Mechanical keyboard recommendations

[Shun]

I’ve taken an option at work to work as a remote developer permanently from now on and as such have been sorting out my home office desk as I’m going to be using it everyday.

I’m still using a bog standard Logitech keyboard at the moment and I would like to upgrade to a mechanical one.
Trouble is, that there are so many choices out there I’m not sure which one to go for so was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for one.

Here is what I would like the keyboard to have:

Mechanical keys (obviously), but the more satisfying the clickyness the better. I’ve heard that the MX Blue ones are pretty nice and as I’m working from home, there is no issue with the noise that the clicking will make.
Must have media controls so that I can control Spotify. Volume control would be pretty handy as well.
Must have a keypad.
Would prefer the colour to be Black
Don’t care about RGB lighting, although some normal white illumination of the keys would be nice.
Don’t want to spend anymore that £75 really.

All recommendations welcome.

 

[John Bennett]

I've got the QPAD MK-50 which is 'red' switches and it's been pretty good, but it's obsolete now. Seemed to meet most of that criteria.

 

[cools]

I have multiple Topre Realforce...

They're wonderful, but don't meet 50% of your criteria.

I'd still recommend you try one. They're the least fatiguing and most effortless to use out of any keyboard I've ever used.

 

[davey d]

Ive got a corsair K63 mechanical keyboard which is really nice to use. The K63 doesn't have a numpad, but K70 does. You can get them in single colour or RGB. there is a button on the keyboard to adjust brightness/turn it off. and the software allows you to adjust the colour of each key should you wish

 

[big10p]

All this talk of keyboards has made me realize how disgustingly filthy my one is.

 

[John Bennett]

All this talk of keyboards has made me realize how disgustingly filthy my one is.

Yes, cream keyboards and mice were the worst for that.

Probably handy for many that they became extinct as internet pron took off

(grim memories of witnessing the state of flatmate's keyboards )

John Bennett2020-11-11 12:00:21

 

[jinq-sea]

I'm a reformed/recovering mech board addict. I would say a custom board might be your way to go, but to be honest, Ducky boards are the best call for what you need.

https://www.kustompcs.co.uk/peripherals/keyboards/mechanical-keyboards/ducky-one2-skyline-blue-cherry-mx-switch-dkon1808-cukpdzhbs/

I'd perhaps go for soemthing like this if you like fullsize. Ducky boards are really nicely made (I have a few), and that keyset they are running at the moment is quite an interesting one - inspired by old Dolch network analyser keyboards.

If you like clicky, blue is what you want. I actually have a board of greens too (blues, but stiffer) - and if you really want to get into it, blue switches with springs from clear switches are my absolute favourite. This requires soldering, tinkering, and messing about, but it's fun.

There are cheaper options about - Amazon is awash with 'interesting' mech boards, and then there are all sorts of other sources. Corsair boards are good too. I'd stick with Cherry switches because I'm a purist.

Hope my ramblings help.

 

[cools]

https://www.keyboardco.com/category.asp?sr=&path=Mechanical+Keyboards&stk=&ss=hl&rtv=100cools2020-11-11 13:35:04

 

[Shun]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. The nearest one to my budget and features is the Corsair K70.
But I'm not sure of the switches that come with it, plus its just a little too "jazzy" for what I want it for. It won't be used for gaming as this is going to be attached to company equipment most of the time.

Anything over £100 is probably going to be a bit too much, although some of those custom keyboards do look quite nice. Although, most of them don't have the media controls and some of them cost more than I paid for my Pole Position cab!!!

I bought one of those Cherry MX Mechanical Keyboard Switch Testers the other day and it should arrive next week. That way I'll get a good idea of what buttons I want to use. I still think the blue clicky ones are going to be what I want, but I'll see when I get to try them out.

 

[Venom]

Now I am at home most of the time I switched to an ergonmic keyboard, which took a couple of weeks to get used to !!

https://www.johnlewis.com/microsoft-ergonomic-keyboard-black/p4811898?sku=238376019&s_ppc=2dx92700055381560003&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvrzb1quD7QIVkLLVCh3KnQ63EAQYAyABEgLQYPD_BwE&gclsrc="aw.ds

 

[Shun]

Ok, so my keyboard switch tester thing came and I'm pretty sure that I want the clicky switches.
So had a look for a K70 with MX Blues but he only one that I could find for about £75 was one for £80 at scan but only came with the speed switches.

There is a MK2 version of the keyboard that comes with clicky switches is £150.

So, after a LOT of googling there is nothing really near my price point that ticks most of the boxes without bumping my budget up a bit.

So after some more googling, I've decided on the RAZER BlackWidow Elite which is £105 at Currys.

It has Green Razer switches instead of MX Blues, however they appear to be similar after some research.

Thanks for all of your recommendations. I've also stumbled across a funny keyboard review channel called Chyrosran22. I've subscribed to the channel even though I'm not on the look out for another keyboard

. Channel link below if interested:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD0y51PJfvkZNe3y3FR5riw

 

[r-type]

Picked up a Havit keyboard and mouse kit on Amazon for my middle one's new PC. No complaints from him and it seems very good to me. The reviews on Amazon are very good too.

Think it was £47 for the set.

 

[agent4125]

If you can afford it, get a Filco. Amazing keyboards. Best I've ever used.