Best Wired Keyboards in 2021

A keyboard is a must-have for a computer – that much is obvious. Just how important a good keyboard is usually ISN’T obvious… at least not until you’ve been stuck with a really, really bad one. A worthy investment for any regular PC user, keyboards are aplenty – and not all of them have been created equal.

We’ve compiled a handy list of great keyboard choices for any purpose – from gaming to office work.

A gamer really can’t do better than the Huntsman. There, we said it. Yes, it’s expensive, but the incredible build quality and features more than make up for it. The highly customisable RGB lighting alone makes it worth it for many – not only for gamers. Of course, the Huntsman isn’t just pretty – it features fully programmable key bindings as well, for every key.

Add to that the comfortable wrist rest and the only real downsides are the price and that it requires two USB cable connections to work. On PCs with limited ports, that could be an issue – plus, it adds to the cable salad already caused just by having a few peripherals.

Most users prefer backlit keyboards, but they aren’t always the ideal option – and the Ninja Majestouch makes a compelling argument there. The main selling point is that the lettering isn’t placed on top of the keys, but rather on the front side. That means that the letters are only visible to the person typing – and it means the writing will never fade through use.

It isn’t too suitable for beginner typists as some amount of typing skill is needed to be able to use it well. For experienced typers, this keyboard is a definitive looker, without subscribing to the RGB that most top keyboards employ.

This keyboard is quite an unusual one – not only does it lack the arrow key section that even TKL keyboards usually have, but it doesn’t follow the usual qwerty/qwertz layouts either – instead, special characters are assigned and placed differently, optimised for programmers.

Additionally, the keyboard is very light, with satisfying-sounding keys. The keyboard uses a lot of key combinations and function keys instead of additional, dedicated keys that would make it bigger. It is expensive, but those who have gotten used to the layout swear by it – and it’s easy to see why.

This one is a real throwback – if you find yourself missing keyboards from the IBM Model M era, the Classic 104 is probably just what you’re looking for. The keyboard is made with modern technology, yet features the same hard-to-press keys that used to be standard in office keyboards in the 70s.

The keyboard is also quite loud – nothing for a busy office, but perfect for those who find the noise relaxing. The Classic 104 is a solid piece of tech – it’s bulky but can take a beating – you won’t have to worry about accidentally damaging it. That said, users with smaller hands might struggle, especially since the keys have a lot more resistance than just about any modern keyboard you may find.

Das Keyboard Prime 13 may be a bit of a mouthful, but the keyboard itself is as simple as they come – in a good way! If you’re looking for a solid, top-quality keyboard without any gamer features/frills, then you just about can’t do better.

The keyboard is built on a solid top panel, with a solid selection of switch options, both in type and actuation points. It features side-lit media controls (but no volume rocker) making it a good choice for music fans as well. It also has an unusually long cable – at 2 metres, it’s long enough that you can sit a bit back from your desk and still use it!

This is our curated list of top wired keyboards to buy – whether you’re hunting for an eye-catching addition to your desk or just want a keyboard you can rely on, you should be able to find something here. Which do you like best? Let us know in the comments.