The Best Typewriter Keyboards
It’s easy to forget that computers are a relatively new invention since we depend on them for so much, but not so long ago, typewriters reigned supreme. If you’re nostalgic for that time but you still want to stay up-to-date with modern technology, a typewriter-style keyboard may be just what you need. These keyboards can connect to a laptop or computer, but they feel like the typewriters of yesteryear. We’ve rounded up the best ones on the market to help you sort through the options and find what’s right for you.
What to Look For
When narrowing down the best typewriter-style keyboards, we considered overall design, aesthetic appeal, durability, and price. For example, if you want a modern-looking keyboard with old-school, typewriter-style rounded mechanical keys, the RK ROYAL KLUDGE typewriter-style wired keyboard has the best of both worlds. If you want something a bit more traditional, the QWERKYTOYS typewriter mechanical keyboard with a tablet stand looks extremely retro and comes with an all-metal construction, but it also has modern amenities for compatibility with tablets. Read on to see all our top picks and find the right typewriter-style keyboard for your needs.
RK ROYAL KLUDGE Typewriter Style Wired Keyboard
Worlds collide
If you’re not sure where to begin your search for a typewriter-style keyboard, this sleek option from RK Royal Kludge is a great place to start. In terms of design, it’s not the most traditional option on the market, but it still features the iconic rounded keycaps and tactile click response that gives the typewriter its satisfying mechanics. However, that’s where the vintage inspiration ends. Aesthetically, this keyboard is new as can be, featuring a rainbow backlight, plush wrist rest, ergonomic design, and anti-ghosting keys for increased performance. For gaming, writing, working, or just surfing the web, you can’t go wrong with this fashionable typewriter keyboard.
Pros:
- Includes a collapsable wrist rest
- RGB LED backlight
- Single-color and multi-color functions
- Anti-ghosting keys
- Tactile feedback response
Cons:
- The silver rings around each key may fall off with normal wear and tear
Camiysn Typewriter Style Mechanical Keyboard
Illuminating style
If you want a practical typewriter-style keyboard with modern aesthetics, this keyboard from Camiysn has everything you need. It may not capture the retro look of yesteryear, but it does offer bright backlighting, multiple color options, and convenient features that make modern keyboards so easy to use. It has adjustable rear feet, making for comfortable typing, and the keycaps are made with injection molding for a durable, but smooth feel that’s not as bulky as a metal construction. For users who want the rounded keycaps of a typewriter but without the old-fashioned design, this keyboard has you covered.
Pros:
- Comes in different colors and backlight options
- Adjustable rear feet
- Keycaps use injection molding
- Includes useful multi-media key commands
Cons:
- Not very useful for gaming
Soke-Six Typewriter-Style Backlit Keyboard
The more the merrier
Wireless keyboards aren’t the newest technology on the market, but compared to old-school typewriters, they’re almost futuristic. With the combination of a vintage typewriter-inspired design and modern wireless capabilities, this keyboard from Soke-Six captures a unique balance of classy and cool. It features a bright pink design that’s sure to be an eye-catching addition to your office setup, and it even comes with an included wireless mouse. It also has a large-capacity battery to last longer than the competition on just one charge. Best of all, the price is almost too good to be true. For such a great bargain on both a keyboard and a mouse, grab this economic buy while you can.
Pros:
- Surprisingly low price
- Bright pink design
- Comes with a wireless USB mouse
- Can use key commands to change the backlight
- Large-capacity lithium battery
Cons:
- Not a very durable design
7KEYS Retro Typewriter Keyboard
Old school
If you want a typewriter-style keyboard that looks just as classy as it feels, this retro keyboard from 7Keys may be right up your alley. This Mechanical keyboard can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth, but it has a vintage look that’s accented with a wood grain design and metal-ringed keycaps. You can even adjust the LED backlights with the return lever and tweak the brightness and volume with the metal rollers. It has space to hold your phone or small tablet on the dock, making it efficient for your workstation. This typewriter keyboard may have plenty of tricks up its sleeve, but it still sports a classic look that never goes out of style.
Pros:
- Lever adjusts LED lights
- Made with aluminum alloy metal electroplated wood grain
- Rounded keycaps
- Compatible with cellphones, tablets, and laptops
- Made with premium Outemu blue switches
Cons:
- Not as durable as other competitors
QWERKYTOYS Typewriter Mechanical Keyboard With Tablet Stand
Classic and cool
If you want a keyboard that looks and feels more like a traditional typewriter than anything else on the market, look no further. This vintage-inspired typewriter keyboard is made out of metal, making for a heavy-duty and old-fashioned quality that you won’t find in most modern devices. It also repurposes some of the parts that older typewriters have, like the return bar and scroll knobs, to perform modern functions like scrolling the computer page, adjusting the volume, and acting as an enter key. Best of all, this keyboard has a built-in tablet stand, so you can effortlessly connect to your tablet and set it up as a display right above your keyboard. It comes with a lofty price tag, but for quality this good, you get what you pay for.
Pros:
- All metal construction
- Programmable return bar
- Integrated tablet stand
- Scroll knobs work as page scroll
- Can connect up to three devices wirelessly
Cons:
- Fairly pricey
Frequently Asked Questions
Do typewriter-style keyboards make a loud noise when they type?
Although their noise may not be as loud as traditional typewriters, most are still louder than a modern keyboard. Their keys also sit a bit higher from the base of the keyboard, so there’s more distance to push down on the key to get it to type. While they may not capture the old-school sound perfectly, the new-school typewriter-style keyboards prove to be more convenient.
Are typewriter keys different than modern keys on a keyboard?
Yes. In terms of shape, most typewriters have rounded keycaps with metal rings around them. The letters of the keys are typically covered in cellulose. This makes for a comfortable and vintage feel that many users still love today. Contrastingly, most modern keys are made of plastic and tend to be perfectly square or rectangular with minimal rounded edges.
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