What is an enthusiast-grade mechanical keyboard? It depends on what you’re into – it might be a super-fast gaming board for esports, an ultra low-profile work keyboard equally adept for Mac or Windows, or even a full-fat custom keyboard with unique switches and a compact form factor. Today we’ve got examples of all three, giving you an idea of what sorts of keyboards are out there and which you might prefer.
Here are three reviews then: the low-profile Mistel AirOne, the rapid trigger Meletrix BOOG75 and the custom-built Keychron Q1 Pro with MX Purple switches designed by Cherry and British keyboard maker Glarses. All are fascinating options in their own right, showing the breadth of the enthusiast keyboard market in spring 2024.
Mistel AirOne review: An ultra slim and slender keyboard with sublime switches
Buy:
£181 at Amazon UK$141 at Amazon US
First up is the Mistel AirOne, an ultra low-profile and small form factor keyboard from Mistel, a brand who have been in the keyboard space for longer than a lot of their contemporaries. The AirOne is a bit of a rare beast, being one of only a handful of keyboards that packs in Cherry’s MX Ultra Low Profile switches. It comes with either MX ULP Clicky or Tactile, the former of which I don’t believe is available elsewhere in any other standalone keyboard.