These are keyboards I examined that aren’t fairly ok for the spots above or are good throughout the board with out standout options. They don’t do issues fairly in addition to their competitors however are nonetheless stable in their very own proper.
Wooting 60HE+ for $175: Between an archaic mounting technique and lengthy wait instances for supply, I simply can’t suggest the 60HE over Keychron’s Q1 HE. Whereas I nonetheless suppose it’s a incredible Corridor impact keyboard, it simply doesn’t have the identical polish and refinement as Keychron’s providing. The 60HE nonetheless makes use of a tray-mount system that, whereas modular, doesn’t sound or really feel nice to kind on. Together with that, the plastic case is disappointing on the worth; it was as soon as a suitable trade-off for customizable Corridor impact switches, however Keychron provides a full-metal, gasket-mounted keyboard for round $50 extra, and I feel the enhancements are definitely worth the cash until you favor a 60% format or need the flexibility to make use of the 60HE’s wide selection of aftermarket instances.
Cherry KC 200 MX for $90: The KC 200 MX is an extremely easy and barebones keyboard that doesn’t add something new, or take away something mandatory. It’s a full-size mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX2A switches, a metallic plate, and hardly anything. It’s not customizable, it’s not programmable, however I can say for positive that will probably be sturdy, dependable, and at the least considerably fulfilling to kind on for years to come back.
Joyful Hacking Keyboard Skilled Hybrid Kind-S for $259: Whereas the brand new Studio has changed this mannequin as my choose for programmers, this older model remains to be nice if you’d like one thing less complicated, or with a novel typing really feel. The format remains to be nice and the Topre switches—a kinda-membrane, kinda-mechanical change with a deep typing sound and distinct, rounded tactility—are a pleasure to kind on. Plus, these keyboards have an in depth group with aftermarket components and guides on find out how to modify them. The Professional Hybrid Kind-S mannequin particularly has extras like Bluetooth connectivity and silencing rings. It’s additionally reprogrammable utilizing HHKB’s proprietary app, though there’s not a lot purpose to switch the prevailing format until you desire a particular macro or change to the operate layer. It’s extremely straightforward to seek out on the used marketplace for round half the worth, making it a way more cheap different to the Studio.
Melgeek Made68 for $119: With a extra minimal method to its design and a trendy white-and-purple colour scheme, the Made68 has an ideal desk presence that stands out from the gang. Plus, in-depth customization of Melgeek’s Gateron-supplied Corridor Impact switches signifies that extremely granular changes may be made to this keyboard’s typing expertise, even all the way down to the actuation distance of particular person keys. The exterior look may also be custom-made, with detachable aspect panels and a swappable gentle diffuser on the again. The diffusers are at present accessible in black, inexperienced, and purple with every together with new silver aspect panels. Nonetheless, you’ll need a screwdriver set to take away any of those panels, since an Allen wrench isn’t included with the keyboard. Total, the Made68 sounds and feels good to kind on. The tray-mount isn’t excellent for typing really feel, however the typical points with typing consistency aren’t as outstanding right here as different related keyboards. At this worth, a barely flawed typing expertise is a worthwhile tradeoff for customizable Corridor Impact switches and a satisfying typing sound.
Melgeek Cyber01 for $169: Taking a notedly maximalist method to keyboard design, the Cyber01 seems nearly straight out of Cyberpunk 2077. With a blocky, futuristic font and gritty sci-fi graphics plastered over the polycarbonate keycaps and chunky plastic case, this keyboard appears like a contemporary twist on the stylized gaming peripherals of the 2000s. It’s kind of gaudy, however this keyboard stunned me. The Corridor Impact switches, whereas noticeably mushy on the bottom-out, are extremely easy and responsive, and the case feels fairly stable too. The switches’ actuation distances may be adjusted utilizing Melgeek’s Hive software program (though it took me some troubleshooting to get these options to work). My largest situation is the sub-par typing sound, with noticeable rattles and useless spots ensuing from the tray-mount meeting and weird design. Whereas I really feel like each different Corridor Impact keyboard beats this keyboard in at the least a technique (together with the Made68 above), I don’t suppose this keyboard is essentially all that unhealthy. In the event you love the styling, this is likely to be the keyboard for you.
