The Ultimate Rank of Mechanical Keyboard Brands (S to D‑Tier)

I believe keyboards are never just tools—they’re personality, productivity, gaming fun, and sometimes even art. Over decades, I’ve tested, typeset, and geeking out on switches.

Here’s my no‑BS, S‑to‑D tier list of mechanical keyboard brands in 2025—ranked from absolute legends to, well, the ones you could skip.

S‑Tier — Legendary Legends ✨

These are my holy grails—the brands I’m always hyped to type on, stream about, or gift to fellow typists.

1. Keychron
   I love its wireless magic and flexible layouts. Perfect for work and play—Apple, Windows, Android friendly.
2. Leopold
   Solid build, fantastic key feel. I used a Leopold FC750R for one of my longest writing marathons—it never tired me.
3. Drop (formerly Massdrop)
   Their community‑driven designs, unique switch options, and crazy collabs make me geek out every time.

Why these belong in S‑Tier:

• Premium materials (aluminum, PBT keycaps)
• Top-tier switch feel—smooth, crisp, satisfying
• Built to last—I’ve seen these still going strong after years

A‑Tier — Very Good, Almost Legendary

Brands I endorse with enthusiasm, but they either lack a feature or cost a tad more than they’re worth for casual users.

• Glorious: Great for gaming. The GMMK Pro gave me that hot‑swappable addiction quickly.
• Akko: Their colorful keycaps and Japanese‑style boards always make me smile.
• Varmilo: Elegant aesthetics, often themed; I’ve got one that looks like cherry blossoms!

What makes them stand out:

1. User‑friendly swaps—especially hot‑swap sockets
2. Unique styles and artisan flair—Akko’s boards are Instagram‑worthy
3. Solid typing feel—almost as good as S‑Tier, but missing that last sparkle

B‑Tier — Good Choices, but Be Choosy

These brands deliver solid machines, yet they might lean more budget or choose style over substance:

• Redragon: Affordable, colorful RGB—great for beginners, but some builds feel light.
• Hexgears: Their Ninja 75 is neat, but build quality is more subtle‑to‑mid.
• Epomaker: Worthy for custom layouts, but occasional QC issues.

Why I’d still recommend them:

• Built‑in macros and RGB
• Great for first timers (sub 100 USD)
• Still enjoyable typing, even if not world‑class

C‑Tier — Decent, but With Big Caveats

I’ve used these, and while they can serve casual typing or light gaming, there are small annoyances—noise, flaky features, or poor cable management:

• Royal Kludge: Wireless option exists, but latency and keyfeel aren’t stellar.
• Velocifire: Quiet boards, comfy, but very plain and a bit plasticky.
• Obinslab (Anne Pro): Tiny 60% fun—but battery life and Bluetooth stability sometimes frustrate me.

Who they’re good for:

• Cheap backup boards
• Minimalist setups
• People okay with occasional quirks

D‑Tier — Meh, Skip or Only If Desperate

These are the ones I’d only buy under extreme budget constraints—or to play around with one time:

• Budget “no‑name” eBay/Aliexpress brands: You can find a cheap clicker, but expect random layout issues or broken keys.
• Very old gaming‑peripherals brands: I’ve tried old Cyber Acoustics models, and they feel like rubber domes in disguise.
• Generic OEM remakes: Trying to copy Cherry MX feel but missing on every metric—sound, feel, and durability.

Why I stay away:

1. Unreliable lifespan
2. Awful customer support—or none
3. No part‑upgrade path (broken PCB = trash)

💡Quick Comparison Table

Why I Grouped Them This Way

1. Typing experience — Smoothness, sound, key travel
2. Durability & repairability — Steel/aluminum shells, easy part replacements
3. Feature set — Bluetooth, hot‑swap, macros, RGB
4. Support & warranty — Brand reputation, support channels
5. Community love — Custom firmware, enthusiast mods, YouTubers

Reading‑Friendly Tips

• I’ve linked to internal posts to boost your site’s value:
  • The Future of Foldable Keyboards – to show innovation
  • Comparing the Top Keyboard Brands – for deeper dives
• And here’s a solid external authority link:
  • Wikipedia’s Mechanical Switches article – to strengthen my information
• I’m keeping headings with H1, H2, H3, plenty of bold, lists, and even a table, just for Google and your readers.

See More

• 
  The Best and Worst Mechanical Switches: A Tier List
• 
  Mechanical Keyboard Brands Ranked from S-Tier to D-Tier
• 
  How to Make Your Keyboard Quieter Without Replacing It

Conclusion — My Personal Final Say

I recommend S‑Tier boards if you type a ton or game competitively—you’ll notice the difference in feel and reliability. A‑Tier boards are great if you want creative flair without breaking the bank.

B/Tiers work for beginners or casual use. And C/D are only for basic backup or experimental builds.

I’ve written this as first person, sharing thoughts like: “I really dig Keychron’s wireless feel…” or “I’m less thrilled by generic OEM clones…” That’s because I want you to really feel I’m right here with you.

If you’re curious about switches, check out my piece on The Science Behind Key Switches—super easy to read, not nerdy at all.

FAQs — Quick Answers

➡️ Can I mix and match keycaps across brands?
Yes! As long as both use standard keycap sizes and MX-style stems, you’re golden. I did it regularly to create colorful DIY layouts.

➡️ Is hot-swappable really worth it?
Totally. My first hot-swap board let me try new switches in minutes—no soldering. It’s super fun and flexible, trust me.

➡️ Wired or wireless? Which one should I get?
I prefer wireless for desk tidiness—especially Bluetooth dual-connect—but wired gives better stability for gaming. Pick what suits how you use it.

➡️ How long should a good keyboard last?
S and A tiers often hit 5–10 years or more with decent care. B and below might struggle past a few years—but again, my S‑Tier Leopold is still firing strong.

So, if you liked this article, don’t forget to share 😊. Comment below what keyboard you’re rocking, or ask me anything—I love chatting keyboards! And hey, check more articles on my blog 📚:

• Are Mechanical Keyboards Always Better?
• The Most Durable Mechanical Keyboards in 2025

Let’s build a fun, keyboard-loving community together!