by I have been a long term admirer of the products Das Keyboard has made for a long time. I remember one of the first proper articles I wrote on the subject almost eight years ago was that they had crowdfunded the 5Q, a keyboard they called the world’s first ‘cloud-connected’ keyboard. That keyboard came and went, although it has an interesting feel that I don’t think has been matched since.
Since then, Das has returned to manufacturing keyboards that have stuck to their long-standing formula: big, chunky, full-size mechanical keyboards with all the features that regular people might want. That’s where the Das Keyboard 6 Professional comes in.
The 6 Professional is the latest in the American corporation’s long line of ‘Professional’ branded keyboards, which you could be forgiven for calling a little formulaic in its design. Compare it to the Professional 4 or last released almost 10 years ago, and you’d be hard-pressed to find much difference. For some, this represents stagnation and the fact that Das can’t move forward in a world where the mechanical keyboard industry has changed dramatically from the relative niche they were when the 4 Professionals were introduced to a mainstream behemoth. To that end, I would tell you that the 6 Professional remains one of the few keyboards that offers tangible features that benefit the everyday user.
The large volume dial in the upper right corner, which feels tactile and satisfying to twiddle with; the physical buttons for media playback and simple backlighting control; the pair of pass-through USB-C ports can be used to charge a phone or connect a wired mouse without taking up valuable port space on your computer. There may be no rubber feet folded on the underside, but that’s because the 6 Professionals follow the old Das method of screw-in feet that raise the keyboard to a much more comfortable angle than if it were left flat.
6 Professional specifications
Switch type: Cherry MX Brown
Keys: ABS, double shot
Lights: White, dimmable on the keyboard
Storage on board: Nothing
Additional ports: Pass-through USB-C
Connection type: Wired
Cable: USB Type-C/USB Type-A, fixed
Weight: 1.05kg / 2.315 lbs
Price: $199/£150
The way I would describe the 6 Professional, at least in terms of its physical features, is thoughtful.
Elsewhere, you get a total of 104 keys, along with a number pad and navigation cluster. There’s also a bright and functional white backlight that illuminates all those keys, which contrasts well with the black ABS doubleshot keys. I have a slight gripe with the fact that these keys are made of ABS plastic, which means they feel cheaper than the double PBT keys I regularly see at the same price point. The material itself is quite smooth, but PBT can be textured and provides a more comfortable finish under the finger. Aside from that choice of keycap material, the 6 Professional is built in true Das style: like a full tank.
It weighs 1.31kg (or 2.89 lbs), and its chassis is completely plastic ridiculously strong. There is no deck flex, or any kind of case movement, even under extended pressure. At this price, and even at higher prices, you’d be hard-pressed to find a keyboard as well-built as this one.
For a long time, Das has also been loyal to one manufacturer in terms of their switches, continuing to operate with Cherry MX options inside their Professional products. The 6 Professional is different and offers the choice of clicky MX Blues or soft-touch MX Browns. I won’t have any of that funny linear business here. This puts the 6 Professional firmly in the typist realm, with a choice of two switches that make sense if you’re sitting at a desk all day and want a comfortable and tactile typing experience.
My sample came with MX Browns, often my favorite MX switch, with a satisfying bump halfway down the keypress. They may not be MX2A Browns, unlike Cherry’s own KC 200 MX, but the first-generation Browns in the Professional 6 feel exactly as they should. There’s a sharper tactile bump along with a smooth keystroke when broken in, and they feel great. Using MX Browns feels like a home run for me – they’re a great switch for day-to-day use putting out articles and reviews, and even light gaming workloads in CS:2, although a linear switch will be better in those situations. for more responsive keystrokes.
You also get the benefit of full NKRO to hold down as many keys as you want at the same time – handy if you’re a power user with special needs.
Buy if…
✅ You need thoughtful touch: Where the 6 Professional wins with the fact that it is a great all-rounder, and offers thoughtful features including a dual USB-C port hub and volume dial.
Do not buy if…
❌ You need software support: While the 6 Professional provides a great overall experience, the lack of software for configuration means it’s a bit dated on that front.
The 6 Professional, like Das with more MacTigr focused on Mac (another great keyboard) that does without any kind of software-based configuration, which is a bit of help for tinkerers, or those who just like the convenience of remapping the keys or programming. macros. In the modern market, software of any kind has become ubiquitous with more and more gaming-style keyboards, although perhaps expectedly, it has spread to every corner of the keyboard. The 6 Professional stands firm, offering no ability to even remap keys, which is a shame, considering some previous models from the brand had some form of configuration in the brand’s Q suite of software. Not today, though.
Its pricing is on the higher side at $199/£150, but that all depends on what you want out of a keyboard. Das’ latest beast is not designed for tinkerers or professional gamers. The people it’s designed for are people like you and me: people who want a reliable, long-lasting mechanical keyboard that doesn’t compromise on the features and functions you’re likely to use.
Therefore recommending the Das Keyboard 6 Professional is one of the easiest jobs I’ve had in a while. Simply put, it’s a great mechanical keyboard. In a world where the mainstream industry seems to be all about speed and performance for the top tier of gamers and competitive players, the 6 Professional feels refreshing. Proving that there is still a place for pure typing keyboards from the best manufacturers, the 6 Professional brings a classic update to the modern world. If you buy the 6 Professional, it might be the last keyboard you’ll ever need.
