this post was submitted on 07 Aug 2023
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Mechanical Keyboards

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I want to buy a new mech board but not looking to drop a lot of money on it. What's the best pre-built budget mech keyboard you've ever tried? ~$100 or less.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron Keychron.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Yep! I'm going to go with the C1 Pro for $80!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

If you're not against buying chinese products, Redragon has a good reputation and I'm satisfied with my keyboard from them

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Agreed, my wife and I both have a red dragon and they serve their purpose while being pleasant.

[–] Itsamelemmy 1 points 1 year ago

I've only tried keychron and redragon, but the keychrons feel quite a bit better. The C2 is budget friendly. Only issue I had was the white keys with white back light. But I'm pretty sure they come in different colors or rgb for under $100.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Take a look at the 8bitdo keyboard.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Keychron and nothing else. None of the gaming branded keyboards even come close, the value is insane.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Keychrons are nice at the US$100 budget, but if you go really cheap there are some bargains to be had. Akko makes some nice stuff, and the Chinese ecommerce sites are swamped with decent stuff that goes on sale at various times.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Akko boards are nice too, but keychron has consistently been better at the same price for all the ones I tried.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

It depends on where you live. A quick rerview with local seller to get what in stock first. I live in third world country. The entry level usually: Akko, Keychron, NJ

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If you do not mind 60% keyboards, some of the Dierya products might be the way to go, e.g.:

Both are available with brown, red or blue switches. Comes in nice packaging for budget keyboard (here some unpacking, testing and review).

I have the Dierya DK61SE. It is nicely built, and I can take in my work laptop case, if I am traveling and working away from office, but wanna use a mechanical keyboard instead of my laptop built-in keyboard.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I looked into getting these, too! I ended up being gifted a keychron C1. I really like it. Then I got GSA caps and Fekker switches, and now I love it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

If you want ULTRA budget, I've used this cheap ass keyboard daily for 4 years now: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CLYNW78/

I've beat the crap out of it, but it's still good as new. Some of the switches I've swapped out for Silent Black since my newborn was sleeping next to me at the time, but the original switches all work fine. It's got all the RGB bells and whistles, but I leave it on white.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I'm super happy with my keychain c1, though it is my first so I've got nothing to compare to. dunno how much I paid, wasn't much tho

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I am a big TLK fan so I opted to get a Keychron K8 - it's got bluetooth, solderless replaceable switches, VIA keymapping, RGB LED lighting etc.

Overall I'm very pleased with the keyboard for the price

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

Sharkoon Skiller Mech SGK3. It's a full size keyboard, if that doesn't put you off. Featuring a heavy sheet of metal for the surface, and you can choose from linear, tactile and clicky switches (non-swappable). For 60-80 €, that's a real steal.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago

We have 2 Tecware Phantom RGB at home that have been great. They have a decent number of options and we'll under $100.

I just use the RGB for backlighting, but SO had the pudding caps and they look great if you're into that. The software hasn't been too bad for us either.