Digital Foundry’s expert recommendations for quiet, compact and full-fat gaming keyboards.

But which is the best option for you?

smack the links below to jump right into the category you’re most interested in.

8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard

We’ve chosen keyboards for programming, gaming, building yourself and much more, so take a look.

If you’re not sure, scroll on to browse our full selection of recommendations!

We have more full-size options in our dedicatedbest full-size mechanical keyboardsarticle too!

Cover image for YouTube video

In exchange though, you get an all-star performer that feels incredible for typing, coding and gaming.

Of course, you’re also free to drop in your own 3-pin or 5-pin MX-style switches.

The compact dimensions and aluminium frame contribute to a very sturdy feel too.

corsair k70 max

Beyond the form factor, Fnatic have done well to nail the details here as well.

See ourbest 65 percent keyboard picksfor more recommendations in this form factor.

Our current favourite is the105/$67Razer Huntsman Mini.

nuphy gem80 mechanical keyboard

Of course, the Huntsman Mini doesn’t get a spot on our list just for looking nice.

See ourbest 60 percent keyboard picksfor more compact keyboard ideas.

(If you turn down the backlight, the G915 TKL manages over a thousand hours!)

nuphy gem80 colours (black, blue, mocha, pink, purple)

Elsewhere, Logitech has paid an impressive amount of attention to detail.

It’s also available with some interesting switches, which fire off the full gamut from linear to clicky.

The keyboard comes in black or grey with Gateron Yellow or Holy Panda X Clear switches.

Article image

Like other Keychron keyboards, multiple layouts and switch types are available too.

A standard black metal case with black shine-through keycaps is also available for $10 less if you prefer.

Keychron isn’t known for its gaming features, but the magnetic switches here are fully utilised.

nuphy air75 v2 shown perfectly fitting on a MacBook keyboard

(For more on this sort of tech, see our article on thebest rapid trigger keyboards.)

The keyboard is also supremely built and should last for decades, which is nice.

And of course, there’s the premium asking price, which is substantial.

Article image

Therefore, for more Mac-friendly mechanical keyboards, check out our fullbest keyboards for Mac article.

(Additional buttons, a joystick and a four-button macro pad in a d-pad arrangement are sold separately.)

What else is there to say?

Article image

This is a simply lovely retro mechanical keyboard that I wholeheartedly recommend.

All of this requires some setup and tweaking, but the result is something special.

So: a very interesting keyboard and I’m curious to see how the package develops further over time!

epomaker shadow-x keyboard

With that, our recommendations come to an end.

I hope you’ve found this article useful, and I look forward to the feedback.

drop ctrl v2

Redragon K673 PRO mechanical keyboard

keychron q10 max alice layout keyboard

keychron k2 he

a das keyboard mactigr mechanical keyboard, with a full-size layout, volume wheel and mac keys throughout

8bitdo retro mechanical keyboard n edition shown with super buttons

wooting 60he gaming keyboard

Article image