Buying Guide
The Best Tenkeyless Keyboards
Five keyboards compared, from the K55 CORE TKL to the K70 Core TKL Wireless, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Tenkeyless boards drop the number pad for more mouse room while keeping the function row and arrows. Every pick is TKL, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for layout, switches and connection; where a maker leaves out switches, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Corsair K55 CORE TKL Gaming KeyboardA lower price than the K552 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $50.
Check price for Corsair K55 CORE TKL Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical KeyboardAnti-ghosting across all keys.
Best for: Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys.
Check price for Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical KeyboardAn aircraft-grade aluminum body.
Best for: Buyers who want aircraft-grade aluminum body.
Check price for HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Logitech G713 Wired TKL Gaming KeyboardDedicated media controls.
Best for: Buyers who want dedicated media controls.
Check price for Logitech G713 Wired TKL Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Corsair K70 Core TKL WirelessThe top of this price range, adding a pre-lubed switch set.
Best for: Spending more than the G713 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for Corsair K70 Core TKL Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Corsair K55 CORE TKL Gaming Keyboard
The K55 CORE TKL is a membrane board, not mechanical, but it is quiet, cheap and has dedicated media keys.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $50.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when membrane switches, not mechanical is a problem.
Why we like it
It resists spills of up to 300ml, and four media buttons sit above the keys. Eight RGB zones light the board. It is the only pick here with membrane switches; the K552 has red linear or brown tactile switches instead.
It also offers 12-key rollover. The K55 CORE TKL needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Worth noting: tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse. It undercut the K552 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Layout
- TKL
- Switches
- Membrane
- Connection
- Wired
- Polling rate
- 1,000Hz
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- Dedicated media keys
- 12-key rollover
- Membrane switches, the only one here
Cons
- Membrane switches, not mechanical
- Wired only
Also Consider2 of 5
Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical Keyboard
The K552 has been a starter mechanical board for years.
Best for
- Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wired only.
Why we like it
It is simple, wired and tenkeyless, with a choice of linear or tactile switches. It is the only pick here with a TKL (87 keys) layout; the K55 CORE TKL has a TKL layout instead. No other pick in this guide offers red linear or brown tactile switches; compare the K70 Core TKL Wireless, which has MLX Red v2 linear switches.
You also get anti-ghosting across all keys. The K552 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Its price falls between the K55 CORE TKL and the Alloy Origins Core, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Layout
- TKL (87 keys)
- Switches
- Red linear or brown tactile
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- Red linear or brown tactile switches
- Anti-ghosting across all keys
- Choice of red or brown switches
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K55 CORE TKL at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard
HyperX puts the Alloy Origins Core in an aluminum body, which makes it the sturdiest board in this list.
Best for
- Buyers who want aircraft-grade aluminum body.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: wired only.
Why we like it
It is wired only, but the cable detaches for transport. Its tenkeyless layout frees mouse space, and the aluminium body resists flex. It is a wired tenkeyless board with low-profile HyperX Aqua switches and customizable RGB lighting.
Dropping the number pad leaves more room for mouse movement. HyperX tactile switches is unique to it among these picks, while the K55 CORE TKL uses membrane switches. The Alloy Origins Core needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. When we checked, only the K552 and cheaper picks cost less, and the G713 cost more.
Key specs
- Layout
- TKL
- Switches
- HyperX tactile
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- HyperX tactile switches
- Aircraft-grade aluminum body
- Detachable USB-C cable
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K55 CORE TKL at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Logitech G713 Wired TKL Gaming Keyboard
The G713 is a wired tenkeyless board with media controls and an included palm rest, which the other picks leave out.
Best for
- Buyers who want dedicated media controls.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wired only.
Why we like it
Per-key and perimeter LIGHTSYNC RGB comes with preloaded animations, and it belongs to the Aurora collection with matching headset and mouse. Keycaps and top plates in other colours are sold separately. Its cloud-shaped palm rest and compact TKL layout suit a small desk, and you choose between GX switch types.
The G713 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. It makes the most sense for buyers who want dedicated media controls, since it offers dedicated media controls. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Alloy Origins Core and the pricier K70 Core TKL Wireless, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Layout
- TKL
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- Dedicated media controls
- Included palm rest
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K55 CORE TKL at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Corsair K70 Core TKL Wireless
The K70 Core TKL Wireless stands out for a pre-lubed switch set.
Best for
- Spending more than the G713 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the K55 CORE TKL cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the only pick here with MLX Red v2 linear switches; the Alloy Origins Core has HyperX tactile switches instead. Use the K70 Core TKL Wireless's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Another plus: tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the G713 and the rest.
Key specs
- Layout
- TKL
- Switches
- MLX Red v2 linear
- Connection
- Slipstream, Bluetooth
- Keycaps
- Double-shot ABS
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- MLX Red v2 linear switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Pre-lubed switch set
Cons
- Costs more than the K55 CORE TKL at the time of writing
How We Chose These Tenkeyless Keyboards
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.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five keyboards on layout, switches and connection as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 2 of the 3 fields compared are stated for every pick, while switches has gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the K55 CORE TKL to the K70 Core TKL Wireless, state layout and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The G713 gives no switches.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the K55 CORE TKL (under $50) to the K70 Core TKL Wireless ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Tenkeyless Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Switches
The K55 CORE TKL lists membrane; the K552 lists Red linear or brown tactile; the Alloy Origins Core lists HyperX tactile; the K70 Core TKL Wireless lists MLX Red v2 linear. Sort out switches before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 1, 1, 1 and 1.
Fit and compatibility
The K55 CORE TKL needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Use the K70 Core TKL Wireless's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
A mechanical keyboard with white keycaps in front of an ultrawide monitor Features beyond the spec table
The Alloy Origins Core: a detachable USB-C cable. The G713: an included palm rest. The K70 Core TKL Wireless: a pre-lubed switch set.
How much to spend
Under $50 buys the K55 CORE TKL, the K552 and the Alloy Origins Core; $50 to $100 buys the G713; $100 to $150 buys the K70 Core TKL Wireless at our last check.
A compact keyboard and mouse in front of an ultrawide monitor Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the cost under $50: the K55 CORE TKL. Spending more than the G713 costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the K70 Core TKL Wireless.
How to Choose a Tenkeyless Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $50 | K55 CORE TKL | A lower price than the K552 and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys | K552 | Anti-ghosting across all keys |
| Buyers who want aircraft-grade aluminum body | Alloy Origins Core | An aircraft-grade aluminum body |
| Buyers who want dedicated media controls | G713 | Dedicated media controls |
| Spending more than the G713 costs for the fullest feature set in this group | K70 Core TKL Wireless | The top of this price range, adding a pre-lubed switch set |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The K55 CORE TKL, the K552 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| K55 CORE TKL | TKL | Membrane | Wired |
| K552 | TKL (87 keys) | Red linear or brown tactile | Wired |
| Alloy Origins Core | TKL | HyperX tactile | Wired |
| G713 | TKL | Not listed | Wired |
| K70 Core TKL Wireless | TKL | MLX Red v2 linear | Slipstream, Bluetooth |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the K55 CORE TKL, sat in the under $50 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the K70 Core TKL Wireless at $100 to $150; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | K55 CORE TKL, K552, Alloy Origins Core |
| About $50 to $100 | G713 |
| About $100 to $150 | K70 Core TKL Wireless |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the K55 CORE TKL the Lowest Price Here?
It carries the badge for a lower price than the K552 and the rest when we checked. It is aimed at keeping the cost under $50.
Do the K55 CORE TKL and the K552 differ on layout?
The K55 CORE TKL, the Alloy Origins Core, the G713 and the K70 Core TKL Wireless use TKL; the K552 uses TKL (87 keys).
What should I check before buying the K55 CORE TKL?
The K55 CORE TKL needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the K55 CORE TKL and the K552 apart?
The K55 CORE TKL: dedicated media keys. The K552: anti-ghosting across all keys. The Alloy Origins Core: an aircraft-grade aluminum body.
Who should choose the K70 Core TKL Wireless?
The K70 Core TKL Wireless carries our Premium Pick label for the top of this price range, adding a pre-lubed switch set. It ranks fifth of 5 here and sat in the $100 to $150 tier at our last price check; it suits spending more than the G713 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the K55 CORE TKL, chosen for a lower price than the K552 and the rest when we checked. Look at the K552 for anti-ghosting across all keys, the Alloy Origins Core for an aircraft-grade aluminum body and the G713 for dedicated media controls if those matter more to you.
Add a standalone numpad if you enter numbers often.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Keyboards Right Now
- Related guideThe Best Quiet Gaming Keyboards
- Related guideThe Best TKL Keyboards
- Lower budgetThe Best Keyboards Under $150
- Similar guideThe Best Keyboards for PC
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mechanical Keyboard
- ExplainerKeyboard layouts compared: full-size, TKL, 75%, 65% and 60%
- Also see: miceGaming Mouse Features Explained: What Is Worth Paying For?
- Similar guideThe Best RGB Keyboards
- Topic hubAll keyboards guides
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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