Reddit mentions of Redragon K551-N Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with Clicky Cherry MX Blue Switches Equivalent Steel Aluminum Series Vara 104 Keys Wired Computer Keyboard for Windows PC Games (Black Not Backlit)

the non-LED version is $28 as well

So, here's a quick list of boards, from amazon. I went with them for a search on mechanical boards, and filtered by 4 stars +, and read some of the critical reviews and sort through the ones that seemed to be overwhelmingly positive, with no "i did this for a kickback" though they no longer allow that, those reviews still skew it. Next, I went with brands that, well I had heard of. I just so happened to have seen or read reviews on boards from these companies, and while they often get the board for free in these situations, I still have seen them in action, or seen critical reviews of a product from them before. So, would venture to say these are probably some of the more... okay brands, of these "cheap" brands. Now, I included mostly TKL boards, since they happen to be cheaper, and I also included a "wireless" and quite a few backlit ones. I know you said that didn't matter, but they were within budget at met the review requirements, and your other reqs, albeit at typically higher prices. Also, I tried not to include the scam of "mechanical feeling."

So, from here, I'll list them. And you should understand you can buy boards from Newegg, fry's, microcenter, target etc.... and you can try to find your own with these tips. I simply used Amazon because it offers free shipping on most items over $25 even without prime. As well, they tend to be... somewhat responsible for their sellers.

TKL, no Backlight, Blue Switches:

https://www.amazon.com/AUKEY-Mechanical-Keyboard-Tenkeyless-Typewriter/dp/B072F23XM4/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1520215555&sr=8-14&keywords=Mechanical+Keyboard


https://www.amazon.com/TOMOKO-Water-Resistant-Mechanical-Keyboard-Non-Conflicting/dp/B01DBJTZU2/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1520215555&sr=8-7&keywords=Mechanical+Keyboard


https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-KUMARA-Backlit-Mechanical-Keyboard/dp/B01LXD7TP9/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1520216151&sr=8-3&keywords=mechanical%2Bkeyboard&th=1


https://www.amazon.com/AUKEY-Mechanical-Keyboard-Resistant-Chromebook/dp/B06XKV8R9Z/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1520215658&sr=8-21&keywords=Mechanical+Keyboard&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011


Full size, no backlight, blue switch:

https://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Illuminated-Industrial-backlighted-EagleTec/dp/B01LXKPV9D/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1520216151&sr=8-4&keywords=mechanical%2Bkeyboard&th=1


https://www.amazon.com/Keyboard-Mechanical-Redragon-illuminated-ABS-Metal/dp/B01LXD7STC/ref=sr_1_12?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1520216163&sr=1-12&keywords=mechanical%2Bkeyboard&th=1

Fullsize, brown switch, backlit:


https://www.amazon.com/Velocifire-Mechanical-Illuminated-Anti-ghosting-Copywriter/dp/B01M0QEYR4/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1520215658&sr=8-19&keywords=Mechanical+Keyboard&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011


TKL, backlit:

Brown:

https://www.amazon.com/Keyboard-Anti-ghosting-Mechanical-Multicolor-GOFREETECH/dp/B0789C52WX/ref=sr_1_37?ie=UTF8&qid=1520215691&sr=8-37&keywords=Mechanical+Keyboard&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011


Blue(over budget):

https://www.amazon.com/Keyboard-Mechanical-Redragon-illuminated-ABS-Metal/dp/B019O9BLVY/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1520215658&sr=8-22&keywords=Mechanical+Keyboard&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011

TKL Wireless browns:

https://www.amazon.com/Velocifire-Wireless-Mechanical-Copywriter-Programmer/dp/B076D5WVYG/ref=sr_1_37?ie=UTF8&qid=1520215691&sr=8-37&keywords=Mechanical+Keyboard&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011


60% blues:

https://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Keyboard-68-Keys-Magicforce-Qisan/dp/B01E8KO2B0/ref=sr_1_47?ie=UTF8&qid=1520215691&sr=8-47&keywords=Mechanical+Keyboard&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011


Again, some things to keep in mind; add tax to most, if not all of these. I tried to keep them as far under $40 as I could, but the ones with decent reviews don't seem to go as low. As well, please feel free to do your own research. Or, if you want we can try on your preferred shopping site. Seek other users advice, maybe one of the mechanical keyboard subs will offer better advice. You absolutely do not have to buy any of these, nor do I get anything if you do. Also, please copy and paste the names of the boards for a youtube search, many of these low end boards send them out for review for coverage. Also, you could try doing a search yourself, just to check, "Mechanical keyboards" into amazon or whatever, and sort by reviews, and price, and avoid "MECHANICAL FEEL" at all costs, as it is not truely mechanical. I hope I've helped at least somewhat, and again, you absolutely don't have to settle on a link I provided, consider waiting for a sale, or observing this sub for a bit. Most of those boards likely hover around their price or will go lower.

Good luck, and I hope I've helped even a little. Let me know if I can help more.

Edit: Also, there's no need to rush into a buy at all, assuming you don't need one ASAP. Shop around, watch for deals on one you're interested, or just watch for new things to enter your price range.

Cheapest Mechanical keyboard I would go for is the Redragon Vara personally.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXD7STC/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?pd_rd_i=B016M91SS0&pd_rd_wg=2XpLV&pd_rd_r=YZ2X9SDWQG4AKBHH6XK2&pd_rd_w=AQXx5&th=1

There are reviews for some Chinese off brand keyboards on youtube out there, a lot of them are pretty comparable. I would say just read reviews, try to google some more information it before you buy it.

you can get Mechanical Keyboards for under 40 bucks !

https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-Backlit-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B01LXD7STC/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1503001407&sr=8-1&keywords=redragon%2Bkeyboard&th=1

https://www.amazon.ca/Redragon-Mechanical-Keyboard-Illuminated-Construction/dp/B01LXD7STC/?th=1

https://www.amazon.ca/Redragon-KUMARA-Backlit-Mechanical-Keyboard/dp/B01LXD7TP9/?th=1

Redragon has some cheap quality mechanical boards, they're not cherry switches but they're just as good as far as I'm aware.

No idea about deals on the mouse side, but the G203 is a well regarded mouse and that seems like a decent deal.

I got this one for my rig and never had a problem with it. Great build quality for the price and the reviews are great

You can get the red backlit for $37 or just plain black for $33

Redragon K552 KUMARA LED Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MAK38U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_AEJJybP9FNX9X

$40 for a black one with the num pad if you must have that, Redragon K551-N VARA Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXD7STC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_oIJJyb6A8YNZN

however I find 10keyless boards to be nicer because of the size and I can't remember the last time I used the num pad.

Keyboard: Redragon Vara

Keycaps


Doubleshot and fairly vibrant, pretty nice for the price. Some of the legends are kinda weird, I'm guessing to simplify the manufacturing process (no closed characters anywhere on the set). Either way, nice to have something cheap to use while I wait on nicer things to come. Still blows the stock caps out of the water.

edit: they look better irl, office lighting is hell

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LXD7STC/ref=psdcmw_12879431_t2_B01N2OHUXF

Im new with this, want to try a "cheap" Mechanical Keyboard. I looked on Amazon and this are the "best" for ratings and sells:

EagleTec KG010-N

Redragon K551-N VARA

Any recomendation? Wich one is better?

https://www.amazon.com/Keyboard-Mechanical-Redragon-ABS-Metal-Backlight/dp/B01LXD7STC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1550858815&sr=8-4&keywords=redragon+no+backlight

https://www.amazon.com/AUKEY-Mechanical-Keyboard-Anti-Ghosting-Resistant/dp/B06XKV8R9Z/ref=sr_1_33?ie=UTF8&qid=1550858776&sr=8-33&keywords=mechanical+keyboard

Here it is!

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01LXD7STC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's a nice, sub-$30 tenkeyless with Outemu blue (clicky) switches.

Here's a sub-$40 full size with Outemu brown (tactile, no click) switches. It has teal colored backlighting, but that should be easily disabled if you don't need it.

These should show how overpriced popular modern gaming mechs are when there's equal performance at over a hundred bucks less elsewhere.

EDIT: Here's a full size sub-$40 with blue switches and no backlight.

As HerpDerpenberg said hotswap is the way to go. You can try out different switches and also replace any damaged ones without the need to take apart the keyboard or solder.

Draken
GMMK Amazon / Main Site

Both are modular full size and good starting points.
GMMK is more popular and has a better case and much more options when buying but the drakken is cheaper.

RedDragon also makes great starter keyboards at low prices if you just want to try a mechanical without investing much. The downside is you are stuck with the switches that come on it unless you want to solder.
EDIT: Some redragon keyboards do come with hotswap. It's worth noting they are only compatible with outemu switches though.

GIGABYTE Mechanical Cherry Red Keyboard

Velocifire VM01 Mechanical Keyboard 104-Key Full Size with Brown Switches

Redragon K551 Gaming Mechanical USB Keyboard with Blue Switches

TECWARE Phantom 104 Mechanical Keyboard

The only one out of the above I can personally vouch for is the Tecware Phantom as that's the keyboard that's I'm currently using, but I think these are solid options for the price.

You really don't need to spend much on mechanical keyboards. I'd get a G403 separately and a $40-ish Cherry MX Brown/Red keyboard from Amazon.

Might I recommend this as a board: https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K551-N-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B01LXD7STC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1486830250&sr=8-2&keywords=redragon+k551

Price History

• Gaming Keyboard Mechanical Keyboard K551-N VARA by Redragon 104 Key   ^PureLink
  ReviewMeta: ★★★★✮ 4.3/5 from 582 valid reviews
  CamelCamelCamel - [Info] │ Keepa - [Info]
  
• Redragon K552-N KUMARA Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (Black)   ^PureLink
  ReviewMeta: ★★★★☆ 4.2/5 from 368 valid reviews
  CamelCamelCamel - [Info] │ Keepa - [Info]
  
  _
  Put those prices in Checkmate.
  ^(Info) ^| ^(Developer) ^| ^(Inquiries) ^| ^(Support Me!) ^| **[^(Report Bug)](/message/compose?to=The_White_Light&subject=Bug+Report&message=%2Fr%2Fbapcsalescanada%2Fcomments%2Fcxtx1x%2Frbuildapcsalescanada_general_discussiondaily%2Feyo4vk6%2F%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0APlease+explain+here+what+you+expected+to+happen%2Fwhat+went+wrong.)**

Newbie here.

So after getting some advice here few days ago, I came to ask for recommendations for taking a dip into mechanical keyboards on a budget.

I would love to spend less than $50 for my first keyboard, so far I am looking at this and this.

What I am looking for is a full TK (although I can probably go down to TKL) keyboard. I don't want any "pro-gamer" stuff like backlight or sci-fi font. I would love it to have no, or minimal branding and look minimalistic/industrial case (akin to GMMK or even less bezel). I am shooting for MX Blue feeling switches, but I am happy to go with an offbrand for my first keyboard.

What I really want is to be able to change keycaps relatively easily. I think both the linked amazon keyboards have a standard layout with 6.25 spacebar. Right?

Any recommendations?