What's the best keyboard?

[Guest]

Click clack. Click click clack. There's nothing like the sound of typing on a keyboard as you write, program or play games. You use your keyboard so much, in fact, that you don't want to use just any old pack-in. You want to get something with quality keys, strong build quality, and maybe even a removable cable. Wired? Wireless? Up to you!

Which keyboard is the best? This is where you come in. What would you recommend to everyone on Tom's Hardware?

Below:

Let us know which specific keyboard is the best. Not a brand. One item.
What makes it the best keyboard? How has it made your build better?
What does the keyboard look like? Post a picture! (We recommend hosting on imgur, but use whatever you like).
Finally, where can you buy the keyboard? Post a link!

Do you agree with someone? Don't post again (it makes it harder to navigate). Upvote them to show your support!

Here we go!

 

[ThursdayFridaySaturday]

I love my Corsair K70 for gaming. Razer's stuff is real nice, too, but I have to give it to the Cherry switches.

It just feels so good to type on. I use it for word processing even more than I do gaming. I can go with or without colored keys, but the effect looks really awesome on this one.

I bought it here http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M5DUJQ0/

 

[n0n1cK]

I've owned a cherry mx keyboard and tried several others but none of them beats the feel of the legendary IBM Model M. The closest thing you get to the feeling of the keystrokes on this magnificent keyboard are cherry mx green switches which are almost impossible to find on current mainstream mechanical keyboards.

IBM Model Ms no longer on sale but you should find them on ebay.

The Model M is currently made by Unicomp but I never owner or tried one so I can't vouch for them:
http://www.pckeyboard.com

 

[SinxarKnights]

As my first mechanical keyboard, the Logitech G710+ has surpassed my expectations.

I picked it up on sale for $70 USD. The G keys on the left can be useful but they are not for everyone.
It uses Cherry MX Brown switches with single color backlighting (white). Has a button to disable the "Windows" key and all settings are saved on the keyboard itself. The keyboard software has a program to monitor your PC remotely on your phone or tablet.

I personally recommend this keyboard if your budget is limited. If you can find it on sale for under $100 USD it is a great deal for a full sized mechanical keyboard with backlighting. It does not come with spare keycaps or a key puller however.

 

[kevin1981]

I was very pleasantly surprised and am still very happy with my ThermalTake Poseidon. The exact model I have I think was their original board with just blue lighting and brown switches but also corded without frilly bloat software. Just plug and play!

Best of all, with boxing day deals and price match I got it for under 40$.

Of course, if I had the money right now and needed a new top of the line keyboard experience, I would get a Code without hesitation.

The Code is the best keyboard.

 

[MJFERN77]

Okay, so I've gone, over the years (and years and years) from the cheapo KB that came with the first PC in a box I bought on my own to ones recommended by the builder to handpicking my own KB for my own handbuilt rigs (the last 3 were all hand built!).

And, all of the last three KB's were 'gaming' keyboards. I honestly don't remember the model of the Corsair I had. It was in my testing phase. Corsair KB, Razer mouse, Logi headset, I was giving brands a try. At the time, I decided Razer had my love. And it did. For years. Up until a month ago, every peripheral I owned was Razer. In a fit of pique when my KB stopped functioning properly, I followed suggestions from gaming friends and decided to give Logitech another try.

Enter MY FAVORITE KEYBOARD EVER! I should have done an unbox video. I opened my G910 Orion Spark and just kind of looked at it for a while. It looks bigger than the BlackWidow ultimate it replaced, and it is, maybe an inch wider (that's an inch of mousing space I lost on the KB tray!!) but other than that I haven't complained yet.

The keys are as responsive if not more so than other mechanicals I've tried, but they're blissfully quiet. About a year and a half ago, my son fell asleep playing a game on his DS and the clacking of my BlackWidow actually woke him up. The Orion Spark, a baby could sleep through you typing a novel.

The lighting trend in KB's right now with all the RGB options you can imagine...don't know how much I'll use it after a year, but it's been easy to set and change. Setting up macros for WoW is cake. Reassigning keys is pie. Multiple presets? A baby could do it. yes, these are related to the software you use, but it's all part of the package.

Gameplay? Let me say this, I don't feel like I ghost keys anymore. Used to be I could hit multiple keys and only a few commands made it through. Or half a message. Every key I hit seems to send with the G910.

So, maybe it's a little bit wide, and thus a tad clunky, but other than that? Hands down, best keyboard I've purchased.

 

[royalcrown]

Don't forget the wrist rest comes off for those that find it fugly. It's a nice KB !

I love my Corsair K70 for gaming. Razer's stuff is real nice, too, but I have to give it to the Cherry switches.

It just feels so good to type on. I use it for word processing even more than I do gaming. I can go with or without colored keys, but the effect looks really awesome on this one.

I bought it here http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M5DUJQ0/

 

[royalcrown]

I was very pleasantly surprised and am still very happy with my ThermalTake Poseidon. The exact model I have I think was their original board with just blue lighting and brown switches but also corded without frilly bloat software. Just plug and play!

Best of all, with boxing day deals and price match I got it for under 40$.

Of course, if I had the money right now and needed a new top of the line keyboard experience, I would get a Code without hesitation.

The Code is the best keyboard.

I'M not pointing fingers here, but I have a funny feeling SOMEBODY copied somebody...lol. I like mine too, survives being washed after puked on and works the same as new, plus detachable USB cord if that matters (doesen't to me. If it was RGB, I'd never need another KB ever.

 

[Abaddon]

As my first mechanical keyboard, the Logitech G710+ has surpassed my expectations.

I picked it up on sale for $70 USD. The G keys on the left can be useful but they are not for everyone.
It uses Cherry MX Brown switches with single color backlighting (white). Has a button to disable the "Windows" key and all settings are saved on the keyboard itself. The keyboard software has a program to monitor your PC remotely on your phone or tablet.

I personally recommend this keyboard if your budget is limited. If you can find it on sale for under $100 USD it is a great deal for a full sized mechanical keyboard with backlighting. It does not come with spare keycaps or a key puller however.

I also loved my G710+. Although I've now taken it to work and replaced it with the G910 Orion Spark for gaming at home. The 710 always felt like more of a typist keyboard, and I always felt it took a bit too much force for each keypress. Tiring for long gaming sessions.

I don't have the same feeling with the G910. Love it, even without Cherries.

 

[mondotone]

Corsair K60 Keyboard (make sure you install the firmware update or it acts like it's haunted by ghosts sometimes)(love the cherry red mx key. no loud clicky sounds off the keys). That single wrist wrest is the best. I can game all day long. Also along with the M65 mouse with that snipe thumb button. I feel like i'm cheating when i'm playing fps games. oh oh and the 1500 headset. It may not be the best but the price is right, comfortable, sounds great and easy to take on/off.

 

[HellishGoat]

This all depends on what you are looking for! For example, do you want a mechanical keyboard or a simple rubber dome keyboard? What kind of keys do you want? Well I can't tell you what the BEST keyboard is, but I can give you a pretty good opinion!

I honestly prefer mechanical keyboards, only because they are durable, heavy, and provide a nice typing experience. If you don't care about that stuff, that is totally fine. To each his (or her ) own! But since I like mechanical keyboards, I'll start with them first:

|Mechanical keyboards|

Now for mechanical keyboards, the primary consumers are either gamers or workers. If you are a gamer, there are a LOT of gaming keyboards literally BUILT for the purpose of excellent gaming, lightweight keys, and excellent durability and customer support (you are going to want to have to care about customer support because when that $100+ keyboard gets damaged, you are going to want some help!). Some popular brands include:

- Corsair
- Razer
- Ducky (popular for their AWESOME backlit effects)
- Logitech
- Mad Catz
- Cooler Master (Or popularly abbreviated as CM for short)
- Steel Series

If you are a worker, you want excellent typing efficiency for your corporate (or not) workplace! Here, I find only a few keyboard brands exceptional (seeing that I use them myself frequently:

- Das Keyboards (Hey, there is a reason why their top models run up close to $200!)
- Rosewill
- CODE Keyboards

Now each of these brands has its own "top picks"/"most popular"

Corsair: Corsair K-series (for me it would be the K95)
Razer: Razer BlackWidow Ultimate
Ducky: Ducky Shine 3
Logitech: Logitech G910 Orion Spark
Mad Catz: Mad Catz Strike TE
CM: CM Quick Fire Rapid - i
Steel Series: SteelSeries 6gv2

Das: Das professional 4 OR Das Ultimate
Rosewill: Rosewill RK-9000
CODE: well there is only one keyboard

Each of these keyboards can perform exceptionally! Now which is the "best" depends on your own personal preferences for bells and whistles. The CODE keyboard is by far probably the most simplistic, which the Mad Catz keyboard has the most features! (Subject to opinion). Now what I like is different: I like the Corsair K95 and the Ducky Shine 3 for gaming, and the Das Professional 4 for working.

When buying a mechanical keyboard, you need to consider key switches, which also play a HUGE factor. Because the key switch that would suit you the most might not be availiable with your preferred keyboard. Google "guide to mechanical key switches" for more info (Or just look on Tom's Hardware!)

So that's it for mechanical keyboards! Now on to membrane/rubber dome keyboards.

|"Regular" Keyboards|

These keyboards are generally cheaper and don't have that clicky feeling that mechanical keyboards have! These keyboards can still be very cool and useful for those on a tight budget or for those who simply don't like mechanical keyboards! Some popular options are:

- Razer
- Logitech

The list can go on... there are too many to list! For more information on these, search the forums or just google it. Rule of thumb: If it is cheap, it is probably a rubber dome keyboard. But the vice versa doesn't apply: If the keyboard is expensive, it is not necessarily a mechanical keyboard... it should explicitly say "mechanical keyboard"



So it all comes down to personal preference! To each his/her own.



BUT IN MY OPINION: The Das professional 4 keyboard would win!

 

[GObonzo]

^^yeah, that post was "...which specific keyboard is the best. Not a brand. One item". guessing you missed the OP's statement.^^

CM Quickfire TK site

the Cooler Master Storm Quickfire TK is the best keyboard i have used over 15 years of modern PC gaming.
it is a condensed version with the numpad combined into 2nd set of function keys. makes it a very nice size for keyboard trays + mouse. backlit with options(and matches my setup), media functions, cherry switches.
comes with a variety of Cherry switches. brown is my favorite and has perfect response.

 

[GObonzo]

SOMEBODY copied somebody...lol. I like mine too, survives being washed after puked on and works the same as new, plus detachable USB cord if that matters (doesen't to me. If it was RGB, I'd never need another KB ever.

that picture is of a Cooler Master, not a Thermaltake. and the same Quickfire series i just mentioned.

 

[royalcrown]

I was referring to how similar it is to kevin1981's keyboard is all.

SOMEBODY copied somebody...lol. I like mine too, survives being washed after puked on and works the same as new, plus detachable USB cord if that matters (doesen't to me. If it was RGB, I'd never need another KB ever.

that picture is of a Cooler Master, not a Thermaltake. and the same Quickfire series i just mentioned.

 

[GObonzo]

I was referring to how similar it is to kevin1981's keyboard is all.

every time i look through the options out there i'm surprised how similar all the mechanical "gaming" keyboards look. think someone would go out of their way to make high-quality color specific keyboards, not just black, to match all the options for case themes available.

 

[GObonzo]

does that last response seem way too much like an advertisement?

no offense intended, everyone's got their own tastes. but that thing is about as ugly as they get.

 

[xiekLORD]

NONONONONONO, corsair K70 rgb is the best keyboard, is you want some macro switches, check out the corsair k95 rgb.

 

[Iprolemonz]

Hey hi, i have the Razer Blackwidow Chroma Tournament Edition and i love it, the only thing is that it doesn't include cherry mx like it did before but it comes with a gold plated USB cable which is removable and it has a bag and its the 10 key less

 

[Nathaniel_5]

MX Cherry the best!

 

[runesmite14]

I think there's something to be said for simplicity...

The Corsair K60 - It's got everything I want from a Mechanical Keyboard.

- USB pass-through
- Gaming oriented, non intrusive wrist-rest (plus it stores the replaceable keys)
- Corsair's go to volume scroll and media keys
- Windows Key Lock

It's a great gaming keyboard, without some of the crazy extra that can go wrong!

 

[Uncr0wned]

Ive used far too many keyboards in my life. Quickfire TK, Blackwidow, Ducky, but my current, most expensive keyboard is the K70 rgb. First time ive used browns, and these switches are made from heaven. Too bad it gets a bad rep for not being a flashy color as the other ones, but the switches combined with corsairs build quality makes for a great keyboard