Keychron

What is a “huge amount”? There are tons of options at the $129-200 price point. What options are you looking for, size, layout, RGB, media keys?

Some version of the Epomaker TH80. Good and cheap for what it is.

Keychron would be my choice because they have open source QMK/ZMK firmware, a decent web-based configuration tool (Keychron Launcher) that is built around an open protocol (VIA) with their own open extensions. The build quality is good and they are customizable (hot swappable switches, standard layout so keycaps are available). They have a bunch of models so you can find some cheaper options and some more expensive premium options. I am quite fond of the Q series which have a solid aluminum body but these are the expensive ones, the K series tend to still be great keyboards but with a more affordable plastic or plastic/aluminum hybrid design.

As the OpenRGB creator, if you care about RGB, especially if you want to sync with other devices, stay away from the no-name boards with closed source firmware. Might have good build quality, but their firmware situation is awful and you likely won’t be able to control it from anything other than the official app, RGB sync is out the door on many of them as they don’t have an RGB streaming mode.

No comment on the keyboard, just wanted to say thanks for all the work on openRGB , love the tool and really appreciate it!

The K series used to have metal bodies as well, and a much better look. Glad I nabbed two before they stopped making those.

I wouldn’t call it a gaming keyboard, but the build quality is stellar and it doesn’t cost a fortune. I’ve been using a Leopold keyboard at work for the past few months and it’s a delight to use. Cherry MX Red switches.

I grew up using the IBM Model M so I’m fussy about my keyboard quality.

I’d steer clear of heavily marketed “gaming” keyboards even from name brands. Their quality is often shit.

Cherry has the best blue switches I have ever felt.

If you want plug and play: Keychron, get one from Microcenter, they also have other keyboards and I found some Keychrons at best buy.

If you want something unique: NovelKeys sells parts and prebuilts and so does KBDFans.

Whatever you get, I’d make sure it is hot swappable. I can’t stress how much I hate tearing the whole keyboard apart to desolder and replace a switch.

My current keyboard is an E-Yoosa I found cheap at a bin store, and I swapped the switches for Glorious Pandas. I love it. And the whole build (keyboard, keycaps, switches, and damping o-rings) was under $100.

Yeah, so keyboard -> hot swappable. If you get keycaps, PBT is a nice feeling plastic. Double shot if you can mind the price. O-rings aren’t necessary, but they really do change the sound and feel. They are available in a variety of diameters and durometers. I’d say do some research into those if youre interested.

Your keyboard probably still works if you unplug it and wash it (including some soaking to get whatever Pepsi residue inside the switches out), but it’ll take a few days to dry back out.

But for new keyboards, I just echo that you want hot swappable switches, desoldering switches sucks so hard. My keyboard is 12+ years old, so it probably isn’t sold anymore

Whatever you land on, make sure it has hotswap switches, these days it should be pretty standard. That way if any die, or get spilled on in the future, you can just replace the broken keys, not the whole board.

Put it on the top rack of your dishwasher and run a cycle with no soap. Then leave the keyboard upside down on a towel for 24 hours. I did that after my friend spilled a milkshake on my keyboard. Came out good as new.

I’m currently rocking Epomakers. Heavy aluminum. When the big one drops, cockroaches will be typing on these.

Someone mentioned a dishwasher, not sure about that. But I’ve had success rinsing with a bunch of hot water, letting it dry, then rinse with isopropanol (99 % from the drug store). Let dry and should be good afterwards… hopefully. Worked for me with a number of devices.

A lot cheaper than a new keyboard.