The lesser space your equipment occupies, the easier it is to move around freely. In today’s gaming world, almost everything is customizable. Gamers spend an ample amount of money and time customizing their rig to perfection. This includes everything from the GPU to the gaming mouse. Thus it only makes sense that you would want your keyboard to take up as little space as possible. A great way to achieve this is by getting a tenkeyless keyboard. That way, you will be saving up a lot more space than you would by using any regular bulky keyboard. Let me walk you over what a tenkeyless keyboard is and its advantages and disadvantages, and so on. What is a tenkeyless keyboard? A tenkeyless keyboard is a normal-sized keyboard without the ten-key/ number pad. It is much more compact than a normal keyboard, and its mechanism allows you to customize it to your liking. Let me list some of the best tenkeyless mechanical keyboards on the market.
Best Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard – Detailed Specs Chart
Best Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard
#1- Corsair K65 LUX RGB
Corsair is no stranger to making reliable and top-notch gaming equipment. It is well known in the world of gaming and has some high-quality equipment that makes your gaming experience enjoyable. Corsair products are widely used in pro gaming tournaments by professional gamers.
CHERRY MX Red Switches Dynamic, Per-Key RGB Backlighting Dedicated Volume And Multimedia Controls HID Keyboard Report Rate 1ms Aluminum Frame For Superior Durability iCUE Support Enables Macro And Lighting Programming
Compact size RGB lighting Aluminum long-lasting frame Unlimited RGB customizations
Not wireless
The Corsair K65 LUX RGB is a sleek mechanical that looks like it’s straight out of a gamer’s dream. It is tenkeyless, which allows more space for your mouse and easy movement while gaming. Its compact size allows gamers to easily travel with it and take it to tournaments. The Corsair K65 LUX is equipped with RGB lighting, a feature preferred by a majority of gamers. The aluminum frame is made with future proof materials, which allow for years of gaming, all while still looking aesthetically pleasing. Each key has RGB lighting, which illuminates your keyboard and can be customized almost endlessly. It is one of the good mechanical keyboards on the market.
#2- Logitech G PRO
Logitech is no stranger to creating top-quality gaming products with reliable and intuitive features. Among the extensive list of keyboards that they have created, stands the Logitech G PRO. The final verdict with the Corsair K65 LUX RGB is that it is a high-quality keyboard that you can’t go wrong with. Its compact size and tenkeyless feature makes it portable and helps you save space on your gaming set up. The RGB lighting has unlimited customization options, and each key gets lit up, making your keyboard look very aesthetically pleasing. Its aluminum frame is long-lasting, which allows for maximum gaming time without any wear or tear. It is most definitely a top-notch gaming board.
Detachable Micro USB Cables 1ms Report Rate Romer-G Switches Deliver 25% Faster Actuation Than Standard Mechanical Switches Durable For Upto 70 Million Keypresses Customize Lighting And Animations With G-HUB Software
Clean and simple aesthetic Solid, durable build Focused RGB lights that don’t bleed
Romer G switches do not feel like MX Switches, making it harder to get used to.
One of the first things you’ll notice about this keyboard is its unique and robust build. Logitech has designed this keyboard to stand the test of time, and whatever else you can throw at it. The keyboard is slim, ergonomic, and has a very minimal bounce to it. You can hammer away at its keys for hours on any sort of surface, and it’ll still feel like a solid slab of high-end gaming equipment. The clicks are satisfying, and every touch has great feedback to it. It’s using the Romer G switches, which deliver 25% faster response time so that every press on the buttons is instantly relayed to your screen. It also comes with three-step angle adjustment and rubber feet, so you can set it up comfortably in whatever workspace you’re in. The RGB in this keyboard is phenomenal as it comes with compatibility for over 300 games and lights up each key individually based on the actions you’re performing. The LED quality in general, is very good as well, and the overall lighting experience is highly satisfying. This keyboard has a steel backplate, which makes all the difference when it comes to reliability and durability.
#3- Redragon K552
Redragon is an up-and-coming company that has come out with many gaming products, all tailored for high-end performance while still being affordable and within reasonable ranges. The Logitech G Pro is easily one of the best tenkeyless keyboards out there. With its strong, durable build quality, sleek and ergonomic design, and its spectacular Romer G switches, you’ll get your money’s worth and more. Go for this keyboard if you need a simple, reliable, and clean keyboard for your workstation. It looks and feels nice, and also has some of the best software support out there. I highly recommend this keyboard, you can’t go wrong with it.
All 87 Keys Are 100% Conflict-Free, Anti-Ghosting 12 Multimedia Keys Available In Rainbow RGB & RED Backlit Keys Splash-Proof Design Gold-Plated High-Speed Corrosion Free USB Connector Custom Keycaps For Crystal Clear Backlighting
Very robust build qualityGood blue switches12 Function keysMany RGB features in the RGB version
Only uses blue switches Not the most aesthetic Slightly slippery feet No detachable USB cable
While they may not have innovative new technology at their disposal, they do everything that other companies do, and most importantly, they do it right. Today we’ll be looking at the Redragon K552. The Redragon K552 uses Cherry MX blue switches, which are ideal and trusted for gaming, and produce satisfying clicks. The keyboard features laser-engraved keycaps, and all 87 of the keys are conflict-free, which means you won’t get any ghosting issues. It can also be very easily taken apart and rebuilt, in case you ever need to make any adjustments of your own. The Redragon K552 Kumara is very compact and very comfortable to use in any environment.
#4- KINESIS Freestyle Edge RGB Split
The Kinesis Freestyle Edge is one of the more outlandish keyboards on this list. It’s a “split” keyboard, which means you can take the keyboard apart from the middle and place it around to your liking, or even put stuff between the two parts. The Redragon K552 is a great keyboard for getting into the world of mechanical, tenkeyless keyboards if you’re just getting started. With its generous price, amazing implementation of blue switches, and compact design, you can take this keyboard just about anywhere without having to worry much. You should go for this keyboard if you’ve never used a tenkeyless mechanical keyboard, or if you want something that can withstand the roughest environments.
16.8M Color Per-Key RGB Backlighting 10 fully customizable Lighting Effects Genuine Cherry MX RGB Mechanical Switches 100% Anti-Ghosting With NKRO Technology 1MS Response Time 100% Mechanical Switches 4MB Onboard Memory For Profiles And Settings
Amazing response time Premium design and ergonomics Reduces strain and comfortable to use
Keys may be hard to reach in certain positions Elevations sold separately
It comes with 10 fully customizable RGB settings, genuine Cherry MX RGB mechanical switches, and customizable macro settings, as is with all high-end gaming keyboards. This keyboard is focused on ultimate customization and comfort, and it also comes with detachable palm supports. It boasts 100% anti-ghosting and 1ms latency among its key features, which means a clean, accurate, and responsive typing experience. Kinesis has outdone itself and presented a stylish, unique, and fun keyboard for gaming enthusiasts.
#5- ASUS ROG Claymore Detachable
The ASUS ROG Claymore is ASUS’ entry for good, mechanical keyboards with stellar RGB. The ASUS ROG Claymore is made of German Cherry MX Red switches, that offer satisfying key presses and super-fast response times. The Kinesis Freestyle Edge keyboard is certainly very stylish and boasts amazing technology to help you get the upper hand in gaming. Although it has all the specifications of any high-end gaming keyboard, its selling point is the fact that you can take it apart right in two. Once you’ve set it up the way you like, you won’t want to use any other keyboard. The build quality is very satisfactory, the RGB is pretty and not an eye strainer, the keys implement Cherry MX switches very nicely, and overall it’s a great product. I recommend this if you want to get creative with your gaming setup.
German-Made Cherry MX RGB Switches Durable For 50 Million Keystroke 100% Anti-Ghosting With NKRO Technology Comes With Aura Sync You Can Save Up To Six User Profiles in ROG Claymore’s built-in flash Dedicated volume & mute control
Beautiful design Plethora of features Very bright colors Detachable Numpad Along with Detachable USB cable You can use the Numpad on Left or Right Side
Buggy firmware Average mechanical switches performance
ASUS is all about customization and personalization, that’s why they’ve included a detachable Numpad, which you can use whenever you don’t want to use a tenkeyless keyboard. Aura Sync once again returns for maximum RGB customization. ASUS boasts a 100% anti-ghosting feature, on the fly macros, and dedicated hotkeys for motherboard cooling and overclocking as well. The ASUS ROG Claymore, with its individually backlit keys, looks phenomenal. The detailing on the heavyweight aluminum chassis looks cool and has a Mayan aesthetic to it. The cable routing grooves on the backplate, as well as the height-adjustable feet, are nice additions as well that make this keyboard a complete package. Now, on towards the specifications.
#6- Razer BlackWidow X-TE Chroma
Finally, the keyboard everyone’s been waiting to see. The Razer BlackWidow X-TE Chroma is an absolute beast of a keyboard that’s been at pro-gamer’s sides since 2017. Overall, the ASUS ROG Claymore seems like a pretty good deal with its bright colors, spectacular design, and highly flattering spec-sheet. Although it suffers from its fair share of issues such as unresponsiveness or buggy firmware, this is the case with most keyboards on the market. The keyboard looks great, performs great (most of the time), and has a lot of different customization options that make this a worthy contender for your hard-earned dollars. If you want something fun, unique, and bright, definitely go for the ASUS ROG Claymore.
Chroma Customizable Backlighting Durable For 80 Million Keystrokes 10 Key Roll-Over Anti-Ghosting Cable Management Routing Razer’s Synapse Enabled 1MS Response Time On-The-Fly Macro Recording
Wide range of 16.8M Backlit Colors with Razer Chroma Very Simple, Sleek and Elegant Look Constructed From Military Grade Metal Awesome Response Time
Keyswitches are a bit loud No Detachable Cable
The keyboard is sleek, tactile, very responsive, and has that signature Razer look on it. Razer boasts its switches, with the BlackWidow being embellished by their tactile and clicky green switches. These switches are certainly very satisfying to use and provide maximum clicking pleasure. Of course, the keyboard comes with Razer Chroma functionality, which has to be some of the best RGB software on the market right now. There isn’t much to say about the Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition keyboard, it’s been around for so long and has made its name in the keyboard world. While it may be getting on in years, it still performs as wonderfully as ever, and there’s a V2 of it if you need something newer. With that said, let’s look at the spec sheet.
Best Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard – Buying Guide Everything You Need To Know
Wired VS. Wireless Connectivity
Some people may prefer wired keyboards due to more reliable latency, but these days technology is catching up fast. This means that using a wireless keyboard doesn’t have much of a drawback anymore, and any of these keyboards will be a good pick when it comes to latency and connectivity. In short, the Razer BlackWidow X-TE is a Pack-A-Punch, it delivers an outstanding performance in almost all departments from durability to aesthetics, Razer has also used their multi-award-winning in house Green Key Switches giving gamers durability, speed, and performance, like no other Keyboard in the market. The only issue I was able to found is that the Keys can get a bit louder as compared to the Razer Orange or Cherry MX Brown key switches and also, the cable is not detachable. I think it’s a little dated as compared to other TKL keyboards in this list but other than that it’s a solid gaming keyboard. Suggested Reading:
Best Gaming Keyboard Under 50
Features
Each keyboard has its quirks and qualities. Logitech’s G Pro features highly specialized Romer G switches, which feel much better than most switches on the market. The Redragon K552 can easily be taken apart to replace or use its parts. The Kinesis Freestyle is probably the most unique of the list, as it can be split in two, and placed to your liking. The giveaway is that although these keyboards have intricate details and different features, they all do the same thing, and that’s performing as a keyboard. So you should go for the feature which piques your curiosity the most.
Switches
Mechanical keyboards use a plethora of different switches, which each have their distinct feel and mechanical advantage. We’ll enlist the switches each keyboard uses, and you can select your pick from below:
Backlighting
Each keyboard is RGB enabled and features beautiful and distinct backlighting. The RGB brightness and quality differ from keyboard to keyboard, and this part is mostly up to your personal preference. The brightness, smoothness, and functionality of the backlighting in all keyboards are fully satisfactory and won’t leave you disappointed.
Extra Keys
Each keyboard has some sort of macro functionality. Macros are extra keys that have specialized functions such as volume keys, power on/off keys, etc.. The Kinesis Freestyle has a function bar on the left side. The ASUS ROG Claymore and KINESIS Freestyle Edge have fully programmable macros and so on. In this day and age, every gaming keyboard, especially a mechanical keyboard, will have some sort of macro functionality or extra keys. You should check out which of these keys your keyboard has upon purchasing.
Durability
Durability is probably the most important aspect to look carefully at. The Redragon K552 is the strongest and buffest keyboard with its metal-ABS construction and plate-mounted mechanical keys. The Logitech G Pro also does not disappoint with its sturdy and weighty body. The least durable is the Kinesis Freestyle Edge, and that’s because of its splitting nature. Because of all the extra movement in placing it around, it’s more susceptible to some sort of damage as compared to the other keyboards.
Benefits of Tenkeyless Keyboards
Tenkeyless keyboards are pretty much the standard now for gaming. This is because they eliminate the Numpad, which no one ever uses anyway, but still keeps the important macros and function keys and everything else. These keyboards fit a much more diverse form factor and can be taken anywhere. You could bring it along to your office at work, take it to school, and it’s just so convenient to use for LAN parties. The amount of desk space you could save up might seem trivial, but it makes a huge difference. Besides, no one is going to miss the Numpad anyway. If you want something unique and aesthetic to prettify your workspace, get the Kinesis Freestyle Edge. If you’re on a budget, and just want a good mechanical keyboard, go for the Redragon K552. If you want the all-rounder, go for the Corsair K65 LUX. I hope this buying guide has been useful to you. If there’s anything you want to ask or feel like I should add, please contact us, and I’ll do my best to get back to you.
Question 1: What is a Tenkeyless (TKL) Mechanical keyboard?
A tenkeyless keyboard is a fully functioning keyboard without the ten key or the Numpad.
Question 2: How many keys are on a TKL keyboard?
A tenkeyless keyboard has around 87/88 keys.
Question 3: What is the best TKL Keyboard?
There’s a lot of TKL keyboards that do amazing, with some of the best ones being mentioned in this guide. The rest is up to the viewer, but I recommend the Logitech G Pro. Sources: https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2020/05/complete-guide-mechanical-keyboards/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8jX2DpHA5E
