I’ve written for seven years about just how much I enjoy typing and gaming on mechanical keyboards, so it’s perhaps not surprising that I tend to ask a lot of companies to send over their latest and greatest options. Today I’m rounding up 10 keyboards that I’ve tested this week (!), from feature-focused gaming boards to more design-oriented mechanicals for typists.
Full disclosure right from the off: only one keyboard here is a full-size option with a number pad, and from the comments on recent keyboard review roundups we know that the Eurogamer commenters their number pads. We have full-size keyboard recommendations already, but we also have some special full-size reviews coming your way soon – so stay tuned.
In the meantime, get ready for this selection of weird and wonderful mechanicals of all shapes and sizes, from weird HR Giger inspired and retro Japanese designs from brands you’ve never heard of to esports-focused options from much bigger names. You might even find your next keyboard here, so have fun!
- Keychron K4 HE: a stylish full-size keyboard with rapid triggerGravaStar Mercury K1 Pro: totally unique, brilliant performanceGamakay TK75HE V2: the quietest mechanical I’ve ever testedLogitech Pro X TKL Rapid: the new esports favouriteMonsgeek Fun60: a cheaper Wooting 60HE?Epomaker Split 65: a comfy and easy to use ergonomicCherry Xtrfy MX 8.2 TKL Wireless: silly name, beautiful boardEpomaker Hack 59: a modern HHKB alternativeGlorious GMMK 3 HE: endless customisation with a failingHexgears Immersion A3: a cheap G915 TKL alternativeWrapping up
Keychron K4 HE: a stylish full-size option with rapid trigger
I heard you guys love number pads – so you’re going to love this keyboard too. The Keychron K4 HE Special Edition is a wood-veneered, 96 percent size keyboard with Gateron double-rail magnetic “nebula” switches that provide a soft, linear travel and are comfortable for typing and gaming alike. The 96 percent layout contains nearly all of the keys on a standard keyboard, but packed into a neater design where the navigation keys go up top and the arrow keys intrude into the numpad and alphanumerics. It takes a day or two to get your head around, but allows for a full keyboard in a much smaller space.