Top 5 Budget Gaming Mechanical Keyboards 2024
Summary
TLDRThis video reviews the top five best budget mechanical gaming keyboards of 2024, highlighting their features, build quality, switches, keycaps, stabilizers, and connectivity options. The countdown includes keyboards like the Yanai YZ87, AA F99, and Tew Phantom 87 Plus Elite, offering detailed insights into their design, performance, and sound profiles. Viewers are encouraged to check Amazon links for pricing and to stay tuned for a back-to-back sound test of all featured keyboards.
Takeaways
- ๐ The Yanai YZ 87 is ranked fifth among the top gaming mechanical keyboards in 2024, priced at $745 but often on sale for around $65.
- ๐จ This keyboard features a 10-keyless form factor with a two-piece plastic shell and custom inserts for a unique look.
- ๐ It offers good sound dampening with foam, soundproofing film, and silicone, and is gasket mounted for a satisfying typing experience.
- โจ๏ธ Equipped with Yanai's own milk switches, which are factory lubed and have a springy feel, enhancing the keyboard's tactile response.
- ๐ Fully hot-swappable with three and five pin switches, allowing for customization to suit individual preferences.
- ๐ The AA F99 is fourth on the list, with a 96% form factor, unique angles, and a small RGB light bar for aesthetic appeal.
- ๐ It boasts an 8,000 milliamp-hour battery, making it suitable for long wireless use.
- ๐ The Yanai B75 comes third, offering a 75% form factor with a knob and a solid, dense plastic case that feels premium despite its price.
- ๐๏ธ It includes the highly praised LeoBog Greywood V3 switches, known for their smoothness and suitability for gaming.
- ๐ The DeRu EK 75 Pro is second, featuring a 75% form factor with a knob and a gasket-mounted design for a trampoline-like feel.
- ๐ The Techwear Phantom 87 Plus Elite takes the top spot, offering a 10-keyless form factor with a top metal plate and impressive internal build quality.
Q & A
What is the price of the Yanai YZ 87 mechanical keyboard?
-The Yanai YZ 87 mechanical keyboard is priced at $745, but it can often be found on sale for around $65.
What form factor does the Yanai YZ 87 have?
-The Yanai YZ 87 has a 10-keyless form factor.
What kind of switches does the Yanai YZ 87 use?
-The Yanai YZ 87 uses Yanai's own milk switches, which are factory lubed and have a springy, ringy feel.
What is special about the keycaps on the Yanai YZ 87?
-The keycaps on the Yanai YZ 87 are double-shot PBT with a cherry profile, offering a smoother texture and a little grippiness.
What is the battery life of the AA f99 keyboard?
-The AA f99 keyboard has an 8,000 milliamp-hour battery, allowing for a long wireless usage time.
What type of switches are used in the AA f99 keyboard?
-The AA f99 keyboard uses the LeoBog Greywood V3 switches, which are lighter linear switches that are factory lubed and very smooth.
What is unique about the design of the Yanai B75 keyboard?
-The Yanai B75 keyboard features a 75% form factor with a knob, a two-piece plastic shell with rounded edges, and a white RGB indicator bar on the top left.
What are the connectivity options for the Deru EK 75 Pro keyboard?
-The Deru EK 75 Pro keyboard offers wired connectivity with a detachable USB type-C, as well as wireless options with Bluetooth or a 2.4 GHz USB dongle.
What is the standout feature of the Techware Phantom 87 Plus Elite keyboard?
-The standout feature of the Techware Phantom 87 Plus Elite keyboard is its build quality, which includes two layers of foam between the plate and the PCB, one being high-quality Poron foam, and rubber dampeners for the space bar stabilizers.
What kind of switches does the Techware Phantom 87 Plus Elite keyboard come with?
-The Techware Phantom 87 Plus Elite keyboard comes with Techware's own switches, including the Wraith Brown and orange tactiles, and the Wraith red and pink linear switches.
What is the price difference between the Techware Phantom 87 Plus and the Plus Elite?
-The Techware Phantom 87 Plus is priced at $55.99, while the Plus Elite version is priced at $79.99.
Outlines
๐ฎ Yanai YZ 87 - Top Mechanical Keyboard Review
The Yanai YZ 87 is reviewed as the fifth best gaming mechanical keyboard of 2024, priced at $745 but often on sale for around $65. It features a 10-keyless form factor with a two-piece plastic shell, custom inserts, and a gasket mount for a poppy sound. It includes dongle storage, a mode switch, and a Windows/Mac switch. The keyboard uses Yanai's own milk switches, which are factory-lubed with a springy feel. It's fully hot-swappable and comes with double-shot PBT keycaps. Connectivity options include a detachable USB-C or wireless capabilities with Bluetooth or a 2.4 GHz USB dongle. The keyboard also boasts a 5,000 milliamp-hour battery and excellent RGB lighting.
๐ฅ AA F99 Keyboard - Unique Form Factor & Smooth Switches
The AA F99 is a 96% keyboard with a two-piece plastic case, rounded edges, and a unique RGB light bar. It offers various color options and uses the Leobog Greywood V3 switches, which are smooth and ideal for gaming. The keyboard is fully hot-swappable and has plate-mounted stabilizers that are well-lubed and tuned. It features non-shinethrough double-shot PBT keycaps with a slight texture and good printing quality. Connectivity is provided by a detachable USB type-C or wireless options, and it has an 8,000 milliamp-hour battery for wireless use. The RGB lighting is vibrant and well-diffused.
๐ Yanai B75 - Affordable Keyboard with High-Quality Feel
The Yanai B75 is a 75% form factor keyboard with a metal-coated knob and a two-piece plastic shell that feels dense and sturdy. It has a top-left RGB indicator bar and is gasket mounted for a pleasant typing experience. The keyboard is available in white or black and uses the Leobog Greywood V3 switches, known for their smoothness and gaming suitability. It's fully hot-swappable and has cherry profile double-shot PBT keycaps with good sound quality. Connectivity is limited to a detachable USB type-C, but the keyboard's feel and performance are highly praised. The RGB is basic but bright, with North-facing LEDs.
๐ Deru EK 75 Pro - Vibrant RGB and High-Quality Switches
The Deru EK 75 Pro is a 75% form factor keyboard with a plastic knob and a two-piece plastic shell featuring bright RGB accents. It's gasket mounted, offering a trampoline-like typing feel and is available in gray/black with orange accents or white/black with red accents. The keyboard comes with DAR U's own high-fi linear switches, which are smooth and quiet, making for a satisfying typing sound. It's fully hot-swappable and has plate-mounted stabilizers that are nearly perfectly tuned. The keycaps are non-shinethrough Cherry profile with a slight texture. Connectivity includes a detachable USB type-C, Bluetooth, or a 2.4 GHz USB dongle, and the keyboard has a 3750 mAh battery. The RGB lighting is bright and vibrant, with well-diffused side case lighting.
๐ Techware Phantom 87 Plus Elite - Top Budget Mechanical Keyboard
The Techware Phantom 87 Plus Elite is the top-rated budget mechanical gaming keyboard for 2024. It comes in two versions: the Plus at $55.99 and the Plus Elite at $79.99. Both have a 10-keyless form factor with a solid top metal plate and a single-piece plastic shell. The build quality is impressive, with multiple foam layers for dampening and rubber dampeners for the space bar stabilizers. The keyboard uses Techware's own switches, offering a range of tactile and linear options. It's fully hot-swappable and has well-tuned stabilizers. The keycaps are double-shot PBT with good shine-through for the Elite and smooth texture for the Plus. Connectivity is via a detachable USB type-C, with wireless options and a 2500 mAh battery for the Elite. The RGB lighting is bright and offers a variety of colors and modes.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กMechanical Keyboards
๐กForm Factor
๐กHot Swappable
๐กSwitches
๐กRGB Lighting
๐กDampening
๐กGasket Mounted
๐กStabilizers
๐กKeycaps
๐กConnectivity
Highlights
The Yanai YZ 87 is ranked fifth among the top mechanical keyboards, priced at $745 but often on sale for around $65.
The YZ 87 features a 10-keyless form factor with a two-piece plastic shell and custom inserts for a unique look.
This keyboard includes dongle storage, a mode selecting switch, and a Windows/Mac switch.
Dampening in the YZ 87 is achieved through foam, soundproofing film, and silicone, resulting in a satisfying poppy sound.
The YZ 87 offers white or black color options and uses Yanai's own milk switches for a springy feel.
The keyboard is fully hot-swappable with three and five-pin switches for customization.
Keycaps are double-shot PBT with cherry profile, offering a smooth yet grippy texture.
The AA F99 is the fourth-ranked keyboard, featuring a 96% form factor with a unique design and RGB light bar.
The F99 includes foam and noise-cancelling film for dampening, providing a solid typing experience.
Color options for the F99 are varied, including white with purple and blue accents, and black, gray, white, or blue combinations.
Equipped with Leobog Greywood V3 switches, the F99 offers a smooth and satisfying typing experience, ideal for gaming.
The F99's stabilizers are well-lubed and tuned, with minimal ticking, and keycaps are non-shinethrough double-shot PBT.
The Yanai B75 is third on the list, priced at $65.99, featuring a 75% form factor with a metal-coated knob.
The B75 has a dense plastic case with minimal flex and a gasket mount for a premium feel.
This keyboard also uses Leobog Greywood V3 switches, known for their smooth and linear response.
Keycaps on the B75 are cherry profile double-shot PBT, with good thickness and sound quality.
The Deru EK 75 Pro is second, with a 75% form factor, a plastic knob, and well-diffused RGB accents.
The EK 75 Pro features DAR U's own high-fi linear switches, providing a quiet and creamy sound.
This keyboard is fully hot-swappable and has almost perfectly tuned stabilizers with minimal rattle.
The Tew Phantom 87 Plus Elite is the top-ranked keyboard, available at $55.99 for the Plus and $79.99 for the Elite.
The Phantom 87 Plus Elite boasts a solid metal plate, detachable magnetic skirt, and high-quality foam dampening.
Techwear's own switches are pre-lubed and offer a high-end feel, suitable for most users at this price point.
Both Phantom models are fully hot-swappable, and the Elite version adds wireless connectivity options.
The Phantom 87 Plus Elite offers vibrant RGB lighting with a wide range of colors and modes.
Transcripts
jumping into the number five spot of the
top five best gaming mechanical
keyboards in 2024 is the yanai YZ 87
coming in at a price tag of
$745 and if you want to check out any of
the five keyboards in this video there's
Amazon links below 40 US UK Canada and
international links but let's talk about
the YZ 87 now even with that almost $75
price tag you can actually get this very
regularly on sale for 65 or around that
so make sure to check the links below
for current pricing all right but let's
talk form factor and build quality this
is a 10 keyless form factor it has a
two-piece plastic shell with tons of
custom indents and grooves throughout
and this comes with two custom inserts
that replace the print scroll and pause
keys and give that really cool fun
custom look with adding a little bit of
that RGB element to it the case does
have some flex but it overall feels
really well put together there is dongle
storage a mode selecting switch a
Windows and Mac switch as well as a
glossy light bar with that Yan logo next
to it as for dampening this has foam
between the plate and the PCB IP
soundproofing film foam and silicone in
the case this is also gasket mounted it
also has a nice poppy sound that I find
is not too loud but just is very
satisfying and I think they really did a
good job with the sound here as for
color options you can either get this in
white or black for switches these use
yanai's own milk switches they are
Factory lubed and they have a spring
ringy feel to them like when you bottom
these out they want to pop back up very
quickly I really like them and I think
they have a nice weight to them with
that fun poppy sound again these
definitely add to that sound profile
they aren't as smooth as the switches on
the next keyboard on the list but
overall they are a pretty great budget
switch from yunai and this is fully hot
swapable with three and five pin
switches so if you do want to swap in
whatever switch you want you can do that
all right but let's talk key caps and
stabilizers the stabilizers here are
plate mounted they are preed and tuned
from the factory and overall sound
really nice there are some very slight
ticks or rattles but if you're not an
Enthusiast you're probably not going to
notice these overall they did a very
good job not quite perfect but a very
good job the key cabs here are double
shot PBT and they are cherry profile
which I do appreciate they have a much
smoother texture to them but still a
little grippy they have a nice thickness
some printing inconsistencies yes but
overall pretty good especially for that
price tag but with that let's take a
listen to the sound
test and that is how it sounds but make
sure to stick around to the end of the
video when we do a back toback sound
test of all of the keyboards but to wrap
it up with connectivity and RGB this is
wired with a detachable USB typc or
Wireless with Bluetooth or a 2.4 GHz USB
dongle if you want to use this for
gaming as for battery size this has a
pretty large battery at 5,000 milliamp
hours RGB is great here it's South
phasing which is a big Pro obviously
because it has Cherry profile key caps
it's bright well diffused it's got tons
of modes perky lighting pretty much
exactly what you'd expect and want but
with that let's move on to the number
four spot which is the AA f99 coming in
at a price tag of $82 89 this has a
little bit more of a unique form factor
it is a 96% keyboard This has a
two-piece plastic case with rounded
edges unique angles and indps as well as
a small RGB light bar between the number
pad and the letter Keys that's actually
very bright and well diffused the case
feels very dense and well put together
there's minimal Flex dongle storage a
mode selecting switch and a machined
metall looking accent around the USBC
and the Hub as for dampening here there
is foam between the plate and the PCB a
switch dampening pad noise cancelling
film poron foam and silicone in the case
and then this is also gasket mounted it
is crazy what you get for a mechanical
keyword for the price in today's market
it's wild for color options you actually
do get a few and they're kind of
interesting you have white with a purple
and blue accents like the one that I
have black gray white or white and blue
I think for a lot of people they'll be
able to find one that they like there
and I do appreciate that they're a
little bit more unique colorways now
let's talk switches these switches are
amazing for gaming also phenomenal
especially these have the leobog
greywood V3 switches they are a lighter
linear switch they are Factory lubed and
are super super smooth they have a great
bottom out feel overall I was super
impressed with these switches and for
gaming this is a dream it's exactly what
you want definitely a huge highlight and
selling point of this keyboard the sound
which you'll hear soon enough is also
satisfying as well if for some reason
you don't end up loving these switches
this is fully hot swappable with three
and five pin switches you can always
swap them out now for the keycaps and
stabilizers the stabilizers here are
plate mounted and they are very well
lubed and tuned from the factory there
is some very very minimal ticking on
some of the stabs but you really have to
listen for it overall these are great as
you here in the sound test as for key
caps these are non- shinethrough double
shot PBT key caps they have a slight
texture nice thickness and the printing
is also pretty good as well but with
that take a listen to the sound test
and that is how it sounds for
connectivity this is wired via a
detachable USB type-c or Wireless with
Bluetooth or a USB dongle and this has a
massive battery so if you want to run
this wirelessly you'll be able to run it
for quite a while with an 8,000 milliamp
hour battery that is a behemoth the RGB
here is also great here there's tons of
mode it's bright it's vibrant it's also
well diffus tons of static colors but
this is North facing however the key
caps are actually cherry profile and
they're able to do this because the full
travel distance is not that 2mm
downstroke that you would see on most of
your traditional switches this is a
little bit shorter better for gaming
better bottom out feel and you can still
run cherries which I think is great but
with that let's move on to the number
three spot and this is another keyboard
from yanai this is the yanai b75 coming
in at a price tag of
$65.99 but at the time of filming you
can get this for slightly under 60 bucks
which is a freaking steel so check the
links below for current pricing this is
a 75% form factor with a knob the outer
coating of the knob is metal and there
is a very minimal wobble but overall
very nice to use the case here is a
two-piece plastic shell with attractive
rounded edges and even though this is
completely plastic there is very minimal
flex and the plastic feels very very
very dense when I picked this up it had
a surprising amount of weight to it
which I do appreciate this does not feel
like a cheap keyboard it feels a lot
more expensive than the price tag now on
the top left there is a white RGB
indicator bar that is really well
diffused which I think is a nice little
touch and then there is a switch for
Windows Mac or Android connections as
for dampening there is phone between the
plate and the PCB a switch dampening pad
a sound proof film foam and silicone in
the case oh and then this is gasket
mount
very nice the keyboards you can get for
these prices now are just wild for
colors you don't have anything super
crazy it's just between white and black
now for switches here like the f99 these
have the phenomenal switches the leobog
greywood V3 switches which are again an
absolute dream they really are that good
for this price point they're linear
super smooth have a fantastic bottom out
feel I freaking love these switches I
genuinely love these switches and if for
some reason you don't end up liking the
switches which I think you will but this
is fully hot swapable with three and
five pin switches you can swap them
whatever you want but how are the key
caps and stabilizers well the
stabilizers are plate mounted and they
are very well tuned and lewed from the
factory with only a super super slight
tick on the right side of the space bar
and the backs space but literally that
is it you really have to hit it in the
right spot to hear that at least on my
keyboard they are overall great and the
keycaps are cherry Profile double shot
PBT they're nice and thick and they have
a great sound to them the shine through
here is also bright and well diffused
really I have no complaints they did a
great job on both the keycaps and those
stabilizers but don't take my word for
it take a listen to the sound test
and that is how it sounds for
connectivity this is wired only with a
detachable USB type-c so while on paper
it's not as good of a value I do think
this keyboard is surprisingly good to
use for feel while it's not the most
beautiful keyboard on the list for sure
it's just a little bit plain with a
little bit of modding the feel of this
keyboard stock is phenomenal it really
just needs to have better visuals that's
something you can easily do with buying
a set of keycaps or spray painting the
case or doing something but the feel of
this keyboard so good using it for
gaming really good for the price now for
RGB this is only blue lighting it has
great diffusion though and it's very
bright it also has some nice modes and
lastly this has North facing LEDs but
with that let's move on to the number
two spot and this is the deru EK 75 Pro
this is priced at $749 99 but at the
time of filming there is a pretty
freaking wild substantial deal off of it
so definitely check the links below for
current pricing I have no idea how those
keyboards will fluctuate in price this
again has a 75% form factor with a knob
which we love the knob is made of
plastic has tactile bumps and basically
has zero Wobble the case is a two-piece
plastic shell with awesome well diffused
bright RGB sign accents there's also
some glossy accents dongle storage and a
switch for different connectivity modes
and with this colorway it looks like a
custom this is also gasket mounted with
a freaking massive amount of flex when
typing this thing is literally like a
freaking trampoline and because of that
I actually really liked the feel of this
keyboard just feels good and it sounds
pretty damn good as for dampening there
was foam between the plate and the PCB a
switch dampening pad and foam in the
case now for colorways you can either
get this in Gray on black with orange
accents like the one that I have or you
can get white on black with red accents
so there are a few different colorways
but I do like that it's subtle but still
has some flare to it as for switches
this comes with DAR U's own switches
these are the dream high-fi linear
switches they are Factory lubed and feel
impressively smooth for a budget switch
they are on the more quiet side and
overall just feel pretty dang nice
especially when gaming now these paired
with the dampening makes for a really
satisfying quiet muted but creamy sound
which I really like as for hot
swapability this is fully hot swapable
with three and five pin switches and
when we do the sound test you're really
going to get what I mean about a quiet
creamy sound which I really do think is
maybe one of the best sounding keyboards
on the list well actually not maybe it
is the best sounding keyboard on the
list in my opinion now before we get to
the sound test let's talk key caps and
stabilizers very important the
stabilizers here are plate mounted and
lubed and greased from the factory the
stabilizers are basically almost
perfectly tuned with it just a very very
very slight rattle on these shift and
enter keys but that is very slight again
overall these sound great the key caps
are non shine through Cherry profile and
have a slight texture to them overall
Full Pass they did a great job here but
with that let's take a listen to the ek7
pro
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and that is how it sounds for
connectivity this is wired with a
detachable USB type-c you can also use
this wirelessly with Bluetooth or a 2.4
GHz USB dongle for gaming and as for
battery life this has a
3750 mAh battery RGB is pretty much
exactly what You' expect expect here
they are not shine through keycaps but
the RGB itself is bright and vibrant the
side case lighting is also bright and
well diffused with no dim spots and the
LEDs are south facing so overall in my
book this gets a freaking full pass but
with that jumping into the number one
best budget mechanical gaming keyboard
of 2024 is the Tew Phantom 87 plus Elite
now this comes in at two different price
points because there's the plus and then
the plus Elite this is only
$55.99 for the plus and
$79.99 for the plus Elite so really just
based on how much money you have those
are the ones to pick if you really just
want the best allaround gaming keyboard
both of these have a 10 keyless form
factor both of the Phantom's build
quality is also immense there is a very
solid top metal plate that is color
matched to the board for the plus Elite
or a metallic gray for the plus the case
is a single piece plastic shell that has
these modern looking edges with hexagons
and glossy accents it just looks really
good then with the elite you also get a
detachable magnetic skirt however where
the build quality excels is inside of
the board with two layers of foam
between the plate and the PCB one being
traditional foam and one being of a
higher quality more expensive foam poron
foam almost unheard of to have that at
this low of a price point in the case it
follows suit here having two more layers
of foam not only this but this has
rubber dampeners for the space bar
stabilizers which is super impressive
for the price for the switch is these
are actually Tech wear's own switches
you have a pretty ride range between The
Wraith Brown and orange which are
tactiles and then The Wraith red and
pink which are linear these do come pre-
lubed although not super thick but
overall I was very impressed with the
quality of these switches while the
switches here aren't quite on the level
of the f99 and b75 those are definitely
the best switches on the list but for
most people in this price point this is
going to feel like a very high-end
switch and is an overall better keyboard
which is why it's in the number one spot
as for hot swapability this is fully hot
swappable with three and five pin
switches which is the first time ever on
a techware board now let's talk
stabilizers and keycaps great stabilizer
tuning tone they just feel really good
and much more expensive than it actually
is a few tiny little rattles or ticks
but overall still very impressive the
keycaps have really good shine through
with a slight texture on the Elite key
caps and a more smooth texture for the
Plus's key caps as you can see you do
get those two-tone double shot pvt key
caps for the elite and just black double
shot abs keycaps for the plus but again
they both feel nice with that let's see
how these sound take a listen to The
techware Phantom 87 plus Elite
and that is how it sounds for
connectivity you can use this with a
detachable USB type-c for the plus and
then the elite you add Wireless
connectivity with a Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz
USB dongle and only a 2500 Milah battery
however the elite is not really that
much more than the Plus for RGB this has
super bright RGB lighting tons of colors
tons of modes per key lighting it's
vibrant you have a million static colors
a full pass with RGB but again if you
want to check out any of the five
keyboards in this video there's Amazon
links below for the US UK Canada and
international links but with that take a
listen of the back toback sound
test
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