What Makes a Good Budget Mechanical Keyboard

Mechanical keyboards continue to become more affordable, making it easier than ever to get a high-quality typing or gaming experience without spending a fortune. Gizmochina Features that were enthusiast-only a few years ago are now standard on sub-$60 boards: gasket mounting for softer typing feel, hot-swappable switches so you can change them without soldering, and wireless connectivity via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz.

Switch type is personal preference. Linear switches (smooth press, no bump) suit gaming and fast typists. Tactile switches (bump halfway down) give satisfying feedback for typing. Clicky switches add an audible click but annoy office neighbours. Most budget boards ship with decent stock switches, but hot-swap capability means you can upgrade later.

There are plenty of budget-friendly mechanical keyboards available that deliver a satisfying typing experience for less than $100, with some solid options closer to $50. Tom's Hardware

Our Top Picks

Keychron C2 Pro (around $45 to $65) The Keychron C2 Pro shows that a full-size mechanical keyboard with enthusiast features can still be affordable. Gizmochina Starting at around $44 for the base version, this 100% layout targets productivity users who need a number pad without sacrificing quality. The C2 Pro stands out for its starting price, double-shot PBT keycaps, and support for programming and customizing via the Keychron Launcher. Tom's Hardware The removable braided cable makes travel and replacement easy.

Royal Kludge R65 (around $50 to $60) The Royal Kludge R65 brings a lot of refinement to the compact keyboard segment and stands out as one of the best budget 65% wired or wireless boards with enthusiast-friendly features. Gizmochina The gasket-mounted structure with five layers of internal sound dampening gives it a muted typing sound that rivals more expensive custom boards. Metal knob for volume control adds a premium touch.

Gamakay x NaughShark NS68 (around $50 to $70) The Gamakay x NaughShark NS68 is the best budget gaming keyboard thanks to all of the extra features it packs into a low-cost package. PC Gamer A powerful gaming keyboard that makes a bit of a mockery of more expensive rivals with beefy Hall effect switches, pleasant physical touches and decent software. PC Gamer Features like rapid trigger (adjustable actuation points) were unheard of at this price just last year.

JamesDonkey J2 (around $35 to $59) The JamesDonkey J2 remains one of the most complete budget 75% keyboards you can buy in 2025, delivering a well-rounded feature set that rivals far more expensive boards. Gizmochina It supports QMK/VIA for full key remapping, has gasket mounting with sound-absorbing foam, and offers 2.4GHz wireless at 1000Hz polling rate for gaming alongside Bluetooth for everyday use.

The Bottom Line

Budget mechanical keyboards have never been better. For typing and productivity, the Keychron C2 Pro offers unbeatable value in a full-size layout. Gamers should look at the Gamakay NS68 for its Hall effect switches and rapid trigger at an absurd price. And if you want wireless flexibility in a compact package, the JamesDonkey J2 or Royal Kludge R65 won't disappoint. The clicky life awaits