Mechanical Keyboard Recommendations

[Joey D]

Who are the keyboard nerds here? @Terronium-12, you seem like a keyboard aficionado.

My old Razer mechanical keyboard finally died (I think it was a Blackwidow), and I need a new one. I don't know anything about mechanical keyboards other than I like typing on them way more than a standard keyboard.

Things I need:

• A 10 Key
• Function Keys
• Home Key
• Full-Sized (100%)
• Wired
• Preferably lighted since I work in a dark office. Yes, I know where the letter keys are, but I do need to look when I'm using function keys or other keys.

Looking at some of the offerings for mechanical keyboards, most seem minimalist. Unfortunately, because of the software I work with, I need a bunch of random-ass keys. Also, it seems like most are wireless and I hate wireless office equipment since I forget to charge it. I don't need multimedia keys or anything like that either.

I wouldn't mind one that I can customize a bit since I enjoy that, but I don't want to sit here and build a keyboard (I ain't got time for that).

I don't really understand the switches, but it looks like Red switches are the standard? I like clicky switches, but they annoy my wife, so maybe something that's not too over-the-top loud.

Also, I don't want to wait months and months for a keyboard. I want to order one ASAP since I'm currently using some no-name keyboard I got at Walmart today for $10 and I already hate it.

 

[Terronium-12]

Who are the keyboard nerds here? @Terronium-12, you seem like a keyboard aficionado.

My old Razer mechanical keyboard finally died (I think it was a Blackwidow), and I need a new one. I don't know anything about mechanical keyboards other than I like typing on them way more than a standard keyboard.

Things I need:

• A 10 Key
• Function Keys
• Home Key
• Full-Sized (100%)
• Wired
• Preferably lighted since I work in a dark office. Yes, I know where the letter keys are, but I do need to look when I'm using function keys or other keys.

Looking at some of the offerings for mechanical keyboards, most seem minimalist. Unfortunately, because of the software I work with, I need a bunch of random-ass keys. Also, it seems like most are wireless and I hate wireless office equipment since I forget to charge it. I don't need multimedia keys or anything like that either.

I wouldn't mind one that I can customize a bit since I enjoy that, but I don't want to sit here and build a keyboard (I ain't got time for that).

I don't really understand the switches, but it looks like Red switches are the standard? I like clicky switches, but they annoy my wife, so maybe something that's not too over-the-top loud.

Also, I don't want to wait months and months for a keyboard. I want to order one ASAP since I'm currently using some no-name keyboard I got at Walmart today for $10 and I already hate it.

How much are you looking to spend? Immediately, something like the G915 X comes to mind. Personally, I don't have any experience with their G-Romer switches but they're very well-regarded. If you want Cherry switches and don't want to bother with anything else, I'd recommend MX Brown and for that you could go with a Corsair K70 RGB. It won't be clicky but you'll get the tactile feedback.

The strange bit now is everyone has their own form of switch now, and I can only presume it's to not pay Cherry tax.

I'll do some looking around and see if there are any "older" keyboards still floating around because there's a lot to choose from.

 

[Joey D]

How much are you looking to spend? Immediately, something like the G915 X comes to mind. Personally, I don't have any experience with their G-Romer switches but they're very well-regarded. If you want Cherry switches and don't want to bother with anything else, I'd recommend MX Brown and for that you could go with a Corsair K70 RGB. It won't be clicky but you'll get the tactile feedback.

The strange bit now is everyone has their own form of switch now, and I can only presume it's to not pay Cherry tax.

I'll do some looking around and see if there are any "older" keyboards still floating around because there's a lot to choose from.

Thanks, I'll check those out.

As for price? I don't know, like less than $300? That's typically the most I can expense through work, and I'm probably going to expense this.

 

[Omnis]

I was gonna say just get a Drop keyboard, but it looks like they went out of business. I think you may still be able to get one through Corsair.

Make sure you get injected keycaps and not printed ones. I got low profile cooler master boards for my office with the cherry red low pro switches and the keys are all worn out after 4-5 years. Definitely would not recommend.

I’ve had a g skill board with mx browns for more than a decade and it’s still just fine. Mx brown is my preferred switch. They’re silent blues. Clicky blues are just dumb.

Now that mass drop is gone though I don’t know where all the keyboard nerds get their stuff. Maybe Etsy? You need like a special big dumb decorative keycap to replace your F2 lol

 

[Greycap]

As for the G915, I've had one since December 2022 and not a bad word to say about it. Sure, it's the wireless original and not the wired X, but if it works this well I can only imagine the revised model to be better. There's some typing noise as always with a mechanical but compared to the G613 that I had before it's night and day, this one has the tactile switches. Many people complain about the G Hub but I don't really know what they're trying to do with it, I used it to set the lighting pattern years ago and that was it. Just about as much as a "set and forget" keyboard as it gets.

 

[Nexus]

Keychron keyboards are a "safe" option. There's a bunch of different board sizes, and most have hot-swappable switches - even if you don't feel the need to experiment with switches, you won't need to solder on new parts/bin your keyboard if a switch dies. Most enthusiasts seem to recommend them, as they have decent build quality and features for the price compared to your average (often overpriced) gaming keyboard.

Some of their models are wireless, but they also work in wired mode. I'd recommend something with a detachable USB C connector, so you (once again) won't need to solder on new parts/bin your keyboard if the cable fails.

I have a Keychron K8 TKL as a WFH board with some cheap PBT keycaps (cause the stock ones felt yuck) and a mixture of switches (mostly linears and silent linears - swapped the Gateron Browns because they were a bit too lightweight and boring, and I wanted to trial silents in the office).

For the office, I now have a Keychron V1 Max with the stock PBT keycaps and stock Gateron Jupiter Bananas. I bought it with the intention of changing the switches and keycaps, but it feels perfect as it is.

See if you can get away with a 96% keyboard, which would give you a smidge more desk space.

TL;DR: Pick a Keychron that suits your budget

 

[Dragonwhisky]

Wut? Keyboards have cherries and bananas?

Don't mind me, Imma go salt a hash.

I'll show myself out.