top pick, the Keychron V3 Max. It has many of the same features, but it lacks wireless, and the rotary knob costs extra.

The Vortex Multix 87 has a sturdy case, durable PBT keycaps, smooth stabilizers, and hot-swappable switches. But it lacks a backlight, full programmability, and a rotary knob.

The Varmilo VA Series V2 and Varmilo VA Series V2 Mac lack hot-swap, and they aren’t fully programmable.

We love the Drop Ctrl V2’s flatter profile and RGB light bar, but for a keyboard that lacks wireless, it’s expensive. It’s also more confusing to program than our picks, and its Holy Panda X Clear tactile switches don’t feel as nice to type on.

For a keyboard that lacks wireless and comes with ABS keycaps, the Drop CSTM80 is expensive.

The Monokei Standard, ironically, doesn’t have standard keycaps. It also lacks a backlight, its spacebar rattled, and its Enter and Backspace keys emitted a high-pitched ping.

The Keychron Q3 is similar to our upgrade pick, but it lacks wireless.

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 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.

The Ducky One 3 TKL is even worse to program media keys and other macros on—it doesn’t come with a manual, and the unit we bought wasn’t able to record macros until we installed a firmware update. (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.

The Topre Realforce TKL R2 has unique Topre switches that are delightful to type on. But this keyboard is very expensive, it has a non-removable cable, and it’s not compatible with most third-party keycaps.

Drop’s Expression keyboards lack hot-swap, have limited switch options, and are expensive. Their ABS keycaps will wear faster than the PBT keycaps on our top picks, and the unit we tested scooted around easily on my desk.

Drop’s Signature keyboards are even pricier than the Expression line. Their included switches feel scritchy, many of the keycaps are ABS, and there’s no option for a rotary knob.

The WASD Code V3 and WASD V3 have lower-quality ABS and PBT keycap options, and the Costar stabilizers in these models rattle and make it harder to swap keycaps. The cable-management channels are also too narrow.

Buckling-spring keyboards don’t meet Wirecutter’s criteria for switch variety, and they’re 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. 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 keycaps on the KBParadise V80 feel cheaper and will wear out sooner than the PBT keycaps of our top picks. We also experienced an annoying, loud pinging noise during typing.

For more information on the gaming keyboards we dismissed, see our gaming keyboards guide.

Full-size options

The Keychron V5 and Keychron V6 are the previous versions of our top picks, but they lack wireless, and not all versions include the knob.

Like the Keychron Q3, the Keychron Q5 and Keychron Q6 lack wireless.

Like the Ctrl V2, the Drop Shift V2 is expensive and lacks wireless, and it’s confusing to program.

The Varmilo VA108M costs more than the Keychron V6 Max, yet it lacks RGB, hot-swap, wireless, and programmability, and it 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 Cherry KC 200 MX looks and feels cheap, and its cable isn’t removable.

Budget options

The Keychron C1 and Keychron C2 were our previous budget picks, but the C3 Pro provides a similar typing experience for a lower price.

The iKBC TypeMan CD87 V2 and iKBC TypeMan CD108 V2 have PBT keycaps, but they cost more than our budget pick. They also have non-removable cables and lack labeled media keys, Mac-specific keycaps, and a backlight.

The full-size Logitech K845 has rattly stabilizers and gritty-feeling TTC switches. It also has a built-in cable and no Mac-specific keycaps.

The EagleTec KG060 and its KG061 variant have mystery switches that felt scratchy. And the flimsy case flexed during regular typing.

Wireless options

The Keychron Q3 Pro, Keychron Q5 Pro, and Keychron Q6 Pro were our previous upgrade picks, but the new Q Max models have an improved typing sound and feel. And they support a 2.4 GHz wireless connection for the same price.

The Epomaker Brick 87 is a fun tenkeyless keyboard with a scroll wheel on the thumb rest and a strip to attach Lego bricks for decoration along the top. But the angled top row makes the function keys difficult to press, and it’s only available with linear switches.

Our top picks are better wireless options than the tenkeyless Keychron K8 Pro, Keychron K4 Pro, or Keychron K10 Pro. The K8 Pro’s case is uncomfortably tall, and all three models come with cables that are too short for some desk setups.

The tenkeyless Leopold FC750RBT and full-size FC900RBT lack hot-swap and programmability.

The Keychron K8 is dealbreakingly tall in the front and uncomfortable to type on. It has poor build quality, ABS keycaps, and squeaky, rattly stabilizers.

Number pads

The Epomaker Cidoo V21 is lovely to type on, is programmable in VIA, and supports wireless, but it’s only available in beige with linear switches.

The Keychron Q0 Plus is similar to the Q0 Max, but it lacks a wireless connection.

The Epomaker TH21 is less configurable than the EK21, and it lacks a knob.

The HP 430 Programmable Wireless Keypad is not as customizable as our picks, and its low-profile switches feel scritchy.

The Leopold FC210TP has a built-in cable, and its alt functions don’t work on Mac. The FC210TP also lacks RGB backlighting, hot-swap, and programmability.

This article was edited by Signe Brewster, Caitlin McGarry, and Arthur Gies.