Generally noisy, flashy and like someone bred a standard keyboard with an olde world typewriter, mechanical keyboards are not to everyone’s typing taste. However, there is an undeniable ever-growing hardcore fan following that not only swear by them, but actually almost obsess over them. You’ll find them lurking mostly in the online gaming arena, where the mech’s incredible flexibility and, yes, fancy RGB lighting is much prized in gaining the gaming advantage.
So, what do you need to know? Basically, they come in various sizes, the most common being 100 per cent, 80 per cent (TKL – tenkeyless), 75 per cent, 65 per cent and 60 per cent. They also come with ultra-durable key-switches that can be either linear (smooth action), tactile (bit of a bump on pressing), or clicky (bump and noise), dependent on preference.
Boasting lower latency and accuracy than non-mechs, most also feature changeable switches (hot-swappable) and can be customised to adjust backlighting, key task assignments and even actuation point pressure, so you can see why the gamers love them.
But all that “feel”, sound and solid-build makes them good for business, too, and if you take to typing on one for any real length of time, you’ll soon see the benefits.
So, on that, to the testing…
Read more: Apple MacBook Neo review: It beats every laptop in its price category
The best mechanical keyboards for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Razer huntsman V3 pro tenkeyless 8KHz: £159.99, Argos.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Acer predator 303: £59.99, Currys.co.uk
- Best full sized – SteelSeries apex pro gen 3: £219.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for FPS – Razer BlackWidow V4 tenkeyless hyperspeed: £100.79, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget membrane keyboard alternative – SteelSeries apex 3 TKL: £49.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for PC esports – Logitech G pro X TKL rapid: £169.99, Amazon.co.uk
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Razer huntsman V3 pro tenkeyless 8KHz
Rating: 5/5
Best: mechanical keyboard overall
Compatibility: PC (Windows 10 or later)
Dimensions: 44.5 x 13.9 x 3.9cm
Weight: 1623g
Battery: N/A
Connectivity: USB-C
Lighting: Razer Chroma RGB
Colourways: Black, White, Esports Green Edition, Counter-Strike 2 Edition
Why we love it
- Feels spacious and comfortable
- Epic RGB options
- Insane 8KHz HyperPolling rate
- Gen-2 Analogue Optical switches with adjustable actuation
Take note
- Pricey
- High polling rate may require a powerful processor
- Quite loud
- Wired only
Behemoth of gaming gear, Razer sits high on the wish list for serious players; and the huntsman V3 pro illustrates why.
Available in standard or tenkeyless (tested) configurations, this analogue optical option comes armed with second-gen tactile-feedback orange switches, meaning it’s optimised for enhanced gaming, but works equally well for general typing, too.
Fully customisable, you can tailor RGB and key actuation to your exacting desires, while rapid trigger adjustment and incredible 8000Hz ultra-low latency lifts gunning gamers to veritable shooter Shangri-La.
With profile swaps performed at a stroke, plus multi-function dial and dedicated media buttons for ad-hoc adjustment, although pricey, certainly when compared with the Logitech pro X, the huntsman is the ultimate option for the demanding keyboard aficionado.
Buy now £159.99, Argos.co.uk
Acer predator 303
Rating: 4/5
Best: budget mechanical keyboard
Compatibility: Windows 10 (and up)
Dimensions: 40 x 433 x 126mm
Weight: 880g
Battery: N/A
Connectivity: USB
Lighting: RGB LED
Colourways: Black
Why we love it
- Absolute bargain
- 12 effect RGB LED
- Solid build
- Anti-ghosting
Take note
- Keys are noisy
- Wired
A mechanical keyboard that comes complete with a numerical keypad, RGB LED, full N-key rollover for speed and precision, plus hugely tactile and responsive Kailh Blue switches that come good for 50 million keystrokes… and all for under 60 quid. The only question is: what’s not to like?
Wired only, which may put-off those gamers who like to wander, the lead is 1.6m so there’s plenty of wriggle room, so you’re not exactly restricted.
Built solidly with an aluminium top plate and featuring Anti-ghosting for smooth gameplay, the WASD keys come in a different colour, which is a nice feature and, although keys are a little loud for me, the predator 303 is a marvel at the price.
Buy now £59.99, Currys.co.uk
SteelSeries apex pro gen 3
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: full-sized mechanical keyboard
Compatibility: PC (Windows 8.1 or later), Mac OS X (10.13 or later), Xbox, PlayStation
Dimensions: 41 x 437 x 139mm (HxWxD)
Weight: 1403g
Battery: Up to 45-hours
Connectivity: USB-C to USB-A
Lighting: RGB
Colourways: Black
Why we love it
- Adjustable actuation
- Protection Mode
- Comfortable
- Magnetic wrist-rest included
Take note
- Actuation adjustment not entirely accurate
- Reasonably noisy
- Not hot-swappable
Available full-sized (tested) or TKL, the apex pro gen 3 has a build-quality that screams durability, matched with a flexibility that makes it the ideal all-rounder for all keyboard comers.
On the eye, the apex is akin to the majority of its ilk, but omnipoint 3.0 adjustable hypermagnetic switches with rapid trigger and full actuation adjustment elevate it way beyond shallow aesthetics to the very “apex” of gaming as aptly referenced in its name.
Featuring a 32-bit ARM processor, the wired ’board comes with five profiles built-in, per key RGB, an absolute array of customisation options, plus pre-set configurations covering all the latest games.
Add in an OLED smart display, media key and wheel combo for ad hoc adjustments and, whatever the game genre, you’re now the apex predator.
Buy now £219.99, Amazon.co.uk
Razer BlackWidow V4 tenkeyless hyperspeed
Rating: 4/5
Best: mechanical keyboard for FPS
Compatibility: PC
Dimensions: 2.8 x 13.9 x 35.7cm
Weight: 711g
Battery: Up to 980-hours (power-saving mode)
Connectivity: Razer HyperSpeed Wireless (2.4GHz), Bluetooth, USB-C
Lighting: Razer Chroma RGB
Colourways: Black
Why we love it
- Hot-swappable key switches
- Lightning-fast responses
- Impressive battery
- Great for gaming and productivity
Take note
- No wrist-rest
- Average 1000Hz polling rate
A god among gamers, the BlackWidow made its debut back in 2010 and has matured to perfection since. Now on V4, here we have a model that offers the optimum in customisation, from the chroma RGB to the hot-swapable key switches, so while it performs perfectly out of the box, you can make changes to your heart’s content.
Wired or wireless using Razer’s break-neck 2.4GHz HyperSpeed (or Bluetooth), battery life comes in at whopping 980-hours in power-saving mode, while the compact but commodious design of the tenkeyless model, on which I’m writing this very review, is extremely easy on the digits.
With a 1K polling rate, mappable media switches and a multi-function roller, the V4 is an FPS player’s dream.
Buy now £100.79, Amazon.co.uk
SteelSeries apex 3 TKL
Rating: 3.5/5
Best: budget membrane keyboard alternative
Compatibility: PC, Mac, PS5, XBox
Dimensions: 40 x 150 x 364mm
Weight: 639g
Battery: N/A
Connectivity: Wired (USB)
Lighting: 8-zone RGB
Colourways: Black, White, Lavender, Aqua
Why we love it
- Almost silent
- 8-zone RGB
- Cheaper than silicone chips
- IP32 water and dust resistant
Take note
- No actuation adjustment
- Wired only
- Plasticky build
Are you the kind of sloppy gamer who habitually spills the contents of your EnormoSlurp cup on your keyboard? Do you also seek a set of keys that’s responsive, quiet, comes hard-connected, plays nice with PC, Mac, PS5 and Xbox and is complete with 8-zone customisable RGB, all for well under a ton? Then if I can interest you in a membrane alternative, stop reading now and go hurl your hard-earned at the mini marvel that is the apex 3 TKL.
Available in full-sized and TKL formats (latter tested), the apex 3 is whisper-quiet in operation and comes complete with dedicated media controls, a perfectly tactile feedback and anti-ghosting to avoid key conflict. Oh, and it’s IP32 water-resistance rated. Genius.
Buy now £49.99, Amazon.co.uk
Logitech G pro X TKL rapid
Rating: 4/5
Best: mechanical keyboard for PC esports
Compatibility: PC (Windows 10 or later)
Dimensions: 38 x 352 x 150mm
Weight: 961g
Battery: Up to 50-hours
Connectivity: LIGHTSPEED Wireless (2.4GHz), Bluetooth, USB-C
Lighting: LIGHTSYNC RGB, customisable
Colourways: Black, Pink, White
Why we love it
- Highly responsive
- Great wireless connectivity
- Comfortable
- Impressive actuation
Take note
- Not hot-swappable
- Media wheel only supports volume
- Not upgradable
- No wrist-rest
Another name from the top of the tippy-tappy tree, Logitech G engineer keyboards for unrelenting esports Olympians, and the PRO X TKL RAPID is the prime, premium example of its art.
Created to enhance PC gaming to the Nth degree and compatible with Windows 10/11, connectivity comes courtesy of USB-C, Bluetooth, or Logi’s 2.4GHz lightspeed wireless for seamless, ultra-fast responsiveness – and make no mistake, this thing is fast.
Packed with customisable LIGHTSYNC RGB, programable, actuation-adjustable keys, media controls and volume roller, plus a game mode button and game mode function lock, switches come tactile-style alone for the UK model, but not hot-swappable.
A tad noisy too due to a lack of switch-lube, the pro X is still an A-list keyboard contender.
Buy now £169.99, Amazon.co.uk
Logitech MX mechanical mini for mac
Rating: 4/5
Best: mechanical keyboard for Mac mobility
Compatibility: Apple Mac, iPad (iPadOS 14 or later), iPhone (iOS 14 or later)
Dimensions: 131.55 x 312.60 x 26.10mm (HxWxD)
Weight: 612g
Battery: Up to 15-days or up to 10-with backlight off
Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB-C to USB-C rechargeable
Lighting: White backlight, smart adjusting
Colourways: Space Grey, Pale Grey
Why we love it
- Business-like aesthetics
- Tactile Quiet switches
- Multi-Mac connectivity
- Small form factor
Take note
- For Mac but with Windows keys
- Wireless only
- A little pricey
- No wrist-rest
Believe it or not, not everyone wants to play games. Some people are deadly serious, and they just want to get on with their deadly serious stuff, without distraction, but still with tactile bump feedback, rapid responsiveness, and carry-anywhere keyboard convenience. And for those who have the money for Mac, the MX mechanical for Mac from Logitech ticks all those boxes.
Small, but perfectly formed, this Apple-operated only option comes tenkeyless to reduce size, connects over Bluetooth Low Energy, multi-Mac connectivity with speedy switching, minimalist white LED backlighting, and comfortable, Tactile Quite keys for respectful use in shared environments.
A superbly simpatico pick for mobile Mac-users, if only it could also be used wired, too, it’d be perfect.
Buy now £149.99, Johnlewis.com
Qpad loop TKL model 3
Rating: 3.5/5
Best: value mechanical keyboard
Compatibility: Windows, iOS, Android, Mac
Dimensions: 50 x 405 x 185mm
Weight: 1180g
Battery: Up to 27-hours
Connectivity: Wireless 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, USB-C
Lighting: RGB
Colourways: Black & White
Why we love it
- Hot-swappable switches
- Tri-mode connectivity
- Open compatibility
- Good battery
Take note
- No wrist-rest
- Plasticky build
- Quite noisy
- Lacks more “premium” features
A top budget pick, yes you can find them cheaper, but that doesn’t mean you should, because with the £100 Qpad you get a set of Wireless Gasket clicky keys aimed squarely at gamers, with tri-mode connectivity via Bluetooth, USB or the bundled 2.4GHz dongle for a seamless performance.
RGB comes customisable with touch bar control, switches are hot-swappable, dual dials alter volume and lighting, accompanying software lets you play with layouts, macros and remaps, there’s a battery good for up to 27-hours, and monochrome keycaps finish the thing off in style.
Downsides? Okay, the build is more plasticky than a C-List celebrity, but factor-in the two paragraphs above and the pros far more than outweigh that con.
Buy now £99.99, Currys.co.uk
MoErgo glove80
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: speciality, ergonomic mechanical keyboard
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Dimensions: 60 x 168 (206 with palm rests) x 372mm
Weight: 600g
Battery: LEDs off, 2-4-weeks for left hand & 2-months+ for right hand
Connectivity: Bluetooth LE 5.0, USB 2.0 over USB-C
Lighting: Per key RGB
Colourways: Charcoal Grey, White
Why we love it
- Very comfortable
- RSI risk reduced
- Wide compatibility
- Choice of switches
Take note
- Requires some self-retraining
- Almost too much choice
- Quite expensive
Elevating ergonomics to a whole new plane, the glove80 from Kiwi innovators MoErgo takes a lot of retraining to master, but the eventual outcome is worth more than its weight in printer ink.
Creating the absolute apex in comfort, the glove80 features a split, micro-tuned tented design, with a columnar layout, perfectly positioned thumb-clusters, and palm-rests to eliminate any unease.
A premium product which allows you to specify your, hot-swappable, switch types, both layout and RGB lighting comes fully customisable, meaning you can tailor this extraordinary affair to your exacting needs.
Reducing the threat of RSI to next to nothing, it took me two weeks to become anywhere approaching proficient, but now I wonder how I ever lived without it.
Buy now £218, Moergo.com
MoErgo go60
Rating: 5/5
Best: travel ergonomic keyboard
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Dimensions: 43 x 135 x 178mm
Weight: 600g
Battery: LEDs off, 1-2-weeks for left hand & 1-month+ for right hand
Connectivity: Bluetooth LE 5.0, USB-C
Lighting: Per key RGB
Colourways: Charcoal Grey, White
Why we love it
- Ingenious design
- Quiet
- Compact but comfortable
- Hot-swappable
Take note
- A little pricey
The slightly more compact sibling of the glove80, but for those with a nomadic lifestyle, the go60 is a study in everything that makes an ergonomic mechanical keyboard superior.
A fully web-configurable columnar split model with per-key RGB LEDs, lovely low-travel, hot-swappable switches, dual built-in trackpads, and 6-step adjustable tenting for ultimate “fit”, this is a triumph of travel design that works wired or wireless, the silent linear switches making for discreet use, while the board(s) come complete with a hard travel case, a set of heavier switches to swap-in, spare key caps and everything else you need to get tailor-made tapping ASAP.
With optional palm-rests and mounting-puck available too, the go60 is the most accomplished ergonomic I’ve ever encountered.
Buy now £228, Moergo.com
Trust 872 xyra TKL
Rating: 4/5
Best: sub-£100 mechanical keyboard
Compatibility: Windows 11
Dimensions: 33 x 365 x 140mm
Weight: 831g
Battery: N/A
Connectivity: USB-A to USB-C
Lighting: Fully adjustable per-key RGB
Colourways: Creamy white
Why we love it
- Hot-swappable
- Compatible with 3- and 5-pin switches
- Dampened sound
- Adjustable per-key RGB
Take note
- Wired only
- Plasticky
Offering tremendous value for money at just £60, the GXT 872 from Trust is a compact, wired TKL bit of kit that comes fitted with pre-lubed, soft-feel 5-pin Leobog Seiya linear switches, but is also hot-swappable with compatibility with both 3- and 5-pin switches.
Featuring a gasket-mounted design that delivers dampened sound, not only is it comfortable to tap your fingertips against for hours on end, it’s also easier on the ear than many of the other models I’ve featured here.
With full-adjustable pre-key RGB, the 872 Xyra lets you bathe in up to 16.8-million colour combinations, and finished with a cream case, there you have it: comfortable, customisable, colourful, and cheap – creamy on all counts.
Buy now £59.99, Amazon.co.uk
What are the best mechanical keyboards?
Spoilt for choice really, but the Razer huntsman V3 pro Tenkeyless 8KHz squeaked it for me, thanks to its epic customisation options and break-neck response time – a true king amongst mechanical keyboards. But, that said, there also has to be honourable mentions for the Logitech G pro X TKL rapid and both remarkable MoErgo models, the Logitech being an excellent alternative to the Razer for gamers of all types, and the MoErgo pair being, frankly, the ultimate in ergonomics.
How I tested
As a journalist of some decades and a thus-far miserably unpublished novelist of no note, I’ve worked my fingers to the bone across a large range of keyboards of all designs and dimensions over the years, so, naturally, the only way to tackle this 10-strong mix of mechanical models was get literally hands-on.
Primarily looking for the Goldilocks Zone of perfect tactile feedback, exacting response and precision, comfort of use, and a build so robust you could fend off a charging rhino, then taking into account more aesthetics aspects, such as RGB extent and flexibility, the extent of customisation options and, of course, whether the clicky, clacky, thocky noise they each might emit is easy on the ear or akin to being trapped in a room with infinite eight-year-olds armed with fidget cubes.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Stuart Pritchard is a seasoned journalist and editor with decades of experience in casting a critical eye over consumer tech – if a gadget or gizmo doesn’t make the grade, it doesn’t make his roundups. Stuart’s reviews for IndyBest are based on real-world testing, so he can go beyond the spec sheet to bring you the products he believes are worth your time and money. He’s previously reviewed the best neck fans for IndyBest.
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