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What are the best backlit mechanical keyboards?

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The Best 1 of 5 OptionsWhy?

5 Options ConsideredPriceWeightDimensions
The Best
CODE Keyboard
87 keys: 2 lbs ( 0.9 kg ); 104 keys: 2.42 lbs ( 1.09 kg )87 keys: 363 x 142 x 30 mm (14.3'' x 5.6'' x 1.2'' ); 104 keys: 445 x 142 x 30 mm (17.5'' x 5.6'' x 1.2'' )
CM Storm Quickfire Rapid-i
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SteelSeries Apex M800
1.4 kg / 3 pounds173 x 511 x 41 mm / 6.8’’ x 20.1’’ x 1.6’’
MagicForce 68
––
SADES K10
––
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The Best

CODE Keyboard

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Francisco
Top Pro

Solid construction

•••
This keyboard is built solidly, using sturdy parts made of robust materials. It's mounted on a solid steel backplate, weighs over 2 pounds and has a dual layer PCB board. In this aspect, it’s comparable to other keyboards renowned for their build quality, such as those from the Ducky series.
Francisco
Top Pro

Full white backlighting

•••
The CODE keyboard comes with backlighting that feels similar to the one found on Apple products. You can pick from seven brightness levels and the onboard memory saves your lighting preferences. They also have gone to a lot of trouble getting the backlighting even by painting the backplate white a...
Francisco
Top Pro

Available with or without a numeric keypad

•••
Users can choose between versions that have and don't have a numeric keypad.
Francisco
Top Pro

Media control

•••
Even though there aren't any dedicated media keys, the navigation cluster has secondary media control functions. To access these functions, the keys should be pressed in combination with the Fn key.
Francisco
Top Pro

Available with 4 different kinds of Cherry MX switches

•••
The CODE keyboard uses Cherry MX mechanical key switches, regarded as top-quality switches. They have impressive levels of durability and consistently pass, with high marks, all the performance tests they are subjected to. There are 4 kinds to choose from: Blue, Brown, Green or Clear. The MX Blues...
Francisco
Top Pro

Removable/replaceable USB cable

•••
Many keyboards come with a permanently attached cable, meaning that if it gets damaged, you need to get it fixed or replace the whole board. CODE keyboards come with removable cables, which means they're easy to replace if broken. This also has the added benefit of allowing for more customizati...
Francisco
Top Pro

Save time with complex key combos

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Key combos can be configured, supporting combinations of up to six keys. However, Ctrl, Alt and Shift don't count to this total. As a result, using these keys actually increases the combo key limit to nine.
Francisco
Top Pro

Very portable

•••
This keyboard’s detachable cable, dimensions, and weight make it extremely easy to carry around.
Francisco
Top Pro

Minimalistic design

•••
The CODE keyboard has a textured finish that resists fingerprints and scratches. It has no stickers or logos and the back-lighting is very clean and elegant.
Francisco
Top Pro

DIP-Switches allow quickly disabling or switching certain keys and changing the layout completely

•••
DIP-switches on the back of the keyboard can be used to disable the Windows key, switch Caps Lock with Ctrl, swap Alt with Command (if you're on macOS), and change to QWERTY, Dvorak, or Colemak layouts.
Francisco
Top Con

No wireless connection

•••
CODE keyboards connect via USB. No Bluetooth or any other form of wireless connection is available.
Francisco
Top Con

It's hard to source the MX Clear version

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The version of the CODE keyboard that comes with the MX Clear switches is constantly out of stock.
Francisco
Top Con

Spare parts and keycap sets can only be obtained from third parties

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The manufacturer doesn’t sell spare parts or keycap sets, so if users want to change the layout, they have to get these components from a third party.
Francisco
Top Con

Sculpted keys make switching to Dvorak difficult

•••
Dvorak is a keyboard layout that's an alternative to the commonly used QWERTY layout. While QWERTY was designed in the early days of typing, Dvorak is a more comfortable, modern layout which is technically superior. It is designed to have more flow than QWERTY, where the left hand does most of...
Francisco
Top Con

Expensive

•••
Compared to alternatives which offer RGB lighting, USB passthrough or other features, this keyboard is pretty expensive.
Francisco
Top Con

Too small for some, particularly those with big hands

•••
This keyboard's small size may prove difficult for some people to get accustomed to.
See 10 more Pros & ConsSee 14 more Pros & Cons
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4 Other Options Considered

CM Storm Quickfire Rapid-i

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Francisco
Top Pro

First-class mechanical switches

•••
Cherry MX switches are considered the golden standard of mechanical key switches. This particular model's tenkeyless version is available in the Blue or Brown varieties of the MX. Blue switches offer audible and tactile feedback at the actuation point (about halfway the full travel distance). T...
Francisco
Top Pro

Customizable backlighting is great for use in the dark

•••
This keyboard is backlit and offers individual key backlighting customization. Up to 4 profiles can be saved, being quite easy to switch between them.
Francisco
Top Pro

Detachable and replaceable cable

•••
The Rapid-i's comes with a long 1.8 m braided cable, which makes it more durable and aesthetically pleasant than common cables. It's detachable and, therefore, easily replaceable by a shorter/longer cable. This also means that, in case the cable breaks, it's easy to fix it and there'...
Francisco
Top Con

Limited switch types for the tenkeyless version

•••
The tenkeyless version of this keyboard is more compact, but it only offers Blue and Brown switches, which are the most popular. However, if you want Green or Red MX switches you'll need to choose the larger version of the keyboard (with a number pad).
Francisco
Top Con

The USB connector sticks out

•••
Unlike many other keyboards, the USB port for the Rapid-i is not tucked under the keyboard, so when the L-shaped USB connector is inserted, it sticks out a bit. In addition to not looking as sleek as a result, it also means that it's easier to accidentally damage both the connector and the por...
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SteelSeries Apex M800

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Francisco
Top Pro

Impressive backlighting options with practical use

•••
This Apex keyboard has virtually limitless backlighting options that can be very useful. Each key’s LED is individually configurable with options like color, brightness or patterns. This enables users to do things like configure certain keys to light up when certain in-game commands are ready to be...
Francisco
Top Pro

Highly programmable keys

•••
Key functionality is highly adjustable in this keyboard. For example, key mapping can be altered, assigning new characters to keys or even giving them mouse functions or media commands. In addition, complex macros can be created and assigned to dedicated macro keys. Adjustments are made via the St...
Francisco
Top Pro

Powered USB hub

•••
This keyboard has two powered USB 2.0 ports for external devices.
Francisco
Top Pro

Silent, low-profile mechanical switches

•••
This keyboard uses QS1 mechanical switches, custom-made by SteelSeries. Those are one of the quieter mechanical switches currently on the market and they have a very low profile. Their travel distance is 3 mm and the actuation distance is 1.5 mm (0.5 mm shorter than the most common Cherry MX switch...
Francisco
Top Pro

Very stable during use

•••
The M800 keyboard remains stable during energetic gaming. Thanks to its removable rubber feet and hefty build, it always maintains a good hold on the desk.
Francisco
Top Pro

Easily disable the Windows key

•••
There is a way to easily turn off the keyboard's Windows key by holding the SteelSeries function key and then tapping the Windows key. This can be used to avoid unwanted interruptions during games when this key is accidentally pressed.
Francisco
Top Con

Space bar inconvenient for typing

•••
This keyboard’s space bar is much bigger than usual and has a slightly curved surface for quick and easy actuation. This makes sense for gaming, but for typing it can become inconvenient since it’s easy to press it unintentionally.
Francisco
Top Con

Plastic surface gets filthy easily

•••
Except for the keycaps, this keyboard's plastic surface is uncoated, so it gets a dirtied look really quick.
Francisco
Top Con

Expensive

•••
The M800 keyboard has a retail price of $199.99, meaning that this is by no means a low-cost keyboard. This makes it a good option only for those looking for the most advanced gaming features.
Francisco
Top Con

Not very portable

•••
This Apex keyboard isn’t very portable, since it’s neither light nor compact. It weighs 3 pounds (1.4 kg) and measures 6.8’’ x 20.1’’ x 1.6’’ (173 x 511 x 41 mm). It also misses a detachable cable.
Francisco
Top Con

Layout isn't changeable

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This keyboard's layout can’t be changed at all, since alternative keycaps don’t exist.
Francisco
Top Con

Overall build quality could be much better

•••
The overall build quality of the M800 is good, but it could be more durable and feel more solid. The plastic keycaps feel somewhat cheap and easily breakable.
See 10 more Pros & ConsSee 10 more Pros & Cons

MagicForce 68

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Francisco
Top Pro

Compact layout

•••
With no numpad and no function row, all functions are executed using the same compact set of keys. This reduces hand movement and increases efficiency.
Francisco
Top Pro

Gateron switches

•••
This keyboard uses Gateron keyswitches, which are clones of the Cherry design. Not only are they a bit cheaper (resulting in a cheaper keyboard overall), they are considered by keyboard enthusiasts to exceed Cherry switches in many respects (e.g. smoothness).
Francisco
Top Pro

Allows for the mouse to be kept closer

•••
Because this keyboard has no numpad, it allows keeping the mouse ergonomically closer.
Francisco
Top Con

Ugly keycaps

•••
The typeface on the stock keycaps leaves a lot to be desired.
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SADES K10

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Francisco
Top Pro

Backlighting

•••
The K10 has interesting backlighting features. Even though it doesn't use RGB LEDs ( here, each LED is a single color - there is no way to change the colors from their rainbow configuration), there are different adjustments that can be made. There are 3 brightness levels, and 6 different modes...
Francisco
Top Pro

Comfortable to type with

•••
The keys are concave on top, helping guide your fingers to the center of the keys and preventing your hand position from changing. There are grips on the bottom of the keyboard to ensure that it doesn't slide around the desk while it's being used.
Francisco
Top Con

No switch choice

•••
This keyboard is only available with Cherry MX Blue switches (tactile bump with and audible click at the actuation point).
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22 Community Recommendations

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