Best full-size (96%/100%) mechanical keyboards 2024
I want all the keys, darn it.
While compact keyboards tend to dominate enthusiast mechanical keyboard communities, it's the full-size (or nearly full-size) options that are seemingly preferred by the silent majority. If you count yourself amongst that cohort and can't see yourself ever giving up your familiar layout with its handy numpad, this is the article for you.
We've rounded up four of our favourite full-size keyboards, including little-known examples from boutique brands like Lofree and Melgeek plus more easily available units from mainstream vendors like Corsair and Asus.
We'll continue to expand this article over time, so feel free to chime in with your suggestions of your favourites in the comments below - or reach out to me on Twitter @wsjudd. For now though, enjoy!
Best 96% and full-size mechanical keyboards 2024
1. NZXT Function 2
The NZXT Function 2 is a beautiful keyboard with strong fundamentals and convenient added features. The standout design choice for me was including a volume wheel and three buttons for toggling mute, game mode and the RGB lighting that are all easily reached by the left hand - so you don't need to take your hand off the mouse to quickly mute, for example.
The keyboard feels lovely to use too, with high-quality double-shot PBT keycaps, multiple layers of sound-dampening foam and pre-lubed switches and stabilisers that provide a smooth, soft and slightly tactile keypress with a pleasantly deep sound.
In terms of core specs, the Function 2 supports full n-key rollover, polling rates up to 8000Hz and adjustable actuation points, as a result of using light and linear 'NZXT Swift' 45g optical switches. The keyboard connects via a detachable USB-C cable and comes with a magnetic palm rest, key puller and four lighter 35g switches in the box.
The Function 2 is available in white and black, making it a great complement to a white-coloured PC build, and the RGB lighting spills effectively over the clean aluminium-topped chassis in both colours. It's also available in a MiniTKL (75 percent) size if desired.
Overall, a brilliant keyboard that combines mainstream polish and specs with enthusiast-grade features and aesthetics - highly recommended.
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2. Lofree Block
The Lofree Block is a delightfully retro-looking keyboard that echoes the beige-and-grey colour schemes and boxy shapes of the 60s, 70s and 80s, combined with a 96 percent layout that brings the alphanumerics, num pad and arrow keys closer together. It makes for a winsome design, with nice details like a pair of orange dials at the top to change connection methods (USB, 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth) and adjust the volume; a subtle status panel for battery, caps/scroll/num locks and connection method info above the arrow keys; keycaps with legends like 'back to classics' and depictions of Braun appliance controls that inspired this keyboard's look.
Unsurprisingly for Lofree, the keyboard also feels refined. Sound is dampened by the inclusion of a multiple layers of foam within, while the TTC POM block linear switches are pre-lubricated for smoother action and PBT keycaps provide a bit more texture and longevity. The backlighting is a simple white, with 14 different possible effects, and the switch sockets are hot-swappable if you prefer a different typing experience. As even quite budget mechanical keyboards can provide a great typing experience out of the box, these extra touches like foam, pre-lubed switches and high-quality keycaps are starting to become more critical to stand out in 2024. However, there are some common omissions here too, including no user-reprogrammable firmware (as we see on many custom boards) and no shine-through keycaps (often excluded with coloured keycaps).
The Block keyboard manages to look unique and goes nicely with the firm's similarly-beige Touch wireless mouse (which we looked at earlier), so it's well worth considering if you prefer a more classic style without giving up anything when it comes to performance, typing experience and build quality.
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3. Asus ROG Strix Scope 2 RX
The Asus ROG Strix Scope 2 RX does a few interesting things with the familiar full-size layout, including a beautifully-designed multi-function wheel in the upper right corner, a dense row of LED indicators above the arrow keys and F1 to F5 which are bound to Game Bar functions like recording the last 30 seconds of gameplay. Otherwise, it's a full-size keyboard as we know and love, with an optional wrist rest in the box and Asus-branded box-shaped water/dust-resistant optical switches beneath every key.
The multi-function wheel is the biggest innovation here, so let's take a closer look at it. The wheel adjusts the volume by default and mutes with a press, but tap on the Asus logo to the left of the wheel to change its function to several extra options reflected with tiny LED-lit symbolic indicators above the arrow keys. The other options are media controls (roll to skip, tap for play/pause), backlighting brightness (roll to dim or brighten, tap to extinguish) and scrolling (roll to scroll, tap to scroll-click). It all works nicely, and not requiring software for the core functionality is a beautiful touch.
Elsewhere, the Strix Scope 2 RX is the very model of a high-end mechanical keyboard circa 2024, with pre-lubed switches, integrated sound-dampening foam and premium PBT keycaps (in some regions; others get ABS which is a shame). It's nice to see major brands keeping tabs on the enthusiast side of the market and adapting their innovations, though it's clear that Asus has opted to retain their classic black-and-RGB design sensibilities rather than something more left-field.
Overall, the Strix Scope 2 RX is a fantastic full-size keyboard that nails the fundamentals and innovates without resorting to gimmicks. The keyboard team at Asus has been knocking it out of the park for the past few years, and this feels like another top-tier effort from them.
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4. Ducky Zero 6108
The Ducky Zero 6108 is an excellent example of the Taiwanese brand's legendary mechanical keyboards: well-built, simple and clean. You get the full assortment of keys for your region, with fancy and new Cherry MX2A hot-swappable switches in silver (short-throw linear), red (linear), brown (tactile), or blue (clicky).
These keys come in a collapsed layout that brings everything together. The extra space customarily found in the upper right on full-size keyboards has even been used for an extra four buttons, with dedicated volume up, volume down, mute and calculator keys. That makes for a relatively compact full-size design, though in truth you're still well above the dimensions of a TKL. Ducky has also added noise-dampening rubber to the PCB for a nicer sound profile when typing.
In terms of features, the Zero 6108 breaks new ground as the first tri-mode Ducky keyboard. There's a choice of USB-C wired, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless - the latter accessed via a USB dongle tucked into a keycap that could replace your Escape key. You also get good-quality backlit doubleshot PBT keycaps in white or black with a matching plastic chassis - good but hardly revolutionary when boutique brands are offering more interesting metal or polycarbonate shells.
Performance is much as expected, with the MX Blue keyboard we tested offering a nice amount of crunchy (audible and tactile) feedback, perfect for banging out articles. The collapsed layout can take some getting used to, but does look extremely clean - especially with the keyboard used in wireless mode. The RGB is also effective, though it no doubt will cut into wireless longevity significantly at full brightness.
The only issue I discovered was the lack of a proper manual in the box, which combined with a yet-to-be-updated Ducky website meant I couldn't guess how to engage the keyboard's wireless modes (Fn+F5 for wireless and Fn+F1 to F4 for Bluetooth, for the record). This ought to be fixed in time, but arguably this kind of critical information should be indicated with keycap legends if it isn't found anywhere else in the box. You do at least get a nice Zodiac-themed replacement space bar and a good-quality key/switch puller, alongside a rudimentary but effective USB-C cable.
Overall, a reasonable keyboard for the money, though Ducky faces increasing pressure from Chinese boutique brands offering more advanced features and materials - such as the Lofree Block and Melgeek Modern97.
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5. Melgeek Modern97
The Melgeek Modern97 has a lot going on, with an eye-catching speckled case, a 90 percent layout, blue, honey-gold and white keycaps and plenty of accoutrements within: multiple layers of foam and RGB lighting plus gasket-mounted, hot-swappable and pre-lubed Kailh Sonic53 'gamer' switches.
The keyboard also supports 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth and USB-C operation, making it suitable for a wide number of devices (though realistically you're not likely to be toting around a full-size mechanical keyboard to use on the go!). While plenty can be adjusted on the keyboard directly, Melgeek's Hive software is also available to remap keys etc and works very nicely for a boutique brand.
Interestingly, to go along with the nature-inspired look of the Modern97, the packaging is also made from natural materials like bamboo and sugarcane fibre which Melgeek claims have a lower carbon impact than the likes of plastic and cardboard.
The Modern97 is one of my favourite keyboards to use from this current batch, as the soft and linear switches are effortless for both typing and gaming, while NKRO (n-key rollover) means all keys can be pressed simultaneously - useful for intense music games and two players using one keyboard for local multiplayer titles like Nidhogg.
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6. Corsair K70 Core
The Corsair K70 Core is another take on the "full-size gaming keyboard but make it 2024" theme pioneered by the Asus ROG Strix Scope 2 RX option above, this time with a multi-function control dial that can adjust volume or LED brightness, scroll vertically or horizontally, or zoom in and out. As with the Asus board, you can click in the dial to access a third function. These are a useful selection of controls, but switching between them requires pressing Fn+F12 and squinting to see which colour the F12 key briefly flashes - not exactly a stellar user experience in comparison to the permanently lit icons we saw elsewhere.
Of course, there's more to the keyboard than just a multi-function dial, and the K70 Core feels sanely designed throughout with many of the same 2024-era features like pre-lubed switches and sound dampening foam. Weirdly, we see another regional difference here, with superior double-shot keycaps for US boards and printed legend ABS keycaps elsewhere - presumably a play to keep costs down for relatively low-volume regions.
Otherwise, the K70 Core looks and feels good - I'm a big fan of the more refined yellow and triangular motifs that have appeared on recent Corsair releases, and that's reflected on the Core too with subtle details on the space bar and chassis. The aluminium case and 'floating' keycaps still look great, the magnetic soft-touch palm rest comes in handy and Corsair's iCUE software for setting custom lighting schemes or remapping keys remains one of the most powerful in the business. The only real shame is the non-detachable cable, which looks and feels cheap compared to the rest of the board.
Otherwise, this is a solid effort that is worth picking up at its £90/$100 RRP and will become a great deal in the eventual Black Friday sales.
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Wrapping up
That's all the recommendations we have for now! For more full-size options, why not check out our best gaming keyboard and best mechanical keyboard articles?