Top 10 Cheap Mechanical Keyboards For Budget Gamers In 2024!
Why are mechanical keyboards better than regular keyboards?
This is a question that everyone without a mechanical keyboard asks. The answer to this question is two factors – customizable switches and keycaps, along with better keys with tactile feedback. Therefore, it’s true when they say that once you start using RGB mechanical keyboards, there’s no going back!
Therefore, to bring you up to speed in 2024, read this post to learn about the best and cheapest mechanical keyboards you can buy in 2024.
Top 10 Cheap Mechanical Keyboards For Gaming And Coding In 2024!
Irrespective of whether you are a gamer or coder, mechanical keyboards are necessary to enhance your typing experience. Therefore, here are the ten best cheapest mechanical keyboards for budget gamers and programmers in 2024 under $100:
1. Keychron K10
Price: $84
Keychron is one of the newer keyboard makers coming out recently – and they did come out with a loud bang. Since 2017, they have created some fantastic mechanical keyboards, with the Keychron K10 being their masterpiece on a budget.
This wireless mechanical keyboard has a fantastic battery life of 70 hours (with RGB backlighting). However, if you turn off the RGB backlighting, its battery life goes up to 240 hours.
The Keychron K10 has Gateron G Pro switches, which provide a superb typing experience. I like the sound of the keys, which is similar to how premium mechanical keyboards sound. However, considering it’s a cheap mechanical keyboard, its ABS plastic frame makes me question its long-term durability.
Moreover, this is one of the best mechanical keyboards for Mac users. Therefore, you can use it with the Asus TUF Gaming F15 and the MacBook Air M1! However, press the compatibility toggle switch if you use it on a Mac. This changes the Ctrl and Alt buttons to Command and Options, respectively.
Overall, this fantastic budget mechanical keyboard is well worth its sub-$100 price tag. Moreover, it’s one of the best mechanical keyboards for programming (Keychron’s primary value proposition).
2. Razer Huntsman Mini
Price: $120
While this is a list of the best budget mechanical keyboards in 2024, this is one keyboard you might not consider unfit for that description. This is because the Razer Huntsman Mini costs more than $100, unlike the other mechanical keyboards on this list.
If you want one of the top mechanical keyboards for gaming, then buy this. Right out of the box, it looks and feels like a high-end gaming mechanical keyboard.
Moreover, when you place your fingers over the WASD keys and start gaming, you instantly feel like a pro! Furthermore, this is a compact, 60% keyboard, so you get no Numpad.
This is because of this keyboard’s super-low latency connection. Therefore, whenever you click a key, its response happens in-game immediately with no noticeable lag. This is all due to this keyboard’s Clicky Optical switches. Moreover, they have an excellent tactile feel, making gaming and typing fun!
However, although this keyboard mostly has a plastic frame, it feels durable due to its aluminum plating on top. Moreover, the double-shot PBT keycaps are fantastic. In addition, you also get a detachable braided USB cable that you can carry around safely in your bag!
This is the best gaming mechanical keyboard on a budget, although it costs above $100. Additionally, you can change its Clicky Optical Switches to Linear Optical Switches and Analog Optical Switches, which raises its cost by $10 and $20, respectively.
3. HyperX Alloy Origins 60
Price: $70
If you want a cheaper alternative to the Razer Huntsman Mini above, mechanical keyboards like the HyperX Alloy Origins will suit your gaming needs perfectly.
This is a 60% compact mechanical keyboard, which feels super durable thanks to its pure aluminum body. Therefore, no matter how much you bash it while raging against your teammates, it won’t break.
Since this is a mechanical gaming keyboard has full RGB backlighting on all keys, which you can customize using the on-keyboard controls or the HyperX NGENUITY app. Additionally, this applies to its customizable macro buttons as well.
HyperX mechanical keyboards suit gamers better because they use HyperX Red Linear switches. These switches have a fantastic tactile feel, which every gamer wants. In addition, these keys are ultra-responsive since they use lesser actuation force than other mechanical keyboards.
However, unlike the Keychron K10, the keys here are not swappable on the go. This removes all hopes of key customization – which every coder wants. Moreover, it lacks multi-OS compatibility. Therefore, if you use the MacBook 12in M7 – you are out of luck.
Overall, this is one of the best budget mechanical keyboards for gaming, a testament to the HyperX brand amongst gamers.
4. Cooler Master CK552
Price: $80
Cooler Master is a name every PC builder knows for creating some of the best gaming cabinets and power supply units. However, did you know that they also make gaming peripherals, like the incredible CoolerMaster CK552?
As gamers, we all want the glorious power of RGB to enhance our gaming skills. While a placebo might work here, mechanical keyboards like this let you customize it. By clicking the Fn and F1/F2/F3 keys together, you can switch the RGB illumination to Red/Green/Blue respectively.
Moreover, you can use the Cooler Master Portal app to customize the RGB lighting, macros, and keymaps. Furthermore, you can set up to four customizable profiles, which you can change at any time from the app.
In addition, this keyboard is made with brushed aluminum, which makes this keyboard ultra-durable and smooth. Moreover, this keyboard uses the Gateron Linear Red switches, which require lesser actuation force. Therefore, you don’t need to press it as hard while gaming or typing to get the keypress registered.
Furthermore, they have a lifespan of 50 million keypresses. Therefore, if you purchase this keyboard, rest assured it will last a long time.
Overall, this is one of the most durable gaming mechanical keyboards you can buy in 2024.
5. Redragon K615 Elise
Price: $30
If you want to buy cheap mechanical keyboards in 2024, nothing is more affordable than the Redragon K615 Elise.
Redragon is a Chinese company that became famous recently (like Keychron). Every gamer knows this brand for creating excellent mechanical keyboards and gaming mice for cheap price tags. This keyboard is no exception, being one of the most affordable compact 60% mechanical keyboards I have seen.
This keyboard is made from solid plastic, which seems cheap and not so durable. However, looks can be deceptive since this keyboard feels durable enough to survive a gamer’s rage. This is because a metal band in secrecy runs all along the side of the frame.
In addition, this keyboard has 18 swappable RGB lighting modes, which you can change on the fly. However, if you don’t like any of these 18 RGB presets, you are out of luck. Redragon has no customization app allowing you to customize the RGB presets.
Moreover, you will be disappointed if you are a gamer since this keyboard has older Blue clicky switches. These switches are meant primarily for typing. Therefore, gamers will miss using the red switches that the two mechanical keyboards above have.
Overall, for a sub-$50 price tag, this is one of the top mechanical keyboards money can buy.
6. Logitech K845
Price: $60 – $80
Regarding gaming (and computer peripherals in general), Logitech has been one of the top brands for a long time. Therefore, it is no surprise that one of their mechanical keyboards made its way to this list – the Logitech K845.
This keyboard sports a modern aluminum design draped in minimalism. Therefore, whether you are a gamer, a coder, or an entrepreneur – this mechanical keyboard will suit your desk. It looks “professional” enough to be an entrepreneur’s keyboard while retaining a white backlit extravaganza suiting gamers and coders.
However, if you prefer mechanical keyboards with RGB colors, you will sadly miss it here. This keyboard only has a white backlight whose four patterns you can adjust. Therefore, you can get a “breathing” pattern, a “serpent” pattern, a ‘reactive” pattern (only the switches you click get lit), and a “random” pattern to set your mood.
Moreover, you can get this keyboard in five versions with different switches. For $60, you get red (fast typing), blue (clicky tactile), and brown (silent) mechanical switches. Alternatively, you can get top-end Cherry MX Red and Blue switches for $80.
Overall, this is one of the best full-sized mechanical keyboards for officegoers on a budget.
7. MSI Vigor GK50 Low Profile
Price: $70
MSI is a famous brand for producing unique gaming technology. Moreover, they have created many cheap laptops for gaming, like the MSI Cyborg 15. Therefore, they have also made cheap mechanical keyboards like the MSI Vigor GK50 Low Profile.
This is one of the best low-profile mechanical keyboards for gaming you can buy in 2024. It’s known as a “low-profile” gaming keyboard because of its design, color patterns, and ergonomic form factor.
Therefore, buy this keyboard if you are going to a gaming tournament and don’t want your gear to stand out too much.
However, it’s not only its looks that are low profile. This keyboard features Kailh Choc switches, which are some of the loudest switches for mechanical switches. Therefore, this is your best bet if you want a modern typewriter.
They are fast and responsive while making a satisfying click on each key press. However, the Shift, Enter, Backspace, and Spacebar keys are stiffer than the rest.
Moreover, it has per-key RGB lighting, which has over 16 million color combinations. However, you can only switch between its few presets with the Fn let’s. Therefore, you must download and use the MSI Dragon Center app for more customization options.
Overall, this is one of the cheapest low-profile mechanical keyboards you can buy in 2024.
8. Havit KB487L
Price: $50
Since the modern Gen Z and Gen Alpha are so much into style statements, stylish mechanical keyboards like the Havit KB487L have made their mark with the newest batch of modern gamers and coders.
First, this keyboard has a unique color palette that caught my attention immediately. While most mechanical keyboards have one color (barring the RGB backlight), this one has three colors. Therefore, most of its PBT keycaps are white, with the arrow keys and the F1 to F12 keys being black. In addition, the spacebar, Esc, Enter, and Options are in red.
Moreover, since mechanical keyboards have tactile feedback – its main selling point – this one also has that. It uses Outemu Red switches that provide responsive liner feedback. Additionally, they require less actuation force as well!
Therefore, for its $50 price tag, TKL (Ten Keys Less) custom mechanical keyboards like this are a steal in 2024.
9. Aukey KMG14
Price: $58
Aukey is a relatively new name in the gaming peripherals and mechanical keyboards industry. However, their Aukey KMG14 will be more than sufficient when buying cheap mechanical keyboards.
This keyboard has a minimalist style approach different from the maximalism of the keyboard above. However, it’s one of the loudest mechanical keyboards I have tested, thanks to its Outemu Blue switches. They are loud while providing tactile and responsive feedback at every click.
Moreover, this keyboard has a full n-key rollover and four profiles of RGB lighting as well. Furthermore, you can use the Cooler Master Portal app to control them as well! In addition, it uses Double-shot ABS keycaps, which you can swap out for other keycaps using the keycap puller.
Overall, this is one of the best budget mechanical keyboards you can buy in 2024.
10. Royal Kludge RK61
Price: $50
The Royal Kludge RK61 is one of the newer mechanical keyboards that has become popular recently. Many new streamers use this keyboard primarily for its pure white or black colors.
This is a wireless and compact 60% mechanical keyboard. Moreover, it offers several new connectivity options not seen on mechanical keyboards. For example, you can connect this mechanical keyboard to your PC in three ways – wirelessly (using a 2.4 GHz dongle or Bluetooth) and a USB-C cable.
In addition, this keyboard has hot-swappable switches where you can switch the keycaps and the keys underneath! Therefore, this mechanical keyboard provides many customization options that coders and programmers want the most in 2024!
Final Verdict
If you wish to buy cheap mechanical keyboards in 2024, the ten mechanical keyboards mentioned here are your best bets. If you want a gaming mechanical keyboard, buy the Razer Huntsman Mini or the HyperX Alloy Origins 60. On the other hand, if you are a programmer, you will prefer custom mechanical keyboards like the Keychron K10 or the Royal Kludge RK61.
In the comments below, let us know which mechanical keyboard you bought in 2024. Moreover, if you need help choosing one from this list, comment below. Thanks for reading!
