Not only do the smaller, more portable tenkeyless (TKL) keyboards make it easier for gamers to focus solely on the keys that matter, but they also promote a better posture too, with users not needing to stretch as far to reach their mouse, and a more centralized posture when typing.
Here are some of the best TKL mechanical keyboards for gaming available today.
Q: What Is TKL in Mechanical Keyboard?
TKL stands for tenkeyless, which refers to the numeric keypad that you will find on most keyboards. By removing the Numpad, gamers are able to not only focus on the keys that are important to them but also travel with the keyboard due to the smaller size.
With hot-swappable switch functionality, you can easily swap the keys around on your keyboard, without needing to do any soldering. Changing them literally takes seconds. What’s more, you can program the keys to suit your requirements, which is one of the many appealing features of a mechanical keyboard.
Find your perfect keystrokes with a choice of Cherry MX, Kaihua, or Halo switches. No matter if you prefer speed to silence, the Drop CTRL TKL gaming keyboard has the perfect switches for you.
The Razer Huntsman V2 TKL has been built with durable doubleshot PBT keycaps, offering a sturdy, durable textured finish that is fade-proof and built to last. With a hybrid onboard memory system, the Razer Huntsman V2 TKL gaming keyboard can save up to five profiles, letting you build a library of macros that you can quickly activate.
For professional gamers, this TKL mechanical keyboard is a great choice. It features a detachable USB-C cable for easy transportation and sound-dampening foam if you opt for the linear switches. However, regardless of whether you choose clicky or linear, both switches boast an 8000Hz polling rate to ensure low input latency, reducing the chance of lag.
Onboard, you can create custom memory profiles allowing you to switch between all three profiles at any given time. This is especially useful for professional gamers who play in tournaments and require quick access to personalized settings.
The HyperX Alloy Origins Core is made from aluminum, giving it a sturdy and rugged design. It doesn’t feel flimsy at all, despite being travel-friendly with its detachable USB-C cable. It’s a great choice if you want a TKL mechanical keyboard but don’t want to splash out on premium prices.
Like many modern Corsair gaming keyboards, the K70 TKL features handy media keys, including a volume scroll wheel. There’s also a profile switch so that you can easily flick between custom profiles that you’ve set up through Corsair’s iCUE software. Here you can also add per-key RGB lighting to make your keyboard seriously stand out.
As is with the Razer Huntsman V2 TKL, the Corsair K70 RGB TKL has a polling rate of 8000Hz. Essentially this means this keyboard can send data to your PC 8,000 times a second. If you’re serious about gaming, this TKL keyboard certainly won’t let you down.
If you’re a fan of RGB lighting, you’ll be pleased to hear that Logitech’s G Hub software allows you to control the keyboard’s RGB; this includes the G logo and RGB buttons. Although the software is fairly complex, it does offer extensive features that can be really useful once you’ve played around with the settings.
Whether you need a TKL keyboard for gaming, typing, or portability, the Logitech G915 TKL is a fantastic choice. It saves on space, offers up to three onboard profiles, and allows you to swap between wireless or Bluetooth connections with ease.
What stands out the most, perhaps, about the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is its unique OLED smart display. From here you can adjust your keyboard’s settings, play your favorite music, or check your most recent updates from Discord. While this feature looks pretty awesome, it’s actually extremely functional and means you won’t need to tab out of your game to check for any notifications.
The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is great for tournaments too since it includes USB passthrough, a detachable cable, anti-ghosting, and NKRO on up to 104 keys. You’re getting a great bang for your buck in a TKL mechanical keyboard that’s been built to last.
The beauty of this TKL keyboard is that it can last up to 200 hours without the backlight. It’s perfect for traveling with, and it features NKRO when hooked up to a wired connection. Whether you’re a typist or a gamer, this is essential to make sure the keys you’re pressing actually register, regardless of how many you press at once.
The trouble with many portable keyboards is that they tend to only feature the most basic keys. The Keychron K8 Tenkeyless Wireless, on the other hand, comes with a unique Mac layout with compatible Mac function keys, so you can access shortcuts that are familiar to you while enjoying a responsive mechanical keyboard with tactile switches.
Q: How Many Keys Are in a TKL Keyboard?
Typically, a TKL gaming keyboard will have 87 keys, but this doesn’t include any multimedia keys or macros that some companies add to their TKL gaming keyboards.
Removing some keys brings the size of a TKL keyboard to around 80 percent smaller than conventional keyboards, making them easier to transport, as well as easier to focus on the buttons you actually need.
Q: Is TKL Better for Ergonomics?
TKL keyboards are more centered than traditional keyboards, which can help alleviate shoulder strain when typing and using a mouse, this is thanks to the smaller design, at around 80 percent the size of a normal keyboard a TKL requires less reach to move the mouse and reach some of the keys.
