Other Good Keyboards
These keyboards are not quite good enough for the spots above, or just don't have standout features. They're still worth a look.
Photograph: Henri Robbins
MCHose x UnboxTherapy UT98 for $139: Meant to be more of a productivity board than many of the options on this list, the UT98 is a 98% keyboard with a striking colorway and a compact-but-functional layout. I was impressed by how good the switches sound and feel. The Creamsicle switches have a satisfyingly deep typing tone and a smooth, bouncy typing feel, and the Silent Peach V2 switches are one of the better silent options. They feel a bit doughy when bottoming out, but don’t have the uncomfortable mushiness of many other silent switches. The number pad integration is not only functional, but has a trick up its sleeve: Right next to the Num Lock key is a macro that automatically opens your system’s calculator app. This can be easily tapped with your index finger or pressed as you move your right hand to the numpad. Directly below it is a roller knob that adjusts your system volume, which my pinky could easily access with only limited adjustment from the home row. While the UT98 does have a relatively thin plastic shell, I didn’t find the build quality to be particularly lacking besides that. The plastic shell also works with the switches to create a deeper typing sound compared to an all-metal housing, and it makes the keyboard significantly lighter for transport—a detail that pairs well with its Bluetooth and 2.4-GHz wireless connectivity. The YouTuber-themed branding is fairly minimal, and the two Unbox Therapy-themed keycaps can easily be replaced with included standard keys, meaning it can simply be a normal keyboard at the end of the day.
Photograph: Henri Robbins
Logitech G Pro-X TKL for $220: While this keyboard offers great specs on paper, with high-speed polling, consistent wireless connectivity, and a few cool features, the typing experience doesn’t match up to other keyboards on this list. The switches sound rattly when typing, and the stabilizers in the unit I received were over-lubed, so typing on any of the longer keys felt incredibly spongy. However, this keyboard could still be ideal for a certain kind of buyer. The typing experience feels incredibly similar to classic Cherry MX Browns, but the 1,000-Hz wireless polling rate, smooth volume knob, and remapping through Logitech’s G-Hub software all make it a distinctly modern keyboard. If you have an older mechanical keyboard and want to modernize your setup while maintaining the “classic” typing feel, this could be the right option for you.
Keychron V1 Max for $115: Keychron's V1 Max has most of the benefits of the BlackWidow V4 without the extras to keep the price close to $100. It's gasket-mounted, meaning the keyboard's plate is held into the case around the edges using strips of foam to isolate the plate from the case. This allows for some bounce and offers a quieter and more consistent typing sound across the keyboard. You also get wireless connectivity, RGB lighting, hot-swap sockets, and a great overall typing feel out of the box. It’s fully programmable using QMK and VIA software, meaning every key can be remapped. The V1 Max only has a 1,000-Hz polling rate compared to Razer’s 8,000 Hz (how fast the keyboard sends information to the computer), but 1,000 Hz is more than enough for most fast-paced games. Its RGB is much more rudimentary, but the rest of its specs more than make up for this, considering the price. I found its typing experience fantastically poppy and crisp, and all the materials are shockingly nice—solid keycaps, great switches, and a simple two-piece plastic case that’s easy to take apart. The largest trade-off is the quality of the case. The plastic isn’t super thick, and the entire keyboard easily flexes when bent. However, the gasket-mount system makes this hard to notice in regular use. More than that, a plastic case like this is lighter than metal, and any scrapes and dents it picks up will be much less obvious, making it an ideal candidate for use on the go or in an office, especially with the included wireless dongles for both USB-A and USB-C.
Photograph: Henri Robbins
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% for $300: Razer’s highest-end keyboard does almost everything right, but it’s way too expensive. The Pro (7/10, WIRED Review) keeps the same strong tactile switches and gasket mounting system of the original BlackWidow V4 75% and adds wireless connectivity, a new dial on the side, and a customizable OLED screen right next to it. These upgrades don't justify the $110 price bump, but they’re still incredibly well-executed and come together to make an impressive gaming keyboard if you can find it on sale.
Photograph: Lemokey
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