Keychron expands lineup as mechanical keyboard trend widens

The appeal is mostly about how typing feels and sounds. In a mechanical keyboard, every key sits on its own small switch with a spring, rather than pressing down on a shared rubber sheet like most laptop and office keyboards. That gives each press a clearer, more satisfying response.

The sound is a big part of the draw too. Some people find the clacking annoying, but plenty of buyers choose a board for exactly that noise, and keyboard typing sounds have become a genre of ASMR videos online.

Fans also point to a few practical perks:

• You can swap the keycaps, the plastic tops of the keys, for other sets, and there is a whole side market selling them.
• They tend to be durable and easier to repair, since single parts can be replaced.
• Setup is simple: unbox it, flip out the tilt legs if you want a better angle, and plug it in.

Then there’s nostalgia. Many of these boards borrow the chunky, workmanlike look of older computers, which stands out next to today’s thin, minimalist gear.

Keychron got its start through a Kickstarter campaign in 2017. Since then it has made dozens of keyboards, plus keypads and mice, and has become one of the best-known names in the hobby. When one tech newsroom recently asked its staff what they type on, Keychron and NuPhy were the brands that came up most.

The K2 is still the entry point. It costs about $60, ships with a USB cable and can also connect over Bluetooth, which is handy if you want fewer wires on your desk. Some owners say its standard switches are on the loud side, so it’s worth checking which switch option you’re buying.

Above the K2, Keychron’s refreshed K, Q and V series mostly sit between about $100 and $200, depending on materials and features. Its high-end Q6 Ultra 8K, a full-size aluminum board, lists at $239.99.

Keychron’s recent releases lean hard on looks and new switch tech. The K8 HE Wireless Magnetic Switch Custom Keyboard has an all-wood body and LED backlighting, and costs around $200, more than three times the price of a K2.

The HE in that name stands for Hall effect. Instead of a metal contact closing when you press a key, these switches use a magnet and a sensor to measure exactly how far the key has moved. That means you can set how deep a press has to go before it registers, which gamers like for fast reactions.

Keychron has kept adding to that line. In late October it released the Q19 HE 8K, a compact 60% board (one without the number pad, arrow cluster or function row) with a CNC-machined aluminum case in a weathered patina finish, a compass-themed escape key and serif-style key legends. It is wired only, using USB-C, and Keychron’s web app lets you change each key’s actuation point and set up macros.

For gamers there’s also the C0 HE One-Handed 8K Keyboard, a keypad with an industrial look built for speed. It was sold out when it was first highlighted, so availability may vary.

The good news for most people is that a great typing experience is now cheap. Many switches now come pre-lubricated from the factory, so even boards under $100 can sound and feel good straight out of the box. Enthusiasts used to spend hours modding budget boards to get that result.

A few alternatives to Keychron worth knowing:

• The NuPhy Node75 lists at $99.95 and is praised for a soft, quiet, cushioned feel and very long battery life.
• The Ducky OK-M-98, at $89.99, is a good starter board with hot-swappable keys, though its plastic body feels cheap.
• The Wooting 80HE is a premium, wired-only Hall effect board aimed at competitive gamers.

There’s one real downside to consider before you buy. Mechanical keyboards can be loud enough for people on a video call to notice. One editor said colleagues kept asking about the background noise, and he went back to a quieter keyboard. If you take a lot of calls, look for linear or silent switches.

Start with size. A full-size board has a number pad, a tenkeyless board drops it, and compact 65% or 60% layouts save even more desk space by cutting extra keys.

Next, decide on connection. Wired is simplest and has the lowest lag for gaming. Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz wireless receiver keeps your desk tidy and lets you switch between a laptop and a tablet.

Then think about switches. Clicky switches are loud and tactile, linear ones are smooth and quieter, and Hall effect switches let you fine-tune how sensitive each key is. If you can, try a few in a store before you commit, and pick a hot-swappable board so you can change switches later without soldering.