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Mechanical keyboards have been around for a while, but with the increase in demand for PCs, these products had to be made more affordable.
As with everything that has to be made affordable, keyboards had to lose some of their features like durability and ease of use.
However, some people still use mechanical keyboards because of their many advantages. So we have made a list of the best mechanical keyboards for typing.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Mechanical Keyboard For Typing
- OUR TOP PICK: Eagletec KG010 Mechanical Keyboard
- RUNNER-UP: Das Keyboard 4 Professional
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: VELOCIFIRE TKL02 Mechanical Keyboard
Comparison Chart of the Best Mechanical Keyboards For Typing
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What Makes a Mechanical Keyboard Great For Long Hours of Typing?
If your job involves typing for hours or if you are a gamer who uses a keyboard, then you might know that after some time, your fingers and wrists will start to ache. There are measures you can take to keep that in check like a wrist rest, but there will be the fatigue of fingers. In these cases, mechanical keyboards serve better than the rest. Some of their key advantages are explained below.
Durability
These keyboards are made from much sturdier material than the common plastic-type keyboards today and hence, are much more durable. But durability is not just about the casing of the keyboard, it involves the effectiveness of the keys.
Normal keyboards use something called a dome-switch, which over time, becomes ineffective, and you cannot send an input to the computer. Their average keystroke life is five-million, and you end up having to change them a couple of times.
Mechanical keyboards, on the other hand, often have a keystroke lifespan of 50-million. They don’t have silicon between the switches, and instead, the key directly presses the switch, and you get your input.
Ergonomics
When writing for long hours, ergonomics is perhaps the most important feature. The way mechanical keyboards accomplish this is called a tactile response, and less force is required to press down the keys. The tactile response in a keyboard is the bump in its response. These kinds of keyboards are always recommended for people who spend most of their day behind a desk using a computer.
Sound
If you have ever seen an old movie or maybe if your grandfather was a writer, then you will know the clickity-clackity sound of a typewriter. The sound is very satisfying and often, a feature people look for in their keyboards. These mechanical keyboards produce more of this sound than cheaper ones.
Review of the Best Mechanical Keyboards For Typing
Now that you know these keyboards are overall better for your typing and work, these are our picks for the best in the market that you can buy.
Best Overall:
Eagletec KG010
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The metal plate of the keyboard makes it feel much more rigid and durable. The keys are very responsive, and the blue light makes for a great gaming keyboard. Another appreciated feature is the extra-long USB cable, so you can sit back and type from wherever you feel comfortable.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The first thing about this keyboard is the design of its switches. They have been custom-made and include a metal plate, which gives them rigidity. They are very responsive, tactile, and precise. The frame is made from high-grade aluminum with a compact size.
The blue backlight has ten different adjustable brightness levels so you can set it according to your comfort. All 104 keys have individual settings and no ghosting. It also has a spill-free design and non-slip back feet.
Who Will Use This Most
The blue backlight attracts gamers to this keyboard. It can also be used for other things. Other features that support gaming include interchangeable WASD and arrow keys, and a disabled WIN key. It is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, and MAC OS. It is also compatible with all major computer brands.
Bottom Line
This is our top pick because of the ergonomic and high-quality design while also maintaining a very reasonable price range. This keyboard will last you a long time without the keys starting to lose their accuracy. You will feel a change and improvement through use.
Runner-up:
Das Keyboard 4 Professional
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This keyboard gives a good constant sound, which can be either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you use it. It seems to be of good quality and is reasonably priced. The lack of RGB lighting doesn’t bother many users because of its quality and tactile response.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It uses Cherry MX switches that are the most responsive and accurate switches in the market. You can buy them in both brown and blue types, depending on your preference.
Brown switches are softer and more tactile than the blue ones. There is an oversized volume knob and media controls. The frame is made of anodized aluminum for durability. It uses a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 hub for faster typing speed and response. The foot bar is designed to be removable and can be used as a ruler. It also has power saving options.
Who Will Use This Most
This keyboard is specifically designed for Mac users. It has features that give access to different commands and functions specific to Mac. It also has dedicated media controls for gamers and movie lovers. It can be used on OS other than Mac, but it pairs better with it.
Bottom Line
Overall, this keyboard comes in second mostly because it is not made for every OS. Other than that, it has all the features of a mechanical keyboard like a long lifespan and tactile response. The extra Mac OS unique functions are all supported to make things easier for the user.
Best for the Money:
VELOCIFIRE TKL02
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users state that this keyboard has a very comfortable and durable design like you would expect from a good-quality mechanical keyboard. The added wireless ability means no more long and tangled wires. This further improves usability. The key response time is very fast and you might have to get used to that.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This model has a back foot with a non-slip design which keeps the keyboard in place throughout typing. It is not too heavy but heavier than some other models. The backlighting is nothing fancy but a simple white light helps with using in the dark.
It also has wireless connection ability, which makes it portable. The use of brown switches makes it very fast in its feedback and more comfortable to use.
Who Will Use This Most
This keyboard is only compatible with Mac products, including iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Pro. Having a wireless connection helps when using a MacBook. It also adds to portability so you can take it with you to work and not have to use a different keyboard. Its compact design helps with that, as well.
Bottom Line
This model comes in our more reasonably priced keyboards. When determining value, you don’t just look at the price but also the quality it offers. A low-priced, low-quality product is of no use to anyone. Therefore, this has made our list. It strikes a good balance between value and money.
Best Mechanical Keyboard for Typing and Gaming:
Razer Blackwidow Ultimate
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent users state that the adjustable lighting is excellent and great for gaming. The clicking sound and feel of the keyboard are very old-school and something that many mechanical keyboard users look for. The keys are fast and responsive enough for gaming and other heavy use, as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Razer uses its own unique build key switches, which have designed for more speed and better response time. All keys have individual controls for programmable RGB lighting. These lights are controlled via a Razer Synapse software that controls things like breathing, ripple, wave, starlight, and more.
It has a higher lifespan with 60-million keystroke capabilities. The top frame has a coating that makes it smudge-free and clean.
Who Will Use This Most
Their tagline for this product is “for gamers, by gamers,” and that says it all. Everything from completely adjustable RGB lighting to an ergonomic and fast keypad make this the perfect product for all gamers. The price is enough for it to come within most people’s budgets.
Bottom Line
Razer strives to make their keyboards the best for gaming by designing everything from the bottom up. This is more durable than other mechanical keyboards, and you should not have to replace it anytime soon.
Editor's Pick:
Plugable Mechanical Keyboard
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
As per user reports, this keyboard gives a good build and look, for the price it comes with. The switches are responsive, and it has a good, comfortable feel to it. It also has a very audible sound response, so you should make sure it is something you can work with.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This keyboard is a little higher in the price range, but that bump in price comes with quality. It has that clicking response sound that you look for in a mechanical keyboard and may be a little louder than some. It comes with a keycap removal tool that you can use for cleaning beneath the keys.
The switches used here are Cherry MX with a 50-million keystroke life. The caps are designed with a double-shot technique, which is used to make them more durable. It has a full N-key rollover with a micro-controller chipset to maintain 100% anti-ghosting.
Who Will Use This Most
For gamers, this keyboard has an adjustable backlight and WASP and arrow keys that can be interchanged. The Windows and context keys can also be disabled when gaming. It has an ergonomic design for long use and is compatible with all Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems.
Bottom Line
This is our last pick for mechanical keyboards. It has all the expected features of a mechanical keyboard like Cherry MX switches, 50-million keystrokes, ergonomic design, and anti-ghosting. It is very easy to use and has a durable design with rubber pads, drain holes, and ABS keycaps.
Conclusion
Many of you might not have known the difference between mechanical and other keyboards, but those of you who are avid gamers, writers, programmers, etc. will know the difference. When your work revolves around typing, you have to know what is what.
Mechanical keyboards have been making a comeback for this exact reason. They are a much better investment and are more fun to use. Though they can be pricier, the models we have chosen here are on the lower side of the price range and should remain within budget.
People Also Ask
If you are still not convinced and have more questions about mechanical keyboards, then perhaps these frequently asked questions will put you at ease.
Can You Type Faster on a Mechanical Keyboard?
For fast typing, you need two things, one is practice and the other is key switches. In mechanical keypads, you don’t have to press too hard or low on the keys for it to register, which ends up in faster response and hence, faster typing. But this does not mean that everyone will instantly become a pro in typing. With these keyboards, you still need to have some practice.
Why Use A Mechanical Keyboard For Typing?
All of the reasons for using mechanical keyboards over other types have been explained above. These include the durability of keystrokes, faster response time, ergonomic design, and tactile response.
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