Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100

The $100 threshold is where mechanical keyboards get genuinely excellent. You get gasket-mount, PBT keycaps, QMK/VIA, and even aluminum at this price. Every pick here offers a feature set that felt premium-tier just three years ago.

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Fast verdict

Most people should buy the Keychron V1. The Keychron V1 delivers gasket-mount, QMK/VIA, 5-pin hot-swap, pre-lubed stabs, and PBT keycaps for $90 — the most complete package under $100.

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Top picks

Our ranked picks

★ Best overallKeychron V1
Midrange 75% · Wired (USB-C) · SwitchedOn 7.9

Keychron V1

WiredMacQuietHot-swap

Gasket-mount, QMK/VIA, 5-pin hot-swap, PBT keycaps, and pre-lubed stabs for $90 — the benchmark for under-$100 typing boards.

Buy if

  • you want gasket-mount QMK/VIA under $100 in a 75%
  • a wired hot-swap board with pre-lubed screw-in stabs is the goal
  • PBT Cherry-profile keycaps at this price are hard to beat

Skip if

  • you need wireless — wired USB-C only
  • 1.1 kg and no wireless makes travel inconvenient
  • you want the aluminum feel and choose the Q1 for $60 more
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Best wireless under $100SwitchedOn 7.5Akko 3068B Plus

Akko 3068B Plus

Midrange 65% · Tri-mode wireless
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WirelessBluetoothMacQuietHot-swapCompact

Tri-mode wireless, 5-pin hot-swap, PBT keycaps, and foam dampening for $75 — the best wireless value in this guide.

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Buy if

  • you want tri-mode wireless and hot-swap under $80
  • a compact 65% without function row suits your workflow
  • PBT keycaps at budget tier are a priority

Skip if

  • you need a quiet office board — clacky stock switches carry
  • no QMK/VIA limits deep programmability
  • you prefer wired-only reliability for competitive gaming
Alternatives Cheaper: Royal Kludge RK61 · More wireless: NuPhy Air75 V2 · Better for Mac: Keychron K8
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Best wireless 75% under $100SwitchedOn 7.0Epomaker TH80

Epomaker TH80

Midrange 75% · Tri-mode wireless
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WirelessBluetoothMacQuietHot-swap

Foam-loaded gasket-mount tri-mode 75% with a knob at $90 — thocky wireless at a price that should not be possible.

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Buy if

  • you want tri-mode wireless and a volume knob in a 75% under $100
  • a thocky gasket-mount feel at budget price is the primary goal
  • hot-swap lets you tune the switches to your taste later

Skip if

  • you prefer QMK/VIA over the Epomaker Driver app for programming
  • plastic build will feel hollow compared to aluminum alternatives at this price tier
  • the Epomaker Driver app has limited cross-platform and community support
Alternatives Cheaper: Royal Kludge RK84 · More wireless: NuPhy Halo75 · Better for Mac: NuPhy Air75 V2
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Best wired alternativeSwitchedOn 7.0Ducky One 3

Ducky One 3

Midrange 65% · Wired (USB-C)
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WiredQuietHot-swapCompact

Ducky QUACK dampening and Cherry-profile PBT in a hot-swap 65% at $120 — slightly over $100 but a step up in build feel.

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Buy if

  • you want a thocky sound profile with Ducky build quality
  • hot-swap in a compact wired board is the goal
  • PBT double-shot Cherry keycaps at this price matter

Skip if

  • you need wireless connectivity for a clean desk
  • no QMK/VIA means customization stays within Ducky firmware
  • clicky switch options (Box White) will be noisy in open offices
Alternatives Cheaper: Akko 3068B Plus · More wireless: Akko 3068B Plus · Better for Mac: NuPhy Air75 V2
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At a glance

Quick comparison

KeyboardBest forPrice bandLayoutConnectionHot-swap
Keychron V1Best overallUsually under $10075%Wired (USB-C)YesCheck price
Akko 3068B PlusBest wireless under $100Usually under $10065%Tri-mode wirelessYesCheck price
Epomaker TH80Best wireless 75% under $100Usually under $10075%Tri-mode wirelessYesCheck price
Ducky One 3Best wired alternativeUsually $100-$20065%Wired (USB-C)YesCheck price

The bottom line

The Keychron V1 delivers gasket-mount, QMK/VIA, 5-pin hot-swap, pre-lubed stabs, and PBT keycaps for $90 — the most complete package under $100. If you want to weigh it against another board, the compare tool puts any two side by side.

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Common questions

Frequently asked

Is there a gasket-mount keyboard under $100?
Yes. The Keychron V1 ($90) and Epomaker TH80 ($90) both have gasket-mount designs under $100. The V1 uses a more traditional stacked gasket; the TH80 uses a simpler gasket layer with foam.
Can I get QMK/VIA under $100?
Yes. The Keychron V1 at $90 includes full QMK/VIA support. The NuPhy Air75 ($110) also supports VIA. See our hot-swap guide for more QMK options.
What layout is best under $100?
The 75% (Keychron V1) is the most versatile — it keeps function row and arrow keys while staying compact. For those who need wireless, the Akko 3068B 65% or Epomaker TH80 75% are the wireless choices under $100.
Should I buy the Keychron V1 or the Q1?
V1 if you want to save $60 and do not need aluminum. Q1 if you want heavier aluminum build feel and are willing to spend $149. Both have identical QMK/VIA and gasket-mount. See our best 75% guide for comparisons.