Cheap Mechanical Keyboards (and More)

G.Skill RIPJAW KM570 RGB G.Skill RIPJAWS KM570 RGB is a 108 key full-size mechanical keyboard featured genuine Cherry RGB switches as well as dedicated 4 buttons for volume control and macro recording. It is also fully RGB. It is quite competitive price-wise to the closest equivalent: Corsair Strafe RGB being about 10% cheaper, while offering standard bottom row. Before You Buy  Known Variants  There is a red backlight only version as well. Semi-related to the much gaudier KM780/KM780R series. Review Links Coming soon Purchase Links  CMKBS may receive a commission Please note that Amazon may not always provide the lowest prices. Always shop around.

Q: You've covered cheap keyboards that use MX-compatible switches. But what is the CHEAPEST keyboard with genuine Cherry MX switches ?  A: Turtle Beach Impact 500 is the cheapest TKL around with genuine Cherry MX Blue switches... or cheapest ANY keyboard with genuine Cherry. The "catch" is this keyboard only has 6KRO. But for this low price, would you care? Q: Okay, how about a mechanical keyboard with genuine Cherry MX switches but also RGB? A: Ah, that would be the G.Skill KM570 and KM570RGB.

Ganss GS-87, old logo Ganss is a premium brand in China that only uses Cherry switches in its keyboards, unlike many others that have started using Chinese clones. GS is the full-size version, while GS-87 is the TKL version. It has the honor of being the cheapest keyboard available with Cherry MX Clears, right about $90-100 for GS-87 from Aliexpress. Before You Buy Nothing at this time Known Variants Full-size version is called simply "Ganss GS", available in black or white. GS-87 is available in white or black. There's a version with RGB underlights called GS-87 Pro, that's technically a very different model with a different PCB. Review Links Coming soon Purchase Links  CMKBS may receive a commission Aliexpress Link to Ganss GS-87 w/ MX Clears  (and other switches) -- International ArmYourDesk link to Ganss GS-87 -- International

James Donkey 619 / 87 key / Black edition James Donkey is a quirky Chinese keyboard maker that has only a few but very distinct product lines. The 619 is the one using Gateron switches. (They also have a 612 which used Kailh switches) Before You Buy Official James Donkey 619 104 Info Official James Donkey 619 87 Info Known Variants The keyboard is available in 87 or 104 versions, and both are available in black/black or white/silver colors. Each model is available with Gateron black, red, or blue switches. Your local availability may vary. Note the James Donkey 612 is a completely different keyboard and uses Kailh switches. Review Links Review of James Donkey 619 by Mechanicalkeyboardinfo.com Mr.Baz Reviews James Donkey 619 (Youtube) Purchase Links CMKBS may receive a commission James Donkey 619 on Aliexpress -- International James Donkey 619 on Gearbest -- International James Donkey 619 on MechanicalKeyboards.com

AZIO MGK L80 Red AZIO MGK L80 is the lowest-priced fullsize keyboard with a "volume knob". It is available with Kailh Brown (red backlight) and Kailh Blue (blue backlight). It also claims 4 different macros you can set without drivers. Before You Buy  This is not a full set of media controls, but it may be programmable via drivers. Known Variants  There is an RGB version of this, but its US price is almost $150. Review Links  Purchase Links CMKBS may receive a commission Also See

E-Element Z-88 RGB This keyboard is sold under variety of names in the US, including E-Elements Z-88 and Mechanical Eagle Z-88. It is related to the heavily-bezeled model Z-77, but this latest version features the ability to swap the switches yourself if you can source some extra switches from the maker. Before You Buy  Make sure you get the size and version you want. This model is sold under different names, colors, and lighting configs, from no backlight, mono backlight, rainbow backlight, to true RGB backlight. Some may or may not have the switch swapping capability. Known Variants  Can be purchased as 100%, 80%, or 75%, sold under several different names, including E-Element, Mechanical Eagle, and Eagletec Review Links  Pending Purchase Links CMKBS may receive a commission Z-88 ISO version for QWERTZ layout on Aliexpress Also See

Nixeus Moda Pro Nixeus Moda V2 Nixeus keyboards claim to be Mac compatible, and even comes with Mac keycaps if you want to swap them. They however are NOT backlit, and appears to be rebadged version of Noppoo Lolita Spyder series.  Before You Buy  Pick the right switch, as it's available in blue, red, or brown Known Variants  Appears to be rebadged version of Noppoo Lolita Spyder Review Links  Pending Purchase Links CMKBS may receive a commission Also See

Monoprice Select Mechanical Keyboard Series Monoprice Select Mechanical Keyboard series are imported exclusively by Monoprice. It has low prices, but have several quirks. Before You Buy  Make sure you pick the right version: no backlight, mono backlight, rainbow backlight (called RGB backlight but it's rainbow lights) Also, keep in mind some versions have a strange "mixed" ANSI/ISO layout (ISO enter, but still only 104 keys). Choose between red or blue switches. Known Variants  N/A Review Links  Purchase Links CMKBS may receive a commission Link on Monoprice.com Also See

MagicForce 108 w/ Gateron switches, white only MagicForce 108 is a full-size keyboard from the company that brought us MagicForce 68, even though the two looked nothing alike. The MF108 has a transparent bottom shell similar to some classic Apple keyboard designs and is equipped with Gateron switches. Before You Buy  Known Variants  None, MF108 is a unique product, not available as TKL. There is a MF82, but it's a 75% keyboard that does not have a crystal bottom. Review Links  Pending Purchase Links CMKBS may receive a commission Also See

Plugable 104 (also available as 87) Plugable is a peripheral company that is best known for USB hubs and docking stations and such. These keyboards are rebadged Eastern Times from China sold also under multiple names. You can find it almost identical to Mechanical Eagle Z-88 or one of the ReDragon boards. Before You Buy  Only available as white backlit model. Known Variants  Also available as 87-key TKL Sold under variety of brands and models. Review Links  Pending Purchase Links CMKBS may receive a commission Also See Pending

Eagletec KG011 (White/Silver) Eagletec (no "H"!) KG010 (black) KG011 (white/silver) is a rebadged Chinese "Eastern Times" keyboard that are sold under various names. Eagletec is simply one of them. This design features a pretty large bezel and Outemu blue switches. It is a rather generic keyboard, but quite impressive for the price, given the amount of metal top. Before You Buy  This keyboard is sold under multiple names, such as E-Elements Z-77 or Mechanical Eagle Z-77. Make sure you get the right spec model.  Known Variants  No backlight, white/blue backlight, rainbow backlight, RGB backlight Sold under many different names, including E-Element Z-77 / Mechanical Eagle Z-77. May also be available as TKL under other names and vendors. Review Links  Review for /r/mk by Kschang Purchase Links CMKBS may receive a commission Also See To be added

Cooler Master Masterkey L (with PBT Keys) Cooler Master Masterkey L PBT is the next evolution from its QuickFire XT. In fact, it's called QuickFire XT II in China.  It still has the Cherry switches (red, brown, blue, silver, green), but also has 1.5mm thick PBT keys. It has DVORAK and WORKMAN built into the keyboard in addition to the standard QWERTY. It also has instant macros and four profiles to be stored onboard.  The cable is detachable with MicroUSB . It also comes with some red color keys for gamers to replace WASD and QER. Masterkey S PBT is the TKL version of the same keyboard. Before You Buy  This version has no backlight. If you want the backlit version, you need Masterkey Pro L White or Masterkey Pro L RGB. Known Variants  Masterkey S, the TKL version vs Masterkey L, the full size version Masterkey Pro series, White and RGB versions, in S, M, or L sizes. Review Links  Kotaku Review of Masterkeys L PBT Deskthority review of Masterkey S by mat

Ducky One, Blue Backlight Ducky One is the mainstream product line of Ducky. It has relatively minimal bezels, detachable microUSB cable, ABS doubleshot keycaps, Cherry switches , and dual layer PCB design. It has available with almost any Cherry switch available, but obviously the more exotic ones may not be available locally to you. It is also available with new PBT keycaps launched in 2017 Before You Buy  You may want to look for the 2017 "PBT keycaps" version. Also, there's a newer model, called " Ducky One 2 " which is a second generation Ducky One, though the original model will stay in production. Ducky keycaps come in all sorts of versions: ABS Doubleshot, PBT Pad Print, PBT Dye Sub, and different color combinations rather than plain white or black or such. Most models are just over $100, though one or two models may be just under $100. Known Variants  Ducky One Ducky One TKL Ducky One White Case Ducky One Translucent Pink

DAREU EK820 Black TKL  HAVIT HV-KB390L is a rebadged version of DAREU EK820, using the Kailh Choc low-profile switch. HAVIT only brought in the wired / TKL / Blue switch version. Its primary characteristic is its low weight, at only 520g. The black version has low-profile keycaps, making them extra slim. HAVIT just brought out a 104 key version of the same keyboard called HV-KB395L, which is even RGB. The Bluetooth version can be paired with up to 5 different devices. Before You Buy Backlight ONLY works in wired mode, for the dual mode capable versions. This is to save battery power.  Known Variants HAVIT HV-KB390L (black TKL wired) (blue switch only) DAREU EK820 black as 104 touch / TKL BT dual / 68 BT dual DAREU EK820 white TKL BT dual DAREU models are available in both blue and red switches. Dual mode means capable of both wired and bluetooth operation. Review Links Pending Purchase Links  CheapMKBs may earn a commission DAREU EK820

Q: Can you recommend a mechanical keyboard with Spanish layout? (question inspired by question on /r/mechanicalkeyboards by Azkarel ) A:  Generally speaking, keyboards that are NOT ANSI or ISO are hard to find.  And within ISO, you have the more exotic layouts, like AZERTY, QWERTZ, and so on. Spanish requires the character Ñ and other special Spanish characters. Norwegian and Swedish require even more characters. It is probably easier to order locally, where vendors order keyboards already in the local flavor. On the other hand, Chinese keyboard makers are ready to sell you almost anything... if you got the $$$. The trick is finding them in retail channels. And that's where Aliexpress.com comes in. Think of Aliexpress as the "export" storefront of Alibaba, the largest e-Commerce site in the world. They operate TMall and Taobao. TMall is for companies, while Taobao is almost like eBay buy-now storefronts. If you want it exported to your country, get on Aliexpress.