Let me confess—if you had told me a year ago to use or even write about a budget keyboard, I would have laughed at your audacity with my sheer arrogance.
Brands like Asus, Corsair, Logitech, and Razer were the gold standard, and I saw no reason to look elsewhere.
As someone who appreciates various typing experiences, I have owned several top-of-the-line mechanical keyboards.
But that bubble burst when I tried a few budget Chinese keyboards, thanks to my friend Shahjada Rahman (also the product manager of Aula, but this article is not about Aula), who persistently encouraged me to try one—and I cannot thank him enough for pushing me to take that leap of faith.
Budget mechanical keyboards have come a long way in recent years.
After experiencing and owning a couple of them, today, I can say that budget mechanical keyboards are giving the mighty giants of the industry a run for their money.
Acknowledging historical stigma
A premium typing experience, satisfying sound profile, longevity, and aesthetics are only a few of the reasons to choose a mechanical keyboard over membrane counterparts.
Typing on a mechanical keyboard has no parallel in the real world.
Personally, I want to express my thoughts in writing as I think, which requires speed and accuracy. Therefore, a mechanical keyboard is essential for me.
However, if your only point of reference for budget mechanical keyboards comes from Chinese manufacturers from even three years ago, you would be justified in thinking that they are still not worth your time.
Budget mechanical keyboards used to be a nightmare because of their poor build quality, cheap ABS keycaps, hollow cases, inconsistent switches, terrible backlighting, and zero software support.
Frankly, those budget keyboards were barely a step above membrane models—if at all.
A high-quality membrane keyboard, like the Logitech G213 Prodigy, could be even better than many of these so-called mechanical keyboards.
Premium is the new normal
Fast forward to today, and the budget landscape has transformed completely.
Imagine a keyboard where you can effortlessly swap out the very soul of its typing feel, thanks to hot-swappable, flex-cut PCBs.
Budget keyboards now feature pre-lubed switches and stabilisers, ensuring a typing experience free from spring ping or rattle, better-quality cases and backplates, gasket mount design for comfort and acoustic, Double-shot PBT keycaps (practically unheard of in budget keyboards before), RGB backlighting, detachable USB-C cables, and multi-layer sound dampening.
Additionally, you can now enjoy “tri-mode” connectivity and seamless multi-OS compatibility.
For enthusiasts, the inclusion of VIA compatibility, multi-function knobs and LCD screens, and Hall effect (HE) switches makes budget keyboards even more attractive.
However, a few years ago, all these features were limited to premium keyboards only.
Due to increased interest and better manufacturing economics, budget mechanical keyboards now offer many desirable features at an affordable price.
Unlimited choices
Previously, the material of keyboard cases and keycaps was often overlooked, with premium materials like aluminium being a distant thought for most.
ABS plastic was the most-used material for cases and keycaps, and aluminium cases were limited to high-end enthusiast models.
However, today, you no longer need to spend a hefty amount on a keyboard that feels premium. Keyboards costing around Tk10,000 and even lower are increasingly using premium materials to compete.
For keycaps, we are seeing PBT keycaps becoming popular in budget models.
The ability to replace keyboard switches was not as commonplace as it is today.
Even keyboards hovering around the Tk3,000 mark now feature hot-swappable PCBs, meaning anyone can instantly experiment with different switches (like Linear, Tactile, or Clicky) to dramatically alter the keyboard's sound and feel.
If you are new to the world of mechanical keyboards, this single feature significantly lowers the barrier to entry, eliminating the fear of being stuck with switches you do not want anymore.
Prebuilt mechanical keyboards from a few years ago rarely featured factory-lubed switches and stabilizers.
Users often had to either invest in pre-lubed replacement switches or undertake the sometimes tedious task of disassembling their keyboard, lubing the existing switches, and then reassembling everything.
Many budget models today come equipped with pre-lubed switches and stabilizers right out of the box, saving time and effort.
This is one of the reasons for the high-quality typing sound on many budget mechanical keyboards today.
Connectivity options have also evolved remarkably. There was once a significant price gap between wired and wireless keyboards.
My first mechanical keyboard was a wired Logitech G413 carbon, but I always felt a slight pang of regret about the lack of wireless freedom. Wireless connectivity has become the norm.
What manufacturers now cleverly term "tri-mode connectivity" – offering connections via cable, Bluetooth, or a low-latency 2.4GHz wireless dongle – is commonplace on budget models.
For the longest time, gasket mounts were the exclusive domain of premium or custom-built keyboards.
Unlike more traditional tray or sandwich mounts, a gasket-mounted plate introduces a layer of separation between the plate holding the switches and the rest of the keyboard.
This design minimizes noise and vibrations, resulting in a deeper and more satisfying 'thocky' sound.
Gasket-mounted keyboards are surprisingly prevalent, so much so that it is almost considered a miss for brands not to offer this feature.
The innovations do not stop there. The inclusion of sound-dampening material within a budget keyboard was practically unheard of a few years ago. You can now readily find budget keyboards with impressive five-layer sound-dampening configurations, which significantly contribute to a richer, more refined sound.
The recent trend of incorporating tactile knobs and customizable LCD screens has taken the budget keyboard market by storm.
Whether you desire a sleek metallic knob for media control, a vibrant LCD screen to display your favourite GIFs or both, you can easily find a budget-friendly option.
These additions are pleasant surprises, as you no longer have to choose between a quality typing experience and these 'nice-to-haves'.
Finally, for those who primarily use keyboards for work, having dedicated operating system-specific keys is a true blessing.
Almost every model now features a simple toggle switch or function key that allows effortless switching between Windows and Mac.
One thing is certain: the budget mechanical keyboard market has never been more exciting.
The price of entry has never been lower, there is an endless choice, and the quality is high, all while more and more features are making their way to budget keyboards.
While you can find options at the very low end, I would still recommend aiming for the Tk5,000-Tk7,000 range, as this sweet spot unlocks a wealth of fantastic budget options that offer exceptional value.
Sticking within this range generally offers the best value in the budget segment.
Are we buying the legacy?
The current landscape of the mechanical keyboard market raises serious questions regarding the value offered by established brands relative to their price tags.
It feels like consumers, including myself, are paying a premium simply for the brand name, often at the expense of tangible quality and features.
What is concerning is the growing trend of big brands launching keyboards that, in my opinion, are arguably inferior to budget options.
While compromises at lower prices exist, they are undermined by budget manufacturers consistently offering more premium experiences for the same or less.
The difference is often stark: a budget keyboard under 10,000 Tk can feel more substantial and well-engineered than comparable offerings from big names like Asus, Corsair, Razer, and Logitech.
This begs the question: Are we paying more for the legacy of a brand than for the actual product in our hands?
It is as if these big names are banking on the enduring fascination with their names, hoping that consumers will equate familiarity with quality, even when the product itself suggests otherwise.
Even premium features that are now considered standard on budget keyboards are often absent from the more affordable options of these big brands.
While trust and familiar logos might sway some, the reality is that many budget brands are proving equally capable of producing durable and reliable keyboards.
Today, the market offers truly impressive mechanical keyboards for virtually every budget and preference.
If established brands fail to recognize this shift and continue to rely on brand loyalty rather than genuine innovation and competitive pricing, they risk alienating savvy consumers who will seek better value elsewhere.
Final thoughts
Even if you are not a fan of budget mechanical keyboards, you have to agree that premium features arriving on more affordable models will continue to move the market forward.
Not only will the prices of pricier keyboards fall, but we might also see budget brands come up with more innovative features in the future.
The author is a contributor and a tech enthusiast
