The Best Keyboards in 2026
Wirecutter’s best wireless keyboard for most people is the Logitech Pop Icon Keys ($50), which switches between three devices. Want a number pad? Get the Logitech K585 Slim ($45) or the backlit MX Keys S ($120). PCMag’s best for most users is the Razer Pro Type Ultra ($159.99).
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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
Wirecutter’s best wireless keyboard for most people is the Logitech Pop Icon Keys ($50), which switches between three devices. Want a number pad? Get the Logitech K585 Slim ($45) or the backlit MX Keys S ($120). Best for most people: Logitech Pop Icon Keys, $50. Best budget: Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s, $34. Best low-profile mechanical: NuPhy Air75 V3, $140.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for most people | Logitech Pop Icon Keys | most people | $50 |
| Best budget | Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s | a small budget | $34 |
| Best with a number pad | Logitech K585 Slim Multi-Device | a number pad without the bulk | $45 |
| Best full-size, backlit | Logitech MX Keys S | a full-size, backlit keyboard | $120 |
| Best low-profile mechanical | NuPhy Air75 V3 | a slim mechanical keyboard | $140 |
| Best for gaming | Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless | wireless gaming | $198.99 |
Most people want a quiet, wireless keyboard that pairs with a laptop, a tablet and a phone, so most of our picks are wireless. For clicky mechanical keyboards there’s a separate guide, linked below.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Keyboard | Price seen | Layout | Connection | Backlit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logitech Pop Icon Keys | $50 | Compact, no number pad | Bluetooth, 3 devices | No | Most people |
| Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s | $34 | Compact, no number pad | Bluetooth, 3 devices | No | A small budget |
| Logitech K585 Slim | $45 | Full-size with number pad | Wireless, 2 devices | No | A number pad without the bulk |
| Logitech MX Keys S | $120 | Full-size with number pad | Wireless, multi-device | Yes | A full-size, backlit keyboard |
| NuPhy Air75 V3 / Air100 V3 | $140 / $150 | 75% / full-size, low-profile mechanical | Bluetooth, dongle or wired | RGB | A slim mechanical keyboard |
| Razer Pro Type Ultra | $159.99 | Mechanical | Bluetooth or 2.4GHz, 4 devices | — | A quiet office mechanical |
| Cherry KC 200 MX | $89.99 | Full-size mechanical | Wired | No | A wired office keyboard |
| Corsair Vanguard Air 99 | $198.99 | Gaming, optical switches | Wireless | — | Wireless gaming |
The picks in detail
1. Logitech Pop Icon Keys
Best for: most peopleWirecutter’s[1] top wireless keyboard. It’s comfortable and compact, its battery lasts a long time, and it switches between three Bluetooth devices. It keeps full-size arrow keys but has no number pad. Wirecutter’s gripes are cosmetic: an ugly logo on the spacebar and a shiny clear plastic border. $50 at Amazon.
Price (Oct 2026): $50 Source
Pros
- Comfortable, compact
- Long battery life
- Three devices
Cons
- No number pad
- Logo on the spacebar
2. Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s
Best for: a small budgetWirecutter’s[1] budget pick. It also pairs with three devices, but it has round keys and small arrow keys. $34.
Price (Oct 2026): $34 Source
Pros
- Cheap
- Three devices
Cons
- Round keys
- Small arrow keys
3. Logitech K585 Slim Multi-Device
Best for: a number pad without the bulkWirecutter’s[1] best compact full-size keyboard. It has a number pad and a stand for your phone or tablet, feels comfortable, and its battery lasts years. It isn’t backlit, and it pairs with only two devices. $45 at Amazon.
Price (Oct 2026): $45 Source
Pros
- Number pad
- Phone and tablet stand
- Battery lasts years
Cons
- No backlight
- Only two devices
4. Logitech MX Keys S
Best for: a full-size, backlit keyboardWirecutter’s[1] best full-size keyboard, with well-spaced backlit keys; there’s also an MX Keys S for Mac. It’s large and expensive, and its battery doesn’t last as long as the Pop Icon Keys’ or the K585’s. $120. See our MX Keys S vs. MX Mechanical comparison.
Price (Oct 2026): $120 Source
Pros
- Backlit
- Full-size layout
- Mac version
Cons
- Large
- Shorter battery life
5. NuPhy Air75 V3
Best for: a slim mechanical keyboardWirecutter’s[1] upgrade pick: a low-profile mechanical keyboard with a handy knob, RGB backlighting and full programmability, and you can swap out the switches. It connects over Bluetooth, a dongle or a cable. $140, or $150 for the full-size Air100 V3. See our Keychron K2 Max vs. NuPhy Air75 V3 comparison.
Price (Oct 2026): $140 Source
Pros
- Low-profile mechanical
- Three ways to connect
- Swappable switches
Cons
- Pricier than membrane keyboards
6. Razer Pro Type Ultra
Best for: a quiet office mechanicalPCMag’s[2][3] best keyboard for most users (Editors’ Choice). It connects over Bluetooth or 2.4GHz to four devices, types quietly and includes a wrist rest. PCMag’s complaints: it’s pricey, the Synapse software needs registration and contains ads, and it’s Windows-only. $159.99.
Price (Oct 2026): $159.99 Source
Pros
- Quiet
- Four devices
- Wrist rest
Cons
- Pricey
- Synapse needs registration, has ads
7. Cherry KC 200 MX
Best for: a wired office keyboardPCMag’s[2][3] best wired office keyboard, with Cherry MX2A switches. It has no backlight and its software is Windows-only. $89.99.
Price (Oct 2026): $89.99 Source
Pros
- Cherry MX2A switches
- Reasonable price
Cons
- No backlight
- Windows-only software
8. Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless
Best for: wireless gamingPCMag’s[2][3] best wireless gaming keyboard. It has Stream Deck controls built in. It’s pricey, and PCMag calls its battery life ho-hum. $198.99. More options are in our gaming keyboards guide.
Price (Oct 2026): $198.99 Source
Pros
- Stream Deck built in
- Wireless
Cons
- Pricey
- Ho-hum battery life
Also considered
NuPhy Air100 V3: The full-size version of Wirecutter’s[1] upgrade pick ($150).
Dell KB900: PCMag’s[2][3] best wireless office keyboard ($103.99 at Dell): Zoom controls, three devices, rechargeable.
Dell KB525C: PCMag’s best budget office keyboard ($34.99 at Dell).
Be Quiet Light Mount: PCMag’s best wired gaming keyboard ($119.90).
Corsair K70 RGB Pro Mini Wireless: PCMag’s best tenkeyless-style pick ($139.99): a 60% layout with hot-swappable switches.
Wireless, mechanical or both?
Membrane keyboards such as the Logitech picks are quiet, slim and run for months or years on batteries. Mechanical keyboards feel crisper and last longer but are louder and usually pricier. Low-profile mechanical models like the NuPhy Air75 V3 sit in between. For more, see our mechanical keyboards, mechanical under $75, mechanical under $100 and 75% keyboards guides.
Specific needs
Coders should see our keyboards for programming; if your wrists hurt, see ergonomic keyboards; gamers, gaming keyboards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best wireless keyboard?
What is the best keyboard with a number pad?
Is a mechanical keyboard worth it?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
Related
Best Mechanical Keyboards
The Keychron Q1 Max is the best premium board, the K2 Max is the best value, and the Wooting 80HE is the gaming pick.
best ofThe Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $75
Gasket mounts, hot-swap switches and PBT keycaps used to cost $150. In 2026 you can get all three for about $50–$70.
best ofThe Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100
Keychron V1 is the enthusiast value pick. C3 Pro covers full-size offices. RK R75 chases gasket-mount feel on a budget.
best ofThe Best Mechanical Keyboards for Programming
For coding, the things that matter are a layout that keeps arrows and modifiers in reach, firmware you can remap, and a keyboard that switches cleanly between machines.
best ofBest 75% keyboards
A 75% layout keeps the arrow keys and function row while saving a lot of desk space. These are the best ones at every budget.
best ofThe Best Ergonomic Keyboards for Wrist Pain
Split and contoured keyboards can reduce awkward wrist angles. This is research from maker specs — not medical advice.
best ofBest Gaming Keyboards of 2026
For competitive gaming, PC Gamer’s pick is the Wooting 80HE with Hall effect switches and rapid trigger. Tom’s Hardware’s best overall is the wireless ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96, and the Gamakay NS68 is a magnetic board for about $54.
comparisonLogitech MX Keys S vs MX Mechanical
Same software, same multi-device tricks. The real choice is quiet scissor keys versus low-profile mechanical switches, and $50.
comparisonKeychron K2 Max vs NuPhy Air75 V3
K2 Max is a regular-height 75% QMK board from ~$125. Air75 V3 is a low-profile travel 75% often near $140.
best ofThe Best Mouse in 2026
Wirecutter’s best mouse for most people is the $33 Logitech M720 Triathlon, which pairs with three devices. If you spend all day at a desk, the Logitech MX Master 4 ($120) is the pick of both Wirecutter and PCMag.
best ofThe Best Monitors in 2026
For most people working on a 27-inch screen, Wirecutter’s 1440p pick, the ASUS ProArt PA278CGV ($369), is the value sweet spot. Step up to the Dell UltraSharp U2725QE for 4K, or spend about $170 on the BenQ GW2486TC, a 24-inch USB-C monitor that both Wirecutter and PCMag recommend.