Buying Guide

The Best Gaming Keyboards for Mac

Six boards whose listings name macOS or a Mac layout.

By The PC Journal editorial team

12 min read6 products evaluated

Most keyboards type on a Mac, but setup apps and key labels are often Windows-only. Each of these six lists Mac support or a Mac layout.

We compared layout, switches and connection from each listing.

Quick Picks

Our 6 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.

  1. Best Mac Layout

    Keychron K2 Wireless

    A Mac layout with Windows keycaps included.

    Best for: Mac-first desks.

    Our take Check price for Keychron K2 Wireless (opens in a new tab)

  2. Best Magnetic for Mac

    Keychron K2 HE Wireless

    Rapid trigger with macOS support.

    Best for: Gaming on a Mac.

    Our take Check price for Keychron K2 HE Wireless (opens in a new tab)

  3. Best Low-Profile

    Keychron K3 Version 2

    A low-profile Mac layout with QMK.

    Best for: Laptop-style typing.

    Our take Check price for Keychron K3 Version 2 (opens in a new tab)

  4. Best Value Wireless

    Kisnt KN85 Wireless

    Windows and Mac switching.

    Best for: Mid budgets.

    Our take Check price for Kisnt KN85 Wireless (opens in a new tab)

  5. Fastest Polling

    DAREU EK60 HE Magnetic Keyboard

    The fastest polling rate here (8,000Hz).

    Best for: Players pairing it with a high-refresh monitor.

    Our take Check price for DAREU EK60 HE Magnetic Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

  6. Best Wired Budget

    MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard

    Plug-and-play Mac support.

    Best for: Simple setups.

    Our take Check price for MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Keychron K2 Wireless

Best Mac Layout1 of 6

Keychron K2 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Keychron's original K2 ships with a Mac layout and extra Windows keycaps.

Best for

Mac-first desks.

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the MK-Box, which cost less when we checked.

Why we like it

It pairs with three Bluetooth devices and has a 4000mAh battery. Its Keychron switches are rated for 50 million presses, and an inclined frame improves typing comfort. A 75% (84 keys) layout is unique to it among these picks, while the KN85 uses a 75% layout.

You get keychron Super Brown switches here, which sets it apart from the MK-Box and its red linear switches. Use the K2's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. It was priced above the K3 and below the K2 HE at the time of writing. There is no published polling rate figure, whereas the EK60 HE offers 8,000Hz.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Layout: 75% (84 keys)
  • Switches: Keychron Super Brown
  • Connection: Bluetooth, wired
  • Battery life: 72 hours

Pros

  • Compact 75% (84 keys) layout
  • Keychron Super Brown switches
  • Mac layout with extra Windows keycaps
  • 4000mAh battery

Cons

  • Costs more than the MK-Box at the time of writing
Keychron K2 HE Wireless

Best Magnetic for Mac2 of 6

Keychron K2 HE Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Keychron's K2 HE adds Gateron magnetic switches, rapid trigger and tri-mode wireless to the K2's 75% layout.

Best for

Gaming on a Mac.

Skip if

If budget leads, the MK-Box was cheaper at our last price check.

Why we like it

It supports macOS and Windows. It shares a 75% layout with the KN85; the MK-Box goes with a 65% (68 keys) layout. You get gateron Hall effect magnetic switches here, which sets it apart from the MK-Box and its red linear switches.

You also get acoustic foam. Use the K2 HE's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows.

Another plus is PBT keycaps resist shine. Only the K2 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Layout: 75%
  • Switches: Gateron Hall effect magnetic
  • Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
  • Polling rate: 1,000Hz
  • Keycaps: Shine-through PBT

Pros

  • Compact 75% layout
  • Magnetic Hall effect switches
  • Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
  • PBT keycaps resist shine

Cons

  • Costs more than the MK-Box at the time of writing
Keychron K3 Version 2

Best Low-Profile3 of 6

Keychron K3 Version 2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Keychron's K3 is a low-profile 75% board with a Mac layout, extra Windows keycaps and QMK remapping.

Best for

Laptop-style typing.

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the MK-Box cost less when we checked.

Why we like it

It pairs with three devices. Its ultra-slim 75% layout pairs with up to three devices over Bluetooth 5.1, and it also works wired. It suits a laptop user who wants mechanical keys without a tall board.

It ships with keycaps for both Mac and Windows, and QMK firmware allows full key remapping. The aluminium top keeps it thin and light. You get low-profile mechanical switches here, which sets it apart from the MK-Box and its red linear switches.

Use the K3's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. It was priced above the KN85 and below the K2 at the time of writing. There is no published polling rate figure, whereas the EK60 HE offers 8,000Hz.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Layout: 75%, low-profile
  • Switches: Low-profile mechanical
  • Connection: Bluetooth, wired

Pros

  • Compact 75%, low-profile layout
  • Low-profile mechanical switches
  • Mac layout with extra Windows keycaps
  • Pairing with 3 devices

Cons

  • Costs more than the MK-Box at the time of writing
Kisnt KN85 Wireless

Best Value Wireless4 of 6

Kisnt KN85 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Kisnt's KN85 is a tri-mode 75% board with pre-lubed linears, PBT caps and a 4000mAh battery.

Best for

Mid budgets.

Skip if

If budget leads, the MK-Box was cheaper at our last price check.

Why we like it

It switches between Windows and Mac modes. Its 75% layout keeps the F-row and arrows in 85 keys, and it connects over USB-C, 2.4GHz or Bluetooth to three devices. The gasket mount softens typing noise.

It uses pre-lubed Bsun linear switches at 45-50gf, and the hot-swap sockets take 3-pin and 5-pin switches. PBT keycaps resist shine. Warm RGB lighting glows around the keys and case edges, and every key is programmable.

It shares a 75% layout with the K2 HE; the K2 goes with a 75% (84 keys) layout. Use the KN85's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. When we checked, only the EK60 HE and cheaper picks cost less, and the K3 cost more. If you want a confirmed polling rate, look to the EK60 HE instead: it offers 8,000Hz, while this one gives no figure.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Layout: 75%
  • Switches: Bsun linear, pre-lubed
  • Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
  • Keycaps: PBT

Pros

  • Compact 75% layout
  • Bsun linear, pre-lubed switches
  • Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
  • PBT keycaps resist shine

Cons

  • Costs more than the MK-Box at the time of writing
DAREU EK60 HE Magnetic Keyboard

Fastest Polling5 of 6

DAREU EK60 HE Magnetic Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

DAREU's EK60 HE pairs Hall effect switches with 8000Hz polling and a web driver that supports macOS.

Best for

Players pairing it with a high-refresh monitor.

Skip if

Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.

Why we like it

It is priced near $35 at the time of writing. A 60% layout is unique to it among these picks, while the K2 HE uses a 75% layout. You get hall effect magnetic switches here, which sets it apart from the MK-Box and its red linear switches.

You also get adjustable rapid trigger. The EK60 HE needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. High polling rates use more CPU time; drop to 1,000Hz if an older system stutters.

Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows. It was priced above the MK-Box and below the KN85 at the time of writing.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Layout: 60%
  • Switches: Hall effect magnetic
  • Connection: Wired
  • Polling rate: 8,000Hz

Pros

  • Compact 60% layout
  • Magnetic Hall effect switches
  • 8,000Hz polling
  • Adjustable rapid trigger

Cons

  • No dedicated arrow keys or function row
  • Wired only
  • Costs more than the MK-Box at the time of writing
MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard

Best Wired Budget6 of 6

MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

MageGee's MK-Box fits red linear switches and separate arrow keys into a 68-key frame.

Best for

Simple setups.

Skip if

Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wired only.

Why we like it

It has plug-and-play support for Windows, Linux and Mac. You get a 65% (68 keys) layout here, which sets it apart from the EK60 HE and its a 60% layout. Red linear switches is unique to it among these picks, while the K2 HE uses gateron Hall effect magnetic switches.

You also get full anti-ghosting. The MK-Box needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys.

No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the EK60 HE was closest. If you want a confirmed polling rate, look to the EK60 HE instead: it offers 8,000Hz, while this one gives no figure.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Layout: 65% (68 keys)
  • Switches: Red linear
  • Connection: Wired

Pros

  • Compact 65% (68 keys) layout
  • Red linear switches
  • Separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame
  • Plug-and-play support for Windows, Linux and Mac

Cons

  • Wired only

How We Chose These Gaming Keyboards for Mac

Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.

Layout and switches
We recorded the layout, the switch type and whether the switches are mechanical, magnetic or membrane.
Polling rate
We recorded polling rates where listings state them.
Build
We noted keycap material, frame material and extra controls such as knobs or screens.
Connection
We checked wired, dongle and Bluetooth options and rated battery life.

What to Look for in a Gaming Keyboard for Mac

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Choose the layout before the switch

    Full-size boards keep the number pad; tenkeyless drops it and gives the mouse more room. 75% and 65% boards keep arrows in a tighter frame, while 60% boards move arrows and F-keys to a function layer.

  2. Wired, dongle or Bluetooth

    A 2.4GHz dongle is fine for games; Bluetooth adds latency and suits typing on other devices. Wired boards never need charging.

  3. Linear, tactile or magnetic

    Linear switches travel smoothly, tactile switches have a bump, and clicky switches add a click. Hall effect switches read a magnet, so actuation can be adjusted and rapid trigger resets a key as soon as it rises.

  4. Hot-swap sockets allow switch changes

    Hot-swappable boards let you pull and replace switches without soldering. Check whether the sockets take 3-pin or 5-pin switches.

  5. Keycap material lasts longer than lighting

    PBT keycaps resist the shine that ABS caps develop. Double-shot legends do not wear off.

  6. Polling rate is a small factor

    1,000Hz is enough for most players. 8,000Hz cuts reporting delay further, but the gain is small and uses more CPU time.

How to Choose a Gaming Keyboard for Mac

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Mac-first desksK2A Mac layout with Windows keycaps included
Gaming on a MacK2 HERapid trigger with macOS support
Laptop-style typingK3A low-profile Mac layout with QMK
Mid budgetsKN85Windows and Mac switching
Players pairing it with a high-refresh monitorEK60 HEThe fastest polling rate here (8,000Hz)
Simple setupsMK-BoxPlug-and-play Mac support

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Key specs side by side

Figures as each maker states them.

KeyboardLayoutSwitchesConnectionPolling rate
K275% (84 keys)Keychron Super BrownBluetooth, wiredNot listed
K2 HE75%Gateron Hall effect magnetic2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired1,000Hz
K375%, low-profileLow-profile mechanicalBluetooth, wiredNot listed
KN8575%Bsun linear, pre-lubed2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wiredNot listed
EK60 HE60%Hall effect magneticWired8,000Hz
MK-Box65% (68 keys)Red linearWiredNot listed

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.

Price tierKeyboards
Under $50MK-Box, EK60 HE, KN85
About $50 to $100K3, K2
About $100 to $150K2 HE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a wireless keyboard slower?

Not over a 2.4GHz dongle for most players. Bluetooth adds more latency and is better kept for other devices.

Do these keyboards need software?

They work without it, but lighting, macros and actuation settings usually need the maker's app.

Is a membrane keyboard bad for gaming?

No. It is quieter and cheaper, but it feels softer and usually lacks per-key rollover guarantees beyond what the listing states.

Do I need 8,000Hz polling?

No. It is a marginal gain on top of 1,000Hz and can cost battery life and CPU time.

Should I pick tenkeyless or full-size?

Tenkeyless if you want more mouse room and rarely type numbers; full-size if you enter numbers often.

Do Hall effect switches help in games?

Adjustable actuation and rapid trigger help most in fast strafing games. In slower games the difference is small.

Bottom Line

Keychron's K2 is the pick for its Mac layout and three-device Bluetooth. The K2 HE adds magnetic switches, and DAREU's EK60 HE is the budget magnetic option with a macOS web driver.