15 Best Cheap Mechanical Keyboards

1. 1. Beastron Sapphire LED Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

   

   Price: $19.99

   Amazon Customer Reviews

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   Pros:

   • Compact and durable
   • Clicky custom Blue switches
   • Low price tag

   Cons:

   • Blue switches can be quite loud
   • No color-changing LEDs means no color mapping
   • No number pad

   The Beastron Sapphire Mechanical Keyboard offers a compact 104-key mech keyboard for an almost unbeatable price but it doesn’t have the same level of customization you may have come to expect from top brands. Though this board looks like it has fully custom RGB LEDs, it is actually what’s called a “rainbow board,” which is permanently set to display this same striped color configuration. It still has eight preset lighting effects but they are all different variations on pulsating brightness rather than actual color-changing switches.

   But just because they aren’t fully customizable doesn’t make these LEDs any less effective at actually illuminating the key legends. Additionally, you are getting a great typing experience with the generic blue switches, which provide a loud, clicky, and feedback-driven experience. Many typists prefer this as it provides an audible cue that the keystroke has registered.

   There are several versions of this keyboard, and some of the pricier ones have a number pad. While this one does not, it does have built-in media shortcuts. It also has the ever-handy windows lock key, which helps prevent interruptions while gaming.

   Beastron definitely keeps things simple with this design, but if a colorful and functional keyboard that frees extra space on your desk by skipping on the ten key numpad, then consider this pick.

   Find more Aula Sapphire LED Mechanical Gaming Keyboard information and reviews here.

2. 2. Ducky One PBT LED Keyboard

   

   Price: $89.00

   Shop now at mechanicalkeyboards.com
   Pros:

   • High-quality PBT caps
   • Cherry MX switches
   • Compact and durable

   Cons:

   • Not backlit
   • No multimedia shortcuts
   • Feet slide around somewhat
   Ducky is one of the most popular mechanical keyboard brands around as their classic Ducky One PBT is still one of the only keyboards to offer PBT keycaps for under $100. In fact, this is where the slightly higher price of this 87-key keyboard comes from, as PBT key caps are significantly more durable than the ABS plastic you get with other keyboards in this price range. They also provide a nice stippled texture on the keycaps. For a more in-depth comparison, check out this article from Switch and Click.

    

   The price also goes towards the Ducky One’s Cherry MX brand keycaps. You can actually order this board with your choice of Black, Brown, Blue, Red, Silver, Green, White, or Clear switches, which gives you a lot of freedom to customize your typing experience. Unfortunately, these keys are not backlit despite having translucent legends. It is a bizarre choice but the backlighting is easy to live without if you are good at touch typing. Also note that there are no multimedia shortcuts built into the board.

    

   So while the Ducky One may be light on features, it still delivers an amazing combination of high-quality keycaps and switches. For those who want a focused typing experience without the distractions you get from “gaming” keyboards, then this is a great entry-level pick.

   Find more Ducky One PBT LED Keyboard information and reviews here.

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3. 3. Havit Backlit Wired Gaming Keyboard

   

   Price: $56.99

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   Pros:

   • Included gaming mouse
   • Tactile feedback
   • Fully custom RGB LEDs

   Cons:

   • Thin key caps
   • Large desk footprint
   • Blue switches can be quite loud

   The Havit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a great deal for new PC builders. Not only do you get a solid mechanical keyboard but it also comes bundled with a 7-button gaming mouse. Havit also offers a slightly pricier bundle with a wired headset in addition to the keyboard and mouse, while still keeping you under budget. But for comparison’s sake, we’ll try to focus on just the keyboard itself.

   The Havit mechanical keyboard is a full-size keyboard with Jixian Blue switches. We aren’t as familiar with this brand as we are with other Cherry MX Blue clones but they are more or less equivalent for delivering loud and clicky feedback. This keyboard also sports full RGB backlighting, which can be customized key-by-key using the free Havit software. The keyboard has a basic suite of media shortcuts, plus some shortcut for cycling through the preset lighting patterns and adjusting brightness. The Havit keyboard also includes a detachable wrist rest to further sweeten the pot. All in all, this keyboard delivers an impressive value in its price range.

   Find more Havit Backlit Wired Gaming Keyboard information and reviews here.

4. 4. Logitech K845 Mechanical Keyboard

   

   Price: $59.99

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   Pros:

   • Red/Blue/Brown switches
   • White LED backlights
   • Multimedia shortcuts

   Cons:

   • So-so keycaps
   • No wrist rest
   • Attached USB cable

   While Logitech offers plenty of over-the-top gaming keyboards in their G Line of products, there is something innately charming about the simplicity of the Logitech K845. This humbly-designed 104-key keyboard delivers a solid typing experience with minimal distractions, and when you are shopping on a budget, it pays to stay focused on performance.

   As for the performance factor, the K845 gives you a few options. This keyboard comes with linear Red, clicky Blue, or tactile Brown TTC switches, so you can choose the best switch for your needs. You can also spend a little more to get a K845 with Cherry MX switches if you have a preference for the name brand. No matter which style you choose, it will have multimedia shortcuts bound to the function row.

   The keys are backlit with white LEDs and they have a handful of built-in lighting patterns. They can also be dimmed and disabled if you find them to be distracting. The keycaps themselves are made with ABS and feel a little thin but this is to be expected at this price point. And while I am being critical, I would have loved to see even a basic wrist rest packaged with the keyboard. But considering how much money you are saving choosing the Logitech K845 over, say, their fully-loaded Logitech G915, it shouldn’t be a problem for you to buy a separate wrist rest. You can also put some of that leftover cash towards a new MMO gaming mouse.

   Find more Logitech K845 Mechanical Keyboard information and reviews here.

5. 5. Redragon K556 RGB Mechanical Keyboard

   

   Price: $59.99

   Amazon Customer Reviews

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   Pros:

   • Tactile Brown switches
   • Durable design
   • Fully custom RGB LEDs

   Cons:

   • Keys occasionally make a ping sound
   • No wrist rest
   • Key caps could be better

   The Redragon K556 is an entry-level mechanical keyboard that combines full RGB lighting and a smooth and tactile typing experience at an affordable price. They use a custom-made analog to Cherry MX Brown switches, which have a slight tactile bump right before their actuation point. This unique feature allows you to register keystrokes without fully bottoming out your keys. They are well-suited for gaming and typing alike, but the RGB lighting is a dead giveaway that this keyboard is marketed towards PC gamers.

   Unfortunately, Redragon’s in-house switches fall short in one aspect. When a key is released to its home position it will sometimes make a tiny ping sound as the vibrations bounce off the metal base. This only happens when you type a certain way, though, so it is not a pervasive issue. Plus issues like this are to be expected from an RGB keyboard at this price point.

   The Redragon K556 has a number of preset lighting patterns and easy hotkeys to adjust the brightness on the fly. You can also use the free Redragon software to record macro commands and customize the LEDs switch-by-switch to color-code your most-used hotkeys. Though these features are limited in application, the K556 itself delivers a surprisingly solid typing experience for a cheap mechanical keyboard.

   Find more Redragon K556 RGB Mechanical Keyboard information and reviews here.

6. 6. BlackWidow Lite Mechanical Tenkeyless Keyboard

   

   Price: $49.95

   Amazon Customer Reviews

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   Pros:

   • Brightness-adjustable white LEDs
   • Small footprint
   • Multimedia hotkeys

   Cons:

   • No wrist rest
   • So-so build quality
   • Hardwired USB cable

   The Razer Blackwidow Lite provides the same accurate performance as its full-size counterpart, albeit in a more compact and budget package. This tenkeyless keyboard is a great option if you have limited desk space or just prefer a keyboard with a small desk footprint. Even though it is compact, its keys are still normally spaced and have a normal amount of vertical travel.

   This keyboard uses proprietary Razer Orange switches, which are great for gaming or general data entry as well. They have a shallow activation point and have a slightly muffled (though still full audible) click. If you want them to be even quieter, you can use the included orange O-rings to further dampen the sounds of the switches. It also comes with a key puller and a hardwired, braided USB cable.

   The BlackWidow Lite has white LEDs under each key which makes them easier to see in a dark room. They can be adjusted for brightness but there aren’t many other color features you can do. The Razer Synapse 3 software can be used to set up macros and shortcuts if you so desire. There are a basic suite of multimedia controls bound to the function keys.

   While the keycaps on the BlackWidow Lite feel solid, the board itself is somewhat flimsy compared to other options. It has a metal top but is mostly plastic beneath, whereas other boards are full metal. Still, this can be seen as a plus for those who want a portable keyboard that can be easily moved around between a few different PCs.

   Find more BlackWidow Lite Mechanical Tenkeyless Keyboard information and reviews here.

7. 7. Velocifire VM01 104-Key Mechanical Keyboard

   

   Price: $45.99

   Shop now at velocifiretech.com
   Pros:

   • Full 104-key array
   • ABS double-shot key caps
   • Blue backlit keys

   Cons:

   • No wrist rest
   • LED brightness cannot be adjusted
   • No feet to raise the keyboard

   The Velocifire VM01 may not have the colorful flair of a high-end mechanical keyboard but it sports high-end switches and keycaps at a value price. This keyboard has ABS double-shot key caps, which are thicker and more durable than normal ABS key caps (though still not as nice as PBT key caps). It adds a nice premium feel when you are typing on it.

   The switches underneath the VM01 are Otemu Browns, which are significantly quieter than blue switches while still being considerably louder than a regular membrane keyboard. Otemu Browns have a tactile bump for responsive feedback so gamers looking to engage that twitch reflex can lightly glide across their keyboards. The keys are backlit in a teal-ish blue but you cannot adjust their brightness or animate them, which feels a little low-tech.

   Also absent from the VM01 package are adjustable feet and a wrist rest. These features aren’t for everyone but I consider them essential ergonomic elements if you spend as much time at your keyboard as I do. Still, this is a decently built keyboard and is still a great pick for the price.

   Find more Velocifire VM01 104-Key Mechanical Keyboard information and reviews here.

8. 8. MageGee Blue Switch LED Mechanical Keyboard

   

   Price: $22.12

   Amazon Customer Reviews

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   Pros:

   • Backlit keys
   • Tactile and clicky Blue switches
   • Compact and durable

   Cons:

   • Blue switches can be quite loud
   • No color-changing LEDs means no color mapping
   • Limited multimedia controls

   The MageGee Blue Switch LED Mechanical Keyboard is an absolute gem for gamers on a budget. This compact 87-key keyboard delivers incredible performance for gaming or typing at an almost unheard of price. The reason this keyboard is so inexpensive is that it uses generic blue switches instead of name brand Cherry MX Blues.

   They are CK Blues, which come from a Chinese brand that is functionally identical. Despite being clones, these CK blue switches feel fantastic to type on. Their anti-ghosting and key travel compare closely to Cherry MX Blue switches, the standard switches you find on high-end mech keyboards. One difference with blue switches is that they are some of the loudest and clickiest you’ll find. This is good if you like auditory feedback, but bad if you share a workspace.

   This compact keyboard forgoes a number pad so that it takes up very little desktop space. Just make sure you have a calculator handy for crunching numbers. This MageGee keyboard has multimedia functions to open certain apps and adjust volume. Standard play/pause and tracking controls are absent though.

   The keys are backlit with a rainbow configuration of LEDs, which can be toggled on or off for night use. Do not get this rainbow LED configuration confused with proper RGB lights, as the individual keys do not change color. You can simply cycle through different configurations of static LEDs. All in all, the high build quality and responsive switches of this keyboard leave you little to complain about for the price.

   Find more MageGee Blue Switch LED Mechanical Keyboard information and reviews here.

9. 9. Corsair K66 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

   

   Price: $72.21

   Amazon Customer Reviews

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   Pros:

   • Cherry Red switches are great for gaming
   • Fully programmable keys
   • Multimedia hotkeys

   Cons:

   • Hardwired USB cable
   • Large desk footprint
   • No wrist rest

   The Corsair K66 is a no-nonsense cheap mechanical keyboard that puts performance before presentation. This keyboard forgoes fancy RGB LEDs and accessories to bring high-performance switches to an inexpensive package. The K66 delivers smooth linear key travel thanks to its Cherry MX Red switches, which are the standard switches you’d expect to find on high-end mech keyboards.

   These keys are notably quieter than budget switches, while still offering fast travel and tactile feedback. They support full key rollover, which means if you pressed every key down at once, it would register every single one. It is also fully anti-ghosting, further improving accuracy.

   This 104-key model has a full number pad, plus dedicated media hotkeys. My personal favorite inclusion is the windows key lock, which prevents you from accidentally switching to your desktop in the middle of a full-screen game. Corsair’s free CUE software allows you to fully reprogram this keyboard. The most useful application is setting up macro commands to streamline your work or gaming.

   Ultimately, this keyboard is best suited to gaming, but those who want a silent and tactile typing experience will have a fantastic time using this keyboard as well.

   Find more Corsair K66 Gaming Mechanical Keyboard information and reviews here.

10. 10. Logitech G910 Orion Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

    

    Price: $296.00

    Amazon Customer Reviews

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    Pros:

    • Tactile Romer-G switches
    • Dedicated media hotkeys
    • Fully custom RGB LEDs

    Cons:

    • Collects fingerprints easily
    • Bulky design
    • High price tag

    Between its 113-key layout, dedicated media keys, phone stand, and detachable wrist rest, the Logitech’s G910 Orion is an absolute behemoth of a keyboard. And despite its rich feature set the G910 is still a budget keyboard. One way Logitech cuts costs is by producing their own customer Romer-G switches. These closely compare to Cherry MX Brown switches, which are tactile and comparatively quiet. The Romer-Gs even spring back slightly faster while still requiring the same actuation force.

    And though the switches are probably the main attraction, this keyboard offers lots of other features that might entice gamers. The RGB backlighting is fully customizable, so if you think the preset rainbow patterns are a bit much, then just set them to solid white so it looks more like the beloved G610 Orion. The G910 also has 9 programmable macro keys that can be configured via an accompanying software to bind different keystroke sequences to one button. It also has dedicated play/pause, tracking, and mute buttons, plus a volume scroll wheel to match.

    As you can guess, though, this keyboard takes up a whole lot of space on your desk. Additionally, the acrylic wrist rest dock attracts fingerprints easily. But that said, if you like customize and tweak settings, this is the best budget mechanical keyboard to satiate your urges.

    Looking to program even more macro keys? Consider putting your lower body to work with a set of PC foot pedals. Yes, they work great for gaming!

    Find more Logitech G910 Orion Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard information and reviews here.

11. 11. HyperX Alloy FPS Pro 87-Key Mechanical Keyboard

    

    Price: $148.35

    Amazon Customer Reviews

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    Pros:

    • Cherry Red switches are great for gaming
    • Brightness-adjustable red LEDs
    • Detachable USB cable

    Cons:

    • Thin key caps
    • Wider keys might be clunky or squeaky
    • No wrist rest

    The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a simple yet effective budget mechanical keyboard that lends itself equally well to gaming or data entry with its Cherry MX Red switches. This board actually ships with your choice of Red, Blue, or Brown switches (depending on availability) and comes in an 87-key or 104-key version. We highlighted the 87-key version because it matches the minimalist design of this board.

    The HyperX Allow FPS may not have any RGB lighting but it does have a red LED backlight that can be adjusted for brightness or programmed to follow basic patterns. Generally, these pulsing and flashing patterns don’t look as cool with just one color so this feels more like a gimmick on this board.

    What doesn’t feel like a gimmick is the Cherry MX switches, which basically represent the industry standard for mechanical keyboards. Once you feel how well this budget keyboard types, you’ll be a convert.

    Its steel frame is heavy yet durable and it connects to your PC via a detachable braided USB cable. It has secondary media control keys for basic playback functions.

    This device is not without its flaws, though. Its keycaps feel thin. Additionally, wide keys that need stabilizers will sometimes rattle or squeak. These flaws are easy to look past when you consider the price point of the HyperX Allow FPS. As far as using this for an entry-level mechanical keyboard, you won’t be disappointed.

    Find more HyperX Alloy FPS Pro 87-Key Mechanical Keyboard information and reviews here.

12. 12. Rosewill RK-9000V2 Mechanical Keyboard

    

    Price: $188.88

    Amazon Customer Reviews

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    Pros:

    • Solid tactile feedback from Red switches
    • Windows key lock helps prevent gaming interruptions
    • Detachable braided USB cable

    Cons:

    • Not backlit
    • Thin key caps
    • No wrist rest

    The Rosewill RK-9000V2 is a beloved budget mech keyboard model that delivers performance over aesthetics. This version of the RK-9000V2 does not have LED backlighting, however, there are many variations that do have it. It also ships with Cherry MX Red switches unless you opt for Browns or Blues instead. This version with 104 keys, Red switches, and no backlighting makes for the ideal down-to-business layout for the user who doesn’t need fancy features to be a proper keyboard warrior.

    The RK-9000V2’s are fully spaced and recess into the raised metal board when you fully bottom out the keys. The brown switches have a shallow activation point, so you don’t have to focus so much on being feather-fingered when you type. They are also comparatively quieter than other options. The keycaps themselves are decent but thin enough that their lettering could eventually wear off. Again, there is no LED backlighting to illuminate them at night either. The function row has a set of secondary media functions and there is also a Windows lock key to disable that God-forsaken button from ruining another competitive match.

    This keyboard attaches to your PC with a detachable braided USB cable, which is great considering the sad number of keyboards that are thrown out because of broken cables. If you want a professional-looking mechanical keyboard that is equally gamer and office-friendly, then Rosewill is a solid pick.

    Find more Rosewill RK-9000V2 BR Mechanical Gaming Keyboard information and reviews here.

13. 13. Pictek Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

    

    Price: $27.99

    Amazon Customer Reviews

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    Pros:

    • RGB LED backlighting
    • Clicky Blue switches
    • Sturdy and durable

    Cons:

    • No key-by-key customization
    • Hardwired USB cable
    • No wrist rest

    Though the Pictek Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is clearly an OEM clone of a more well-known keyboard (as indicated by the logo in the picture), it is still a solid choice for an entry-level keyboard. After all, a rose by any other name should smell as sweet. It has an almost fully customizable RGB array (no key-by-key editing) and some no-name Blue switches to provide a clicky and tactile typing experience.

    While you shouldn’t expect the Pictek keyboard to operate like an IBM Model F, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised with how smooth it is to type on. It has a full 104-key array and multimedia shortcuts on the function row, so it is equally capable of handling data processing as it is at controlling media playback. It also has anti-ghosting.

    The board itself is where you can see some costs were cut. It is plenty sturdy with its blend of plastic and metal materials but the foldout feet feel cheap and the USB cable is hardwired. But you will have to spend quite a bit more if you want a substantial upgrade over this keyboard, as it represents baseline performance at an aggressively low price.

    Find more Pictek Mechanical Gaming Keyboard information and reviews here.

14. 14. VictSing PC259 Mechanical Keyboard

    

    Price: $62.11

    Shop now at aliexpress.com
    Pros:

    • Fully custom RGB LEDs
    • Clicky Blue switches
    • Multimedia hotkeys

    Cons:

    • So-so build quality
    • Hardwired USB cable
    • Poor documentation

    The VictSing PC259 is a great budget mechanical keyboard, especially for gaming setups. It offers clicky and tactile Blue switches plus fully customizable RGB backlighting to complete the package. This keyboard uses the uncommon 96-key layout, which keeps the number pad but forgoes the special keys and lock keys. This gives it a manageable desk footprint without alienating the number crunchers out there.

    Though I wasn’t able to figure out exactly which brand of Blue switches this board uses, they perform about as well as their Cherry MX analog and offer a similar durability guarantee of 50 million keystrokes. This keyboard goes all in the loud and clicky but this isn’t a bad thing, as many people prefer the Blues for this exact reason. The keys are anti-ghosting and support n-key rollover. The function row houses multimedia shortcuts but you don’t get built-in macro support.

    The board itself is a mix of metal and plastic. It has clever draining holes that make it water-resistant on top of its already durable design. Unfortunately, the hardwired non-braided USB cable leaves something to be desired. But aside from this small gripe, there is little to dislike about the VictSing PC259, which is definitely one of the best cheap mechanical keyboards available.

    Find more VictSing PC259 Mechanical Keyboard information and reviews here.

15. 15. Aukey 104-Key Mechanical Keyboard

    

    Price: $50.99

    Shop now at aukey.com
    Pros:

    • Fully custom RGB LEDs
    • Clicky Otemu blue switches
    • Full 104-key array

    Cons:

    • No wrist rest
    • Blue switches can be quite loud
    • Hardwired USB cable
    This full-size mechanical keyboard from Aukey is a fantastic entry point into the world of mechanical keyboards. Its combination of clicky Otemu Blue switches and full RGB backlighting leaves little left to be desired from budget users. This LED-illuminated board allows you to cycle through 14 preset lighting effects or painstakingly customize your own design without software needed. You can also adjust the brightness for the whole board.

     

    Behind each raised keycap is an Otemu blue switch. Blues are the loudest switch available but they are also more or less specially weighted for gaming. Their springy, tactile feel makes them great for developing your twitch reflexes for the big leagues.

     

    Because the key caps are raised, the LEDs beneath reflect quite a bit off the brushed aluminum frame, adding to the vibrant look of this keyboard. The metal board is heavy and durable, which is nice to see on a budget board even though it makes it harder to transport. The only build-quality shortcoming is the hardwired USB cable.

    Find more Aukey 104-Key Mechanical Keyboard information and reviews here.

What Are the Advantages of a Mechanical Keyboard?

Individual mechanical switches beneath each key in this type of keyboard offer a number of advantages. The biggest benefit is an improved tactile response that speeds up typing. When you hear the click of a mechanical switch, you instantly know that your keystroke has registered and that you can move onto the next one.

The most feather-fingered typists use this satisfying click as a signal that they've depressed the key far enough, and can now begin the next keystroke. With a bit of practice, you can use this technique to type entire paragraphs without bottoming out your keys once. You'll notice an immediate improvement in typing speed to match.

Mechanical keyboard can also be more easily customized than membrane keyboards. Most mechanical keyboards out there (and all of the ones we reviewed here) have the same stem profile, which means you can add custom keycaps to your keyboard to give it an even more unique look.

Mechanical keyboards do have some downsides, though. They are loud and heavy, so they don't work well in shared workspaces. They are also often quite expensive. But even if your budget for peripherals is tight, a budget mechanical keyboard will far outperform a traditional membrane keyboard.

How We Picked the Best Cheap Mechanical Keyboards

There are a lot of moving parts underneath each mechanical keyboard, so there is an almost overwhelming number of factors to consider when shopping for an inexpensive mechanical keyboard.

The most important factor is the style of switches that are used on the keyboard as well as which brand manufactures them. This article from Tom's Guide outlines the core differences between common switches like Blues, Reds, and Browns. However, the best way to familiarize yourself with these switches is to try them out.

We considered a variety of switch styles for this roundup since each switch type is better suited for different task loads. That said, you will also find a number of brands other than Cherry amongst these offerings. Cherry keys still tend to have the best longevity out of all available options but other "off-brands" still tend to perform just as well.