These are the keyboards I’ve tested that aren’t good enough for the top spots or great across the board with no standout features. They don’t do things as well as their competition but are still solid in their own right.
Wooting 60HE+ for $175: Between an outdated mounting method and long wait times for delivery, I simply cannot recommend the 60HE over Keychron’s Q1 HE. While I think it’s a fantastic Hall effect keyboard, it doesn’t have the same polish and refinement as the Keychron offers. The 60HE still uses a tray-mount system that, while modular, doesn’t sound or feel great when typing. Along with that, the plastic case is disappointing for the price; it used to be an acceptable trade-off for customizable Hall effect switches, but Keychron offers a full-metal, gasket-mounted keyboard for about $50 more, and it feels I think the improvements are worth the money unless you prefer a 60% layout or want the ability to use the 60HE’s wide range of aftermarket cases.
Cherry KC 200 MX for $90: The KC 200 MX is an incredibly simple and barebones keyboard that doesn’t add anything new, or take anything away. It’s a full-size mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX2A switches, a metal plate, and almost nothing else. It’s not customizable, it’s not programmable, but I can say for sure that it’s going to be durable, reliable, and somehow quite enjoyable to type on for years to come.
Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional Hybrid Type-S for $259: While the new Studio has replaced this model as my choice for programmers, this older version is still great if you want something simpler, or have a different typing feel. The layout is still nice and the Topre switches—a fairly membrane, semi-mechanical switch with a deep typing sound and a unique, rounded tactility—are a joy to type on. Plus, these keyboards have an extensive community with aftermarket parts and guides on how to modify them. The Pro Hybrid Type-S model specifically comes with extras like Bluetooth connectivity and silencing rings. It’s also reprogrammable using HHKB’s proprietary app, although there’s not much reason to change the existing layout unless you want a specific macro or function layer change. It’s very easy to find on the used market for about half the price, making it a more reasonable alternative to the Studio.
Melgeek Made68 for $119: With a more minimal approach to its design and a stylish white-and-purple color scheme, Made68 has a great desk presence that stands out from the crowd. Plus, the deep customization of the Hall Effect switches provided by Melgeek’s Gateron means that incredibly granular adjustments can be made to the typing experience of this keyboard, even up to distance of actuation of individual keys. The exterior can also be customized, with removable side panels and a swappable rear light diffuser. The diffusers are currently available in black, green, and red each with new silver side panels. However, you will need a screwdriver set to remove any of these panels, as an Allen wrench is not included with the keyboard. Overall, the Made68 sounds and feels great to type on. The tray-mount isn’t perfect for typing feel, but typical typing consistency issues aren’t as noticeable here as other similar keyboards. At this price, a slightly erratic typing experience is a worthwhile tradeoff for customizable Hall Effect switches and a satisfying typing sound.
Melgeek Cyber01 for $169: Taking a strikingly maximalist approach to keyboard design, the Cyber01 is pretty much straight out Cyberpunk 2077. With blocky, futuristic fonts and gritty sci-fi graphics plastered on polycarbonate keycaps and chunky plastic cases, this keyboard feels like a modern twist on the stylish gaming peripherals of the 2000s. A bit gaudy, but this keyboard surprised me. The Hall Effect switches, while noticeably soft on the bottom, are incredibly smooth and responsive, and the case is pretty solid too. Actuation distances of the switches can be adjusted using Melgeek’s Hive software (although it took me some troubleshooting to get those features to work). My biggest issue was the sub-par typing sound, with noticeable rattles and dead spots resulting from the tray-mount assembly and unusual design. While I feel like every other Hall Effect keyboard beats this keyboard in at least one way (including Made68 above), I don’t think this keyboard is that bad. If you love styling, this might be the keyboard for you.
