Best keyboards 2020: the best typing companions
Don’t think for a second that investing in the best keyboard isn’t necessary for you. Whether you’re a massive gamer playing the best PC games for hours on end or typing up emails and documents everyday for work, a keyboard can actually make or break your computing experience (and quite possibly your wrists). The simple fact is this: having a quality keyboard can make a huge impact in your computing life.
That’s because the best keyboards offer the right bounce, travel, tactile feedback and ergonomic design. And those will make using your computer a much more comfortable, less fatiguing experience. Better yet, when it comes to performance, they are super-fast and responsive, as well as accurate and feature-rich, boasting things like a long battery life (if wireless) and n-key rollover so that each keypress is correctly detected no matter how many keys you press. That means that they also give you an extremely productive experience.
The benefits to comfort, speed, reliability and convenience you gain with one of the best keyboards easily justifies the asking price, which isn’t much considering what you’re getting. We gathered the top ones 2020 has to offer. Whether you need one of the best gaming keyboards or an excellent one for multi-tasking and creative work, you’ll find an ideal match here.
The best keyboards of 2020 at a glance:
- Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo
- Corsair K83 Wireless Entertainment Keyboard
- Topre Realforce 104UBS Silent variable
- Filco Majestouch-2 Tenkeyless
- Logitech Craft
- PFU Happy Hacking Professional 2 (HHKB2)
- Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID
- Leopold Fc660c
- Unicomp Classic 104
- Das Keyboard Prime 13
- Logitech K780
1. Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo
The keyboard from the future
Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Switches: Roccat Titan Switches
Beautiful design
Great for gaming and typing
Expensive
It has become the norm for keyboard manufacturers to implement their own custom keyboard switches, and Roccat – with the Vulcan 120 Aimo – is no different. While this keyboard is primarily marketed as a gaming keyboard, its Titan Switches are tactile enough to be satisfying, while still bouncing back quickly enough to be comfortable to type on for extended periods. And, we’d be remiss to not mention the looks – the Vulcan 120 Aimo looks like a science fiction keyboard, we love it.
Read the full review: Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo
2. Corsair K83 Wireless Entertainment Keyboard
Interface: Bluetooth | Keyboard backlighting: Yes |
Switches: Corsair Ultra-low Profile Scissor
Keys feel great
Sturdy and portable
Small trackpad
If you have a home theater PC, you might be frustrated by the lack of keyboards that explicitly appeal to your use case. Luckily, there’s a keyboard for you – the Corsair K83 Wireless is a fantastic entertainment-focused keyboard. Not only is it light and portable, it also has a bevy of entertainment functions that’ll make life easier in your living room. And, with its wealth of connectivity options, including Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless through a dongle, you can use it with many different platforms. However, it’s not great at gaming, so keep that in mind.
Read the full review: Corsair K83 Wireless
3. Topre Realforce 104UBS Silent variable
For a quieter Topre experience
Interface: Wired | Switches: Topre electrostatic capacitive silenced (30, 45 and 50 grams)
Smooth typing action
Very quiet
Typing can feel ‘sandy’
Expensive
As long as you don’t mind missing out on some of that signature ‘thock’ sound that’s associated with regular Realforce keyboards, opting for a silenced model like the 104 UBS offers some solid benefits. Hitting the 104 UBS’s keys produces sound on par with a membrane keyboard, so it’s going to be great if you work in a busy office or a shared bedroom. The ‘dampened’ feel of Topre’s silenced switches can feel kind of like typing on sandpaper compared to a non-silenced board, but we found that it’s worth the trade-off if you need a quieter keyboard.
- This product is only available in the US and UK. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the .
4. Filco Majestouch-2 Tenkeyless
Built like a tank and compact
Interface: Wired | Switches: Cherry MX (Brown, Blue, Black, Red)
Solid build quality
Compact
No media functions
Filco’s keyboards tend to be built like tanks, and the Majestouch TKL is no different. This space-saving mechanical keyboard features a compact tenkeyless design that has less than 1cm of space between the edge of the keys and the keyboard. Its durability doesn’t simply allow it to stand up well to knocks and scrapes – it has a positive impact on its typing feel too. You can ham
mer away on it at speed, even bottoming out to your heart’s content, and the Majestouch 2 will take every bit of punishment.
5. Logitech Craft
Finally, a keyboard for creatives
Interface: Wireless | Switches: Scissor switch mechanism
Weighty, solid construction
Useful and unique dial
Expensive
We’ve seen all kinds of keyboards over the years here at TechRadar, from stylish tenkeyless keyboards to RGB-laden gaming behemoths, but something has always been missing – a focus on creatives. Thankfully, with the Logitech Craft, this is no longer the case. Not only is this a sturdy, tactile and attractive keyboard but it also features a unique dial on its top left corner, which will help creatives expedite their workflow. This dial’s utility will vary depending on the application, from simply controlling the volume on the desktop, to changing levels in various tools in Photoshop. If you spend a lot of time creating content on your PC, the Logitech Craft is one of the best keyboards you can buy today.
Read the full review: Logitech Craft
6. PFU Happy Hacking Professional 2 (HHKB2)
A coder’s dream and typist’s treasure
Interface: Wired | Switches: Topre electrostatic capacitive (45 grams)
Incredibly portable
Lightweight
Key layout not for everybody
No arrow keys
The PFU Happy Hacking Professional 2 has somewhat of a cult following in the keyboard scene, and it’s not hard to see why. This keyboard is aimed at coders, but it’s fantastic for all you writers out there, too. It forgoes traditional arrow keys, instead making use of function keys and key combinations to get that stuff done. It will take a minute to get used to, but once you get that out of the way the small size is a huge benefit, as you’ll be able to take it anywhere you go. Plus, that sweet ‘thock’ sound of the Topre switches is a wonder to behold.
- This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Das Keyboard Prime 13
7. Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID
Interface: Bluetooth | Keyboard backlighting: No
Flawless style
Fingerprint scanner
Expensive
You just need to look at Microsoft’s Surface devices to know that they’re kind of killing it when it comes to design, and the Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID takes things to a whole new level. If you’re running Windows 10, and you’re into the Surface aesthetic, this is easily one of the best keyboards out there. Not only does it feel great, but it also features biometric security, by including a discrete fingerprint scanner right next to the “Alt” key. It is an expensive device, but as with everything Microsoft, you can be sure you’re getting what you’re paying for.
Read the full review: Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID
8. Leopold Fc660c
Has just enough keys to be useful
Interface: Wired | Switches: Topre electrostatic capacitive (45 grams)
Compact, but with arrow keys
Satisfying typing feel
Heavier than HHKB2
Leopold’s Fc660c is more portable than the Realforce 87u, but less so than the lighter and more compact HHKB2. However, the Fc660c benefits from its extra heft and feels like the more solid board. Despite having the same 45 gram actuation force as the HHKB2, the Leopold’s keys feel slightly weightier – somewhere nearer to 50 grams. It results one of the most satisfying “thock” sounds on a Topre board.
- This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the HyperX Alloy Elite
9. Unicomp Classic 104
The ultimate keyboard for typing nostalgia
Interface: Wired | Switches: Buckling spring
Snappy buckling spring switch
Retro design
Can lead to tired fingers
Big and bulky
Remember those old IBM Model M keyboards? Well, that’s what the Unicomp Classic 104 seeks to emulate. Available in both USB and PS/2 versions, it uses a buckling spring switch that takes more effort to press than just about every other modern switch. You’re rewarded for this hard pressing with a tactile response that feels like the classic mechanical keyboards of old, along with a noise that will drive everyone around you mad.
10. Das Keyboard Prime 13
Mixing minimalistic style with premium quality
Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: White | Switch type: Cherry MX Red or Brown switches
Cherry MX switches
Solid, minimalistic design
Pricey
No volume rocker
Some keyboards just ooze class, and the Das Keyboard Prime 13 is one of them. Its features a solid aluminum top panel for added rigidity and a very minimalistic look. With Cherry’s MX Red or Brown switches under the keycaps, you’re given a choice between linear and non-linear offerings with a range of actuation points.
It’s a great option for media enthusiasts thanks to side lit media control and the inclusion of white backlighting is another bonus. It’s not the most affordable keyboard on our list, but if you’re looking for something a little bit more premium, Das is the way to go.
11. Logitech K780
A great option for mobile device owners
Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: No
Pairs to three devices
Cradle holds smartphones and tablets
AA, rather than rechargeable battery
With its latest keyboard, Logitech is targeting smartphone and tablet owners who prefer to use their device while sat at a desk. And, if you were a fan of the predecessor, the K380, the Logitech K780 should be right up your alley, especially with its added number pad. This keyboard still has the ability to pair with three devices using Bluetooth or wireless, so you can swap between all your gadgets on the fly. And, thanks to its comfortable rounded keycaps, it’s still a pleasure to type on. The keyboard’s base is the star of the show, however, as it can hold mobile devices up to 11.3mm thick in an upright position. This places them within arms’ reach to make anything from replying to WhatsApp messages or reading a digital magazine easier than ever.
How to determine the best keyboard for you
It goes without saying that if you demand the look and feel only mechanical switches can provide, rather than those that are slim and stealthy, we suggest perusing our best gaming keyboards round-up instead.
Gamers prioritize the actuation that clicky feeling mechanical keyboards bring, whereas traditional home and office users are more about practicality. That said, the sheer magnitude of sound produced by a lot of mechanical keyboards is offputting to some. For those folks, we have some membrane keyboards to recommend as well.
Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article
