Redragon K552

When I started getting into mechanical keyboards, I went straight for Redragon. For the price, you won't find a better value. Sure there are better keyboards out there, but there are also worse keyboards out there. I once bought a Havit keyboard and, well, it wasn't all that great. The keycaps felt like they could break if I pushed too hard. And the key switches weren't hot swappable, so I was stuck with what they had in them.

Redragon on the other hand have a sleek look for gaming on the cheap, and even come with RGB lighting. I don't think you could go wrong. The keycaps feel good, the switches are hot swappable, and the font on the keys — while maybe a bit weird looking — are certainly very readable. And the RGB is very customizable. The reasons I love Redragon are

K552 Kumara

$32.99 prime early access price

I started with the K5552 "Kumara" with blue switches. Way too clicky for my liking, so I went around and bought browns, and then reds. These things use Otemu switches, they're like a low grade Cherry MX. But once I got reds in them they were exactly what I wanted.

The keyboard's case is aluminum, not plastic, so it's got a nice heft to it, and comes with a nice long USB cable. Sadly, the cable is not detachable, and there's no number pad, so this is strictly a gaming computer for me. It doesn't get used when I need to work.

K565 Gaming Keyboard

$32.89 prime early access

But if what you're looking for is a full-sized keyboard with the number pad, so you can use it for both work and play, then maybe the K565 is for you. Still with a solid metal casing, and the same keys as the K552, this upgraded version also ... ok it's the K552 with a number pad and a sleeker deck behind the keys. Just look at that brushed aluminum look! Look at it!!! I liked this one because a TKL keyboard just isn't really for me.

"But, Jason," I hear you saying, "What I really want is a wireless compact keyboard to buy on Prime Day. Doesn't Redragon have one for me?" Yes, they do.

K530 Pro Draconic 60% Wireless

$59.99 prime early access

This is a 60% keyboard. You sacrifice a lot of keys but you gain a lot of additional space. And if you're gaming, do you REALLY need those function keys? The number pad? Arrows? NO you only need WASD, the spacebar, and a few other keys! Not my bag of tea because of the line of work I'm in, but I remember debating on this when I was at my local Micro Center. This thing is sleek and compact and everything you'd want out of a 60% wireless keyboard. Bluetooth, RGB, and small.

If you're looking for a starter mechanical keyboard because you don't have $200 to drop on a Das, pick up one of these on Prime Day. There's no better time. Well, actually there's only a limited window because after October 12, prices go back up.