Maximum PC - USA (2022-04)

THE LIST

THE TOP FIVE TKL GAMING KEYBOARDS

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CORSAIR

K70 RGB

TKL

Available with

either Cherry

MX Red or Cherry MX Speed switches, the K70 RGB

TKL boasts the build quality we’ve come to expect

from Corsair. It syncs with the company’s iCue lighting

controls and has a switch to enable static lighting so

you can focus on your games. $100, corsair.com

MSI VIGOR GK

LOW PROFILE TKL

If you like mechanical keyboards but find them

difficult to type on, this is ideal. The keys are lower

and wider, making it feel more like a laptop keyboard,

although the Kailh Low Profile mechanical switches

are “clicky” and therefore noisy. At 560g, it also

weighs much less than its rivals, making it well suited

for travel in its included carry case. $100, msi.com

LOGITECH PRO TENKEYLESS

GAMING KEYBOARD

Logitech’s compact board is a great all-rounder,

with features such as button-based lighting control and

a game mode button to disable the Windows and Menu

keys while gaming. If Logitech’s Blue “clicky” switches

are an issue, the Pro X model costs $30 more and lets

you swap out switch types. $100, http://www.logitechg.com

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With respect to all the accountants and spreadsheet

wizards out there who couldn’t live without their

numerical keypads, most gamers find them an

unwelcome distraction between the main keys and

the mouse. That’s why tenkeyless (also known as TKL)

keyboards have become so popular recently, especially

for those with limited desk space. So, this issue’s list

focuses on five of our favorite TKL keyboards, aimed at

gamers looking for the perfect compact setup.

STEELSERIES APEX 3 TKL

The only non-mechanical keyboard on this

list, the SteelSeries is still a fantastic board

with lots of features. We love SteelSeries’ “Whisper-

Quiet” switches that feel great to type on, the dedicated

media controls, and PrismSync lighting control, but we

don’t love the non-removable USB cable. SteelSeries

also claims the Apex 3 TKL is the world’s first water-

resistant TKL keyboard. $45, steelseries.com

ASUS ROG STRIX SCOPE

TKL DELUXE

This Asus uses the popular Cherry MX Red

switches. It scores points for having a larger CTRL

key for FPS players, a newer-style USB-C connector,

and a magnetic wrist-rest included, but it loses out

for its lack of dedicated media controls and the overly

stylized font on the keys. It also works with Aura Sync

and has under-keyboard lighting. $100, rog.asus.com

quickstart

12 MAXIMU MPC APR 2022

© STEELSERIES, ASUS, CORSAIR,

MSI, LOGITECH