Best Cheap Mechanical Keyboards of 2023 – Buyer’s Guide

Austin
| Last Updated: January 14, 2023

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Video gaming never gets old for gamers, does it?

No matter how many games you have played or how many challenges you have beaten, there’s constant thrill-seeking. This kind of passion for gaming makes people desire the latest gaming equipment. 

They are particularly concerned about getting the right mechanical keyboard. This is due to their need to constantly run their fingers over the keyboard while playing. Considering this, we have the ultimate review of the best mechanical keyboards for gamers. 

Comparison of the Best Cheap Mechanical Keyboards

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Designed for longevity with greater durability
  • Offers medium resistance and crisp click sound
  • 5 backlight brightness levels
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  • Comes with full numeric keypad
  • Features gold-plated corrosion-free USB connector
  • Constructed of industrial aircraft-grade aluminium
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  • Best for the Money
  • Very thin and light, compact design
  • Equipped with multiple backlight modes
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  • Best Mechanical Keyboard Under $30
  • Made of durable and high-quality ABS materials
  • 10 multimedia hot keys on the top of the keyboard
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VicTsing RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboar
  • Best Mechanical Keyboard Under $50
  • Customizable RGB lighting programmable backlit features
  • 96 keys are conflict-free is more user-friendly
  • Best Mechanical Keyboard Under $75
  • Enhanced tactile typing experience
  • Made of full-metal material
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  • Best Mechanical Keyboard Under $100
  • Equipped with comfortable, soft-cushioned membrane
  • Built-in magnets for convenient alignment
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Can You Really Find a Quality Mechanical Keyboard That’s Cheap and Affordable

Well, it's no secret that mechanical keyboards, on the whole, are quite expensive. But yes, there are some models that cost less than others. The usual idea is, the more expensive a product is, the better it will be. 

But, it does not always hold true. You can come across things that do not cost much but have a very high quality. Similarly, there are some mechanical keyboards that might seem too cheap to you but cost a lot. 

However, if you purchase an inexpensive, quality product, you will realize that there is nothing cheap about them except for their price. So, you need to compare both the prices and specifications of the mechanical keyboards before buying one.

Review of the Best Cheap Mechanical Keyboards

Now that you know that cheap mechanical keyboards can actually be your best choice, you should look at different options. So, here are some of our favorite mechanical keyboards that are low on price but high on quality. 

Best Overall:
Redragon K552

PROS

  • 87 keys including 12 multimedia keys
  • Metal ABS construction for heavy-duty use
  • 60% mechanical keyboard with black frame
  • Highly tested keyboard that offers great tactility 
  • Ergonomic design with splash-proof technology

CONS

  • A and D keys can be non-responsive sometimes

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers have reported a great time with this Redragon mechanical keyboard. They found its 60% value quite reliable as it helped improve their gaming experience. They were fond of the all-black frame, which has a stylish yet sophisticated vibe about it.

Why it Stands Out to Us

It stands out to us most with its ergonomic design. The keyboard has anti-splash technology, which helps in keeping the keys protected. It has been tested for 50 million keystrokes, which makes it much more reliable than other keyboards.

Who Will Use This Most

This is most useful for gaming and office use, where you have to type all the time. The ergonomic design makes it comfortable to use, even for hours on end. So, if you find it hard to tear yourself away from your gaming console but do not like hand fatigue, then this is the model to go for. 

Bottom Line

The bottom line on this one is that it is one of the best mechanical keyboards in the market. Everything from the tactile design to the ergonomic construction is on point. The multimedia keys are all together to help you access your media files easily.

Runner-up:
Eagletec KG010

PROS

  • 104 keys have a smooth lighting
  • The N-key rollover is conflict-free
  • High compatibility with Windows and Mac
  • Ergonomic aluminum design is quite reliable
  • Gold-plated USB connector is corrosion-resistant

CONS

  • Multimedia keys get fluctuations
  • Control unit does not have a long life

What Recent Buyers Report

This Eagletec Mechanical Keyboard has impressed its recent buyers a lot. They recommend it for the ultra-smooth surface of its 104 keys. They liked the placement of the keys, as well, which not only makes them easy to use but easy to clean, too. However, they had some issues with the multimedia keys, which become unresponsive.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Its single blue backlight is what makes us like this mechanical keyboard the most. It also has very high compatibility with both Windows and Mac computers increasing its usability. Moreover, it has a smooth running N-key rollover, which does not get stuck. This ensures a continuous gaming experience without any issues.  

Who Will Use This Most

This keyboard is best for those who love personalizing their gaming console. It also has interchangeable AWSD and arrow keys, which help you keep typing and scrolling on the go. They let you customize the use of keys according to your preferences, as well. 

Bottom Line

Summing up, this is a great mechanical keyboard that offers you high-quality gaming. The USB port has gold plating on it, which prevents it from any kind of corrosion. The presence of 104 keys makes controlling different functions at the same time easier. So, this model is well worth the money. 

Best for the Money:
HAVIT Backlit Wired Gaming Keyboard

PROS

  • 1500 mm long black USB cable
  • 87 rigorously tested keys on the board
  • Lightweight body as weighs only 520 grams
  • User-friendly design with plug-and-play functioning
  • Short travel distance between keys for speedy performance

CONS

  • Restricted compatibility with Mac computers

What Recent Buyers Report

People who bought this mechanical keyboard recently found it very useful. They liked the user-friendly nature of its design. All they had to do was plug it into the processor and start clicking away on the keys. Buyers also approved of the overall construction, which has a metallic frame to provide better support.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The ice-blue LED light in the keys makes this mechanical keyboard eye-catching. They have a pleasant vibe, which creates a soothing yet stimulating aura. It weighs only 520 grams and is easy to carry and handle. It also has a slip-proof design, so there are the least possible mishaps, even when you are a bit careless.

Who Will Use This Most

This is for Windows users only, as the keyboard does not have plausible compatibility with Mac computers. It is also great for those who need to type very fast. The keys have the minimum possible gap between them to help you save time. This also helps in keeping the keyboard’s plane quite compact overall.

Bottom Line

So, all in all, this is one of the most affordable mechanical keyboard options on the market. It has highly tested keys that can endure daily wear and tear easily. It also has 87 standardized keys that keep the layout of the keyboard clean and practical. 

Best Mechanical Keyboard Under $30:
BlueFinger Mechanical Computer Keyboard

PROS

  • 3 LED colors and 3 breathing modes
  • Easy access to multimedia with 10 hotkeys
  • Fashionable and unique crack design on the surface
  • ABS construction for greater reliability and durability
  • 6 months return or exchange warranty on the keyboard

CONS

  • Some keys need frequent replacement
  • Slightly heavier than others at 2 pounds

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers came up with positive reviews about this BlueFinger mechanical keyboard. They liked its ABS construction the most. It does not only increase the life of the keyboard but also its ease of use. And, buyers loved both of these things about this unit.

Why it Stands Out to Us

It stands out to us with the diversity of lighting modes. There are three LED colors and three breathing modes which combine to form a very aesthetic appearance. The keys and the keyboard have a cracked design which makes it quite unique and stylish. 

Who Will Use This Most

This is best suited for people who want to have a high-quality gaming console with amazing aesthetics. The crack design is more than enough to help them stand out among their gaming buddies who use regular mechanical keyboards. 

Bottom Line

To sum up, it is a cheap but very useful mechanical keyboard. It has a fashionable design with a very comfortable wrist pad and smooth keys. All of these make it a must-have, so consider this model seriously when you are checking your options. 

Best Mechanical Keyboard Under $50:
VicTsing RGB

PROS

  • All metal panel for higher durability
  • Keys have double-shot molded keycaps
  • 96 keys offer a diverse range of control options
  • Tactile blue switches for quick audio adjustment
  • Floating keys deliver a more realistic gaming experience 

CONS

  • Extra sensitive keys
  • Wrist pad has a logo on it

What Recent Buyers Report

Those who got this VicTsing recently liked it a lot. They found its all-metal panel very reliable as it does not get any dents or other physical damage. They like the variety of control options that the keyboard offers, along with an even spread of its 96 keys. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

The RGB lighting in this keyboard helps it distinguish itself to us the most. The key caps have a double molded design, which increases their sensitivity and overall speed. The blue switches are also both nice to look at and easy to use to control audio and other functions.

Who Will Use This Most

This is highly useful for those who like a constantly shifting collection of colors on their keyboard. The RGB lighting is quite amazing, and they will love it. It is also great for those who want to have a very fast typing speed.

Bottom Line

The final word on this is that it is an affordable and modern mechanical keyboard. It satisfies the needs of its users quite well and looks great too. So, what else can someone ask for from a mechanical keyboard for under $50?

Best Mechanical Keyboard Under $75:
Redragon K556 RGB

PROS

  • 18 backlit modes for added diversity
  • RGB lighting throughout the 104 keys
  • Full metal design with matte finish surface
  • Greater responsiveness due to thin keycaps
  • Aluminum construction to provide a firm base

CONS

  • USB cable is a little too small

What Recent Buyers Report

The majority of recent buyers had a mixture of responses about this mechanical keyboard. Most of them loved the aesthetics and strength of the frame of this keyboard. They also like the smoothness of the keys. But, some of them had problems with the USB cable as it is quite small. Despite that, they loved all that this unit had on offer.  

Why it Stands Out to Us

It gains our attention with the presence of 18 backlit modes. They provide a greater variety of colors and patterns to the users to set the lighting according to their preferences. The keycaps are very thin, so they have high responsiveness. This, along with the spread of the keys, helps in quicker typing.

Who Will Use This Most

This is best suited to the needs of those who are into more active control of the computers. The 104 keys have a separate line of multimedia keys, which lets the gamers reach out to their media files. 

Bottom Line

This is an incredible mechanical keyboard that has a diverse RGB lighting range. It also has aluminum construction, which makes the overall frame quite durable. It fights off corrosion actively, and the metal is light in weight, too. So, the overall construction and appearance are totally worth the amount you spend on it. 

Best Mechanical Keyboard Under $100:
Razer Ornata Chroma

PROS

  • Can support up to 80 million clicks
  • A manufacturer’s warranty of 2 years
  • Leathered support with the wrist pad
  • Supports 168 million colors on each key
  • Highly sensitive keys minimize response time

CONS

  • No USB ports in it
  • Keys need regular lubrication

What Recent Buyers Report

This keyboard struck a fine chord with its recent buyers due to its high-quality construction and performance. They found its RGB lighting to be very stimulating and cool. They also liked how it brought new energy to their gaming arena. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

What makes this unit stand out is its warranty of two years, which makes the keyboard highly trustworthy. The keys have higher sensitivity, which lets users save their time while gaming or working. The faux leather wrist pad is another nice feature as it helps users stay comfortable. 

Who Will Use This Most

This is most useful for the people who believe in both a stylish design and reliable functioning. The keys are designed to support up to 80 million clicks, which ensures a long life of the keyboard. It means that once you invest in it, you do not have to worry about any keys falling out. 

Bottom Line

Considering all the features, it is one of the coolest mechanical keyboards on our list for under $100. The keys have millions of color options to choose from, which allow greater personalization. The RGB lighting has a smooth spread all through the keyboard, making every key seem alive. 

Conclusion

Wrapping it all up, mechanical keyboards are surely an important part of a gamer’s equipment. Since you have to consistently push keys on the keyboard, they should be strong enough to deal with all the wear. So, you need to buy a mechanical keyboard that is both highly compatible with your gaming console and stays comfortable.

People Also Ask

Mechanical keyboards can have a major effect on the overall gaming experience. This is why people are very particular about them when getting new gaming equipment. So, they come up with many questions, some of which we have answered below for your ease. 

Why Are Mechanical Keyboards so Expensive?

Mechanical keyboards are priced almost 10 to 20 times higher than usual keyboards. This is because they have so many parts that need time and effort to assemble. They also have a tactile body that needs more expensive and durable material for construction. 

All of this, in turn, makes a mechanical keyboard seem much more expensive. But keep in mind that they work better than other keyboards, too.

How Much Do Mechanical Keyboards Cost?

Mechanical keyboards, on average, cost somewhere between $100 and $200. This price might seem a little high to those who are new to the world of gaming. But, it is really not that much when you consider the construction and other features of these keyboards. 

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Austin

When the tech company I worked for restructured and I ended up jobless, I decided to put the wealth of knowledge and management skills to use somewhere new. I’d checked out a few buyer’s guides on the site in the past and reached out to the previous owner. A few months later, here we are. Now, I get to be behind the scenes, helping people find the best tech.