There are a plethora of keyboards to choose from and below are our recommendations on getting started. It can be a fun DIY project to assemble your own ortho keyboard, add your own switches, and program your own keymappings.
Available with aluminum and wood cases, the YMDK Air40 offers a plethora of options like RGB, hotswap, VIA suport, USB-C, and more.
Buy NowLearn MoreThe Work Louder: Creator Board is geared towards creatives. The board features a original and unique modular design to attach different key layouts or knobs. It also comes with low-profile custom choc keycaps. The PCB is not hotswap, however.
Buy NowLearn MoreThe KPrepublic CSTC40 a 40% ortholinear layout similar to the Planck keyboard. It has a hot-swap pcb, rgb lighting, and more. A great budget Planck alternative. Configurable through VIA software.
Buy NowLearn MoreThe latest version of the Planck keyboard supports hot swappable switches, LEDs, a small speaker and even rotary encoders. There are several offerings for baseplates: EOTW (easy on the wallet), hi-pro and low-pro. These keyboards usually come in as a kit with some light assembly required.
Buy NowLearn MoreThe Preonic keyboard is the Planck's big brother with an extra row of keys for those really missing the number row or want more keys to customize. The newest version of the Preonic is almost identical the Planck in terms of features.
Buy NowLearn MoreThe ID75 has a hotswappable PCB and connects via USB Type C with 75 keys. In addition, the case is CNC milled anodized aluminum with several color options including an acrylic bottom to allow the underglow led to shine through.
Buy NowLearn MoreThe KPrepublic BM40 is a 40% ortholinear layout with VIA/QMK compatability, hot-swap sockets, full RGB LED switches, and a type-c port. You can also purchase a case and plate seperately.
Buy NowLearn MoreThe DNA59 is designed with a 2u spacebar and 58 1u keys referencing the Preonic layout. It has an acrylic case, hot-swap pcb, rgb lighting and more. A great budget Preonic alternative. It does not support VIA or QMK and uses their own software.
Buy NowLearn MoreA budget ortholinear from MicroCenter that features hot-swappable switches and a rgb lighting.
Buy NowThe MechDIY 59-Key ortholinear keyboard has an acrylic case, hotswap PCB, RGB backlit, and is fully customizable through VIA software.
Buy NowLearn MoreKBDFans discontinued their NIU 40 but has created an interest page for a new ortholinear kit called the Solar. From the specs, it will have 50 keys, hotswap PCB, aluminium case, gasket mount, replaceable OLED and RGB modules, and 4 knobs.
Buy NowLearn MoreThe Gizmo Engineering GK6 is a 50% keyboard editable with QMK firmware, hot-swap PCB, multiple bottom-row layouts, and aluminum case with ceramic coating.
Buy NowLearn MoreThe Kenesis Advantage 2 is a an ergonomic split keyboard with orthogonal layout, Cherry MX Brown switches, 20 degrees of tenting, integrated palm supports, and more.
Buy NowLearn MoreFinally picked out your ortholinear keyboard? You'll need some keycaps! Read our articles on the best keycaps you can get for your ortholienar or see our page on ortholinear specific keycap sets available now.
Use our link to get a special 10% off affordable customizable keycaps at FKcaps. They offer cherry, DSA, MDA, choc-style caps, and much more. Choose from different layouts to fit your needs, pick custom fonts, and more with their awesome customizer.