Which brands offer the best mechanical ortho keyboards?
This page compares 9 brands with verified specifications and prices. Top options include MoErgo Glove80 Ergonomic Keyboard Revision 2, YMDK YMD40 V2 DIY Kit, ZSA ErgoDox EZ. Prices range from £33 to £3,137,549. All data is sourced from manufacturer documentation and specialist retailers.
| Product ⇅ | Price ⇅ | Switch Type ⇅ | Layout ⇅ | Number of Keys ⇅ | Keycap Material ⇅ | Polling Rate (Hz) ⇅ | N-Key Rollover ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MoErgo Glove80 Ergonomic Keyboard Revision 2
US
|
£313.61 ≈ | Kailh Choc v1 Brown Tactile, Red Linear 50gf, Red Pro Linear 35gf, or White Clicky | Split columnar | 80 | — | — | — |
|
The Glove80 Revision 2 is a wireless split mechanical keyboard with concave key wells, thumb clusters, adjustable tenting, detachable palm rests, and customizable layouts. It suits users seeking extensive ergonomic adjustment, especially those who type for long periods or experience hand and wrist strain. ★ Ideal forIt is a strong choice among mechanical ortho keyboard brands because its 80-key split columnar layout, low-profile Kailh Choc switches, concave key wells, adjustable tenting, and remappable ZMK firmware provide unusually extensive ergonomic customization. |
|||||||
|
YMDK YMD40 V2 DIY Kit
US
|
£3137548.90 ≈ | — | 40% Planck-style with support for 3 layouts | 40 | — | — | — |
|
The YMDK YMD40 V2 is a compact 40% wired mechanical keyboard DIY kit with a CNC case, programmable QMK and VIA support, and a Type-C PCB. It suits enthusiasts who want a customizable ortholinear-style keyboard and are comfortable selecting or installing switches and keycaps. ★ Ideal forYMDK is a strong option among brands offering mechanical ortho keyboards because this 40-key Planck-style kit supports multiple layouts and programmable QMK and VIA firmware. |
|||||||
|
ZSA ErgoDox EZ
US
|
£261.95 ≈ | Cherry MX Brown, Cherry MX Blue, Cherry MX Red, Cherry MX Silent Red, Kailh Box Red, Kailh Box White, Kailh Box Black, Cherry MX Clear, Cherry MX Black, Cherry MX Speed Silver, Kailh Brown | Split ortholinear columnar | 76 | PBT plastic | — | — |
|
The ZSA ErgoDox EZ is a fully programmable split mechanical keyboard with a columnar layout, hot-swappable switches, and optional backlighting. It suits developers, writers, and ergonomic keyboard users who want extensive layout customization and adjustable positioning. ★ Ideal forIt suits people seeking one of the best mechanical ortho keyboards because its 76-key split ortholinear design, hot-swappable MX-compatible switches, and QMK-powered programmability provide extensive ergonomic and layout flexibility. |
|||||||
|
Keebio Sinc Keyboard - Pre-Built
US
|
£140.19 ≈ | — | Traditional split 75% with support for ISO enter | 80 | — | — | — |
|
The Keebio Sinc is a traditional split 75% mechanical keyboard with optional rotary encoders, split backspace, and ISO enter support. It uses an RP2040 microcontroller and supports VIA-based remapping, with per-key RGB lighting. It's hotswap for MX-style switches (keycaps are sold separately). ★ Ideal forFor brands targeting mechanical ortho fans, the Sinc's MX-style hotswap design plus VIA remapping (and its split 75% layout) makes it easy to try different switch 'feel' and key layouts that better match ortho-style preferences. |
|||||||
|
Keebio Iris SE Kit
US
|
£169.71 ≈ | MX-style hotswap | Ergonomic 4x6 vertical stagger split | — | — | — | — |
|
The Keebio Iris SE Kit is a split ergonomic keyboard with a 4x6 vertically staggered layout and 4 thumb keys per side. It supports MX-style switches and uses hotswap sockets so you can change switches without soldering. It's powered by QMK and VIA out of the box, letting you remap keys in the browser. ★ Ideal forFor brands offering the best mechanical ortho keyboards, the Iris SE Kit's MX-style hotswap support and QMK/VIA remapping make it easy to try and tune ortho layouts on an ergonomic split platform. |
|||||||
|
Work Louder XYZ Work Board r2
US
|
£84.12 ≈ | Linear 50gr | 47-key layout | 47 | — | — | — |
|
The XYZ Work Board r2 is a compact wired keyboard with 47 keys, MX switches, four programmable layers, onboard memory, and injection-molded shine-through keycaps. It suits users who want a space-saving keyboard with extensive macro customization for creative and productivity workflows. ★ Ideal forWork Louder is a strong choice for mechanical ortho keyboards because the XYZ Work Board r2 combines a compact 47-key layout, linear 50gr switches, and four programmable layers for efficient shortcut-driven workflows.
Sources:
|
|||||||
|
KPRepublic BM40 RGB 40% Hot-Swap Custom Mechanical Keyboard
US
|
£33.13 ≈ | Gateron mechanical switches | 40% ortholinear Planck | 40 | — | — | — |
|
The BM40 RGB is a compact, fully programmable 40% ortholinear keyboard PCB with hot-swap switch sockets, RGB lighting, QMK support, and a USB Type-C port. It suits users who want a highly customizable Planck-style keyboard and are comfortable sourcing or assembling the case and keycaps separately. ★ Ideal forIt suits the best mechanical ortho keyboard category because it combines a 40% ortholinear Planck layout with hot-swap sockets, QMK programmability, and RGB underglow.
Sources:
|
|||||||
|
Keychron Q11 Ultra 8K Wireless Custom Mechanical Keyboard
US
|
£257.53 ≈ | Keychron Silk POM Switch | 75% split | — | Double-shot PBT | 8000 Hz | ✓ |
|
The Keychron Q11 Ultra 8K is a premium split mechanical keyboard with a CNC-machined aluminum body, hot-swappable Silk POM switches, KSA PBT keycaps, and wireless 8000 Hz polling. Its ergonomic split design and programmable controls suit users who want comfortable long-session typing with fast, responsive performance. ★ Ideal forIt suits shoppers seeking the best mechanical ortho keyboards because its 75% split ergonomic layout, hot-swappable Silk POM switches, KSA double-shot PBT keycaps, and wireless 8000 Hz polling combine customization, comfort, and speed.
Sources:
|
|||||||
|
Model F Labs Ortholinear Split Ergonomic Model F Keyboard
US
|
£368.21 ≈ | Buckling spring | Ergodox style split ortholinear | — | — | — | ✓ |
|
This is a split ortholinear keyboard with a Model F buckling-spring typing mechanism and a Leyden Jar controller supporting communication between the two halves through one USB connection. It suits enthusiasts who want a highly tactile, clicky mechanical keyboard with an ergonomic split layout and extensive remapping potential. ★ Ideal forModel F Labs is a strong choice among brands offering mechanical ortho keyboards because this model combines an Ergodox-style split ortholinear layout, tactile buckling-spring switches, a programmable Leyden Jar controller, and full N-key rollover.
Sources:
|
|||||||