Been liking keychron. Somewhat expensive but also nowhere near as expensive as it could be, especially given its quality
this post was submitted on 29 Jul 2026
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Keychron is my current preference. Open source firmware (QMK/ZMK), excellent build quality, highly customizable, and their stock QMK/ZMK firmware works with their web-based Keychron Launcher in any Chromium-based browser or you can use any other app that supports the VIA protocol. Keychron also has their own per-key RGB extension to the VIA protocol and I've recently added support for it in OpenRGB, so my Keychron keyboards sync with all my other lights. The only problem is their firmware has a limitation on the lighting configuration where each key has to be the same brightness in per-key RGB mode. I've opened a PR on their GitHub to fix it and flashed custom builds to my Keychron Q2 (QMK) and Keychron Q6 Ultra 8K (ZMK).
Iβve recently added support for it in OpenRGB
What? OMG. Can you link this? I've been struggling with HE and RGB without their official shitty webapp for some while.
I really enjoy my Keychron a lot.
aw this isn't about synthesizers :(
With a mechanical keyboard, you can get a set of keycaps to suit your preferred aesthetic- including pudding caps to let RGB lighting do the styling.
Been a big fan of Keychron for quite some time now.
On the cheap end of the spectrum, I have several $30 RedDragon mechanical keyboards that are still going strong after 5+ years of daily use.
My brain went a whole direction with "pudding caps." I had no idea that's what you called them.
I like my full size keychron keyboard with hot swap sockets personally (edit: mine is the keychron V6). Haven't tried many other "good" keyboards firsthand. They have all sorts of different sizes of keyboard available if you want something more compact. They sell their keyboards both as pre built and "barebones" (ie no keycaps or switches) with the idea that you can select the ideal switches for you and a set of keycaps that are the profile/aesthetic you are looking for.
Try to get one of their keyboards with QMK/VIA support. It's an open source keyboard firmware that you can compile and modify yourself. And since it's open source firmware, the likelihood that there is a keylogger or something snooping on what you're typing is incredibly slim ;)
You should check ducky one 3. I use the tkl macha version for the past few years and itβs awesome.
Pretty much no keyboard will collect data on you, they are too often made to cost to afford the extra brain power to do that fortunately.
Keyboards are nice in that a good one will get better with age and use as long as it is kept clean (or you are up to the task of cleaning a dirty one). This means you will benefit from getting a used one. What used ones are easy to get depends on where you live a little bit, but if you are ok with something loud I'd suggest a Unicomp (reliable, durable, high quality mechanical parts, made in USA). If you want something quieter I actually really like Mitsumi KFK keyboards, not always using USB but if you are using a desktop it will have a PS/2 plug for the KFK keyboard, they are quiet cheap but shockingly good, not mechanical but Mitsumi just did everything right when making them. You can also just snag whatever looks fun when you search "used mechanical keyboard" in ebay or craigslist, no need to overthink it, keyboard designs that aren't good died off during the cost cutting of the 90s and 00s.
Here is proof that I know what I'm talking about and also proof that you can ask me more questions without bothering me because I like to talk about keyboards: https://youtube.com/@mandarbmax
In my unfortunate opinion, Apple makes the best keyboards. Low profile keys, amazing scissor switch feel, strong and light aluminium case. They are just the best. I managed to pick one up second hand for quite cheap.
If you can get a prebuilt from NovelKeys or kbdfans it will be the best keyboard you ever owned.
I liked my Vortex Race3 so much i bought a second one for work when i used to commute. I'm glad i did, they seem to be discontinued now :( but its easily the best 75% layout i've used.
I've always heard Ducky is the go to entry keeb. I'm running one and so far pretty happy with it. Nothing fancy, just a full mechanical keyboard