The PC Journal

Buying Guide

The Best Mechanical Keyboard for Mac

Five keyboards ranked on polling rate and layout; the K521 is the cheapest route in.

By , PC Hardware Editor

12 min read5 products evaluated

A desk setup with a keyboard, mouse and headset beside a monitor
Illustrative image
Jump to
  1. Quick Picks
  2. Our Picks
  3. How We Chose
  4. What to Look For
  5. Comparison
  6. FAQ

A mechanical keyboard for a Mac should list macOS support, so the Command and Option keys map correctly. Every pick is sold with macOS support.

Rankings weigh layout, switches and connection as the makers state them; if a maker skips polling rate, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.

Quick Picks

Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

  1. Lowest Price Here

    Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard

    The cheapest way into this group, below the GK61.

    Best for: Getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money.

    Check price for Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  2. Also Consider

    Geeky GK61 60% Keyboard

    Hot-swap sockets.

    Best for: Buyers who want hot-swap sockets.

    Check price for Geeky GK61 60% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  3. Strong Alternative

    Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard

    Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.

    Best for: Buyers who want hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.

    Check price for Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  4. Worth a Look

    Redragon K582 Surara RGB Mechanical Keyboard

    Anti-ghosting across all keys.

    Best for: Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys.

    Check price for Redragon K582 Surara RGB Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  5. Premium Pick

    DIERYA DK68E 60% Keyboard

    The top of this price range, adding hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.

    Best for: Spending more than the K582 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.

    Check price for DIERYA DK68E 60% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Lowest Price Here1 of 5

Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard

Redragon's K521 is a full-size membrane board with multimedia keys and no driver needed.

Best for

Getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money.

Skip if

Worth skipping when full-size board takes more desk width is a problem.
Check price on Amazon for Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard

Why we like it

The maker specifies PS4, PS5, Xbox and macOS support. A one-touch light button and breathing modes adjust the rainbow backlight, and the keys give a mechanical-like feel. Like the K582, it has a full-size (104 keys) layout, while the DK68E uses a 60% layout.

It is the only pick here with membrane switches; the K582 has red linear switches instead. The K521 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. It undercut the GK61 and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its polling rate; if that figure matters, the GK61 offers 1,000Hz.

Key specs

Layout
Full-size (104 keys)
Switches
Membrane
Connection
Wired

Pros

  • Dedicated multimedia keys
  • Listed support for PS4, PS5, Xbox and macOS
  • Plug and play with no driver
  • Membrane switches, the only one here

Cons

  • Full-size board takes more desk width
  • Membrane switches, not mechanical
  • Wired only
Check price on Amazon for Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

Also Consider2 of 5

Geeky GK61 60% Keyboard

Geeky's GK61 is a hot-swappable 60% board with macro software and Mac support.

Best for

Buyers who want hot-swap sockets.

Skip if

Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
Check price on Amazon for Geeky GK61 60% Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Geeky GK61 60% Keyboard

Why we like it

It sits near $22 at the time of writing. Hot-swap sockets let you change switches without soldering, using the tools in the box. The detachable USB-C cable and 60% layout make it easy to pack for LAN events.

No other pick in this guide offers a 60% (61 keys) layout; compare the K582, which has a full-size (104 keys) layout. The GK61 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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper K521 and the pricier K617, at the time of writing.

Key specs

Layout
60% (61 keys)
Switches
Mechanical, hot-swappable
Connection
Wired
Polling rate
1,000Hz

Pros

  • Compact 60% (61 keys) layout
  • Mechanical, hot-swappable switches
  • Hot-swap sockets
  • Macro and remapping software

Cons

  • No dedicated arrow keys or function row
  • Wired only
  • Costs more than the K521 at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for Geeky GK61 60% Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

Strong Alternative3 of 5

Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard

Redragon's K617 Fizz is a wired 60% board with red linear switches and hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.

Best for

Buyers who want hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.

Skip if

Pass on it if no dedicated arrow keys or function row rules it out for your setup.
Check price on Amazon for Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard

Why we like it

It is one of the lowest-priced hot-swap boards here. Its 60% layout frees desk space for wide mouse swipes, and 20 lighting presets adjust in brightness and speed. The software programs macros.

Its switches are rated for 50 million presses, in a white and grey colourway. Like the DK68E, it has a 60% layout, while the GK61 uses a 60% (61 keys) layout. Like the K582, it has red linear switches, while the K521 uses membrane switches.

The K617 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. Its price falls between the GK61 and the K582, based on our last check.

Key specs

Layout
60%
Switches
Red linear
Connection
Wired

Pros

  • Compact 60% layout
  • Red linear switches
  • Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
  • Switches rated for 50 million keypresses

Cons

  • No dedicated arrow keys or function row
  • Wired only
  • Costs more than the K521 at the time of writing

The catch

Buyers who need a confirmed polling rate should compare it with the GK61, which offers 1,000Hz.

Check price on Amazon for Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

Worth a Look4 of 5

Redragon K582 Surara RGB Mechanical Keyboard

The K582 keeps the number pad for players who need it.

Best for

Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys.

Skip if

Worth skipping when full-size board takes more desk width is a problem.
Check price on Amazon for Redragon K582 Surara RGB Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Redragon K582 Surara RGB Mechanical Keyboard

Why we like it

It is the cheapest full-size mechanical board in this list. It has 100% anti-ghosting with N-key rollover, and 18 backlight modes adjust from the keyboard. Linear red switches need little force, and full N-key rollover means every key in a combo registers.

Six lighting themes and 18 backlight modes adjust from the keyboard itself. Like the K521, it has a full-size (104 keys) layout, while the DK68E uses a 60% layout. Like the K617, it has red linear switches, while the K521 uses membrane switches.

It also offers per-key macro recording. The K582 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper K617 and the pricier DK68E, at the time of writing.

Key specs

Layout
Full-size (104 keys)
Switches
Red linear
Connection
Wired

Pros

  • Red linear switches
  • Anti-ghosting across all keys
  • Per-key macro recording

Cons

  • Full-size board takes more desk width
  • Wired only
  • Costs more than the K521 at the time of writing

The catch

The maker doesn't give its polling rate; if that figure matters, the GK61 offers 1,000Hz.

Check price on Amazon for Redragon K582 Surara RGB Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

Premium Pick5 of 5

DIERYA DK68E 60% Keyboard

DIERYA's DK68E uses pre-lubed linear switches and dampening foam in a 60% frame.

Best for

Spending more than the K582 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.

Skip if

Look at the others if this bothers you: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
Check price on Amazon for DIERYA DK68E 60% Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
DIERYA DK68E 60% Keyboard

Why we like it

Remapping runs in a browser on Windows, macOS or Linux. It shares a 60% layout with the K617; the K521 goes with a full-size (104 keys) layout. You get pre-lubed linear switches here, which sets it apart from the K521 and its membrane switches.

The DK68E 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. Only the K582 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.

Key specs

Layout
60%
Switches
Pre-lubed linear
Connection
Wired
Polling rate
1,000Hz

Pros

  • Compact 60% layout
  • Pre-lubed linear switches
  • Hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
  • Browser-based remapping on Windows, macOS or Linux

Cons

  • No dedicated arrow keys or function row
  • Wired only
  • Costs more than the K521 at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for DIERYA DK68E 60% Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

How We Chose

Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.

A grey mechanical keyboard beside a mouse on a wooden desk
A grey mechanical keyboard beside a mouse on a wooden desk
What we compared
We set side by side five keyboards on layout, switches, connection and polling rate, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and polling rate is missing for at least one pick.
What every pick has in common
All 5, from the K521 to the DK68E, state layout, switches and connection and share Wired connection.
Where the specs have gaps
The K521, the K617 and the K582 give no polling rate.
Price range
From the K521 to the DK68E, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.

What to Look for in a Mechanical Keyboard for Mac

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

  1. What to check at home

    The K521 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.

  2. Extras that separate them

    The K617: switches rated for 50 million keypresses. The K582: per-key macro recording. The DK68E: browser-based remapping on Windows, macOS or Linux.

    A mechanical keyboard with RGB-lit keycaps
    A mechanical keyboard with RGB-lit keycaps

  3. Where your budget lands

    All 5 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the K521 at the low end to the DK68E at the top, so decide on features first.

  4. Start from what matters most

    Getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money: the K521. Spending more than the K582 costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the DK68E.

    A mechanical keyboard with white keycaps in front of an ultrawide monitor
    A mechanical keyboard with white keycaps in front of an ultrawide monitor

  5. Keycap material lasts longer than lighting

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

How to Choose a Mechanical Keyboard for Mac

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least moneyK521The cheapest way into this group, below the GK61
Buyers who want hot-swap socketsGK61Hot-swap sockets
Buyers who want hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switchesK617Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keysK582Anti-ghosting across all keys
Spending more than the K582 costs for the fullest feature set in this groupDK68EThe top of this price range, adding hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches

Scroll sideways to see every column.

A compact keyboard and mouse in front of an ultrawide monitor
A compact keyboard and mouse in front of an ultrawide monitor

Key specs side by side

The K521, the GK61 and the rest, as their makers list them.

KeyboardLayoutSwitchesConnectionPolling rate
K521Full-size (104 keys)MembraneWiredNot listed
GK6160% (61 keys)Mechanical, hot-swappableWired1,000Hz
K61760%Red linearWiredNot listed
K582Full-size (104 keys)Red linearWiredNot listed
DK68E60%Pre-lubed linearWired1,000Hz

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the K521 our Lowest Price Here pick?

The label rests on the cheapest way into this group, below the GK61. It makes sense for getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money.

Do the K521 and the GK61 differ on layout?

The K521 and the K582 use full-size (104 keys); the GK61 uses 60% (61 keys); the K617 and the DK68E use 60%.

Will the DK68E work with my setup?

The DK68E needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Premium Pick.

What extras do the K521 and the GK61 include?

The K521: dedicated multimedia keys. The GK61: hot-swap sockets. The K617: hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.

Should I pick the K521 or the DK68E?

The K521 suits getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money; the DK68E suits spending more than the K582 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.

Bottom Line

Our first pick is the K521, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the GK61. Look at the GK61 for hot-swap sockets, the K617 for hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches and the K582 for anti-ghosting across all keys if those matter more to you.

Look for Mac keycaps or a Mac mode switch if the legends matter to you.

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About the author

PC Hardware Editor

Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.

Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility

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