Gaming keyboards are convenient and useful not only in games, but also in professional work. And if games are your main income (letsplays, streams, eSports), then doubly so. Typing tales of text, editing photos and videos, drawing 3D models, and drafting CAD designs are all faster with ergonomic input devices. Instead of a budget membrane keyboard, it is better to look at a mechanical one, which is a return to basics (before, all claves were mechanical), or a scissor one, that is, a compromise between the mechanics with a deep keystroke and a membrane one with a short one.

Ergo KB-930 Mini is the most compact 60% mechanical keyboard (less than 30 cm long). Compared to competitors, it has dedicated cursor control arrows. Usually, only the larger 65% of the model can boast of this. But the top row of keys F1 – F12 is missing, they are pressed through a combination of Fn and numbers. The backlight is not represented by a full-fledged RGB, but by a simplified Rainbow, which includes 14 preset modes, which, however, is quite enough. The cable is made detachable USB Type-C for easy transportation.

Switches are used by clicking Youhua Blue with a resource of up to 50 million clicks. They have a pronounced tactile and audible response. That is, the moment of operation is well distinguishable by fingers and by ear, and the pressing force is average. Perhaps it is with the blue switches that you should start your acquaintance with mechanical keyboards. Due to its moderate price, the Ergo KB-930 Mini is perfect for your first mechanic. And there already decide if you need other switches, more keys, a low-profile design, and so on.

Pros : Most compact format 60%, there are dedicated arrow keys.
Cons : No F1 – F12 keys (pressed via Fn).

The Xtrfy K4 TKL RGB Retro is a Swedish 87% Medium Format Mechanism or TKL which stands for Ten-Keys-Less. The only loss compared to full-size keyboards is the calculator’s number pad on the right. Accountants will be upset, but gamers, on the contrary, are happy, because there will be more space on the table for running with the mouse. In addition to black and white, there is a Retro colorway that mimics keyboards from the 1990s – as if grayed with time.

Inside the Xtrfy K4 TKL there is a steel plate, which gives the structure strength and weight, in order to avoid slipping on the table. And also a foam pad to muffle the metallic ringing during keycaps hitting the substrate. Kailh Red linear switches without audible and tactile feedback, as well as long key stabilizers, are lubricated at the factory for the smoothest operation. Only fans of frameless skeleton design may not like the K4 TKL. For this case, the Xtrfy range includes 65% of the K5 Compact model.

Pros : Medium size 87%, noise absorbing foam padding, factory lubricated switches and stabilizers.
Cons : The short left shift won’t appeal to everyone.

The Cougar Vantar AX is an ultra-thin, full-size keyboard with an all-aluminum chassis and scissor switches. Approximately half the thickness of a typical mechanical keyboard (15mm versus 35mm at the bottom). But if desired, you can slightly raise the rear edge with the help of retractable legs, of course with rubber gaskets. Scissor switches are the lowest profile available. Thanks to this, the keys have a very short travel, a la a laptop, and low keycaps.

The minus of scissors is that they clog more easily than others, it is clearly not worth eating at this keyboard often. There is no 100% Anti-Ghosting, only 17 keys are pressed at the same time. However, why Anti-Ghosting is needed at all for more than 10 fingers is a moot point. Unless for programming macros. ANSI layout, that is, with a long left Shift and a one-story Enter. In addition to the “male” metallic colors of the Cougar Vantar AX, there is also a “ladies'” pink.

Pros : The thinnest aluminum case, scissor switches.
Cons : Read only 17 keys at a time.

Bloody B810RC is a gaming keyboard with 100 million keystroke progressive optical-mechanical Light Strike switches. In terms of sound and tactile sensations, they repeat the clicking mechanics, but the principle of reading clicks is different. The operation does not occur by closing the metal contacts, but by interrupting the light beam. This is significantly faster – only 0.2 ms versus a typical 1 ms. In a dynamic multiplayer game where milliseconds count, it’s quite possible to call your opponent faster.

In addition, the printed circuit board has an anti-corrosion coating, and drainage holes have been made in the case. Washing the keyboard under the tap, of course, is not worth it, but it will survive half a glass of an accidentally spilled drink without consequences. The keyboard frame is made easily removable with magnets. This allows you to change the design (classic or skeleton) and color (black or yellow). The Punk Yellow color scheme is clearly stylized for the Cyberpunk 2077 game. And with the help of the proprietary Bloody application, you can fine-tune the RGB lighting and share your saved profile with friends.

Pros : Fastest optical switches, removable magnetic frame, anti-corrosion coating and drainage holes.
Cons : If you need quieter switches.

Patriot Viper V765 is a full-size gaming keyboard with Kailh Red soft linear switches, and not ordinary ones, but Box. This index means moisture and dust protection of the switches directly according to the IP56 standard. There is also a version of the keyboard on the Kailh White Box – this is an analogue of clicking blue ones. The keyboard substrate is made of unpolished aluminum, and not only keycaps are highlighted, but also the side ends. The anti-ghosting is complete and the cable is nylon braided.

The wide wrist pad is attached with magnets, which makes it easy to remove if there is not enough space on the table. There are four dedicated music or video controls, as well as a handy volume rocker. Other useful hotkeys are implemented via Fn. Viper’s configuration app lets you customize the RGB lighting to 16.8 million colors, as well as program macros. These are complex keystroke sequences that can be useful both at work and in games, such as magic spells in MMORPGs.

Pros : Switches with moisture protection, metal substrate, backlighting of keys and ends of the case, volume control roller.
Cons : No dedicated macro keys.

We also recommend reading the article “Rare animals: TOP 5 unusual gaming mice” .