Top 5 smoothest TKL keyboards for gaming in 2023

The TKL keyboard not only has a compact size but also stands out with many features that help improve typing performance and limit hand fatigue during long operations, so it is favored by many gamers. If you want to buy this type of keyboard but don't know which model is suitable, please refer to the Top 5 smoothest TKL gaming keyboards today with TipsMake.

What is TKL keyboard?

TKL - Tenkeyless keyboard is a type of keyboard that removes the Numpad row on the right side including number keys from 0 - 9 and some extra keys such as Numlock - . Del – * – / – + – Enter. Therefore, this keyboard has a reduced size of only 80% compared to a regular full-size keyboard. 

The normal number of keys on a fullsize keyboard is 108 keys, while on a TKL keyboard it is 87 keys . However, the TKL keyboard also has a number of variations with the number not exceeding 92 keys. 

Not only that, compared to the fullsize keyboard, the TKL keyboard also has an equivalent LED lighting system. 

Outstanding features of the TKL keyboard

With a smaller size than a fullsize keyboard. Tenkeyless keyboard stands out with its unique features including:

1. Save space 

The reduced number of keys means the size of the keyboard is also significantly smaller than a fullsize keyboard. This helps save layout space, making your desk or entertainment space more tidy, allowing you to freely arrange more devices.

2. Suitable for placing the keyboard diagonally

For users who have the habit of crossing the keyboard when playing games, the TKL keyboard is the appropriate choice. Because, thanks to its shorter width than a fullsize keyboard, users can easily tilt the TKL keyboard.

3. Limit hand fatigue when using

If users play games for a long time, they will feel a lot of tension in their wrists, shoulders and hands. When using the Tenkeyless keyboard, thanks to the small keyboard width, users can easily bring the mouse closer. This helps adjust the armrest to fit the shoulder better. Thanks to that, it effectively prevents muscle tension when working for a long time.

4. More ergonomic

The TKL keyboard has a compact design that helps users easily operate at a faster speed. This is also the type of keyboard that many people choose when they have to regularly perform text tasks. 

At the same time, the fast operation ability of the Tenkeyless keyboard helps users limit hand fatigue when typing. Not only that, the keyboard also helps increase typing speed and maintain speed during long periods of operation.  

5. Convenient to carry when traveling

For users who often carry a keyboard on the go, the TKL keyboard is the right companion. Thanks to the compact key size, only 80% of a full-size keyboard, users can easily put it in their backpack to carry. 

Some criteria for choosing a TKL keyboard

There are 3 important criteria that TKL keyboard users need to keep in mind before choosing to buy the product: Switch, Keycap and connection type. Each criterion will have its own characteristics that create the user experience. Specifically:

1. Switch

The switch is a part designed in the form of a switch located under each key press. This part's main function is to create bounce and feedback of the keyboard. On the market today there are many types of switches equipped on keyboards with different advantages. Normally, specialized mechanical keyboard models for gaming will be suitable for Cherry MX Red Switch thanks to the good jump and feedback of this type of Switch. 

In addition, most users who are gamers also like to use keyboards that make clicking sounds when typing, because this will create a feeling of relaxation and entertainment when playing games. 

Those clicking sounds are called Clicky Switch, and when users work in crowded environments and want a quiet space to work, the Silent Switch line is the right choice for you. 

2. Key (Keycap)

In addition to the Switch head's characteristics of bounce and feedback, the Keycap is also an equally important criterion that users need to keep in mind before choosing to buy a keyboard. 

Keycaps are the keys used on the keyboard whose main purpose is to bring experience to the user. Currently, there are many types of Keycaps used with many materials, colors and sizes equipped on keyboard lines ranging from low to high-end segments that users can choose from. 

To limit hand fatigue when having to press continuously for long periods of time, users should prioritize choosing keyboards with moderate height and tilt. In addition, you should also choose keys made from ABS or PBT plastic to increase key life as well as limit blurred digits after a period of use. 

3. Connect

The final criterion that users also need to pay attention to is the type of connection: wired or wireless. According to the reviews of many experienced users, it is recommended that buyers choose a TKL keyboard that uses a wired connection.

The reason is because using a wired Tenkeyless keyboard brings more benefits to users such as extremely low latency, making gaming feel smoother and easier to operate.  

Top 5 TKL mechanical keyboards worth buying today

On the market today, there are many lines of TKL keyboards with many prices from different large and small brands. In the content below, TipsMake suggests to you the Top 5 TKL mechanical keyboards worth buying today that you should not miss.

1. DareU EK880 RGB mechanical keyboard

Topping the list of 5 TKL mechanical keyboards worth buying DareU is one of the famous accessory brands trusted by many people on the market today. In case you are wondering which type of TKL keyboard is suitable for you, the DareU EK880 RGB keyboard model is a good suggestion for you.

Not stopping after the brilliant success of its predecessor DareU DK87, this brand has strived to bring users the DareU EK880 RGB mechanical keyboard version with quality and design worthy of the price range compared to other competitors. competitor. 

DareU EK880 RGB mechanical keyboard is a Tenkeyless keyboard with compact size. The keys are covered with luxurious matte ABS plastic , contributing to increasing the aesthetics of the device. Furthermore, the keyboard is also equipped with an LED lighting system with RGB colors including 16.8 million beautiful colors, creating a unique highlight. 

In particular, the DareU keyboard uses type D Switch . This is a Switch manufactured by the brand itself with durable quality and not inferior to other high-end Switches on the market, verified by users through previous keyboard lines.   

In addition to the D Switch type, users can also equip other basic Switch types such as Blue, Browse or Red for the DareU DK880 keyboard depending on needs and preferences. This has greatly contributed to creating strengths that help the brand compete with competitors.  

Technical specifications : 

2. Corsair K63 Mechanical Keyboard 

Contributing to the list of Top 5 typical TKL keyboards on the market is the Corsair K63 mechanical keyboard model . This keyboard model has a shortened design imbued with a gaming spirit.

The Corsair K63 keyboard is adorned with an attractive black tone and a stylish and trendy design. Furthermore, this keyboard model is also equipped with a red LED system with iCUE (Corsair Utility Engine) technology that allows users to customize brightness and create dynamic lighting effects to increase the user's personalized experience. users as well as stand out on the product.

Besides, with its light weight and compact size, users can easily store and carry the Corsair K63 keyboard anywhere. In terms of structure, the keys are equipped with Cherry MX Red German mechanical switches with good bounce and use high-quality plastic material with effective anti-fade effect.

In addition, the Keycap surface is designed to have a suitable concavity, which helps increase typing efficiency and even when typing for a long time, it does not cause pain in the fingertips.

Different from many conventional mechanical keyboard models, the Corsair K63 keyboard has a top surface that integrates additional buttons with specific functions to help save users' operating time such as Stop, Play/Pause, Backward or other buttons. Adjust brightness amplitude.

During the game, users can use these buttons for quick customization to help limit interruptions that reduce the playing experience.

Specifications: 

3. Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

The next TKL keyboard model worth buying that users can refer to is the famous Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition mechanical keyboard on the market with its eye-catching and trendy design, extremely suitable for gamers. 

Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition attracts attention right from the first time with its compact keyboard size, convenient for arrangement to help save working space. The keyboard surface uses keycaps made from PTB material , which has superior durability than ABS and PVC plastic and is effective against fading and abrasion. 

In addition, inside the keyboard is also equipped with a Switch type that uses Razer's exclusive Linear Optical technology for an extremely smooth pressing experience, without creating noise affecting the surrounding environment. At the same time, high key bounce with a lifespan of more than 100 million keystrokes helps speed up text editing and game play quickly and smoothly.

In particular, the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition keyboard is also equipped with RGB LED lighting effects with eye-catching effects that not only increase the aesthetics of the device but also help improve user vision in night environments.

Exclusive Razer Synapse technology is applied to the keyboard lighting system, allowing users to store up to 5 backlight settings via the cloud storage system. Thanks to that, users can connect and choose their favorite lighting styles.

Furthermore, Razer Synapse technology also integrates many other interesting feature settings that users can experience such as supporting Multimedia customization with the Fn key combination or disabling the Windows button with Game Mode or customizing. Choose to increase/decrease brightness with just a mouse click. 

Specifications: 

Video Intro:

4. DAREU EK87 mechanical keyboard

Standing out with its youthful design color combination of white and pink tones along with its compact and lightweight size, the DareU EK87 mechanical keyboard easily captures the hearts of female customers. 

The DareU EK87 keyboard is a TKL-type keyboard model that has removed the buttons in the Numpad section but still retains the function buttons, so operation is still very intuitive and not at all difficult to use like other keyboards shortened to only 71. or 68 keys.

In addition, the DareU EK87 keyboard is also equipped with keyboard lights like other mechanical keyboards. Although it only supports a single light color, it supports many different types of light effects that are very eye-catching and eye-catching.

In terms of key quality, the DareU EK87 keyboard uses the DareU brand's signature Blue D Switch with high sensitivity and durability. Users can clearly feel the smoothness and clear symmetry of large keys such as Enter or Space. 

Furthermore, the keyboard keycap is also sprayed with 2-color ABS plastic material to significantly increase key life. On the back of the DareU EK87 keyboard there is also an effective anti-slip rubber base to help bring the best experience. 

Specifications:

5. Razer BlackWidow Lite Silent Mechanical Keyboard

The last name on the list is the Silent Razer BlackWidow Lite mechanical keyboard model with a shortened TKL keyboard design including 87 basic keys. The highlight of this keyboard model lies in its sophisticated and luxurious exterior design, suitable for users to study, work and entertain. 

The keys on the Silent Razer BlackWidow Lite keyboard are applied with Razer's exclusive Orange Switch technology, providing an extremely smooth typing feeling and high key bounce with a lifespan of up to 80 million keystrokes. At the same time, thanks to the combined o-ring, when typing the keys, the sound is reduced to the maximum, there is absolutely no clicking sound.

In addition, the buttons of the Silent Razer BlackWidow Lite keyboard are equipped with an LED system with a characteristic white color scheme, creating a gentle feeling for the user's eyes when working in low-light and dark environments.

In particular, the Silent Razer BlackWidow Lite keyboard uses a wired connection and can quickly detach the wire, bringing convenience to users when moving and storing.

Specifications:

Intro videos:

Frequently asked questions when buying a TKL keyboard

During the process of researching and choosing to buy, many users have the same questions that need to be answered such as: 

How much does a TKL keyboard cost?

Compared to a regular Fullsize keyboard, the TKL keyboard features a compact size with 87 basic keys, so it has a cheaper price. 
However, it is impossible to accurately state the price because depending on factors such as brand, switch type, material, demand as well as different distribution locations, TKL keyboards can range from a few hundred to several million dong. .

Is a TKL keyboard better than a fullsize keyboard?

In terms of size, the TKL keyboard, thanks to the removal of non-functional keys, is more compact in size than a fullsize keyboard. This helps users easily carry the TKL keyboard with them every time they move. 
In terms of structure and function, it is impossible to say which keyboard is better. Because, depending on user needs and tastes, keyboard manufacturing brands launch TKL or Fullsize keyboard models with appropriate materials and features at prices ranging from affordable to high-end. 

How many keys does the TKL keyboard have?

Normally, the number of keys on a fullsize keyboard is 108 keys, while on a TKL keyboard it is 87 keys. However, the TKL keyboard also has a number of variations with the number not exceeding 92 keys. 

Epilogue

The above article is information about TKL keyboards and 5 suggestions for suitable TKL mechanical keyboard models for gamers that you can refer to and choose from. If you have any questions related to this type of keyboard that TipsMake needs to answer, please leave a comment below for support from the consulting team.

Lesley Montoya

Update 03 October 2023