Keyboards, keyboards, keyboards – there were already a lot of different keyboards to choose from but, with hybrid working taking off in recent years, more manufacturers have gotten in on the action and the incumbents have more options than ever. Thankfully, we’re here to help you pick the best keyboard for you.
Whether you work in an office, have your own desk setup at home or like to head out and work at a coffee shop, there is a keyboard for you. Though, there is so much to consider, from many brands to a wide range of choices available within those brands. Then, you’ve got big decisions to make in terms of whether you want a wireless or wired model, a mechanical set of keys, a keyboard made for gaming, a smaller tenkeyless version and many other finer details to decide on.
Never fear though, the team here at Trusted Reviews has tested a whole bunch of keyboards across all of these key categories to decipher which is best for what type of person – as well as uncovering the duff ones that you don’t want to buy. We’ve tested all the big brands, from Asus, Logitech and Razer to lesser-known manufacturers, like Keychron, NuPhy and many more.
With each keyboard, we take an in-depth and expert look at its range of specifications, key features and compatibility. It’s then time to put it to the test, using it in our everyday lives so we can determine just how it will perform when it gets in your hands. Whether that’s discovering a subtle quirk that is only discoverable through actually using the product to working out how long it might take until finger fatigue sets in when you’re typing away.
For this list, we’ve honed in on the best-of-the-best keyboards but if you want a closer look at some key categories, you should consider our Best Gaming Keyboard, Best Mechanical Keyboard and Best Wireless Keyboard guides.
Best mechanical keyboards at a glance
How we test
We use every keyboard we test for at least a week. During that time, we’ll check it for ease of use and put it through its paces by playing a variety of different genres, including FPS, strategy and MOBAs.
We also check each keyboard’s software to see how easy it is to customise and set up.
Lemokey P1 Pro
Best overall keyboard
Pros
- Incredibly sturdy construction
- Sublime typing feel and acoustics
- Versatile software
Cons
- Web-based software requires a wired connection
The Lemokey P1 Pro may not have the brand recognition of other keyboards in our list, but it’s an exceptional wireless mechanical keyboard that, combined with its value-focused proposition, makes it our top pick.
It’s based on the Keychron Q1 Pro, also featured in this, but at a more affordable £129/$129 price point while managing to retain many of the features that make the Q1 Pro so tempting. This includes Keychron’s proprietary Super Banana switches that offer a tactile feel and a smooth typing experience without the traditional noise associated with mechanical keyboards.
There’s also a sturdy aluminium case, and despite offering a more compact 75% layout, it still includes extras like arrow keys, a function row and even a volume knob for easy adjustments. There’s also both wired and wireless connectivity via USB-C, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, with up to 200 hours of battery life when used wirelessly.
There’s also customisation aplenty with hot-swappable keycaps and switches, and there’s also vibrant RGB underglow lighting that, when combined with a PC companion app, can be fully customised. The app also allows you to remap keys and create macros, perfect for gaming.
That’s all a roundabout way of saying that the Lemokey P1 Pro is an absolutely fantastic keyboard that’ll serve both seasoned keyboard enthusiasts and those just starting out alike, while still offering exceptional value for money.
Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Lemokey P1 Pro review
Wooting 60HE+
Best gaming keyboard
Pros
- Gorgeous looks
- Rapid trigger and analog capabilities are very powerful
- Lightweight software with lots of functionality
Cons
- Expensive for fully custom variant
The Wooting 60HE+ is the latest mechanical keyboard offering from the analogue switch experts, offering a 60% keyboard that manages to walk the line between an enthusiast-grade mechanical keyboard and a pro-gamer-ready device. That’s because the Wooting 60HE+ comes in two configurations; a pre-built version and a fully custom version.
The pre-built version comes with a plastic case and PBT keycaps, ready for gamers to plug and play, though it’s arguably the custom version that’s more exciting.
The custom model allows for a choice of stylish aluminium cases and keycaps, though with the caveat that you’ll have to assemble it yourself. That may be a little daunting for beginners. Still, this means that the keyboard is highly customisable, with hot-swappable keycaps and switches, though Wooting’s Lekker45 hall-effect switches are arguably the reason to go for this gaming keyboard over options from the likes of Razer and SteelSeries.
The Lekker45 switches offer smooth linear actuation, rapid trigger functionality and analogue capabilities that make them ideal for both gaming and typing in general. We were also impressed by the acoustics during use, with minimal rattle or ping thanks to the combination of dedicated silicone sandwich mounts and case foam.
Wooting’s PC software is also a highlight of the experience, with a user-friendly design that allows for easy customisation of lighting, actuation points, key remapping and even gamepad remapping if you’ve got one of those handy. Of course, it comes complete with RGB lighting as any gaming keyboard worth its salt should, and this too can be customised within the app.
This combination essentially means the Wooting 60HE+ is one of the best gaming keyboards on the market right now, blending high-end features, excellent performance and a stylish design. The only real drawback is the high price of the fully custom model.
Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: Wooting 60HE+ review
Keychron Q6 Pro
Best mechanical keyboard
Pros
- Incredibly sturdy case
- Comfortable typing experience
- Convenient connectivity
Cons
- Lighting can be a little dim with the standard keycaps
- A little expensive
The Keychron Q6 Pro is a wondrous mechanical keyboard that combines a high-quality build and a top-tier typing experience. It’s our favourite mechanical keyboard you can buy right now.
Keychron employs something called Banana switches, which are the brand’s own, offering a soft and tactile feel. We absolutely adored how these mechanical keys felt during productivity tasking, making it a top-notch option if you’re someone who gets through a lot of words in a workday. These provide a joyful spring and inviting feedback. The sound they produce is positively dreamy too, completely absent of rattles, pings or scratchiness. As with many Keychron boards, there’s strong customizability if these particular switches don’t fit your tastes, with Red, Blue and Brown options.
The overall build is impressive, with a substantial aluminium case that offers a nice slice of luxury. You get a full-sized keyboard layout along with a rounded key design which offers an intriguing pivot from the norm. The Q6 Pro is backed up by solid battery life too, with up to 300 hours of runtime when RGB is turned off and, even, 100 hours when RGB is set to low.
Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Keychron Q6 Pro review
Keychron Q1 Max
Best customisable keyboard
Pros
- Heavy aluminum shell
- Wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz wireless
- Ultra-satisfying keystrokes
Cons
- Lighting won’t be for everyone
- Barebones version is still expensive
The Keychron Q1 Max is a boosted version of the Q1 V2, a keyboard that we already rated extremely highly. As is the case with most Keychron options, it is extremely customisable. With that in mind, we make this excellent board our choice for the top customisable keyboard around.
The Q1 Max can be purchased with the brand’s own Brown, Red or Banana switches included or you can opt for a barebones device to attach your own sets, whether that’s other Gateron options or picks like Panda, Cherry and more. Whatever you choose, this keyboard invites you to tinker once it’s in your hands, with 3-pin and 5-pin MX compatibility. So, you can positively revel in the luxury this board itself offers while tailoring it to your key preferences. You get a double-sided removal tool and some spare screws when its time to get to work as well.
The customizability is backed up by a luxury aluminium design that has a stunning coating of retro vibes to make this keyboard stand out. For connectivity, it offers Bluetooth, a 2.4GHz USB-C receiver and a long braided cable.
The included keys are on the high side so that make take some time to get used to for some, alongside the bevelled shape. But, once you get going, it is an absolutely smooth and satisfying delight.
Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Keychron Q1 Max review
Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile
Best low-profile keyboard
Pros
- Gorgeous looks
- Smooth and snappy switches
- Vivid RGB lighting
Gaming keyboards don’t all have to be hefty beasts to offer up top performance, and this slimline Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile does a great job at dispelling the myth that they do. It’s our top pick for a low-profile keyboard.
The size will immediately strike you, with a 65% layout and a body that’s just 25.5mm tall. As such, this is a great keyboard for gamers, or those who just want top tier small keyboard, on the go. Its looks are refreshingly eye-catching but understated too, with the white hue giving futuristic vibes along with options to customise the RGB to your tastes.
But, you’re likely considering this keyboard because you want a quality typing experience wherever you are, and the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile delivers. It’s Asus RX Low Profile Red switches provide a snappy linear keypress that’s delightfully smooth. You’ll be satisfied whether you’re typing out an essay or enjoying a long gaming session. It can be an exceedingly long gaming session at that too, with up to 400-hours of battery life offered by this keyboard when RGB is turned off. Both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity are included here too.
Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile review
Logitech Wave Keys
Best ergonomic keyboard
Pros
- Good looks
- Comfortable typing experience
- Clever software
- Not too expensive
Cons
- Layout takes some getting used to
- No backlighting may not please some
The Logitech Wave Keys is all about comfort and support… and it delivers. This option from Logitech is our choice for the top ergonomic keyboard you can buy.
The design is traditional ergonomic fare, with a wavy and sculted design aimed at providing maximum comfort. Despit the high-end comfort, it comes with a reasonable price of less than £70/$60. The plastic chassis feels impressives sturdy and the included wrist rest does a great job of removing unnecessary pressure. The Wave Keys also offers a more condensed layout that some ergonomic keyboard, making it a tad easier to store.
The Wave Keys may not be a mechanical keyboard but the keypress remains suitably comfortable, even if it doesn’t offer something with more depth. The experience of using this type of keyboard will take some getting used to for the uninitiated but you can make swift progress if you use it consistently.
This keyboard brings some impressive features, with clever Logitech Smart Actions software for streamlining how you interact with apps using your keyboard, there’s a handy set of function keys as well as a bundled Logi Bolt receiver for swift connection to 3 devices. But, there is Bluetooth as well if you fancy it. The Wave Keys is powered by AAA batteries and is rated to last up to a pleasing three years of use.
Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: Logitech Wave Keys review
Logitech Keys-To-Go 2
Best portable keyboard
Pros
- Snappy typing experience
- Vast compatibility
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- Lack of backlighting may not suit some
- Quite expensive
If you’re the type of person who likes to get work done across multiple devices when on the move, whether that’s a laptop, a tablet or even your smartphone, having a proper keyboard to pair with all of these workstations can be a huge boon. Of course, most keyboards are a tad too chunky to viably chuck into your backpack, but that’s an issue that the Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 absolutely fixes.
Not only is this slim keyboard just 8.97mm thick, but it has a built in cover that protects the keys whenever it’s in transit, so you won’t have to worry about any keys being accidentally taken off whilst in your bag.
Portability is one thing, but it’s compatibility where the Keys-To-Go 2 really shines. With the ability to connect with iPadOS, ChromeOS, Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android, the Keys-To-Go 2 has a level of versatility that’s quite rare on the keyboard market, and you can even connect with up to three devices at a time.
The keys themselves are nice and tactile, with curved edges that make them easy to type on, although they do lack any form of backlight which might be an issue for anyone who likes to burn the midnight oil or get in some work during the wee hours of the morning.
Regardless of when you like to get your work done, battery life is unlikely to be an issue. Instead of opting for a rechargeable battery, the Keys-To-Go 2 uses two CR2032 cells at a time to offer up to 36-months of use before needing to swap them out. A small LED light will also shine red to let you know when it’s time to fork out for new batteries.
With all things considered, the £79.99/$79.99 RRP is a bit steep compared to the competition, but there’s no denying that when it comes to portability and compatibility, the Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 is worth the expense.
Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 review
FAQs
Our favourite keyboard the Logitech MX Keys S, is great for working. It offers a long battery life and a comfortable typing experience while looking professional too.
If you’re considering not picking a full-size keyboard then you must be conscious of space. So, a 60% keyboard could suit you far better, and a smaller keyboard doesn’t typically mean reduced performance. They are a great space-saving option.
