Last Updated on May 1, 2019 by Jay
Mechanical keyboards are the bread and butter of not only gamers but also professionals and even casual users who are willing to reach deep into their pockets for a better typing experience. But, with that being said, choosing the right mechanical keyboard is no easy task. There are so many around. So, let us help you.
As per usual, we’ll be looking at some of the best choices so that you can pick whatever fits you best. Here we go!
Best Mechanical Keyboard for Everything: Corsair K95 RGB Platinum
The Corsair K70 Lux was called by many the best keyboard to ever come out. The K95 RGB Platinum came out a couple of years ago and to this day, it’s still one of the best mechanical keyboards that you can get, if not the best. It’s basically the improved version of the K70 in every single way.
If there’s one thing that’s a turn off for multiple people with this keyboard, then that would be its price. When it first came out, you were looking at more than 200 bucks. Now that you can grab it for 150, it’s definitely closer to the competition. Still expensive, though. But, if you consider that this is how much the K70 asks for as well, then there’s really no need (almost) to not go with this one instead.
You get:
- Cherry MX speed switches
- RGB lighting all around the keyboard (not just on the keycaps)
- Dedicated media keys
- A dedicated volume bar
- Six macro keys that you can use for whatever you want
- Sturdy build quality
- Software which allows you to fully control the lighting
- Corsair’s warranty
- USB passthrough for easy USB access
- Detachable wrist rest with two sides: textured and non-textured
Overall, the K95 is definitely one of the best choices around. The only downsides?
- Very expensive
- It’s rather huge
- Only comes with Cherry MX speed switches
- Non-removable cable
You can solve at least two of those downsides if you go with the K70 Lux Red LED version. It’s much cheaper at less than $100 and gives you numerous options for switches.
However, that’s not RGB, doesn’t come with macro keys, and the wrist rest is textured only. So, pick whatever fits you best.
Get the Corsair K95 From Amazon
Best Keyboard for Gaming: HyperX Alloy FPS
Kingston has offered numerous great gaming peripherals with their HyperX series and this keyboard is no different. Numerous pro gamers are using the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro as their main keyboard. S1mple and Shroud are two of the most popular pro gamers (even though Shroud has abandoned the pro scene) who are using this keyboard as their go-to choice when gaming. If it’s good enough for them, then it should be good enough for you.
The compact version with RED Led lighting costs less than half the price of the K95 while it also offers a detachable cable and an extremely small design. It just doesn’t get any better for FPS gamers who are looking for a good mechanical keyboard without too many bells and whistles. Not to mention without spending a fortune on it.
The pros of the HyperX Alloy include:
- Great compact design and portability
- Detachable cord
- Solid build quality with an alloy frame
- Very minimalistic – a great choice for those who want something that just works
- The cable can be replaced in case that you end up destroying the old one somehow
As for the cons:
- Lack of numpad can be a deal breaker for some people
- Same thing goes for missing features like RGB, USB passthrough, media keys, etc
- The full-sized version costs so much that you may as well pick up the K70 Lux or spend a bit more and go with the K95
Get the HyperX Alloy FPS From Amazon
Best Keyboard for Typing: Corsair K70 Lux
Wait, what? Two Corsair products in one list? Well, yeah. Corsair is known for kinda dominating the keyboard market. So, not that big of a surprise there.
Why the K70? Well, it’s simple. You get most of the features and benefits that the K95 gives you, except you can now choose between different switches. That makes all the difference in the world for typists.
Most writers will prefer Chery MX Blue switches. The clickiness and heavy tactile feedback lets you know when you pressed a key and that’s one of the most important reasons to go for a mechanical keyboard instead of a membrane one. Or at least that’s when typing is involved.
If you want a middle line between typing and gaming, then you can go with Cherry MX Browns. They are not as heavy as the Blues and they don’t offer the clicky sound but they still come with lighter tactile feedback.
The only downside of this keyboard is that it doesn’t come with RGB lighting (though, you can still get the RGB version for an extra 60 bucks if you want). Also, it doesn’t have the extra macro keys and the full body lighting that the K95 offers.
Still, if you only need it for typing, then that shouldn’t be an issue. Overall, the K70 is a slightly nerfed K95 that asks for much less money and offers tactile feedback. Hard to go wrong with it.
Get the Corsair K70 Lux From Amazon
Best Budget Mechanical Keyboard: Redragon K552
In case you haven’t noticed till now, mechanical keyboards are freaking expensive. Even at the cheapest options with compact keyboards, you’re looking at more than 60 bucks. And once you start venturing lower, chances are that you’ll encounter numerous mechanical “feel” keyboards that are actually membrane keyboards.
Not in this case. The Redragon K552 is a real mechanical keyboard that asks for 35 bucks. That’s really how cheap you can go without completely butchering the build quality.
Now, with that being said, when you wanna get something that is so much cheaper than the competition, there are compromises that need to be made. For once, this doesn’t come with Cherry MX switches but with cheap knock-offs.
Let us clarify something, this is definitely not a bad keyboard. Is it as good as our other options? Obviously not. Is it a good keyboard regardless of that? Yes. While the switches aren’t anywhere near as consistent and high-quality as the Cherry MX counterparts, they are still mechanical switches.
The same thing goes for the build quality. It’s not as good as the other choices. But, still, not bad. Overall, if you want a mechanical keyboard that gets the job done for as cheap as possible, do definitely consider this one.
Of course, you don’t get anything that “normal” mechanicals offer. No dedicated media keys, no removable cable, no RGB (except if you wanna spend the extra money for it), no wrist rest, or anything for that matter.
Still, it’s a mechanical keyboard and it doesn’t ask for a lot of money.
Get the Redragon K552 From Amazon
If you feel like there’s another keyboard that’s worthy of being on this list, then do let us and everyone else know about it. Also, if you liked this article, then don’t forget to share it with your friends.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-k-8246a1169/
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