The 5 Best Keyboards For Typing - Black Friday 2023 Reviews

We've tested over 200 keyboards and found the best keyboard for typing for most people is the Keychron Q2, with its high-quality aluminum case and excellent typing experience out of the box. It also has a compact size, which hits a sweet spot between space-saving and utility without feeling cramped. While it lacks a Numpad, it keeps the arrow keys and several important navigational keys, like 'Home' and 'Insert', which may be keys you rely on for your workflow.

Part of what makes this keyboard a typist's dream is its gasket mounting style, which provides a cushioned, almost springy typing experience that feels much more premium than most prebuilt options. Its design is easily customizable to suit your needs and preferences. It has a hot-swappable PCB, so you can pop out and replace the stock switches. Or, if you're more into tinkering, you can use an included toolkit to make other changes, like adding additional sound dampening or changing the plate for an entirely different sound profile.

The customization isn't just physical, either. This keyboard is fully compatible with VIA software, allowing you to change key assignments, program macros to any key, and customize the RGB backlighting. While we recommend the Q2 here for space-saving purposes, you won't go wrong with any keyboard in the Q-Series. Each board shares the same incredible build quality with high-quality materials. There's a size for everyone, from the full-sized Keychron Q6 to the tiny Keychron Q4 or the TenKeyLess Keychron Q3 in between.

If the price tag and the customization factors of the Keychron Q2 don't appeal to you, we recommend the NuPhy Halo96, one of the models in NuPhy's Halo lineup. We've highlighted the largest 96% size option here that features nearly all of the keys of a standard full-size keyboard (including a Numpad) but in a slightly more compact package without spacing between key clusters. If you don't need a Numpad, the (75%) and (65%) variants of this keyboard offer the same features and excellent typing quality as the larger version, but in a smaller package—they're typically a bit less expensive, too.

One of the major draws of this keyboard for typists is the emphasis on typing quality and acoustics. There are multiple layers of silicone-dampening material inside the case and what NuPhy calls a GhostBar, a spacebar fitted with polycarbonate and silicone pieces to help dampen the loud hollow sound spacebars often make. You can buy this keyboard in a range of tactile or linear switches and, thanks to the hot-swappable PCB, even add the switches you prefer.

While the build quality and materials don't feel as premium as with our top pick, the Keychron Q2, this keyboard also offers wireless connectivity. While its high profile and weight mean it isn't a super portable option, it's still a great choice if you have a multi-device setup at your desk, as it pairs wirelessly with up to three devices via Bluetooth. Note that this keyboard doesn't have the pictured acrylic wristrest, but you can purchase one separately from Nuphy's website.

At a mid-range price point, we recommend the Logitech MX Keys S. While the above picks are mechanical keyboards, the MX Keys S goes back to basics. It uses scissor switches—typically found in laptop keyboards—making this a familiar-feeling option for most. This straightforward model has a sleek dark grey and black aesthetic that looks professional in any setup. It also has white-only backlighting you can set to automatically adjust to the lighting around you, making the legends on keys easy to read in all conditions.

It makes up for what it lacks in extra features with design touches. Its flat, low profile means you can rest your wrists directly on your work surface to type comfortably without a wrist rest. Each keycap has an indent in the middle that helps guide your fingers into the center and avoid accidental keystrokes on neighboring keys. As this is a wireless unit, you don't have to worry about cable management, and thanks to its long battery life of up to five months, you don't need to worry about constantly recharging it.

As mentioned, the low profile is comfortable to use. However, if you're prone to wrist pain and are interested in something with a more ergonomic design, the Logitech ERGO K860 is also a solid, mid-range option. Its split design reduces strain on the fingers, wrists, and shoulders since your arms are in a more natural position during use. Though, the layout might take a bit of getting used to at first.

Of all the budget keyboards we've tested, the ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 takes the crown. This little unit is portable thanks to its compact design and lightweight plastic build. Its small footprint clears up space on your desk for keeping your water bottle, coffee mug, phone, and whatever else you need for your workflow right where you need them. This unit also has excellent wireless versatility. It connects with up to three devices at once using Bluetooth, or you can get a variant that includes a USB receiver, which is great if you tend to work in areas with a lot of Bluetooth noise, like an office or a co-working space. The battery life isn't excellent, but it promises around 10 hours of active use, and you can always continue to use it while it charges with a standard wired connection.

A few other variants of this keyboard are available, like a variant with full RGB backlighting or a hot-swappable variant that allows you to easily swap out the switches, which is particularly impressive given its low price point. Whatever option you spring for, you're guaranteed a solid typing experience without breaking the bank.

You can still find a good unit even if your budget is tight. The best cheap typing keyboard that we've tested is the Logitech K380. This little unit is very popular among students and on-the-go professionals who need a light, portable keyboard to slide into a laptop bag or toss into a backpack. It comes in several colors, including a newly released Blueberry option, so you don't have to limit yourself to the classic grey and black offerings that are the default of cheap units.

This keyboard supports a Bluetooth connection with up to three devices simultaneously, making it great for multi-device setups with tablets, phones, or laptops. Using a hotkey in the function row, you can easily change between paired devices, making the pairing process quite intuitive. However, while the compact size and thin frame are excellent for portability, it can take a little bit to get used to the layout as the keys are smaller than average and can feel cramped. That said, there's enough space between the keys to help you avoid typos, and once you're used to the layout, typing is a breeze.