The best mechanical keyboards offer a sublime typing experience. You won't just find them sleek to use, you'll actually want to type on these keyboards. They feel good and happen to sound pretty great. And, of course, they're great for gaming, too.
The best mechanical keyboard is the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless. The combination of lubed key switches, PBT keycaps and a hot-swappable PCB makes for a sublime typing experience. The best budget mechanical keyboard is the Mountain Everest 60, as it's modular and feels wonderful to use, yet somehow costs very little.
The supreme feel of mechanical keyboards comes down to their key switches. There are tons of different types of mechanical switches. The key switch spectrum is vast and caters to a variety of tastes. From loud and tactile, to quiet and spongy, each has a different feel. Our guide to mechanical key switches can help you determine which might suit you best.
With a growing collection of keyboards and key switches at his fingertips, Jacob is the best man to help you find your perfect keeb. A mechanical aficionado at heart, Jacob has years of experience in tip-tapping away at the latest and greatest to guide you to typing glory.
The quick list
The best overall
The Strix Scope II 96 is excellent for typing. Not only is it a mechanical dream to use, but it's also our pick as the best gaming keyboard.
The best budget
Mountain has taken all it's learnt from its first keyboards and created the best-feeling, most usable 60% gaming keyboard we've ever used. It's solid, reliable, responsive, and offers the best typing experience around. And it's now incredibly cheap, too.
The best office
If you want a keyboard that looks like any other at the office, but secretly is a monster mechanical, then look no further than this Das Keyboard 6 Professional.
The best tenkeyless
I'm not kidding when I say typing on the Keychron Q3 Max ruins other mechanical keyboards for you. It's that good. It's simply excellent for typing, and a spot of gaming, too.
The quietest keyboard
The Topre is a mechanical keyboard, sort of. It's not a membrane in the traditional sense, nor is it a mechanical in the traditional sense. It's some sort of in-between and all the quieter for it, and a delight to type on, too.
The best ergo
If you're ready to take the leap into the world of weird ergo boards, you'll find no better option than the Moonlander.
⬇️ Click to load more of the best mechanical keyboards ⬇️
The best rapid trigger
The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 has an excellent feel, fantastic switches, and, though you really pay for that rapid trigger, you do notice it.
The best budget wireless
It might be cheap, but the Keychron K2 delivers wireless mechanical action for less than the competition with a good feel and great build quality.
The best low profile
Lubed switches and low action make the ROG Flachion RX our go-to pick for anyone looking for a low mechanical board with a superb feel.
Recent updates
This guide was updated on December 19, 2024 add the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 to our rapid trigger section, knocking the Wooting Two HE down to our 'also tested' section.
The best mechanical keyboard
✅ You want the smoothest typing experience: With lubed switches out of the box, you'll find no equal to the ROG Strix among gaming keyboards.
✅ You want high-quality: With PBT keycaps and gorgeous switches, the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless oozes premium.
❌ You want speed or analog features: As fast as most other mechanical keyboards, nowadays you can find faster keyboards than this using Hall effect or optical switches.
The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is the best mechanical keyboard overall. For gamers that type, or typists that game, there's no better mech keeb.
The switches in the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless are mighty. They're an in-house design, and available in either linear or tactile form. The tactile NX Storm switches are probably the pick for a typist, though we tested the more gamer-focused linear NX Snow option.
Either switch will net you the ROG Strix Scope's best feature: lube. Not one of the usual things we'd find on a gaming keyboard, but a drop of lube on every mechanical key switch makes a surprising amount of difference to the typing experience. Each key press is smooth and consistent, and every thwack produces a glorious clack.
This keyboard really does sound fantastic, and that's a combination of the switches and the PBT keycaps. Just to note, this board is available with ABS plastic caps as well, which aren't as durable and usually aren't as lovely on the ears.
You are able to swap out any of the NX Snow switches on this keyboard for keys of your choosing. However, if you don't replace them with lubed switches, or lube some new ones yourself with a paintbrush, I will be extremely disappointed in you.
The Scope II 96 is nearly a full-size board—it importantly retains a full numpad—though it's been squished down into a more compact chassis. As a result, the delete key is further away from your pinky than normal. It takes some getting used to, but I've been tapping away on it for a while now and I feel I've got typing on the Scope II 96 down to a fine art.
A superb typing experience and a cleverly compact form factor make the Scope II 96 a fantastic option
Read our full Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless review.
The best budget mechanical keyboard
✅ You need a numpad and a space-saver You can save heaps of room by trimming down your gaming keyboard, but you can still opt for the additional numpad.
❌ You're stuck in your ways: Compact keyboards are great for gaming, but to become a speedy typist requires relearning some tricks.
The Mountain Everest 60 is the best budget mechanical keyboard. The fact that it's been out for a while actually works in its favour, because over time its price tag has dropped ever lower.
Our previous "best budget" pick was the G. Skill KM250 RGB, which is a great board and is slightly cheaper than the Everest 60, but given the Everest's new low price, the G. Skill doesn't make much sense anymore.
That's because the Everest isn't just a diddy collection of clacky keys, it's also one of the most practical compact keyboards on the market. It should, by all rights, have a price tag befitting its high-end feel and cornucopia of features, but it doesn't. It's cheap.
The Everest 60 isn't your everyday compact keyboard. It's modular. You can purchase a numpad for the side and snap it into place on either side of the keyboard. That solves one issue with compact keyboards: my precious alt-codes are still alive and well.
More importantly, it allows you to do something few have the courage to do: move your numpad to the left-hand side of the keyboard.
I know, it's a brave new world with the numpad on the opposite site, but it's clearly the way God intended for it to be. For right-handed gamers, anyway, it means you have a numpad at your disposal and more room to whip your gaming mouse around. And if you happen to be numbering into spreadsheets or the like, having your right hand free to click different cells and UI elements is handy.
However, as with any compact keeb, there is a downside to fewer overall keys. It's just not always as convenient as a full-size board. The tiny right shift key takes some getting used to, as well, but the added cursor keys are a real boon.
The Everest 60 also oozes quality. It's easily the best typing experience I've had, which is saying something given this is coming from a compact design I'm usually not that fussed about.
A silicone layer within the keyboard base adds weight and dampens rattle from the keys sitting above. Great if you're a heavy typist. There are also two layers of foam, on either side of the PCB, to again improve the aural experience. Mountain has used genuine Cherry stabilisers, too, and has lubed them up properly for the Everest 60 to prevent rattle.
There are a few switches to choose from: Tactile 55 (denoting the 55cN force needed for actuation), Linear 45, and Linear 45 Speed (which have a shorter travel and actuation point). I've been using the Tactile 55 in my sample with no complaints.
Do note, however, that the numpad accessory is extra, so you won't get that included for its budget price. There are some bundles packaging the two together, and ones that include the colourful new PBT keycap range, which can make it a bit cheaper. But not by much.
Even without the numpad, though, for its cost the Mountain Everest is an absolute steal. It's fantastic to type and game on and is well worth a look.
Read our full Mountain Everest 60 review.
The best office mechanical keyboard
✅ You want thoughtful touches: Where the 6 Professional wins is with the fact it’s a great all-rounder, and offers thoughtful features including a dual USB-C port hub and a volume dial.
❌ You want software support: While the 6 Professional provides a fantastic overall experience, the lack of software for configuration means it is a little dated on that front.
Das Keyboard doesn't do frills. That's why its 6 Professional is our pick for the best office mechanical keyboard. Passing up flashing lights and rapid-fire switches, this practical keyboard is a dab hand for workplace duties.
You'll be the envy of all when you're bashing out a spreadsheet on this bad boy. The Cherry MX switches in the Das Keyboard are a very well known quantity. We've been using them for years. They're dependable and consistent, and admittedly a little bit boring.
Though there are some standout features. The large volume wheel is a dream, and the pair of USB-C passthrough ports is something we're yet to see elsewhere. That means you can plug in your mouse and another device into your keyboard and cut down on the lengthy cable runs behind your PC.
Backlight controls are located on the upper right of the board. There's not much to fiddle with here, however. There's a simple white LED behind each switch, which shines through the ABS keycap atop, and you can dim these to your liking with the button on the board.
Our biggest complaint with the Das Keyboard is that it doesn't move the dial for mechanical keyboards. It's not that different from a Das manufactured many years ago, and some PBT keycaps or more exciting upgrades wouldn't go amiss.
That said, you don't buy a Das Keyboard because you want a gaming keyboard. It fulfils a purpose, and that's being a straightforward mechanical to replace your godawful OEM membrane. While I'd personally rather buy the Topre RealForce R2 for an office keyboard, it's absurdly expensive. The Das Keyboard is a much more sensible pick for sensible people.
Read our Das Keyboard 6 Professional review.
The best tenkeyless mechanical keyboard
✅ You want the best typing experience: I've tested a lot of boards over the years, and this really is up there, if not the best, of the lot.
❌ You are looking for affordable excellence: The Q3 Max is fantastic and expensive in equal measure.
The Keychron Q3 Max is the best tenkeyless mechanical keyboard for a very good reason: it delivers an impeccable typing feel that's really only rivalled by the very best custom keebs.
You'll find Gateron Jupiter switches inside the Q3 Max. Either Red, Brown or Banana. That last one really came outta nowhere, huh? We had a set of Red linear switches in our review sample, which are great for gaming and superb for thwacking all day in the office.
The Jupiter switches come pre-lubed, which means they're similar to those found within the ROG Strix Scope II 96 above. Though they're not the only feature of the Q3 Max that makes it so excellent for typists.
The construction of the Q3 Max is fantastic. It comes with various layers, each one dedicated to doing something good in the overall sandwich of acoustic foam and film. The end result is a stable, responsive and springy feel to each key that doesn't go amiss once you're typing at speed on it.
The legend-less keycaps might not appeal to everyone, though for avid touch typists, they're a bit of a brag. They do come with legends, anyway, they're just on the side. PBT keycaps and shine-through on offer here are a huge plus. You can buy regular keycaps instead if you prefer.
While not usually something we're necessarily seeking out in a mechanical keyboard for standard typing work in the office, the inclusion of both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless functionality on the Q3 Max helps keep it flexible for all manner of uses. That's actually a real positive if you intend to carry this keeb around with you between home and office, which you might want to, considering how lovely it is, and the price.
Yep, for a keyboard so compact, the Keychron Q3 Max doesn't come cheap. I feel like it's your money's worth, but that's a matter of opinion. Also, some typists might feel at a loss for a numpad for day-to-day spreadsheet work or similar. I know I miss having access to alt codes.
Still, a few downsides don't take the shine off this all-round superb mechanical keyboard.
Read our Keychron Q3 Max review.
The quietest keyboard
The Topre Realforce R2 is the quietest keyboard we recommend for typists. A unique key design makes for a much less in-your-face sound profile than most mechanical keyboards and yet is just as much of a joy to type on.
Let's get this out of the way early. Technically, Topre's own brand of capacitive switch isn't a mechanical keyboard in the same sense as many others on this list. It's a sort of mechanical, membrane hybrid. Before you're scared off by the mention of membrane, however, just know this is more the Ferrari of membrane keyboards than the sort you'd find bundled with a boring office computer.
The RealForce R2 does look like a boring office keyboard. It lacks that flash appeal of any sort of supercar. It comes in black, with dark grey PBT keycaps, and there are no RGB LEDs on the standard model. There is, however, an RGB model for that extra flair. Though even then it has an understated appeal, which I really like but I know many find it just too plain for their desktops.
It doesn't even have media keys or handy shortcuts. It's not at all like many of the best gaming keyboards.
The main draw of the Realforce is how it feels to use. It's like nothing else to type on and I can comfortably use it all day without getting sick of it. It has a relatively springy action with a reasonable actuation force required to depress each key. It's not rated particularly high for actuation force—generally either 45 g or 55 g, and there's even a 30 g model—and yet for a linear key that's on paper similar to a Cherry MX Red, it feels entirely different.
The best way I can explain it is like having the tactile response part-way down an MX Brown switch but right at the very top of the key. Once you surmount that initial force, the rest of the key is a smooth travel until it gently bottoms out. Then it springs right back pronto.
Simply put: it's lovely.
But you don't just want lovely, you're reading this because you want quiet. Most mechanical keyboards on this list are not that, they're quite the opposite, and yet the Topre is one of the quietest keyboards I've used that still retains a gorgeous typing experience. You could get a quieter membrane but it'd be worse to type on all day, every day. Trust me.
The Topre has some rattle to each key, though nowhere near as much as something like the Corsair K70 Max or a number of Razer boards. Generally, though, it doesn't have that same high-end resonant clack as many mechanicals do, instead offering a low thud. That does make a difference if you're in an office and getting a few too many mean looks from your colleagues with your current mechanical
The best ergonomic mechanical keyboard
✅ You need ultra ergonomics: Everything about the Moonlander is about making the keyboard as comfortable as possible for your human fingers.
❌ You don't want to spend weeks learning how to type again: The columnar arrangement is great, but tough to get to grips with if you're not already familiar.
The best ergonomic mechanical keyboard is the ZSA Moonlander. It does everything you could ask of it incredibly well, though always with one eye on ergonomics .
If you haven't tried an ergonomic split keyboard before, you might want to prepare yourself for a learning curve. Touch typists who haven't let their skills slip over the years will do better than most, but the ZSA still demands you come to terms with its special brand of layout. A columnar arrangement effectively means all the keys are arranged in a perfect vertical column, which, if you look at any regular keyboard, is really weird.
A columnar arrangement is good for your fingers though. Your fingers much prefer to move up and down in a straight line than side to side.
Once you're up and running on an ergonomic keyboard like this, it's truly a dream to use. Tilt it into place with the adjustable legs and it'll feel like a much more natural experience to type on than most flat slabs of keys we call keyboards.
The Moonlander isn't as well suited to gaming as some other ergonomic boards we've seen. Namely, the Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB. Though for pure typing, it's gorgeous once you get going.
You can tweak the layout within the ZSA website or its own Keymapp program. This is especially important for gaming, as ZSA has made some strange design choices to make the keyboard smaller. For instance, there's no dedicated Left Control key by default, meaning you might need to remap your crouch button in FPS games or change the keyboard's configuration.
Beyond the usual alphanumeric keys, most others are mapped to a secondary layer, accessible via a shortcut layer key that switches between them. This takes some getting used to, but it's well-organised and becomes snappy to use with time.
A boutique keyboard that isn't going to be a great fit for everyone, if you're looking for excellent ergonomics and don't mind a learning curve, you really won't find much better than the ZSA Moonlander.
Read our full ZSA Moonlander review.
The best rapid trigger mechanical keyboard
✅ You want to customise to your heart's content: The Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 can be customised left right and centre with all sorts of macros and inputs, and the ability to set custom actuation points makes it even better.
❌ You're on a budget: This is a great keyboard but you definitely pay for those extra little features and the OLED screen at the top.
Rapid triggers? What's them then? Well, before we get into that, let's just say this: the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 isn't just the best rapid trigger mechanical gaming keyboard, but a truly great typing machine—even if you care not a jot for performance.
Still, you're here for the speed, so we'd better explain. The Apex Pro TKL Gen 3's Hall effect switches are able to accurately track the movement of a key all the way along its travel thanks to the mysterious power of magnets. It's not the only keyboard to make use of Hall effect switches, but we reckon this one does it better than all the others.
The rapid trigger feature here changes the reset point after a key press, so you can hammer on it repeatedly without having to let the key reset to the top every time. That means it's fast, which can give you a bit of an edge when it comes to gaming.
More than that, however, this is just a fantastic keyboard all around. Thanks to some excellent software, you can configure this keyboard pretty much any way you want it, with dynamic keystrokes and all sorts of macro goodness possible from the very flexible setup options here.
As far as build quality is concerned, this thing is surprisingly sturdy given the bottom is made out of plastic. An aluminium top plate not only makes this thing very scratch-resistant where it counts but also makes the whole thing look rather sleek.
Speaking of looks, it's also got some great RGB backlighting which can be programmed to run through animations and the OLED screen up the top right is a real aesthetic win for the board, standing out among its competition.
So, it's got amazing trick switches, super speedy responsiveness, it's very customizable and it's built to last. Oh, and it looks good too.
Unfortunately, you definitely pay for the quality here which can put it outside of many a budget and, while the software has plenty of great options, it can be a tad inconsistent in some areas.
With some light caveats, this is clearly the best rapid trigger keyboard out there right now and even one of the best general mechanical gaming keyboards.
Read our full SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 review.
The best budget wireless mechanical gaming keyboard
✅ You're looking to go cable-free on a budget: Mechanical wireless gaming keyboards can get pricey, but this one has everything you really need for less.
❌ You want funky colors: The white LED backlighting here is pretty good, but if you desire a rainbow effect or proper customisable RGB, this isn't the keeb for you.
Wireless keyboards are expensive. That used to be true. Now though, you can find plenty of budget options, although for our money none beat this Keychron unit. Enter, the Keychron K2 (version 2), the best budget wireless keyboard by far.
You'll pay around $69 for one of these, which, given all the other hardware you're likely to have spent your cash on, really isn't a lot. Don't be fooled into thinking you're getting something cheap and nasty for the money though. The Keychron K2 is that rarest of things: cheap and good.
It's a sturdy little keeb, for a start. For this sort of money, you often end up with something that feels like it was made to a budget. But the K2 doesn't feel like a cheap object, thanks to a well-designed chassis and decent keycaps.
Wireless connection-wise, you get both Bluetooth and RF connections, along with a Type-C connection for wired antics and charging. Speaking of charging actually, you'll get 80 hours of usage with the backlight enabled, and 240 hours with it off. That's pretty good by most standards and saves some of the hassles you get with cheaper wireless boards and their often lesser battery lives.
That backlight though, unfortunately only lights up in white. That'll suit some, while others will want some more RGB options, but to be honest it's tempting to treat it as an unlit board and get the maximum battery life out of it.
Other downsides? Well, the switches aren't the greatest. They're not bad, necessarily, but they can feel a little scratchy, although perhaps that's us paying attention to switch feel more than most. Still, the K2 is also available in a hot-swappable configuration, so you could swap in your own.
Really though, for the money, there's little to complain about here. The connections are rock solid, and you get a keyboard that comes from a very respected name in the industry that's built to last for the sort of price you might find a no-name unit at a major retailer.
That makes the Keychron K2 (version 2) the best budget mechanical keyboard we've tested. Tons for your cash, not a lot of drawbacks.
Read our full Keychron K2 review.
The best low profile mechanical keyboard
✅ You like to get low: You don't need to stretch your wrists with this keeb, and that's a bonus if you prefer a flatter board.
❌ You want a numpad: Nope, none of that. No function keys either. It's a paired back, lean, mean machine.
Low profile mechanical keyboards aren't for everyone, but for some, they're just the ticket. If you like your keys low and your typing action serene, the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile is the best low profile keyboard we've tested, and just a great keyboard all round.
There are a few, erm, missing bits compared to some keyboards you might be used to, however. No numpad, for a start. No function keys either. That's because it's a 60% board, which means it's ultra-compact. If you want something you can shove in your bag and take between work and your home rig, this makes for an excellent candidate.
It's built very well too, which means it should take a fair amount of abuse if you do decide to take it from location to location. The plastic cover doesn't fit all that well though, so that's just as well.
What you're really here for though are those low-profile ROG RX optical switches, and we're pleased to report that they're fantastic. This is the sort of keyboard that makes those of us that like a traditional mechanical keeb doubt our convictions, and that's quite an impressive feat.
The key action here is smooth, thanks to a dollop of lube (yes you heard me correctly, don't write in) and the key presses sound great. It sounds like a silly thing to say, but sound is an important factor in a keyboard purchase, and this one is satisfying in all the right ways. It's surprisingly quiet too, which means you won't be annoying your neighbors as you tap away.
It's very comfortable, thanks to that low height, and the connectivity options are plentiful. You get RF wireless thanks to a compact dongle that magnetically attaches, Bluetooth 5.1, and a USB Type-C port and cable for the traditionalists among you.
There are also some touch controls on the side of the board that we found took some getting used to. Still, they're functional, although they do add to the overall price. This isn't a cheap keyboard by any stretch, but nor does it feel like one.
If low-profile is the way you want to go, you don't get better than this one. It's compact, sounds great, is well-built, and looks the part, too.
Read our full ROG Falchion RX Low Profile review.
Also tested
Best mechanical keyboards FAQ
Which keyboard switch type should I choose?
It's entirely up to personal preference with keyboard switches. If you love a noisy keyboard, go for the clicky kind. If you like a spongier feel, go for linear switches. Or, if you prefer some feedback with your keypresses, go for a tactile switch.
It's possible to order keyboard switch tester packs from some suppliers, so if you want to try some out before you fork out, it might be a good idea to grab one of those.
Check out our mechanical keyboard switch guide for a more in-depth look.
Jargon buster
Actuation Point
The height to which a key needs to be pressed before it actuates and sends an input signal to a device.
Clicky
A switch that delivers an audible click every time it's pressed, generally right around the point of actuation.
Debounce
A technique to ensure that only one input registers every time a key is pressed.
Housing
The shell that surrounds the internal components of a switch.
Hysteresis
The result of the actuation point and reset point in a switch being misaligned. This generally means you need to release the key further than usual before it can be actuated again.
Linear
A switch that moves directly up and down, generally delivering smooth keystrokes without noise or tactile feedback.
Mechanical keyboard
A keyboard built around individual switches for each key rather than a membrane sheath mounted on a PCB.
Membrane keyboard
A keyboard on which all the keycaps are mounted on a membrane sheath; when a key is pressed, a rubber dome depresses and pushes against the sheath and PCB beneath, actuating the key.
Stem
The component of a switch on which the keycaps are mounted on a mechanical keyboard.
Switch
The physical component of a mechanical keyboard beneath the keycaps on a mechanical keyboard. The switch determines how a key is actuated, whether or not it provides audible or tactile feedback with each press and more. You can read a detailed explanation in our complete guide to mechanical keyboard switches.
Tactile
A switch that provides a 'bump' of feedback every time it's pushed.
Tenkeyless
A keyboard that lacks the right-hand number pad.
