How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?

[crimsonTofu]

So in my experience of using mechanical keyboards for the past couple of years, I've realized that I can't say I have a favourite (forgive my Canadian spelling). I've tried every kind of cherry mx switch as well as a few topre boards, and although I've had a pleasant experience with each one, I can't seem to find one that I want to keep around and use as my daily driver. I'm curious as to how you guys made the decision (whether it was through doing a typing test a million times with each keyboard, comparing them side to side, etc.) because I'm currently having some serious keyboard-commitment issues

[inanis]

My favorite is picked easily - it is the one with the most sentimental value.

[raymogi]

For me, it's the looks and the enjoyment that it gives from typing on it.

[HoffmanMyster]

I haven't consciously picked a favorite. As I rotate through my boards, I find myself using certain boards more than others, and those become my "favorites".

At this point, I have about four "favorites".  )

[Melvang]

One does not choose Model F, Model F chooses you.

[mrboovn]

For me,it's the looks(especially WITH SOME  LEDs) and typing feeling

[mikes41720]

At first, I thought it was all about looks, but then now it's really just about which one feels the best. I haven't had the most extensive experience with a lot of keyboards, only Cherry MX Blues, Browns, Reds, Blacks and 55g Topre. Suffice to say, 55g Topre is my favorite switch to type on, followed by the blues. It's really more about the switch type than the keyboard itself. Which is why I still have to give MX Clears, Zealio Clears, BS and Alps a try someday. 

[Ludovician]

I try out keyboards, and rarely use the ones I don't particularly like. By process of elimination, my favourites are my v80 with SKCM blues and my 55g Novatouch.

[chyros]

I go for a combination of typing feel, sound, looks and backstory, in that order, all of which rate high on my Acer, so that's my favourite .

[Jokrik]

I can't I just can't
they're all beautiful in their own way

RIP WALLET

[rowdy]

No reason why you need to have a favourite (also spelled correctly).

I use my CODE with clears at work first because it is relatively quiet, and second because it is a pain to carry a keyboard to the station and then on the train.

At home I swap keyboards around on a weekly basis.  Usually something with buckling springs on the weekends, and something much quieter, like HHKB, on the weekdays.

[chyros]

(forgive my Canadian spelling).

So is Canadian somewhere between American and English then?

[Jokrik]

No reason why you need to have a favourite (also spelled correctly).

I use my CODE with clears at work first because it is relatively quiet, and second because it is a pain to carry a keyboard to the station and then on the train.

At home I swap keyboards around on a weekly basis.  Usually something with buckling springs on the weekends, and something much quieter, like HHKB, on the weekdays.

You know I might cross to the dark side very soon (HHKB)
It somehow grew on me.... maybe due to the length of time I've been in this hobby

[baldgye]

I have two boards, one is a white tkl filco and the other is a black full size Filco. I like the tkl white board more as it's small and the white helps my Miami set 'pop'.

[fohat.digs]

One does not choose Model F, Model F chooses you.

When you own multiple keyboards in rotation, there are those that you are reluctant to rotate away from, and glad to rotate back to.

Just doing a series of A-B comparisons will eventually provide your answer.

[MagicSauce]

Topre decided for me

[mobbo]

Ever since getting my MX boards I'll pull them out every once in a while and do a typing test. The one with the best WPM stays on my desk until the next round

Unfortunately...I have a Topre board coming in, and if it's as good as everyone says then I worry for my other boards...

[raymogi]

Ever since getting my MX boards I'll pull them out every once in a while and do a typing test. The one with the best WPM stays on my desk until the next round

Unfortunately...I have a Topre board coming in, and if it's as good as everyone says then I worry for my other boards...

Funny. Back in the day that's how I decide which board stays for the week and which one goes back into the drawer.

I used to get better WPM with my FC660M with clears but the allure of the Topre thock is too much to resist.

[Lurch]

One does not choose Model F, Model F chooses you.

Brother!

[absyrd]

Trial.

Much error.

HHKB is love.

[Neo.X]

The ones I seldom type on are my favorite ones.

[CPTBadAss]

Trial.

Much error.

I've gone to a ton of meetups to be able to try many boards and switches. When I found something I really liked, I'd grab it to test out at home. A bunch of trial and error later, I'm stuck on SKCM Blue Alps and IBM Model F. I'd have Beamspring on that list too but I can't find one for the price I'd like to pay yet . And of course I haven't figured out how to get Hall Effect working over USB or how to find a board with Marquardt Butterfly switches.

[davkol]

EHMAGERD ERGODOX

[treefinger]

Sometimes I like to imagine a world where I never bought a Topre, in that world I had many favorites...but we all know the truth of the matter...

[fohat.digs]

A bunch of trial and error later, I'm stuck on SKCM Blue Alps and IBM Model F.

I have come to approximately the same conclusion.

[Joey Quinn]

I change boards depending on where I am/ what I feel like using. But my GON w lubed 78g gateron clears has been the favorite recently.

I just tried every switch I could until I realized what the winners were. Blue & Brown Alps, Model F BS, topre, and a smooth linear switch.

[mobbo]

Ever since getting my MX boards I'll pull them out every once in a while and do a typing test. The one with the best WPM stays on my desk until the next round

Unfortunately...I have a Topre board coming in, and if it's as good as everyone says then I worry for my other boards...

Funny. Back in the day that's how I decide which board stays for the week and which one goes back into the drawer.

I used to get better WPM with my FC660M with clears but the allure of the Topre thock is too much to resist.

I find I'm really accurate with clears but my speed is a bit lower than with blues or browns (brown is the worst for accuracy...)

Looking forward to that thock :3 

[ideus]

Features of a favorite keyboard, in order:


1. Usability, a board that helps me make less typos.
2. Feeling, its caps and switches has the right force, spring back and texture.
3. Look, high contrast legends, clean design, contrasting modifiers.
4. Layout, the easiest for the task I do frequently.
5. Programmable, that allows me to try layout changes and options.
6. Feedback, its sound is nice, not too loud, deep not high pitch, solid.

[MeltingTeeth]

Just do a  Demik and buy a HHKB.

[aggiejy]

I'd just like to say that finding your favorite can really suck.

I love mechanical keyboards. I have maybe 20-30 of every shape/size/finish. I've spent many thousands of dollars on keyboards, keycaps, and accessories over the years. I was a moderator here, I've run group buys. This was a my favorite hobby. I didn't think you *could* find a perfect/favorite keyboard. I loved rotating between them.

But then, unceremoniously, I found a Leopold FC660C. The layout is exactly what I want, but sadly it's unique enough that I don't like switching back to a TKL layout. (The arrow keys shifting messes me up.) So all in a poof, my keyboard collection is just sitting there. I have dozens of unopened keycap sets and several unassembled keyboard kits. But I don't have any motivation to do anything with them... it's sad. I did buy the FC660M in every switch type, and the aluminum case from Massdrop, but that leaves nothing else to look forward to.

So for those trying to find your favorite/perfect keyboard, I'd advise you to embrace the variety and uncertainty. The journey is MUCH more fun than the destination.

[Infrared]

I just chose my favorite by the feel. ATM my favorite is the 660c. Although that will probably change when I get my new KUL ES-87 and then swap the original switches out for zealios.

[HoffmanMyster]

I'd just like to say that finding your favorite can really suck.

I love mechanical keyboards. I have maybe 20-30 of every shape/size/finish. I've spent many thousands of dollars on keyboards, keycaps, and accessories over the years. I was a moderator here, I've run group buys. This was a my favorite hobby. I didn't think you *could* find a perfect/favorite keyboard. I loved rotating between them.

But then, unceremoniously, I found a Leopold FC660C. The layout is exactly what I want, but sadly it's unique enough that I don't like switching back to a TKL layout. (The arrow keys shifting messes me up.) So all in a poof, my keyboard collection is just sitting there. I have dozens of unopened keycap sets and several unassembled keyboard kits. But I don't have any motivation to do anything with them... it's sad. I did buy the FC660M in every switch type, and the aluminum case from Massdrop, but that leaves nothing else to look forward to.

So for those trying to find your favorite/perfect keyboard, I'd advise you to embrace the variety and uncertainty. The journey is MUCH more fun than the destination.

Hey aggie!    I never knew why you stopped hanging around here so much, but that makes sense.  Interesting to see the FC660C being "end game" for quite a few people.  Totally agree though, it's all about the journey. 

[bcredbottle]

I tried the Ergodox. Then I realized that split, staggered column is the only sensible way to make a keyboard.¹. Diverge II is only full-hand so by process of elimination, the Ergodox is my favorite and objectively the best keyboard available and/or ever made.



¹ As long as it's not a travelling keyboard. If so, then staggered column non-split (like the Atreus) is best.

[TopreFan333]

Trial and error and copious amounts of $ dropped along the way. I'm going to have a pretty sweet garage sale, though, when I get a little more time on my hands.

[cryptokey]

The one that makes me believe I'm not going to buy another keyboard for the longest.

[atlas3686]

All about the feels. I used to slightly begrudge the effort of having to type, now I look forward to getting to type.

[Snowdog993]

That is truly hard for me to answer.  I really like most every keyboard I have.



And that's just part of what I have too.  This picture is older.  There are more there now.

[rowdy]

That is truly hard for me to answer.  I really like most every keyboard I have.

Show Image

And that's just part of what I have too.  This picture is older.  There are more there now.

But yours are mostly the same, albeit with a different number of keys, or a different colour :p

[SamirD]

I didn't actively look for one.  This was well before I even knew my choice had a following--IBM Model M.  It was the first keyboard I used on a PC.  And next to the Keytronic we bought for our 486, it's been the only one I've used and still use.

I'm trying different switches when I can, but my hands still prefer the M.

[jonathanyu]

I would say I have two favorite keyboards.
One is the keyboard I use which is 456gt, the other one is the board that I only put on shelf which is my greek olivetti

[switchnollie]

That's a hard one! Don't think I could pick since I use most of my boards evenly or for a diff purpose.

As long as I can map backspace & enter to tab & caps lock + 60% I am happy

[henz]

i have so many keyboards which i want to fix up. but i have a hard time finding time atm. My current favourite is my LZ-FE, just because its the only board i have finnished modding.

[Oobly]

It's the one that puts the biggest smile on my face when I use it right now.

May be a different board tomorrow.

Or it may be the same board with different keycaps on.

Or a new switch mod.

Or different switches.

The adventure never ends

[SamirD]

Now that I have two sitting at my desk that are different--logitech g710 and IBM model M, I'll have to re-answer this question once I figure out a strategy.

[vegs]

HHKB chose me

[Signature]

The most expensive one (need a reason to blow money on kbs)

[tp4tissue]

Ergodox

Because, Tp4


Tp4

Because, Ergodox


Infallible logic +++++

[raymogi]

The most expensive one (need a reason to blow money on kbs)

One of the main reason for sure

[Jeftha]

I've only tried two different boards. DAS Pro 4 with Cherry blues and HHKB. HHKB is now my daily driver and it's become my favorite. It's currently dental band modded and I think the sound and feel beat Cherry MX Blues. So between the two, HHKB is much more enjoyable to type on. I'm expecting a RF 87U 55G in January and I have a feeling that it might just become my new favorite board. I heard that 55G Topre is the "King Switch".

[raymogi]

I've only tried two different boards. DAS Pro 4 with Cherry blues and HHKB. HHKB is now my daily driver and it's become my favorite. It's currently dental band modded and I think the sound and feel beat Cherry MX Blues. So between the two, HHKB is much more enjoyable to type on. I'm expecting a RF 87U 55G in January and I have a feeling that it might just become my new favorite board. I heard that 55G Topre is the "King Switch".

When you're itching to try something different, move those 55g domes to the HHKB. God mode HHKB right there.

I stopped using (kinda hated) my 55g RFs because of that.

[Jeftha]

I've only tried two different boards. DAS Pro 4 with Cherry blues and HHKB. HHKB is now my daily driver and it's become my favorite. It's currently dental band modded and I think the sound and feel beat Cherry MX Blues. So between the two, HHKB is much more enjoyable to type on. I'm expecting a RF 87U 55G in January and I have a feeling that it might just become my new favorite board. I heard that 55G Topre is the "King Switch".

When you're itching to try something different, move those 55g domes to the HHKB. God mode HHKB right there.

I stopped using (kinda hated) my 55g RFs because of that.

Yeah I've been thinking about doing that eventually, but I'm going to try the 55G on RF first. Maybe in the future I'll try 55G on my HHKB. Why didn't you like your 87U though?

[raymogi]

I've only tried two different boards. DAS Pro 4 with Cherry blues and HHKB. HHKB is now my daily driver and it's become my favorite. It's currently dental band modded and I think the sound and feel beat Cherry MX Blues. So between the two, HHKB is much more enjoyable to type on. I'm expecting a RF 87U 55G in January and I have a feeling that it might just become my new favorite board. I heard that 55G Topre is the "King Switch".

When you're itching to try something different, move those 55g domes to the HHKB. God mode HHKB right there.

I stopped using (kinda hated) my 55g RFs because of that.

Yeah I've been thinking about doing that eventually, but I'm going to try the 55G on RF first. Maybe in the future I'll try 55G on my HHKB. Why didn't you like your 87U though?

I don't like the way it sounds more than anything. I prefer the plastic case of the HHKB. More thock to my ears imo.

[Jeftha]

I've only tried two different boards. DAS Pro 4 with Cherry blues and HHKB. HHKB is now my daily driver and it's become my favorite. It's currently dental band modded and I think the sound and feel beat Cherry MX Blues. So between the two, HHKB is much more enjoyable to type on. I'm expecting a RF 87U 55G in January and I have a feeling that it might just become my new favorite board. I heard that 55G Topre is the "King Switch".

When you're itching to try something different, move those 55g domes to the HHKB. God mode HHKB right there.

I stopped using (kinda hated) my 55g RFs because of that.

Yeah I've been thinking about doing that eventually, but I'm going to try the 55G on RF first. Maybe in the future I'll try 55G on my HHKB. Why didn't you like your 87U though?

I don't like the way it sounds more than anything. I prefer the plastic case of the HHKB. More thock to my ears imo.

That's true. The thock on HHKB is hard to beat. When deciding which Topre I wanted, I listened to a lot of sound comparisons and dental band modded HHKB sounded the best. But I'm willing to give 87U a try. I feel a little guilty about buying it, just to harvest the domes and put them on my HHKB, so I'm not going to do that as soon as I get it. I plan on putting my 87U at home and keeping my HHKB for when I'm on the go.

[bocahgundul]

realforce 55g is my daily driver im waiting for hasu bluetooth controller and some lube to make my hhkb my daily and gonna swap the dome for teh hhkb. nothing beats the hhkb for me because of the layout man

[TopreFan333]

To answer the original question of how I decided which keyboard is my favorite (so far): trial and error.

Starting out, I knew I wanted something sturdy, keys that feel like there's good tactile and some auditory feedback. I wanted a "classic" aesthetic, like something you could see on a computer from 15, 20, 30 years ago or more. Beyond that, I was pretty uninformed except for what I was reading on forums like this.

I bought a cherry brown-based board (KUL) and futzed around with buying keycaps to get it looking cool. I liked it! I could probably have just stopped there and used that board forever.

But I was also reading a lot on this forum and others about Topre boards, and the HHKB in particular. At the very beginning, before I'd bought the KUL, I'd been attracted to the aesthetic and form-factor of the HHKB, but couldn't (yet) justify blowing that much money on a keyboard. Now I decided I'd take the plunge and order one. I liked the feel of the HHKB even better -- particularly the way the switch resistance collapses and falls gently down to the bottom. And of course the pleasing sound, and the compact layout of the board itself. After using the HHKB for a bit, I don't enjoy the feel and sound of the KUL nearly as much as I did before. Cherry switches that felt solidly mechanical now felt and sounded loose and rattly and scratchy, and just nowhere near as smooth as the Topre switches.

I'm sure there's some board that would open me up to some other experience, but I've already blown hundreds of dollars on keyboards. I'll be happy to just bang on this HHKB for however many years it lasts.

[SpAmRaY]

I still have not decided.

[DuckNorris]

Whichever one hurt my bank account the least.

[ndumdr]

It's honestly hard for me to determine a favourite keyboard, but I know when a keyboard isn't my favourite. I also have keyboard commitment issues and I just won't stop spending money on my next 'end game,' as I always believe them to be. But so far, my favourite is the RF 87u 45 that I currently own. I decide it by thinking if it's comfortable to type on or not/switch type and also how efficient in typing I can be with said keyboard.

[SBJ]

As someone else wrote trial, error and a lot of typing.
Also, my favorite tends to switch on almost a weekly/monthly basis.
First I'll find my favorite, I'll use it as much as possible, but then I start getting a craving to use one of my older boards, so I do that.
Then I might get a craving for something a bit heavier. So I switch again.

Although I am extremely happy with the one I'm typing on now I know that in a month I might have my eye on something else.
I'm a keyboard ****. I just want more keyboards!

[Joey Quinn]

I still have not decided.

I'm pretty much here. I rotate through all my boards but I do have 1 I use more than any of the others (78g lubed gat clear GON HHKB).

Most important for me is how the board feels but what I'm looking for feeling wise changes depending on what I'm doing. I'd say smooth linears and crisp but still smooth for clicky or tactile, on top of that a board looking amazing is just a bonus.

As someone else wrote trial, error and a lot of typing.
Also, my favorite tends to switch on almost a weekly/monthly basis.
First I'll find my favorite, I'll use it as much as possible, but then I start getting a craving to use one of my older boards, so I do that.
Then I might get a craving for something a bit heavier. So I switch again.

I think this is the best answer

[Targa-TV]

Unfortunately I decided which keyboard was my favorite by making my wallet wail for months in purchases and trades. It's good that mkb are so hype now that there are placed like forum sections and subreddit hosting an active market for used boards.

I don't know how other have chosen theirs, I'll read the messages in a moment, but I chose mine by making purchases and regretting them until I made a purchase that I'm not yet regretting. So believe it or not my favorite board is now an old, extremely second-hand G80-3000.

In terms of criteria I now rank reliability, switch feel, switch sound, moddability, caps feel, caps sound, layout, build and aesthetics in this order.

[Doluded]

I still haven't decided what my favorite is because I haven't touched all of the keyboards yet. A lot of them have different feel depending on a lot of factors but so far my favorite seems to by my Type-S. I'm definitely wanting to buy a custom MX board like the Moon that has a group buy running right now so we'll see

[dante]

I woke up one day and saw what I was doing: trying to get my mechanical switches to emulate the rubber dome I kept returning to.

[noisyturtle]

I bought about 15 boards and hated them all. Then I decided to take the bits of each board I actually liked and build my own, and that's the same board I've been using for 4 years or so. If I could change anything about it I'd get a better case and backplate, but that's it. And really in the end the difference would be so minor it's not worth my time or money to do so.

[Bucake]

of all the keyboards i've typed on, i just respect the model f xt the most. it's not even the keyboard i use the most, but it's my favorite one nonetheless.

[Hyde]

My favourite is the one I always go back to.

I keep buying new keyboards to try things out, so I'll constantly switch keyboards.  But eventually once I get bored of the new toy syndrome then go back to my "daily driver".

So the ones that sticks around and I keep going back to are my favourite.

Currently my top 3 are:

Filco Majestouch-2 (MX Red)
Das Keyboard 3 (MX Brown)
Topre Realforce 104 UW.

[Lazylewis]

My favourite is the one in the mail.

[Snowdog993]

That is truly hard for me to answer.  I really like most every keyboard I have.

Show Image

And that's just part of what I have too.  This picture is older.  There are more there now.

But yours are mostly the same, albeit with a different number of keys, or a different colour :p

I guess I should say I like Model M keyboards. My bad.

[fohat.digs]

So the ones that sticks around and I keep going back to are my favourite.

This is about it.

To expand on this, an ANSI-modded 122-key Model F has sat on my desk 90% of the time for the past 4 years.

Unfortunately I recently started a new job where my desktop space is limited, my keyboard is in danger of damage, and there are people around with telephones who can be bothered and distracted. To that end, I brought in a black IBM KB-8923 with half a dozen beige caps swapped in on commonly-used keys, and it is acceptable.

An all-new variety of keyboard needs a week or so of evaluation to be understood properly, unless it is truly horrible and gets ditched after seconds/minutes/hours. Also, since I am an old man with muscle memory stretching back decades, odd layouts bother me even when populated with excellent switches.

I have about a dozen keyboards (my "collection") boxed up and stored away, and keep a couple of Dell AT101Ws and Northgate 101s (with transplanted blue or orange Alps) out to rotate in for a few hours or days at a time when the mood strikes me.

[Pretendo]

For me, it breaks down roughly as follows:

Key feel: 40%
Utility: 40%
Sound: 20%

If a perfectly well laid out keyboard feels like garbage, then it's garbage.  If a wonderful feeling keyboard is laid out in a way that's unusable to me for coding, it's useless to me (most very old boards are disqualified for this reason.)  A non-annoying sound is nice, but not a deal breaker.  I don't care about much else. 

Right now, that brings my remapped (closer to ANSI) 122-key Model F to the top of the pack.  Even before refoaming and real layout modding (that damn left shift key) the feel is excellent.  It's like a crisper, lighter version of a Model M. There's nothing to knock about that.  I also don't find the chatter any more annoying than that of the M (some people do) so it doesn't lose any points there.  The extra keys have been put to good use with the remapping capability of Soarer's converter, and I even sort of like the tall enter key.

I don't have the largest mechanical keyboard repertoire out there, but I don't see this monster leaving my work desk any time soon.

[GroovyGI]

Tried KUL ES-87 didn't feel very sturdy and made some strange noise when typing, Das Keyboard 4 (my secondary due to being a Christmas gift) don't need a numpad as it makes the board too long, then Filco very nice but not as sturdy feeling as Leopold.

The one easiest to live with has mechanical switches, must be heavy enough to stay put on the desk, no numpad needed, TKL is perfect length for mouse use when gaming, no lights, no programmable keys, must be able to take some abuse. Winner is the Leopold C750RTN whatever switches you want but this is a solid keyboard for $114.00. The side printing on keycaps is just a plus.

[rowdy]

I am still using my CODE with MX clears at work, sometimes alternating with an SSK.

Same collection at home, although the HHKB seems to get rotated in a bit more often, mainly as it is one of the quieter keyboards.

[Lazylewis]

 Can't really pick favourites as i like to rotate. But some boards do fall out of rotation and I sell those.