9 Recommended Keyboards For Programmers (By A Programmer)

Looking for a good keyboard? Here’s a list of my picks – By a programmer, for programmers. But a quick disclaimer, a “good keyboard” is subjective. Some of you guys may be looking for a keyboard that is good for typing, others want a portable one, an affordable one, or maybe even a weird funky one.

So this is not a list of “so long as the keyboard is mechanical and RGB”, but a range of different keyboards. Hopefully, that will help you to make a better choice – Read on!

 

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• Thank you if you decide to pick up the recommendations!

 

 

1) KEYCHRON

Keychron offers a whole range of keyboards, and I am currently using a Keychron K10 full-sized keyboard. It has fully customizable keycaps, switches, RGB, and supports both wired/wireless. What else can I say? I regret not buying this earlier.

3.5/5 Ergonomics	Pretty much “a regular rectangular keyboard”. Just get a wrist rest, and it’s not so bad.
5/5 Haptics	It’s a fully customizable keyboard. Clicky, clacky, tactile, mushy, rubbery, noisy, silent – You decide.
3.5/5 Design	Even though the keycaps can be swapped, the “baseboard” is still “a boring rectangle”.
4/5 Value	Some people may consider a hundred bucks to be “expensive” – But for a keyboard with a solid build, good quality, and fully customizable? That’s good value for money.

 

2) LOGITECH MX KEYS

The MX Keys is a full-sized slim keyboard that is made for professionals, and there is a smaller MX Keys Mini variant too. Pair this with an MX Mouse, and it makes a sleek combination.

4/5 Ergonomics	Kind of surprising for a slim profile keyboard, it feels stable and comfortable to type on for long periods.
3.5/5 Haptics	MX Keys is not mechanical, but don’t get me wrong – It is still tactile and “not a mushy keyboard”.
4/5 Design	Slim and clean. Perfect for people who want a “less busy” setup.
4/5 Value	Apart from being a mighty decent slim keyboard, the true value lies in Logitech Flow – Use one keyboard/mouse to control your laptop and desktop. No need for additional KVM switches and hubs.

 

 

3) HHKB PROFESSIONAL HYBRID

HHKB stands for “Happy Hacking Keyboard”, and it is made by the Japanese company PFU Limited (A Ricoh Company). As you may have guessed from the funky name, these are specially made for programmers and hackers. Although pricey, these 60% “hacker keyboards” are guaranteed to have some serious quality.

4/5 Ergonomics	Comfortable compact keyboards. Portable and lightweight, good for programmers who move around quite a bit.
4/5 Haptics	HHKB does not use the “regular” mechanical switches, but they are still tactile and nice to type on… Way better than any crappy flat laptop keyboard.
5/5 Design	HHKB is known for its minimal and clean design, even an option for “unmarked keys”. In this age of “everything RGB”, no other keyboards stand out like an unmarked HHKB.
3.5/5 Value	The downside of HHKB, it’s expensive. While some people may argue that there are cheaper compact keyboards, you are pretty much buying HHKB for its “brand and identity”.

 

4) ROYAL KLUDGE RK61

Now for a budget-friendly keyboard, the Royal Kludge RK61. Yep, several netizens also recommended this as a good buy – Not difficult to see why, as this only costs about half of “other mechanical keyboards”.

3.5/5 Ergonomics	Compact portable keyboard, comfortable to work with. Buy a wrist rest for added comfort.
5/5 Haptics	Fully customizable, pick your switches and keycaps.
3.5/5 Design	A few color variants to choose from. Not too shabby, simple, and customizable.
4.5/5 Value	Some cost-cutting measures are taken, such as a “minimal plastic body”, “budget mechanical switches”, and “no RGB”. But for a mechanical keyboard at this price point, it is a steal for sure.

 

 

5) RAPOO V500 

This is yet another budget-friendly option, the Rapoo V500 (TKL) and V500Pro (full size). Some may cringe at Rapoo being a Chinese company, but let’s face it. Xiaomi, Huawei, and Vivo are all Chinese brands, and they offer quality products. This keyboard is not too bad either.

3.5/5 Ergonomics	Another “common layout keyboard”, get your own wrist rest.
3.5/5 Haptics	A couple of switch options to choose from. The keycaps are swappable, but not the switches.
2.5/5 Design	A few color variants to choose from, but I just can’t bring myself to like the branding and funky colors.
4/5 Value	Once again, these budget keyboards have some cost-cutting measures. Don’t expect a “solid build with excellent quality”, but these are still very decent keyboards given the price.

 

6) LOGITECH MULTI-DEVICE KEYBOARDS

If you want Logitech Flow, but find the MX series too expensive – Logitech also offers several “affordable multiple device keyboards” with their K series.

3+/5 Ergonomics	Depending on which one you get, but most Logitech keyboards are pretty decent with ergonomics.
2+/5 Haptics	The thing about budget keyboards is that most are membrane. Expect a “flat and rubbery” feel, with almost zero tactile… At least they are quiet.
3+/5 Design	Depending on the keyboard again. But personally, I am pretty chill with Logitech’s “not too much RGB” aesthetics for their professional and budget lines.
4/5 Value	Well, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with membrane keyboards. Some of them even outlast mechanical ones… If a budget keyboard comes with a good build and excellent features, why not?

 

 

7) QWERKYWRITER TYPEWRITER KEYBOARD

We are now into the last section of the recommendations – Quirky keyboards. If you want a retro keyboard that turns heads, this one is for you.

3/5 Ergonomics	As much as I love this keyboard, the rounded keys are not for everyone. It’s not terrible, but it’s not great either.
4/5 Haptics	It’s mechanical and it’s noisy. What do you expect from a typewriter?
5/5 Design	This keyboard is unique and smashes the “retro feel”.
2.5/5 Value	Yikes, it’s an expensive toy. Not for everyone, but it sure attracts attention.

 

8) AZIO RETRO KEYBOARD

Not willing to spend too much on a typewriter keyboard? Fear not, a company called Azio produces quite a few different variations of classic vintage steampunk-ish keyboards. Although they are still a little pricey, they are super unique and the designs are nice.

3/5 Ergonomics	Once again, the rounded keys are not for everyone.
4/5 Haptics	These Azio retro keyboards are mechanical, with a few choices of switches.
5/5 Design	Nice vintage, retro, steampunk design.
3.5/5 Value	Costs just about the same as a “regular mechanical keyboard”, I guess its “value” depends on how much you love the design.

 

 

9) IBM MODEL M

Once upon a time, these unassuming grey IBM keyboards were everywhere. Nobody cared much, as it’s pretty much the “standard keyboard”… But who knew, they would become collector items these days?

4/5 Ergonomics	Even though these ancient keyboards are missing some “modern keys”, they are still well-designed full-sized keyboards.
3.5/5 Haptics	FYI, these are the original mechanical keyboards. Not customizable like the modern ones, but there’s a good reason why they last so long and are still functioning after decades.
2/5 Design	Well… It’s grey. Nothing to see here, move on.
3.5/5 Value	If you are a collector of “vintage computer stuff”, you will love this. Even though it now needs an additional USB converter to work.