The best mechanical keyboard lets you help win fanatic battles while gaming and assist you with easy typing to complete work in a timely manner. However, when considering the budget, finding the best mechanical keyboard under $100 is not a simple task, especially when the price of premium models starts from $200.
But not to worry, we have designed a list of mechanical keyboards that are all under $100, so you don’t have to break the bank. Read this article through the end; we ensure you get the best product according to your budget, desire, and requirement. Let’s get started.
Which are the best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100?
1. SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Keyboard
- RGB Backlight: Yes
- Connectivity: Wired
- Switches: Hybrid
When looking for the best budget mechanical keyboard under $100, you can’t find the best option other than SteelSeries Apex 5. It offers high-end features designed perfectly to give you a smooth and comfortable typing experience. It has an exceptional design with rich black color on the skin, giving it a bold look.
Best of all, it comes with dedicated media controls that provide access to background tracks while working. A clickable metal roller is also there to help adjust the volume quickly. The software works pretty decently and it allows you to reprogram each key separately. You also get the option to create individual profiles for different games and program macros.
It comes with built-in palm rest that never lets your hand suffer strain even if you have long working sessions. This masterpiece has RGB backlighting on every keystroke to enlighten your gaming and working experience. It helps you to work conveniently in dark and low light conditions.
Moreover, this keyboard has hybrid mechanical gaming switches that are a blend of springy mechanical keys with soft membrane touch beneath them. When talking about construction, it is made up of an Aircraft-grade aluminum alloy frame that makes it a sturdy and unbreakable product. With all these exceptional features, SteelSeries Apex 5 is absolutely worth buying.
2. Logitech G610 Orion Mechanical Keyboard
- RGB Backlight: Yes
- Connectivity: Wired
- Switches: Cherry MX
If you’re looking for a keyboard that gives you endless comfort and lighting fast input results while working, Logitech G610 Orion will be the perfect choice for you. It has Cherry MX Red mechanical switches to provide you with a smooth and low noise typing experience. They are sturdy enough to last up to 50 million keystrokes.
Another cool thing about this product is its customizable key lighting feature. You can customize the brightness and choose to appear your favorite colors on different keys according to your desire. You can use this feature to keep track of spells and commands and use them accordingly to enhance your productivity level.
Moreover, it comes with easy-access media controls that let you control background track without switching out of your game. You can play, pause and stop music with just a single click. The roller bar is also there to quickly adjust the volume and move to the next one. This keyboard is compact and will not cover more space on your hardware setup.
The software works quite well, and you can use this to assign different macros of your favorite game and lighting for every key. The programmable keys are meant to increase your productivity by letting you execute commands instantly with just a single click. It has a sturdy build and exceptional design that comforts the eyes. Not to mention, your friends will be impressed when they see this masterpiece in your setup.
3. Razer Ornata Chroma Mechanical Keyboard
- RGB Backlight: Yes
- Connectivity: Wired
- Switches: Mecha-membrane
If you’re looking for a budget mechanical keyboard that comes with all the mind-blazing features of expensive ones, the Razer Ornata Chroma will be your best bet. First of all, the rich black color design with white texture labeled keys on the surface is enough to impress you at first glance.
The keyboard is made up of sturdy materials and switches that can withstand up to 80 million keystrokes. This way, you can use this keyboard to its full compatibility without worrying about damage. It features Mecha-Membrane switches that provide the ultimate precision and smooth typing experience you can ever think of.
The square-shaped keys have a soft cushioned rubber dome behind them, giving your hand a soft touching experience and minimizing the wobble significantly. With that said, your hand will not suffer strain even if you have extended hours of gaming sessions. The ergonomic wrist rest is an added advantage to provide your wrist with the comfort and support it deserves while working.
It comes with a unique Chroma RGB lighting system that brings indefinite colors to your gaming experience. The software is a bit laggy and lacks some quality customization features you could enjoy in other mechanical keyboards. Moreover, it comes with programmable keys that help you execute commands and increase your productivity.
4. Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 Rapidfire Mechanical Keyboard
- RGB Backlight: Yes
- Connectivity: Wired
- Switches: Cherry MX
The next best budget mechanical keyboard on our list is Corsair K70. This wired keyboard is made up of an Aircraft-grade anodized brushed aluminum frame that makes it durable enough to provide you with a lifetime of gaming experience. With that said, if you’re looking for a mechanical keyboard that can keep working for years without any worry of damage, Corsair K70 is all you need.
It features CHERRY MX Speed mechanical key switches that will enhance your working by providing blistering fast 1.2-millimeter actuation speed. It has all that accuracy and precision you demand while gaming. Not to mention, your hands will get ultimate pleasure and comfort when you move your fingers on the surface.
Moreover, it comes with a USB Passthrough which you can use to connect other devices such as a mouse, headset, etc. The dynamic RGB backlighting offers per key and nearly unlimited color customization which can be controlled using Corsair Cue Software. You can also use this software to assign different macros and hotkeys that help execute complex commands while working.
The detachable wrist rest support will never let your hand and wrist suffer from strain, even if you have long-hour gaming and working sessions. The 8MB of dedicated onboard memory and hardware playback is all there to level up your productivity. You can count on this mechanical keyboard to take your typing experience to the next level.
5. Razer Huntsman Mini 60% Mechanical Keyboard
- RGB Backlight: Yes
- Connectivity: Wired
- Switches: Mechanical
When looking for the best mechanical keyboard that offers excellent reliability, accuracy, and precision, you might find Razor Huntsman to be one of them. As the name implies, it will stop your hunt because it has all you desire to be in an ideal mechanical keyboard.
It is compact and perfectly fits your hardware setup without covering more space. This rectangle-shaped keyboard has a sturdy aluminum build and exceptional design with white color on the body, giving it a refreshing look. The RGB backlighting feature makes it look more adorable. Not to mention, you will hardly take your eyes off it.
The Razer optical switches use light-based actuation to provide lightning-fast input results on every keypress. With that said, you will not miss out on any detail when you have this keyboard on your setup. The double shot PBT keycaps are oil resistant, and the textured finish is less prone to long-term grime buildup.
It is the most affordable choice on our list. With that said, if you’re short on budget and still aiming to purchase a high-quality keyboard, Razor Huntsman will be a go-to choice for you. It has programmable keys that you can use to assign different macros using the provided software. It lets you execute complex commands promptly.
6. Havit Wired Gaming Keyboard
- RGB Backlight: Yes
- Connectivity: Wired
- Switches: Classic Blue switches
If you’re looking for a mechanical keyboard that comes along with a gaming mouse, then Havit Wired Gaming Keyboard is the best choice for you. It is budget-friendly, and besides that, you will also get a gaming mouse with the purchase. This way, you can save your investment and spend it on other hardware components.
When talking about features, this mechanical keyboard is nothing less than premium models out there. It features a classic blue switch design that provides clicky and tactile feedback and delivers accurate input results. The keys are designed to give your hands a smooth feel when you move your fingers over them.
Moreover, both keyboard and mouse have backlighting features, and the best part; you can customize colors and set the brightness according to your desires. You can do this with the help of provided software. It is compatible with all devices, including Windows, Linux, Chrome, and MAC OS systems.
The thing that can bother you is the multimedia controls. It doesn’t offer dedicated multimedia controls; instead, you can access them using short key combinations(Fn + F1 ~ F12), which is quite frustrating. Still, nothing major that should stop you from trying this keyboard. It works with plug and play functionality, no need to install any drivers to use it.
7. RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 Mechanical Keyboard
- RGB Backlight: Yes
- Connectivity: Wired
- Switches: Tactile RK Brown
Last but not least, we have the RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 Mechanical Keyboard that will go above and beyond to provide you with a comfortable and accurate typing and gaming experience. The best thing about this product is it can be used both as a wireless and wired keyboard.
The keyboard has a 5.1 Bluetooth chipset that can be connected to upto 3 devices at a single time. It is lightweight and compact in size that perfectly fits your hardware setup. Despite that, you can also carry it anywhere while traveling. Moreover, the keyboard has an elegant design with a refreshing white color on the body that pleases your eyes.
It doesn’t have a numeric keyboard, so if your work is related to performing data entry and mathematical tasks, this might not be the best fit for you. It features a 1450mAh battery that can cover a maximum of 13 hours with the lightest backlit. If you use it without backlit, the battery can work upto 360 hours.
Furthermore, it has a single color backlit which can be further customized upto 17 dynamic modes. You can set the brightness, choose the ideal and adjust the glowing speed according to desire using Fn keys. The 1.5m Type-C charging cable comes with a package compatible to work with all devices.
Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100: Buying Guide
Mechanical keyboards are indeed worth spending money on; they provide you with ultimate precision and fast input results compared to wireless ones. However, everything comes with paying some price, and when you’re low on budget, finding the best quality product is a great hustle to get into. Possible chances are you might get freaked out when having difficulty choosing the perfect item from a lot of the best options around.
To help solve your queries and get you the best mechanical keyboard under $100, we’ve compiled this ultimate buying guide. It will give you the roadmap on the primary factors you should opt for when searching for the best budget mechanical keyboard. Read it until the end; we ensure you get the best product on a minimum investment.
Compact and Lightweight:
A keyboard that comes with a large size will cover more space on the desk, and you face difficulty while rolling your mouse. So you should opt for mechanical keyboards that are compact, lightweight, and easy to carry. This way, you will conveniently do general typing and gaming stuff on the keyboard without having trouble with less space on the desk.
Moreover, the keyboard with a compact design is lightweight, and you can carry it easily anywhere you want. So, you must consider this feature when purchasing the best mechanical keyboard.
Mechanical and Membrane switches:
Do you suffer strain in the hands when working for extended time on the keyboard? If yes, then you have a traditional keyboard that lacks the feature of mechanical and membrane switches. Mechanical and membrane switches are both different and have their own respective class.
When talking about mechanical, these switches are generally spring-loaded, and their keystroke comes out to be smooth and tactile. On the other hand, Membrane switches are made up of unique materials and have a soft cushion behind them that gives your finger a smooth typing experience on pressing each keystroke.
Both provide you with a comfortable feel while typing and accurate results. So, it’s all up to you to decide which can work best for you.
Ergonomic design:
The keyboard with an ergonomic design provides your hands with endless comfort and support while typing. They are made of materials that let your hands move your finger on the surface like a breeze.
So, if you work for long hours and have extended gaming sessions, you should opt for an ergonomic design keyboard. On the contrary, choosing a standard one can become a significant breakthrough for your hands as they will not get the comfort they deserve.
Moreover, some mechanical keyboards also come with additional wrist rest support meant to give your wrist comfort when working. So, also consider this when searching for the best mechanical keyboard under $100.
Large Front keycaps:
The keyboard with large front keycaps assists you with easy and fast typing. The large keycaps will never let your eyes suffer a strain. This is because they will be able to see every detail clearly on the keyboard. With a large front keycaps keyboard, you will type faster and increase your productivity level. So, you must look at that when purchasing the best mechanical keyboard.
RGB Backlighting:
After inspecting large front keycaps, it is also imperative to check whether your keyboard comes with a backlighting feature or not. If you’re a night owl who loves to work in a dark environment, you should look out for mechanical keyboards with backlighting features. Usually, a simple backlight is easily found in a standard keyboard, but some lack RGB backlight.
RGB backlight shows you the combination of different colors on each keystroke. Moreover, it also allows you to customize the color on your favorite keys and adjust the brightness according to your desire. So, if you want to bring indefinite colors to your gaming experience, you must not ignore this feature on mechanical keyboards.
USB Passthrough:
Mechanical keyboards with USB passthrough allow you to connect multiple devices with it such as mouse, headsets, etc. It also lets you charge your mobile while working. So if you find this feature necessary, you should opt for it when purchasing a keyboard.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the best mechanical keyboard for under 100 dollars?
From our list, every mechanical keyboard offers quality features because they have been selected from thousands of products out there. But, if you want to choose the best one from them, we recommend the SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Keyboard.
What is the best and cheapest mechanical keyboard?
The best and cheapest mechanical keyboard on our list is Razor Huntsman. It offers high-end features and is available at the price of $80 that doesn’t break your wallet.
Which mechanical keyboard is best for typing?
If you’re looking for a keyboard that provides a smooth typing experience, Logitech G610 Orion Mechanical Keyboard will be your best bet. It has Cherry MX switches that let your fingers feel like a breeze when rolling over the surface for typing.
How is Redragon so cheap?
The reason behind it is that Redragon uses cheap clone switches and is marketed as Cherry MX ones. The keyboard switches are okay for their price but are not durable compared to the others.
