Best Mechanical Keyboard, Money No Object?

Xinmosni

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Mar 12, 2012
Messages
1,974
Just wondering what everyone here would recommend for the best mechanical keyboard out there.

My preference leans towards something on the quiet side if possible, and which is actually available for purchase either now or very soon. Was considering the Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro Type S JP with blank keys.
 
I've tried just about every MX switch type, but I really like the keys on the Logitech G910. They're as light as mx reds but have a higher actuation point. But what I especially like about it is the concave keycaps that guide your fingers to the middle of the keys. I have the original G910 Orion Spark, I think the new G910 Orion Spectrum has flat keycaps.

They keys have dampeners on them, they sound about the same as reds with dampeners.
 
I literally just got back from Microcenter. Paid 169.99 after tax for the Corsair K70 Lux Cherry MX red keyboard. This thing is so freaking nice. Best keyboard I have ever owned. And a shit ton quieter than my Razer Black Widow 2016 keyboard. The rgb effects on this thing is pretty sick. You can customize it out the ass. Feels really good typing on it to. Worth every penny. Updating the software and firmware is a cinch. Did I mention this thing is awesome?

Ok back to playing with my new toy.
 
If you really want the best keyboard *for you* and have unlimited funds, mechanical ability, and time, the best possible keyboard you can buy is hand built.
 
Hand built, really?

This is the first time I've seen anyone mention that. But which vendors offer those?
 
Some vendors offer kits to assemble, but I've designed and built 2 keyboards completely from scratch. I designed the layout I wanted, learned CAD and had aluminum plates cut to order, learned how to solder and bought and hand wired switches and adapted firmware. They were awesome projects and now I have boards designed and built to my exact specifications. Fair warning: doing this takes a stupid amount of time and money. I probably have a couple hundred hours of time and close to a grand in cash invested in these keyboards. Admittedly, it probably doesn't makes sense for a normal person to do this, but I had some play money to spend, enjoy a project, learned a ton along the way, and scored major geek cred among my peers.

The 3 big commuties for this are: r/MechanicalKeyboards for all the Click and None of the Clack! • /r/MechanicalKeyboards, deskthority • mechanical keyboard forum, and geekhack - Index.
 
Last edited:
Some vendors offer kits to assemble, but I've designed and built 2 keyboards completely from scratch. I designed the layout I wanted, learned CAD and had aluminum plates cut to order, learned how to solder and bought and hand wired switches and adapted firmware. They were awesome projects and now I have boards designed and built to my exact specifications. Fair warning: doing this takes a stupid amount of time and money. I probably have a couple hundred hours of time and close to a grand in cash invested in these keyboards. Admittedly, it probably doesn't makes sense for a normal person to do this, but I had some play money to spend, enjoy a project, learned a ton along the way, and scored major geek cred at work.

The 3 big commuties for this are: r/MechanicalKeyboards for all the Click and None of the Clack! • /r/MechanicalKeyboards, deskthority • mechanical keyboard forum, and geekhack - Index.

"this takes a stupid amount of time and money"

I just need a good keyboard. The K70 does that and more. I am not into keyboards at that level. But to each his own.
 
I have a Logitech G810 Orion Spectrum, which is the " basic " version of the G910. I didn't want all that molded nonsense. It is my first mechanical keyboard since using them in the 1980's, so I can't comment on Logitech vs. Corsair or Razer or Deck.
 
Try the Qisan Magicforce keyboard. Just picked one up from amazon and its absolutely amazing. Went with the Cherry MX Brown Switches.
 
High quality and very quiet?

Get you a ducky shine or wasd keyboard with mx brown or mx red switches. Also have them install the o-rings on the keys as the add a another level of quietness for mechanical keyboards.

If you are not 100% on what type of switches you want, then you have to order a switch kit. This is the ktit to order.

Once you know your key and oring preference go wasd and put yourself together a maserpiece or look for a reseller for a ducky such as mechanicalkeyboards.com.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
I went with a Logitech Orion for like the past year and 1/2 I hate it now.
Reason being I hate is is the extra effort it takes to type you screw up alot so I switched back to my Corsiar K70 with the lights off and looks great even cleaned the thing off last week.
Never going back to the Orion again which may be fictional for gaming but if you ask me it's kinda a gimmick for your fingers. Lighted keyboard are a gimmick there isn't much reason behind having one with full RGB.
 
I have the magicforce as well... very good for a low priced option.

My pick for best though would be the whitefox. With some a non clicky switch of your choice and maybe even some o-rings if you don't want to bottom out.
 
I have the magicforce as well... very good for a low priced option.

My pick for best though would be the whitefox. With some a non clicky switch of your choice and maybe even some o-rings if you don't want to bottom out.

I picked up a Whitefox as well...waiting for it to ship on Nov 21st. Cant wait!
 
High quality and very quiet?

Get you a ducky shine or wasd keyboard with mx brown or mx red switches. Also have them install the o-rings on the keys as the add a another level of quietness for mechanical keyboards.

If you are not 100% on what type of switches you want, then you have to order a switch kit. This is the ktit to order.

Once you know your key and oring preference go wasd and put yourself together a maserpiece or look for a reseller for a ducky such as mechanicalkeyboards.com.

MX-silent switches are the shizzle.

Corsair's Strafe comes with them.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
I went with a Logitech Orion for like the past year and 1/2 I hate it now.
Reason being I hate is is the extra effort it takes to type you screw up alot so I switched back to my Corsiar K70 with the lights off and looks great even cleaned the thing off last week.
Never going back to the Orion again which may be fictional for gaming but if you ask me it's kinda a gimmick for your fingers. Lighted keyboard are a gimmick there isn't much reason behind having one with full RGB.

What do you mean hard to type on? Also I don't believe you because you troll almost every post, either that or you're actually stupid enough to believe what you say.
 
Ducky Shine or Das Keyboard.

Corsair Link software is undesirable and their RGB controllers flicker. Wish I had got a Ducky.
 
I don't know. My Corsair K7LUX RGB Red works fine, has no flicker and the software just takes some used to getting set up. YMMY is always applicable.

Buy what you like, because it's you doing the liking. Not anyone else.
 
I've had the GSkill KM780 RGB with brown MX switches for about 1/2 a year.
It a great keyboard.

My only real complaint was the top media and mode keys were fixed red no matter what colour scheme was used.
But have just found they fixed that with new firmware and it actually has RGB LEDs under those keys, cool.

I fitted dual silicone O rings under each key which shortened the strike length a lot. This made typing a fair bit quicker and quieter.
The volume level LEDs on the rolly volume control are brilliant. I didnt realise how useful they were until I had them.
There is no LED flicker at all.
I keep the spare red WASD keycaps permanently fitted because they are easy to get used to (for normal typing) and are a great guide for fast hand positioning when under pressure gaming.
 
I don't know. My Corsair K7LUX RGB Red works fine, has no flicker and the software just takes some used to getting set up. YMMY is always applicable.

Buy what you like, because it's you doing the liking. Not anyone else.


Maybe Corsair upgraded the controller in the Lux series. The flicker is intermittent only during complex lighting sequences and I didn't notice it for ages.
Without the software the lighting won't work not that it matters since it's a gimmick.
 
I don't know. My Corsair K7LUX RGB Red works fine, has no flicker and the software just takes some used to getting set up. YMMY is always applicable.

Buy what you like, because it's you doing the liking. Not anyone else.


Maybe Corsair upgraded the controller in the Lux series. The flicker is intermittent only during complex lighting sequences and I didn't notice it for ages.
Without the software the lighting won't work not that it matters since it's a gimmick.

It's a gimmick that a lot of people like. You don't like it. You being you are entitled to YOUR opinion. But me? And a few good other people, do like that gimmick. It is worth it to me. I like the lighting and think it adds good customization to my custom built pc. So I am a fan and would pay for it again in the future. So the gimmick is pretty neat....to me.

But again, YMMV.
 
Oh yeah, another plus for the GSkill, it saves animated colour profiles to the keyboard so no matter what it is plugged into, the mode keys can still select the 3 saved patterns.
It doesnt need the software once programmed.
Very handy when demoing to family on my Dads PC.

Review just posted on [H] front page, havent read it yet.
G.Skill Ripjaws KM780 RGB Keyboard Review
 
Last edited:
I have been using a Filco Majestouch 2 TKL (MX-Red /w dampers and double shot PBT keycap set) for well over a year it is quiet as far as MX keyboards go, very solid high quality keyboard.

brands that I think are also good besides Filco, WASD, KUL, Ducky and KBParadise
 
What do you mean hard to type on? Also I don't believe you because you troll almost every post, either that or you're actually stupid enough to believe what you say.

I troll every post? looks at you....cause you are trolling me like it's nothing...
 
I troll every post? looks at you....cause you are trolling me like it's nothing...

You just contradict what other people say without giving an explanation of why you have a certain opinion. You don't give explanations of why you have certain opinions because if you actually thought it through to explain it it wouldn't make any sense.
 
Check out the Feenix Autore. I've gone through many keyboards and it is easily my favorite. Its a joy to type on and looks fantastic. I paired it with a brown Filco wrist rest and couldn't be happier. Also, my Elite Keyboards dust cover came in today. :)
 
You just contradict what other people say without giving an explanation of why you have a certain opinion. You don't give explanations of why you have certain opinions because if you actually thought it through to explain it it wouldn't make any sense.

Maybe you need to go to school Orion is a garbage keyboard I fell for it at first but really it's a joke.
 
I just picked up a Corsair K65 Lux RGB last night actually. This keyboard is literally perfect for me and it's a damn nice board. I need a smaller board to fit the area on my desk i have for one. my last keyboard was compact and I'm glad to find one this good that fits. i don't mind not having the number pad on such a nice board.

The cherry mx keys are sweet, it's my first mechanical board and I love it. It has a polling rate switch and a USB port in the back. On board memory for profiles is cool. THE CUE software and all the lighting options are impressive. Preloaded profiles or make your own for specific games and programs.

The software is good and you can create macros, shortcuts, launch programs, etc applied to whatever key you want. I have "right control" set to "cntrl-alt-delete" for example so it's one press for task manager. stuff like that.

It's a great keyboard. The k70 lux rgb is the same thing just with a number pad.

Worth the $120 I paid for it imo.

Showing how the compact board is necessary for me...

140lp34.jpg
 
Last edited:
Ducky Shine or Das Keyboard.

Corsair Link software is undesirable and their RGB controllers flicker. Wish I had got a Ducky.
Once you setup a colour scheme, and save it to the keyboard; you don't need the software running.
You may need it running for a fancy lighting effect, but who wants that distraction?
I don't know. My Corsair K7LUX RGB Red works fine, has no flicker and the software just takes some used to getting set up. YMMY is always applicable.

Buy what you like, because it's you doing the liking. Not anyone else.


Maybe Corsair upgraded the controller in the Lux series. The flicker is intermittent only during complex lighting sequences and I didn't notice it for ages.
Without the software the lighting won't work not that it matters since it's a gimmick.
Among other things LUX has an upgraded controller for the flicker


Ontopic: I'd go with a K70 LUX, but since pretty much all mech keyboards are using Cherry MX, then I'd figure out which keyswitch you prefer and find a keyboard you like with them. If you want something loud then there's always http://www.pckeyboard.com/ (got my dad a USB Dovark one, he had an original qwerty with PS2)
 
Filco.

There's probably better and more expensive, but i've owned 3 Filco keyboards and I've been using one of them for over 5 years with no problems.
 
Feenix just released a new version of the Autore with media macros and white backlighting. That to me SOUNDS like the perfect keyboard. Let's see if it is. Mine arrives on Friday. I'll let you know...
 
Leopold.

I've had several other brands, including Corsair, Coolermaster and the like...

My Leopold boards, I've literally dunked in water (drop it in the guest bathroom tub) for a day or two after getting 12oz of beer poured in them, back to life, no problem. Others? Switches no longer work, etc. Built like tanks.
 
I want to sleep with my K70 RGB Lux Cherry red keyboard. That is all. Best keyboard I've ever owned.
 
I want to sleep with my K70 RGB Lux Cherry red keyboard. That is all. Best keyboard I've ever owned.

I used to think the same about my K70, however after a few weeks it just looked like an oily mess. Great keyboard overall and the volume wheel was awesome, but I've since switched to more simplistic keyboards and couldn't be happier. I have a mouse button that mutes the sound :p That should change tomorrow when the autore with media macros comes in. I can't wait.
 
Just before I read the thread I was looking at this:
http://www.smartimports.net/happy-hacking-keyboard-professional-jp-type-s/
and thinking that if I'd have the money I'd buy it. I like the layout.

Another expensive and interesting keyboards are:
https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/
https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/
Filco was already mentioned.

Let us know what you buy and how you like it.
I bought a CM Novatouch with Topre switches and while is much better than other keyboards I've tried, is not extraordinary. And I wouldn't pay more than 100-150 $/€ for a keyboard.
 
Corsair K70 RBG LUX

I don't have the RBG version but I would get that my Logitech Orion is collecting dust for a good reason sucks for typing.
 
Back
Top