Mechanical keyboards are the most premium categories in the keyboard. No matter what is your regular task on a keyboard, whether it is gaming or typing, a mechanical keyboard has got every qualification to be your companion for a longer duration.
Like every other keyboard variant, you may also find TKL(Tenkeyless) options in the mechanical keyboard. In this article, you will find a list of the best quality TKL mechanical keyboards, that will definitely add some value to your output and worth your time to read this article.
What is TKL in the mechanical keyboard?
Well, TKL is the acronym, which stands for “Tenkeyless”. It is a norm in the keyboard variant to make it a compact and easy-carrying option. Not only in mechanical, but you may also find TKL feature almost all variants right from the external to laptop keyboards.
Basically, a keyboard is provided with 104 keys. If a keyboard is not provided with the dedicated Numpad, which is generally a set of 17 keys (with numbers 0-9, +, -, *, /, Enter, and period) found at the right side of a keyboard, it is called as a tenkeyless or TKL keyboard.
Depending upon the reduction of the keys, a tenkeyless keyboard may also vary to the types as, 60% keyboard, 65% keyboard, 75% keyboard, 80% keyboard etc. The numbers basically define the availability of total keys. So, a 60% keyboard may comprise roughly around 60-62 keys. The reduction is typically carried out with the num keys and function (F1-F12) keys.
A TKL feature is more convenient, while provided with wireless keyboards. The keyboard will fit in the bag due to its compact size and ease of operation without any hassle. But, mechanical keyboards mostly come in wired variants and are typically heavier than their counterpart like membrane keyboards. So, the purpose of a TKL mechanical keyboard is to occupy less space on your desk and allow more space for mouse movement, which is very crucial during gaming. You can know more differences between mechanical and membrane keyboards in this article.
What keyboard layout is best for gaming?
It’s a difficult question to answer, as everybody has their personal preference. Like, you cannot pull out a specific size that will be universally comfortable to everyone. If you have a big hand, you may find it easier to place it on a full-size keyboard. But, it may not be a matter of comfort for somebody else with similar hand size. Many people, despite having a bigger hand find it easier to operate a smaller tenkeyless keyboard.
In Mac laptops, you will always find a tenkeyless keyboard layout. That doesn’t mean that they are not comfortable operating. Whether it is a full-size or TKL keyboard, each has its own specialities.
Is TKL or 60% better?
Of course!
Like every other variant, a TKL mechanical variant provides you with a comfortable and enhanced gaming experience.
Some of the key benefits of having a TKL gaming keyboard are:
- Easy to carry due to smaller size.
- Availability of multifunctional keys due to the reduction of keys.
- It frees up more desk space for other things or having a better mouse movement area. Especially, for people who use a claw grip to hold the mouse.
- Some gamers prefer to incline the keyboard diagonally while playing. In this case, a TKL keyboard will provide a more comfortable position by keeping their hands close to each other.
So, here are some of the TKL mechanical keyboard options that you may opt for gaming.
Logitech G413 TKL SE
When you talk about keyboards, it is hard to keep Logitech away from the conversation.
This keyboard is a great combination of build quality and performance. You will get an aluminium alloy body with 84 tactile-feeling mechanical keys. You will also get PBT caps which is a great assurance to resist more wear and tear.
Talking about the gaming comfort feature, you will get a 6 -key rollover anti-ghosting feature on this keyboard. It uses the Kailh brown switches, which seems to be a decent option considering the price point of the keyboard. The ergonomic of this keyboard is also comfortable enough to operate for a longer duration.
This keyboard comes with a unicolour LED set-up, which may disappoint many, looking for a fancy RGB effect in the keyboard. By the way, you can adjust the brightness level which is not constant due to no memory. You need to change back to your favourite brightness level each time you power on the PC.
Key Highlights
- Number of keys: 84
- Product Dimensions: 35.5 x 12.7 x 3.6 cm
- Weight: 680 g
- Switches: Kailh brown Mechanical switches
- Anti-ghosting: 6-key rollover
- Backlight: Uni-colour LED
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Metallic body construction
- Adjustable brightness level
- Tactile mechanical switches
Cons
- Uni-colour LED backlight
- No programmable key option
- No memory option to set the brightness level permanently.
EvoFox Katana Pro
This is another great option in the form of a TKL gaming keyboard. This keyboard provides you with a wide range of customisation options. Not only are the programmable keys, but you also get a customisation option to set the RGB effects. All the customisation will be done through the Amkette software.
The 87-key set comes with red Outemu mechanical switches in the core to give you a great gaming response with minimal noise. Talking about the backlighting feature, you will have 16 different combinations of lighting along with breathing effects on this gaming machine.
Talking about the build quality of this keyboard, you will get double injection moulded keys along with the 1.8 meters braided cable with a gold-plated USB connector. With this package, you will also get a 1-year warranty assurance.
Key Highlights
- Number of keys: 87
- Product dimension: 36.5 x 13.7 x 3.7 cm
- Product weight: 830 g
- Lighting effect: RGB
- Mechanical switches: Outemu Red Switches
- Cable: 1.8 m, braided cable
Pros
- On board memory
- Wide range of customisation through software
- 4 preset gaming modes
- Also has the single white key option
Cons
- Plastic material in the base
- No option to change the screen brightness
Redragon K630 Dragonborn
For those who want a detachable wire option on their keyboard, this is a great option for them. The advantage of a detachable keyboard is more in the case of a tenkeyless keyboard, as it makes transportation more convenient without damaging the cable.
Talking about the layout, this keyboard features a 60% layout, with 61 anti-ghosting keys. The hot-swappable keys provide you soft bump feeling with tactile brown switches.
And above that, you are getting an assurance of 50 million keypresses on each key.
The look of the keyboard is quite subtle with a compact profile and with a pink single lighting feature. The best part is you don’t require any software to customise the fancy lighting effects. And. the 60% form factor leaves some space to move your mouse freely on the surface.
Key Highlights
- Number of keys: 61
- Item weight: 720 g
- Keyboard dimension: 32.9 x 15.2 x 5.4 cm
- Cable connector: USB type-C
- Lighting effect: Single colour (pink)
Pros
- 100% anti-ghosting
- 50 million keypress assurance
- Hot-swappable keycaps
- Detachable type-C cable connection for faster response
- Provided with additional switches and a keycap puller
Cons
- No choices for lighting effects
- No arrow keys, You have to adjust with WASD.
Redragon Kumara K552
This TKL mechanical keyboard has all the necessary features available in any full-size keyboard in a compact profile. Starting from a full metallic body which gives you a feeling of something premium on the desk, this keyboard features Outemu red switches which are quite a decent option for gaming and a heavy typing experience.
The 87-key profile is quite a good feature which includes some of the necessary keys which are hard to navigate while blended with other keys in a 60% keyboard profile. You will also get an n-key rollover feature on this keyboard.
Talking about the lighting feature this keyboard offers you a19 lighting effects along with 6 different colour combinations and brightness adjustments. Apart from that, you will also get 2 gaming mode customisation options.
The best part of this keyboard is, being a TKL keyboard, it offers you all the 12 function keys which are also the multimedia keys.
Key Highlights
- Number of keys: 87
- Item weight: 875 g
- Body Construction: Metal
- Keyboard dimension: 3.7 x 35.4 x 12.35 cm
- Cable connector: USB- A
- Lighting effect: 19 lighting effects with 6 colour combinations
- Switch Type: Outemu Red
- Actuation force: 45 g
Pros
- Offers multiple lighting and gaming mode customisation options
- Metal body construction
- N-key rollover/ Full key anti-ghosting
- Media button along with function keys
Cons
- Compatible only with Windows OS
- No USB type -C support
Cosmic Byte CB-GK-25 Pandora
If you love to have a rainbow colour effect on your gaming keyboard, then this could be a premium option for you. The Cosmic Byte CB-GK-25 offers you sharp clarity even without the light being turned on.
The 87 -key profile offers you a nice compact body along with the Outemu blu switches to let you have a tactile feeling during the operation. If you want to learn more about the variants of mechanical switches, you can follow this article here. The injection moulded keycaps offer you colourful characters on it.
It offers the N-key rollover feature with an assurance of 50 million keystrokes within its lifespan.
Talking about the lighting feature, this tenkeyless gaming keyboard offers 20 backlight effects with onboard adjustable brightness levels without installing any application.
Key Highlights
- Number of keys: 87
- Item weight: 565 g
- Keyboard dimension: 37.7 x 12 x 3.4 cm
- Cable connector: USB-A
- Lighting effect: 20 lighting effects
- Switch Type: Outemu Blue
- Gaming modes: 8
Pros
- Smooth key travel experience
- 50 million keypress assurance
- Impressing colour effects with onboard brightness adjustment
- 8 gaming mode customisation
Cons
- No braided cable
- Difficult to find service support
So, that’s it On this list of some of the best options for tenkeyless mechanical keyboards. Hope you get some ideas to pick the ideal one for your own preference. If you have any suggestions or queries regarding this topic, drop your thoughts in the comments. For more relevant content regarding the keyboards, keep checking the keyboard section here. Till then happy clicking and typing.
Roy is a seasoned technical blog writer with a passion for unravelling the complexities of cutting-edge technology. With a background in Electronics Engineering, he has a keen interest in writing about the intricacies of keyboard and mouse in a simple way.