Best TKL Mechanical Keyboards in 2024

The Drop CTRL mechanical keyboard is the best TKL keyboard because it does it all. The keyboard has a premium build quality with a solid case and plate-mounted switches. The PCB has hot-swap capabilities which means you do not have to solder/desolder the current mechanical switches if you want to take them out.

The RGB lights on this keyboard are also impeccable with an extra RGB strip along the sides of the board. The Drop CTRL is also compatible with the QMK software which means you can configure and customize the entire keyboard to your liking with macros and additional layers of key functions.

If you have an extra 200$ and simply want a keyboard that will last you forever and you will never get bored of (the hot-swap really helps with this point) then the CTRL is the TKL keyboard for you.

If the Drop TKL keyboard was the best keyboard overall, the Logitech G915 makes the list because it has the one feature the Drop CTRL lacks – wireless capability.

Cables are old news and nobody wants to be held down by them. The G915 from Logitech is one of the best wireless keyboards, offering extremely low latency just like Logitech’s other wireless products (Logitech G Pro X Superlight).

The best part is that the keyboard can be connected to 2 devices – one with the Lightspeed 2.4 GHz dongle, and one through Bluetooth. You also have neat media control buttons that offer you a bit more flexibility when needed.

The board comes with Logitech’s low-profile switches which means no hot-swapping action is possible with this TKL keyboard. Overall, the build quality feels premium (aircraft-grade aluminum), so there should be little to no complaints regarding this keyboard.

The Roccat Vulcan TKL Pro makes this list because it offers optical switches encased in a TKL form factor. These proprietary Titan optical switches are rated for 100 million clicks which makes this board virtually impossible to kill off.

Besides the incredible lifespan, the optical switches also offer 0 latency between key presses which is important for gaming. The keyboard uses low-profile keycaps that hug your fingers nicely making the typing experience pleasant.

The build quality is also solid since the Roccat Vulcan TKL keyboard uses an aluminum top plate and a plastic base.

If all you care about is latency and gaming then the Vulcan Pro is a good TKL keyboard to pick up.

Finally the last tenkeyless mechanical keyboard we would suggest you look into is the Xtrfy K4 TKL RGB Retro. This is not a flashy keyboard but it is one of the best gaming keyboards under 100$.

The switches used in this keyboard are Kailh Red RGB switches which allow the RGB LED to be placed next to the switch. The switches come factory lubed (take it with a grain of salt) and the board has a foam layer inside the case to remove switch ping.

If you want a great experience out of the box without having to bother lubing and using other mods to get the keyboard in working condition this tenkeyless mechanical keyboard is for you.

Another great feature is the fact that you do not need software to set up and use the keyboard. No bloatware on your computer means a happy user experience!

There are a couple of downsides to the cheap 99$ price though. The keycaps that come with the keyboard look great but are made from ABS and not PBT plastic, and the cable is non-removable.

For some these aspects might be a deal-breaker but Xtrfy said they have made these decisions so they could keep the price down and make the keyboard affordable for everyone.

If you are not fussy about extra features this board might just be the best tenkeyless mechanical keyboard for you!

The Drop ENTR keyboard is an amazing entry-level TKL that has a premium build quality for under 100$ which is an enticing offer. The ENTR is an 87-key board with an anodized aluminum case that comes with standard cherry-style stabilizers and has either Gateron Yellow or Halo True switches.

The Gateron Yellow switches are your basic linear option and the Halo True switches are your tactile option. Both of these are better than standard Cherry switches for those categories so in the end this is a net win. This is especially true since the Gateron Yellow switches are known for being a great deal when modded.

Unfortunately, this is not a hot swap board, and the LED light is only white but if you do want some customization you can use any MX-style keycaps to spice up your looks.

Varmilo is a well-known brand in the keyboard space because they offer a plethora of sizes and looks for any taste at decent prices. The Varmilo VA87M Summit White is just another variation of the 80% Varmilo keyboards with a different keycap set that adds flavor to the board.

The keyboard is not hot-swappable but it comes in an assortment of Cherry and Varmilo switches allowing for a variety of linear and tactile options depending on your preferences. The keycaps themselves are double-shot PBT therefore are high quality and the stabilizers come pre-lubed making it a nice typing experience.

The only real downside is that the LEDs are only white but considering that the main attraction of this keyboard is the keycap set and a lot of people in the keyboard space turn off the backlight anyways it is just a minor detail you need to take into consideration before your purchase.

Keychron has been breaking into the mainstream market with their huge catalog of keyboards that are excellent both for gaming and office work. It would be weird for them not to have multiple TKL options and indeed if you are looking for a solid TKL keyboard Keychron has some amazing options for you.

All of these 3 keyboards have relatively the same base construction with the keycaps, switches, plate, foam, PCB, and a silicone bottom pad. There are some slight variations with the Q3 using silicone gaskets instead of a silicone bottom pad, but the overall experience is the same – amazing typing sounds and feel.

These are all hot-swappable keyboards with QMK/VIA support and PBT keycaps. Your choice then will be based on small differences like if you want a gasket design or not (Q3), do you want a plastic case for softer tones (V3), do you use your keyboard in wireless mode (K8 Pro), etc.

The biggest differences between the 3 keyboards will be the pricing with the Q3 being 184$, the K8 Pro 99$, and the V3 84$ for fully assembled boards. In short, you get to choose your keyboard design, switches, whether it has a knob or not, and your price point to have all of the features you want in one device.