My typical workday includes sitting at my pc for eight or extra hours and typing articles between attending conferences. I’ve spent a lot time with keyboards that I’ve fortunately been in a position to develop a comparatively quick typing velocity of 75 phrases per minute (WPM). In my expertise, I’ve discovered that it isn’t solely my fingers that enable for quick typing; the keyboard I take advantage of should even be as much as the duty. Thankfully, that is the place the finest mechanical keyboards come into play.
Over the final week, I’ve been utilizing the Das Keyboard 6 Professional mechanical keyboard, and I’ve completely fallen in love with it. Thanks to its design and really feel, it gives the perfect typing expertise I’ve ever had.
Disclaimer: This assessment was made potential by a assessment unit offered by Das Keyboard. The firm didn’t see the contents of the assessment earlier than publishing.
Das Keyboard Professional 6: Price and availability
Price highlights
- It prices greater than another mechanical keyboards with its $229 MSRP.
- Fortunately, it could actually usually be discovered promoting for $199 or cheaper.
- It will be bought at Amazon or the Das Keyboard web site.
- Price ranking: 4/5
The Das Keyboard 6 Professional has an MSRP of $229. However, it often sells for $199 on Amazon and the Das Keyboard web site. During gross sales, it is even dipped right down to $169 on Amazon, so that you would possibly be capable to seize it at a price value.
Typically, mechanical keyboards are inclined to price greater than common membrane or chiclet keyboards as a result of their titular mechanical switches, that are extra complicated. They additionally are usually made out of nicer supplies. On common, they promote between $30 and $250, with the costlier choices providing higher designs, full NKRO, and different conveniences.
There are numerous kinds of switches, together with Linear, Tactile, or Clicky, and every gives a barely completely different really feel when typing. It comes right down to a matter of desire between which mechanical swap sort is finest. Linear switches are usually most popular for gaming, Clicky switches have a tendency to provide probably the most noise for a satisfying sensation, and Tactile switches are thought of all-purpose with a great combination of clickiness with out being too loud for quick typists. The Das Keyboard 6 Professional that I reviewed options Tactile Cherry MX switches that may be both brown or blue.
Das Keyboard 6 Professional: Design and construct high quality
Design and construct highlights
- The aluminum high and laser-etched keycaps give the keyboard a sublime presence.
- There are seven backlit brightness ranges and the choice to show off the lighting.
- Two USB-C ports make it simple to cost equipment proper from the keyboard.
- Since it makes use of fashionable Cherry MX switches, it’s totally simple to swap out for third-party keycaps.
- It’s wired solely, however the USB-C cable is lengthy and consists of an non-compulsory USB-C to USB-A 3.0 adapter for individuals who want it.
- Build ranking: 5/5
From the second I pulled out the Das Keyboard 6 Professional from the field, I may inform that this was a lovely product. Every facet, from its premium aluminum high to its laser-etched keycaps, offers it a sublime aesthetic that may look good on any desk.
Unlike a few of Das Keyboard’s different merchandise, this mechanical keyboard doesn’t provide RGB lighting, and it would not actually work with the Das Keyboard Q app for including customization results both. However, the keys themselves are all backlit with a vibrant white that appears actually good in individual. Additionally, after I need to make changes, I can faucet a selected button on the fitting facet of the keyboard (above the quantity pad) to toggle between seven brightness ranges or else flip the lighting off fully, which is useful for various lighting situations.
Another factor to concentrate on is that the Das Keyboard 6 Professional is wired solely, and there aren’t any wi-fi variations of this keyboard obtainable. This might be a draw back to many individuals preferring to sort cordlessly for a tidier desk look. But the upside to that is that the cable is comparatively lengthy, making it simpler to connect to my pc tower with out feeling restricted in my keyboard placement. What’s extra, the cable is a USB-C cable, however a USB-C to USB-A 3.0 adapter can be included if that works higher together with your setup.
Using a key puller, I used to be in a position to take away particular person keys and ensure that the 6 Professional options brown Tactile Cherry MX switches. This is nice information for individuals who wish to buy third-party keycaps to customise their keyboard, as that is the most well-liked swap on this planet.
An further perk going for the 6 Professional is the truth that there are two USB-C superspeed ports on the highest close to the place the quantity dial is. These allowed me to simply cost up my cellphone and laptop computer with out having to fumble round with my tower or a charging hub.
Das Keyboard 6 Professional: Typing expertise
Typing expertise highlights
- The easy texture of the keys mixed with the tactile switches present a really satisfying typing expertise.
- Thanks to full NKRO, this keyboard can sustain with very quick typists.
- Media controls make it very simple to shortly alter listening preferences with out having to open settings.
- Typing expertise ranking: 5/5
The Das Keyboard 6 Professional delivered on each facet I anticipated from the perfect mechanical keyboard typing expertise. I at all times anticipate there to be an adjustment interval when switching over to a brand new keyboard, however it actually did not take lengthy in any respect for my fingers to really feel proper at residence on these stunning keycaps. With each press, the tactile switches make a pleasant clicking sound and bounce again into place quick sufficient to simply sustain with my quick typing.
I wasn’t shocked to find that this mechanical keyboard options full NKRO (N-key rollover), which permits key alerts to be despatched no matter what number of of them are pressed down concurrently. As such, the 6 Professional at all times responds to my key presses extraordinarily shortly with out muddling up any alerts, so I can sort just like the wind with out feeling impeded in any respect.
With each press, the tactile switches make a pleasant clicking sound and bounce again into place quick sufficient to simply sustain with my quick typing.
As quickly as I plugged the keyboard into place, the media controls on the fitting facet labored while not having any changes or drivers. The giant quantity dial simply permits me to manage how loud my audio system blast, and urgent down on it reasonably than turning the dial permits me to mute or unmute with out losing any time. Meanwhile, the Play/Pause and Skip buttons work as I’d anticipate with my media participant, so I haven’t got to achieve for my mouse merely to make an adjustment to what I’m listening to. Even when watching movies on YouTube, the Play/Pause button labored, though the Skip button did not actually do something, which is not stunning.
While the media controls labored robotically, I could not get the sleep button above these media controls to work. This is not the worst factor contemplating that the Windows + L (or, on this case, Das Keyboard key + L) simply locks my pc, however it’s one thing to concentrate on.
One last facet of this mechanical keyboard’s typing expertise has me a bit on the fence regarding the screw-on toes. On the one hand, these provide good rubber grips that stop the Das Keyboard from sliding round by chance. Additionally, they permit me to have just a little extra management over how excessive the keyboard inclines based mostly on how a lot I select to tighten them. However, then again, I want they offered just a little steeper incline as this might really feel extra snug to my fingers.
Das Keyboard 6 Professional: Competition
Now in the event you’re extra in thoughts for a mechanical gaming keyboard, Das Keyboard has you coated with its X50Q. As you possibly can see in my Das Keyboard X50Q assessment, it provides stunning RGB lighting that may simply be personalized with the free Das Keyboard Q app. It can be a bit costly, with an MSRP of $199, however it’s very responsive and feels superb to sort on.
Now, in the event you’re extra excited about a wi-fi mechanical keyboard, then there are many choices on the market to select from. As our personal Zachary Boddy mentioned of their Alienware Tri-Mode Wireless Gaming Keyboard assessment, this $229.99 mechanical keyboard provides stunning RGB and an excellent typing expertise in the event you’re keen to spend the cash on it.
On the opposite hand, in the event you’re in search of one thing that will not take up as a lot house, then there are compact wi-fi mechanical keyboards as properly. In her Vulcan 2 Mini Air assessment, my colleague Jennifer Young explains how this keyboard’s multi-device connectivity and beautiful dual-LED lights present a superb expertise at a $180 price ticket.
Das Keyboard 6 Professional: Scorecard
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Value | It’s positively not the least costly possibility on the market, however this keyboard is decently priced given its design and performance. | 4/5 |
| Design | With an aluminum high and laser-etched keycaps this keyboard is handy and appears good in any room. | 5/5 |
| Typing expertise | Cherry MX tactile switches, full-NKRO, and handy media controls make the Das Keyboard 6 Professional a really useful possibility. | 5/5 |
| Total rating | This keyboard is virtually excellent due to its design and satisfying typing expertise, however it’s pricey and wired solely. | 4.5/5 |
Das Keyboard 6 Professional: Should you purchase it?
You can purchase it if…
You shouldn’t purchase it if…
The Das Keyboard 6 Professional has offered me with the perfect typing expertise I’ve ever had, and I can’t fathom going again to my earlier keyboard. It actually is without doubt one of the finest keyboards you will get. Each key presses in with a lovely click on however bounces again quick sufficient that I do not really feel like my fingers are tripping over slow-rising keys. Additionally, the full-NKRO permits alerts from the keyboard to be despatched concurrently to maintain up with my flashing fingers.
Whenever I take heed to my music, I discover the handy placement of the big quantity dial and different media controls to be particularly helpful, as they permit me to manage my tunes with out having to do something with my mouse. It’s a bit expensive, however I extremely suggest this keyboard to anybody who needs one thing that feels superb to make use of and appears completely elegant.
Das Keyboard 6 Professional Mechanical Keyboard
This mechanical keyboard gives a delightfully clicky sensation with its tactile Cherry MX switches and backlit keycaps. The quantity dial mixed with the pause, play, and skip buttons additionally present a degree of comfort when listening to music.
