For the past nine years, a few gadgets have been a constant part of my life: earbuds/headphones, MacBooks, cameras, keyboards and mice. I don't think I've gone a single day without using a keyboard. Typing is my bread and butter, and that means I spend up to eight hours a day, five days a week, using the best keyboards. And trust me, few things are better than a low-profile, ergonomic mechanical keyboard.
I've used and reviewed many low-profile keyboards, and for the past week, I've been using the Epomaker Luma84. I really like this board: it's delightful to type on and it's built very well with anodized aluminum. But I rated it only 3.5 out of 5 stars. All the while I've been using it, I couldn't help but think about all the other low-profile decks I've tested, and there are certainly better ones out there.
The Luma84 has some redeeming qualities, yes. It looks cute and fantastic, it's sturdy and customization is quick and easy via web-based software. But the typing experience is low-key ruined by metallic pings and rattling resonating from the body, and the fact that the keyboard's height isn't adjustable isn't appealing.
But if you're on the hunt for a low-profile keyboard but don't know where to start, don't worry: I've got you covered. Here are my top three picks for productivity.
Hexgears Immersion A3 TKL
The Hexgears Immersion A3 TKL is my favorite low-profile keyboard, hands down. It's the keyboard I use when I'm working from home, and it replaced my beloved 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard for one simple reason: it is as silent as a lamb. The Immersion A3 TKL features a layer of sponge located between the aluminum top plate and the plastic bottom plate, which absorbs all vibrations, resulting in a quiet typing sound.
I use the keyboard with Kailh White Rain linear switches, which are extremely quiet, and they're a dream to type on — I'd describe the typing experience as nothing short of beautiful. The White Rains have a 1.2mm activation point, which means you don't need to press them all the way down for your commands to register, and this helps me type fast.
Another reason I prefer the Immersion A3 TKL over the Epomaker Luma84 is thanks to its small TFT screen, which you can display GIFs or static images on (done via companion software). It's a nice way of adding some personality to the keyboard. I currently have a GIF of Esquie from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 doing a little dance, and I love it.
Chilkey ND75 LP
If you want a low-profile keyboard that's easy to mod and customize, I can't recommend the Chilkey ND75 LP enough. Not only is it great and comfortable to type on, but it's easily moddable, and it's perfect for those just getting into in-depth customization. You get the basic tools to start modding in the box. Removing the aluminum case is easy; all you need to do is hold the keyboard down and pull it, and it magnetically snaps back into place.
The ND75 LP looks lovely, too, sporting a couple of different shades of purple. It's colorful, unlike the other two keyboards, and similar to the Hexgears Immersion A3 TKL, it features a screen for you to display GIFs on.
The ND75 LP is made of full CNC-machined aluminum, too, which means it will stand the test of time. There's no flex in the body, and keys don't dip into the body, but this also means that the keyboard is heavy. At 4.01lbs, it isn't the most portable deck, but if you want a low-profile board that'll sit on your desk only, then you won't go wrong with the ND75 LP.
Keychron K11 Max
One of the primary advantages of using a low-profile keyboard over a standard-profile one is that you don't need to lift your fingers much to type, and this, in turn, reduces fatigue. And what's better than a low-profile keyboard? An Alice low-profile keyboard, like the Keychron K11 Max.
Its Alice layout means the keyboard is split and slightly tilted for added comfort, making it beneficial for people suffering from wrist pain or repetitive strain injuries (RSI). The keyboard naturally bends your wrists and relieves stress on your wrists and hands, and the K11 Max is a very comfortable deck to type on.
The typing experience is wonderful, as is the sound profile. The Red linear switches I used give physical feedback when pressed, but they aren't as loud as clicky Blue tactile ones, so they don't disturb others around you. And similar to the other keyboards on this list, the K11 Max is fully hot-swappable, so you can change switches without de- and re-soldering them to the PCB.
And there you have it, my top three picks for the best low-profile mechanical keyboards. If you had to pick just one, which one would it be? The Hexgears Immersion A3 TKL, the Chilkey ND75 LP or the Keychron K11 Max? Let me know in the comments below!
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