Author: Michael Crider / Source: reviewgeek.com
Interested in trying out a mechanical keyboard but don’t know here to start? We’ve rounded up some fantastic best-in-class models for every situation and budget.
If you’re unfamiliar with mechanical keyboards you might be curious as to why people seem so into them and if they’re a good fit for you.
The main advantage of mechanical keyboards is a long, satisfying key travel thanks to individually-manufactured switch mechanisms. They’ve become incredibly popular among serious typists and gamers on account of how responsive they are and how enjoyable they are to type on. If you’ve never used one before the best analogy we can think of is it’s like the different between using a cheap plastic tool and a carefully machined all-metal tool—the weight and precision creates a more comfortable user experience.The selection for mechanical keyboards is diverse—so diverse that nailing it down to a handful of selections is more or less impossible. But the following categories should have you covered if you’re just starting out, and you want to explore the better feel and more customization nature of mechanical keyboards in general. We’ve selected picks for the best all-around board, the best compact travel board, the best wireless and cheap options, and the best for those who want to dig into custom switches and keycaps.
Oh, and if you get confused with some of the terms below, check out this glossary from our sister site How-To Geek. It has all the obscure definitions for the mechanical keyboard niche—you’ll get the lingo down in no time.
Best All-Around Board: Cooler Master MasterKeys ($119)
Cooler Master is best known for PC cases, fans, CPU coolers and the like, but they’ve been making some fantastic general audience mechanical keyboards for a long time. Their current line, titled “MasterKeys” with a variety of modifying descriptions, offers a more sober take on a mech that’s equally at home in an office or in front of your gaming battlestation. Unlike some alternatives, it features genuine Cherry MX switches: red for gamers, brown for typists, blue for VERY LOUD TYPISTS. There are also three three different size choices, and a selection of lighting options—there’s a model for almost any user and budget. The top-of-the-line, $150 MK750 model features an aluminum case and a USB Type-C connection, but it’s not functionally very different from the much cheaper MasterKeys S. They’re all programmable with macros and custom functions via either included desktop software or binds using the keys themselves, though this can sometimes get confusing.
But what we like most about Cooler Master’s line is that it’s functional. Unlike mechanical keyboards that dominate other major retail brands, the MasterKeys line doesn’t try to dazzle you with superfluous styling or unnecessary add-ons. It’s just a keyboard, for solid typing and gaming, no matter which of the many models you choose. A recent upgrade to PBT keycaps, which makes them thicker and more satisfying, is a big plus.
The keys use a standard layout, which is good, since one of the few complaints for the line is that the printed key legends can wear away quickly with intense use. The standard positions of the switches and corresponding keycaps mean you can swap them out for a custom set if they start to look faded. That might not be something you’d thought much about with previous keyboards, but because the switches in mechanical keyboards are typically rated for millions upon millions of presses,…
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