The 5 Best Keyboards For Programming - Fall 2023 Reviews

The best keyboard for programming that we've tested is the Keychron Q1 Pro, a compact (75%) model in Keychron's wider Q Pro Series. Note that this keyboard isn't typically available from major online retailers but is reliably in stock directly from Keychron's website. This wireless keyboard has outstanding build quality and looks, feels, and sounds great right out of the box. Part of what makes typing on this keyboard different is its double gasket-mounted design, which has a softer sounding, almost springy-feeling typing experience compared to most mechanical options.

Another major selling point of this keyboard is its high customization level. It has a hot-swappable PCB, so you can swap out or repair switches, stabilizers, or keycaps. There's even an included toolkit to help you disassemble your keyboard and take your modding hobby to the next level. While we recommend the Q1 Pro specifically for most programmers, the entire Keychron Q Pro series is worth checking out. The difference between models is their size.

If you don't rely on F-row keys for your workflow, you may appreciate the more compact Keychron Q4 Pro. Or, if you do a lot of data entry, you may want to check out the full-size Keychron Q6 Pro. Either way, each model in this series offers the same outstanding typing quality, wireless connectivity, and hardware customization. Each variant is also fully compatible with VIA customization software and QMK, meaning you can make both software and firmware-level adjustments to complement your workflow.

The NuPhy Air75 is one of the best mechanical keyboards for programming you can get at a solid price point between not too expensive and not too cheap. It offers an incredible typing experience without any modifications and excellent build quality, wrapped in one very portable unit. Additionally, it's fully compatible with any operating system, including Linux. It connects wirelessly with Bluetooth and has an included USB receiver that offers a more reliable connection if you often work in congested wireless spaces like open offices.

You can use the NuPhy in wired mode, which is great as you can use it while it charges. This keyboard's F1-F12 keys are on a secondary layer by default. Thankfully, a recent firmware update adds an FN-lock function that can reverse this behavior, which is helpful if you rely heavily on your F-row for your workflow.

Thanks to the low-profile mechanical switches and chiclet-style keycaps, you can rest your wrists comfortably on the surface you're working on and reach the keys without straining upwards, which can make a big difference over long stretches. The keycaps are made of durable PBT with a slightly rough texture that feels great on your fingertips. Additionally, you won't have to worry about charging it too frequently as it has an impressive 48-hour battery life with the RGB backlighting turned off.

At a budget price point, you'll have difficulty finding a keyboard that offers everything the Keychron V1 does. It's essentially a budget version of our top pick, the Keychron Q1 Pro. While it doesn't feature the solid aluminum frame found on Keychron's Q Pro series boards, it has a surprisingly sturdy plastic frame in either a solid black or a Y2K-esque frosted black colorway. It still has the same high-quality PBT keycaps, screw-in stabilizers, and layers of sound-dampening foam inside the board to help reduce the ping and rattle while you type.

Like the Q1 Pro, everything, from the internal hardware components to the firmware, is customizable, making this a great budget-friendly base to start with if you're interested in a fully bespoke unit for programming. The V1 and other size variants in Keychron's wider V Series are also easy to deconstruct thanks to the included toolkit, and it only takes about an hour to change out the stock components. There's a bit of a compromise since the V series boards are wired only.

So, if you're looking for a wireless recommendation around the same price range, we recommend the Obinslab Anne Pro 2. It isn't nearly as customizable as the V Series keyboards, but it comes in an impressive range of switch options from various manufacturers. It also connects wirelessly with up to four devices at once using Bluetooth, so it's an excellent choice for multi-device setups. Unfortunately, the battery life isn't great, maxing out at eight hours of continuous use, so you'll likely have to charge it daily.

We recommend the ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 if you need a good, cheap coding keyboard. Despite its affordable price point, this compact model has a hot-swappable PCB, so you can easily replace the stock switches with the ones you prefer. It's an extremely versatile unit that lets you connect with up to three devices simultaneously via Bluetooth. There's also a variant with a wireless USB receiver that can be a lifesaver if you use it in a noisier Bluetooth environment, like an open office.

This compact unit lacks a dedicated function row and arrow keys, which can be a dealbreaker if you're not a fan of using shortcut combinations to access these commands. Additionally, the battery life on the RK61 is on the lower side and maxes out at around 10 hours when used wirelessly. Fortunately, it also includes a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, and you can use the keyboard normally while it charges. A few different variants of this keyboard are available; some, like the unit we tested, only have Bluetooth connectivity and single-color backlighting, while other variants include a USB receiver and RGB backlighting.

While all the above picks are compact units, you may need a Numpad. In that case, we recommend the Razer Pro Type Ultra, a full-size wireless unit with great ergonomic features, impressive backlighting, and a nice, sleek aesthetic that looks great in any setup. It includes a nicely padded wrist rest and linear Razer Yellow switches that are incredibly light to press, so your fingers don't tire out as much. While it's a minor detail, this keyboard's default F-row functions are hotkey shortcuts, like media keys. However, this keyboard's most recent firmware version adds an FN-lock function that allows you to set the F1-F12 keys as the primary input, which can be helpful if you rely heavily on the F-row for your workflow.

This keyboard also has an outstanding battery life of up to 200 hours with the backlighting turned off. You can connect it wirelessly with its USB receiver, which also pairs with select Razer productivity mice, like the Razer Pro Click, or you can connect it with up to three devices using Bluetooth, which is great if you're in a multi-device setup.