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Keyboard Brand Guide: From Budget to Premium

7 min read

Keyboard Brand Guide

The mechanical keyboard market has dozens of brands, from budget-friendly to ultra-premium. This guide helps you understand each brand’s strengths, weaknesses, and target audience.

Brand Categories

Budget-Friendly ($50-$100)

Entry-level quality, great value, perfect first mechanical keyboard.

Mid-Range ($100-$200)

Enthusiast quality, solid construction, better switches and keycaps.

Premium ($200-$400)

High-end materials, excellent build quality, customization features.

Custom/Enthusiast ($400+)

Boutique brands, group buys, ultimate quality, limited availability.

Budget Brands ($50-$100)

Redragon

Country: China Price Range: $40-$90 Best For: First mechanical keyboard, gaming on a budget

Strengths:

  • Very affordable entry point
  • RGB lighting options
  • Outemu switches (serviceable)
  • Full-size and TKL layouts

Weaknesses:

  • Lower build quality (plastic cases)
  • ABS keycaps shine quickly
  • Outemu switches scratchier than alternatives
  • Minimal customization

Popular Models:

  • K552 Kumara (TKL, $40-50) - Best budget TKL
  • K556 Devarajas (Full-size, $60) - Budget brown switch option
  • K580 VATA (Wireless, $70) - Budget wireless option

Verdict: Perfect for testing if you like mechanical keyboards before investing more.

Royal Kludge (RK)

Country: China Price Range: $50-$100 Best For: Budget wireless keyboards, compact layouts

Strengths:

  • Excellent wireless implementation (Bluetooth + 2.4GHz)
  • Hot-swap options at budget prices
  • Compact layouts (65%, 75%)
  • Good stock switches

Weaknesses:

  • Plastic cases (can feel hollow)
  • Software hit-or-miss
  • Inconsistent QC

Popular Models:

  • RK61 (60%, $50) - Budget wireless 60%
  • RK68 (65%, $60) - Great wireless 65%
  • RK84 (75%, $70-80) - Budget wireless 75%
  • RK100 (96%, $90) - Full-size wireless

Verdict: Best budget wireless keyboards. Hot-swap models offer great value.

Keychron (C-Series)

Country: Hong Kong/China Price Range: $50-$70 (C-series) Best For: Mac users, budget-conscious buyers wanting quality

Strengths:

  • Mac and Windows compatibility
  • Excellent value for money
  • Gateron switches (smooth)
  • Hot-swap options
  • Wireless options

Weaknesses:

  • C-series has taller profile (not low-profile)
  • Stabilizers need work
  • Basic plastic cases

Popular Models:

  • C1 (Full-size, $50)
  • C2 (TKL, $55)
  • K2 (75%, $70 wired / $80 wireless)

Verdict: Best budget brand overall. Keychron C-series beats competition at this price.

Mid-Range Brands ($100-$200)

Keychron (Q & V Series)

Country: Hong Kong/China Price Range: $100-$200 Best For: First custom keyboard experience, hot-swap enthusiasts

Strengths:

  • Aluminum cases (Q-series)
  • Hot-swap PCBs
  • QMK/VIA support
  • Gasket mount (Q-series)
  • Excellent value
  • Screw-in stabilizers

Weaknesses:

  • Stock stabilizers need tuning
  • Heavier than alternatives
  • Limited aesthetic variety

Popular Models:

  • Q1 (75%, $170) - Enthusiast 75%, incredible value
  • Q2 (65%, $170) - Compact aluminum gasket mount
  • Q3 (TKL, $180) - TKL gasket mount
  • V1 (75%, $100) - Budget gasket mount (plastic)

Verdict: Best value in mid-range. Q-series competes with $300+ keyboards.

Ducky

Country: Taiwan Price Range: $110-$180 Best For: Reliable prebuilts, no-fuss quality

Strengths:

  • Excellent build quality
  • Cherry MX switches (genuine)
  • PBT keycaps
  • Great stabilizers
  • Proven reliability

Weaknesses:

  • Not hot-swap
  • Limited customization
  • Harder to find in stock
  • Basic aesthetics

Popular Models:

  • Ducky One 3 (Various sizes, $130-150) - Solid all-around
  • Ducky One 2 Mini (60%, $120) - Compact classic
  • Ducky Shine 7 (Full-size, $180) - Premium RGB

Verdict: “Toyota of keyboards” - reliable, well-built, no surprises.

Varmilo

Country: China/Taiwan Price Range: $120-$200 Best For: Aesthetics, premium keycaps, office use

Strengths:

  • Beautiful aesthetics (floral, minimalist themes)
  • Top-tier PBT keycaps (dye-sub)
  • Excellent stabilizers
  • Cherry MX or EC switches
  • Silent options

Weaknesses:

  • Not hot-swap
  • Limited availability
  • Expensive for features
  • No RGB (mostly)

Popular Models:

  • Varmilo VA87M (TKL, $140-180) - Premium TKL
  • Varmilo MA108M (Full-size, $150-200) - Beautiful full-size
  • Varmilo MIYA Pro (65%, $140-160) - Compact premium

Verdict: Best aesthetics and keycap quality in mid-range. Office-friendly.

Leopold

Country: South Korea Price Range: $110-$150 Best For: Typing purists, minimal aesthetics, office use

Strengths:

  • Best stabilizers in the business (stock)
  • Exceptional typing feel
  • Ultra-reliable build quality
  • Silent options
  • No bloat (no RGB, no software)

Weaknesses:

  • No hot-swap
  • Minimal customization
  • No RGB or fancy features
  • Harder to find

Popular Models:

  • FC660M (65%, $120) - Legendary compact layout
  • FC750R (TKL, $120) - Perfect TKL typing experience
  • FC900R (Full-size, $130) - Premium full-size

Verdict: Best typing feel, stock. No frills, just perfection.

Akko

Country: China Price Range: $80-$150 Best For: Budget enthusiasts, switch variety, creativity

Strengths:

  • Wide switch variety (Akko switches are great)
  • Fun aesthetics and themes
  • Hot-swap options
  • PBT keycaps
  • Good value

Weaknesses:

  • Build quality inconsistent
  • Software basic
  • QC issues occasionally

Popular Models:

  • Akko 3068B (65%, $90) - Budget Bluetooth 65%
  • Akko MOD 007 HE (75%, $140) - Hall effect switches
  • Akko PC75B Plus (75%, $120) - Good mid-range 75%

Verdict: Creative designs, good switches, hit-or-miss QC.

Premium Brands ($200-$400)

GMMK Pro / Glorious

Country: USA Price Range: $170-$200 (GMMK Pro) Best For: Customizers, modders, hot-swap enthusiasts

Strengths:

  • Fully modular (hot-swap everything)
  • Aluminum case
  • Gasket mount
  • Great starting platform for modding
  • Wide accessory ecosystem

Weaknesses:

  • Stock sound needs improvement
  • Stabilizers need tuning
  • Plate/gasket needs modding

Popular Models:

  • GMMK Pro (75%, $170) - Modder’s dream
  • GMMK 2 (Various sizes, $120-140) - Mid-range hot-swap
  • GMMK Numpad ($50) - Standalone numpad

Verdict: Best platform for learning modding and customization.

KBDfans

Country: China Price Range: $200-$400+ Best For: Custom builds, group buys, DIY kits

Strengths:

  • Massive selection (cases, PCBs, switches, keycaps)
  • DIY kits for builders
  • Aluminum cases, quality materials
  • Community favorite
  • Good documentation

Weaknesses:

  • Requires assembly knowledge
  • Shipping from China
  • Stock varies
  • Can get expensive

Popular Models:

  • KBD67 Lite ($110 kit) - Budget custom kit
  • KBD67 MKII ($200-300) - Premium 65%
  • Tofu65 ($180-250) - Popular 65% case
  • D65 ($350+) - High-end gasket mount

Verdict: Best for DIY builders wanting custom experiences at reasonable prices.

Mode Designs

Country: USA Price Range: $300-$500 Best For: Premium builds, aesthetics, top-tier quality

Strengths:

  • Exceptional build quality
  • Beautiful anodization and finishes
  • Innovative mounting systems
  • Excellent customer support
  • Top-shelf typing experience

Weaknesses:

  • Expensive
  • Limited stock (group buys)
  • Wait times

Popular Models:

  • Mode Sonnet (75%, $350-450) - Premium 75%
  • Mode Envoy (65%, $300-400) - Compact premium
  • Mode Eighty (TKL, $400-500) - High-end TKL

Verdict: Premium quality, premium price. Endgame material.

IQUNIX

Country: China Price Range: $200-$300 Best For: Unique aesthetics, wireless premium keyboards

Strengths:

  • Unique designs (OG80, F-series)
  • Aluminum cases
  • Wireless options
  • Aesthetic variety

Weaknesses:

  • Expensive for features
  • Limited availability outside China
  • Software in English can be rough

Popular Models:

  • IQUNIX F96 (96%, $250) - Wireless aluminum full-size
  • IQUNIX OG80 (TKL, $280) - Beautiful wireless TKL

Verdict: Beautiful keyboards if you can find them.

Enthusiast/Custom Brands ($400+)

Sangeo

Country: South Korea Price Range: $400-$600 Best For: Enthusiasts, unique layouts, top-tier builds

Strengths:

  • Unique designs
  • Exceptional build quality
  • Limited runs
  • Community prestige

Weaknesses:

  • Very expensive
  • Hard to obtain (group buys)
  • Long wait times

Popular Models:

  • Sangeo60 (60%, $400+)
  • Sangeo65 (65%, $450+)

Verdict: For collectors and enthusiasts chasing perfection.

Rama Works

Country: Australia Price Range: $500-$1,000+ Best For: Aesthetic perfection, collectors, showpiece keyboards

Strengths:

  • Stunning aesthetics
  • CNC machined perfection
  • Innovative designs
  • Collectible value

Weaknesses:

  • Extremely expensive
  • Long wait times (1-2 years)
  • Limited runs
  • Not always practical

Popular Models:

  • Rama U80-A (TKL, $500+)
  • Rama M65-C (65%, $600+)
  • Rama Thermal (65%, $500+)

Verdict: Art pieces. For collectors who value aesthetics above all.

TGR

Country: South Korea Price Range: $600-$2,000+ Best For: Collectors, endgame builds, investment pieces

Strengths:

  • Legendary status in community
  • Exceptional quality
  • Resale value
  • Collector’s items

Weaknesses:

  • Prohibitively expensive
  • Nearly impossible to obtain
  • Not practical for daily use pricing

Popular Models:

  • TGR Jane ($1,500+)
  • TGR Alice ($1,000+)

Verdict: Collector’s items, not practical purchases for most.

Switch Manufacturers (Separate from Keyboard Brands)

Cherry (Germany)

  • Original mechanical switch inventor
  • Cherry MX standard
  • Reliable, proven, widely compatible

Gateron (China)

  • Smoother than Cherry
  • Excellent value
  • Wide variety

Kailh (China)

  • Box switches (innovative)
  • Speed switches
  • Thick clicks (Box Jade/Navy)

ZealPC (Canada)

  • Premium switches (Zealios, Tealios, Zilent)
  • Ultra-smooth
  • Expensive

Gazzew (USA/China)

  • Boba switches (U4T, U4, LT)
  • Great value for performance
  • Strong tactility

Brand Recommendations by Budget

Under $100

  1. Keychron C-series (best overall)
  2. Royal Kludge RK68 (best wireless)
  3. Redragon K552 (absolute budget)

$100-$150

  1. Keychron Q1/Q2/V-series (best value)
  2. Ducky One 3 (most reliable)
  3. Leopold FC660M (best typing)

$150-$250

  1. Keychron Q-series (customization)
  2. GMMK Pro (modding platform)
  3. Varmilo (aesthetics)

$250-$400

  1. Mode Designs (premium quality)
  2. KBDfans customs (DIY quality)
  3. IQUNIX (unique designs)

$400+

  • Rama Works (art pieces)
  • Sangeo (enthusiast quality)
  • TGR (collectors)

How to Choose a Brand

Beginners

Start with Keychron, Ducky, or Royal Kludge. These offer quality without overwhelming options.

Modders

Choose GMMK Pro or Keychron Q-series for easy customization and hot-swap flexibility.

Typists

Leopold or Varmilo offer the best stock typing experience with minimal setup.

Gamers

Keychron, Ducky, or GMMK with linear switches work great.

Collectors

Rama Works, Mode Designs, or Sangeo for boutique quality and aesthetics.

Takeaway

Best overall brand: Keychron (covers budget to enthusiast) Best value: Keychron Q-series Best reliability: Ducky, Leopold Best for modding: GMMK Pro, KBDfans Best aesthetics: Varmilo, Rama Works

Your perfect brand depends on budget, use case, and how much you want to tinker.

Next Steps