For a writer, your keyboard is your tool of the trade. That's why it's so important for writers to have a keyboard that offers comfort and support and feels satisfying to use. It's also important that your keyboard has all the right buttons and functions you need, whether dedicated media keys for skipping through playlists while working on that screenplay or the ability to remap keys in the software so your shortcuts are right where you need them.
We've tested over 250 keyboards, and below are our picks for the best keyboard for fast typing and the best keyboard for writers of all stripes. If you're exclusively looking for ergonomic options, check out our recommendations for the best ergonomic keyboards. If you write lines of code instead of lines of dialogue, we also have a list of the best keyboards for programming. Or, if you know for certain you want a mechanical keyboard for that nice click and clack, check out our article on the best mechanical keyboards.
We test dozens of keyboards each year, and to maintain independence, we buy every unit ourselves. Our reviews go beyond subjective typing impressions or quick gaming sessions. Each keyboard is put through the same standardized test bench, so you can directly compare our results. We use specialized tools like a Mecmesin force tester to measure switch force curves and a Beagle 480 USB analyzer to capture input data for latency testing. Multiple teams contribute to each review in a process that can take days or even weeks from start to finish.
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Best Keyboard For Typing
GamingOfficeMobile/TabletProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCRaw PerformanceSize:Compact (96%)Connectivity:WirelessSwitch Type:MechanicalTyping Quality:Typing Noise:See all our test resultsAverage Loudness:dBAWe recommend the Keychron Q5 Max as the best keyboard for typing for most people. We've singled out the 96% Q5 model here, but this keyboard is part of a wider Q Max series that includes many different size variants. If you prefer a more traditional full-size model or a more compact keyboard that takes up less space on your desk, we suggest checking out the entire lineup on Keychron's website. Each board in this lineup shares the same impressive build quality and premium-feeling typing experience right out of the box.
Part of what makes each keyboard in the Q Max series a typist's dream is how it's constructed. It has a double gasket mount design with small silicone separators between components inside the case, which lends to a softer, cushioned typing feel. It also has multiple layers of acoustic materials sandwiched inside components, and the switches and stabilizers come pre-lubed from the factory.
That said, because this keyboard has a higher-end, solid aluminum case, it's a little louder than most other options on this list. We also noticed that the stabilizers on the larger keys felt and sounded a little inconsistent during our testing, so you may want to relube or replace them yourself to get the most out of this board. To that end, this keyboard is also designed to be highly customizable and includes a toolkit so you can completely disassemble the board to swap out any pieces if you want.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Keyboard For Typing
GamingOfficeMobile/TabletProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCRaw PerformanceSize:Compact (96%)Connectivity:WirelessSwitch Type:MechanicalTyping Quality:Typing Noise:See all our test resultsAverage Loudness:dBAIf you appreciate the excellent typing quality and hardware customizability of the Keychron Q5 Max but are less enthusiastic about the price, we recommend the NuPhy Halo96 V2 as a more affordable alternative. Like the Keychron above, this wireless keyboard has a gasket mount design. While it doesn't have a solid aluminum chassis, it focuses more on acoustics with layers of silicon sandwiched inside and what NuPhy calls a 'GhostBar,' which is a spacebar design with added polycarbonate and silicon that dampens its sound and feel. You can choose from fun colorways and tactile, linear, or silent switches. The hot-swappable PCB also makes it easy to change switches later.
The second major draw that sets this keyboard apart from the more premium Keychron is its much more present and expressive RGB lighting that shines through the translucent bottom case that wraps around the entire keyboard. It also has a set of helpful homing bars, which are shine-through slits on the 'F' and 'J' keys to help you quickly orient your hands on the home row in darker rooms. We don't expect this RGB lighting to be a priority for all typists, but it's a playful addition that can add personality and help tie together the visuals in your desk setup. As a final note, If you don't need a Numpad for your workflow, there's a compact variant of this keyboard, the NuPhy Halo75 V2, which offers the same features and excellent typing quality as the larger version in a smaller package.
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Best Mid-Range Keyboard For Typing
GamingOfficeMobile/TabletProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCRaw PerformanceSize:Full-size (100%)Connectivity:WirelessSwitch Type:ScissorTyping Quality:Typing Noise:See all our test resultsAverage Loudness:dBAAt a mid-range price point, we recommend the Logitech MX Keys S. While the above picks are mechanical keyboards, this keyboard 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 prefer the feel of mechanical switches and a regular-profile keyboard, the Logitech Alto Keys K98M is another strong contender. It delivers an excellent typing experience. Its gasket mount provides a soft, springy feel. It also comes with shine-through legends by default, which makes it a solid choice if you often type at night. It's noisier than the MX Keys S, but you can replace the default switches for quieter ones thanks to the hot-swappable design.
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Best Budget Keyboard For Typing
GamingOfficeMobile/TabletProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCRaw PerformanceSize:Compact (96%)Connectivity:WirelessSwitch Type:MechanicalTyping Quality:Typing Noise:See all our test resultsAverage Loudness:dBAIf you prefer the feel of a mechanical keyboard, the AULA F99/F75 is an excellent budget pick. Whether you pick the full-size F99 or TenKeyLess F75, both keyboards offer a lot of value for their price. Its gasket-mounted design delivers a soft, cushioned typing feel that many people love, though it leans heavily on the soft side. If you prefer the firmer, more direct feedback of a traditional tray-mounted keyboard, it might not be the right fit. Build quality is better than you'd expect at this price. It comes with high-quality PBT keycaps that feel great under your fingers, and while the plastic chassis feels noticeably cheaper, it's still well assembled. A foam layer inside the case helps avoid the hollow sound that budget plastic keyboards often suffer from, and it actually produces a pleasing sound right out of the box. Connectivity-wise, you can use the wireless via Bluetooth or the included 2.4GHz receiver.
The ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 is another great option if you don't mind using a 60% layout, which omits the f-row key, numpad, and arrow keys. This little unit is portable thanks to its compact design and lightweight plastic build. You can connect 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 keep using it while it charges via a standard wired connection. A few other variants of this keyboard are available, like a full RGB backlighting variant or a hot-swappable variant that lets you 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. -
Best Cheap Keyboard For Typing
GamingOfficeMobile/TabletProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCRaw PerformanceSize:TenKeyLess (75%)Connectivity:WirelessSwitch Type:ScissorTyping Quality:Typing Noise:See all our test resultsAverage Loudness:dBAThe Keychron B33/B36 is the best cheap option we recommend for most typists. It comes in both TenKeyLess and full-size layouts, so you can pick whichever suits your needs. Its deep scissor switches are very stable and deliver a satisfying typing experience, and while they don't quite match the tactile feedback of the AULA F99/F75, they're quiet and comfortable even during long sessions. Connectivity is flexible, too. You can connect via the included 2.4GHz receiver, Bluetooth with up to three devices, or wired. Wired mode also offers very low latency, which comes in handy if you want to use it for occasional gaming.
If you prefer a more compact keyboard that you can carry around, the Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s is another great choice. This compact, slim keyboard is easy to slip into backpacks or laptop cases. It's also an excellent match for smaller workspaces or if you find yourself hopping between hot desks. It uses AAA batteries and connects wirelessly with Bluetooth, supporting multi-pairing with up to three devices simultaneously. Overall, it's a versatile and portable pick that's very hard to beat in its price range. However, its biggest drawback is that it has somewhat unusual circular keycaps and a slightly tighter key spacing layout than other keyboards on this list. The layout may take some time to get used to, but most people will achieve their normal typing speed before long.
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Best Low-Profile Keyboard For Typing
GamingOfficeMobile/TabletProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCRaw PerformanceSize:Compact (96%)Connectivity:WirelessSwitch Type:MechanicalTyping Quality:Typing Noise:See all our test resultsAverage Loudness:dBAIf you prefer low-profile keyboards, the best keyboard for typing we've tested is the Lofree Flow 2. Its low-profile design makes it comfortable to use without a wrist rest, and it's a great choice if you want something closer to a laptop keyboard. This keyboard is very well built. Its CNC-machined aluminum body has a polished finish that feels smooth to the touch while resisting fingerprints and smudging during normal handling. The switches and keycaps are very stable, and both the switches and stabilizers are factory-lubed. They feel consistent overall, without noticeable ticking or pinging. The white backlight is also bright enough and, combined with the shine-through legends, it makes the keyboard easy to use even in low-light conditions. , and it supports wireless connectivity over a 2.4GHz receiver or Bluetooth.
When it comes to typing, the Flow 2 provides an outstanding overall experience. The gasket mount implementation is on the stiffer side but provides very subtle cushioning without any aggressive rebound or excessive flex. Several layers of internal dampening material, including PET, silicone, IXPE, and PU foam, all contribute to softening the force of heavy keystrokes and round out the sound profile. While the tactile switch options we tested are relatively loud, quieter switches are also available and will be better choices for shared spaces.
Notable Mentions
- NuPhy Gem80: The NuPhy Gem80 is a standout TKL alternative in the same price range as the Keychron Q5 Max, but it's an outlier because it's only available as a barebones kit without switches and keycaps. That said, it comes loaded with an array of acoustic treatments and layers of dampening material. Its stabilizers also come pre-lubed from the factory and feel more consistent than those on the Keychron. It provides an extremely premium-feeling typing experience if you're comfortable buying and installing switches and keycaps. See our review
- Epomaker TH80 Pro: The Epomaker TH80 Pro is a great alternative to the ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 if you'd prefer something larger with dedicated arrow keys and a function row. It also offers a somewhat better typing experience with higher-quality PBT keycaps. The downside is that it's typically quite a bit more expensive, and its PBT keycaps don't have shine-through legends. See our review
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NuPhy Air75 V3:
The NuPhy Air75 V3 is a great alternative to the Lofree Flow 2. While it doesn't feel as refined to type on, it's slightly cheaper and still delivers an excellent typing quality. It also has a gasket mount and multiple layers of dampening that create a nice sound. The switches also have slightly longer travel, which some people may prefer.
See our review
Recent Updates
Mar 06, 2026:
We added the Logitech Alto Keys K98M as an alternative to the Logitech MX Keys S. Our new budget pick is the AULA F99, with the ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 serving as an alternative, and our new cheap pick is the Keychron B33/B36. We also added a 'Best Low-Profile Keyboard For Typing' with the Lofree Flow 2 as our pick.
Feb 25, 2025:
We've verified the price and availability of all our recommendations, and our picks remain unchanged.
Nov 29, 2024:
We've reviewed our recommendations and aren't making any changes with this update, but we've added the AULA F99 to our list of Notable Mentions.
Sep 04, 2024: We've replaced the NuPhy Halo 96 as our upper mid-range pick for its successor, the NuPhy Halo 96 V2. It adds improved wireless performance and more expressive RGB lighting for the same price.
Jun 10, 2024: We've confirmed the price and availability of all our recommendations; no changes to our picks at this time.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best keyboards for fast typing and writing. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our keyboard reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no keyboard is perfect for every use, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.