The 4 Best Hot Swappable Keyboards (for 2022)

When I bought my first mechanical keyboard, I had NO CLUE what “hot-swappable” meant.

I ended up with a loud keyboard with cheap blue clicky switches soldered on.

Ever since then, I try to buy hot-swappable keyboards. I’m obsessed with switches, owning 100+ sets–trying to find the perfect balance of sound & feel.

There’s a metric ton of hot-swappable keyboards to choose from these days!

Here are my nominees for the best hot-swappable keyboards:

I truly don’t believe there is one single hot-swappable keyboard that’s head and shoulders above the rest–it all comes down to what YOU need, and that’s different for everybody!

Best Wireless – Epomaker Theory

PROS

• Wireless via Bluetooth or Dongle

• rotary knob (for volume, etc)

• Great price point

• Knob for switching between Windows & Mac

• GREAT layout and design (my personal fave)

• Gateron Pro switch options

CONS

• Some variants are hard to find (often sold out)

• Honestly that’s about it.

Epomaker is one of the more popular modern brands in mechanical keyboards, and the Theory TH80 is easily my favorite keyboard they make.

Hot-swappable, wireless (via 2.4ghz dongle, though I prefer Bluetooth), and with solid Gateron Pro switch options.

(I mean it’s hot-swappable, but Gateron Pro switches are absolutely fantastic, so…)

That, and the 65% layout is one of my favorites. This saves desk space (and looks cool), but still has dedicated arrow keys and a few “home cluster” keys. It’s a perfect size.

The volume knob also presses in–allowing you to pause music, etc. But this keyboard can also be 100% customized via software! (Epomaker’s software).

It’s rare to find a wireless hot-swappable keyboard, and one that looks so cool!

Best Gaming – Corsair K70 Pro

PROS

• Also wireless

• Genuine Cherry MX switch options!

• Corsair is a well-known brand that makes SOLID keyboards

• Aluminum frame (most people prefer, I personally don’t care)

CONS

• 60% compact keyboards aren’t for everybody

• A very “gaming” design

• Expensive

The NON-Pro version, the Corsair K70, took home our “best overall” award in our best gaming keyboards roundup.

But it’s not hot-swappable…

This Pro Mini version is similar–but it’s hot-swappable!

And even though it’s hot-swappable (Corsair’s 1st hot-swappable option), you can choose from Cherry MX switches:

• MX Red (linear)

• MX Blue (clicky)

• MX Speed Silver (linear)

• MX Brown (tactile)

Also, Corsair is calling this “the fastest sub-1ms wireless” keyboard. It’s wireless, but still plenty fast for low-latency gaming

Out of the big gaming keyboard brands (Logitech, Razer, SteelSeries, etc), Corsair makes my favorite keyboards. They just FEEL solid (heavy, and the K70 Pro has an aluminum frame, which most gamers probably prefer).

The only downside to me is the design. It definitely LOOKS like a gaming keyboard (which could be a huge plus if that’s your thing!).

But you can also turn the RGB off if you wanted (as well as switch out the keycaps).

Best Budget – Tecware Phantom 87

PROS

• SUPER cheap

• Heavy and well-built

• Feels surprisingly good!

CONS

• Wired only

• only accepts Outemu switches

These come stock with Outemu switches, which is one of the more “budget” switch brands, but they don’t feel terrible.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You can only swap in other Outemu switches to this keyboard! Standard MX-style switches (like Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, Akko, etc) don’t naturally fit.

Technically you can modify those switches to fit, but it’s a pain and would take forever.

My Tecware Phantom 104! The full-size version of the Phantom 87

So why am I including this as the best budget hot-swappable keyboard?

Honestly? It’s still just an insane value for such a low dollar amount. $30-$40 and it still delivers!

Best for Mac – Keychron K2

PROS

• Works GREAT with Mac and Windows (even has a physical toggle switch to swap between the two)

• Aluminum frame

• Keychron makes these keyboards in a TON of sizes and styles

• Can save money by buying different versions

• Gateron Pro switch options

• Wireless

CONS

• High-profile (it’s a tall keyboard)

The Keychron K2 was the VERY FIRST mechanical keyboard I purchased, and I still use it to this day.

It’s a perfect balance of features & price. Not too expensive (sub-$100), but is still hot-swappable and wireless.

It even comes with Mac keycaps (Command, etc), and will work with your Mac right out of the box. (Actually, all mechanical keyboards work with Mac, but the Keychron does it easier and faster)

It also has toggle switches on the back/side of the keyboard allowing you to quickly switch between wired/wireless and Windows/Mac.

IMPORTANT NOTE: They also sell the K2 in a NON-hot-swappable version. Make sure you’re purchasing the correct one!

They do this so you can save a bit of cash if you want to. The no-RGB and non-hot-swappable versions are $15-20 cheaper.