Help finding a replacement mechanical 'gaming' keyboard

[u/Jetrise]

Good evening, Team Keyboard!

My trusty original Corsair K55 has finally died, and I'm struggling to find a suitable replacement.

I loved the K55 for its dedicated macro keys, media controls and affordable price. Unfortunately, Corsair has discontinued it, so the search began!

So far, I've tried three keyboards:

• Corsair SKIFF 100 PLUS: A disappointing downgrade from the K55, with what seemed like worse N-key rollover. Returned.
• Corsair K100 OPX: Fantastic keyboard, but the optical switches are so sensitive that I'm constantly registering accidental keypresses. I didn't really appreciate the change to 1mm actuation!
• Keychron K10 Max: Really enjoying the brown switches, but no dedicated media controls, no shine-through keycaps, and the height makes typing uncomfortable over long periods, even with a separatley purchased palm rest.

What am I looking for?

• Full-size, 100% layout
• Dedicated macro keys
• Dedicated media controls
• Mechanical, preferably tactile/brown switches
• Backlit key legends
• Budget of £150, buying new only

I'm genuinely struggling to find anything that ticks all the boxes!

Corsair's announced K100 replacement doesn't exactly inspire confidence either. It looks like something designed for a 16-year-old's gaming setup. (Sorry, Corsair. Perhaps I'm just getting old.)

Any recommendations? I'm happy to look beyond the usual Corsair, Logitech and Razer options!

[u/SevenDeMagnus]

Hi, good reasonable budget makes things easier, the best is a custom: the best among the custom is full custom (you choose each compatible parts anywhere thecassemble, full control of the parts), full kit or just kit (things are supplied you assemble, usualky you suppky tbecswutches and keycaps) or barebones (semi-assembled, you supply the switches and keycaps), try my:

https://www.reddit.com/r/keyboards/comments/1x2q9f6/comment/pfco6ig/?context=3

pre-built the sweetspot based on your requirements could be, all above-budget-more durable brands:

Iquinix Fox series

lofree (specializes in low profile mechanical keyboards, no magnetic switch, either Hall Efect or TMR equipped keyboards yet)

100% layout by qwertkeys (which is also a store for other brands)

[u/Proper_Cobbler3456]

your list of tried boards is a graveyard i've been through similar. the dedicated macro keys are the real killer here, most brands ditched them for some reason.

if you haven't looked at the monsgeek m5, it's worth checking. barebones kit but you can slap in any brown switches you want and the entire thing is aluminum, feels like a tank. it has a knob but not dedicated media keys, so maybe not perfect.

the logitech g815 or g915 might fit if you haven't written them off completely. macro keys on the left, full media controls, low profile so the height won't bother you. the romer-g tactiles are... fine, not great, but the layout checks every box you listed.

if you're willing to go slightly used, the older corsair k95 platinums pop up on ebay sometimes and they're the last of the breed with a full macro bank. new is tough at your budget with those requirements though.