Best Retro Mechanical Keyboard: 5 Picks Compared

COSTOM lists the Womier M87 Pro as a retro 75% keyboard with 87 keys, a smart OLED color display and a mechanical knob for connection, system, backlight and volume control. Connection is tri-mode: USB-C wired, BT 5.1 and 2.4GHz wireless. The board has triple absorption layers (EVA foam, IXPE switch pad and sponge case foam), plus silencer foam under the space bar. Hot-swap works with almost all 3-pin and 5-pin switches. RGB offers 19 backlight modes, 9 colors, 5 brightness levels and 5 speed levels, or can be turned off. One oddity: the spec table lists the item weight as 0.85 g, which no keyboard weighs, so treat the weight as not stated. The listing states a 2-year warranty.

Who it's for: someone who wants a display, knob and tri-mode wireless on a retro-styled 75% board. Who should skip it: anyone who wants a classic beige-box look or a wired-only board.

Its Office Score of 9.7/10 comes from performance 32/35, build 21/25, value 21/25, safety not scored (non-powered gear) and warranty 5/5: 79 of 90 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.

Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 23 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.

What this listing states. This product does not plug in or run on a battery, so safety is not part of its score. The listing states a 2-year warranty, so warranty scores 5 of 5. See How We Pick.

Fit the desk first. Check the stated size against your desk depth and keyboard tray, and charge or pair as the manual describes. No keyboard, mouse or wrist rest prevents or treats injury.

This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.

8Bitdo lists the N Edition as a retro 108-key keyboard with an integrated numpad and function key shortcuts, Kailh Box White Switches V2 and dye-sub PBT keycaps with MDA-like height. The PCB is hot-swappable, n-key rollover is stated, and programmable buttons map without software. Connection is Bluetooth, 2.4G and USB-C. The spec table gives 18.06 in by 18.06 in by 1.88 in and states a 1-year warranty.

Who it's for: someone who wants a full layout with a numpad and clicky White switches. Who should skip it: anyone with a small desk or who wants backlighting.

Its Office Score of 9.7/10 comes from performance 32/35, build 21/25, value 22/25, safety not scored (non-powered gear) and warranty 4/5: 79 of 90 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.

Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 23 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.

What this listing states. This product does not plug in or run on a battery, so safety is not part of its score. Warranty Description: 1 Year. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 4 of 5. See How We Pick.

Fit the desk first. Check the stated size against your desk depth and keyboard tray, and charge or pair as the manual describes. No keyboard, mouse or wrist rest prevents or treats injury.

This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.

8Bitdo lists the M Edition as an 87-key retro keyboard with Kailh Box White Switch V2, dye-sub PBT keycaps and a hot-swappable PCB. The two Super Buttons are large programmable keys mapped without software. Connection is Bluetooth, 2.4G or wired, with n-key rollover stated. The table lists 0.24 kg item weight, which is lighter than a typical 87-key board, so treat the weight as approximate. The listing states a 1-year warranty.

Who it's for: someone who wants big programmable keys and a compact retro board. Who should skip it: anyone who needs a numpad or backlighting.

Its Office Score of 9.7/10 comes from performance 32/35, build 21/25, value 21/25, safety not scored (non-powered gear) and warranty 4/5: 78 of 90 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.

Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 23 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.

What this listing states. This product does not plug in or run on a battery, so safety is not part of its score. Warranty Description: 1 Year. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 4 of 5. See How We Pick.

Fit the desk first. Check the stated size against your desk depth and keyboard tray, and charge or pair as the manual describes. No keyboard, mouse or wrist rest prevents or treats injury.

This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.

OHY lists the XVX M87Pro2 as a retro 75% keyboard with 87 keys, 2 USB hub ports and a customizable multimedia screen for GIF images, caps lock, WIN/MAC and backlight control. The switches are pre-lubed linear with south-facing diffusers, and the hot-swap PCB fits 3-pin or 5-pin switches. Triple absorption layers (EVA, IXPE, sponge case foam) sit under the board, with silencer foam under the space bar. The box includes 13 replaceable keycaps, a keycap puller and a USB cable. The table gives 16.7 in by 6.8 in by 2 in and states an 18-month warranty.

Who it's for: someone who wants USB hub ports and a screen on a wired retro board. Who should skip it: anyone who wants wireless or a longer warranty term.

Its Office Score of 9.7/10 comes from performance 30/35, build 20/25, value 21/25, safety not scored (non-powered gear) and warranty 4/5: 75 of 90 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.

Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 23 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.

What this listing states. This product does not plug in or run on a battery, so safety is not part of its score. Warranty Description: 18 months. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 4 of 5. See How We Pick.

Fit the desk first. Check the stated size against your desk depth and keyboard tray, and charge or pair as the manual describes. No keyboard, mouse or wrist rest prevents or treats injury.

This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.

Keychron lists the C2 as a hot-swappable 104-key wired keyboard with a retro color scheme, pre-installed tactile Keychron Brown switches and USB Type-C with a braided cable. The frame is inclined with 2-level adjustable feet at 6 and 9 degrees, and the switches are rated to 50 million keystrokes. The box includes extra keycaps for Mac and Windows. One contradiction: the bullets call it a non-backlit design while the spec table lists single-color backlighting support, so lighting is unclear. No warranty term is stated.

Who it's for: a desk worker who wants a full-size wired retro board with hot-swap. Who should skip it: anyone who wants wireless, backlighting or a warranty term.

Its Office Score of 9.6/10 comes from performance 29/35, build 20/25, value 21/25, safety not scored (non-powered gear) and warranty 0/5: 70 of 90 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.

Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 23 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.

What this listing states. This product does not plug in or run on a battery, so safety is not part of its score. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.

Fit the desk first. Check the stated size against your desk depth and keyboard tray, and charge or pair as the manual describes. No keyboard, mouse or wrist rest prevents or treats injury.

This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.