Amazon Has The Best Low-Cost Keyboard In A While

If you happen to need a low-cost keyboard that's quite reliable yet simple and doesn't cost much at all, there's a very nice USB keyboard from Amazon.

AmazonBasics is the private-label electronics brand that launched four years ago and for about the past two years they have offered the AmazonBasics Wired Keyboard. For those in need of a low-cost standard keyboard, the AmazonBasics Wired Keyboard does the job at only about $11 USD.

This isn't any ultra gaming keyboard or anything special, but it's reliable and works fine while going for just over $10. In having many different test bays at Phoronix but not using a KVM combination, each system has its own set of keyboard/mice for convenience -- plus traditionally having many extra input devices thanks to review samples from various manufacturers. When running low on keyboards, I've generally just purchased basic keyboards that get the job done. Back in the PS/2 days there was a low-cost Logitech PS/2 keyboard I commonly would buy, but now in the USB era, most of the sub-$10 keyboards I have tried were garbage.

I've had several of the cheap USB keyboards fail on me after a couple months of use on these test systems with either some keys not working and/or the actual USB connection going bad. Several months ago I tried the AmazonBasics Wired Keyboard and have been very satisfied with it, and since then buying several more to replace older/broken keyboards.

The AmazonBasics Wired Keyboard is very quiet, comfortable to use, has a slim layout with all of the standard PC keyboard keys, and overall works fine. At only $11 USD it's a really great deal and I have yet to run into any problems with the keyboards. The only potential downside is that the tilt on the keyboard is not adjustable. Being a basic USB keyboard with no extra functionality, there's also no Linux compatibility problems (or for BSD).

Those wishing to check out this Amazon keyboard can find it at Amazon.com. In terms of the keyboard on my main production system, I use a Razer BlackWidow mechanical keyboard and all of the mice on my production/test systems are from Razer.