The 7 Best Mechanical Keyboards for Accountants (2023)

Want to click & clack while you run month-end financials?

Mechanical keyboards can be a game-changer for your work experience, especially if you’re a CPA or Excel master. 😉

But if you pick the wrong keyboard, you could end up with loud noises that could annoy coworkers, or a stiff keyboard that causes wrist pain.

As a former accountant (I worked in audit for years!), I’m going to help you make an informed buying decision that’ll improve your accounting game–and give you an awesome keyboard experience 😎

Here are my top picks for the best mechanical keyboard for accountants:

Let’s get into the details so you can choose a keyboard based on YOUR specific needs…

The Best Mechanical Keyboards for Accountants

I have personally typed on every single one of these keyboards, and can honestly recommend each one (categorized based on what features you care most about).

Das Keyboard 4 – Best Overall

PROS ✅

• All-black design for office or play
• Cool volume knob and media controls
• Cherry MX switch options
• 2-port USB 3.0 hub
• Aluminum top

CONS ❌

• Doesn’t offer linear switch options
• Pricey

Again, the Das Keyboard 4 might technically get our “best overall” nod, but that mostly comes down to customization, build quality, and simplicity.

• Customization – You can choose tactile or clicky switches, normal or blank keycaps (might be tough?), a Mac version with different keycaps, and even a cheaper “root” version.
• Build Quality – Das Keyboard is an older keyboard brand, and this keyboard is built like a TRUCK. It will literally last you a lifetime, and it also feels nice and heavy.
• Simplicity, yet fancy – I personally like the all-black design and simple layout. It says “professional.” BUT this keyboard does have extra media controls and a volume control knob. That’s the perfect amount of fancy

We recommend grabbing the Cherry MX brown (which they call a “soft tactile” switch) version–as that’s going to be less noisy than the clicky blue option.

Also, the 2 USB ports ON THE KEYBOARD ITSELF is actually really handy.

I wish they offered linear switches (like Cherry MX Red, for example), but tactile (brown) switches are generally preferred for typing and work anyways (as opposed to 100% gaming).

Want to learn more about mechanical switches? I.e. “linear vs tactile vs clicky,” etc? Check out our guide here.

Logitech G915 – Best Low-Profile

PROS ✅

• Ultra-low profile (22mm tall!)
• Nice RGB backlighting
• Wireless mode!
• Linear, Tactile, and clicky switch options

CONS ❌

• Really expensive (but see below for a cheaper version!)

Yes, it’s pricey! But it’s also fancy (and comes in a variety of sizes and switch types).

And when you add in…

• fast wireless capabilities
• extra media keys (and extra gaming keys over to the left on the keyboard)
• Linear, tactile switches, and clicky switch versions
• 100% full-sized and 80% TKL versions (same keyboard but without the 10-key)
• Lightsync RBG (fancy backlighting) and Logitech software (some people love it, some hate it)

The G915 is probably the most premium Logitech keyboard you can get.

If you suffer from wrist pain, carpal tunnel, etc, you would do well to get a low-profile keyboard, and the G915 is the best you can get. (here are more great low-profile options).

But if the G915 is too pricey, there’s another similar option 👇

Related: The 29 Best Mechanical Keyboards, RANKED (For 2023)

Logitech G613 – Best Wireless

PROS ✅

• Really affordable
• Built-in wrist rest
• Wireless mode!

CONS ❌

• No fancier features
• No switch options

The Logitech G613 is like a smaller cousin to the G915 Lightspeed above–same great look and feel, but with fewer fancy features.

It still has a few programmable keys & media keys, and the sub-$75 price point is really great, but it’s the lack of switch options that makes this one a tough recommendation.

If you MUST have a Logitech, but you’re on a budget, choose this one (else we have better budget recommendations below).

Check out our full list of the best wireless mechanical keyboards here.

Tecware Phantom 104 – Best Budget

PROS ✅

• Super cheap
• Build quality is surprinsgly good
• Outemu switch options
• It’s Hot-swappable!
• Size options

CONS ❌

• Not a “premium” mechanical keyboard experience
• Not wireless

I recently purchased the Phantom 104 for testing (you can read our full review of the Tecware Phantom here), and it’s FANTASTIC at that price point!

$39 for a mechanical keyboard with a simple design that’s office friendly? YES please.

The Tecware Phantom is actually our best keyboard under $50, for gaming, accounting, office, or anything.

The Tecware Phantom comes in 2 sizes:

• The 104 = a 100% full-sized keyboard
• The 87 = an 80% TKL (same thing, but no numberpad!)

My Phantom 104 has the Outemu red switches (linear, no tactile bump), and they’re just ok. If you’re a beginner to mechanical keyboards, these Outemu switches will be just fine–but they’re definitely not “high-end.”

That said, this keyboard is hot-swappable, meaning you can remove the stock switches and replace them with whatever switches you want!

Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2 – Best Silent

Corsair is another long-time brand for gaming and keyboards–and they make TWO amazing keyboards that are amazing for accounting (and any work).

PROS ✅

• Cherry MX Silent switches(!)
• USB-pass through (meaning there are USB ports on the actual keyboard!)
• Dedicated multimedia keys and volume control
• Great RGB

CONS ❌

• Expensive (over $120ish)
• It definitely looks like a gaming keyboard, so it might not be as office-friendly.

In general, linear switches (including Cherry MX reds, Gateron reds, blacks, yellows, etc) are going to be quite soft–they’re 30% softer, apparently. But the Cherry MX Silent reds have an additional dampening mechanism inside the switch.

But the Strafe is also loaded w/ the fancier features, too!

• It’s heavy and built well (which almost always means less resonance and a softer, more muted typing experience).
• You can also save up to three profiles on this keyboard, and it has a detachable wrist rest!
• USB pass-through
• Did we mention Cherry MX Silent Red switches??

If you want an amazing feel at a lower overall volume, Cherry MX Silent Red switches are THE best mechanical switch for the job, and the Strafe MK.2 comes with them out of the box!

Also, you can totally turn OFF the RGB backlights if it looks too “gamer” and non-professional. Voila. Number-crunching in style.

Keychron K4 – Best for Mac

Just an FYI–EVERY ONE of the mechanical keyboards on my list, including all of the Keychron keyboards below, will work on both Windows and Mac!

As somebody who plays on a Mac (but did accounting on Windows)–it’s nice to have a keyboard built for both.

PROS ✅

• GREAT compatibility with Mac and Windows
• Affordable
• Several size and layout options
• Switch options (mostly Gateron switches)
• Hot-swappable versions available
• Wireless!

CONS ❌

• Not a ton of fancier features
• Very high-profile (unless you get the K7 or K3, which are specifically low-profile)

I own 4 different Keychrons (The K2, K7, K12, and K4), and there are a few options that make them the best for Macs:

• They come with extra Mac modifier keycaps (Command, etc)
• There’s a Windows/Mac physical toggle button on the side of the keyboard (meaning you don’t have to touch software settings to switch between Windows and Mac!)
• Mac-specific media keys and controls!

Keychron makes SEVERAL different layouts, but if you want the 10-key number pad, grab one of these 👇

• Keychron K4 – It’s like a full-sized keyboard, but with no “dead space” between the keys! This saves a few inches of desk space!
• Keychron K10 – a typical 100% full-sized keyboard

Keychrons are one of my favorite keyboard brands in general—so you can’t go wrong!

Just keep in mind that they’re quite tall, so it’ll take some getting used to! You might also consider purchasing a wrist rest for it.

FYI, click here to see our best mechanical keyboards for Mac—there are tons of other brands that work great out of the box with MacOS!

ASUS ROG Claymore II – best premium

PROS ✅

• Detachable numberpad
• Detachable wristrest
• USB pass-through ports
• Wireless

CONS ❌

• Cost $225+
• No tactile switch options

Full disclosure, I haven’t typed on this keyboard, but it’s still worth mentioning here for one reason: a detachable 10-key numberpad.

AND a detachable wrist rest. I just wish they offered a Brown switch version (only red linear and blue clicky switch options available).

Again, I haven’t actually typed on this, so I have no idea how it sounds or feels. If it were under $150, I probably would’ve purchased one already 😎

Kinesis Freestyle Edge – Best Ergonomic Design

PROS ✅

• Split keyboard so you can adjust positioning REALLY well
• extra-large detachable wrist rest
• switch options

CONS ❌

• Really expensive ($160-200)
• Doesn’t have a 10-key numberpad (BUT they sell a separate one)

It’s no secret that a “normal” keyboard doesn’t actually do much to help our developing wrist and finger pain—and many mechanical keyboards are actually TALLER than normal, possibly making pain worse.

Ergonomic keyboards are supposed to reduce typing fatigue by positioning the keys in the way that your hands naturally lie.

And my favorite type of ergonomic keyboard? The split keyboard!

The Kinesis Freestyle Edge is a keyboard quite literally split down the middle (with a cable connecting the two halves). This allows you to adjust the position to the way YOUR hands naturally code ;)’

The Edge has a few different switch options, as well as standard features like RGB, programmable keys, etc. But it doesn’t have a 10-key numberpad, so you’ll need to purchase a separate 10-key (see below for recommendations)!

Honestly, I haven’t been able to find an ergonomic mechanical keyboard with a 10-key. I don’t think they make them!

The great news is you can purchase 10-keys separately 🙂

Mechanical Keyboard Buying Guide (Specifically for Accountants)

If you’re going to purchase your first mechanical keyboard, here are the main factors you’ll want to consider:

Price

It can be easier to start talking yourself into fancier features for a keyboard that’s out of your price range! The truth is, you can still pick up an amazing keyboard for under $100 and it will serve you well. Set a budget and stick to it.

Noise

If you work in an office near other people, you’ll want to consider the noise of your keyboard! This comes down to several factors:

• Switches – You’ll probably want to avoid clicky switches, which are generally louder.
• Desk mat – consider using a desk mat under your keyboard. These look cool AND dampen sound
• The keyboard itself – every keyboard is different, but if you see any features relating to “sound dampening,” i.e. “silcone dampeners,” etc, those keyboards will resonate less and won’t be as loud!

Low-Profile and Ergonomics

Most “normal” membrane keyboards are thin, low-profile experiences–mostly because there aren’t mechanical switches taking up space under the keycaps!

If you suffer from finger or wrist pain, you might consider purchasing either a low-profile mechanical keyboard or ergonomic keyboard (where the keys aren’t laid out in straight rows). Of course, you can also try out wrist rests with any keyboard!

Switches

Many of the keyboards recommended above come with different switch options!

All switches fall under 3 broad categories:

• Linear (Red, Yellow, Black colors): The simplest type. Pressing them is a straight, smooth path from the top to the bottom. There’s no tactile or auditory feedback when you press them, and they require the least amount of force to actuate.
• Tactile (Brown, clear): These switches provide a tiny “bump” when you press them (generally around the actuation point). This “tactile feedback” helps your fingers feel when the key has actually been registered.
• Clicky (Blue, green): These are a sub-type of tactile switches. There’s the tiny bump, but with the addition of a small audible “click.” These are generally louder.

For most non-gaming activities, you’ll probably want to stick with tactile or clicky switches! That’s just my opinion though, so it’s worth trying out some linears if you want!

Keyboard Size (for the 10-Key Number Pad)

Of course accountants will likely want full-sized keyboards for the numpad, but there are tons of other fun sizes that save desk space and look cool.

Click here to see our full guide to keyboard sizes.

Bluetooth

Most mechanical keyboards will actually be wired (USB-C 2.0 usually), though you can certainly find rechargeable wireless ones (via both Bluetooth and USB dongle)

Design

Do you work in a professional setting where bright, flashy RGB backlighting might be frowned upon as unprofessional? We recommend sticking with the “normal” colors, black, grey, white, etc–but it’s also worth remembering that you can always turn the RGB backlighting OFF when you need to! (Refer to the instruction manual for your keyboard).

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are mechanical keyboards good for office work?

Yes! As long as you consider a few factors such as noise level, design, and ergonomics, a mechanical keyboard can improve your computer experience, including typing speed and accuracy. They’re also fun to customize and use!

Are mechanical keyboards good for Excel?

Mechanical keyboards can be great for work, including MS Excel and spreadsheet work. However, you’ll want to make sure to purchase a full-sized keyboard that includes the 10-key number pad (many mechanical keyboards are smaller sizes that don’t include the numpad).

Which mechanical keyboard is best for typing?

There are two factors that can make mechanical keyboards better for typing. First, you should consider getting a keyboard with tactile switches (as opposed to linear switches). These switches have a small “bump” that helps your fingers understand when the key has been activated. This leads to more accuracy and speed when typing. Second, you should consider the height on the mechanical keyboard. A low-profile keyboard could keep your hands and wrists more comfortable for typing (although you can always purchase a wrist rest separately).

Is a gaming keyboard good for work?

A gaming keyboard (mechanical keyboard) can work just fine at work, as long as you consider a few factors like design (will it appear unprofessional?) and noise level (is the keyboard loud enough to distract coworkers, etc?). That said, mechanical keyboards can lead to improved typing speed, accuracy, and comfort, making them great additions to your work setup.

What are the best switches for the office?

The best mechanical switches for office work depend on your specific work arrangement! If noise level is a concern, you might choose linear switches (like Red or Black switches, which are generally more muted). However, tactile switches are often easier to type on for long periods of time (like brown or clear switches).