Best TKL Keyboards: Why Pros Prefer Them in 2025

Ever felt your keyboard was a bit... bulky? That awkward moment when a huge mouse swipe slams into the side of your numpad, costing you the round? You're not alone. South African pros and competitive gamers are ditching their full-size boards for a sleeker, faster alternative. The best TKL keyboards aren't just a trend; they're a strategic upgrade for anyone serious about performance. Let's dive into why this compact layout is dominating in 2025. 🎯

Why TKL Keyboards Are the Pro Standard

The biggest advantage is simple: space. A Tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard ditches the number pad on the right, freeing up a massive amount of desk real estate. Why does this matter? It gives you more room for wide, sweeping mouse movements—absolutely crucial for low-DPI aiming in games like Valorant and CS2. This freedom allows for more precise, consistent aim without bumping into your gear. More space for flicking your gaming mouse means more headshots. Simple as that.

This compact design also brings your hands closer together, creating a more natural, ergonomic posture. Less shoulder strain during those marathon ranked sessions? Yes, please. This improved comfort can genuinely enhance your endurance and focus.

The Ergonomic & Practical Edge of Going Tenkeyless

Beyond the aim advantage, the best TKL keyboards offer practical benefits for any setup. The smaller footprint makes your desk look cleaner and more organised, leaving more room for your mug... or your stream deck. It’s also way more portable. If you ever travel to a LAN party or a friend's place, chucking a TKL in your bag is infinitely easier than a massive full-size board.

A well-optimised gaming station is a symphony of perfectly chosen parts. The extra space from a TKL keyboard allows you to position your high-refresh-rate monitor more centrally, improving your posture and viewing angles for a more immersive experience. It's a small change that contributes to a much more comfortable and efficient battle station.

Finding the Best TKL Keyboard for Your Rig

Choosing the right TKL keyboard comes down to a few key factors. Build quality is paramount; look for durable materials like aluminium for a sturdy frame that won't flex. Then there are the switches, which define how the keys feel and respond (see our tip box!). And of course, aesthetics matter—customisable RGB lighting lets you match your keyboard to your setup's colour scheme.

Your peripherals should work in harmony. A great keyboard needs to be paired with a quality gaming headset so you can hear every footstep, and a PC with lightning-fast SSDs to ensure you load into the match before anyone else.

Are There Any Downsides?

The only real trade-off with a TKL keyboard is the absence of the numpad. If you're an accountant or frequently work with spreadsheets, this could be a deal-breaker. However, for the vast majority of gamers, the numpad gathers dust. The performance benefits of the extra mouse space far outweigh the occasional need to enter numbers using the top row.

Even for streamers, the smaller form factor is a huge plus, giving you more space for all your other streaming essentials. And for those specific games that just feel better on a pad, you'll have plenty of room to switch to a gaming controller without cluttering your space. ✨