Hey everyone,

Keyboard newbie looking for advice, as I did not buy a keyboard in a few years and went down the rabbit hole of keyboards nowadays... It's very overwhelming.

I'm looking to replace my Corsair K70 Mechanical keyboard which has Cherry Mx reds.

I want a good keyboard for gaming and productivity (basic typing and browsing the Web and stuff).

Main games are Single Player games (KCD2, Cyberpunk, Valheim, etc), but also love Rainbow Six, Call of Duty, and MMO stuff like Runescape.

So I'm not a highly competitive gamer on Valorant or Fortnite for example, but the new technology in keyboards for gaming intrigue me, like the normal and double actuation points for different things, rapid trigger, etc.

My perfect keyboard:

• Good performance and nice to game in obviously

• Satisfying and nice typing sound (the most thocky and creamy if possible) , to do basic typing and general surfing in the Internet

• RGB, to make it easier to type at night

• Dedicated Media buttons (If possible)

• Numpad (at this point I'm very used to it, not that I use it a lot, so flexible in trying out a TKL one)

Budget is around 250$.

I have come across a few options that interest me:

• Steelseries Apex Pro Gen 3 (really love the design, media buttons, Numpad and general aesthetic) - but people say the sound is kinda bad, it's an overpriced keyboard and the HE accuracy is not the best.

• Wooting 80HE - everyone says it's one of the best... But looks very simple, no media buttons, and not sure how different is the sound compared to the Apex. HE supposedly is very accurate. Does not look very gamey either.

• Nuphy 75HE (love the design and rtings says it's the best gaming keyboard of 2025)

Are any of these good options? I would not like to go below 75/85%. So either TKL or Full size please.

Not even sure if mechanical or HE is better for my needs. I'm a noob in this, but all in all, just wanted a cool looking, nice sounding keyboard, with nice performance, even if I need to pay 250$.

What do you think?

Any help would be deeply appreciated!

I'm open to all suggestions! I'm from EU, if that helps with anything.

Edit: for clarification on keyboard sizing.

So, as someone who’s been switching keyboards non-stop, it kind of turned into a hobby to spend an insane amount of time testing and researching them. Here’s my list of the best picks for 2025. Let it save you some time! ;)

I personally use the Cherry KC 500 the most (though I still switch A LOT). It’s just a great all-rounder.

What are you guys using, and are you satisfied? I want to hear!

Budget Keyboards ( < $100 )
(Best Pick: EPOMAKER Aula EA75)

• [$39] Kisnt KN85: Great value 75% keyboard that feels smooth and sounds clzean out of the box, with a soft typing feel.

• [$68] Aula F75: Sounds and feels fantastic, quality build, comes with a knob, great value

• [$79] Epomaker QK81: Has a knob, great software support, sounds great, aesthetic is not its strongest point

• [$79] EPOMAKER Aula EA75: Good value pick with good aesthetics

• [$87] Yunzii AL80: Lower front height, comes with a knob, has a small screen on the bottom right

Mid-Tier ( < $150 )
(Best Pick: Cherry KC 500)

• [$109] Lofree Flow Lite: Very portable, creamy sound, horizontal scroll wheel on top, backlit keycaps, low profile keyboard

• [$109] Epomaker Galaxy100: Aluminum case, metal knob, and gasket mount that gives it a soft, deep sound. (full-sized keyboard)

• [$129] Cherry KC 500: Sounds amazing, looks amazing, great software, cool backplate

• [$139] Keychron K2HE:The smaller layout of the K10HE

• [$144] Keychron K10HE: Premium, wooden sides, hall effect switches, also great for gaming (full-sized keyboard)

Premium Tier ( > $150 )
(Best Pick: Evoworks Evo80)

• [$159] NuPhy Air75 V3: Easy to use, great sound and feel, has a knob, low profile keyboard

• [$169] Evoworks Evo80: Has literally everything: aluminum case, creamy sound, ultra soft

• [$180] Iqunix MQ80: Heavy, premium, soft typing, low profile keyboard

• [$190] Wobkey Crush80: High-end TKL board with a solid aluminum case, incredible sound, and a satisfying premium typing feel

Overall Picks (My Recommendation):

• The best keyboard overall for most people is the Cherry KC 500.

• If you're on a budget, the EPOMAKER Aula EA75 is great.

• And if you're looking for the best value, the Cherry KC 500 is also my pick here.

Updated 11/10/2025

I don’t mind buying from lesser-known brands or AliExpress if they’re reliable.
What’s the best bang-for-buck option out there right now?

Probably the last kbd.news post this year with some of my top picks from all the boards I've reviewed in 2025. Full wrap-up:

https://kbd.news/Best-keyboards-of-2025-a-personal-top-list-2777.html

I know this is a small sample, so I'm curious about your top choices in any real or made-up category. :)

My personal favorite overall is the Cornix, but building the ERA75 was a great fun, the Evo75 and MoeeTech Glitter65 HE were the most pleasant boards to type on, the GravaStar Mercury HE was the most fancy design, with the Dry Studio Battleye as a close runner-up. I loved all the split spacebar, ball-catch and leaf-spring ones, the hotswap encoder, and the magnetic dongle compartment lid of the Womier SK71 Pro, also the layout of the Lexicon.

That's it for 2025. Happy end of the year to everyone, whether you're celebrating holidays, just chilling, or doing your own thing!

Hello,

I’m new to Hall Effect (HE) keyboards, and I’ve been reading a lot of great reviews about the following models:

• MCHOSE Jet 75 HE

• Epomaker HE75 Mag

• SKYLOONG GK68HE Aluminum

• Gamakay TK75HE V2

• Sikakeyb HM80 HE

• Nuphy Halo 65 HE

• Monsgeek FUN60 Pro/Max

• ATTACK SHARK X65PRO HE

I plan to use the keyboard primarily for competitive shooters, but I also need it to be comfortable for general typing as well. So, basically, I’m looking for an all-in-one keyboard that does both well.

My budget is around $100 USD, and I’m having a hard time deciding which one to go for. If you’ve used any of these, could you recommend one and let me know why? I’d really appreciate your input!

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone, I’ve been testing and researching a ton of gaming keyboards lately. I decided to make a list of the best picks in 2025. This took an insane amount of time and effort so I hope it helps someone! : )
I personally stuck with the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (Gen 3), since it’s an amazing balance between speed, feel, customization, and size. We all know there’s no list that satisfied everyone, so please, let’s keep the comments constructive.

What are you guys using and are you satisfied?

Best Budget Gaming Keyboards (Under $80)
(Best pick: Corsair K55 RGB Pro)

• [$49] Corsair K55 RGB Pro - Membrane keys, per-zone RGB, dedicated macro keys, and a volume roller. Quiet and comfy for long sessions, with spill resistance for peace of mind.

• [$49] HyperX Alloy Core RGB - Membrane board with bright RGB zones, solid deck, and quiet keystrokes. Great if you want a soft feel without jumping to full mechanical.

• [$39] Redragon K552 Kumara - Entry mechanical with a metal top plate. Clicky or linear switch options, compact TKL layout, and surprisingly sturdy for the money.

• [$69] Logitech G213 - Comfortable membrane typing feel, dedicated media controls, and reliable build quality. A good pick if you want a simple, durable starter board.

Mid-Tier ($80-$150)
(Best pick: Corsair K70 RGB TKL)

• [$99] HyperX Alloy Origins Core - Compact aluminum chassis, smooth linear switches, clean RGB, and a detachable USB-C cable. Gaming-focused without flashy gimmicks.

• [$129] Corsair K70 RGB TKL - Tournament switch, sturdy build, fast switches, and great software. A proven pick for responsive gameplay in a smaller footprint.

• [$119] SteelSeries Apex 5 - Hybrid “mecha-membrane” feel with an OLED info panel, volume wheel, and comfy wrist rest. Good middle ground between soft and snappy.

• [$129] Razer BlackWidow V4 X - Mechanical Green or Yellow switches, dedicated media keys, and per-key RGB. Classic clicky/tactile Razer feel and straightforward setup.

Upper-Mid Tier ($150-$250)
(Best pick: SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL)

• [$199] SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (Gen 3) - Magnetic switches with adjustable actuation and rapid trigger. Dial in key feel per game, super fast, and built to last.

• [$199] Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed - Wireless tournament board with a clean layout, volume wheel, and rock-solid 2.4 GHz connection. Designed around consistency and travel.

• [$219] Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL - Optical switches with ultra-fast response and on-board tuning. Firm, stable deck and a smooth gaming feel.

• [$199] Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless - Compact 96% layout, long battery life, quiet stabilized feel, and hot-swap support on many variants. Great all-rounder for desk space.

Best Premium Gaming Keyboards ($250+)
(Best pick: Wooting 80HE)

• [$279] SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless - Adjustable magnetic switches plus low-latency wireless. Custom actuation per key, OLED, and excellent software.

• [$299] Wooting 80HE - Hall-effect analog switches with rapid trigger and per-key tuning. Ridiculously responsive for FPS and competitive play.

• [$299] Razer DeathStalker V3 Pro - Low-profile optical switches, sleek chassis, excellent wireless battery life. Laptop-like travel with top-tier gaming speed.

• [$269] Mountain Everest Max - Premium modular design with detachable numpad, media dock, and hot-swap switches. Highly customizable layout and feel.

Best Esports Keyboards
(If you play competitively or want that tournament-grade speed)

Compact:

• [$219] Wooting 60HE+ - Analog Hall-effect switches with adjustable actuation. Tiny footprint, instant key resets, and per-key tuning for movement control.

• [$109] Corsair K65 Pro Mini - 60% layout with fast optical switches, high polling, and a steady deck. Great for low-sens mouse players who need space.

Full-size:

• [$299] Wooting Two HE - Full-size analog board with the same rapid trigger tech. Analog movement in supported games and deep per-key customization.

• [$199] Corsair K70 RGB Pro - Full-size classic with a sturdy frame, fast switches, dedicated media, and robust software for profiles and macros.

Overall Picks

• The best gaming keyboard for most people is the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (Gen 3) [$199].

• Best budget: Corsair K55 RGB Pro [$49]

• Best for esports speed: Wooting 80HE [$299]

• Best premium: SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless [$279]

Updated 10/10/2025

Hi! Basically i am Looking for a good HE keyboard which is gonna be used more for gaming that typing.

Can you guys please help me with buying suggestions?

Budget: $ 280

Size: 75% or above

Other: Hall effect, Hot swap and some type of sound dampening. Also, metal case or plate is nice but not a mandatory thing.

Some models I'm considering

- ATK-RS7 PRO

- NuPhy Field75 HE

- Sikakeyb HM80

- MelGeek Made84 Pro

- Pulsar PCMK2 HE TKL

-Other ?

The Wooting 80HE looks like a fine keyboard, but unfortunately the pre order time is quite long.

Any good recommendations?

Hey, I’m trying to find the best he keyboard, I have a budget of about 350$,

I saw too many options, Wooting 80he, vgn flash extreme, hex80 etc, and I’m getting too deep into it and I always see people recommending different keyboards and saying that the others are bad,

I am a computer science student and a gamer (cs2, rust, cod warzone, battlefield 6)

I prefer 80% but I don’t mind getting 65% as I already have a evo80 keyboard if I would need that.

Thanks for your help in advance!

Honestly speaking, this year was probably one of my worst in the hobby, as I barely got time to work on stuff. Still, there were some keyboards that impressed me to the fullest. This includes both prebuilt and custom boards, in no particular order.

Akko Mineral 01: The best keyboard Akko has released in recent times, and in my opinion, the best keyboard under 120 dollars. Beautiful design and great acoustics, along with a tried-and-tested mounting style, made it one of my favorites. It is also available in barebones, so custom lovers would dig it.

Monsgeek M2 V5 VIA: Basically the M1 V5’s 1800 counterpart. The best part about it is the Akko Cilantro switches.

Mechlands Vibe75: One of the most pleasing and creamy-sounding 75 percent boards out there. The hot-swap knob and display were chef’s kiss.

Chilkey ND TKL: An almost perfect TKL at 100 dollars, with all the best things from the keyboard scene. A nicely designed case, Tsangan bottom row, aluminum plate, 1.6 mm PCB, and dual mounting. What more can you ask for? Only if it had top mount.

Weikav WK87: Without a doubt, the best budget keyboard on the market and the best value keyboard of 2025. It has everything, from great switches to a nice build, solid wireless connectivity, and QMK/VIA. Yes, the cheapest board with QMK/VIA.

Ajazz QS87 Series: A super underrated entry this year. This board has four mounting styles, solid switches, and good build quality. The Max variant has a hot-swap display. Only if it had QMK/VIA.

Lofree Flow Lite: I never thought I would daily drive a low-profile keyboard at the workplace. The reason is simple: great switches with good acoustics and crazy good battery life. Plus, it has tactile switch options too. One of the few low-profile boards to offer that.

8BitDo TKL: The Xbox variant is actually breathtaking. I finally daily drove a clicky switch board after ages.

Lingbao MK75: A breath of fresh air amidst all those same-design 75 percent boards. It ticks all the boxes and has one of the best-feeling tactile knobs.

Aula F65 Pro: The Aula F75 in a more refined form with a hot-swap knob. Only if it had VIA.

Weikav WK68: A very welcome addition in the sub BDT 4,000 or 40 USD range. While it has everything a good board should have, including good switches and a knob, the best thing about it is the colorful shine-through keycaps.

Neo75Cu: My favorite custom board in my collection. From design to mounting to sound, everything is pitch perfect. Loved the isolated bottom mount.

Neo80: Neo boards are solid. This TKL just blew my mind. The hybrid mounting, along with the sleek finish, made this a worthwhile addition to my collection.

GDK Lab DK1 60%: My first HHKB-style board. It has one of the most unique Marbelano finishes with great acoustics.

So yeah, these are my picks. Hoping for a more eventful 2026 in terms of keyboards and content creation as a whole.

Honestly speaking, this year was probably one of my worst in the hobby, as I barely got time to work on stuff. Still, there were some keyboards that impressed me to the fullest. This includes both prebuilt and custom boards, in no particular order.

Akko Mineral 01: The best keyboard Akko has released in recent times, and in my opinion, the best keyboard under 120 dollars. Beautiful design and great acoustics, along with a tried-and-tested mounting style, made it one of my favorites. It is also available in barebones, so custom lovers would dig it.

Monsgeek M2 V5 VIA: Basically the M1 V5’s 1800 counterpart. The best part about it is the Akko Cilantro switches.

Mechlands Vibe75: One of the most pleasing and creamy-sounding 75 percent boards out there. The hot-swap knob and display were chef’s kiss.

Chilkey ND TKL: An almost perfect TKL at 100 dollars, with all the best things from the keyboard scene. A nicely designed case, Tsangan bottom row, aluminum plate, 1.6 mm PCB, and dual mounting. What more can you ask for? Only if it had top mount.

Weikav WK87: Without a doubt, the best budget keyboard on the market and the best value keyboard of 2025. It has everything, from great switches to a nice build, solid wireless connectivity, and QMK/VIA. Yes, the cheapest board with QMK/VIA.

Ajazz QS87 Series: A super underrated entry this year. This board has four mounting styles, solid switches, and good build quality. The Max variant has a hot-swap display. Only if it had QMK/VIA.

Lofree Flow Lite: I never thought I would daily drive a low-profile keyboard at the workplace. The reason is simple: great switches with good acoustics and crazy good battery life. Plus, it has tactile switch options too. One of the few low-profile boards to offer that.

8BitDo TKL: The Xbox variant is actually breathtaking. I finally daily drove a clicky switch board after ages.

Lingbao MK75: A breath of fresh air amidst all those same-design 75 percent boards. It ticks all the boxes and has one of the best-feeling tactile knobs.

Aula F65 Pro: The Aula F75 in a more refined form with a hot-swap knob. Only if it had VIA.

Weikav WK68: A very welcome addition in the sub BDT 4,000 or 40 USD range. While it has everything a good board should have, including good switches and a knob, the best thing about it is the colorful shine-through keycaps.

Neo75Cu: My favorite custom board in my collection. From design to mounting to sound, everything is pitch perfect. Loved the isolated bottom mount.

Neo80: Neo boards are solid. This TKL just blew my mind. The hybrid mounting, along with the sleek finish, made this a worthwhile addition to my collection.

GDK Lab DK1 60%: My first HHKB-style board. It has one of the most unique Marbelano finishes with great acoustics.

So yeah, these are my picks. Hoping for a more eventful 2026 in terms of keyboards and content creation as a whole.

Hey guys,

I’m on the hunt for a Hall Effect keyboard mainly for competitive gaming. I know Wooting is the go-to pick and everyone swears by it, but I’m kinda looking for something that also has a bit more aesthetic appeal and solid build quality.

Budget’s around 200€.
Any recommendations or hidden gems you’d suggest?

Appreciate the help 🙌

I’ve been typing on laptop keyboards my whole life and I’m finally thinking about getting a mechanical keyboard, but the sheer amount of options is melting my brain a bit.

I mostly use my computer for work, studying, and casual gaming. I type a lot of emails, docs, and notes, then play some games in the evening, so I want something that feels satisfying to type on but isn’t insanely loud or covered in gamer RGB fireworks. I keep seeing things like hot-swappable switches, different switch types (linear, tactile, clicky), and different layouts like 60%, TKL, and full size, and I’m not sure what actually matters for a first board.

For people who made the jump from a regular keyboard to a mechanical one, what’s the best mechanical keyboard you bought that made you go “ok, I get the hype now”? Did you regret going with a certain layout or switch type at first? I’d love to hear what you use daily, what you like about it, and what you would do differently if you were buying your first board again.

Edit: After reading through the comments, I found a guide that explained the switch types and layouts in a way that finally clicked for me. If you want to check the same breakdown I used, here’s the guide: this mechanical keyboard roundup.

Hi,
I'm looking for a new keyboard with Hall Effect magnetic switches. My preferred size would be 60%/75%. My budget is 200€ including VAT (I live in Europe). I was looking at those ones:

1. Keychron K2 HE

2. Varmilo Muse65

3. Wooting 60HE+ (I don't like that its plastic and looks pretty cheap for its price).

4. Iquinix EZ60

Have you got any recommendations or could you share your opinions on those keyboards?

Edit: I would mostly use it for gaming, but also programming.

Hello there, I want to buy a new keyboard because my razer huntsman mini with red switches is giving me issues after 3 years of gaming service.

I was looking for an HE, I wanted to buy a Wooting but I see many budget friendly alternatives, and spending that much for a wooting (even if it is worthy) is a little bit too much for me, I am not a pro player lol.

I saw this 3 being the top 3 for most people.

I am looking for a good build, for at least 2 years of service lol
And possibly with a good configuration software.

I play mostly FPS games, like Fortnite.

So which one would you recommend?
Aula New HERO 68HE? ACE 60 Pro? or AKKO Tac 75? or something else? :)

Thank you in advance :)

So, my trusty Logitech G810 Orion keyboard that I've had for 8+ years has finally run its course it seems, keys are becoming loose and while I could just buy new keycaps, I figured I might as well "upgrade". So the question is, what is the "best" full size keyboard in 2025. I personally like the full size keyboards compared to compact and TKL. Budget can stretch to £150 if the keyboard is indeed worth it but of course the cheaper the better. Few keyboards I've looked into, Ducky Shine 7, Steelseries Apex Pro, Razer Pro Type. Would love to know other keyboards you guys would recommend

Edit: Recently purchased the Keychron Q6 Max. Pretty hefty purchase but this keyboard is so nice. Great build quality and feels so nice to type and game on

Hi everyone,

I've recently purchased the Keychron Q2 Pro, a wireless 65% mechanical keyboard with hot-swappable switches and full customization via VIA.

With the rise of magnetic keyboards featuring Hall Effect sensors and other advanced technologies, I'm wondering if it's still worthwhile to stick with a traditional mechanical keyboard in 2025.

Should I keep my Keychron Q2 Pro or switch to a magnetic keyboard? Any insights or experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Hi, im looking for a TKL or 75% board mainly for gaming, I mainly play cs2 and some osu, the wooting 80he looks great but a bit too pricey for me, sub 150 would be great, any suggestions? and hall effect/rapid trigger is preferred, thank you!

I’m looking for a solid ergonomic keyboard for both gaming and work—ideally something with swappable keys (optional, not a dealbreaker) and built to last. I don’t want to spend Moonlander money, but I’m fine paying around $100+ for good quality and longevity.

I’ve heard good things about the Kinesis Edge RGB Split, the Keychron Q11, and even the Logitech MK295 Silent Wireless. Anyone here have experience with these or other recommendations?