The Das Keyboard series has been one of the gold standards for mechanical keyboards for office use. The Das Keyboard 6 takes things to the next level with a refined design with simple aesthetics, solid build quality, and a USB Type-C hub for charging devices and connecting peripherals. It also features genuine Cherry switches and a simple white backlight for typing and gaming in the dark. At $199, it’s expensive but will be a great match for users interested in trading RGB backlighting for a more elegant design, dedicated media controls, and extra connectivity options.
Specifications
- Current Price: $199 (Amazon)
Das Keyboard 6 Professional - What Is It?
Das Keyboard has been making some of the best mechanical keyboards for professionals since 2006. We’ve looked at several of its models in the past and have always been impressed at the level of build quality and the typing experience they offer. They’re understated but high quality, embracing minimalism without skimping on build quality.
That’s exactly the case with its latest release, the Das Keyboard 6 Professional. Retailing for $199, this keyboard features a full 104-key layout with dedicated media controls and an oversized volume wheel for easy adjustments. Follow those media controls upward and over the edge and you’ll find a dedicated sleep button for your PC and a two-port USB Type-C port for connecting and charging devices.
This isn’t a keyboard you turn to for flash. It’s made to blend in, to be a sleeper keyboard. Your cube-mates may not see much difference at a glance but once they go hands-on with it, they’ll immediately be able to tell how much better of a keyboard it is than the simple membrane keys they have at their own desk.
Let’s go top down. The keycaps are a simple black with laser-etched legends. Simple white LEDs illuminate them for use in the dark with a very clean, elegant aesthetic. The top half of the case is aluminum for extra sturdiness and weight. Beneath those keys are genuine Cherry MX switches, available in Brown or Red, rated for 100 million actuations. These keys are louder than most membrane keyboards but feel much nicer to actually use.
Flip the keyboard over and you’ll find a glossy Das Keyboard logo and four non-slip feet. There are no channels for routing cables because this isn’t a gaming keyboard where use with a headset is expected (though it will obviously work fine for gaming). Interestingly, there are no tilt feet built into the corners. Instead, there are threaded inserts where two red feet can be screwed into place. This is the sole bit of color on the keyboard and it looks quite good, though the typing angle remains pretty low and I miss the old ruler on past models. Still, it looks nice and is very functional.
Which is the story of the Das Keyboard 6 Pro: refined looks, functional features. The volume knob has an eye-catching mirrored bezel but, more importantly, it’s easy to use and can be adjusted with a single finger. Backlighting can also be adjusted with a single button. There are no fancy animation modes, just seven levels of brightness adjustment. There’s no software, no advanced programming. It’s a simple keyboard but one that looks and feels far nicer than most other keyboards you’ll find in an office.
In short, if you’re over RGB lighting, aren’t interested in paying a premium for a custom keyboard, and want something that looks good and gets the job done with ease, this may be the keyboard for you.
Das Keyboard 6 Professional - Typing and Use Experience
When it comes to typing, the DK6 offers a reliably solid typing experience. The aluminum top plate of the keyboard wards off any flex whatsoever. The keyboard has a nice heft and feels quite premium. From the design to the actual experience of using it, you can tell that this is a keyboard designed to feel a cut above everything else in the office.
At the same time, there are elements of the experience definitely in need of an update. The keycaps are thin, laser-etched ABS. This surprised me because one of the first results I found for the keyboard was this blog entry on the official site stating they were doubleshot. It appears that this may have been a plan in earlier development that was changed as everything but this entry now describes the keycaps accurately.
Mixed information aside, the keycaps are unbecoming of a keyboard of this price. They shine and look oily within a single day of use and will show signs of wear much sooner than doubleshot ABS or PBT keycaps. I do appreciate the bright backlit legends, however, and it certainly looks clean.
The switches are fine, but I suspect users that have tried keyboards with competing switches over the last few years will find them lacking. Cherry switches are notoriously scratchy and have noticeable spring ping and that’s true here. They’re lightly tactile and undeniably reliable, however, and are still nice to type on overall, but since they’re not hot-swappable, you can't upgrade them over time.
The stabilizers were also completely unlubricated and were very rattly out of the box. When keyboards for less than half the price are offering lubricated stabilizers for better acoustics, it’s pretty glaring when you’re not. The spacebar in particular was loud and rattly. With all of that said, the stabilizers can be addressed fairly easily if you’re willing to buy lube and a syringe. The keycaps can also be upgraded, though that costs a bit more.
You might think that I’m very unhappy with the quality of the keyboard, and that’s not the case. When you look past these things, the Das Keyboard 6 Professional is unique in its minimalism and its media cluster and USB hub are pretty great. The hub is an especially forward thinking feature that let me charge my phone throughout the day and provides the opportunity for wider USB-C connectivity, which is great.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a minimalist keyboard with a sleek sense of style and a particularly solid and elegant design, the Das Keyboard 6 Professional might be for you. There are some clear areas for improvement at this price, its unique features may very well make up for them depending on your needs. The DK6 isn’t an enthusiast keyboard but it’s poised to be one of the nicest slates in your office.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes. Some articles may contain affiliate links and purchases made through this will result in a small commission for the site. Commissions are not directed to the author or related to compensation in any way.
