While you’ll commonly find mechanical keyboards used by gamers, this isn’t the only demographic that will find this style of keyboard useful. Whether you’re a programmer, transcriber or just someone who spends a lot of free time posting on websites like Reddit, a mechanical keyboard can have a huge improvement on your typing. However, don’t just dive in and purchase the first mechanical keyboard you see; knowing the basics about mechanical keyboards can ensure you get one that is perfect for your typing needs.
A Brief History of the Mechanical Keyboard
If you’ve had the pleasure of using a keyboard from a few decades ago, you’re likely already familiar with the technology that powers a mechanical keyboard. When home computing technology was first taking off, the earliest keyboards used an individual mechanical switch under every key, which provided a satisfying “clack” noise when pressed. Unfortunately, as manufacturers looked to find a way to cut costs and maximize profits, they deemed that having a mechanical switch under every key was too costly.
Thus, the switch from mechanical keyboards to “monoblock” style keyboards, a style where an electrical circuit detects key presses instead of individual switches, became the industry standard. These days, every home computer sold by a major manufacturer, such as Dell or HP, comes with a “monoblock” style keyboard.
Due to the rise of social media and the overall importance of computers in our day-to-day life, many PC users are gravitating back towards mechanical keyboards for typing, as the pros outweigh the higher cost.
Manufacturers, who once viewed mechanical keyboards as tools for a niche market, are now starting to provide a plethora of mechanical keyboards to meet the demand from the general populace. There is no better time to purchase a mechanical keyboard than right now, thanks to the immense amount of competition that is driving prices down.
Mechanical Keyboards For Typing Comparison Table
| Image | Model | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate Soft Tactile MX Brown Mechanical Keyboard | MX Brown Switches Enhanced 104-key layout | $$$ |
 | 2. Das Keyboard Model S Professional Clicky MX Blue Mechanical Keyboard | Clicky MX Blue Switches 50 million key strokes | $$ |
 | 3. Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac Soft Tactile Brown Mechanical Keyboard | UV hard coat-protected key caps Mac OS specific key functions | $$$ |
 | ANNE PRO 2 60% Wired/Wireless Mechanical Keyboard | Only 61 keys Bluetooth option Slim and compact design | $ |
 | 5. VELOCIFIRE 87-Key Mechanical Keyboard | 87-key keyboard Ergonomic design Perfect for programmers | $$ |
 | 6. Rosewill Mechanical Gaming Keyboard | Cherry MX Brown Switches N-key rollover function | $$ |
Which Switches Work Best for Typing?
Like most things in life, all mechanical switches are not made equal. There are a broad assortment of switches available, with each switch serving a particular demographic; for example, gamers will want a switch type that makes double-tapping a key easier while typists will want a switch that provides tactile and audible clues that you have fully pressed in a key. If you’re primarily using your keyboard for typing, there are two forms of mechanical switches you’ll want to look for inside of a mechanical keyboard, and both of them are Cherry Switches: Cherry MX Blue and Cherry MX Brown.
Cherry MX Blue Switches
If you find yourself frequently mistyping words as your hands glide across the keyboard, then the Cherry MX Blue switches are for you. These switches provide a “bump” sensation when fully pressed in along with a loud “clack” sound, giving you both a physical and audio cue that you’ve pressed a key. This bump is referred to as tactile feedback and so you may often find these keys referred to as having tactile switches. Because the actuation point that registers a key press is near the lower end of the switch, you won’t activate these keys by merely sliding your hand across the keyboard like you would on a “monoblock” keyboard.
The one downside is that Cherry MX Blue mechanical keyboard switches do require a bit of actuation force to press each key in; however, the amount of pressure required is not enough to cause fatigue or finger injuries even after long term use.
Cherry MX Brown Switches
If loud sounds and using force to push in your keys doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, the Cherry MX Brown switches give you all the benefits of a mechanical keyboard in a quieter shell. The Cherry MX Brown switches require far less pressure to activate than the Cherry MX Blue switches and are far more silent: You will hardly hear anything when using a Cherry MX Brown mechanical keyboard. If you’re planning on using your mechanical keyboard in a location you share with others, you may want to opt for the Cherry MX Brown switches out of respect for those around you. If you’re planning on doing a little bit of gaming on your computer, you’ll also want to keep in mind that Cherry MX Brown switches work much better for PC gaming.
The Cherry MX Brown switches are best classified as a dual switch, as they are ideal for both gaming and typing, while the Cherry MX Blue switches are the best choice for typists but aren’t ideal at all for games due to low actuation point. Which choice you ultimately make regarding switches ultimately boils down to if you plan on playing games on your mechanical keyboard. If you’re not, go with Cherry MX Blue switches, if so, opt for Cherry MX Brown switches.
Avoid Cherry MX Red switches as these are better suited to gaming than for typing. The same goes for Romer-G switches.
What Advantages Do Mechanical Keyboards Provide For Typists?
While the main advantage a mechanical keyboard has over a standard keyboard is the capacity to diminish your typos, this isn’t the only advantage the best keyboards can offer.
On average, a mechanical keyboard is a more durable piece of equipment, lasting significantly longer than your standard electric keyboard. While “monoblock” keyboards typically have a life span of five million key presses, most mechanical keyboards have a lifespan of around 50 million key presses. Likewise, the individual switches on a mechanical keyboard never wear out, with a mechanical keyboard having the same feel after several years of use as it did on the first day. If a switch does malfunction, you can simply pop it off your keyboard and replace it; with a “monoblock” keyboard, your only option is to throw the entire keyboard away and purchase a brand new one.
Since mechanical keyboards use individual switches under every key, this means they are considerably heavier than your average keyboard. If you’ve ever been frustrated by having a lightweight keyboard slide around your desk as you’re trying to type, you’ll love the fact that a mechanical keyboard will stay put no matter what.
Six of the Best Mechanical Keyboards for Typing
Now that you know what to look for when it comes to a mechanical keyboard for typing, you’re ready to purchase one of the best keyboards of your very own. Below, we’ve highlighted six of the best mechanical keyboards for typists, each one providing a vast assortment of features that will augment your typing abilities.
1. Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate Soft Tactile MX Brown Mechanical Keyboard
The Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate Soft Tactile MX Brown Mechanical Keyboard is a typist’s dream come true, utilizing MX Cherry Brown switches to provide you with a superb typing experience. Das are known for making high-end, mechanical keyboards. They might not be the best gaming keyboard, but they are great keyboards for typing. The first thing you’ll realize about the Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate Soft Tactile MX Brown Mechanical Keyboard is that the keyboard is blank; Das Keyboard claims that by keeping the keycaps blank, you’ll type faster and more efficiently.
That’s not all this mechanical keyboard has to offer, as it also provides gold-plated keys, a quick response time, an ergonomic design and a plethora of multimedia keys. Obviously, if you haven’t memorized the layout of the keyboard, the Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate Soft Tactile MX Brown Mechanical Keyboard isn’t a good fit. However, for professional typists who can recite the layout of the keycaps from memory, this is one of the best mechanical keyboards you can purchase.
Key Features:
- MX Brown Switches
- Enhanced 104-key layout
2. Das Keyboard Model S Professional Clicky MX Blue Mechanical Keyboard
If you’re not planning on doing any gaming and want to see the lettering on your keys, there is the Das Keyboard Model S Professional Clicky MX Blue Mechanical Keyboard. This mechanical keyboard includes all of the same features of the Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate Soft Tactile MX Brown Mechanical Keyboard but also contains a few unique features, such as laser-etched inscriptions on the keys, anti-ghosting technology and two USB ports. The Das Keyboard Model S Professional Clicky MX Blue Mechanical Keyboard is built to last, with Das Keyboard guaranteeing this mechanical keyboard will last for at least 50 million key presses.
Key Features:
- Clicky MX Blue Switches
- 50 million key strokes
3. Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac Soft Tactile Brown Mechanical Keyboard
While the previous two Das Keyboard products have a significant number of differences between them, they do have one thing in common: They are both only for Windows operating systems. Das Keyboard hasn’t forgotten about Mac users, however, with the Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac Soft Tactile Brown Mechanical Keyboard. While this keyboard includes almost all the same features as the Das Keyboard Model S Professional Clicky MX Blue Mechanical Keyboard, it does feature over eight multimedia buttons for specific Mac OS features. This keyboard also includes a sleep button along with an oversized volume knob that lets you quickly raise or lower your Mac’s volume.
Key Features:
- UV hard coat-protected key caps
- Mac OS specific key functions
ANNE PRO 2 60% Wired/Wireless Mechanical Keyboard
With only 61 keys, this keyboard features the main keys that you use daily and eliminates those you rarely or never use. It has a slim and compact design that makes it useful if you like playing games with friends or working outside of your house. Thanks to the Bluetooth option, you don’t need to worry about running a cable to the keyboard. It also allows you to connect the keyboard to a maximum of four devices and switch between them whenever you want. You get some nice software with the keyboard, too. This software makes it easy to customize the keyboard and set it up to work with your system.
Key Features:
- Only 61 keys
- Bluetooth option
- Slim and compact design
5. VELOCIFIRE 87-Key Mechanical Keyboard
Suitable for anyone who works with a computer, this 87-key keyboard can increase your typing speed and keep your hands comfortable due to its ergonomic design. The Brown Switch used inside is slightly louder than other switches but much quieter than other types to keep the sound of your typing down. This keyboard is perfect for programmers who want to optimize their output because it lets them move faster and also eliminates the number keys. Though this keyboard does not work with Macs, you’ll find that it’s compatible with most computers that use Windows or Linux, including Windows 10 and 8.1.
Key Features:
- 87-key keyboard
- Ergonomic design
- Perfect for programmers
Other Keyboard guides you should check out..
Mechanical Keyboards For Typing
6. Rosewill Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Like the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate, the Rosewill Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a keyboard targeting gamers. With features such as n-key rollover and media keys. However, thanks to its high-quality Cherry MX Blue mechanical switches, this mechanical keyboard is excellent for typing as well. In this sense, it is an awesome hybrid. To ensure this keyboard doesn’t slide around your computer desk, a pair of rubber pads located on the bottom to hold it in place. Rosewill has taken extra steps to ensure this mechanical keyboard is durable, such as using a gold-plated USB connector that helps protect against corrosion and damage. It’s the little touches like that which make this a great mechanical gaming keyboard.
Key Features:
- Cherry MX Brown Switches
- N-key rollover function
