The 7 Best Mechanical Keyboards of 2021

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For some years, mechanical keyboards fell out of favor for cheaper alternatives. Despite this, mechanical keyboards are well-suited for gaming, work, and ergonomics.

Many people prefer the physical feel of the key presses and the associated sound. If you’re thinking of making the switch, it’s hard to know where to get started.

To help you out, here are the best mechanical keyboards you can buy today.

The Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT is among the lastest in the K95 series and offers a supreme mechanical keyboard experience for gamers and streamers.

This mechanical keyboard comes with dedicated macro keys, USB pass-through, and easy-access media controls. The macro keys make this an ideal choice for MMORPG gaming.

In many ways, the K95 RGB Platinum XT is an upgrade to the standard K95 Platinum. For the extra money, you get a more comfortable wrist rest and improved double shot keys.

If you already own the K95 Platinum, then it’s probably not worth spending the money to upgrade to the XT. However, if you’re looking for a new mechanical keyboard, they don’t come much better than this.

Key Features
  • 19-zone LightEdge
  • Low noise operation
  • 1.2 millimeter actuation
Specifications
  • Brand: Corsair
  • Wireless: No
  • Backlight: RGB
  • Media Controls: Yes
  • Battery: N/A
  • Num Pad: Yes
  • Switch Type: Cherry MX
  • Replaceable Keys: Yes
  • Brand: Corsair
Pros
  • Comfortable wrist rest
  • Plenty of onboard profiles
  • Designed for up to 100 million keystrokes
Cons
  • Not a massive upgrade over the K95 Platinum

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Editors choice

2. Razer Pro Type

8.20 / 10

Read Reviews

The Razer Pro Type shuns the company’s infamous green lighting and replaces it with a well-rounded mechanical keyboard. This keyboard finds the right balance between productivity and gaming.

The keyboard can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth. When attached in this way, it offers a whopping 84 hours of battery life. With RBG lighting enabled, this is reduced to 12 hours.

Razer’s Synapse software allows you to reassign keys and create custom profiles, which is a welcome premium feature for this type of mechanical keyboard.

Key Features
  • Can pair wirelessly with up to four devices
  • White LED backlit keys
  • Suitable for up to 80 million keystrokes
Specifications
  • Brand: Razer
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Media Controls: No
  • Battery: 84 hours, 12 hours with lighting
  • Num Pad: Yes
  • Switch Type: Orange
  • Replaceable Keys: Yes
  • Brand: Razer
Pros
  • Synapse software offers customization
  • Built-in dongle storage
  • 2.4GHz wireless
Cons
  • Battery life with lighting enabled isn’t the best

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The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is an easy-to-use mechanical keyboard that brings pleasure in the way it looks and feels. The body is solid yet still displays stunning RGB lighting and a nifty OLED display.

This keyboard may not be the best option for every day and productivity use due to its lack of Numpad. However, it’s designed for gamers, allowing for more ergonomic and strategic play.

The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL offers a good balance between price and features. It’s a solid solution for users looking for style and substance.

Key Features
  • Designed for up to 50 million keypresses
  • OLED smart display
  • RGB illumination
Specifications
  • Brand: SteelSeries
  • Wireless: No
  • Backlight: RGB
  • Media Controls: Yes
  • Battery: N/A
  • Num Pad: No
  • Switch Type: Red
  • Replaceable Keys: Yes
  • Brand: SteelSeries
Pros
  • Durable aluminum body
  • Per-key Programmable RGB backlighting
  • Handy display
Cons
  • Loud key action

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The Das Keyboard 4C TKL is easy to use and very comfortable. If your workspace is somewhat restricted, you’ll appreciate the tenkeyless design without being too cramped.

The high-quality build is very apparent, with a premium feel and a great set of features. The keys are effortlessly responsive, and the N-key rollover feature is a welcome addition that you can toggle on or off.

The lack of backlighting is a little frustrating given the price, especially if you’re used to this kind of design in other mechanical keyboards. However, the minor detail shouldn’t put you off this versatile option.

Key Features
  • Designed for up to 50 million keystrokes
  • Full NKRO over USB
  • Magnetically detachable footbar ruler
Specifications
  • Brand: Das Keyboard
  • Wireless: No
  • Backlight: No
  • Media Controls: No
  • Battery: N/A
  • Num Pad: No
  • Switch Type: Cherry MX Brown
  • Replaceable Keys: Yes
  • Brand: Das Keyboard
Pros
  • USB pass-through
  • High-quality build
  • Responsive keys
Cons
  • No backlighting

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The Logitech G PRO X is a competitive mechanical keyboard. Its compact design makes it easy to take to events, with the addition of a detachable USB cable.

The tenkeyless model is ideal for esports gamers, and this is reflected in the price. The Pro model is definitely geared towards professionals, with a well-rounded feature set and mechanical-switch sets available.

If you’re looking for a more functional mechanical keyboard, this is a pricey option as it is aimed more towards a niche market. However, the lack of onboard memory does feel hard to grasp, given its cost.

Key Features
  • Detachable cable
  • 12 programmable F-Key macros
  • No slip and adjustable
Specifications
  • Brand: Logitech
  • Wireless: No
  • Backlight: RGB
  • Media Controls: No
  • Battery: N/A
  • Num Pad: No
  • Switch Type: GX Red Linear
  • Replaceable Keys: Yes
  • Brand: Logitech
Pros
  • Switch key mechanisms on a per-key basis
  • Compact design
  • Nice to type and game with
Cons
  • Onboard memory slot for one profile only

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The HyperX Alloy Origins is a well-rounded mid-range mechanical keyboard that feels high-end. It’s much more affordable than other competitor keyboards and offers a unique feel with its proprietary keys.

If you’re looking for a simple, no-nonsense approach to your mechanical keyboard, this should tick all of the boxes. It’s ideal for base-level gaming and for users who enjoy the feel of a mechanical keyboard.

However, it lacks certain features that would be useful for gamers and streamers, so it puts this more into the productivity bracket. The missing volume control and dedicated macro keys are a little disappointing.

Key Features
  • Suitable for up to 80 million keystrokes
  • Three adjustable keyboard angles
  • Game mode
Specifications
  • Brand: HyperX
  • Wireless: No
  • Backlight: RGB
  • Media Controls: Yes
  • Battery: N/A
  • Num Pad: Yes
  • Switch Type: Red
  • Replaceable Keys: Yes
  • Brand: HyperX
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Minimalistic
  • Stylish
Cons
  • No dedicated macro keys

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The Drop ENTR Mechanical Keyboard is a beautiful keyboard to type on, making it ideal for professional typists and office use. You can feel the quality with every keystroke.

If you’re strapped for space, the Drop ENTR Mechanical Keyboard is neatly compact, allowing you to maximize your desktop use. The smooth matte finish coupled with the LED backlighting makes this mechanical keyboard feel like it’s built to last.

However, if you’re looking for programmable keys, customizable features, and configurable apps, you’d be better off considering a different mechanical keyboard.

Key Features
  • Detachable USB cable
  • N-key rollover
  • Suitable for up to 80 million keystrokes
Specifications
  • Brand: Drop
  • Wireless: No
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Media Controls: No
  • Battery: N/A
  • Num Pad: No
  • Switch Type: Halo True
  • Replaceable Keys: Yes
  • Brand: Drop
Pros
  • Compact design
  • Very nice to type on
  • Quiet when typing
Cons
  • No configuration software

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FAQ

Q: Why Are Mechanical Keyboards So Expensive?

Mechanical keyboards tend to cost more than standard input devices for a few reasons. Each key comes with a switch to activate it. This increases the materials cost of the keyboard. Manufacturing is also more complex, further increasing the price.

Q: How Long Do Mechanical Keyboards Last?

Mechanical keyboards tend to last around 10 years. Mechanical switches are much less likely to wear out compared to standard keys. As a result, they tend to last longer and retain the just-new feeling over time.

Q: Are Mechanical Keyboards Repairable?

You can repair mechanical keyboards in many cases. For example, if a switch breaks, you can order a new one and replace it. This is often very easy to do.

If diodes or LEDs break on your mechanical keyboard, this can be more tricky to repair. It is recommended that you contact the retailer or manufacturer rather than fix these yourself to protect any warranty coverage.

Source: makeuseof.com

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