The 5 Best Keyboards For Typing - Black Friday 2024

We 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 here. 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 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 the stabilizers on the larger keys felt and sounded a little inconsistent during our testing, so you may want to re-lube or replace the stabilizers yourself to get the most out of this board. To that end, this keyboard is also designed to be highly customizable and includes a tool kit so you can completely disassemble the board to swap out any pieces if you want.

If 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.

At 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'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. 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 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.

The best cheap option we recommend for most typists is the Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s. 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 portability-forward 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.

It's also worth noting that this keyboard's compact layout lacks a numpad. If you need a numpad, we recommend the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard instead. It isn't as portable and doesn't feel as well built overall, but it has a more conventional full-size layout with standard key spacing and is typically available for about the same price.