Checklist · 12 picks · 5 categories
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Keyboard fans love a small upgrade, so this list covers the board, the keycaps and the desk around it.
The Royal Kludge RK61 is RTINGS' best cheap mechanical keyboard, a tiny wireless board with hot-swappable switches, and the NuPhy Node is its best mid-range pick, with pre-lubed switches. GamesRadar+ reviewed cheap PBT keycap sets for three months and calls Epomaker's the best bet overall; Keychron's set had one of the easiest installs, and Glorious has the widest range of colors. For comfort, the Gimars set is BestReviews' top wrist rest for the money and the Razer its top overall. The YSAGi is Popular Science's best budget desk pad and the Twelve South DeskPad its best overall, and the Smartish Cable Wrangler, its best magnetic pick, keeps chargers in reach. The splurges are the Keychron Q6 Ultra 8K, RTINGS' best mechanical keyboard, and the Orbitkey Desk Mat.
Who this is not for. Skip this if they care more about the game than the keys; the gamer gifts page fits better.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epomaker Glintrix PBT Keycap Set | budget | $25-50 | an easy first keycap swap | 1 outlet |
| Keychron OSA PBT Keycap Set | mid | $25-50 | anyone who already owns a Keychron | Limited evidence |
| Glorious PBT Keycaps | mid | $25-50 | giving their board a colorful new look | Limited evidence |
Best keycapsbudget pick · 113 keys
Best for an easy first keycap swap
GamesRadar+ reviewed five cheap PBT keycap sets for three months and calls Epomaker the best bet overall, with the deepest feel and richest snap.
Heads up. Smoother than the other sets GamesRadar+ reviewed
1 outlet. GamesRadar+ best bet overall PBT keycaps.
$25-50
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mid pick · 141 keys
Best for anyone who already owns a Keychron
In GamesRadar+'s PBT keycap test, this set had one of the easiest installs and a thick, robust sound.
Heads up. Not as textured as other PBT keycaps, and some legends are specific to Keychron layouts
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$25-50
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mid pick · 131 to 137 keys
Best for giving their board a colorful new look
In GamesRadar+'s PBT keycap test, these had the widest range of colors and gradients, with crisp legends and a soft, textured feel.
Heads up. Thinner plastic, a quieter sound, and the legends don't let your RGB shine through
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$25-50
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Best keyboardbudget pick · 60%
Best for a first mechanical board for a small desk
RTINGS' best cheap mechanical keyboard: a tiny, lightweight wireless board with hot-swappable switches.
Heads up. Battery lasts only about 10 hours, and the 60% size has no arrow keys, function row or navigation cluster
1 outlet. RTINGS best cheap mechanical keyboard.
$50-100
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mid pick · 75% or full-size
Best for a big typing upgrade without the premium price
RTINGS' best mid-range mechanical keyboard for most people: smooth, consistent keystrokes with pre-lubed switches, in standard or low-profile versions.
Heads up. No premium aluminum case, more modest wireless battery than the Keychron, and the low-profile layout takes getting used to
1 outlet. RTINGS best Mid-Range Mechanical Keyboard.
$100-150
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Best wrist restbudget pick · Keyboard and mouse rests
Best for support for the keyboard and the mouse
BestReviews' top wrist rest for keyboards for the money: an affordable bundle with a gel keyboard rest and a curved mouse pad.
Heads up. The non-skid pads may not hold up as well after months of use, especially with lighter keyboards
1 outlet. BestReviews top wrist rest for keyboards for the money.
$15-25
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mid pick · Full-size
Best for long typing or gaming sessions on a full-size board
BestReviews' top wrist rest for keyboards: an angled memory foam rest with an anti-slip rubber base, for gamers and office workers alike.
Heads up. BestReviews notes it can wear out after a while
1 outlet. BestReviews top wrist rest for keyboards.
$25-50
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YSAGi Multifunctional Office Desk Pad | budget | $15-25 | a colorful desk mat on a small budget | 1 outlet |
| Twelve South DeskPad | mid | $50-100 | a softer surface under their keyboard | 1 outlet |
| Smartish Cable Wrangler | mid | $15-25 | charging cables that keep falling behind the desk | 1 outlet |
Top pickbudget pick · 13.7 x 23.6 in to 23.6 x 47.2 in
Best for a colorful desk mat on a small budget
Popular Science's best budget desk pad: tons of color and size options for a bargain-bin price.
Heads up. No non-skid feature, so it can slide around
1 outlet. Popular Science best budget desk pad.
$15-25
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mid pick · 29.37 x 15.75 in
Best for a softer surface under their keyboard
Popular Science's best overall desk pad: if your bare desk feels meh under your arms, this is where to start.
Heads up. Only comes in one size
1 outlet. Popular Science best overall desk pad.
$50-100
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mid pick · 3.24 x 3.24 in
Best for charging cables that keep falling behind the desk
Popular Science's best magnetic pick: a small desktop holder that keeps charging cables organized and in reach.
Heads up. Only useful for charging cables
1 outlet. Popular Science best magnetic.
$15-25
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Top picksplurge pick · Full-size
Best for a heavy, premium board they'll keep for years
RTINGS' best mechanical keyboard: a heavy aluminum case and top-of-the-line typing quality right out of the box.
1 outlet. RTINGS best mechanical keyboard.
$200-300
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splurge pick · 27 x 14.6 in to 35.2 x 16.6 in
Best for keeping cables, pens and papers tidy around the board
Popular Science's best desk pad for productivity: organizing touches like a cable organizer, pen holder and a secret paper compartment.
Heads up. Expensive for a desk mat
1 outlet. Popular Science best desk pad for productivity.
$50-100
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Keycaps or a desk mat. GamesRadar+ reviewed five cheap PBT keycap sets for three months and calls the Epomaker Glintrix set the best bet overall, with the deepest feel and richest snap, and the Twelve South DeskPad is Popular Science's best overall desk pad.
RTINGS' best cheap mechanical keyboard is the Royal Kludge RK61, a tiny, lightweight wireless board with hot-swappable switches. Its best mid-range pick, the NuPhy Node, has smooth, consistent keystrokes with pre-lubed switches.
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