Last Updated on November 18, 2022
“Why Are TKL Keyboards More Expensive?” which is the most frequently asked question in various mechanical keyboard communities we will answer in this post.
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/625437466999252485/Many people think that a full-size or 1800-compact mechanical keyboard must be more expensive than a smaller size below, such as a TKL keyboard, 75%, 65% and 60% keyboard.
But in the market world that determines the price of a mechanical keyboard is not based on its size, but market demand is the determinant. The higher the demand for a product with certain criteria, the higher the price to be offered in the market.
In fact, the current demand for TKL-sized mechanical keyboards (87%) is the highest in the market. There are several reasons for this to happen, all reasons why TKL-sized mechanical keyboards are more expensive today than other sized mechanical keyboards.
Why Are TKL Keyboards More Expensive?
1. Trends
Based on google trends data, searches with keywords TKL, Tenkeyless has a rapid and stable increase in the United States. As we know, the United States is the largest market for gaming products, including for mechanical keyboard products.
Based on this data, we can conclude that TKL-sized mechanical keyboards have become a trend in the last 3 years which has caused the demand for TKL-sized mechanical keyboards to increase in the market. This is one proof that causes TKL-sized mechanical keyboards to be more expensive than others.
2. Famous Gaming Streamer Using TKL-Sized Mechanical Keyboard
Ninja has used several TKL-sized mechanical keyboards
Based on data on wikipedia.com, ninja is one of the most popular streamers in the world. has the most followers on the twitch platform, a huge fanbase with the highest streaming revenue in the world. With this fact, many people want to participate in using gaming accessories used by ninjas when streaming, including the mechanical keyboard used.
Ninja has used several TKL mechanical keyboards from different brands. One of the sized keyboards that Ninja has used while streaming is the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL which he’s been using to date. Based on the latest photo post on ninja’s instagram, he is still using the Mechanical keyboard Apex Pro TKL from steelseries.
Ninja is certainly a gaming streamer who has a big influence on the gaming setup trend for gaming lovers. This can also be one of the reasons why the demand for TKL-sized mechanical keyboards is increasing in the market. Because of this, TKL-sized keyboards are becoming increasingly expensive.
Shroud Streaming Using TKL Mechanical Keyboard
Shroud is a former professional CSGO player who retired from professional competition and is currently a streamer in several FPS games. Shroud is one of the most famous streamers in the world because of his extraordinary skills.
Shroud played many FPS games like CSGO, PUBG, Valorant, Fortnite, and Apex Legend. Because shroud is one of the influential influencers, shroud’s gaming setup will certainly be in the spotlight for fans and viewers.
Coincidentally, Shroud is currently sponsored by Logitech which even Logitech makes a special Shroud series for a complete gaming setup called “LOGITECH G PRO SERIES SHROUD EDITION“. One of the things that made me discuss shroud is because the Mechanical Gaming Kayboard it uses is a TKL-sized mechanical gaming keyboard, namely Logitech G PRO TKL which you can see in the picture above.
3. Professional Gamer Using TKL-sized Mechanical Keyboard
It’s a fact that most professional gamers use TKL-sized mechanical keyboards. Because a keyboard that is TKL size (87%) includes a keyboard that is quite compact in size that can be carried anywhere. When undergoing tournaments, professional gamers bring their respective gaming setups to participate in the match. Because the TKL-sized keyboard has a fairly compact size and can be carried anywhere, many professional gamers choose a TKL-sized keyboard as their main keyboard.
One of the professional dota 2 players known as Arteezy (Artour Babaev) from the Evil Geniuses team uses a TKL-sized mechanical keyboard, the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition TKL. Team Evil Geniuses is indeed sponsored by Razer, but aren’t there other sized keyboards for their players to choose from? for example a full size keyboard from Razer like the Razer Huntsman Elite. In fact, all Evil Geniuses players use a TKL-sized Mechanical keyboard.
The photo above is abed when they competed in one of the major dota 2 tournaments, “WePlay AniMajor”. As you can see in the picture EG. Abed uses the Razer BlackWidow Lite TKL Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard. Things like this can cause an increase in people’s interest in TKL-sized mechanical keyboards.
Not only professional dota 2 players who mostly use TKL-sized mechanical keyboards. Some professional gamers from FPS games like Valorant for example, based on data we got from the prosettings.net website, almost 80 percent of professional Valorant players use a TKL-sized mechanical keyboard.
The most widely used keyboards by Professional Valorant Players are keyboards from Logitech, one of which is the Logitech G PRO Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. Based on the data we got from the Prosettings.net website, the TKL-sized mechanical keyboard is the most widely used by professional valorant players. The following is the TKL keyboard data used by professional Valorant players in the table below:
The three reasons above are enough evidence that TKL-sized mechanical keyboards are a trend in the market which makes the demand for the market high. So the TKL-sized mechanical keyboard becomes more expensive than other size keyboards.
Why Choose TKL Keyboard?
The TKL Size Keyboard is often referred to as Tenkeyless, because the TKL keyboard is a Full Size Kayboard without Numpad, that’s what makes it called TKL (Tenkeyless). The TKL-sized keyboard is the most popular keyboard today whether used for gaming or for work.
The great influence of influencers and professionals makes TKL-sized keyboards in great demand. Because the TKL keyboard has a very high demand in the market, manufacturers are competing to make their version of the best TKL keyboard. Advertisements, promotions, campaigns for TKL keyboard products are increasing so that they become a trend until now.
Choosing a TKL (Tenkeyless) sized keyboard is not the wrong choice. The TKL-sized keyboard has a very ideal size, not too big and not too small, right in the middle. Because of its right size, this keyboard is easy to carry anywhere, it doesn’t take up much space on your PC desk.
Advantages of TKL-Sized Keyboard
1. Provide a large space
The small keyboard provides ample space for your desk so you can put a lot of stuff and can put accessories for your desk. In addition, for those who have a small table, the tkl keyboard is the right choice for you. In terms of mobility, the tkl keyboard is easier to carry everywhere and doesn’t take up much space for your bag.
The advantage of this one is often not noticed by many users. The position of the shoulders or hands when using the TKL keyboard will be more in the middle compared to a full size keyboard. The position of the shoulders is actually very influential on our comfort. If you force a full size keyboard so that it is positioned more towards the center, then the keyboard position will eat up the side of the mousepad so that the movement space of the mouse will be reduced. This is also one of the reasons why many people tilt the position of their full size keyboard so that it is more towards the center.
2. It doesn’t require a lot of effort when typing
With the tkl keyboard, we don’t need a big effort when the hand moves from the mouse to the keyboard because the size of the tkl keyboard is shorter. Meanwhile, when using a full size keyboard, our effort when typing becomes greater when the hand moves from the mouse to the keyboard because the full size keyboard is wider than the tkl keyboard.
3. Quick adaptation
The big advantage of TKL over the 75% and 60% formats is that no adaptation period is required, as everything is exactly the same as on a full format keyboard. This means that we can access all the usual keyboard functions without having to use key combinations, something that doesn’t happen at 75% and 60% and which can make using them uncomfortable at first, especially if you don’t have time to adapt because you can’t slow down.
Disadvantages of TKL-Sized Keyboard
The shortcomings of the TKL keyboard can be identified only by its name “Tenkeyless” meaning a keyboard of this size comes with a layout without Numpad. But you can still use the number row under the F1-F2 key row to enter numbers when using the TKL keyboard.
I don’t think this is a fatal flaw, due to the fact that the TKL-sized keyboard still has a complete number pad on the bar above. If you have a TKL keyboard and want a numpad, you can buy a separate numpad that is already widely available in the market.
Best TKL Mechanical Keyboard to Buy
From the data that I obtained from several sources about the best TKL-sized mechanical keyboards you can get on the market today, we recommend 8 TKL-sized mechanical keyboards that can fulfill your typing, gaming, and work needs for you. Here are the 8 best mechanical keyboards you should consider:
1. Logitech G PRO Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
The first keyboard recommended by the best tkl mechanical keyboard to buy is the Logitech G PRO Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. This keyboard is equipped with 90 mechanical keys that use the GX Blue switch from Logitech which has excellent durability. The GX Blue is a very fast and responsive tacticle switch from logitech.
This keyboard is perfect for those of you who want an accurate and fast typing experience. This keyboard is of course equipped with RGB Backlight which is typical of Logitech and there are additional unique multimedia keys at the top of this keyboard. This keyboard uses USB connectivity to connect with your device. You can buy this keyboard through a special link from us at a fairly affordable price.
2. Logitech G915 TKL Tenkeyless Lightspeed Wireless
The second is the tkl mechanical keyboard from logitech, namely the Logitech G915 TKL Tenkeyless Lightspeed Wireless. This keyboard is one of the best mechanical wireless keyboards on the market today, has a battery that can last up to 40 hours, and you also have the option to use it with the included USB Type C cable.
The Logitech G915 TKL Tenkeyless Lightspeed Wireless is equipped with 90 buttons that use the highly durable and responsive GL Tacticle Switch. The features provided are also programmable macro buttons on the top, and there are unique multimedia controls from Logitech on this keyboard. You can buy this keyboard via our special link.
3. HyperX Alloy Origins Core TKL
If you want a quality TKL mechanical keyboard backed by incredible software optimization, HyperX Alloy Origins Core TKL is the right choice.
The keyboard has 87 mechanical keys that use Linear HyperX Red Switch which is very responsive and clicky. Almost the entire body of this keyboard is made of quality aluminum which makes the build quality of this keyboard very sturdy.
HyperX Ngenuity software allows you to freely adjust the RGB on this keyboard to your liking. You can buy this keyboard through our special link.
4. CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL
Next is the TKL-sized mechanical keyboard from Corsair which is very famous for its programmable macros and complete multimedia keys. CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL is a keyboard that has a solid and sturdy build quality because it is made of high quality Aluminum Frame.
This keyboard has a total of 88 keys with Cherry MX Switch available in all colors in the purchase package. Cherry MX is the most famous switch in the mechanical keyboard world because it has a complete quality and variant that can meet your typing needs.
You get a Detachable USB Type-C Cable in the package. This keyboard is a mechanical keyboard that has very responsive keys compared to other mechanical keyboards. You can buy this keyboard through a special link from us.
5. SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is one of the best TKL-sized mechanical keyboards on the market today. The keyboard that Ninja uses in every stream has a very good build quality.
SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is paired with Linear and Tacticle Switches that you can choose according to your wishes. Switches from SteelSeries are renowned for their durability and speed.
This keyboard has an OLED display on the top right along with a special steelseries scroll control that can be used to change the keyboard mode. This keyboard is also equipped with a wrist rest that can increase your comfort when using it. You can buy this keyboard at a friendly price through a special link from us.
6. CORSAIR Vengeance K65 Compact
The CORSAIR Vengeance K65 Compact is a TKL mechanical keyboard featuring 87 mechanical keys with Cherry MX switches. The entire body of this keyboard is made of aluminum which is very solid.
This keyboard connects via Full Key Rollover on USB with your device. In addition to the anti-ghosting feature, this keyboard has keycaps that are very comfortable to type on. You can buy this keyboard through this special link.
7. Razer BlackWidow Lite
Razer is one of the most well-known brands for their high-quality gaming products. For this recommendation, we recommend the TKL-sized Razer BlackWidow Lite for you.
This keyboard is available with the Orange Switch from Razer which is widely used by professional gamers to participate in tournaments. For example, some Valorant professional players use the Razer BlackWidow Lite keyboard a lot.
Powered by Razer’s Synapse 3 software, you are free to customize this keyboard to your liking. The LED Backlight fits perfectly with the quality black keycaps on the Razer BlackWidow Lite. You can buy this keyboard through a special link from us at a fairly cheap price.
8. Leopold FC750R
The Leopold FC750R is the next best TKL-sized mechanical keyboard. This Korean-made keyboard is known for its solid quality. It’s made of plastic, but feels very sturdy when used.
Leopold FC750R is equipped with Double Shot PBT keycaps with excellent quality. The switch used on this keyboard is a modified Cherry MX. It is one of the quietest mechanical keyboards on the market today.
The Leopold FC750R is built to provide the best typing experience for its owner. Optimized keycaps and switches can help users type quickly and accurately using this keyboard.
Indeed, this keyboard is not embedded with RGB or LED Baklight because Leopold prefers to appear in a retro style when mechanical keyboard manufacturers are busy competing to show off their RGB. You can buy this keyboard through a special link from us at a friendly price.
Also read our other articles about Leopold and Best TKL Mechanical Keyboards for Programming.
Why are gaming keyboards so expensive?
If you find a mechanical gaming keyboard sold at such a high price, that’s normal. A gaming keyboard has very complete features such as dedicated media keys, macro keys, programmable keys, complete connectivity options, customizable layer functions with software support, anti-ghosting, and many other features. A gaming keyboard is sold so expensive also due to the use of quality components such as switches, keycaps, keyboard casing materials from aluminum or quality ABS plastic that make a gaming keyboard so expensive.
Conclusion
The current expensive TKL-sized Mechanical Keyboard is caused by a trend that is happening in the world. Starting from well-known streamers and influencers who use TKL-sized keyboards, then the majority of professional gamers also use TKL mechanical keyboards to compete.
TKL mechanical keyboards are expensive, but still affordable, because there are many TKL mechanical keyboard products that are still affordable. TKL is the right solution for those of you who want an ideal keyboard. The TKL keyboard is mid-sized which is quite compact and easy to carry with your backpack.
