Tenkeyless options

The Keychron V3 is the previous version of our top pick, the Keychron V3 Max. It has many of the same features, but it lacks wireless, and the rotary knob costs extra.

The Vortex Multix 87 has a sturdy case, durable PBT keycaps, smooth stabilizers, and hot-swappable switches. But it lacks a backlight, full programmability, and a rotary knob.

The Varmilo VA Series V2 and Varmilo VA Series V2 Mac lack hot-swap, and they aren’t fully programmable.

We love the Drop Ctrl V2’s flatter profile and RGB light bar, but for a keyboard that lacks wireless, it’s expensive. It’s also more confusing to program than our picks, and its Holy Panda X Clear tactile switches don’t feel as nice to type on.

For a keyboard that lacks wireless and comes with ABS keycaps, the Drop CSTM80 is expensive.

The Monokei Standard, ironically, doesn’t have standard keycaps. It also lacks a backlight, its spacebar rattled, and its Enter and Backspace keys emitted a high-pitched ping.

The Keychron Q3 is similar to our upgrade pick, but it lacks wireless.

The Ducky One 2 TKL lacks media and volume keys out of the box; you have to program them yourself, and there are enough missing or incorrect instructions to make the process a real pain in the ass. We had to rely on GitHub user Chris Schmich’s correct instructions for programming media keys on the One 2.

The Ducky One 3 TKL is even worse to program media keys and other macros on—it doesn’t come with a manual, and the unit we bought wasn’t able to record macros until we installed a firmware update. (The 1.09 firmware I installed had its own set of issues that the company was aware of.) The Ducky subreddit is full of owner reports of problems with the One 3.

The Topre Realforce TKL R2 has unique Topre switches that are delightful to type on. But this keyboard is very expensive, it has a non-removable cable, and it’s not compatible with most third-party keycaps.

Drop’s Expression keyboards lack hot-swap, have limited switch options, and are expensive. Their ABS keycaps will wear faster than the PBT keycaps on our top picks, and the unit we tested scooted around easily on my desk.

Drop’s Signature keyboards are even pricier than the Expression line. Their included switches feel scritchy, many of the keycaps are ABS, and there’s no option for a rotary knob.

The WASD Code V3 and WASD V3 have lower-quality ABS and PBT keycap options, and the Costar stabilizers in these models rattle and make it harder to swap keycaps. The cable-management channels are also too narrow.

Buckling-spring keyboards don’t meet Wirecutter’s criteria for switch variety, and they’re not compatible with MX-style keycaps. But people who love buckling-spring keyboards really love buckling-spring keyboards. Unfortunately, I’m not one of them. The Unicomp Mini M is the loudest keyboard I have ever encountered—my partner could hear me typing on it rooms away, across the entire 2,000-square-foot apartment, with his headphones on. If you have a buckling-spring keyboard and love it, I’m happy for you. But I can’t recommend this keyboard to anyone who doesn’t already know what they’re getting into.

The Durgod Taurus K320 doesn’t match our picks in build quality, keycap quality, or design. Buyer reviews indicate that the company has a poor track record of support.

The ABS keycaps on the KBParadise V80 feel cheaper and will wear out sooner than the PBT keycaps of our top picks. We also experienced an annoying, loud pinging noise during typing.

For more information on the gaming keyboards we dismissed, see our gaming keyboards guide.

Full-size options

The Keychron V5 and Keychron V6 are the previous versions of our top picks, but they lack wireless, and not all versions include the knob.

Like the Keychron Q3, the Keychron Q5 and Keychron Q6 lack wireless.

Like the Ctrl V2, the Drop Shift V2 is expensive and lacks wireless, and it’s confusing to program.

The Varmilo VA108M costs more than the Keychron V6 Max, yet it lacks RGB, hot-swap, wireless, and programmability, and it is covered in a tacky, fake-wood texture.

The Ducky One 3 Full-size has the same macro-recording issues as its tenkeyless counterpart.

The Cherry KC 200 MX looks and feels cheap, and its cable isn’t removable.

Budget options

The Keychron C1 and Keychron C2 were our previous budget picks, but the C3 Pro provides a similar typing experience for a lower price.

The iKBC TypeMan CD87 V2 and iKBC TypeMan CD108 V2 have PBT keycaps, but they cost more than our budget pick. They also have non-removable cables and lack labeled media keys, Mac-specific keycaps, and a backlight.

The full-size Logitech K845 has rattly stabilizers and gritty-feeling TTC switches. It also has a built-in cable and no Mac-specific keycaps.

The EagleTec KG060 and its KG061 variant have mystery switches that felt scratchy. And the flimsy case flexed during regular typing.

Wireless options

The Keychron Q3 Pro, Keychron Q5 Pro, and Keychron Q6 Pro were our previous upgrade picks, but the new Q Max models have an improved typing sound and feel. And they support a 2.4 GHz wireless connection for the same price.

The Epomaker Brick 87 is a fun tenkeyless keyboard with a scroll wheel on the thumb rest and a strip to attach Lego bricks for decoration along the top. But the angled top row makes the function keys difficult to press, and it’s only available with linear switches.

Our top picks are better wireless options than the tenkeyless Keychron K8 Pro, Keychron K4 Pro, or Keychron K10 Pro. The K8 Pro’s case is uncomfortably tall, and all three models come with cables that are too short for some desk setups.

The tenkeyless Leopold FC750RBT and full-size FC900RBT lack hot-swap and programmability.

The Keychron K8 is dealbreakingly tall in the front and uncomfortable to type on. It has poor build quality, ABS keycaps, and squeaky, rattly stabilizers.

Number pads

The Epomaker Cidoo V21 is lovely to type on, is programmable in VIA, and supports wireless, but it’s only available in beige with linear switches.

The Keychron Q0 Plus is similar to the Q0 Max, but it lacks a wireless connection.

The Epomaker TH21 is less configurable than the EK21, and it lacks a knob.

The HP 430 Programmable Wireless Keypad is not as customizable as our picks, and its low-profile switches feel scritchy.

The Leopold FC210TP has a built-in cable, and its alt functions don’t work on Mac. The FC210TP also lacks RGB backlighting, hot-swap, and programmability.

This article was edited by Signe Brewster, Caitlin McGarry, and Arthur Gies.