OCN's Recommended Mechanical Keyboards.
This list has been compiled to help users looking for a new mechanical keyboards find a reliable board that is right for them, here you can find the mechanical keyboards most recommended by users of OCN. It's worth noting however that this list is not an absolute guide on the only mechanical boards worth buying, there are probably a few keyboards that haven't been added to the list yet because they haven't been recommended enough, this is simply a list of suggestions rather than the definitive authority on which mechanical keyboards are good.
Would you like to make some suggestions of boards to add? If so fill out the form below.
If you spot an error anywhere in the list, feel free to send me a PM about it and it will be fixed.
Due to the fact that prices vary from store to store and country to country, instead of listing a specific price I've opted for using Low, Medium, High and Very High to give you an estimate of the boards cost, these are only a guide though, depending on your location the prices could be slightly lower or a lot higher.
In light of some users not realising which boards have less common layouts for the bottom row key sizes, the list has now also been updated to show which boards have a "standard" layout for the bottom row, and which have a different layout.
For the purposes of this thread, I'll define the "standard" bottom row layout as having the following key sizes from left to right:
If the keyboard has a "non-standard" layout, the key sizes will be stated from left to right.
Need some help deciding on a switch? Learn more about them in the Mechanical Keyboard Guide or discuss them in the Mechanical Keyboard Club.
Here are the boards recommended by users of OCN:
MX Brown
MX Blue
MX Red
MX Black
MX Green, MX Clear or MX White
ALPS
Topre
Other
This list has been compiled to help users looking for a new mechanical keyboards find a reliable board that is right for them, here you can find the mechanical keyboards most recommended by users of OCN. It's worth noting however that this list is not an absolute guide on the only mechanical boards worth buying, there are probably a few keyboards that haven't been added to the list yet because they haven't been recommended enough, this is simply a list of suggestions rather than the definitive authority on which mechanical keyboards are good.
Would you like to make some suggestions of boards to add? If so fill out the form below.
If you spot an error anywhere in the list, feel free to send me a PM about it and it will be fixed.
Due to the fact that prices vary from store to store and country to country, instead of listing a specific price I've opted for using Low, Medium, High and Very High to give you an estimate of the boards cost, these are only a guide though, depending on your location the prices could be slightly lower or a lot higher.
- Low: <$80
- Medium: $80-$130
- High: $130-$200
- Very High: >$200
In light of some users not realising which boards have less common layouts for the bottom row key sizes, the list has now also been updated to show which boards have a "standard" layout for the bottom row, and which have a different layout.
For the purposes of this thread, I'll define the "standard" bottom row layout as having the following key sizes from left to right:
- Ctrl - 1.25
- Windows - 1.25
- Alt - 1.25
- Spacebar - 6.25
- Alt Gr - 1.25
- Windows - 1.25
- Menu - 1.25
- Ctrl - 1.25
If the keyboard has a "non-standard" layout, the key sizes will be stated from left to right.
Need some help deciding on a switch? Learn more about them in the Mechanical Keyboard Guide or discuss them in the Mechanical Keyboard Club.
Here are the boards recommended by users of OCN:
MX Brown
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Ultimate
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: USB 2.0 passthrough, detachable cable
Cons: Detachable cable can be hard to plug in/ remove
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire XT
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Great build quality
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Standard
Ducky Shine 3
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2
Backlighting: No
Price: high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout: Standard
Logitech G710+
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: Multimedia keys, macro keys, USB 2.0 port, backlighting, removable wrist rest, preinstalled O-rings
Cons: Some of the old batches had problems with the backlighting, orange section not for everyone, only available with MX Browns
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.25, 6.5, 1.25, 1, 1, 1.5
Max Keyboard Nighthawk X8
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Customisable backlighting (choose what switches you want what colour at point of sale), 2x USB 2.0, audio jacks, braided cable
Cons: Availability
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
QPAD MK80
Backlighting: Yes
Price: high
Pros: Backlighting, 2x USB 2.0, media keys
Cons: Non-braided cable, price(?)
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
WASD v2
Backlighting: No
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, DIP switch, customisation (Standard available with your choice of base colour and WASD, Esc colour, Custom available with complete customisation of each keycap colour, font and lettering). Extras like O-rings pre-installed also availble for a surcharge.
Cons: Shipping expensive for outside North America
Bottom row layout: Standard
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: USB 2.0 passthrough, detachable cable
Cons: Detachable cable can be hard to plug in/ remove
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire XT
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Great build quality
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Standard
Ducky Shine 3
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2
Backlighting: No
Price: high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout: Standard
Logitech G710+
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: Multimedia keys, macro keys, USB 2.0 port, backlighting, removable wrist rest, preinstalled O-rings
Cons: Some of the old batches had problems with the backlighting, orange section not for everyone, only available with MX Browns
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.25, 6.5, 1.25, 1, 1, 1.5
Max Keyboard Nighthawk X8
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Customisable backlighting (choose what switches you want what colour at point of sale), 2x USB 2.0, audio jacks, braided cable
Cons: Availability
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
QPAD MK80
Backlighting: Yes
Price: high
Pros: Backlighting, 2x USB 2.0, media keys
Cons: Non-braided cable, price(?)
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
WASD v2
Backlighting: No
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, DIP switch, customisation (Standard available with your choice of base colour and WASD, Esc colour, Custom available with complete customisation of each keycap colour, font and lettering). Extras like O-rings pre-installed also availble for a surcharge.
Cons: Shipping expensive for outside North America
Bottom row layout: Standard
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid
Backlighting: No
Price range: low - medium
Pros: Multimedia keys, detachable braided USB cable, can deactivate Windows key
Cons: Excessive amount of branding on some of the older versions?
Bottom row layout: Standard
Ducky Shine 3 TKL
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2 Tenkeyless
Backlighting: No
Price range: high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout: Standard
KUL ES-87
Backlighting: No
Price range: high
Pros: Excellent build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location, keycaps not amazing.
Bottom row layout: Standard
Backlighting: No
Price range: low - medium
Pros: Multimedia keys, detachable braided USB cable, can deactivate Windows key
Cons: Excessive amount of branding on some of the older versions?
Bottom row layout: Standard
Ducky Shine 3 TKL
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2 Tenkeyless
Backlighting: No
Price range: high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout: Standard
KUL ES-87
Backlighting: No
Price range: high
Pros: Excellent build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location, keycaps not amazing.
Bottom row layout: Standard
KBT Pure Pro
Backlighting: Yes
Price: Medium
Pros: Two-layer PCB, removable USB cable, available with PBT keycaps
Cons: Short backspace, short right shift.
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1, 1, 1.25, 5.5, 1, 1, 1 + standard left, down right arrow keys.
KBT Race
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: Available with PBT keycaps, removable USB cable
Cons: Can be hard to find depending on location
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1.25, 1.25, 6.25, 1.25, 1 + 1.25 left, down and right arrow keys.
Backlighting: Yes
Price: Medium
Pros: Two-layer PCB, removable USB cable, available with PBT keycaps
Cons: Short backspace, short right shift.
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1, 1, 1.25, 5.5, 1, 1, 1 + standard left, down right arrow keys.
KBT Race
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: Available with PBT keycaps, removable USB cable
Cons: Can be hard to find depending on location
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1.25, 1.25, 6.25, 1.25, 1 + 1.25 left, down and right arrow keys.
MX Blue
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Ultimate
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: USB 2.0 passthrough, detachable cable
Cons: Detachable cable can be hard to plug in/ remove
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire XT
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Great build quality
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Standard
Ducky Shine 3
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2
Backlighting: No
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout: Standard
Max Keyboard Nighthawk X7
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Customisable backlighting (choose what switches you want what colour at point of sale), 2x USB 2.0, audio jacks, braided cable
Cons: Availability
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
QPAD MK80
Backlighting: Yes
Price: high
Pros: Backlighting, 2x USB 2.0, media keys
Cons: Non-braided cable, price(?)
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
WASD v2
Backlighting: No
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, DIP switch, customisation (Standard available with your choice of base colour and WASD, Esc colour, Custom available with complete customisation of each keycap colour, font and lettering) Extras like O-rings pre-installed also available for a surcharge.
Cons: Shipping expensive for outside North America
Bottom row layout: Standard
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: USB 2.0 passthrough, detachable cable
Cons: Detachable cable can be hard to plug in/ remove
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire XT
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Great build quality
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Standard
Ducky Shine 3
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2
Backlighting: No
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout: Standard
Max Keyboard Nighthawk X7
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Customisable backlighting (choose what switches you want what colour at point of sale), 2x USB 2.0, audio jacks, braided cable
Cons: Availability
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
QPAD MK80
Backlighting: Yes
Price: high
Pros: Backlighting, 2x USB 2.0, media keys
Cons: Non-braided cable, price(?)
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
WASD v2
Backlighting: No
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, DIP switch, customisation (Standard available with your choice of base colour and WASD, Esc colour, Custom available with complete customisation of each keycap colour, font and lettering) Extras like O-rings pre-installed also available for a surcharge.
Cons: Shipping expensive for outside North America
Bottom row layout: Standard
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Multimedia keys, detachable braided USB cable, can deactivate Windows key
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Standard
Ducky Shine 3 TKL
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Can be hard to find depending on location, Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2 Tenkeyless
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium to high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout - Standard
KUL ES-87
Backlighting: No
Price range: high
Pros: Excellent build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location, keycaps not amazing.
Bottom row layout: Standard
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Multimedia keys, detachable braided USB cable, can deactivate Windows key
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Standard
Ducky Shine 3 TKL
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Can be hard to find depending on location, Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2 Tenkeyless
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium to high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout - Standard
KUL ES-87
Backlighting: No
Price range: high
Pros: Excellent build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location, keycaps not amazing.
Bottom row layout: Standard
KBT Pure
Backlighting: Yes
Price: Medium
Pros: Two-layer PCB, removable USB cable, available with PBT keycaps
Cons: No arrow keys?
Bottom row layout: Standard
KBT Pure Pro
Backlighting: Yes
Price: Medium
Pros: Two-layer PCB, removable USB cable, available with PBT keycaps
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1, 1, 1.25, 5.5, 1, 1, 1 + standard left, down right arrow keys.
Vortex KBT Race
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: Available with PBT keycaps, removable USB cable
Cons: Can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1.25, 1.25, 6.25, 1.25, 1 + 1.25 left, down and right arrow keys.
Backlighting: Yes
Price: Medium
Pros: Two-layer PCB, removable USB cable, available with PBT keycaps
Cons: No arrow keys?
Bottom row layout: Standard
KBT Pure Pro
Backlighting: Yes
Price: Medium
Pros: Two-layer PCB, removable USB cable, available with PBT keycaps
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1, 1, 1.25, 5.5, 1, 1, 1 + standard left, down right arrow keys.
Vortex KBT Race
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: Available with PBT keycaps, removable USB cable
Cons: Can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1.25, 1.25, 6.25, 1.25, 1 + 1.25 left, down and right arrow keys.
MX Red
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Ultimate
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: USB 2.0 passthrough, detachable cable
Cons: Detachable cable can be hard to plug in/ remove
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire XT
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Great build quality
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Standard
Ducky Shine 3
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium to high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout: Standard
Max Keyboard Nighthawk X9
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Customisable backlighting (choose what switches you want what colour at point of sale), 2x USB 2.0, audio jacks, braided cable
Cons: Availability
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
QPAD MK80
Backlighting: Yes
Price: high
Pros: Backlighting, 2x USB 2.0, media keys
Cons: Non-braided cable, price(?)
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: USB 2.0 passthrough, detachable cable
Cons: Detachable cable can be hard to plug in/ remove
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire XT
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Great build quality
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Standard
Ducky Shine 3
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium to high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout: Standard
Max Keyboard Nighthawk X9
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Customisable backlighting (choose what switches you want what colour at point of sale), 2x USB 2.0, audio jacks, braided cable
Cons: Availability
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
QPAD MK80
Backlighting: Yes
Price: high
Pros: Backlighting, 2x USB 2.0, media keys
Cons: Non-braided cable, price(?)
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Multimedia keys, detachable braided USB cable, can deactivate Windows key
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Standard
Ducky Shine 3 TKL
Backlighting: No
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2 Tenkeyless
Backlighting: No
Price: medium to high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout: Standard
KUL ES-87
Backlighting: No
Price range: high
Pros: Excellent build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location, keycaps not amazing.
Bottom row layout: Standard
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Multimedia keys, detachable braided USB cable, can deactivate Windows key
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Standard
Ducky Shine 3 TKL
Backlighting: No
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2 Tenkeyless
Backlighting: No
Price: medium to high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout: Standard
KUL ES-87
Backlighting: No
Price range: high
Pros: Excellent build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location, keycaps not amazing.
Bottom row layout: Standard
KBT Pure
Backlighting: Yes
Price: Medium
Pros: Two-layer PCB, removable USB cable, available with PBT keycaps
Cons: No arrow keys?
Bottom row layout: Standard
KBT Pure Pro
Backlighting: Yes
Price: Medium
Pros: Two-layer PCB, removable USB cable, available with PBT keycaps
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1, 1, 1.25, 5.5, 1, 1, 1 + standard left, down right arrow keys.
Vortex KBT Race
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: Available with PBT keycaps, removable USB cable
Cons: Can be hard to find depending on location
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1.25, 1.25, 6.25, 1.25, 1 + 1.25 left, down and right arrow keys.
Backlighting: Yes
Price: Medium
Pros: Two-layer PCB, removable USB cable, available with PBT keycaps
Cons: No arrow keys?
Bottom row layout: Standard
KBT Pure Pro
Backlighting: Yes
Price: Medium
Pros: Two-layer PCB, removable USB cable, available with PBT keycaps
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1, 1, 1.25, 5.5, 1, 1, 1 + standard left, down right arrow keys.
Vortex KBT Race
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: Available with PBT keycaps, removable USB cable
Cons: Can be hard to find depending on location
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1.25, 1.25, 6.25, 1.25, 1 + 1.25 left, down and right arrow keys.
MX Black
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Ultimate
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: USB 2.0 passthrough, detachable cable
Cons: Detachable cable can be hard to plug in/ remove
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
Ducky Shine 3
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium to high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium to high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
QPAD MK80
Backlighting: No
Price: high
Pros: Backlighting, 2x USB 2.0, media keys
Cons: Non-braided cable, price(?)
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
WASD v2
Backlighting: No
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, DIP switch, customisation (Standard available with your choice of base colour and WASD, Esc colour, Custom available with complete customisation of each keycap colour, font and lettering) Extras like O-rings pre-installed also available for a surcharge.
Cons: Shipping expensive for outside North America
Bottom row layout: Standard
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: USB 2.0 passthrough, detachable cable
Cons: Detachable cable can be hard to plug in/ remove
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
Ducky Shine 3
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium to high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium to high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
QPAD MK80
Backlighting: No
Price: high
Pros: Backlighting, 2x USB 2.0, media keys
Cons: Non-braided cable, price(?)
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 6, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5
WASD v2
Backlighting: No
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, DIP switch, customisation (Standard available with your choice of base colour and WASD, Esc colour, Custom available with complete customisation of each keycap colour, font and lettering) Extras like O-rings pre-installed also available for a surcharge.
Cons: Shipping expensive for outside North America
Bottom row layout: Standard
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Multimedia keys, detachable braided USB cable, can deactivate Windows key
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Standard
Ducky Shine 3 TKL
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2 Tenkeyless
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium to high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout: Standard
KUL ES-87
Backlighting: No
Price range: high
Pros: Excellent build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location, keycaps not amazing.
Bottom row layout: Standard
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Multimedia keys, detachable braided USB cable, can deactivate Windows key
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Standard
Ducky Shine 3 TKL
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium - high
Pros: Build quality, great backlighting
Cons: Cherry stabilisers
Bottom row layout: Standard
Filco Majestouch 2 Tenkeyless
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium to high
Pros: Build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location.
Bottom row layout: Standard
KUL ES-87
Backlighting: No
Price range: high
Pros: Excellent build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location, keycaps not amazing.
Bottom row layout: Standard
KBT Pure
Backlighting: Yes
Price: Medium
Pros: Two-layer PCB, removable USB cable, available with PBT keycaps
Cons: No arrow keys?
Bottom row layout: Standard
KBT Pure Pro
Backlighting: Yes
Price: Medium
Pros: Two-layer PCB, removable USB cable, available with PBT keycaps
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1, 1, 1.25, 5.5, 1, 1, 1 + standard left, down right arrow keys.
Vortex KBT Race
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: Available with PBT keycaps, removable USB cable
Cons: Can be hard to find depending on location
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1.25, 1.25, 6.25, 1.25, 1 + 1.25 left, down and right arrow keys.
Backlighting: Yes
Price: Medium
Pros: Two-layer PCB, removable USB cable, available with PBT keycaps
Cons: No arrow keys?
Bottom row layout: Standard
KBT Pure Pro
Backlighting: Yes
Price: Medium
Pros: Two-layer PCB, removable USB cable, available with PBT keycaps
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1, 1, 1.25, 5.5, 1, 1, 1 + standard left, down right arrow keys.
Vortex KBT Race
Backlighting: Yes
Price: medium
Pros: Available with PBT keycaps, removable USB cable
Cons: Can be hard to find depending on location
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with extra keys - 1.25, 1.25, 1.25, 6.25, 1.25, 1 + 1.25 left, down and right arrow keys.
MX Green, MX Clear or MX White
Deck Legend Ice Edition (MX Clears)
Backlighting: Yes
Price range: high
Pros: Great build quality, 7 levels of backlighting
Cons: Price is a little high, keycap font/ general aesthetics of the board not to everyone's taste.
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with an extra key - 1.25, 1.25, 1.25, 6, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1.25
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire XT (MX Greens)
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Great build quality
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Standard
Backlighting: Yes
Price range: high
Pros: Great build quality, 7 levels of backlighting
Cons: Price is a little high, keycap font/ general aesthetics of the board not to everyone's taste.
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with an extra key - 1.25, 1.25, 1.25, 6, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1.25
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire XT (MX Greens)
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Great build quality
Cons:
Bottom row layout: Standard
Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid (MX Greens)
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Multimedia keys, detachable braided USB cable, can deactivate Windows key
Cons: Can be hard to find depending on location
Bottom row layout: Standard
KUL ES-87(MX Greens and MX Clears)
Backlighting: No
Price range: high
Pros: Excellent build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location, keycaps not amazing.
Bottom row layout: Standard
Backlighting: No
Price range: medium
Pros: Multimedia keys, detachable braided USB cable, can deactivate Windows key
Cons: Can be hard to find depending on location
Bottom row layout: Standard
KUL ES-87(MX Greens and MX Clears)
Backlighting: No
Price range: high
Pros: Excellent build quality, simplistic design, very compatible with aftermarket keycap sets
Cons: Non-braided cable, can be hard to find depending on location, keycaps not amazing.
Bottom row layout: Standard
ALPS
Matias Quiet Pro
Backlighting: No
Price: medium - high
Pros: 3x USB 2.0 ports, it's quiet.
Cons: Glossy case (?), Can be hard to find depending on location
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 7, 1.5, 1, 1.5
Dell AT101W
Backlighting: No
Price: Low
Pros: Easy to find for relatively cheap
Cons: It may take some work to bring the board up to a usable condition (whether it be aesthetically or functionally).
Bottom row layout: Standard
Backlighting: No
Price: medium - high
Pros: 3x USB 2.0 ports, it's quiet.
Cons: Glossy case (?), Can be hard to find depending on location
Bottom row layout: Non-standard - 1.5, 1, 1.5, 7, 1.5, 1, 1.5
Dell AT101W
Backlighting: No
Price: Low
Pros: Easy to find for relatively cheap
Cons: It may take some work to bring the board up to a usable condition (whether it be aesthetically or functionally).
Bottom row layout: Standard
Topre
Other
IBM Model M
Backlighting: No
Price: Varies wildly if you can find them, also depends on version.
Pros: Legendary build quality, for many it's the progenitor of mechanical keyboards
Cons: Originally IBM versions are harder to find commerically as they are now produced by Unicomp.
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with no Windows or Alt keys - 1.5, 1.5, 7, 1.5, 1.5
Backlighting: No
Price: Varies wildly if you can find them, also depends on version.
Pros: Legendary build quality, for many it's the progenitor of mechanical keyboards
Cons: Originally IBM versions are harder to find commerically as they are now produced by Unicomp.
Bottom row layout: Non-standard with no Windows or Alt keys - 1.5, 1.5, 7, 1.5, 1.5