Best Tenkeyless (TKL) Mechanical Keyboards in 2022

The Best Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboards (TKL) have gained popularity recently. They’re great if you’re looking for a compact mechanical keyboard. We will cover everything you need to know about the tenkeyless mechanical keyboard in this article.

Are you looking for the best tenkeyless mechanical keyboard? I am here to help you if your answer is yes. Tenkeyless keyboards are portable, easy to travel with, and take up less space. Therefore, there are quite a few users who prefer tenkeyless keyboards. When it comes to buying the best tenkeyless mechanical keyboard, the market has a lot to offer. Selecting the best one among them can be a difficult task.

A mechanical keyboard is a worthwhile upgrade over a more affordable, less comfortable keyboard if you spend most of your day typing or coding.

What is a Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard? Why Consider Going Tenkeyless Keyboard?

Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboards (also known as 75% keyboards or TKL keyboards) feature the same layout as other standard keyboards, except for the ten-key / Numpad area. Function-wise, there is not much difference.

You can see Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboards in laptops and they are starting to make their way into PC / desktop keyboards as well. You can save a lot of space using them, even if you don’t like Numpad or don’t use it at all.

Due to smaller desktop computers, laptops, gaming laptops, and the usage of gadgets and smartphones, people are organizing their workspace more efficiently. Who wants the big boxes and a lot of wires anyway?

A tenkeyless keyboard saves space, is easier to type on because it isn’t so wide and is more portable, while it still has all the same functions as a standard keyboard. Don’t forget that we still have the number keys on top of our keyboards.

It has been decided to remove one of the number areas since it is unnecessary to have two. As a result, a new design has been created.

Best tenkeyless mechanical keyboard with keys is one of the best keyboards you can own. In case you haven’t seen tenkeyless keyboards, I’ve listed the top 10 best tenkeyless mechanical keyboards below.

How we tested

We just played a bunch of games. A tenkeyless keyboard is a good middle-ground keyboard for all types of games. We played a mix of games, Dota 2 for MOBA/RTS players, and mostly Modern Warfare for FPS players.

Besides performance, we’re looking for ergonomics while playing, key feel, and durability if we happen to hammer the keys a little harder than usual. I want to see if the WASD area of the keycaps gets shiny or slippery quickly.

Along with play testing, we looked at reddit and gaming forums to see if there were any overwhelming complaints about any of the keyboards.

Top 10 Best Tenkeyless (TKL) Mechanical Keyboards

1) HyperX Alloy FPS Pro (TKL) Mechanical Keyboards

Gaming mechanical keyboards are hard to ignore. Considering that it ticks right about every box for the best gaming keyboards, it is worth a try.

Simple mechanical gaming keyboard that makes the most of Hyper X’s TKL layout. But it does not deny professional and amateur gamers the features they seek in gaming keyboards.

Connection to other devices is done with the use of a USB 2.0 cable. A red and black weave covers the cable, making it very durable.

One of its greatest advantages is the use of the clackety blues, tactile browns, and soft reds typical of cherry MX keys. The HyperX product does away with customizable software and assigns only a few options to the function keys by default.

Furthermore, it has very good performance and works well with heavy games like Witcher 3: Blood and Wine or Starcraft: Remastered.

Read: Best Quiet Mechanical Keyboard In 2022

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2) Durgod Taurus K320 (TKL) Mechanical Keyboards

Durgod Taurus K320 is a mechanical keyboard that offers one of the best typing experiences on the market.

Cherry MX switches, extra smooth stabilizers, and PBT keycaps make this keyboard a dream to use. All this in a compact TKL layout.

With one of the best first impressions we’ve seen for a pre-built keyboard, the K320 is sure to impress.

In addition to the lack of media keys, USB passthrough, and other bells and whistles that you may find in other ten-keyless keyboards, the K320 lacks a few other important features.

The center-mounted USB port makes it difficult to use a custom USB-C cable, so you’re stuck with a standard cable.

However, if you want a keyboard that does the simple stuff really well, the Durgod K320 is the keyboard for you.

Amazon offers the Durgod K320 for an affordable price with a variety of switch options.

Read: Best Low Profile Mechanical Keyboards in [2022]

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3) Corsair K63 (TKL) Mechanical Keyboards

Corsair is known for its excellent quality and gaming-oriented mechanical keyboards.

Corsair’s K63 comes in two versions – wired and wireless.

It is the wireless form, however, that piques our interest the most. It has a tasteful top bezel that offers enough space for dedicated media controls. Overall, the design is simple and straightforward, yet very stylish. Unlike many others on this list, it also has powerful blue backlighting.

Despite being wireless, there are no issues with connection or input delays. Thanks to the 2.4GHz frequency, this connection is top-notch and seamless. With its wireless setup, it is compact and really portable for use on the go. It can last an impressive 75 hours without backlighting. Cherry MX Keys are also included.

Read: Best Mechanical Keyboards For Small Hands in [2022]

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4) Drop CTRL (TKL) Mechanical Keyboards

Drop CTRL is a high-quality mechanical keyboard that does not require any introduction.

It was this keyboard that led me to fall into the rabbit hole that is mechanical keyboards, and it is partially responsible for this entire website.

Drop CTRL is a tenkeyless mechanical keyboard with some great features. Full-aluminum construction, hot-swappable sockets, multiple USB ports, and PBT keycaps round out the package.

Aluminum is a very sturdy material and has virtually no flex to it. The keyboard is built like a tank.

Its multiple USB ports enable you to plug in your power cable exactly where you want, making it easy to use in any setup.

With hot-swappable switches, you can easily test different switch options based on what you want. We ordered Halo Clear switches, a heavy tactile switch.

One issue with this keyboard is that it consumes an exorbitant amount of power, so you need a special power cable to keep it running.

Furthermore, the keyboard is quite expensive, making it one of the priciest keyboards on the market. Due to the fact that the keyboard has a thick aluminum frame, the price makes sense.

Visit this link to check out the Drop CTRL on Amazon. Check out the Drop ALT if you prefer a smaller size.

Read: Best Mini Mechanical Keyboards in [2022]

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5) Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition (TKL) Mechanical Keyboards

The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is a little pricey at $130. Nevertheless, it is well worth that price tag and perhaps even more.

This gaming keyboard is designed in a compact sports-oriented format and has the fastest key actuation. The fastest and most reliable keyboard on the block comes in a portable frame (5.5 x 14.3 x 1.4 inches). With its immaculate design and excellent performance, it removes all unnecessary features. In spite of being wired, the user does not have to worry about his cables jostling around while on the move. The cable can be removed when not needed.

As with many other Razer products, it also comes with RGB lighting. With its minimalist design, it appeals to both average users and gamers. It is highly customizable as well. Its performance is one of its strongest points. The keyboard has fewer moving parts, making it durable. Other than that, it is excellent for E-sport gamers who can be very hard on their hardware.

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6) WASD Code V3 (TKL) Mechanical Keyboards

The WASD Code V3 is a highly customizable tenkeyless mechanical keyboard that comes with a lot of cool features.

There are two different ways to get this keyboard:

1. You can purchase a pre-styled design on Amazon.
2. Customize the keyboard on the official WASD website.

You can have a lot of fun playing with the design settings on their website if you have some free time. But beware the price may increase very quickly!

Code V3 gives you the benefits of a custom mechanical keyboard without having to build it yourself.

A variety of switch options are available, from Cherry MX to ZealPC, depending on your budget.

The build quality of the keyboard is nice, but not exceptional. The case is made of plastic with an aluminum plate.

Although it may be a bit pricey for some, we recommend you check out this keyboard.

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7) Tecware Phantom 87 (TKL) Mechanical Keyboards

The Tecware Phantom 87 is an excellent choice for gamers looking for a high-performance gaming keyboard at a low price.

An entry-level mechanical keyboard that not only comes at a great price, but is also fully equipped with all the essentials.

With 18 different LED modes, it has a fantastic RGB. The floating keys make it even more exciting. Entrapped dust can also be easily removed. The USB 2.0 cable has a nylon braid that makes it durable and able to withstand rigorous use.

This Tecware keyboard is easily one of the fastest keyboards on the market with its frequency polling rate of 1000Hz. It guarantees a smooth gaming experience with no lags at all.

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8) Varmilo VA87M (TKL) Mechanical Keyboards

Varmilo VA87M makes some of the best mechanical keyboards on the market.

The New York Times gave this keyboard glowing reviews, so we knew we had to check it out for ourselves.

Due to their doubleshot construction, the keycaps are extra thick, so the legends will be clear and unlikely to wear down after heavy use.

The stabilizers are incredibly smooth and satisfying. There is very little rattle. A pre-built keyboard with such nice stabilizers is quite surprising.

In addition to the variety of Cherry MX switches you can choose from, you also have several options depending on whether you prefer linear, clicky, or tactile switches.

With the Cherry MX Blacks, there is very little spring ping and the keyboard feels quite smooth.

The center mounted USB port that is integrated into the back of the case did not appeal to me. Plugging in a custom cable is quite difficult and feels quite clunky.

In addition, the rubber kickstands easily slip off. They are not well glued or secured.

Although the keyboard is really nice and fun to use, I don’t agree with NYT’s assessment that it’s the best mechanical keyboard on the market.

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9) Redragon K552 (TKL) Mechanical Keyboards

The Redragon has more than 1,000 positive Amazon reviews. Some of its best features are:

• 12 Multimedia keys
• Splash-proof design
• Metal and ABS construction
• Budget-friendly/low price

Most of the TKL keyboards on this list are more than $100, so it’s nice to have one that costs less than $40!

The K552 is a great TKL if you’re just looking for something to kick around in. If you’re a mechanical keyboard fan who uses a numpad, this is a great budget-friendly option that wouldn’t kill you if it got damaged. However, if you want this TKL keyboard to be your main keyboard, I would consider one of the more expensive alternatives. More expensive keyboards tend to offer better features and higher quality. This is especially true for our TKL list.

There are only a few issues, such as the keyboard being heavy, the lack of macro keys, and the red backlighting. But what would you expect for such a low price?

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10) Keychron K8 (TKL) Mechanical Keyboards

Keychron K8 is a keyboard that recently made it through Kickstarter.

The keyboard features a hot-swappable PCB, wireless connection, Windows/Mac compatibility, and an aluminum frame.

With the sheer number of features on this keyboard, it’s packed full of utility – especially if you’re a Mac user.

The keyboard even comes with additional modifier keycaps so you always have the correct keys at hand, which can be quite difficult to find with keyboards that are compatible with both operating systems.

Using Bluetooth 5.1, you can seamlessly switch between an iPad and a Windows desktop.

The thick design does make you wonder how ergonomic the keyboard is, but it does allow Keychron to store an extra large battery.

This bad boy can run for weeks on a single charge.

Keychron never ceases to impress with their constant evolution and commitment to pushing the boundaries of keyboard innovation.

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Benefits of Compact Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboards

• Mousing with the right hand is much more comfortable. As a result, you no longer need to glide your hand an extra 4-5 inches over the numpad, so switching back and forth is quicker (speed is important for gaming).
• Improved ergonomics. Due to the same reason as the previous bullet point, you can more naturally align your shoulder with your mouse as it is closer to the middle of your body.
• The keyboard takes up less space on your desk.. You have more room for everything else!
• For those who travel a lot, tenkeyless keyboards offer lower weight and compactness.

Drawbacks of Compact Tenkeyless Keyboards

If you’re still on the fence, try typing without using your numeric keypad for a day. Put a sticky note over it to make sure you don’t relapse, and ask yourself if you’d miss it.

You can actually purchase the numerical keypad separately if you’re still unconvinced about getting a TKL keyboard. Check out our review here. If you travel often or really like one of the boards on our list, this should alleviate any major concerns you may have about purchasing a tenkeyless mechanical keyboard.

We’ll continue with some suggestions now that you’ve had some time to contemplate if a tenkeyless mechanical keyboard is right for you.

If the keyboards below don’t pique your interest, check out our list of the best mechanical keyboards for more tenkeyless options. There is one last article we have that discusses other types of mechanical compact keyboards (non-TKL) that you can review if you still need more options. Here is our list of the best tenkeyless mechanical keyboards you can buy right now.

Conclusion

When it comes to saving desk space and retaining most of the keyboard’s functionality, tenkeyless mechanical keyboards are a great option.

Here are our top 10 picks to help you choose the best option. If you’re looking for a good keyboard, you can’t go wrong with any of the top five options.

All the keyboards on this list were tested by hand so we could provide you with the most accurate information about their features and performance. The keyboard might be biased at times, but we try to be as fair as possible.