The 5 best TKL keyboards for gaming, typing and coding in 2025

Keyboards come in all shapes and sizes, but my favourite form factor has to be tenkeyless, better known by the abbreviation TKL. By leaving out the number pad but keeping the rest of the keyboard the same, you gain important mousing space, without losing anything critical for gaming. TKL keyboards also have the advantage of feeling familiar to anyone used to the full-size keyboards that most people start with, as they don't move keys around like smaller 75 percent, 65 percent or 60 percent keyboards do.

Here then are five great TKL keyboards, selected from the literally hundreds and hundreds of mechanical keyboards I've tested over the last 15 years. Whether you prefer something that's ideal for typing, a model with the latest gaming features or a prodigious all-rounder, I've got a suggestion for you.

Note that I've included keyboards with 84 to 88 keys here, as there is a small amount of variation between different "TKL" designs. I've also commented on whether these keyboards are available in ISO (eg UK and most EU layouts), ANSI (US layout) or JIS (Japanese layout) formats, which affects the total number of keys and the shape of the Enter and Shift keys, amongst other changes.

The best TKL keyboards

1. Best TKL for gaming (and overall)
2. Best TKL for typing
3. Best TKL design
4. Best wireless TKL
5. Best value TKL

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1. Wooting 80HE

Best TKL for gaming (and overall)

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• Specs- Wired connectivity only, Lekker L60 switches w/ other options available, hot-swap supported, choice of ANSI, ISO and JIS layouts, 346x142x28mm, 790g (ABS case) or 2160g (Zinc alloy case)
• Pro- Best-in-class gaming features, all selectable via web or downloadable software
• Pro- Hugely improved typing experience makes this a strong all-rounder
• Con- Premium pricing, especially with the metal chassis shown here
• Buy- Check price at Wooting Store

Dutch firm Wooting spearheaded the rapid trigger keyboard movement that has been widely adopted by FPS fans over the past couple of years, and the Wooting 80HE is their best keyboard yet - with improvements to both typing experience and overall performance. That includes self-made Lekker Hall Effect switches that allow for rapid trigger, SOCD and other FPS-focused features, while bumping the polling rate to 8000Hz to aid responsiveness. That makes for an exceptionally performant FPS keyboard, with extremely competitive input latency figures, well-explained features and an industry-leading software experience with web-based and downloadable options.

Wooting has also bumped up the typing experience, which is one area where the earlier 60HE fell a bit short against its closest rivals. Now, gasket-mounted and pre-lubed switches, premium PBT keycaps and layers of sound dampening make this a very pleasant keyboard to write, code or generally get things done, with a deep and pleasing report. (Note that this technically isn't the usual 87-key TKL design, with 84 keys on ANSI models and 85 keys on ISO models.) The Wooting 80HE is also optionally available with a zinc alloy case, which makes for an even better-feeling and sounding design - though the plastic case still feels well built and is undoubtedly better value.

Overall, the 80HE is in many ways the ultimate rapid trigger keyboard, and proves that Wooting is still leading the pack when it comes to gaming-focused mechanical keyboard development. All of that comes at a cost, but the 80HE more than justifies the expense.

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2. Epomaker Magcore 87

Best TKL for typing

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• Specs- Wired connectivity only, Kailh Box inductive switches, hot-swap supported, ANSI layout only, 357x136x40mm, 1820g
• Pro- Smooth key feel, top-notch sound dampening and impressive durability
• Pro- Strong gaming credentials with 8K polling rate and HE switches
• Con- Another premium option
• Buy- Check price at Epomaker Store

The Epomaker Magcore 87 is perhaps the best-built and most cleanly designed mechanical keyboard that I've ever tested. Its soft (35g) linear gasket-mounted Hall Effect switches and multiple layers of sound dampening produce a pleasant typing experience, with sufficient tactile feedback despite the lack of a tactile bump or audible click. Gaming performance is also excellent, with NKRO (n-key rollover; the amount of keys that can be registered simultaneously is unlimited) and up to an 8KHz polling rate.

The aluminium used on the top and bottom makes the keyboard extremely resistant to deck flex; it feels as well-built as an old IBM Model M, but in a much more compact form factor - that remarkably still weighs two kilograms. The black double-shot PBT keycaps provided with the board look great, with the Escape, Backspace, Enter and Space Bar keys coming in a transparent purple colour by default - but standard black alternatives are included in the box and take only a minute to swap out for a more mature look. RGB lighting is included, but can be swapped to a single colour or disabled if preferred. The standardised layout (apart from an unusual mute key between F12 and Print Screen) means that finding compatible third-party keycap sets is easy too. Connectivity is via USB-C, albeit with a slightly recessed port that hampers compatibility with thicker third-party cables.

All things considered, the Magcore 87 is a fantastic keyboard for gaming or programming with a nice clean aesthetic and unimpeachable durability.

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3. 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard

Best TKL design

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• Specs- 2.4GHz wireless + Bluetooth LE + wired connectivity, Kailh Box White V2 switches, hot-swap supported, choice of ANSI and ISO layouts, 377x170x47mm, 1050g
• Pro- Beautiful retro-inspired design in multiple styles
• Pro- Solid typing and gaming experience, plus extra plug-in buttons
• Con- Clicky switches make this best-suited to non-shared spaces
• Buy- Check price at Amazon UK, Amazon US

The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is a beautifully crafted modern keyboard in the retro style, offering high-quality PBT keycaps, convenient dials for volume and connectivity, and some fantastically clicky Kailh Box White V2 switches. As well as the NES-style colourway shown above, you can also pick up the keyboard in Xbox, Famicom, C64, or IBM Model M inspired liveries.

8BitDo has made something quite special here, as not only do you get wired, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless (the latter via an on-theme dongle tucked into the back of the keyboard), but you also get four connection points for 'super programmable buttons', which are super-sized NES-style buttons that can be made to perform useful tasks. It's worth noting that there's no key lighting here, but otherwise you get the mechanical nice-to-haves such as hot-swap switch support, n-key rollover and on-theme status LEDs.

This is a simply lovely retro mechanical keyboard that I wholeheartedly recommend - and I'm actually looking forward to when the Xbox model next sees a discount.

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4. Razer BlackWidow V4 Tenkeyless HyperSpeed

Best wireless TKL

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• Specs- 2.4GHz wireless + Bluetooth + wired connectivity, Razer Mechanical Switches Gen-3 (tactile), hot-swap supported, choice of ANSI and ISO layouts, 363x154x44mm, 970g
• Pro- 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth and wired connectivity offers flexibility
• Pro- Much improved typing, with sound mods and pre-lubed switches
• Con- No magnetic switches, though SOCD (key priority) feature still included
• Buy- Check price at Amazon UK, Amazon US

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Tenkeyless HyperSpeed is a great all-rounder, with the best typing experience Razer has to offer, the freedom of 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth, and nearly 1000 hours of battery life... via Bluetooth and with RGB disabled. Wireless keyboards deliver a cleaner look, especially if you already have a wireless mouse and headset, so I can see the appeal.

Despite most of Razer's new keyboards using optical or HE switches, this model uses traditional mechanical switches, though it still manages to include the SOCD feature pioneered by Wooting. When activated - either in the Synapse software or through the Fn + Left Shift shortcut - you can control strafing in FPS titles like Valorant more easily, quickly stopping to regain weapon accuracy, firing and then moving again to remain an elusive target.

The typing experience here also sees a rare upgrade versus past BlackWidow generations, thanks to the addition of sound-dampening foam, tape mods and pre-lubricated stablisers. That means the keyboard makes a pleasantly deep and clunky typing sound, save for a bit of space bar rattle. The tactile switches I tested provide plenty of added feedback for typing. Linear and clicky switches are also available, and you can swap in your own three- or five-pin switches if you like. The ABS keycaps are the only weaker part of the puzzle, as more premium PBT alternatives should wear better, but these are easy to swap down the line if you'd like.

Elsewhere, this latest BlackWidow performs excellently. The aluminium top case and ABS lower case combine to make a strong, rigid keyboard that's not so heavy that you couldn't throw it in a bag, the RGB is bright and easy to configure, the volume roller works well and the extra non-mechanical keys below the volume wheel are useful extras. The V4 Tenkeyless HyperSpeed doesn't come particularly cheap, but in terms of build quality, typing feel and features, you can see where the money is going.

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5. Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL

Best value TKL

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• Specs- Wired connectivity only, Titan HS switches (linear), hot-swap supported, choice of ANSI and ISO layouts, 366x137x32mm, 590g
• Pro- Up-rated typing experience, with pre-lubed switches and sound dampening
• Pro- Surprisingly includes SOCD functionality, useful for competitive FPS games
• Con- No HE switches means no rapid trigger
• Buy- Check price at Amazon UK, Amazon US

Turtle Beach's Vulcan 2 TKL outwardly resembles the original Vulcan TKL - and its Roccat-branded antecedents - but inside you'll find some substantive upgrades. Key to our recommendation is the addition of multiple layers of sound dampening, pre-lubricated key switches and stabilisers, and a SOCD (last key priority) feature that's useful for competitive FPS. Combined with the eye-catching floating design, with uses a metal top plate with shorter-than-usual ABS keycaps and a dedicated volume wheel, and you've got a recipe for a well put together keyboard a budget-friendly price. This isn't technically a low-profile TKL, given that it uses full-height switches, but the shorter keycaps do help to produce a slightly snappier experience.

You're also getting a good option for future customisation, with hot-swap switches and standard cross-style keycaps that can be replaced with different colours, styles and materials. The layout here is entirely standard too, so finding replacement keycap sets won't be an issue. Software customisation is also possible, and I like their recommendation to use the (rarely used) Caps Lock key as an additional modifier to easily access extra functions like macros or media controls.

Overall, the Vulcan 2 TKL doesn't set the world alight in terms of its gaming features (as it lacks HE or TMR switches that unlock extra functionality) or typing experience (as the overall feeling here isn't as luxurious as the recommendations above), but it's a good safe option from a mainstream brand with good retail availability - and sometimes, that's exactly what you want from a recommendation.

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TKL keyboard comparison

Keyboard	Switch Type	Layouts	Wired	2.4GHz	Bluetooth
Wooting 80HE	Hall Effect	ANSI, ISO, JIS	Yes	No	No
Epomaker Magcore87	Inductive	ANSI	Yes	No	No
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard	Mechanical	ANSI, ISO	Yes	Yes	Yes
Razer BlackWidow V4 TKL HyperSpeed	Mechanical	ANSI, ISO	Yes	Yes	Yes
Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL	Mechanical	ANSI, ISO	Yes	No	No

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Wrapping up

That's it for now! Leave a comment below to suggest a keyboard I should test or ask questions! You can also reach me on Bluesky if you want to chat. Cheerio!