Greatest
mechanical keyboards for Mac
iMore
2022
On the subject of choosing out the perfect keyboard in your Mac, it may be totally different for everybody. Most Mac customers persist with the Apple Magic Keyboard or one thing related, however others wish to really feel and hear each keystroke. This is the reason mechanical keyboards nonetheless exist. With mechanical keyboards, you get bodily switches that present extra tactile suggestions once you kind, and it additionally provides you a world of customization potentialities, from the switches themselves to the keycaps. Listed here are my present favourite mechanical keyboards for Mac proper now.
Word: Remember the fact that some choices are solely out there from the producer, and could also be out of inventory — if that is the case, simply be certain to enroll in e-mail alerts of after they return.
Nice introduction:
Keychron K2 V2
Workers Favourite
The K2 V2 from Keychron gives flat edges on the body and slim bezels across the keys. It additionally includes a 75% format, making it an excellent selection for vacationers or those that desire minimalism. You can even select between Gateron Purple, Brown, or Blue switches, and there’s a hot-swappable model as nicely, making this among the best mechanical keyboards for freshmen.
- From $85 at Amazon
- From $69 at Keychron
RGB mild present:
Womier K87 Scorching-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard
This mechanical keyboard includes a clear glass materials for the case physique, permitting a full-on RGB underglow mild present at your desk. The Womier K87 can also be a TKL board, supplying you with a whole lot of practicality, although there are 60% layouts out there as nicely. It comes outfitted with Gateron Purple, Blue, Brown, or Yellow switches, however you’ll be able to change them later if desired because it’s hot-swappable.
From $89 at Amazon
Skilled clack:
Das Keyboard 4 Skilled for Mac
Das Keyboard 4 Skilled provides you a selection between Cherry MX Brown or Blue, relying on how loud you want your keyboard, and it even has devoted media controls, together with an outsized quantity knob and a quantity pad. Two USB 3.0 ports make it good for ultra-productive people.
- $169 at Amazon
- $170 at Greatest Purchase
Full however compact:
Keychron K4 V2
In the event you want a 10-key numpad however nonetheless need one thing comparatively compact, then the Keychron K4 is ideal. It’s just like the K2 V2 that I take advantage of every day, but it surely features a 10-key on the precise aspect. It gives 100 keys in a 96% format, so it maximizes house whereas nonetheless supplying you with all the requirements. It additionally comes with Gateron Purple, Brown, or Blue switches, white or RGB backlighting, and an non-compulsory aluminum body, in addition to a brand new hot-swappable choice.
- From $105 at Amazon
- From $69 at Keychron
Highly effective gaming:
Logitech G915 Lightspeed Wi-fi Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
When cash is not a lot a priority, there’s the G915 TKL, which makes use of an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy to ship a skinny however inflexible and sturdy design. You may select between GL Linear, Tactile, and Clicky low-profile switches. Expertise as much as 30 hours on a single cost, and you may customise your colourful RGB lighting and macros with the G-HUB software program.
- From $210 at Amazon
- From $222 at Greatest Purchase
Skilled however cool:
Drop CTRL TKL Mechanical Keyboard
Drop CTRL TKL is an effective selection to think about if you need one thing that appears skilled however cool on the identical time. It additionally comes along with your selection of Cherry MX Blue RGB, Brown RGB, Halo Clear, Halo True, Kaihua Field White, or Kaihua Pace Silver switches. The physique is aluminum, there may be an RGB strip for cool lighting results, it is hot-swappable, and you may absolutely program it to your liking with QMK software program.
$240 at Amazon
Have it your manner:
Keychron Q1
A stable and hefty selection
The Q1 from Keychron has a 75% format and can also be gasket-mounted just like the GMMK Professional. It has an all-aluminum physique that feels hefty and premium, and you may select from a number of totally different shade our bodies whereas selecting your individual switches, keycaps, and extra. It additionally comes with a premium coiled cable, and you may customise it with VIA and QMK software program. A brand new knob model can also be now out there. This comes out and in of inventory typically, so be certain to enroll in emails of when it’s again in inventory.
- From $169 at Keychron
- From $179 at Keychron (Knob model)
Constructed from scratch:
Wonderful GMMK Professional
Wonderful GMMK Professional is making waves within the mechanical keyboard group. It is a extremely inexpensive gasket-mounted 75% format keyboard with a built-in rotary knob. You decide both Black Slate or White Ice for the physique; select your individual switches, keycaps, plates, and extra. It is a mass-produced mechanical keyboard that permits you to dive into the world of constructing from scratch with an affordable price ticket.
From $170 at Wonderful
Customise and decrease:
Keychron Q2
Premium, compact, customizable
The Q2 is the most recent addition to Keychron’s intensive lineup of keyboards. It is a 65% format with an non-compulsory knob, and other than that, it is fairly just like the Q1 in that it has an all-aluminum physique, gasket mount, a number of totally different physique colours, and it is absolutely customizable. It comes with Gateron G Professional switches, however because it’s hot-swappable, you’ll be able to change them out to no matter you need. Just like the Q1, it can also exit of inventory typically, so be certain to enroll in e-mail alerts.
From $149 at Keychron
Sort higher with the perfect mechanical keyboards
The Magic Keyboards that include Macs aren’t sufficient for some folks, although there are some good alternate options. However if you happen to desire actual key suggestions and the satisfying click on or thock sound, or simply need the power to totally customise your keyboard the way in which you need, you actually ought to think about a mechanical keyboard. Actually, I’d say mechanicals are the perfect keyboard for Mac (or any laptop), interval. Actually, when you uncover the magic of mechanical keyboards, it is powerful to return to the flat, chiclet-style laptop computer keyboards just like the Magic Keyboard — plus you simply really feel a lot extra productive.
In the event you want just a little extra steering on this (costly) passion, do not miss out on our Mechanical Keyboards 101: Newbie’s Information for a deep dive into mechanical keyboards as a complete.
Choosing the proper keyboard for you
If you would like some suggestions for mechanical keyboards, I’ve personally tried a number of right here. My first mechanical keyboard selection is the Keychron K2 V2; an excellent beginning board if you wish to get your toes moist that additionally contains Bluetooth wi-fi connectivity. The Keychron K2 V2 is snug to kind with (although a wrist relaxation could also be wanted as a result of case top), its compact format provides me the whole lot I want in a small footprint, and there’s a hot-swappable model, so you’ll be able to change out the switches if desired. Because it makes use of customary Cherry MX stems on the switches, you’ll be able to customise the keycaps to something that may match on a conventional Cherry MX stem.
For individuals who need a Keychron, however want a quantity pad, the Keychron K4 V2 is a superb choice — the 96% format means you get a full quantity pad for knowledge entry, and it nonetheless has a barely smaller footprint than a full-size keyboard. Those that need a hybrid between a Magic Keyboard and a mechanical might strive the Keychron K1 V4, which is available in both tenkeyless (TKL) or full dimension. Nonetheless, this one will not be hot-swappable, and you may’t change the keycaps as a result of low profile.
Since Keychron is a reasonably established model for mechanical keyboards, particularly for Mac customers, the newest launch, the 75% format Keychron Q1, is a superb selection if you need a higher-end mechanical keyboard. It has a full aluminum physique that is available in a number of totally different colours, and it’s hefty; positively feels premium. It is also gasket-mounted, so it has a bit extra flex and is snug as you kind. You may select to have it absolutely assembled, however you may as well go barebones for barely much less and use your individual switches, keycaps, and different equipment with it. It additionally comes with a coiled cable that matches your keyboard’s case shade, which is a pleasant contact. To prime issues off, you are capable of absolutely customise the programming for each key with VIA or QMK software program. Nonetheless, the Q1 doesn’t at the moment have Bluetooth wi-fi connectivity, and a rotary knob model is coming later.
You may additionally go for the GMMK Professional, Wonderful’ 75% format premium keyboard that’s all about customization, and it features a rotary knob which you could program. This one has been extremely well-liked within the mechanical keyboard group as a result of it is an excellent board for the value. It’s thought-about a great introductory level for customized keyboards, a minimum of till the Q1 got here alongside.
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