Help choosing first mechanical keyboard

Hardware Hub Other Hardware
,
1

At home I have been using a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard v4000 for years and before that I was using the Microsoft Natural MultiMedia Keyboard (I think that is the correct one).

At work I use a Logitech K350 ergonomic keyboard with a Logitech MX ergo mouse.

I really like the Microsoft v4000 and have for a long time thought that the zoom toggle in the centre was stupid and I would remap it to be scroll up/down instead making it much more useful for web viewing especially when combined with the forward backwards arrow just below the space bar.

That zoom toggle also got me thinking that it would have been great if it was instead a trackpoint, trackball or a small touchpad so that you could do a lot of quick navigation without having to move your hands from the keyboard.

I have finally decided that it is time to get myself my first ergonomic mechanical keyboard and looking for some help choosing a nice beginner entry point.

I have narrowed down to five options that I think are suitable.

RK A72

LEOBOG A75

AJAZZ AKS075

PERIBOARD-335

Offsetkey 70% MX split keyboard

The RK A72 seems nice in that it is a little smaller than the two keyboards that I currently use but still has a couple of basic multimedia keys and easily accessible macro keys.

The LEOBOG A75 has a joystick in the middle which I think would be nice for web browsing.

The AJAZZ AKS075 doesn’t appear to offer a lot other than being mechanical, Alice layout and a good price.

The PERIBOARD-335 kind of seems like the most drop in replacement with the major different compared to my current keyboards is that it is TKL.

The Offsetkey 70% MX split keyboard seem like the best of everything but does also have the price tag to match but I am oh so very tempted because of the included trackball and scroll wheel.

What would people recommend for a first time mechanical keyboard user looking for an ergonomic keyboard? I was thinking of using what ever I chose at work first where most of day is general office use (web browsing, office documents and coding) to get use to it before bringing it home where the use case would add gaming into the mix (nothing competitive).

2

I used to have an ergonomic Microsoft keyboard as well, I now have a Keychron Q10 with very noisy switches (Kailh Box Summer).

The more budget friendly option is the Keychron V10, which I also have for travel as it is a lot less heavy.

3

I did look at the Keychron K15 Max, V10 Max and the Q10 Max all of which are out of stock.

4

I loved the Microsoft 4000 keyboards as well. in 11/2025 I bought the Perixx PERIBOARD-835BR (the wireless version of the PERIABOARD-335). Within a couple of weeks, the key-caps were showing excessive wear. Now after only a few months, I would estimate that they are wearing at a rate of 1 month’s wear on the PERIBOARD == 1 year’s wear on the Micosoft 4000 keybard.

That is why I am reading this thread, I am also looking for an acceptable replacement for the 4000 ergonomic keyboard.

1 Like
5

So I splurged a little and got myself the Offsetkey 70% MX split keyboard and just got the tracking number tonight so I am hopeful that by next weekend I will have it and can play around with it.

It does appear to have most of the things that people have recommended (split, hot-swap keys and ZMK firmware) other than it not being Ortholinear which some people have recommended.