DEV Community

Nestor Zepeda
Nestor Zepeda

Posted on

Best Mechanical Keyboard?

I’m looking to buy a good mechanical keyboard and was wondering if any of you had any solid recommendations. I’ve seen a couple that have some really cool key colors. Any suggestions are welcome!

Oldest comments (22)

Collapse
 
flopi profile image
Flo P

I've had this Cooler Master keyboard with cherry keys for over a year and really like it! amazon.com/gp/product/B071LPMSMS/r...

Collapse
 
itsasine profile image
ItsASine (Kayla)

I'm going to be lurking on this thread like I do on /r/mechanicalheadpens, but I'm really looking to see if someone helps me justify a Das Keyboard for my Mac.

Collapse
 
detunized profile image
Dmitry Yakimenko

I love Das Keyboard. I went though a couple generations, models and layouts and I'm on DK 4 Pro. I really like the keys and the volume dial. It's not backlit though, which makes it difficult to type passwords or press single shortcuts in the dark (normal typing is not a problem). I tried a Mac layout and found it lacking the insert key and some other layout weirdnesses. I ended up sticking with Win layout since I sometimes work with Windows and Linux VM on my mac. Win layout is more versatile, I have no problem using it on a Mac as well. One thing I hate about DK is their fat stiff cable. I'm thinking or modding it myself and replacing with some thin and soft cable.

Collapse
 
itsasine profile image
ItsASine (Kayla)

My Das will be here Sunday :) As a hunt-and-peck typer, I need that backlit, so I opted to get the 5Q. It's on sale right now for $199 and can integrate with IFTTT to do ALL THE THINGS

Thread Thread
 
detunized profile image
Dmitry Yakimenko • Edited

As a hunt and peck typist you should have gotten the one with the blank keys. I had one for a while. Makes you stop looking at the keyboard, since it's useless. Difficult to type in weird things like passwords, though.

daskeyboard.com/daskeyboard-4-ulti...

Enjoy your new keyboard. It's difficult to use any cheap keyboard after that ;)

Thread Thread
 
itsasine profile image
ItsASine (Kayla)

I don't think I'm ready to be thrown into that fire yet :P

Still have bad memories of these things

SpeedSkin keyboard cover

Though I use 1Password, so as long as I know where that shortcut is, passwords wouldn't be an issue.

Collapse
 
derek profile image
derek

So far... Leopold is my favorite, with those torpe switches

amazon.com/dp/B07NW45VRK/ref=cm_sw...

Collapse
 
shindakun profile image
Steve Layton

I've picked up a couple 60%-er's with one with brown switches and one with blue. Using the browns at work since they are a tad quieter. But for the price, you can't beat it... amazon.com/gp/product/B01ABUJ2KM/

Collapse
 
ld00d profile image
Brian Lampe

Vortex (aka Vortexgear) Race 3

Collapse
 
shendek profile image
Shendek

I have been using TVS Gold and its bliss to fingers ...

Collapse
 
jeroka profile image
Esteban Rocha
Collapse
 
rhymes profile image
rhymes

Summoning @jess here :-)

Collapse
 
jess profile image
Jess Lee

I am extremely new to this world but I just bought an Ergodox EZ (pictured above). My keyboard goals are all related to helping relieve carpal tunnel pain. So far, I haven't taken full advantage of all the features but have found some relief.

I suggest buying @cassidoo 's keyboard if it's still available!

dev.to/cassidoo/comment/2j2h

Collapse
 
jenbutondevto profile image
Jen

I 💓my ergodox. I didn't generally have problems with CTS but general finger fatigue/straining. try out auto shift if you haven't already, RIP shift key

Thread Thread
 
jess profile image
Jess Lee

auto shift?!

Thread Thread
 
jenbutondevto profile image
Jen

holding down the key for x milliseconds will send the shifted key instead of .. unshifted!

Collapse
 
detunized profile image
Dmitry Yakimenko

I myself use Das Keyboard 4 Pro and I love it. I also heard good things about the Code keyboard. It's backlit unlike DK.

Collapse
 
scottw profile image
Scott Watermasysk

I recently reviewed the WASD Code v3, dasKeyboad Pro 4, and Matias (my focus was best for a Mac). In the end I settled on the WASD Code - scottw.com/mac-mechanical-keyboard...

Collapse
 
cassidoo profile image
Cassidy Williams

Thanks for the summons @jess ;)

There's so many good ones out there, it really depends on your budget and what you want out of it!

How much do you want to spend?
Do you want it to be loud, quiet, smooth, or tactile?
What size do you want (like do you want a numpad? Arrow keys? Function keys?)?
Do you want to build it yourself?
Do you want it to be programmable?

I can give you some recommendations based on your answers!

Collapse
 
lildvlpr profile image
Nestor Zepeda

Hey Cassidy, thanks for the reply!

I think my ideal keyboard would be tactile and include function and arrow keys, (don't need the numpad) and having it be programmable would be amazing. I saw the one you designed and I think it looks awesome. In regards to my budget, I'm trying to keep it under $175 if possible. I'd much appreciate any recommendations you have based on that. Thanks!

Collapse
 
jsrn profile image
James

My first and only mechanical keyboard is a WASD 104 key with a black / grey / red colour scheme.

I can't really comment on how it stacks up against other brands (especially at that fairly hefty price point), but the build quality is good and I am still happy with it after many years.

Collapse
 
jenbutondevto profile image
Jen

My first mechanical keyboard was a Cooler Master MasterKeys Pro S (non numpad 'tenkeyless' form factor, but did have f keys) and was only about £75, $90USD. I don't think you can find these without backlight anymore but RGB is available. Since they're mass produced they'll be easier to find and generally cheaper. They all come with macro programming - if that's what you're after, but not fully programmable (as far as I know). CM also do a low profile mechanical keyboard too if you like the 'flatness'/short key travel of laptop keyboards.

Also check massdrop periodically, they do rotate around full, TKL, 60% keyboards for pretty good prices.

You can get switch testers to see what you like the feel of most.