For a first time mechanical keyboard buyer, sorting through all the different Cherry MX choices can cause be a little overwhelming and headache-inducing, but we’re here to help. Whether you want a smoother feel or higher durability standards, it’s up to you what you value more. How to Improve your Cherry MXs Compact: These keyboards have all the extra keys, such as the numeric pad, removed, and are designed to be as small and light as possible. In this way, they reduce the space they take up on your desktop and are easier to travel with. Ergonomics is an oft-overlooked aspect of keyboard shopping. Poor ergonomics can lead to fatigue and even injury, so why not consider our favorite ergonomic keyboard, the Cloud Nine ErgoTKL? This keyboard is a pleasure to use whether you're looking to game or just typing through the workday. Its split design means that the keyboard can operate as one whole keyboard or as two separated working parts, placed up to about 8 inches apart. It takes time to adjust to a split layout, especially if you're new to one, but once you're over the hurdle, it's second to none. Who It's For And even after the 100 million keystrokes, they will usually still work, they will just feel slightly different. Some enthusiasts actually prefer having a broken-in switch because they tend to feel smoother and less scratchy.

While all keyboards offer the necessary QWERTY layout of keys for everyday typing, sometimes typing isn't your main concern. Gaming keyboards are designed for competitive use and emphasize things office keyboards don't. I personally wouldn’t recommend them for gamers and especially not for typists. You’re better off with a normal ol’ linear. Cherry MX Low Profile Switches Low Profile vs Normal

Corsair K70 RGB Pro Mini Wireless

In theory, this type should be better for gaming because the shorter distance could equal a faster reaction time.

Chiclet: These use the flatter “Scrabble-tile” keys introduced with Sony Vaio and Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops. These generally have a shorter travel and a lighter action, which can improve typing speeds when you get used to the overall feel. To help stave off carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress injury, many keyboards are available with designs that put your hands into a neutral position as you type. The result is not only greater comfort, but reduced stress to joints and tendons, ultimately helping you avoid painful inflammation and the potential for expensive surgery. Ergonomic features can range from the simple (padded wrist rests) to the elaborate (a key layout sculpted to curve and slope, or a split design). (Credit: Mike Epstein) The action is good and the feel responsive, though it’s not in the same stellar league as the Logitech Craft or Microsoft’s own Surface keyboard. We’d also prefer slightly larger function keys. However, what you lose there you gain in the extremely accessible volume and mute controls and customisable buttons above the touchpad. It’s one very usable and versatile bit of kit.

Asus ROG Azoth

Traditional: These have old-fashioned, typewriter-style keys above a membrane or mechanical switch. The keys tend to have more travel (the distance the key moves before a press is registered), although the action (the weight and feel of the keys) can vary enormously from keyboard to keyboard. Anti-ghosting is an essential feature, allowing a keyboard to register multiple keystrokes hit at the same time—a feat not all standard keyboards can perform. Other extras include USB pass-through ports or audio connections that simplify the process of connecting peripherals or headphones to a desktop PC whose ports may be inconvenient to reach under a desk. Cherry MXs absolutely have the best quality standards and go through all sorts of rigorous testing. Their entire testing process is quite impressive and are stress-tested in extreme temperatures and are pressed multiple times by a machine to validate how long they’ll keep their force curve.

Cooperate with a public agency or academic research institution, based on public interest, for statistical or academic research, and the data is processed or collected by the provider to identify specific parties in a manner that is not disclosed. Gaterons for example, typically have a smoother keystroke and are way cheaper, but don’t have the high durability standards in exchange for the lower price. The MX Keys Mini charges via USB-C but won’t connect to your PC/laptop/tablet that way: it’s only compatible with Bluetooth. This is perhaps the only blot on the MX Keys Mini’s otherwise stellar record.The Cherry MX Grey is the equivalent of unicorn, you may spend your entire life trying out different keyboards, but unless you go out of your way to buy these specifically, you may never find one. Now that we’ve gone over all of the more common Cherry MX colors, let’s talk about the really juicy stuff, their specialty choices.

Similar to the speeds, we have found low-profiles to not have a noticeable impact on gaming reaction time. I’ve pretty much plastered you with everything I know about Cherry MX, which took a bit longer than expected. If you’ve read all this, how do you know you trust can me? The Cherry Stream Wireless is a perfect match for those looking for a keyboard that covers their basic word processing needs at an affordable price. Homes and offices alike will find it a fine, cost-effective upgrade from your typical desktop-bundled board. We’ve also done our own independent testing of the different switch types and performed all of the different modifications, so we can say from experience if they help or not.

So, Which Keyboard Should I Buy?

The design of the Pop Keys keyboard, from the eye-catching colour schemes to the retro keycaps, is unique, as is the design of the matching Pop mouse. Looks aside, it’s a very solid and well-made keyboard, the build quality belying the almost toy-like styling. The new G80-3000N RGB is a reinvention of that classic, designed to appeal to today’s more demanding users. Carryovers include the classic ergonomic keycaps and original typing feel, but these are now combined with a much slimmer, more contemporary housing, 16-million colour illumination and state-of-the-art electronics. Does the new model actually feel like the classic model? We’ve not used a G80-3000 for more than 15 years but the reworked model certainly felt familiar once we started tapping away on it.