CHERRY STREAM KEYBOARD TKL — Compact Wired Keyboard, Swiss, Black Grey
87 keys + 6 mediaSX scissor keys20 M actuationsMetal plate
The CHERRY STREAM KEYBOARD TKL (JK-8600CH-2) is the STREAM without the number pad, and it is a noticeably better keyboard than its price suggests. The keys use CHERRY’s own SX scissor mechanism — 2.8 mm of travel at 65 cN, a short precise stroke closer to a good laptop than to a mushy membrane — and they are rated at up to 20 million actuations, twice the usual office figure. There are 87 keys plus six dedicated media keys for volume, mute and track control, and an integrated metal plate inside the case that stops the flex you get in cheap boards. It is only 18 mm thick and 377 mm wide, so the mouse comes back in front of your shoulder, and it draws a mere 20 mA over its 180 cm USB-A cable. CHERRY ships it with no plastic packaging material. In the box: keyboard and manual.
Compatibility — check before buying:
Layout: Swiss QWERTZ swaps Y and Z, puts the accented vowels on the keys right of P and L, and moves most symbols compared with a US or UK keyboard. Choose it only if you type in Swiss German or French; for English use in Cyprus ask us for the US or UK version of the same model. This is a wired USB-A keyboard, so it works in the BIOS and in boot menus, with nothing to charge or pair. Understand what TKL means before ordering: there is no numeric keypad, which is exactly why the board is narrow — if you spend the day in spreadsheets, ask us for a full-size STREAM instead. There is no backlight, no N-key rollover or anti-ghosting, no USB hub and no palm rest. Status lights cover Caps Lock and Scroll Lock only, in the keys themselves. CHERRY lists Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11 and CHERRY KEYS for remapping; no macOS or Linux claim either way. There is no built-in spill protection — CHERRY sells a separate washable WetEx protective film cut for this keyboard, which is the honest answer for a clinical or workshop desk. CHERRY publishes no weight for it.
Best For
✓ Desks where the mouse needs to come closer to the shoulder
✓ Shared and hot desks that want a tidy, thin keyboard
✓ Anyone who prefers a short scissor stroke to a deep membrane one
✓ Offices replacing boards every couple of years on wear
✓ Clinical or workshop desks, with the separate WetEx film over it
✓ Buyers with a plastic-packaging policy
Key Features
Twenty million actuations
Double the usual office rating, on CHERRY’s own SX scissor mechanism — this is the durability argument for paying more than membrane money.
A stroke you can actually feel
2.8 mm at 65 cN: short, precise and quiet, much closer to a good laptop keyboard than to a soft membrane.
Metal plate inside
An integrated metal plate under the keys removes the flex that makes thin keyboards feel cheap.
Six real media keys
Volume, mute and track control on dedicated keys rather than an Fn combination, on a board only 18 mm thick.
Technical Specifications
| Identification |
| Brand |
CHERRY |
| Series |
STREAM KEYBOARD TKL (model JK-85TKL) |
| Part Number |
JK-8600CH-2 |
| EAN / GTIN |
4025112097492 |
| MPN |
JK-8600CH-2 |
| Keys |
| Format |
TKL (80%), no numeric keypad |
| Keys |
87 plus 6 media keys |
| Key technology |
CHERRY SX scissor |
| Travel |
2.8 mm total, 2.8 mm pre-travel |
| Actuating force |
65 cN |
| Key life |
Up to 20 million actuations |
| Keycap material |
ABS |
| Media keys |
Volume down, mute, volume up, previous track, play/pause, next track |
| Status LEDs |
2, in the keys (Caps Lock, Scroll Lock) |
| Alphanumeric section |
DIN ISO 9995-1 |
| Layout |
Swiss (QWERTZ) |
| Backlighting |
None |
| Build |
| Dimensions |
377 × 163 × 18 mm |
| Internal metal plate |
Yes |
| Tilt feet |
Integrated |
| Colour |
Black Grey |
| Weight |
Not published by CHERRY |
| Palm rest |
Not included |
| Connection |
| Interface |
Wired USB-A, plug and play |
| Cable |
180 cm |
| Current draw |
Max. 20 mA at 5 V |
| Software |
CHERRY KEYS (Windows) |
| Operating system |
Windows 7, 8, 10, 11 (CHERRY) |
| Approvals and packaging |
| Certifications |
GS, CE, UKCA, FCC, Windows Hardware Compatibility, China RoHS |
| Packaging |
No plastic packaging material (CHERRY) |
| Accessory |
WetEx washable protective film sold separately |
| Warranty |
| Warranty |
1-Year Warranty (Singular) |
| Manufacturer Term |
CHERRY publishes a voluntary additional manufacturer’s warranty of one year for its Office range, running in the third year after delivery and asserted against the seller with proof of purchase. Singular’s direct warranty is 1 year; beyond that we handle the claim with CHERRY on your behalf. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a number pad?
No. TKL means tenkeyless — 87 keys, no numeric block. That is what makes it narrow enough to bring the mouse closer. If you need a numpad, ask us for a full-size STREAM.
How does it feel compared with a normal office keyboard?
Shorter and firmer. The SX scissor gives 2.8 mm at 65 cN with a metal plate behind it, so it feels closer to a good laptop keyboard than to a soft membrane one.
Can I clean it or protect it from spills?
There is no built-in spill protection. CHERRY makes a WetEx film cut to this keyboard that is washable and can be disinfected — ask us and we will quote it with the board.
Which layout is this part number?
This one is Swiss. CHERRY publishes the STREAM TKL in fourteen layouts across Black Grey and White Grey under separate part numbers.
Singular Expert Insight
This is the one to buy when someone types all day, has no room, and does not need a numpad — the 20-million rating and the metal plate are what you are paying for. If the numpad is non-negotiable, say so and we will quote the full-size STREAM. See our
keyboards and
wireless mice.
Buyer’s Guide
Buy it if
You want a compact, quiet, well-built wired keyboard with a proper scissor stroke and real media keys, in Swiss layout.
Skip it if
You need a numeric keypad, wireless, a backlight, anti-ghosting, or built-in spill protection.
Also consider
CHERRY KC 1000 for a cheaper full-size wired board, or the KeySonic ACK-3401U if you need something even smaller.