When looking for quality keyboards, you may have run into a few of the best TKL keyboards and been surprised by their design. With a smaller frame, these keyboards are a fantastic way to save on desk space and keep your work area tidy and organised. Plus, a more compact build often means a more affordable price, which is always a plus.
TKL is short for tenkeyless, which is just a fancy way to say that a keyboard doesn't have a numpad. If you have a standard keyboard in front of you, imagine slicing off a bit of the right section and you'll get the idea. After all, while a numpad has its uses, it takes up a lot of space for a set of keys that most of us will rarely ever use.
The best TKL keyboards at a glance:
• Best overall TKL keyboard: Logitech G413 TKL SE Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - View on Amazon
• Best gaming TKL keyboard: SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL - View on Amazon
• Best office TKL keyboard: Cherry Stream TKL USB Wired Keyboard - View on Amazon
Despite the diminutive size, these keyboards are all brilliant pieces of kit, so whether you work in an office or want to upgrade your gaming setup, a TKL keyboard can give you a bit of extra room to be comfortable with. That extra space is especially useful for gaming as it frees up more room to swing your mouse around during frantic action.
We've gathered a list of our favourite TKL keyboards and examined their strengths and weaknesses. Whatever your needs and preferences, we're confident that one of these will be the perfect pick for you.
Best overall TKL keyboard
The Logitech G413 TKL SE Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a fantastic example of a quality TKL keyboard. Don't let the name fool you, this keyboard is perfectly suitable for office work too, especially thanks to the design of the keys. They're especially durable and resistant to wear and tear, meaning you can type as fast as you want all day without any issues. And, while the keys are mechanical, they aren't overly noisy and distracting, just the right amount to create a nice sense of tactile feedback.
If there's anything to complain about, it would be the LED backlight. It does its job fine and will help you see the keys in the dark, but it's not particularly strong and white is quite basic.
Pros
- Durable keycaps that are well-suited for both gaming and office work
- Satisfying tactile feel
Cons
- White LED backlighting is somewhat weak
| Dimensions | 35.5 x 12.7 x 3.63 cm |
| Weight | 884g |
| Special features | Backlit, Anti-ghosting |
- Customer review: "I bought this keyboard to use for both gaming and to use plugged into my work laptop when I am working from home. The good: Solid Construction - The keyboard is made from aluminium and it is pretty thick so it has some weight to it. Tactile keys. Not too loud (for a mechanical keyboard). Reasonably long, braided USB cable. USB passthrough for your mouse/flash drive etc.
"The bad: While this keyboard is great for gaming, it is not so easy to get used to when typing. I find that because of the long key travel, I'm quite often entering a letter more than once. This seems to happen most commonly with the spacebar."
Best gaming TKL keyboard
For a fantastic gaming TKL keyboard, you'll want to go with the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL keyboard. The keys are anti-ghosting, ensuring each input is registered accurately. This is especially handy for games that require you to press multiple keys at once, as you'll never need to worry about one of them getting lost in the mix. This keyboard is also great since it's dustproof and water-resistant, features that are quite rare for a TKL design.
We only have one minor complaint, and it's easy to ignore. While we like the multimedia volume scroll wheel as an addition, it feels quite strange to use (especially at first) and probably could have done with being ever so slightly bigger.
Pros
- Very durable build that is dustproof and water-resistant
- Anti-ghosting is ideal for games that require many inputs
Cons
- Multimedia volume scroll feels odd at first
| Dimensions | 38.2 x 20.3 x 5.3 cm |
| Weight | 900g |
| Special features | Backlit, Dustproof, Water Resistant |
- Customer review: "This is the best dome-feel keyboard- I have never felt as comfortable gaming & typing as I do with the Apex 3 TLK. Perfect for both gaming and productivity with the added scroll wheel for media control acting as a great fidget toy lol. The price is amazing Razers and corsairs full-size keyboards cost almost double and don't even have as many features."
Best office TKL keyboard
If you'd rather have a TKL keyboard suitable for office work, we recommend the Cherry Stream TKL USB Wired Keyboard. Your typing will come across as much quieter, so you won't need to worry about distracting colleagues, and it already comes with some great switches that keep your inputs precise. The base is also non-slip, which is a nice little extra.
You may want to consider the spacing of the keys here. They're fairly close together, which could become a problem for those of us with larger hands.
Pros
- Fantastic switches make it very pleasant to type with
- Sturdy and non-slip base with a low profile
Cons
- Keys are very close together, may not be ideal for large hands
| Dimensions | 37.7 x 16.3 x 1.8 cm |
| Weight | 680g |
| Special features | Hotkeys and Media Keys |
- Customer review: "Bought this for the wife who works from home after she wore away the letter markings on her previous keyboard. She uses it all day, every day, without complaint typing at full speed from the first day she got it. She has no interest in such things and says it's "fine." Relatively low profile but keys have enough travel to make typing comfortable."
Best mechanical TKL keyboard
www.currys.co.uk
Mechanical keyboards make some very satisfying sounds when you type, and this CORSAIR K63 Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is no different. That's not all that's great about it either; it's quite compact, even for a TKL keyboard, making it a fantastic choice if you want a keyboard you can travel with. To further add to that, there are multimedia controls on the top section that make watching movies and videos so much more streamlined.
However, the backlighting might not be to everyone's preference. Rather than a neutral white or a beloved RGB, this keyboard sports a red backlight that isn't as handy in the dark.
Pros
- Compact design makes it ideal for taking on the go
- Multimedia controls are handy for watching videos and movies
Cons
- Red backlighting may not be everyone's style
| Dimensions | 4.1 x 36.5 x 17.1 cm |
| Weight | 998g |
| Special features | Red backlit keys, Anti-ghosting, Multimedia controls |
- Customer review: "Lower cost than most. Red switches. I actually never had the intention of keeping the keyboard backlit since it's red, but it helps when it's dark and I cant see the keys."
Best budget TKL keyboard
We always like to include an option that prioritises value for money, and for that, we suggest the Trust Gaming TKL Keyboard. It's a great budget-friendly pick and is still a quality design well worth your time and money. In fact, the only downside we could find about this keyboard is that the keycaps aren't the most durable, but that could be an opportunity for you to customise it down the line.
The keys themselves are still quite good, and we love how spaced apart they are. This makes them much easier to clean and maintain, and if you do want to swap the keycaps or switches out at any point, you won't have a struggle getting them out.
Pros
- Fantastic value, very affordable
- Well-spaced keys make them easy to clean or swap switches
Cons
- Keycaps aren't the most durable
| Dimensions | 13.5 x 35.9 x 4 cm |
| Weight | 702g |
| Special features | Multicolour LED lighting, Anti-ghosting |
- Customer review: "Note that this is NOT a mechanical keyboard. I specifically bought it for that reason as I don't like mechanical keyboards, and there aren't a lot of options when it comes to cheap non-mechanical tenkeyless. I like the rock-solid metal base, and it sits at the correct (non-adjustable) tilt for comfortable typing. Also how easy it is to clean out crumbs, dust, etc. The RGB I couldn't care less about, to be honest, but do note that the key legends are more difficult to see if you turn it off completely."
Best premium TKL keyboard
If you're willing to splash out for a quality TKL keyboard, you'll love the Logitech G915 LIGHTSPEED TKL Wireless Mechanical Keyboard. All your favourite features are present, including media controls and programmable keys. What makes this keyboard special is the fact that it's wireless. You can take this with you wherever you go and thanks to the very impressive battery life, you'll rarely need to top it up.
It is another keyboard with fairly close-together keys, but that's only a downside if you have larger hands. Those with smaller hands will love getting a mechanical keyboard of this quality.
Pros
- Great battery life for a wireless keyboard
- Very portable
Cons
- Keys are close together
| Dimensions | 36.8 x 15 x 2.2 cm |
| Weight | 810g |
| Special features | Programmable keys, Media keys, Backlight |
- "The Logitech G915 TKL LIGHTSPEED is a high-end wireless mechanical keyboard that's easy to praise for its low-profile GL switches, LIGHTSYNC RGB lighting, and super-speedy and reliable wireless LIGHTSPEED technology. I recommend the keyboard for gamers who are looking for a high-performance wireless keyboard with low-profile switches and customisable RGB lighting." Tried and tested by William Lobley, Deputy Tech & Fitness Editor
Most durable TKL keyboard
If you want a keyboard that can stand the test of time (and constant use), go for the Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. It may look a bit blocky, but that's because it's built from a metal alloy, so you can rest easy knowing that it will always hold together. It's not just protected from solids either, as it has the rare spill resistance trait.
We do find that the keys can occasionally be a bit wobbly, but that can be rectified by upgrading the keycaps later down the line.
Pros
- Spill resistance is always a great feature to have
- Incredibly durable
Cons
- Arrow keys are so-so
| Dimensions | 35.4 x 12.35 x 3.7 cm |
| Weight | 900g |
| Special features | Backlit, Anti-ghosting |
- "The Redragon K552 Kumara is a budget-friendly mechanical keyboard that is great for gaming. It features Outemu Blue switches, which are clicky and tactile, and a plastic construction that is surprisingly sturdy. The keyboard also has RGB backlighting, which can be customised through the included software. Overall, the Redragon K552 Kumara is a great option for gamers who are looking for a good value." Tried and tested by William Lobley, Deputy Tech & Fitness Editor
FAQs
What makes a good TKL keyboard?
A good TKL keyboard will match what makes an ordinary keyboard great to use, just without a number pad. That means you'll want the keyboard to have a resilient build and to rest at an angle comfortable for your typing. While you can replace keycaps and switches later, it's convenient to find a keyboard with a decent set already.
Are TKL keyboards good for gaming?
Seeing as very few games require you to use a numpad, TKL keyboards are fantastic for gaming. So long as you are comfortable with the smaller size, a TKL keyboard lets you save on desk space, potentially giving you more room for another monitor or a larger mouse mat. For any games that do require you to use number keys often, such as MMOs, you can simply opt for a mouse with additional programmable buttons and keep your desk space tidy.
Kyle Purves is a Commercial Content Writer for What’s The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.
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