Retro Keyboard for Gaming

Retro keyboard? What defines a Retro keyboard? Hmm, it’s a little hard to put into words but I think it’s something that looks rustic or worn maybe even old and in pastel colors. You want that old school look and charm when you hit those keys and create content.

Your Keyboard is one of the first things people see when looking at your gaming setup and remember that it’s what you have to look at every time you sit down. I did my best to find you that essence of retro and here are my recommendations. 

Retro gaming keyboard

Retro keyboard for a really unique setup. I specialize in finding the best retro gear on the market, so I can share it with you.

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1. Qwerkywriter S Retro Typewriter keyboard

retro keyboard

QWERKYWRITER S.

It features All Metal Construction, Cast Aluminum Programmable Macro Return Bar, Integrated Tablet Stand up to 12.9 inches, Dual Function Scroll Knob for Volume/Page Scroll, Wired USB with Anti-ghosting, Bluetooth Wireless up to 3 devices, Typewriter Keys, and more.

You can have it all with the new QWERKYWRITER®S.  Unmatched in its aesthetic design, the QWERKYWRITER®S easily is one of the most stunning devices you will ever own.  But don’t let that distract you!  The new QWERKYWRITER®S is jam-packed with industry-leading features and patented design you won’t find anywhere else.

• Overview

All Metal Construction

Cast Metal Macro Programmable Return Bar

Integrated Tablet Stand 

Typewriter Inspired Keycaps

Bluetooth Wireless Connectivity Up To 3 Devices

Wired USB mode with NKRO support 

Dual Scroll Knob Encoders

German Engineered Mechanical Switches

This Award-winning keyboard was a big Kickstarter success, and now its a reality.

Get the best price here:  Qwerkywriter S Typewriter

2. Vortexgear Race 3 retro keyboard

retro keyboard

Vortexgear Race 3 retro keyboard.

It’s a compact keyboard(75%) for those of you who need the extra space on the table.

This Vortex board screams quality as soon as you hold it in your hands. It feels lightyears ahead of my Logitech G710+ in terms of quality, typing experience, and aesthetics.

All the Keycaps feel amazing. This is my first time experiencing thick PBT keycaps. I don’t know how to describe them, except to say I love them. They have a smooth finish, feel very high quality which makes a satisfying sound, and pleasing typing experience.

It makes me wish that I had a paper to write just so I can type on it! It’s that good.

Technical Data:

  • Tactile switching characteristics
  • 65 cN operating force
  • 2.0 mm pre travel
  • 4.0 mm total travel
  • No audible click

Switch Operating System :

  • Windows: Pn + W
  • Mac: Pn + M
    • Windows interchangeable with Alt
    • F1~F12 please refer to the mac keyboard layout
    • Some keys need to set their own
  • Linux: Pn + L (Caps lock interchangeable with Left_Ctrl )

If you are looking for that retro keyboard and don’t have the biggest desk, then this would be a really good choice.

Get the best price here: Vortexgear Race 3

3. Azio RCK Compact Elwood typewriter keyboard

retro keyboard

AZIO RCK Retro Compact

A Retro-styled mechanical keyboard with modern features like Bluetooth and USB, multi-device connectivity, a rechargeable battery, and backlit keys.

Azio RCK Compact Elwood is a classic reborn, design originated by vintage typewriters and crafted with ultramodern features and genuine leather or wood top plate. 

Matching Palm rest: leather or walnut wood palm rest is included.

Supports PC, Mac, & Tablets

Both Windows and Mac layouts are supported. When PC mode is selected, simply swap in the included key caps for PC.

Battery size is 5,000 mAh and will last for about 9 months with the backlight off. With the backlight on, it will last for about 1 to 2 months depending on the backlight intensity setting.

One of the most premium mechanical keyboards created for the modern user.

Get the best price here: Azio RCK Compact Elwood

4. Hyperkin Hyper Clack Retro Keyboard

retro keyboard

Hyperkin Hyper Clack Retro keyboard

This Tactile Mechanical Keyboard features “clicky” Gaote Blue switches, perfect for comfortable precision gaming or hours spent writing the next Great American Novel.

The “classic gaming” color scheme and the retro-style case put you directly behind 104 keys of typing bliss.

This mechanical keyboard (blue switches) is LOUD. It is supposed to be… and let me tell you, it feels great!

The keyboard is weighty, making it feel pretty good quality-wise. The solid plastic construction leaves little to criticize as far as the frame goes.

The keyboard is cherry MX compatible as far as keycaps go, so they can be removed for use in other keyboards, or custom keys can be added to it.

I hope Hyperkin continues to make peripherals like this for computer use and can continue to iterate on the existing design. I’d love to see their take on a PC mouse. There is quite a bit of demand for niche, retro-themed products… as long as they are well built, then products like this will be a sure buy.

Get the best price here: Hyperkin Hyper Clack

5. Lofree Four Seasons Typewriter keyboard

LOFREE Four Seasons

Lofree Four Seasons Typewriter keyboard

Pros:
+ Wireless bluetooth
+ Mac and windows compatible
+ Mac Layout
+ Durable Gateron Blue Switches
+ Long lasting 4000mAh battery
+ Backlight LED

Cons:
– keys are a bit clicky for my preference, but only if I’m trying to be quiet, otherwise I don’t mind and they’re great.

A writer friend let me use her Lofree keyboard and I fell in love with the sounds the keys made as well as their responsiveness. I drooled over this keyboard for months unwilling to spend the money because I couldn’t justify the cost when my MacBook was barely a year old with a perfectly good keyboard.

Then I got an iPad for Christmas and begrudgingly bought a very cheap keyboard to pair with it as a mobile office. I had it maybe a week and it drove me crazy so when I saw the Lofree on sale I bought it and eagerly awaited its delivery.

I love it. It pairs easily with my devices. The keys are so responsive no ghosting as all. It took me maybe fifteen minutes if typing before I got used to the layout. Battery life is amazingly long. I tend to write for hours at a time and have had no issue.

I write a lot and am happy with this purchase. The sound and feel of the keys are like music to my creative soul.

Get the best price here: Lofree Four Seasons Typewriter keyboard

6. E-Element Z-88 Vintage Typewriter keyboard

retro mechanical keyboard

E-Element Z-88 Vintage Typewriter-Style

Pros:
+ great quality for <$50
+ lots of neat light settings and almost every setting/mode can be altered or configured in terms of brightness/pattern/speed of animation/color/etc.
+ keys are loud and responsive
+ print/typography is easy to read
+ has every feature I’d want from a keyboard

Cons:
– keys are a bit too loud for my preference, but only if I’m trying to be quiet, otherwise I don’t mind and they’re great.


– it could stand to be a bit heavier, but it’s not as if the keyboard itself has any give or flex to it. It just slides around more than I’d prefer. The kickstands might fix this problem though.

The different light modes on this keyboard are awesome, very vibrant colors. I originally got this keyboard because I wanted to use it at work, but the blue switches are way too noisy. So now this keyboard stays at home and serves as my gaming keyboard. It comes with 5 extra blue switches and two tools to pop the keys off.

I love how short and compact this keyboard is. It also has kickstands underneath to elevate the keyboard a bit.

Get the best price here: E-Elements Z-88 Vintage Keyboard

7. Keyset Keycaps

Another way to get that Retro keyboard vibe into your setup, switch out your old keys with these retro designed bad boys.

So if you have a keyboard that you like already, then you can simply just switch them out with another design and keep the cost down.

ONECAP Carbon retro style

Keycaps for MX mechanical keyboards.

Here we got the ONECAP Carbon keyset, which will give every keyboard out there a new and exciting retro look.

you can check the picture and see how well the fit into a wood frame and brushed aluminum.

Get the best price here: Onecap Carbon

Arrial XDA retrofit 

PBT material of the keycaps tends to dampen the noise of my blue switches somewhat.

But it sorta dampens the sounds in comparison to the ABS keycaps.

They are top quality and worth every penny in my opinion.

Get the best price here: Arrial XDA

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