By definition, a mechanical keyboard has individual springs and mechanical switches under each key. Older users may fondly recall the classic buckling-spring switches on their IBM Model M warhorses, but today’s mechanical keyboards come in dozens of different flavors. You can get key switches to suit almost any taste, whether for a frenetic FPS, writing a novel, or simple spreadsheet jockeying. The common denominator is the springiness, the satisfying "click clack" with every key press. We've tested more than 100 keyboards since 2020, the majority of them mechanical, evaluating them on the basis of ergonomics, feature set, software, and, of course, value. Our current best mechanical keyboard overall for most users is the Razer Pro Type Ultra, but we've included more choices tailored to gaming, office use, tight budgets, ergonomics, and more. Below our picks, you'll find our deep-dive buying guide (including comparisons of all the key switch types).

If you're a computer user of, shall we say, "a certain age," you remember a time when a room-filling cacophony of clicking was synonymous with typing as words appeared...well, on a sheet of paper. Typewriters were, in a sense, the original mechanical keyboard, and generations of 20th-century office workers and aspiring novelists honed their typing chops on them. But as the hardy, ribbon-based machines gave way to computers, a different kind of mechanical keyboard came to the fore: the battlewagon keyboards of the early days of computing. And they were beasts. They used keys that clicked and rattled, and many of them felt like they would last forever. (Indeed, some of them are still in service.)

That's the appeal of today's mechanical computer keyboards: They feel like products built for the ages, in these days of disposable tech. Even throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, mechanical keyboards were as common a part of computer setups as floppy disk drives—because the people who were creating and using them knew what typing could, and should, be. Sadly, with the explosion of the home PC market in the 1990s and into the early 2000s, sturdy mechanical boards fell out of favor, as manufacturers looked for cheap, mass-market ways of getting tens of millions of people on their machines and online. Typing, that most basic of computing activities, became something you and your fingers had to endure, not enjoy, on subpar gear.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Luckily, the keyboard-quality pendulum has swung back in the other direction over the last decade. Mechanical keyboards are once again popular alternatives to the bundled cheapies. They cost more, but they are far more rugged than a run-of-the-mill model. And keyboard makers now make them in lots of flavors to serve most major subclasses of buyers: productivity-minded users (with plain models), gamers (with keyboards replete with LED bling and macro features), ergonomically minded folks, and more.

A mechanical keyboard is a bit of an investment, though, so here's what you need to know in order to make the right choice.

Is a Mechanical Keyboard Really Worth It?

First and foremost, the thing that defines a mechanical keyboard is the key switch it uses. Most budget keyboards today use dome-switch technology, which registers a keypress when you type and push down a silicone dome and connect two circuit-board traces. (This technology is also sometimes referred to as "membrane switch" or "rubber dome," with minor variations in the essential design.) Though this style is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, pressing the keys requires a relatively large amount of force, which can result in a heavy, mushy feel to the fingers and a lack of either tactile or auditory feedback when you type. Plus, after a fairly "short" time (five million keystrokes, give or take), the domes can lose their springiness or stop working altogether. So, you'll probably have to replace the keyboard at least once or twice over the life of the computer that you use it with.

Mechanical switches, by contrast, get rid of the silicone altogether. Pressing down on the key activates a real, physical switch, usually involving a spring as the pushback mechanism, that registers what you type. Because the parts used are much more substantial than those in dome-switch keyboards, mechanical keyboards typically have a much longer life span. (Many boast ratings of 50 million keystrokes or more per switch, and may well outlast the first—or fifth!—computer you use them with.) The typing feedback also creates a more direct relationship between your fingers and what appears on the screen. Because of the hardware involved, mechanical keyboards tend to be thicker, heavier, and more expensive than their dome-switch counterparts. They are more of an investment, but one that will pay off in sheer satisfaction if the quality of typing really matters to you.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

When shopping for a mechanical keyboard, you will want to pay attention, above all else, to the kind of switch it uses, and whether it offers auditory feedback (in other words, a click you can hear) or tactile feedback (a "bump" you can feel), or both. Also important is the amount of pressure that the switches require to activate (the "actuation force"). That will greatly affect its functionality and the possibility of finger fatigue.

Cherry MX Switches: What Color Is Best for a Mechanical Keyboard?

The best-known and most frequently encountered mechanical key switches come from a company called Cherry Industrial. These "Cherry MX" and "Cherry MX2A" switches come in a range of styles that offer different operation and feedback to better match your own personal preference, and the work or play you plan to do most on them. (Note that most have an actuation point of 2mm.) The latest Cherry mechanical key switch is the MX2A, which features a redesigned spring, as well as improved spring guidance in the switch’s stem. The MX2A supersedes the MX generation, though both share the same color types (discussed below), and plenty of keyboards are still available with the older MX variants.

The different types of Cherry MX keys are named for colors. This rundown of the most common Cherry switches will help you better match what you need with the mechanical keyboards you can buy. Keep in mind that some keyboard makers use switches of a similar style, made by companies other than Cherry. But most manufacturers maintain the same basic "color" scheme and related traits to help keep confusion down. (So, for example, Cherry MX Blue switches and Blue-style switches from other makers both tend to be clicky.) Razer is a big exception, and largely does its own thing, with its own color-scheme names for its proprietary Razer key switches. (For lots more detail on mechanical switches, see our deep-dive guide.)

Cherry MX Blue

A close approximation of the old-school buckling-spring switch (see below), but with a new-style mechanism, Cherry MX Blue switches are both tactile and clicky. With Blue switches, you feel as well as hear the completion of a keystroke (via a bump when it activates, and a distinct click). These switches are ideal for serious typists (many of whom insist that the switches deliver a turbocharging bounce you can't get anywhere else), but they are not best for gaming applications, as they have a rather higher actuation force (50 centi-Newtons, or cN) than you might prefer for a fast-twitch gun battle.

Another potential downside of the Blues: Some people find the keys' audible click quite loud (and possibly, annoying), which may cause problems in close quarters, whether at the office or at home. An office full of Cherry MX Blue keyboards will sound suspiciously like a big-city newsroom, circa 1935.

Cherry MX Black

With the highest actuation force of the standard Cherry varieties (60cN), the Cherry MX Black switch can come across as stiff. This type is thus less suitable for the kind of nimble key work most speed and touch typists depend on, and fast-fingered gamers tend to shun it. But this makes Black an excellent switch for cases where precision is paramount: entering mission-critical data (say, for an accountant or at a point-of-sale terminal) or for certain kinds of more deliberate gaming, as you will seldom have to worry about accidentally striking a key twice. Cherry MX Black switches are also neither tactile nor clicky.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Cherry MX Red

Similar to MX Black, Cherry MX Red switches lack both tactile and auditory feedback. But they have a lower actuation force (45cN), so they can be hit more quickly and more often, giving you the edge in any game demanding ultra-quick input. MX Red keyboards tend to be favored by gamers who play games that require fast-twitch actions. These same qualities, however, keep them from being a good choice if typing is your primary activity, as they make it easier to register more keystrokes than you intend or to trigger typos on a slightly stray stroke. Certain highly precise typists, though, will appreciate their light touch.

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Cherry MX Brown

If you spend about as much time scribing emails and Word documents as you do mowing down charging zombies in first-person shooters, the Cherry MX Brown switch may be for you. Its 45cN actuation force is identical to what you get from the Red switch and, like it, the switch isn't clicky, but it gives you the same typing-boosting tactile bump you get from Blue. It's often cited as a good balance for gaming and typing between the clicky MX Blues and the "fast" MX Reds.

Cherry MX Speed Silver

Much like MX Reds, Cherry MX Speed Silvers demand the same 45cN actuation force, albeit with a shorter actuation point of just 1.2mm. (Reds have a 2mm actuation point.) The total travel distance is shorter too, at 3.4mm as opposed to the 4mm travel distance of the Cherry MX Reds. Having to press down less of a distance contributes to these switches' namesake trait: speed. As a result, the delay between pressing down a key and performing an action is kept to a minimum, making Speed Silvers a refreshed favorite for gamers.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Other Cherry MX Switches

The above switches are the kinds you're most likely to find in a keyboard you purchase today, but Cherry's rainbow does extend a bit further to a few much less common types. Cherry Clear switches are tactile like Brown but possess a higher actuation force; Green switches can be considered stiff Blues, both tactile and clicky; and White switches are quieter Greens. Several other types have specialized uses (such as just for space bars), but they will seldom be identified as such on any package or marketing material.

Non-Cherry Mechanicals: Who Else Makes Key Switches (and Are They Any Good)?

Besides Cherry, there are plenty of mechanical switch options from various other companies. Kailh, Gateron, Razer, Corsair, and Logitech make some of the most common alternative switches, each with their own traits to help them stand out from Cherry's shadow. Some gaming keyboard switches, for example, have shorter actuation points to register your keypress action more quickly, while others might require less force. Magnetic switches (which use a magnet to detect key presses instead of metal contacts) and optical switches (which use infrared light and photoelectric switches to detect a key press) add even more wrinkles to your decision.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Razer, for example, offers Razer Green (tactile and clicky), Razer Orange (tactile and silent), and Razer Yellow (linear and silent) variants. The Razer Greens are most similar to Cherry MX Blue switches, Razer Oranges are closest to Cherry MX Browns, while Razer Yellows are congruent to Cherry MX Reds. Razer key switches exhibit unique travel distances and actuation points, too: Greens and Oranges are 4mm deep and actuate at 1.9mm, and Yellows are 3.5mm deep and actuate at 1.2mm.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

If you're planning on building your own custom mechanical keyboard or if you're investing in a keyboard with hot-swappable switches, the choices can feel endless, so be sure to refer to our mechanical key switch explainer to help you figure out what's right for you. Trying them in person is also recommended; we've tried imitation Blue, Brown, and other switches, and noted some subtle and not-so-subtle differences in feel from the Cherry standard. One major, common maker of Cherry-like key switches is Kaihua Electronics, better known by its subsidiary brand, Kailh. Kailh switches are often used in lower-cost mechanical models.

Major Features to Look for in a Mechanical Keyboard

Their switches aside, mechanical keyboards have the same feature considerations as other kinds of keyboards. You may want key backlighting, whether of one color or an entire spectrum, that you can program at your whim. ("Per-key" RGB backlighting, in which you can program each key across the whole RGB spectrum, is the ne plus ultra of key backlighting, but it adds to the cost. See our favorite RGB keyboards.) Multimedia controls, whether they're activated by pushing separate buttons or using a Function key to access a secondary ability on one of the standard keys, can make it easy to adjust volume or move backward and forward in your track list while playing music.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Look for convenience features such as a volume dial or roller. (Corsair is well known for nifty volume rollers on some of its high-end mechanical boards, but other makers have adopted them, too.) And dedicated macro buttons can be a real boon for gamers, saving you the trouble of executing tricky key combinations or menu manipulations every time you want to perform a common action.

Most mainstream and gaming models offer a 10-key numeric pad, which laptops frequently lack, and is a necessity for anyone who needs to tally numbers or enter data into a spreadsheet. So-called "tenkeyless" or ("TKL") models slice off the numeric pad in the interest of space savings and keeping your typing and mousing hands closer together. Bear that in mind if you're looking at gaming keyboards, as tenkeyless models are a recent trend, especially in that subclass. If you want to go even smaller, so-called "60%" keyboards eliminate even more keys. Check out our guide for everything you need to know about the category.

Mechanical keyboards can be particularly well-suited for use with Macs. Many come with Mac-compatible configuration software, and you can even remove the keytops from some models and replace them with Mac-specific keytops, such as Command and Option. Our roundup of the best keyboards for Macs gets into those details.

Click, Clack: Ready to Upgrade Your Typing Experience?

In any case, whatever you want from a keyboard, you can find a mechanical keyboard capable of making it a reality, with more heft, longevity, and style than you may have thought possible. Mechanical keyboards are back and here to stay, with more variety than ever for laser-focused typists, hard-core gamers, and everyone in between.

If you're not wedded to mechanical key switches, check out our overall roundup of the best general-purpose keyboards we've tested, as well as the best gaming keyboards. And if you're in the market for a pointing device to go with your keyboard, see our lists of the best computer mice and the best gaming mice.