9 Best Mechanical Keyboards for Gaming, Typing, and Value

(Cover image: Wingtree Nezuko switches.)

Ready for the June switch rankings?

I just updated the database of the most popular mechanical keyboard switches based on real sales data shared by 20 shops/manufacturers -- this time covering somewhat less than the usual 1 million switches sold.

Top 10 switches of June

1. Keygeek Y2 (linear)
2. Sillyworks x Gateron Type R (tactile)
3. TTC Frozen V2 Silent (TTC Silent Glacier) (silent linear)
4. HMX Yogurt S (linear)
5. Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (linear)
6. Akko Rosewood (linear)
7. TTC Bluish White (V2) Silent (silent tactile)
8. TTC X Pantheonkeys PT Black (linear)
9. Gateron Oil King (linear)
10. Keygeek Blue Cheese V2 (linear)

Full article -- with more insight:

Switch database (500+ switches):

Switch Quiz -- to narrow down the full selection:

Top switch brands (by total sales volume in June)

1. HMX
2. Keygeek
3. Akko
4. Kailh
5. Gateron
6. TTC
7. Wingtree
8. Outemu
9. Cherry
10. OwLab

Feel free to chime in about your experiences and whether your favorites match the broader trend.

(Cover image: HMX Blossoms at SperpentKeys.)

The numbers are in, so here are the July switch rankings.

I just updated the monthly list of the most popular mechanical keyboard switches on kbd.news. Based on real July 2026 sales data shared by 20 shops/manufacturers -- covering 0.6 million switches sold. Yeah, a significant summer slowdown.

Top 10 switches of July

1. Keygeek Y2 (linear)
2. Sillyworks x Gateron Type R (tactile)
3. Keygeek Blue Cheese V2 (linear)
4. TTC Frozen V2 Silent (TTC Silent Glacier) (silent linear)
5. HMX Yogurt S (linear)
6. Gateron Oil King (linear)
7. TTC Bluish White (V2) Silent (silent tactile)
8. Huano Sakura V2 (linear)
9. Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (linear)
10. Akko Cream Yellow Pro V5 (linear)

Full article -- with more insight:

Switch database (550+ switches):

Switch Quiz -- to narrow down the full selection (I've yet to update this):

Top switch brands (by total sales volume)

1. HMX
2. Keygeek
3. Gateron
4. Kailh
5. Wingtree
6. TTC
7. Cherry
8. OwLab
9. Akko
10. Outemu

Have you bought anything lately? Any impressions you'd share? I'm curious whether your favorites match the broader trend.

Honestly speaking, this year was probably one of my worst in the hobby, as I barely got time to work on stuff. Still, there were some keyboards that impressed me to the fullest. This includes both prebuilt and custom boards, in no particular order.

Akko Mineral 01: The best keyboard Akko has released in recent times, and in my opinion, the best keyboard under 120 dollars. Beautiful design and great acoustics, along with a tried-and-tested mounting style, made it one of my favorites. It is also available in barebones, so custom lovers would dig it.

Monsgeek M2 V5 VIA: Basically the M1 V5’s 1800 counterpart. The best part about it is the Akko Cilantro switches.

Mechlands Vibe75: One of the most pleasing and creamy-sounding 75 percent boards out there. The hot-swap knob and display were chef’s kiss.

Chilkey ND TKL: An almost perfect TKL at 100 dollars, with all the best things from the keyboard scene. A nicely designed case, Tsangan bottom row, aluminum plate, 1.6 mm PCB, and dual mounting. What more can you ask for? Only if it had top mount.

Weikav WK87: Without a doubt, the best budget keyboard on the market and the best value keyboard of 2025. It has everything, from great switches to a nice build, solid wireless connectivity, and QMK/VIA. Yes, the cheapest board with QMK/VIA.

Ajazz QS87 Series: A super underrated entry this year. This board has four mounting styles, solid switches, and good build quality. The Max variant has a hot-swap display. Only if it had QMK/VIA.

Lofree Flow Lite: I never thought I would daily drive a low-profile keyboard at the workplace. The reason is simple: great switches with good acoustics and crazy good battery life. Plus, it has tactile switch options too. One of the few low-profile boards to offer that.

8BitDo TKL: The Xbox variant is actually breathtaking. I finally daily drove a clicky switch board after ages.

Lingbao MK75: A breath of fresh air amidst all those same-design 75 percent boards. It ticks all the boxes and has one of the best-feeling tactile knobs.

Aula F65 Pro: The Aula F75 in a more refined form with a hot-swap knob. Only if it had VIA.

Weikav WK68: A very welcome addition in the sub BDT 4,000 or 40 USD range. While it has everything a good board should have, including good switches and a knob, the best thing about it is the colorful shine-through keycaps.

Neo75Cu: My favorite custom board in my collection. From design to mounting to sound, everything is pitch perfect. Loved the isolated bottom mount.

Neo80: Neo boards are solid. This TKL just blew my mind. The hybrid mounting, along with the sleek finish, made this a worthwhile addition to my collection.

GDK Lab DK1 60%: My first HHKB-style board. It has one of the most unique Marbelano finishes with great acoustics.

So yeah, these are my picks. Hoping for a more eventful 2026 in terms of keyboards and content creation as a whole.

I bought mine years ago. In that time, I've tried a dozen other keyboards, but nothing comes close.

Apple's keyboards are too flat and mechanical keyboards have too much travel.

This one is perfect.

Get something that has hotswap sockets so that you can change switches easily if one breaks or if you just want to try something that feels different. Keychron is a popular brand.

A good mechanical keyboard is one of those things you notice every time you use your PC. Beyond the looks, the size, build quality, switches, and overall typing feel can make a big difference when you're using it every day

This is a quick list of the best options for those who don’t want to learn a long buying guide: 

• Logitech G915 
• Keychron Q6 MAX
• AULA F99
• Corsair K70/ Corsair K70 Pro
• Razer Blackwidow v4 Pro 
• Keychron Q8 

-choose the right keyboard size

One of the first things to consider is keyboard size.

Many manufacturers list keyboards by percentages. For example, a 100% keyboard includes all of the keys, including the number pad, arrow keys, and everything else. A 60% keyboard is more bare-bones and no-frills. Some models are so compact that they don't even include dedicated arrow keys.

From there, you'll find layouts such as 65%, 75%, 80%, and 96%, each offering a different balance between desk space and functionality.

A larger layout gives you every key you might need, while a smaller layout creates a cleaner setup and leaves more room on your desk.

-pay attention to materials and build quality

It's not just size that determines quality. Materials have a huge impact on how a keyboard feels and sounds.

Entry-level keyboards are often lightweight and made primarily from plastic. While the keys may still be clicky, they can sound hollow and lack the more satisfying typing feel many people look for.

As you move up in quality, keyboards often become heavier and more solid. Many are built with additional layers that help reduce unwanted noise and vibrations.

Heavier and better-built keyboards also tend to feel more stable during long typing sessions, which can make a noticeable difference for everyday use.

-choose switches based on personal preference

One of the best parts of mechanical keyboards is how customizable they are.

Under every keycap is a switch, and different switches create different typing experiences. Some switches feel lighter and easier to press, while others provide more resistance. Some are smooth and quiet, while others offer a noticeable tactile bump or audible click.

There isn't a universally best option because personal preference plays a huge role. Some people prefer very light switches, while others enjoy more resistance and feedback.

If possible, testing different switch types before committing to a full keyboard can help you find the feel that suits you best.

-decide between standard and low-profile designs

Another important decision is whether you want a traditional mechanical keyboard or a low-profile model.

Standard mechanical keyboards typically have taller keycaps and a more pronounced typing feel. They also tend to offer the widest selection of customization options.

Low-profile keyboards retain many of the advantages of mechanical switches while offering a typing experience that feels closer to a laptop keyboard.

For users coming from laptops, low-profile keyboards can often feel more natural and easier to adapt to. The trade-off is that they usually have fewer customization options available compared to traditional mechanical keyboards.

At the end of the day, the best mechanical keyboard comes down to what feels right for you. Get the size, switches, and build quality that match how you actually use your keyboard, and you're much less likely to feel the need to replace it anytime soon. 

EDIT: It's been a while but I was either in between Cherry K5 Pro, Nuphy WH80 and Keychron Q3 HE but as you can expect I got the Cherry one. It was the best price out of these three while also being on a discount and just been loving it.

I'm looking to buy a new gaming keyboard, preferably with mechanical switches and RGB. I have been looking at Logitech G Pro X TKL, but wanted to hear your opinion on the best option. Maybe you have some recommendations for best of the best keyboards and maybe some budget/ best bang for your buck options.

For now I have been using a cheap membrane keyboard and really liked it.

Additionally I have some problems with hand fatigue and ghosting so good ergonomics and low latency and anti ghosting is really important.

Pretty standard. Corsair K70. Pro is worth it for the double shot keys if you aren't swapping.

Just works flawless, aluminum plate.. I have / prefer mx brown switches.

love my ducky keyboard! cant recommend it enough with the cherry mx silent reds. nice switches and quiet! I have put this keyboard through hell for going on 8 years and its still mint. plus they have some cool looking keyboards.

I bought a Keychron Q6 MAX wireless with brown switches and love everything about it. The only drawback is the actual heft. It's obvious that Keychron just bolted on some massively heavy chunk of metal because the thing weighs FAR more than it needs to. It seriously close to ten pounds, which becomes noticeable when it rests on your lap. Great keyboard though. I'll be buying Keychron from now on.

I wouldn't buy anything with "gaming" attached to its description. I personally like Keychron, but you can get cheaper mechanical keyboards with very good performance for around $50, like the Aula F75 which sounds really good too.

Thanks for the write up.

It's too bad such a high percentage of these aren't VIA-compatible or don't have web-based configuration. Since I can't install proprietary software on my work machines, I can't use any keyboard that isn't based on a web "driver" like VIA or Nuphy's offshoot.

Hey all, Im pretty new to mechanical keyboards and kinda overwhelmed by all the options

If you had to recommend one mechanical keyboard to a beginner, what would it be? Mostly for everyday use and some gaming. Doesnt have to be fancy - just good and reliable.

I’m a big fan of most of the Keychron products.

This is probably a dumb question, but why are TKL so popular? I feel like I use my numberpad often

The AULA F108 Pro. Sounds great, nice backlighting, feels great to type on and not over $100.

my keyboard is finally dying after years of abuse lol. im trying to upgrade to mechanical for gaming (mostly fps, some moba)

budget's around 100$ to 150$... not sure if hot-swappable switches are actually worth it or just overkill for someone's first mechanical board. also wired vs wireless for latency, does it even matter that much anymore? and is tenkeyless actually better for gaming or just marketing hype

what's everyone using rn, would you buy it again or regret it

thanks in advance!!

Best keyboards for gaming aren't Keychron like the comments are saying (though Keychron keyboards are great)

The best gaming ones are the hall effect keyboards, this is a great video on the subject  -

If you're looking to dip your toe into the hobby I'd avoid stuff from Razer/Logitech/Corsair etc. Unless you need it for specific features like chroma or icue, you'll get a much better sounding and feeling board almost anywhere else. I spent like $200 on a nice white razer board and got into the hobby through the rabbit hole I went down trying to make it feel and sound better because it came with trash stabilizers that sounded like a soda can full of pennies as well as gross feeling keycaps and switches.

The neo75cu is perfect in every way. Absolutely a phonemonal keyboard in every aspect possible!!

I've been using a basic membrane keyboard forever, and after trying a friend's mechanical keyboard for a few minutes, I finally get why people like them.

There are way more switch options than I expected though. I mostly type, game a little on weekends, and I'd rather buy one good keyboard than keep upgrading.

What's been a solid choice for you?

I just got a Lemokey (Keychron) P1 HE and its great. It has the best RGB I've seen in a keyboard and HE and all the granular settings available make a noticable difference in responsiveness for gaming.

Brands like logitech, razer, and corsair cost more and are generally lower quality in several aspects, when it comes to keyboards anyway.

Keychron has been great for me

there's a bunch of different types of switches available regardless of the type of mechanical keyboard you choose and i think that's more important to a lot of people than the keyboard itself. some switches are clicky, others are heavy and smooth, it's really personal preference. you can read more about it here:

get rid of the useless navigation cluster and you can celebrate

oh, that's the logi k360 (or the k570 if you like the idea)

not that shitty weird one with round keys that looks like "retro try hard"