Don't wait to get one of the best keyboards until your old one finally dies on you. If your keyboard is starting to show its age, collecting dust or just not giving you want you need from it, you might want to think about picking up one of the best keyboards now. The benefits to comfort, speed and reliability you gain with one of the best keyboards easily pays the price.
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If your keyboard is starting to look like a horror movie prop, you might want to consider going out and buying one of the best keyboards you can buy today.
Believe us when we say that once you use one of these keyboards, you'll never look back or even want to. Whether you’re writing a term paper, chatting with friends or playing the best PC games, the best keyboards can make life so much easier. The best keyboards aren’t all about getting work done, after all: the best gaming keyboards can make your off time better, too.
If you’re on the market for the best keyboard for work, play or something else entirely, you've come to the right place. You won’t have to worry about breaking open the piggy bank, either. Not only do many of the best keyboards prioritize value over price, but we’ve also included our price comparison tool to help you find the best deal.
Here are the best keyboards we’ve tested and reviewed over the last year.
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1. Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo
Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Switches: Roccat Titan Switches
Beautiful design
Expensive
It has become the norm for keyboard manufacturers to implement their own custom keyboard switches, and Roccat – with the Vulcan 120 Aimo – is no different. While this keyboard is primarily marketed as a gaming keyboard, its Titan Switches are tactile enough to be satisfying, while still bouncing back quickly enough to be comfortable to type on for extended periods. And, we’d be remiss to not mention the looks – the Vulcan 120 Aimo looks like a science fiction keyboard, we love it.
Read the full review: Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo
2. Corsair K83 Wireless Entertainment Keyboard
Interface: Bluetooth | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Switches: Corsair Ultra-low Profile Scissor
Keys feel great
Small trackpad
If you have a home theater PC, you might be frustrated by the lack of keyboards that explicitly appeal to your use case. Luckily, there’s a keyboard for you – the Corsair K83 Wireless is a fantastic entertainment-focused keyboard. Not only is it light and portable, it also has a bevy of entertainment functions that’ll make life easier in your living room. And, with its wealth of connectivity options, including Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless through a dongle, you can use it with many different platforms. However, it’s not great at gaming, so keep that in mind.
Read the full review: Corsair K83 Wireless
3. Topre Realforce 104UBS Silent variable
Interface: Wired | Switches: Topre electrostatic capacitive silenced (30, 45 and 50 grams)
Smooth typing action
Typing can feel 'sandy'
As long as you don’t mind missing out on some of that signature ‘thock’ sound that’s associated with regular Realforce keyboards, opting for a silenced model like the 104 UBS offers some solid benefits. Hitting the 104 UBS’s keys produces sound on par with a membrane keyboard, so it’s going to be great if you work in a busy office or a shared bedroom. The ‘dampened’ feel of Topre’s silenced switches can feel kind of like typing on sandpaper compared to a non-silenced board, but we found that it’s worth the trade-off if you need a quieter keyboard.
- This product is only available in the US and UK. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the .
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4. Filco Majestouch-2 Tenkeyless
Built like a tank and compact
Interface: Wired | Switches: Cherry MX (Brown, Blue, Black, Red)
Solid build quality
No media functions
Filco's keyboards tend to be built like tanks, and the Majestouch TKL is no different. This space-saving mechanical keyboard features a compact tenkeyless design that has less than 1cm of space between the edge of the keys and the keyboard. Its durability doesn't simply allow it to stand up well to knocks and scrapes – it has a positive impact on its typing feel too. You can hammer away on it at speed, even bottoming out to your heart's content, and the Majestouch 2 will take every bit of punishment.
5. Logitech Craft
Interface: Wireless | Switches: Scissor switch mechanism
Weighty, solid construction
Expensive
We’ve seen all kinds of keyboards over the years here at TechRadar, from stylish tenkeyless keyboards to RGB-laden gaming behemoths, but something has always been missing – a focus on creatives. Thankfully, with the Logitech Craft, this is no longer the case. Not only is this a sturdy, tactile and attractive keyboard but it also features a unique dial on its top left corner, which will help creatives expedite their workflow. This dial’s utility will vary depending on the application, from simply controlling the volume on the desktop, to changing levels in various tools in Photoshop. If you spend a lot of time creating content on your PC, the Logitech Craft is one of the best keyboards you can buy today.
Read the full review:Logitech Craft
5. PFU Happy Hacking Professional 2 (HHKB2)
Interface: Wired | Switches: Topre electrostatic capacitive (45 grams)
Incredibly portable
Key layout not for everybody
The PFU Happy Hacking Professional 2 has somewhat of a cult following in the keyboard scene, and it’s not hard to see why. This keyboard is aimed at coders, but it’s fantastic for all you writers out there, too. It forgoes traditional arrow keys, instead making use of function keys and key combinations to get that stuff done. It will take a minute to get used to, but once you get that out of the way the small size is a huge benefit, as you’ll be able to take it anywhere you go. Plus, that sweet ‘thock’ sound of the Topre switches is a wonder to behold.
- This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Das Keyboard Prime 13
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6. Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID
Beauty meets security
Interface: Bluetooth | Keyboard backlighting: No
Flawless style
Expensive
You just need to look at Microsoft’s Surface devices to know that they’re kind of killing it when it comes to design, and the Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID takes things to a whole new level. If you’re running Windows 10, and you’re into the Surface aesthetic, this is easily one of the best keyboards out there. Not only does it feel great, but it also features biometric security, by including a discrete fingerprint scanner right next to the “Alt” key. It is an expensive device, but as with everything Microsoft, you can be sure you’re getting what you’re paying for.
Read the full review: Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID
7. Leopold Fc660c
Interface: Wired | Switches: Topre electrostatic capacitive (45 grams)
Compact, but with arrow keys
Heavier than HHKB2
Leopold's Fc660c is more portable than the Realforce 87u, but less so than the lighter and more compact HHKB2. However, the Fc660c benefits from its extra heft and feels like the more solid board. Despite having the same 45 gram actuation force as the HHKB2, the Leopold's keys feel slightly weightier - somewhere nearer to 50 grams. It results one of the most satisfying 'thock' sounds on a Topre board.
- This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the HyperX Alloy Elite
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8. Unicomp Classic 104
The ultimate keyboard for typing nostalgia
Video editing software for mac. Interface: Wired | Switches: Buckling spring
Snappy buckling spring switch
Can lead to tired fingers
Remember those old IBM Model M keyboards? Well, that’s what the Unicomp Classic 104 seeks to emulate. Available in both USB and PS/2 versions, it uses a buckling spring switch that takes more effort to press than just about every other modern switch. You’re rewarded for this hard pressing with a tactile response that feels like the classic mechanical keyboards of old, along with a noise that will drive everyone around you mad.
9. Das Keyboard Prime 13
Mixing minimalistic style with premium quality
Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: White | Switch type: Cherry MX Red or Brown switches
Cherry MX switches
Pricey
Some keyboards just ooze class, and the Das Keyboard Prime 13 is one of them. Its features a solid aluminum top panel for added rigidity and a very minimalistic look. With Cherry's MX Red or Brown switches under the keycaps, you're given a choice between linear and non-linear offerings with a range of actuation points.
It's a great option for media enthusiasts thanks to side lit media control and the inclusion of white backlighting is another bonus. It's not the most affordable keyboard on our list, but if you're looking for something a little bit more premium, Das is the way to go.
10. Logitech K780
A great option for mobile device owners
Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: No
Pairs to three devices
AA, rather than rechargeable battery
With its latest keyboard, Logitech is targeting smartphone and tablet owners who prefer to use their device while sat at a desk. And, if you were a fan of the predecessor, the K380, the Logitech K780 should be right up your alley, especially with its added number pad. This keyboard still has the ability to pair with three devices using Bluetooth or wireless, so you can swap between all your gadgets on the fly. And, thanks to its comfortable rounded keycaps, it’s still a pleasure to type on. The keyboard’s base is the star of the show, however, as it can hold mobile devices up to 11.3mm thick in an upright position. This places them within arms’ reach to make anything from replying to WhatsApp messages or reading a digital magazine easier than ever.
How to determine the best keyboard for you
Best External Keyboard For Macbook Pro
It goes without saying that if you demand the look and feel only mechanical switches can provide, rather than those that are slim and stealthy, we suggest perusing our best gaming keyboards round-up instead.
Gamers prioritize the actuation that clicky feeling mechanical keyboards bring, whereas traditional home and office users are more about practicality. That said, the sheer magnitude of sound produced by a lot of mechanical keyboards is offputting to some. For those folks, we have some membrane keyboards to recommend as well.
- Image Credit: TechRadar
Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article
Put Your Finger on the Right-Fit Keyboard
Maybe your trusty old keyboard has typed its last letter or absorbed its last bagel crumb. Perhaps your gaming ambitions have outstripped the mushy, mediocre typer that came with your PC. Or maybe your hands are simply shouting: Hey, cut me some slack here! Whatever the reason, anyone can benefit from a better keyboard. After all, is any part of your computer more hands-on?
Before you go shopping, though, it pays to know what makes a keyboard a good fit. Modern models come in a bunch of subtypes, from boards optimized for typing efficiency to sculpted ergonomic designs that cradle your hands and relieve stress on the joints. Let's dig into the features to look for.
Connectivity Options: Wired and Wireless
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The simplest way to connect a wired keyboard to your PC is via a standard USB port. Non-gaming keyboards are usually plug-and-play devices, with no additional software to install, meaning that plugging in the keyboard cable is all the setup you'll need. Gaming keyboards, the exception, will typically work as soon as you plug them in, but come with their own software that lets you adjust features such as onboard RGB lighting and the assignment of macro keys. (More on that in a bit.)
Besides transferring your keystrokes to the computer, a USB connection also powers the keyboard, so there are no batteries to worry about. A few expensive gaming models with lots of customizable buttons and lights come with two USB cables, one for power delivery (and/or to feed extra USB ports on the keyboard itself) and one for the data connection, which means it will occupy two available USB ports. This isn't usually a problem, since you'll likely be connecting one of these keyboards to a large gaming desktop with many available USB ports.
If you want more freedom and less cable clutter on your desk, however, it's hard to beat a wireless keyboard. Wireless models transmit data to your PC through one of two primary means: an RF connection to a tiny USB dongle, or via a Bluetooth connection with no dongles required. Both have their pros and cons. But if you want to reduce the number of cables on your desk and gain the flexibility to use your keyboard at a distance—whether that be on your lap at your desk, or from across the room—wireless is the way to go.
Most wireless keyboards that use USB dongles transmit over the same 2.4GHz wireless frequency used for cordless phones and Wi-Fi routers. The dongle itself is usually a tiny rectangle—small enough to plug in and forget about. Not only is the dongle unobtrusive, but we find that the 2.4GHz signal tends to offer more stable connectivity than Bluetooth. Note that in some situations, these USB dongles can provide connectivity to more than one device, meaning you can use the single adapter for your wireless keyboard as well as a wireless mouse, assuming that both are the same brand and both support the same scheme. (Logitech, for example, refers to this single-dongle arrangement as 'Logitech Unifying'; some, but not all, of its peripherals support it.)
Bluetooth options make sense in certain situations; they don't monopolize a USB port, and newer versions of Bluetooth—the current one is 5.0—are stable, easy to manage, and offer compatibility with more mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. In regular use, a Bluetooth connection gives you roughly 30 feet of wireless range; we find, however, that Bluetooth keyboards tend to not match devices with a USB dongle on battery life. New innovations, including hand-proximity sensors, improve the battery life versus older Bluetooth devices, which maintained an always-on link, draining battery quickly.
Among the only major drawbacks of mainstream wireless keyboards is that few of them feature key backlighting, which hampers one of their most useful roles: controlling a home theater PC in a softly lit living room. If you do find a wireless model with backlighting, be prepared to change its batteries or recharge it frequently.
Layout and Ergonomics
Not all keyboards are created equal. In fact, not all keyboards are even laid out the same beyond the standard QWERTY letter keys.
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.
Smaller distinctions include the placement of the directional-arrow, Page Up and Down, and Home and End keys. Additionally, most current keyboards have basic media-file-control features, usually volume, play, pause, and track-change controls. These are typically dedicated media buttons located above the numeric pad, or built into the top row of Function (Fn) keys as shared-key shortcuts. Bonus points if the keyboard maker implements the volume control as a dial or roller, like on some high-end Corsair and Das Keyboard models.
To help users stave off carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress injury, many keyboards are available with designs that put your hands into a neutral position as you type. The result is not only greater comfort, but reduced stress to the joints and tendons, ultimately helping you to avoid painful inflammation and the potential for worse: expensive surgery. Ergonomic features can range from the simple (padded wrist rests) to the elaborate (a key layout that is sculpted to curve and slope, or a split design).
One very important ergonomic feature to look for is the ability to perform angle adjustment. This is usually accomplished by flipping out two plastic feet on the back of the keyboard to alter its angle relative to your wrists and forearms. Many keyboards—not only models designed specifically to be ergonomic—have these feet, and research has shown that it's important to experiment with them until your keyboard is flat or, ideally, angled slightly away from your wrists.
Keys and Switches: The Basics
One aspect of keyboard design that you'll see mentioned in reviews—but about which most people don't give a second thought—is the type of switches used for individual keys. You may not care about the specific mechanisms that reside beneath the keys, but you will feel the difference. The three primary types of switches are silicone dome switches, scissor switches, and mechanical switches.
Most budget keyboards, such as those that come bundled with new desktop PCs, use silicone-dome switches, which use two dimpled layers of silicone membrane that form a grid of rubber bubbles or domes as the springback in the switch for each key. The springiness of the silicone rubber makes for a soft, mushy feel as you press each key. The switch type also requires you to 'bottom out' with each keystroke, pressing the key to the bottom of the key well to type a letter. Because repeated flexing of the rubber membrane causes it to break down, silicone dome switches lose their springiness and responsiveness over time.
Some newer keyboards mimic the low-profile, chiclet-style keyboards found on full-size laptops and ultraportables. While a few of these use plain silicone-dome switches, many use scissor switches, which add a mechanical stabilizer to each key for a uniform feel, and an attached plunger under each keycap allows for shorter key travel. As a result, scissor-switch keyboards have a shallow typing feel, but they are generally more durable than rubber-dome switches alone.
Models That Just Click: Mechanical Keyboards
Most keyboard enthusiasts, however, won't have much to say for either of the two above styles—instead, they'll be singing the praises of mechanical keyboards.
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The switches used in these are a bit more intricate, with a spring-loaded sliding keypost under every key. Lots of variations are available, each tweaked to provide a slightly different feel or sound, but generally, mechanical switches provide better tactile feedback and many emit the 'clickety-clack' sound associated with typing. The sturdy switch mechanisms and springs are significantly longer-lasting, too. These switches can also register each keystroke with a much shorter amount of travel, making them ideal for touch typists.
The downside to mechanical switches? They usually require a lot more vertical space than silicone dome switches, which means the keyboards tend to be thicker. You won't often find them on shallower, low-profile keyboards. That could change now that venerable switch maker Cherry has introduced a new low-profile mechanical switch, but the vast majority of mechanicals are chunky.
In the past, most mainstream mechanical keyboards made use of switches from Cherry Industrial, with the switches coming in various-feel MX Blue, Red, Black, and Brown varieties. (Each 'color' has a slightly different click feel, acoustic aspect, and pressure characteristic; see our roundup of the best mechanical keyboards for a lot more detail on that.) Cherry switches are still popular, but nowadays you'll also see homebrew mechanical switches from leading keyboard makers such as Logitech and Razer, as well as 'imitation Cherry' switches, using the same color nomenclature, from makers such as Kaihua.
Deep Customization: Gaming Keyboards
While all keyboards offer the necessary QWERTY layout of keys for everyday typing, sometimes typing isn't your main concern. Gaming keyboards are designed for competitive use, and they emphasize different things.
Best Keyboards For Mac Computers
Gaming boards are equipped for maximum specialization and control, optimized for specific styles of gameplay, and built to exacting standards of responsiveness and durability. They also appeal to the gamer aesthetic, with designs that impress and intimidate with pulsing backlighting and dramatic color schemes.
Premium gaming models almost exclusively use high-grade mechanical key switches and sculpted keycaps, and offer lots of customizable features, such as programmable macro keys, textured WASD keys, and swappable keycaps. Others let you tweak the color and intensity of the backlighting to make finding certain keys faster and to personalize the look of your keyboard. On cheaper boards, the backlight coloration tends to be just one hue, but as you go up the market, you get programmable RGB lighting, sometimes customizable by zone, and at the very top end, assignable by each individual key (so-called 'per-key RGB').
Anti-ghosting is an essential feature, allowing multiple keystrokes hit at the same time to be registered simultaneously—something not all standard keyboards can do. Other extras include pass-through USB ports or audio connections on the keyboard, which simplify the process of connecting peripherals to a desktop PC whose ports may be inconvenient to reach under a desk.
Finally, any gaming keyboard worthy of its name comes outfitted with dedicated software and discrete keys for triggering macro commands, letting you pre-arrange complex strings of commands and activate them with a single press of a button. The number of macro commands that you can save, and the ease with which you can create them, vary from one model to the next; our reviews are handy for summaries of this kind of software. These aren't the sorts of customization features that everyone will use from day to day, but for players who invest time and money into gaming, these keyboards offer a competitive edge. Again, check out our guide to the best gaming keyboards for more on the gaming-software aspect.
Best External Keyboards For Mac
Ready for Our Recommendations?
The keyboard market is vast, so start your search with our roundup below of the best keyboards available. In the market for a mouse, too? Check out our top mouse picks, as well as our favorite mice for gaming.
The Best Keyboard Reviews Featured in This Roundup:
Corsair K68 RGB Review
MSRP: $119.99Pros: Authentic Cherry MX Red switches. Superior software. Dust/spill proof.Cons: Ho-hum plastic wrist rest. Help button poorly explains the 'static' lighting option.Bottom Line: This durable mechanical keyboard comes paired with great software. The custom lighting is a bit tricky at first, but once you figure it out, the possibilities are endless.Read ReviewCorsair K95 RGB Platinum Review
MSRP: $199.99Pros: Dedicated media controls. Smooth, responsive keys. Attractive brushed aluminum finish. Easy-to-use customization utility.Cons: Expensive. No audio jack.Bottom Line: Best ftp for mac. The Corsair K95 RGB Platinum is a pricey gaming keyboard with an ideal blend of aesthetics and functionality that leaves little room for improvement.Read ReviewKinesis Freestyle Edge RGB Split Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review
MSRP: $219.00Pros: 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.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.Read ReviewDas Keyboard 4Q Review
MSRP: $199.99Pros: Aluminum top plate. Dedicated media controls. Nifty RGB lighting.Cons: Q software can be frustrating to use.Bottom Line: The Das Keyboard 4Q carries on the mechanical-keyboard company's hardware legacy, but it's the RGB lighting, not the quirky 'Q' alerts software, that will justify the price premium for most of the Das faithful.Read ReviewLogitech G513 Carbon Review
MSRP: $149.99Pros: Choice of Linear and Tactile switch types. Comfortable and quiet for typing and gaming. Slick design. Roomy palm rest. Per-key RGB lighting.Cons: Software takes patience to learn. No dedicated macro or media keys. Subdued RGB illumination.Bottom Line: Though it cries out for media/macro keys, the minimalist Logitech G513 Carbon gaming keyboard justifies its price with custom, RGB-lit mechanical switches that feel great and won't wake up your household.Read ReviewRoccat Vulcan 120 AIMO Review
MSRP: $159.99Pros: Stately look can serve gamers, productivity users alike. High-quality switch feel and sound. Dedicated media keys and volume dial. Per-key RGB lighting, plus zone-based lighting.Cons: No dedicated macro keys. No USB or audio pass-through.Bottom Line: With custom Roccat key switches, elaborate RGB lighting, and a kitchen-sink feature set, the Vulcan 120 AIMO mechanical gaming keyboard is well worth the price of admission.Read ReviewSteelSeries Apex M750 Review
MSRP: $139.99Pros: Very fast switches. Unobtrusive, compact design. Excellent backlighting and function customization options.Cons: No dedicated media keys, G-keys or USB pass-through. No adjustable feet.Bottom Line: The SteelSeries Apex M750 is excellent for seasoned gamers who care less about bells and whistles and more about fast actuation and fine control of backlighting and key assignments.Read ReviewCorsair K83 Wireless Entertainment Keyboard Review
MSRP: $99.00Pros: Slim construction. Decent battery life and low latency rating for a wireless keyboard. Sensitive touchpad.Cons: Default key mapping changes from device to device. Bluetooth worked inconsistently on our sample. Cannot access iCUE software over Bluetooth.Bottom Line: The Corsair K83 is a solid living-room keyboard, great for navigating streaming sites and videos, though its ambitions as a keyboard-shaped 'universal remote' and gamepad replacement are a reach.Read ReviewRazer BlackWidow (2019) Review
MSRP: $119.99Pros: Compact for a full keyboard. Very nice build. Chroma Studio lighting.Cons: No macro keys, USB pass-through, or media controls. Price seems a little high for what it brings to the table.Bottom Line: The 2019 edition of Razer's BlackWidow gaming keyboard is a smart compromise for budget-conscious players, offering top-of-the-line fundamentals at the expense of some quality-of-life features we've come to expect in high-end devices.Read ReviewRazer Huntsman Elite Review
MSRP: $199.99Pros: Fast, tactile switches with light touch. Per-key RGB backlighting and underglow. Dedicated media keys and volume dial. Onboard memory for profiles and settings. Magnetic leatherette wrist rest.Cons: Expensive. Only one switch type. No dedicated macro keys.Bottom Line: With a new kind of key switch, plus wild RGB backlighting, dedicated media keys, and a volume dial, Razer's Huntsman Elite gaming keyboard offers plenty, but for the price, it's missing a few bits some gamers will deem crucial.Read Review