Best mechanical keyboards under $100
190 boards from the KeebScout database, all verified at $100 or less. Grouped by size below, with wireless and hot-swap called out where they matter. Prices reflect typical retail; check each board's page for current availability.
Quick picks by size
60% (26 boards)
Redragon K617 Fizz 60% · $30 · hot-swap The Redragon K617 Fizz is a $30 wired 60% with hot-swap sockets and RGB, one of the cheapest ways to try switch swapping on a name-brand board. MonsGeek FUN60 Pro 60% · $33.99 · hot-swap · wireless A 60% Hall Effect magnetic switch gaming keyboard with rapid trigger, offered in wired and multi-mode wireless variants, distinct from the base FUN60 and FUN60 Ultra models. Royal Kludge RK61 60% · $40 · hot-swap · wireless The Royal Kludge RK61 is the classic sub-$40 wireless 60% starter board, now sold with hot-swap sockets and tri-mode connectivity but only a small 1450mAh battery. Redragon Falchion 60% · $49.99 · wireless A 60% wired or 2.4GHz wireless gaming keyboard with a small side-mounted LCD display, tray mount, and swappable switches on later revisions. //e PCB kit 60% · $50 · hot-swap The CannonKeys //e PCB is a popular hot-swap 60% PCB used across many cases in the custom community, supporting QMK/VIA and common 60% layouts. Skyloong GK64 60% · $50 · hot-swap · wireless A 64-key hot-swappable board with a 60% layout plus dedicated arrow keys, wired or 2.4GHz connectivity, and RGB backlighting in a plastic case.
65% (34 boards)
MonsGeek Verve68 HE 65% · $49.99 · hot-swap · wireless A 65% Hall Effect magnetic switch keyboard with a hollow perforated case over a transparent PC inner frame, rapid trigger down to 0.005mm, and wired or tri-mode connectivity. Royal Kludge RK68 65% · $50 · hot-swap · wireless The Royal Kludge RK68 is a budget 65% tri-mode wireless keyboard that adds dedicated arrow keys over the RK61 while keeping hot-swap sockets and RGB around the $50 mark. Royal Kludge F68 65% · $54 · wireless The Royal Kludge F68 is a foldable low-profile 68-key travel keyboard with an aluminum body, white backlight, built-in tablet stand, and a small 600mAh battery. Aula F65 65% · $56 · hot-swap · wireless The Aula F65 is a 67-key budget 65% tri-mode gasket keyboard with hot-swap sockets, five-layer padding, and a 4000mAh battery, carrying the F75 formula into a smaller footprint. Attack Shark X66 65% · $59.99 · hot-swap · wireless A 65-percent, 66-key wireless mechanical keyboard from Attack Shark with side-printed PBT keycaps, a leaf-spring gasket structure, five layers of sound dampening foam, and tri-mode Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz, and USB-C connectivity. RK ROYAL KLUDGE G68 65% · $59.99 · hot-swap · wireless A 65% wireless mechanical keyboard with 68 keys, triple-mode Bluetooth 5.0/2.4GHz/USB-C connectivity, and hot-swappable 3-pin/5-pin switches, sold as an upgraded sibling to the RK68.
75% (50 boards)
Ajazz AK33 75% · $40 · hot-swap An 82-key wired mechanical keyboard with a tray mount plastic case, hot-swappable switches, and per-key RGB lighting aimed at budget-conscious gamers and typists. Royal Kludge S75 75% · $42 · hot-swap · wireless The Royal Kludge S75 is a gasket-mounted 75% tri-mode keyboard with a 0.66-inch LED info display, crown-style metal knob, and lubed Cloudy or Blue Lotus switches, launched primarily for the Chinese market at 299 yuan (about $42). Ajazz AK820 75% · $50 · hot-swap The Ajazz AK820 is a budget wired 75% gasket-mount hot-swap keyboard with a volume knob, RGB, and a five-layer dampening stack known for a thocky stock sound; unlike the tri-mode AK820 Pro it is USB-C wired only and has no TFT screen. Keychron K2 (V2) 75% · $50 · hot-swap · wireless The Keychron K2 (V2) is the classic 75% Bluetooth-plus-wired Mac-friendly mechanical keyboard that made Keychron's name, sold in white or RGB backlight trims with hot-swap only on select configurations and now heavily discounted as newer K2 versions replace it. Keychron V1 75% · $60 · hot-swap The Keychron V1 is a wired 75% QMK/VIA custom keyboard with a hot-swappable PCB, screw-in stabilizers, and double-shot OSA PBT keycaps in a budget plastic tray-mount case, with an optional knob version. Aula F75 75% · $62 · hot-swap · wireless The Aula F75 is the viral budget 75% tri-mode gasket keyboard with hot-swap LEOBOG switches, five-layer dampening, a knob, and a 4000mAh battery for around $60.
TKL (28 boards)
Keychron C3 Pro TKL · $35 The Keychron C3 Pro is a $35 wired tenkeyless keyboard that brings gasket mounting, sound-dampening foam, and full QMK/VIA support to the entry level, with a red-only backlight and soldered switches on the base model (the newer 8K revision adds RGB and hot-swap). Redragon K552 Kumara TKL · $35 The Redragon K552 Kumara is the archetypal sub-$40 wired TKL gaming keyboard with soldered Outemu switches, a metal top plate, and RGB (red-LED variants exist), a perennial first mechanical board. Keychron C1 TKL · $40 · hot-swap The Keychron C1 is a budget wired-only tenkeyless keyboard sold in non-backlit, white-backlight, and RGB trims, with hot-swap sockets only on the hot-swappable variants. Keychron C1 Pro TKL · $40 · hot-swap The Keychron C1 Pro is a budget wired-only tenkeyless keyboard with full QMK/VIA support, sold in white-backlight, RGB, and RGB hot-swap trims; the white and standard RGB models ship with soldered switches while only the top trim adds hot-swap sockets. Tecware Phantom 87 TKL · $45 · hot-swap The Tecware Phantom 87 is a budget tenkeyless that helped popularise hot-swap sockets at the low end, letting beginners change its Outemu switches without soldering, with RGB and a metal top plate for the price. Keychron K8 TKL · $60 · hot-swap · wireless The Keychron K8 is a tenkeyless wireless mechanical keyboard for Mac and Windows with white or RGB backlight, sold in soldered Gateron G Pro or hot-swappable mechanical/optical variants.
96% (20 boards)
Ajazz AK992 96% · $55 · hot-swap · wireless A 96 percent tri-mode wireless keyboard with wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz connectivity, hot-swappable sockets, a rotary knob, and a gasket mounted plastic case. Keychron K4 (V2) 96% · $60 · hot-swap · wireless The Keychron K4 (V2) is a 96% wireless mechanical keyboard that squeezes a full numpad into a compact footprint, offered with white or RGB backlight and hot-swap sockets only on select higher trims. Keychron V5 96% · $65 · hot-swap The Keychron V5 is a wired 96% QMK/VIA custom keyboard that keeps the numpad in a compact footprint, with hot-swap sockets, OSA PBT keycaps, and an optional knob version. Royal Kludge RK100 96% · $70 · hot-swap · wireless The Royal Kludge RK100 is a 100-key 96%-style budget wireless keyboard offering nearly full-size functionality with hot-swap sockets and tri-mode connectivity for around $70. Royal Kludge RK98 96% · $75 · hot-swap · wireless A 98-key wireless mechanical keyboard with tri-mode connectivity, gasket mount build, and hot-swap sockets, offering a compact 96% (1800-style) layout with a full numpad in a smaller footprint than full-size boards. VGN V98 Pro V2 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard 96% · $79.9 · hot-swap · wireless A 98-key tri-mode gasket-mounted keyboard from VGN with full hot-swap sockets, PBT keycaps, and an 8000mAh battery for extended wireless use.
full (23 boards)
Keychron C2 full · $44 · hot-swap The Keychron C2 is a budget full-size wired-only mechanical keyboard in non-backlit, white, or RGB backlight trims, with hot-swap limited to the designated hot-swappable variants. Cooler Master CK352 full · $49 A budget wired full-size mechanical keyboard with a numpad, a metal top plate, and per-key RGB, using Cooler Master switches for an affordable entry into mechanical typing. Lemokey X3 full · $50 · hot-swap The Lemokey X3 is a $50 wired full-size (104-key) gasket-mount gaming keyboard with QMK/VIA support and 1000 Hz polling, whose base model has a red-only backlight and soldered switches while the RGB version adds hot-swap sockets. Tecware Phantom 104 full · $50 · hot-swap The Tecware Phantom 104 is the full-size version of the value hot-swap Phantom, giving budget builders a numpad, RGB and swappable Outemu switches at a price that undercuts nearly every mainstream brand. Keychron K10 full · $60 · hot-swap · wireless The Keychron K10 is a full-size 104-key wireless mechanical keyboard with white or RGB backlight, currently sold with Keychron Super switches (earlier runs used Gateron G Pro) and hot-swap sockets only on select trims. Aula F108 full · $75 · hot-swap · wireless A full size 108 key tri-mode wireless mechanical keyboard with a numpad, hot swappable switches, wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz connectivity, and RGB lighting built for office and budget gaming use.
alice (3 boards)
Keychron V10 (Alice) alice · $80 · hot-swap The Keychron V10 is a wired Alice-layout QMK/VIA keyboard that brings the ergonomic split-angle arrangement, a knob, and hot-swap sockets to a budget plastic case. Feker Alice80 alice · $99 · hot-swap · wireless A 68-key Alice split ergonomic keyboard with a 3 degree center split, gasket mount with five-layer internal padding, tri-mode wireless, hot-swap sockets, and QMK/VIA support. Keychron Q10 (Alice) alice · $100 · hot-swap The Keychron Q10 is a wired Alice-layout 75% CNC-aluminum gasket-mount QMK/VIA keyboard with a knob and hot-swap sockets, giving ergonomic split-angle typing in a premium case.
numpad (3 boards)
8BitDo Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad numpad · $45 · hot-swap · wireless The 8BitDo Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad is an 18-key hot-swappable numpad with Kailh Box White V2 switches, a seven-segment LED display, tri-mode Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and wired connectivity, and a built-in calculator mode. Darmoshark K3 Pro numpad · $49 · hot-swap · wireless A hot-swap gasket-mount standalone numpad with wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz tri-mode connectivity, south-facing RGB, and a budget-friendly price aimed at gaming and typing. Keychron Q0 numpad · $70 · hot-swap The Keychron Q0 is a fully CNC aluminum gasket-mount numpad with QMK/VIA and hot-swap, designed as a matching companion to Keychron Q-series full keyboards.
numpadless-other (2 boards)
Keychron K14 Pro numpadless-other · $75 · hot-swap · wireless The Keychron K14 Pro is a 70% (72-key) wireless QMK/VIA mechanical keyboard that pairs a 65%-style alpha block with an extra key column, shipping fully hot-swappable with Keychron K Pro switches and PBT keycaps. Epomaker Shadow-X numpadless-other · $80 · hot-swap · wireless The Epomaker Shadow-X is a compact 70-key (roughly 65-70%) tri-mode gasket keyboard with a customizable mini LCD screen, hot-swap sockets, and a knob at a sub-$80 price.
Wireless picks under $100
115 boards under $100 ship with Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz. The standouts:
MonsGeek FUN60 Pro 60% · $33.99 · 2.4ghz + bluetooth A 60% Hall Effect magnetic switch gaming keyboard with rapid trigger, offered in wired and multi-mode wireless variants, distinct from the base FUN60 and FUN60 Ultra models. Royal Kludge RK61 60% · $40 · bluetooth + 2.4ghz The Royal Kludge RK61 is the classic sub-$40 wireless 60% starter board, now sold with hot-swap sockets and tri-mode connectivity but only a small 1450mAh battery. Royal Kludge S75 75% · $42 · bluetooth + 2.4ghz The Royal Kludge S75 is a gasket-mounted 75% tri-mode keyboard with a 0.66-inch LED info display, crown-style metal knob, and lubed Cloudy or Blue Lotus switches, launched primarily for the Chinese market at 299 yuan (about $42). 8BitDo Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad numpad · $45 · bluetooth + 2.4ghz The 8BitDo Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad is an 18-key hot-swappable numpad with Kailh Box White V2 switches, a seven-segment LED display, tri-mode Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and wired connectivity, and a built-in calculator mode. Darmoshark K3 Pro numpad · $49 · bluetooth + 2.4ghz A hot-swap gasket-mount standalone numpad with wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz tri-mode connectivity, south-facing RGB, and a budget-friendly price aimed at gaming and typing. MonsGeek Verve68 HE 65% · $49.99 · 2.4ghz + bluetooth A 65% Hall Effect magnetic switch keyboard with a hollow perforated case over a transparent PC inner frame, rapid trigger down to 0.005mm, and wired or tri-mode connectivity.
Hot-swap picks under $100
157 boards under $100 have hot-swap sockets, so you can change switches without soldering. Top value picks:
Redragon K617 Fizz 60% · $30 · hot-swap The Redragon K617 Fizz is a $30 wired 60% with hot-swap sockets and RGB, one of the cheapest ways to try switch swapping on a name-brand board. MonsGeek FUN60 Pro 60% · $33.99 · hot-swap A 60% Hall Effect magnetic switch gaming keyboard with rapid trigger, offered in wired and multi-mode wireless variants, distinct from the base FUN60 and FUN60 Ultra models. Ajazz AK33 75% · $40 · hot-swap An 82-key wired mechanical keyboard with a tray mount plastic case, hot-swappable switches, and per-key RGB lighting aimed at budget-conscious gamers and typists. Keychron C1 TKL · $40 · hot-swap The Keychron C1 is a budget wired-only tenkeyless keyboard sold in non-backlit, white-backlight, and RGB trims, with hot-swap sockets only on the hot-swappable variants. Keychron C1 Pro TKL · $40 · hot-swap The Keychron C1 Pro is a budget wired-only tenkeyless keyboard with full QMK/VIA support, sold in white-backlight, RGB, and RGB hot-swap trims; the white and standard RGB models ship with soldered switches while only the top trim adds hot-swap sockets. Royal Kludge RK61 60% · $40 · hot-swap The Royal Kludge RK61 is the classic sub-$40 wireless 60% starter board, now sold with hot-swap sockets and tri-mode connectivity but only a small 1450mAh battery.
How we picked
Every board here comes from the KeebScout keyboard database, filtered to $100 or less. We group by size because size is the first decision most buyers make, then call out wireless and hot-swap because those are the features that actually change day-to-day use. No board is here because a brand paid for the spot; the full methodology is on the about page.
Once you have a shortlist, use the keyboard finder to narrow by use case, or browse the switch database to plan a switch swap. If you want something slim enough to travel with, the low-profile guide has picks in this price range too.