If you’re a writer or you’re looking to get your fellow writer something fun for the holidays, I can tell you that one of the most important tools in any writer’s arsenal has to be the keyboard. Keyboards can really make or break the writing experience, and I definitely have used and tried many different types of keyboards before, so for me, I’ve learned what sort of typing experience I enjoy the best. Additionally, a keyboard can also impact the typing speed of a writer and the better the keyboard, the faster your WPM will be. So, for today’s post, I’ve compiled a list of 5 of the best keyboards that I recommend for writers, and I’ll be letting you all know which keyboard I use the most.
(affiliate disclaimer: some of the links in this post are affiliate links which means that I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you when you purchase something through one of my links)
First Things First… Membrane Vs Mechanical
The first thing I want to mention is the following: Why does the type of keyboard actually matter? Well, there are two really popular forms of keyboard structures that you will find that do make a difference regarding how your typing experience will feel. Membrane keyboards are softer and tend to have a “mushier” click to them. Mechanical keyboards are more heavy and they include a metal piece beneath the key on the switch that allows them to have that satisfying clicking sound that most mechanical keyboards have. Some are more “thocky” which just means that there is more lubricant on the switches.
There are also some different versions of these sorts of keyboards: Mechanical-like means membrane with a mechanical style feel; optical mechanical means that there are metal parts in the switch but the switch accentuates using infrared light, allowing for faster typing; optical switches are like optical mechanical but without any of the metal parts so it just uses light to accentuate.
I prefer optical switches and I really like the optical linear switches on my keyboard, which I’ll talk about later. Optical keyboards tend to run a bit more expensive, but you’ll see why I think they’re very worth it later in this post.
Mechanical keyboard switches also matter and there are plenty of options out there. The most popular switches are the Reds, Blues, and Browns. Some companies have their own switch colors (Razer’s opto-mechanical line are purple) but most companies use universal keyboard switches for most of their base keyboards. So, if you aren’t sure what the differences are, there are tons of videos on YouTube showing how they sound and look in case you are looking for something more specific.
The Best Keyboards for Writers!
Logitech K380
The first one on this list is the Logitech K380, which is one of the more economical options for keyboards that still contains the sort of quality that you’d expect from a Logitech device. This keyboard uses bluetooth, which means that you can connect it to any device. I personally have used this one for laptops and iPads alike, but you can connect it to your phone if you really want to as well.
The K380 is a low-profile membrane keyboard that is lightweight, small, portable, and very much on par with different aesthetics out there. Despite it being smaller, it still packs a good amount of solidity to it and typing on it is an absolute breeze and is a fast, smooth experience.
The nice thing about the Logitech K380 is that it’s got a good price for the quality and it’s also portable, so if you’re a writer that’s always on the move, this is probably the best option on the list here.
RK Royal Kludge RK61
If you want a mechanical keyboard that has a relatively good entry price point, since most mechanical keyboards tend to be on the more expensive side, then the RK Royal Kludge RK61 is the best option for you. It’s boasts a great quality build, has some cool lighting effects, and is a 60% keyboard meaning that it’s minimal but still has enough keys for writing books.
The nice thing about this keyboard is that it has linear red switches, which are known for being made for speed. This keyboard is really optimized for gaming, but linear red switches are definitely great switches for writers out there because you can type at a much faster pace using these switches and you can also get a lot more writing work done because of that. If you aren’t a fan or maybe you have your own switches, the switches are swappable, making it great as a base for customizing your own keyboard.
I’d say this is a great keyboard if you aren’t sure about mechanical keyboards just yet or you want to get a more budget-friendly board to start with!
Corsair K100
The Corsair K100 RGB keyboard is definitely the most expensive one on this list but there’s definitely a lot of reasons for that. I will say that this is the keyboard that I use and I really like this one. I’ve been using it for quite a good amount of time now and it’s one of those keyboards that just lasts because of how well-built it is. The Corsair K100 is an optical keyboard which means that you barely need to use force to get your keys to accentuate, meaning that your typing speed is dramatically increased just at the base point. Plus, it’s a very heavy and solid keyboard so it stands out on your desk as a focal point.
There are light bars all around the side, it comes with one of the best magnetic wrist rests that a gaming keyboard can include, and it also has cool features like a volume wheel and a wheel to control things like page scrolling or tracks in your songs.
I find that whenever I want to type a story out or I’m writing out one of these blog posts that I want to type because of how much fun I have typing on this keyboard. The Corsair K100 RGB is also perfect for gaming, if that’s something that you also do. Overall though, this is definitely the more expensive tier in keyboards out there, but rest assured, the money is well spent. I would say that this is probably one of the best keyboards for any writer out there.
Logitech G Pro
If you want a mechanical keyboard that is between the RK Royal Kludge and the Corsair K100, then let me point you in the direction of the Logitech G-Pro. This keyboard is built to be portable and compact with a ten-keyless design (meaning no num pad) and a great form for the price. It uses tactical clicky blue switches, which are a bit different than some of the other ones on this list. Clicky blue switches are definitely clicky, so be warned that this may run on the louder side (I’d watch comparison videos if you’re curious) but either way, this keyboard includes the speed for typing and gaming, the portability for travel, adjustable feet to change the height, and different colors so you can pick one that fits your setup for writing or your style more.
If you like Logitech products and you want a good mechanical keyboard without going up to the price of the Corsair K100 and you want something that fits gaming as well, then the Logitech G Pro is a perfect choice.
Logitech POP Mechanical Keyboard
This final keyboard option isn’t a gaming keyboard, but it is still a mechanical keyboard that was designed in a more aesthetic way. Since it’s not made for gaming, it doesn’t include RGB lights but the color patterns are really nice and this keyboard is still a well-built, functional one that has a good price for its quality.
The Logitech POP keyboards include brown switches, which tend to have a thicker sound and are usually the keyboards with the more “thock” sort of sounds to them as well. Additionally, this keyboard is bluetooth so you can connect it to any device like the K380. The POP keyboard line is basically what I’d call the mechanical version of the K380 lineup, so if you have previously owned a K380 and want to upgrade to a mechanical option, then I definitely recommend the POP keyboard if you aren’t also a gamer.
Additionally, the POP keyboards include keys that show a MacOS and Windows layout, so if you don’t own a Mac but you own a Windows, then this keyboard is perfect for you since you won’t have to figure out if Command is the same as CTRL or not. I struggled a bit remembering that when I used the K380.
Conclusion
These are only five of many keyboard options out there, but if you need a bit of guidance, this is definitely a good place to start because many of these keyboards are well-built, well-designed, have great keys, and are also great for their price point.
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