Many people underestimate their importance, but using a good quality keyboard improves the productivity of any job tremendously. Think about it: is the keyboard you’re using right now comfortable? Does it perform the functions you feel you need? I’m betting the answer is no, so take five minutes and find out which is really the best keyboard for you.
Until a few years ago, choosing such a peripheral wasn’t too complex, since there were only membrane keyboards on the market. Then, with the renewed spread of models with mechanical switches, the situation changed and several market niches were born. But don’t worry, at the end of reading this guide you’ll know everything you need to know to make a targeted purchase.
After all, the keyboard, along with the mouse, is the peripheral with which you interface with the computer: you use it to write text, to navigate the operating system, to give commands in video games, etc. There are also kits made up of a mouse and a keyboard that allow you to have a more coherent input system. There are also kits consisting of mouse and keyboard that allow you to have a more consistent input system. So, I repeat, don’t take the choice lightly and take your time to make the purchase.
How to choose a keyboard
If you exclude a few small hurdles and a few choices to be made in advance, the reasoning that you have to do in the procedure of buying a keyboard is quite straightforward. What is important is that you have a clear idea of the way you are going to use the peripheral, and what its main use will be.
Dimensions
The size of your next keyboard is perhaps the most trivial choice in the purchase, but also one of the most decisive on how you will use it. Perhaps you don’t know that not all keyboards have the same size: there are standard keyboards, also called full size, and also mini keyboards, which are used suspended in the air (or, often, as a case) with portable devices or Smart TVs.
A keyboard can be tenkeyless, meaning without a numeric keypad. These keyboards offer a good user experience (comparable to full size keyboards, virtually identical) but taking up very little space on your desk. In short, you need to choose the size of your next keyboard based on what its primary use will be and how much space you have available.
Layout
When you buy a keyboard, always pay attention to the layout, a term that defines the arrangement of keys within the keyboard. The nomenclature of the layout is established by the succession of the first three keys containing the letters of the alphabet: the Italian layout is QWERTY, precisely because the first keys at the top left are, respectively, Q-W-E-R-T-Y.
If you buy an imported product, even if it comes from another European country, you may find a different layout: in Germany, for example, QWERTZ is used, while in France AZERTY is used. Typing quickly on a keyboard requires experience and a good knowledge of the layout, so if you don’t want to relearn how to type text on your computer, choose a model with a layout you already know.
Differences between membrane keyboards and mechanical keyboards
As I wrote a little above, in recent years mechanical keyboards are spreading like wildfire. These are keyboards that use a single mechanical switch for each key and that give undoubtedly advantages in precision and certainty of pressure. They are preferred mainly by gamers and fall, almost always, in the category of gaming keyboards.
This category of products makes use, very often, of keys with customizable RGB backlighting (so with as many colors and as many scenic effects at pressure), but it is not just a matter of aesthetics. Mechanical keyboards excel in some areas, but it must be said that they cost enormously more than the classic membrane keyboards we have been used to for years. In fact, the first keyboards were mechanical, but then they switched to membrane technologies due to the lower cost of the latter.
The mechanical switches are combined with an electronic board designed ad-hoc to manage the behavior of individual keys. Generally they offer these characteristics: high key rollover, that is the possibility to press a high number of keys at the same time; anti-ghosting functions, that means that no non-existent presses are recognized when different keys are pressed; high polling rate, that is very low the time interval needed between the pressing of a key and the next one for the latter to be detected.
There are different types of mechanical keys that differ mainly in the feedback offered to the user when typing, and the stroke it takes to implement the input: the Cherry MX Blue are the snappiest and fastest, but also the loudest, while the Cherry MX Brown require less pressure and offer an easier trigger. Finally, there are the Cherry MX Red, which have a linear type of response during travel. Very similar to the Reds are the Cherry MX Blacks, which are linear but require more force.
Linear switches, in general, are preferred in games where you leave the keys pressed for a long period of time and, due to the lower mechanical complexity, enjoy a higher durability. Some companies, such as Logitech and Razer, prefer to use proprietary switches instead, which have different, but almost always conjugate features to those of Cherry MX series switches.
As opposed to mechanical models, there are membrane keyboards, which are the most popular and the most versatile, as well as the cheapest: the most expensive models do well with both gaming and productivity functions, but do not excel at anything. But if there’s one aspect in which membrane keyboards are superior to mechanical ones, it’s typing noise. If this is a must-have feature for you, forget about the more expensive mechanical models!
Wireless keyboards and connectivity
A crucial point in the choice of a keyboard is the way it connects with the computer or the paired peripheral. Gone are the days when you connect the peripheral through a specific connector (P/S2), now keyboards almost always use a USB connector. However, this applies only to keyboards that are physically connected to the computer. But not all keyboards are like this.
I’m referring, of course, to wireless keyboards, which have been gaining popularity in recent years primarily for their convenience. With a wireless keyboard you still get a lightning fast response once you give the command, while totally eliminating the clutter of cables on your desk. There are two types: Bluetooth keyboards and Wi-Fi keyboards.
Keyboards based on Bluetooth technology are the most convenient because they do not require external receivers, and if the system you are using is Bluetooth-compatible you can simply pair the two peripherals to use them together. Bluetooth keyboards are also compatible with a wide range of devices, from desktop computers to smartphones, Smart TVs, tablets and notebooks.
The keyboards based on Wi-Fi technology exploit the 2.4GHz band, often with proprietary technologies, but they always need an external receiver to be connected to the system in order to work. Therefore, they are not always compatible with smartphones, tablets or Smart TVs, and may be subject to interference with other devices using the same band. They also require a free USB port just like wired keyboards.
Trackpad and programmable keys
Keyboards may also have built-in pointing systems, such as trackpads or trackballs, that can move the screen cursor as if they were a mouse. They are very useful with Smart TVs or tablets that have this feature, for example, so that you have everything you need inside the keyboard.
In addition, there are many models of keyboards that have additional than standard keys and programmable keys, which allow, for example to manage music playback, run applications, set different backlight modes, or perform a series of sequential actions set to speed up workflow or performance in video games.
Backlight
We’ve already talked about RGB backlighting with mechanical keyboards, however backlighting can be a feature found on different types of keyboards. I suggest it, for example, if you have to write long texts at any time of the day. Thanks to the backlight you can check the position of each key even in the dark, speeding up the use of the same keyboard in all circumstances. It can be useful, or rather in my opinion indispensable, even with mini-keyboards for Smart TVs.
Other Features
There are also other features to look at in a keyboard, and I promise you that after these I won’t bore you further and move on to the list of products you can buy.
Among the most important that I have not yet mentioned there is for example the ergonomics, so the “shape” and the solutions used to make it more comfortable to use even after prolonged periods. There are models designed specifically for this purpose, avoiding carpal tunnel syndrome and other joint problems to those who use them.
Also consider the power supply: USB keyboards use the power transferred from the port they are connected to, while for wireless ones the situation is more complicated. Some models use simple AA/AAA batteries, others may have more sophisticated solutions, such as rechargeable batteries. I recommend, of course, the latter models, even if they cost more.
Which keyboard to buy
Now that you know all these notions, you are finally ready to face the choice. In the list I offer below, consider which is the best keyboard for you and for what may be your needs now and in the near future.
Best cheap keyboard (less than 30 euros)
Trust Classicline
If you want a simple, corded, traditional keyboard and want to spend very little, why not consider this Trust Classicline? It is, in fact, a standard layout keyboard that is black, water resistant and also has special buttons for power on, power off and power on again. The cable is 1.8 meters with USB terminal and offers comfortable and silent typing.
TeckNet X315
The TeckNet X315 wireless keyboard is another excellent low-cost solution that is characterized by its extreme thinness and lightness (measuring 12.5 x 2.2 x 29.2 cm and weighs 360 grams). It connects to your computer wirelessly, using the USB receiver provided, and has a maximum range of 10 meters. Besides, its keys are designed for maximum comfort and silence.
TECKNET Wireless PC Keyboard, Wireless Keyboard for Windows and Androi…
Logitech K400 Plus
Another excellent keyboard, cheap but not of poor quality, that I suggest you to take into consideration is the Logitech K400 Plus. This is a model that can be used both with the computer and with the Smart TV. It has a built-in touchpad on the right and you can connect it to the system thanks to the Unifying receiver. It has a range of 10 meters, is comfortable and compact and uses silent keys to be used without running the risk of disturbing others.
Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Touch TV Keyboard, Easy Multimode Controls…
VicTsing wireless keyboard
This VicTsing brand keyboard is a very good solution if you are looking for a good quality-price compromise. Each key that composes it is independent and properly spaced from the others to avoid typing errors, has a numeric keypad, has 12 multimedia hotkeys and is adjustable in height. It connects wirelessly, using the receiver supplied with the keyboard, and is powered by a AAA battery that, according to the manufacturer, offers an autonomy of 18 months. Eventually, the keyboard is also available in combo with the mouse, equipped with the same design, also wireless and with adjustable DPI.
Empire Gaming K300
The Empire Gaming K300 is a pretty responsive, accurate and fast gaming keyboard. It features 105 semi-mechanical QWERTY keys, has 19 anti-ghosting keys and 12 keys that allow direct access to the computer’s multimedia functions. It also brings in a good backlighting system that can be set to your liking and is also height adjustable. It connects to the PC via a cable, which is made of braided nylon and is 1.8 meters long.
Logitech K800
The Logitech K800 is a wireless keyboard in full size format and with integrated numeric keypad, designed especially for those who need a tool that allows you to maximize productivity. It has laser-etched keys and features a backlighting system that activates automatically only when hands are approached. It also supports PerfectStroke technology, which distributes force evenly when typing and supports natural finger posture even when the keyboard is used for hours. It connects to your computer wirelessly and has a built-in rechargeable battery.
Logitech K360
I’m talking to you once again about Logitech with the K360, a beautiful wireless keyboard with integrated Unifying receiver capable of lasting up to 3 years on a single charge. In addition to the standard keys, it integrates six multimedia keys along the compact body. This model is powered by two AA batteries that are already provided in the original equipment, but unfortunately does not take advantage of any kind of backlighting making its use in the dark more difficult.
Logitech K780
The Logitech K780 is a keyboard that, thanks to its features, can be used with smartphones and tablets. It implements a stand that serves to keep connected devices elevated while typing and can connect via Bluetooth or proprietary wireless technology, so it provides for broad compatibility. The large island keys further simplify text entry and are designed with a low profile to keep operating noise low. Two AAA batteries are offered, so you can use the keyboard right away, right after unpacking it.
Apple Magic Keyboard
The Apple Magic Keyboard is Apple’s most recommended keyboard on a Mac family system. It features a minimalist design with an aluminum frame. Its essentiality is its main strength: the keys are as few as possible, there is no numeric keypad but there are multimedia controls. It’s small in size, light, takes advantage of Bluetooth connectivity, connects automatically to the Mac, and its built-in battery allows for an average use of about a month. Clearly, all the keys on it allow you to make the most of the default macOS commands
Aukey KM-G6
The Aukey KM-G6 is a highly regarded mechanical wired keyboard designed for gamers, featuring 105 anti-ghosting keys and individual switches tested to reach 50 million keystrokes. It also features LED backlighting with 6 colors, 8 preset lighting effects and 2 slots to associate your favorite effects. The keys are made of ABS, the top panel is made of steel and has protection against liquids. It is also equipped with rubberised folding feet, through which you can adjust its height at will.
Best high-end keyboard (more than 100 euros)
Logitech Craft
The Logitech Craft is a very unique and elegant keyboard model, designed for creative people who do precision work. In addition to the beautiful design, it features a rotary button that lets you access specific functions and edit them by turning it. Among the supported software are Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Premiere Pro, but it can also be used on PowerPoint, Excel and Word improving productivity. There’s also LED backlighting, which is automatically triggered as you bring your hands together.
Corsair K83
Going up beyond a certain price threshold, it is very likely to come across keyboards that have peculiar features, such as this Corsair K83, designed primarily to allow full multimedia control. It supports, in fact, wireless connectivity (both via 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth), has a joystick with click buttons and integrates a touchpad with adjustable settings. It is constructed of brushed aluminum, has white backlighting and the battery, which provides up to 40 hours of continuous use, can be recharged via USB.
Logitech MX Keys
The Logitech MX Keys is a membrane keyboard that is characterized by its meticulous construction and excellent typing, thanks to the slightly concave keys that adapt to the shape of your fingers. It is also equipped with a backlighting system that activates as you move your hands and automatically adjusts according to light conditions. It supports wireless connectivity (both wireless and Bluetooth), can also connect to more than three devices simultaneously, and has a USB-C rechargeable battery that provides up to 10 days of battery life on a full charge or up to 5 months with backlight off. It can be used with Windows, macOS, and Linux, but is also eventually available in a Mac-specific variant.
Corsair K70
The Corsair K70 is a keyboard that caters to the gamer and has a brushed aluminum chassis that provides a premium design, built to last even after very long gaming sessions. The profiles for keys and backlighting, of course RGB type, can be saved within an 8 MP internal memory so you never lose them. This model is sold with different mechanical switches that characterize its behavior: here I propose the variants with Cherry MX Blue, Cherry MX Red, Cherry MX Brown and Cherry MX Speed. There are also six programmable G keys for macros.
Fnatic miniStreak Speed
Another nice mechanical keyboard for gamers, especially for fans of eSports, is the Fnatic miniStreak Speed, which is going to be characterized by its metal desing and, considering the target audience, for its rather compact size: it measures only 28 millimeters thick and weighs 706 grams. It allows you to press the keys in a very fast and at the same time very precise way, thanks to the Kailh switches that brings in dowry. Like any self-respecting gaming keyboard, it also has RGB lighting with support for 16.8 million colors that can be customized. It connects to your computer via USB-C cable, but this can be removed for easy transport.