The Best Keyboards for Work and Play

Generally, keyboards are defined by two specific design choices: the layout and the type of switches they use. A switch is the mechanism underneath a key that controls how the switch is pressed down. The layout can easily be seen by looking at a keyboard, but the switches can be a bit more difficult to guess from general observation. Here are the most common you'll see:

Scissor switches are among the most widespread types of keyboard switches available today, found in nearly every consumer laptop and countless slim keyboards, including the Apple Magic Keyboard. These switches are incredibly compact and have a short travel distance, which makes them ideal for anything portable. Their low profile, flat shape, and short travel distance means they can be quick to type on, but they often lack the enjoyable tactile experience of a thicker keyboard. These switches are often also referred to as “chiclet switches,” a not-quite-accurate name that comes from the small amount of space between each key.

Membrane switches are one of the least expensive switches to manufacture, and are widespread even today in schools and offices. They typically consist of a sheet of rubber domes with electrical contacts inside of them, which then have keycaps put on top. When one of these keys is pressed down, it compresses the rubber dome and registers a key press. These keyboards are waterproof and reliable, but they have a key press that is typically described as mushy and unpleasant.

Mechanical switches are fairly widespread in enthusiast circles, but the actual definition of a “mechanical” switch is debatable. However, for this guide’s purpose, a “mechanical switch” will typically refer to a switch that uses the same design as a Cherry MX switch and has a metal “leaf” on the inside, which is two pieces of metal that are pressed together to register an input. ThereminGoat has a great in-depth guide on how a mechanical switch works and what all the components do. There are three main types of MX-style mechanical switches, tactile, linear, and clicky, that we discuss in-depth in our mechanical keyboard buying guide.

Low-profile mechanical switches rely on principles similar to a standard mechanical switch, but they compress the movement into a much shorter switch. They typically have a shorter key press, use unique keycaps, and are less standardized than full-size mechanical switches. Because they’re shorter, they are typically used for either low-profile keyboards or uniquely-shaped keys on a standard keyboard (like the mouse buttons on the HHKB Studio).

Hall effect switches are typically similar to mechanical switches in shape, and will feel comparable to type on, but the key difference is how they register an input. A mechanical switch requires physical contact between two components, while a Hall effect switch uses magnets and sensors to determine whether a key has been pressed down. With most Hall effect keyboards, the sensor can detect how far the key has been pressed, and you can actually program the keys to only register an input at a certain distance, or even to register multiple inputs at different distances. By comparison, a standard mechanical switch will only register an input at a predetermined distance. While a Hall effect switch may seem like an all-around upgrade compared to a mechanical switch, there is still a trade-off: Nearly every Hall effect switch available is linear, which means there is no bump or click when the keyboard registers an input. Beyond that, because of small differences in their internal designs, many enthusiasts prefer the typing feel of a mechanical switch.

Hz, or hertz, refers to the polling rate of a keyboard. In essence, this number is how many times the keyboard communicates with your computer in one second. Your average computer peripheral operates at 125 Hz, while higher-end equipment with a focus on speed can operate upwards of 1,000 Hz. Realistically, for everyday use, 125 Hz is perfectly serviceable. Having something higher can be beneficial for gaming, and can potentially feel smoother, but the difference is not as important as you would think.

2.4 GHz, short for 2.4 gigahertz, is a radio frequency that computer peripherals use to communicate wirelessly with a USB dongle. Most keyboards with 2.4-GHz connectivity will also have Bluetooth connectivity, but there are many keyboards that have Bluetooth without 2.4 GHz. There are many differences between how the two operate and how they perform, but the main ones are connection quality and convenience. A Bluetooth connection will often operate at a lower polling rate, such as 125 Hz or 250 Hz, but can connect directly to a Bluetooth-enabled device without a dongle. A 2.4-GHz connection, on the other hand, can operate at much higher polling rates (some devices exceed 1,000 Hz) but will require a USB port to plug a dongle into. For either connection method, the wireless range is dependent on the individual device.

Gasket mounting is a method of keyboard construction that has become popular in recent years. In a gasket-mounted keyboard, the internal assembly of the keyboard is not directly screwed into the case. Instead, rubber gaskets are placed along the edges of the top and bottom halves of the case. These press together around the internal assembly and hold it in place once the two halves have been screwed together. This allows the internal assembly to move up and down slightly when typing, along with absorbing the vibrations of typing. This kind of assembly typically results in a softer and more satisfying typing experience, while also improving the sound of the keyboard by removing any extra noises.

Function layers are secondary layouts on a keyboard that allow for inputs that don’t have dedicated keys on the keyboard. These are often accessed by holding down a key labeled “Fn” or “Function,” then pressing another key. Function layers allow for multimedia controls, setting adjustments, or access to keys like F1 through F12, or arrow keys, if they were removed from the keyboard to save space.

There are so many factors to choose from when picking the right keyboard for your needs that it can get overwhelming. Not everyone has the same needs, and many aspects of a keyboard can seem universally desirable to some while being utterly polarizing to others. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Mechanical, or no? If you like big, clicky keyboards with raised keys that make a statement, mechanical keyboards might be for you. This is also a rabbit hole that many nerds have lost themselves in, so it can be overwhelming to dive into the nuance of all the different styles in this subgroup. If you're more a fan of the flat, chiclet-style keyboards found on low-profile keyboards (and laptops), you can save yourself a lot of time by skipping the mechanical keyboard rush. On the other hand, if you do want mechanical, we have a few in this guide you can check out, but we also have a dedicated Best Mechanical Keyboard guide you should peruse.

Wireless or wired? Wired keyboards have the advantage of never dying and never needing to be charged up. The disadvantages are, well, obvious. If you need a wireless keyboard to take with you to the office and back home, or just want more flexibility on your desk, then make sure to check a keyboard's battery life, what kind of batteries it uses (rechargeable is usually better), and what kind of system it uses for recharging.

Wireless connectivity options. Some wireless keyboards use a 2.4-GHz USB dongle to connect to your PC or laptop, which often have more reliable signal strength, while others use Bluetooth to connect to a wider range of devices. Bluetooth keyboards in general are pretty great these days, so it's not a huge sacrifice, but pay attention to how you need to connect the keyboard to your devices when making a purchase.

Number of device connections. Similarly, some wireless keyboards can remember multiple devices they connect to and swap between them with the press of a button. If you have a desktop, a laptop, and a work computer you want to use one keyboard with, it's a good idea to check how many devices your keyboard can remember when making your choice.

Polling rate. As mentioned, this refers to how often per second your computer receives a signal from your keyboard. Modern keyboards already approach 1,000 Hz (or once every millisecond), which is faster than what most people ever need. However, if you play a lot of fast-paced competitive games online, having a higher polling rate (commonly approaching 8,000 Hz, or 8 checks every millisecond) can reduce the time between when you press a key and when the game registers it. Which, when you're dodging headshots, can mean the difference between life and virtual death.

Software. With most keyboards today advertising extensive customization options, it’s important to be sure these adjustments can be done easily and quickly. Some keyboards have great customization software with explanations, tool tips, and intuitive systems to make adjustments, and some don’t. Software like Razer Synapse, Keychron’s Launcher, and Wooting’s Wootility are some of my favorites, and I’d definitely recommend doing some research on your keyboard’s software before locking in your choice.

I test each keyboard on this list for an extended period of time: at least a week, and often longer. I test each under a diverse set of conditions including gaming, writing, internet browsing, video and photo editing, and even some programming. During this, I take extensive notes on how a keyboard behaves, what works, and where I run into trouble. Once I’ve finished testing a keyboard in real-life situations, I compare it to other keyboards to see how it stacks up, and I typically try to disassemble each keyboard and critique its internal assembly.

When determining what goes in this guide, I take multiple different aspects into account. The largest priorities to me are build quality, typing experience, and ease-of-use: A solid keyboard that feels good to type on will typically score better than a flimsy and boring keyboard, even if the flimsy keyboard has fantastic software, style, or typing sound. However, all of these metrics come into consideration, and if a keyboard totally fails in a certain category, that can still take it out of the running.

Keyboards are subjective, so I try to approach each review with an open mind. Even if I don’t like typing on a keyboard, I always try to imagine a user who might like it, and I evaluate its design choices from that perspective along with my own. Ultimately, you will know better than anyone else whether a keyboard is a good fit for you.