Best Barebones Mechanical Keyboards
By Keybumps • Updated April 16, 2024
Barebones mechanical keyboards allow for users to build their own unique mechanical keyboard with minimal effort and technical expertise.
Barebones keyboards are sold without switches and keycaps, meaning that you will have to source your own seleciton switches and keycaps.
These are our picks for the best barebones mechanical keyboards available to buy online.
TL;DR - Best Barebones Mechanical Keyboards
- Drop ALT Barebones
- Drop CTRL Barebones
- GMMK Compact Barebones
- GMMK Full Size Barebones
- GMMK Tenkeyless Barebones
- Glorious GMMK Pro Barebones
- YMDK GK64xs
Drop ALT Barebones
- 65% layout - 67 keys
- Anodized CNC machined aluminum frame
- Custom PCB
- Hot-swap switch sockets
- QMK firmware
- Plate-mounted Cherry-style stabilizers
- Floating key design
- Dual USB-C connectors
- PCB compatible with plate-mount switches only
Drop CTRL Barebones
- TKL layout - 87 keys
- Anodized CNC machined aluminum frame
- Custom PCB
- Hot-swap switch sockets
- QMK firmware
- Plate-mounted Cherry-style stabilizers
- Floating key design
- Dual USB-C connectors
- PCB compatible with plate-mount switches and stabilizers only
GMMK Compact Barebones
- 60% layout - 61 keys
- 100% Anti-Ghosting
- N-Key Rollover: NKRO/6KRO
- Polling Rate: 1000 Hz
- Backlight: 16.8 colors RGB LED
- Plate Mounted, 3-pin switch slots
GMMK Full Size Barebones
- Full size layout - 104 keys
- 100% Anti-Ghosting
- N-Key Rollover: NKRO/6KRO
- Polling Rate: 1000 Hz
- Backlight: 16.8 colors RGB LED
- Plate Mounted, 3-pin switch slots
GMMK Tenkeyless Barebones
- TKL layout - 87 keys
- N-Key Rollover: NKRO/6KRO
- Polling Rate: 1000 Hz
- Backlight: 16.8 colors RGB LED
- Plate Mounted, 3-pin switch slots
Glorious GMMK Pro Black
- Compact 75% 83-key layout
- CNC Aluminum Case
- Fully Programmable Knob
- RGB LED backlighting
- Supports Plate and PCB Mounted Switches
- Barebones keyboard - switches and keycaps not included
YMDK GK64xs
- 60% layout - 64 keys
- Bluetooth Wireless
- RGB LED backlighting
- PCB 5-pin mount (also fits Plate 3-pin)