The collective consensus on tactile performance and keyboard engineering.
“The gold standard in custom keyboards. Exceptional build, unique dampening gasket system.”
7% STABLE
“Highly customizable luxury instrument with a signature magnetic assembly.”
“The cult classic. Topre electrostatic capacitive switches for a unique tactile feel.”
“Keychron's ZMK-powered successor to the Q1 Pro leaps ahead with 8K wireless polling and 660 hours of battery life — a combination no other custom board matches. The Silk POM switches and double-gasket mount deliver a refined typing experience at $230 that makes the Pro's 90Hz wireless feel like dial-up.”
“No-nonsense tenkeyless that strips away RGB obsession to focus on Cherry MX reliability and Ducky's signature build quality. Hot-swappable sockets and double-shot PBT keycaps at a mainstream price.”
“The keyboard that redefined competitive gaming — 8kHz polling rate and true rapid trigger via hall-effect switches deliver input precision that traditional mechanical switches physically cannot match.”
“Compact 75% that distills hall-effect gaming into a mid-size form factor with 8kHz polling and adjustable actuation down to 0.1mm. An accessible gateway to rapid trigger mechanics.”
“Keychron's full-size hall-effect flagship brings adjustable actuation to a premium aluminum chassis with gasket mount — one of the quietest, most satisfying typing experiences at any size.”
“The silent workhorse of the enthusiast community — Leopold's compact 65% layout with Cherry MX switches, PBT doubleshot keycaps, and sound-dampening pads delivers a refined, no-nonsense typing experience that many prefer over boards costing three times as much.”
“Topre's electrostatic capacitive switches in a modern wireless package — the R3 brings the legendary Realforce typing feel into 2025 with Bluetooth, USB-C, and per-key actuation customization via software. The thinking person's keyboard.”
The three main switch types are linear (smooth keystroke, no tactile bump — popular for gaming), tactile (a noticeable bump at the actuation point — great for typing), and clicky (tactile bump plus an audible click sound). Popular switch brands include Cherry MX, Gateron, and Kailh, each offering variants in all three categories.
Full-size (100%) includes a number pad — ideal for data entry. Tenkeyless/TKL (80%) removes the number pad for more mouse space. 75% compacts further while keeping function keys. 65% removes function keys but keeps arrow keys. 60% is the most compact, removing arrows and function row entirely. Most enthusiasts prefer 65% or 75% as the best balance.
For anyone who types regularly, yes. Mechanical keyboards offer superior typing feel, durability (rated for 50-100 million keystrokes vs. 5 million for membrane), and customizability. They reduce typing fatigue and many users report improved typing speed and accuracy. Entry-level mechanical keyboards start around $50-80.
Hall Effect keyboards use magnetic sensors instead of physical contact switches to register keypresses. This allows adjustable actuation points (how far you press before a keypress registers), rapid trigger (instant re-activation), and extreme durability since there are no physical contacts to wear out. They have become increasingly popular for competitive gaming.
Rankings combine expert review aggregation with community voting. Each keyboard receives a Gavler Score (out of 10) based on professional reviews evaluating build quality, typing feel, features, and sound profile. Community members vote for their favorite with one vote per list.
Think a product deserves a spot on this list? Submit a formal proposal with documented specs and the community will review it.
8% STABLE
11% STABLE
12% STABLE
5% STABLE
11% STABLE
7% STABLE
13% STABLE
12% STABLE
13% STABLE