The Best Bluetooth Mechanical Keyboards

Author: Michael Crider / Source: howtogeek.com

It’s odd that, given their booming popularity among all kinds of computer users, mechanical keyboards still have so few wireless options. Between gamers, computing purists, and pragmatists, there doesn’t seem to be much desire for Bluetooth mechanical boards.

But if you’d like a mobile-friendly keyboard, or just a more aesthetically pleasing one for your desktop, there are a handful of options out there.

Varmilo VB87M: The Best All-Around Option

Varmilo, a Chinese vendor well-known among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, sells what’s probably the most widely-used tenkeyless Bluetooth mechanical design. The VB87M is essentially the same product as its VA87M, with an included Bluetooth module and a battery. The plastic case and high-end PBT keycaps are offered in a variety of colors, including a fetching side-printed option that preserves the legends under constant typing. Though the price is high and the somewhat antiquated Mini-USB (not Micro-USB) is a bit of a bummer, this is the most reliable design I’ve tried, and my personal “daily driver” for several years.

The VB87M is manufactured in small batches and isn’t often in stock, but it tends to go on sale at Massdrop for around $140 every couple of months. Different colors, LED backlight colors, and a wide selection of Cherry or Gateron switches are available. A smaller Varmilo design with Topre key switches, the VB67M, is unfortunately out of production.

Obins Anne Pro: For Those Who Want Mobile Flexibility

At the moment the Anne Pro ($90) is probably the most popular 60% Bluetooth mechanical keyboard design.

This is due to a combination of easy mobile support with a purpose-made Android programming app, easy availability from vendors like Amazon, and full RGB LED support. The keys and lighting layout can be re-arranged in almost any fashion, which is especially helpful on a somewhat limited 60% design. The board comes with PBT keycaps from the factory, a standard ANSI arrangement that’s compatible with aftermarket keycaps, and it comes with a free USB Bluetooth adapter in the package. Gateron switches are available in Blue, Brown, and Red designs, and white or black keys/cases are sold.

Logitech G613: The Wireless Option For Gamers

Logitech’s dipped a toe or two in the mechanical keyboard pool before, but the $150 G613 is their first wireless model… and the first “gaming” wireless keyboard I’ve ever seen. It comes with a choice of standard Bluetooth or Logitech’s “Lightspeed” USB wireless dongle with a claimed one millisecond response time. Unfortunately that connection flexibility means a bit of rigidity in other areas: it comes with only a full-sized layout (plus extra programmable macro keys) and Logitech’s proprietary Romer-G switches, which aren’t compatible with aftermarket keycaps. It has extra media and connection keys, but does without backlighting to save battery, which Logitech says can last 18 months on two AAs.