Best mechanical keyboards 2023: Top picks for every need

The world of mechanical keyboards is wide and deep, with an incredible variety of options. Here is the best of the best.

- MICHAEL CRIDER

Mechanical keyboards have been around almost as long as personal computers, and the basic switch technology we're still using first popped up in the 1980s. But it's not an exaggeration to say that mechanical boards have never been as popular, or as stunningly variable, as they are right now. If you're just getting into the craze, you might feel paralyzed by the number of options.

Allow us to remove some of the questioning and doubt. Below are the best mechanical keyboards we've reviewed, in a variety of categories-best overall, on a budget, for gaming, wireless, and so on. Though they excel in different areas, each mechanical keyboard pick is absolutely the best in its class. Our selections are well worth both your attention and your hard-earned dough.

BEST MECHANICAL KEYBOARD OVERALL: KEYCHRON Q SERIES

We've singled out the Q1 Pro for its wireless CHOICE prowess, but really, it's hard to go wrong with any of the Q series. Fantastic build quality, near-endless customization, and a surprisingly fair price (at least compared to keyboards with similar features) make it the brand to beat if you want a high-end mechanical board. Q boards come in a variety of sizes and layouts, from tiny 40% all the way to a massive 108-key layout. And all of them include awesome aluminum frames, RGB lighting, hot-swap switches, internal sound damping, and easy programming with QMK or VIA.

BEST TYPING EXPERIENCE, BEST WIRELESS: KEYDOUS NJ80-AP