Best budget mechanical keyboard under RM300
A good quality mechanical keyboard isn’t just alethically pleasing, neither is it built solely for gamers that require lower response latency when gaming. Instead, a well-built mechanical keyboard can serve anyone who finds themselves spending extended periods of time on the computer be it work or play.
As long as you find yourself requiring to type a fair bit, investing in a good quality mechanical keyboard is definitely a great idea. It’ll definitely spark some joy in any mundane tasks that require a substantial amount of typing.
With mechanical keyboards costing anywhere between RM100 to over several thousands, we’ve decided to highlight two entry-level mechanical keyboards that will get you the best bang for your buck.
Keychron C2 (100%)
The Keychron C2 is a wired full-size mechanical keyboard. It comes with a total of 104 keys and is inclusive of a number pad. The Keychron comes in a variety of setup options:
| Backlight Option | Switch Type | Switch Option |
| Non-Backlight White Backlight RGB Backlight | Gateron Mechanical Gateron (Hot-Swappable) | Blue Brown Red |
Depending on the overall setup, the Keychron C2 can be priced anywhere between RM230 – RM280. We recommend the Keychron C2 for any fixed-desk users that does not require the keyboard to be portable or wireless.
Despite being reasonably priced, the Keychron C2 is a solid mechanical keyboard with enough flexibility to have it further customized to your liking. Casual users can save a couple extra bucks by opting for the non-backlight option with a fixed mechanical setup. While gamers can opt for the more flashy RGB backlight with the hot-swappable option.
In terms of important features to take note of, the keyboard is compatible with Mac & Windows and is connected via USB type-C. The keyboard can also be inclined to a 9° angle for more comfort when using over an extended period of time.
Lastly, keyboards with backlight option comes in 18 different style settings to choose from.
Overall, the Keychron C2 is an amazing entry-level keyboard that works and feels like a high-end keyboard. Perhaps, the only thing worth considering when choosing the Keychron C2 is whether or not you require a full-size keyboard and whether you require a keyboard that supports wireless connectivity via dongle.
Royal Kludge 61
As the name suggest, the Royal Kludge 61 aka RK61 comes with only 61 keys. With a 61 keys setup, the function keys on the keyboard (F1-F12) doubles as the number keys (0-9). Several alphabet keys and the arrow keys also serve dual functions. It is also important to note that the keyboard does not come with a number pad.
What you get instead is a smaller, more compact and more portable mechanical keyboard. Due to its design and functionality, the RK61 is definitely more suitable for gamers than it is for office or casual use. Nevertheless, if you find yourself constantly on the run, the RK61 may still be an option to consider since it is portable and supports wireless connection.
With a built-in 1450mAh battery, the RK61 can last up to 10 hours while using and 360 hours while idle. Even with a built-in battery, the RK61 weighs in at only 500g. For even more convenience, the RK61 is able to connect with 3 devices simultaneously, allowing for easy swapping between devices.
All in all, the RK61 is in our opinion the best entry-level gaming mechanical keyboard. Similar to the Keychron C2, the RK61 is a solid and well-built keyboard that is highly reliable.
Additional Info
Blue vs Red vs Brown Switches
When it comes to choosing the right switch, it really boils down to personal preference. The blue, brown and red switches differs mainly in operating force but more importantly the sound it produces. Here are some sound samples to give you a better idea.
1. Blue Switch:
2. Red Switch
3. Brown Switch
Hot-Swapping
Mechanical keyboards with hot-swapping feature allows you to easily swap out existing switches for new ones. In other words, you may easily customize the keyboard to have different switches for different keys based on personal liking. If a keyboard does not support hot-swapping, changing the switches will require some soldering work.
X-Key Rollover
X-Key Rollover basically refers to the total number of keys the computer can register if they were to be pressed at the same time. Taking the RK61 with a 10-key rollover as an example, a user can press up to 10 keys at the same time while having all keys registered by the laptop or computer.
