Buying Guide
The Best Tenkeyless Keyboards
Five keyboards compared, from the K55 CORE TKL to the G713, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Corsair K55 CORE TKL Gaming Keyboard
A lower price than the K552 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Corsair K55 CORE TKL Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical Keyboard
Anti-ghosting across all keys.
Best for: Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys.
Our take Check price for Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
HyperX Tactile Switches
HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard
HyperX tactile switches.
Best for: Buyers who want hyperX tactile switches.
Our take Check price for HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Tenkeyless Layout
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL RGB Gaming Keyboard
A tenkeyless layout.
Best for: Buyers who want a tenkeyless layout.
Our take Check price for SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL RGB Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Logitech G713 Wired TKL Gaming Keyboard
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with dedicated media controls.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Logitech G713 Wired TKL Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Corsair K55 CORE TKL Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The K55 CORE TKL is a membrane board, not mechanical, but it is quiet, cheap and has dedicated media keys.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when membrane switches, not mechanica 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. Like the Alloy Origins Core and G713, it has a TKL layout, while the K552 uses a TKL (87 keys) layout.
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. It undercut the K552 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 K55 CORE TKL, which has membrane 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. Worth noting too: tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse. Its price falls between the K55 CORE TKL and the Alloy Origins Core, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & 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
HyperX Tactile Switches3 of 5
HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
HyperX puts the Alloy Origins Core in an aluminum body, which makes it the sturdiest board in this list.
Best for
- Buyers who want hyperX tactile switches.
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 shares a TKL layout with the K55 CORE TKL and G713; the Apex 3 TKL goes with a tenkeyless layout.
HyperX tactile switches is unique to it among these picks, while the K552 uses red linear or brown tactile 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 Apex 3 TKL cost more.
Key dimensions & 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
Tenkeyless Layout4 of 5
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL RGB Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
SteelSeries's Apex 3 TKL uses what SteelSeries calls whisper-quiet gaming switches, rated for over 20 million keypresses.
Best for
- Buyers who want a tenkeyless layout.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wired onl is a problem.
Why we like it
It is a wired tenkeyless board with IP32 water and dust resistance. It works with Windows, Mac, Xbox and PlayStation, and PrismSync RGB syncs effects. Its tenkeyless frame frees space for mouse movement.
The switches are designed for near-silent use with anti-ghosting, and an IP32 rating guards against spills and dust. It is the only pick here with a tenkeyless layout; the K55 CORE TKL has a TKL layout instead. It also comes with a clickable volume roller and media keys.
The Apex 3 TKL needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Its price falls between the Alloy Origins Core and the G713, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Tenkeyless
- Switches: Whisper-quiet gaming switches
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- Whisper-quiet switches rated for over 20 million keypresses
- IP32 water and dust resistance
- Clickable volume roller and media keys
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K55 CORE TKL at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Logitech G713 Wired TKL Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 the most complete package.
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.
Like the K55 CORE TKL and Alloy Origins Core, it has a TKL layout, while the K552 uses a TKL (87 keys) layout. The G713 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. 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 Apex 3 TKL and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: TKL
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- Dedicated media controls
- Included palm rest
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with dedicated media controls
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K55 CORE TKL at the time of writing
How We Chose These Tenkeyless Keyboards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five keyboards on layout, switches and connection as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the K55 CORE TKL to the G713, state layout and connection and share Wired 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 G713 ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Tenkeyless Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Fit and compatibility
The K55 CORE TKL needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Features beyond the spec table
The Alloy Origins Core: a detachable USB-C cable. The Apex 3 TKL: IP32 water and dust resistance. The G713: an included palm rest.
How much to spend
Under $50 buys the K55 CORE TKL, the K552, the Alloy Origins Core and the Apex 3 TKL; $50 to $100 buys the G713 at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the budget tight: the K55 CORE TKL. Buyers who want hyperX tactile switches: the Alloy Origins Core. Buyers who want a tenkeyless layout: the Apex 3 TKL.
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 Tenkeyless Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | 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 hyperX tactile switches | Alloy Origins Core | HyperX tactile switches |
| Buyers who want a tenkeyless layout | Apex 3 TKL | A tenkeyless layout |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | G713 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with dedicated media controls |
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 |
| Apex 3 TKL | Tenkeyless | Whisper-quiet gaming switches | Wired |
| G713 | TKL | Not listed | Wired |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The K55 CORE TKL was the lowest-priced pick and the G713 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | K55 CORE TKL, K552, Alloy Origins Core, Apex 3 TKL |
| About $50 to $100 | G713 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Alloy Origins Core the HyperX Tactile Switches?
It earns the label for hyperX tactile switches. It suits anyone who wants hyperX tactile switches.
Do the K55 CORE TKL and the K552 differ on layout?
The K55 CORE TKL, the Alloy Origins Core and the G713 use TKL; the K552 uses TKL (87 keys); the Apex 3 TKL uses tenkeyless.
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.
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
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 hyperX tactile switches and the Apex 3 TKL for a tenkeyless layout if those matter more to you.
Add a standalone numpad if you enter numbers often.