If you want feels premium, I can recommend Lemokey P1 Pro, you can check the HE (hall effect) version but more expensive. Another option without a knob but has hall effect, Keychron K2 HE special edition.
If you want budget keyboard, you can check Aula F75. I can also recommend Rainy 75 Pro, this is aluminum build but the switches for on and off can be found under capslock. Both thocky and creamy sound.
If you want low profile keyvoard and lightweight, might bring it at school, you can check Nuphy Air75 V3.
For TMR version (for gaming and I think more durable), you can check Monsgeek M1 V5 TMR (there are two version and make sure it is the TMR one). What I don't like here is the switches can be found under capslock so a bit hassle. This one has a knob. Another option is Womier Sk75 TMR but without a knob, if you dont like knob.
The ones with HE and TMR (latest tech than HE but not necessary obsolete) are into gaming focus. Same goes for P1 Pro, a custom keyboard for gaming but non-HE and non-TMR.
TMR keyboards like the Monsgeek M1V5 TMR, the Fun60 ultra TMR or the Womier sk75 TMR support (many, not all) HE switches as well as standard mechanical switches. So you could equip your gaming keys like WASD with HE and everything else with better sounding and feeling mechanical switches. Beware: Keychrons HE boards are also technically TMR but only support HE switches.
Well TMR switches would be the fastest switches available right now as far as i know, i have heard some good things about the "Monsgeek M1 V5 TMR" keyboards. What makes it the most interesting in my eyes is that you can use TMR switchs and/or normal mechanical switches. So if you want TMR for gaming but have some favorite mechanical switches for longer typing session you could swap the switches out.
If it is the best TMR keyboard out there i dont know but it is the one i heard the most about.
When it comes to HE keyboards they are all pretty similar in performance but people tend to prefer the software of the Wooting keyboards.
Well for gaming i find the 75% keyboard to be superior just because of the extra deskspace it opens up for the mouse. My personal daily driver after trying 15+ keyboards since June is the "IPI Aurora 75 HE" keyboard and even though i tried keyboards costing all the way up to $450 this keyboard that cost me $99 is my absolute favorite.
As for Akko keyboards the colab between Akko and Monsgeek with the M1 V5 is a keyboard i have seen recommended pretty often.
And if he needs a numpad/macropad to compansate for the lack of one on the 75% keyboard im super satisfied with my "Zouya GMK26" that is a wireless that i just grab when i need to crunch a lot of numbers.
Sound test of the IPI aurora75: [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/E2n2mE1fV2U?feature=share](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/E2n2mE1fV2U?feature=share)
Something that would fit the bill well would be the Monsgeek M1 V5 TMR.
Are HE/mag/optical switches are worth it?
I would say yes. They are an improvement over mechanical switches. If you’re sensitive to latency there is a massive difference in responsiveness in terms of feel. And then all the other goodies like SOCD, rapid trigger, analog input that you just don’t get with a traditional board. It would be an adjustment going back to mechanical switches for me.
That being said they aren’t satisfying to type on (any linear switch feels anemic to me). And you need to set up a typing profile because typing on .1mm sensitivity is wacky.
They typically run the same price as a mechanical board and do offer a notable improvement so I think it’s a no brainer.
If you are looking for wireless HE, keychron K2, K4, K8 HE are all pretty good. Good build quality, good sounding. Lower wireless latency than most and the boards that do have lower wireless latency are typically much more work. Battery life isn't great though unless you turn off RGB.
There's also the M1 V5 TMR as a premium wireless option (same pros and cons as the keychrons) and the SKYLOONG GK68 MIX, which will require work to sound good, but it has the lowest wireless latency and a bigger battery.
In terms of wired options, there are so many with good latency. Wooting is always a solid choice but you are paying for the long warranty and class leading software. You can certainly make a custom keyboard with a wooting module and make it into whatever you want.
I've seen the numbers of the Venom 60HE on a Korean website but I'm not sure how they are getting their 0.13ms figure. That's basically impossible unless you set the actuation point to the highest but no one can use a keyboard like that. Wooting keyboards already get <1ms and going below that is hard because at that point most of the latency is in travel distance. Migs also does keyboard testing on YouTube and the fastest keyboard he's tested has been at 0.53ms.
There are a good number of Chinese HE / TMR boards you can get cheap if you want to build that way. Just note it's a trade-off in regards to software / warranty / QC. The Skyloong I mentioned earlier also has a board only option as well.
All the above assume gaming performance is important to you.
Top Gaming Keyboards on Reddit
1
Wooting
80HE
80% positive of 230 users
Elite gaming performance, deep customization, but divisive typing feel.
AlmightyyyDee
