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Today’s computer games are quite in-depth. It is imperative that you invest in the best gaming keyboard if you want to stand a chance against your online competition. That’s where we come in. We’re here to help you find the best model that fits your gaming needs.
Today, we’re ranking 10 gaming keyboards. Each entry is an excellent choice in its own right. After reading through all of our reviews, we’re sure you will find one that is to your liking. These are the best of the best, so be sure to thoroughly study their specifications.
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With so many excellent entries, it was a challenge in itself to narrow down the top two. But when it came down to it, the best overall had to go to SteelSeries’ Apex Pro. It’s a pricey investment, but it’s loaded with handy features.
It is solid, sturdy, and very well-built. It boasts a rainbow of colors that you can adjust to best match your gaming mood. Its keys are highly-responsive, with each one’s pressure input fully-adjustable. Best of all, you don’t have to use software to make changes.
If you’d rather play your games untethered, Logitech delivers the finest in wireless gaming with the G915 LIGHTSPEED. This beautiful piece of gaming hardware is a pleasure to use. It has plenty of programmable keys and excellent key input response.
Now that you have an idea of what these gaming keyboards offer, let’s move on to the rest of the reviews. You might be surprised to learn what they can do for your gameplay.
When it comes to gaming keyboards, this is it. The SteelSeries Apex Pro has incredible key response. You can even set the keys to respond more to your liking by adjusting their actuation points.
The advantage to this is huge. You can reduce your input times in games to give you the edge you need to stay ahead of your competition. You’re also getting one truly solid, well-built accessory. It’s not common to see quality like this, yet SteelSeries delivers in spades.
This is one quiet keyboard, too. Each key feels comfortable and responsive, yet they don’t make loud springy noises upon actuation. When you’re in the middle of an engrossing game, you don’t want the piercing sound of plastic clanging and interrupting your experience.
The Apex Pro is full-sized and quite large. It clocks in at a hefty 4.2 pounds. By comparison, most budget keyboards weigh less than 1 pound. You’re not going to have to worry about the Apex Pro sliding around as you’re using it. This is thanks to having aluminum and ABS plastic construction.
The entire keyboard is backlit by a rainbow of colors that you can adjust to your liking. Even the brightness of the lighting can be set to best accommodate your gaming experience. These settings are made directly from the keyboard for easy management.
There’s a magnetic hand rest that attaches to the keyboard for comfortable usage. It does tend to collect debris quite easily, but it’s certainly not a deal-breaker. Another minor quibble we have with the Apex Pro is its feet.
They open in a way that causes them to easily collapse if the keyboard is pushed forward. But with its 4.2-pound weight, this is a rare occurrence.
And lastly, there isn’t a wireless option. This is understandable, as gamers need the best input time possible. Wireless connectivity can result in unnecessary lag.
The hardcore won’t mind at all and actually prefer a wired setup. But if you’re not that concerned about input times and like to have a wireless option, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
With its total adjustability, the Apex Pro is the ultimate user experience. From input pressure sensitivity to colors, you have full control over how this gaming keyboard functions. This is a huge advantage to any gamer, as you can customize the setup to your heart’s content.
The best part of all is that there is no obtrusive software required for changing settings. If you aren’t familiar with this practice, read on to learn more. SteelSeries deserves all the accolades in the world for marching to the beat of their own drum.
If you don’t like being tied down and want to break free from all the cords, Logitech has your back. The G915 LIGHTSPEED gives you the flexibility you need to play from across the room. This is especially useful for those who play on a larger screen and want to sit in a recliner or lay in bed.
As you’ll learn with the rest of the entries, colorful backlighting is all the rage. Logitech’s G915 is no different. You’ll have access to over 16 million colors to set the right tone for your gaming setup.
The design of the LIGHTSPEED is super-thin yet sturdy as can be. It weighs just a fuzz under 4 pounds. So you won’t have to worry about your keyboard sliding around as you engage in online warfare.
Logitech’s keyboard doesn’t use standard batteries like you find in lesser models. The G915’s battery is completely rechargeable, serving to save you money over time. The best part is that you can enjoy up to 30 hours of continuous gameplay on a single charge. Once the battery is depleted, you can get a full charge in just 3 hours.
The keys feel fantastic on the G915. There’s no springy noises here. Each key pressed delivers a nice click that is both quiet and fast. There are a total of 5 unique keys that can be assigned any number of functions.
Depending on the game you’re playing, the options for customization are limitless. Taking a cue from Razer, you will have to sign into Logitech’s GHUB program if you want to make use of these assignments and adjust colors.
The silver lining in this requirement is that GHUB actually works like it’s intended to and is nowhere near a pain in the neck as Razer’s Synapse 3 (see below).
As a side note, for those who want to use this exceptional keyboard but don’t like the wireless aspect, fear not. Logitech offers this very same model in wired form under the G815 number. It costs a bit less and delivers the same performance.
For those wondering why the G815 is nowhere to be found among our rankings, we could have easily put the G815 above or below the E915. But we felt that would unfairly hog up a spot when there are other worthy contenders that deserve some spotlight.
The programmable keys are great, as is the rest of the keyboard. The battery life is simply fantastic, allowing you to enjoy your game untethered. And with the keys being so low-profile, the response and feedback makes using the G915 a breeze.
Razer uses a different actuation method than the Apex Pro for key input. So you’re not going to get the same level of customization with Razer’s BlackWidow Elite. But don’t let that deter you from giving this gaming keyboard a look. It is most certainly worthy of your time and money.
The travel and response of each key is world-class excellence. They are whisper-quiet upon actuation. This is thanks to Razer’s proprietary key inputs, Razer Yellow Switches. This means each key pressed only sees a travel distance of 4.0mm.
You have to try them for yourself to truly appreciate the sound and feel that Razer was able to produce. If you’re looking for a comfortable gaming experience that will help improve your gameplay, you will be pleased with the BlackWidow Elite.
Just as you find on the Apex Pro, each key is backlit by a full spectrum of colors. These too can be customized to best suit your liking. A full number pad is built-in, as well, giving you access to everything you need for total game control.
We really like the construction of the BlackWidow Elite. It is made to better protect against liquid contact and dust particles. The keyboard weighs in at just under 4 pounds. So your gameplay feels sturdy and intact. You needn’t worry about accidental movement while you’re in the heat of battle.
We also appreciated seeing the inclusion of Razer’s media keys. This customizable setup lets you assign different functions to each key. There’s a dial that can be set to adjust volume or the backlight’s brightness, for example. Having this versatility gives you a much deeper gaming experience.
Thanks to fully-customizable keys, you can adjust the BlackWidow Elite to best suit your gaming preferences. The media controls help exponentially in serving to provide you with a user-friendly experience. It needs to be noted that you will have to first login to Razer’s Synapse 3 software in order to make changes to color, lighting, etc.
It’s a pain to use, and the BlackWidow Elite relies on Synapse 3 rather heavily. If there are problems with this software, you can lose all of your customized settings. Even a simple log-out will reset every change you’ve made.
Cooler Master delivers a great option for those in need of more robust gameplay capabilities. The keyboard is equipped with analog functionality, allowing you to better play games that make use of the technology.
There are plenty of media keys that can be reassigned to your liking, as well. We really liked the precision wheels, too. These can be customized to control a whole slew of commands and features. This does require you to use special software to get the full experience.
Key inputs feel really responsive and provide you with excellent feedback. There’s also a removable wrist pad that is both comfortable and convenient.
The overall build-quality of the MK850 is very solid. It’s one of the heaviest entries of our reviews, weighing in at 4.53 pounds. You certainly won’t have to worry about this keyboard moving on you during play.
The analog controls are simply incredible. This gives you quite the advantage over other players who don’t have this technology. The rest of the keyboard is built like a tank. Aside from some ill-placed macro keys, you’ll love the layout of the MK850.
As you’re shopping for gaming keyboards, you will likely come across the term ‘TKL’. An acronym meaning ‘ten key less’, this refers to a type of keyboard that does not have the traditional number pad setup. Some gamers prefer these models depending on what game they’re playing.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is a TKL keyboard. It is very small compared to a standard keyboard, thereby making it easy for competitive players to transport. For those who travel often, the Huntsman TE will make a great addition to your gaming setup.
At just 1.63 pounds, the Huntsman is both lightweight and compact. Traditional keyboards can measure nearly 18 inches across. The Huntsman brings that down to just a little over 14 inches. So you can see the difference it makes in taking up less room on your play area.
Razer’s linear optical key switches make a big impact here. These switches are what give you quick and quiet key-response. The actuation is some of the best seen yet, measuring at just 1.0mm. Perhaps most impressive is the Huntsman’s lifespan. It can withstand over 100 million keystrokes!
Now you can play and practice as much as you desire without fear of your keyboard malfunctioning or wearing out.
Other notables include a Type-C USB cable latch. This serves to keep your cable locked into place at all times. Regardless of how rigorous your gameplay is, you can rest easy knowing you won’t lose your connection.
The biggest issue we found with the Huntsman TE is its lightweight design. It’s certainly built tough and should last you many years. But it can move easily while you’re playing, especially if you’re engaged in frantic gameplay.
We also didn’t care for Razer’s Synapse 3 making an appearance again. This software is unstable and loaded with adware. You have to sign into it before you can fully experience the Huntsman TE.
Once again, Razer’s Synapse 3 causes what is an otherwise excellent gaming keyboard to take a nosedive. You’ll have to use this obtrusive software if you want to have access to adjusting the backlighting and things of that nature.
Aside from that, the keyboard is superb. Keys feel great and are highly-responsive. If you’re looking to improve your gameplay, the Huntsman TE will certainly help you there.
Whatever you do, don’t let the price of the K552-RGB turn you away. If you’re on a tight budget and in need of a quality gaming keyboard, Redragon is the answer you’ve been looking for.
This is by far the absolute best budget-friendly experience we’ve come across. It is built tough and delivers superb key input response. Each keystroke responds with a nice click. In the gaming world, you always want a click rather than a clang.
You do have to press a bit harder compared to other high-end entries. But it’s nowhere near what you find on standard computer keyboards. It’s nice to see that you get full color backlight control on a budget model, too.
There’s no clunky software required to make changes, either! Now, there are some downsides to not having software. Because unlike the Apex Pro, which has onboard memory, you can’t save different profiles.
But you can still make all the changes you want directly from the keyboard. And that’s a huge plus to us. You’re also not limited in the backlight changes. That means you can assign specific colors to each and every key.
We need to note that this is a TKL gaming keyboard. So you don’t get a built-in number pad. You’ll also miss out on an optional wrist rest. But for the price, who’s complaining?
Besides, the construction is heavy-duty ABS and metal. This baby is sturdy and durable, so you can play as rough as you like (within reason, of course).
Thanks to lacking any software, you can make all the changes you want straight from the keyboard. Its construction is also splash-proof. So if there’s an accidental spill, you won’t have to worry about its inner components getting fried.
If you’re looking to add some character to your gaming setup, look no further than to the Vulcan 121. Manufacturer ROCCAT pulled out all the stops to deliver one truly attractive and unique gaming keyboard.
They made use of quality components that serve to bring you a responsive and tactile accessory. Key input feels quick and balanced, helping you get the most out of your gaming experience.
We liked seeing the detachable palm rest. It does a splendid job of providing support where it’s needed. It’s comfortable and removes easily if you’d rather do without it.
The backlighting is on par with other high-end models and does a fine job of illuminating gameplay. While you don’t get the same level of customization, there are plenty of programmable keys to make up for it.
For those in the gaming community, this is one of the keyboards of choice of professional gamer, Dr. Disrespect.
The use of Titan switches gives you a quiet gaming experience. While the keys aren’t as robust as other models, they do a fine enough job of delivering quality gameplay.
Making use of linear switches, HyperX delivers an excellent entry that is sure to please gamers. The Alloy Origins is a full-sized keyboard that comes in a variety of colors. It is made from the same aluminum alloy found in aircrafts, delivering a model you can rely on.
The mechanical keys used in the Alloy Origins provide just the right balance of comfort and feedback. You can’t adjust their sensitivity, but they remain quiet and responsive for an improved gaming experience.
We really like the weight and feel of this one. HyperX was able to build an ergonomic gaming keyboard that doesn’t slide around during use. At just a little under 3 pounds, we think it’s the perfect weight when it comes to enjoyable gameplay.
You get full control over the colorization of the keyboard’s backlighting. It looks great and really helps set the mood of any game. You will need to use HyperX’s proprietary software to make changes and save profiles. It’s pretty straightforward and user-friendly, so you shouldn’t have any trouble with it.
Our biggest complaint with the Alloy Origins is the quality. The board itself feels great. But the keycaps leave a lot to be desired. They just feel cheap compared to other entries. You can easily replace these, though.
For those who prefer TKL gaming keyboards, HyperX does indeed offer an 87-key version of this model.
You’ll have to use HyperX’s NGENUITY software to get full use out of the Alloy Origins. But it’s not complicated and will have you up and running in no time.
If you’re looking to get an edge over your competition in strategy games, this is definitely the keyboard you want. The Corsair K95 is one large keyboard. It gives you plenty of room to plan and deploy your next wave of attacks.
There are loads of media controls and beautiful backlighting. We really like the way this entry looks. It has an attractive design with lots of customizable options.
It’s gone down in price considerably in recent months, so grab this one up if you get the chance. Now, for those who need a gaming keyboard for other types of games, you may want to look elsewhere.
The keycaps are pretty bad. This is a shame to see, as the rest of the keyboard uses premium components. You can replace these, sure. But for the price even when reduced, this is an issue you shouldn’t see.
For strategy games, you can’t do much better. Your gaming life will be a piece of cake thanks to the quality macro keys and programmable features.
This affordable entry from Razer sports excellent low-profile keys. Its entire design centers on a minimalist setup. If you aren’t into all the bells and whistles found on most gaming keyboards, this is the one for you.
It’s also a great choice for beginners. Are you intimidated by all the gadgetry found on gaming keyboards? Get your foot in the door and learn the ropes with the Cynosa Chroma.
You can still customize and change backlight colors all you want. But you can do it without the need to learn a whole bunch of extra features and modes.
This model is a full-sized keyboard. So you’re getting a familiar layout complete with a number pad. It’s also built to withstand spills, so your keyboard will be protected if gameplay gets out of hand.
Being a Razer product, you’re going to be required to use Synapse 3 if you want to get the full potential of the Cynosa Chroma. Aside from that, this is a very easy-to-use addition to your gaming setup.
PC gamers know the importance of a high-quality keyboard. A good gaming keyboard can make a difference during a clan match or a tasking boss fight.
The hardware inside of your PC makes the games run, but the hardware at your fingertips makes the games more enjoyable.
Before you can purchase a brand new gaming keyboard that will suit your needs, you need to know what to look for. As gamers, we had no problems spending countless hours researching the topic, so you don’t have to.
Most of the gamers will tell you that you should buy a mechanical keyboard, but we will let you decide the answer by giving you the facts.
Most of the gamers will dismiss membrane keyboards, without knowing why they are doing it. The truth is, membrane keyboards aren’t bad for gaming, at all. Most of them are quiet and portable. Playing video games on a membrane keyboard won’t make you play any worse, and it also won’t set you back a lot. Yes, membrane keyboards are, most of the time, cheaper than mechanical keyboards. The downsides are that they are hard to clean and that they have a lower lifespan.
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, you should know that you might need to get used to gaming on them. Mechanical keyboards are snappy, and many gamers claim that they are more precise than membrane keyboards. The biggest problem that many gamers have with mechanical keyboards is their loudness. But, you will find out that not all of the mechanical keyboards are loud.
Mechanical keyboards come with different switches. Some of the switches make the keyboard loud, while the others only provide a “bump” when you press a key. You should also know that keys in some mechanical keyboards give resistance when you press them. Contrarily, the keys in other mechanical keyboards give almost no resistance when you press them.
In the end, both the mechanical and membrane keyboards can be good for gaming. Which one you will use depends on your preferences, as well as the video games you enjoy playing.
Before you can purchase a good mechanical keyboard, you need to know more about the switches inside of them. The switches cause the clicky sound and they also resist the force put on them by your fingertips. So, before you can purchase a mechanical keyboard, you need to find the switches that suit your needs.
You have probably heard of Cherry MX. Cherry MX switches have been a part of mechanical keyboards for a long time. Most of the gamers go straight for Cherry MX switches, not without a good reason. Red Cherry switches are very common among gamers. They are light to press and quiet. There is also a quieter variant of Red switches named Silent Red. Blue Cherry switches are a complete opposite. They are very loud and hard to press. Avoid them if you can.
Brown Cherry switches are not hard to press, but you will feel a slight bump. They don’t make a lot of noise, but they are louder than the Silent Red switches.
Logitech has been in the business for a long time. They have created many gaming peripherals, which is why it is no wonder that they also make keyboard switches.
Romer-G Linear switches are an excellent choice for gaming because they allow you to press the keys fast, without any resistance. Romer-G Tactile switches give a little bit of resistance when you press down a key, but they have a low travel distance. GX Blue switches are a bit hard to press and they are loud.
Razer is not a new name on the gaming scene. They have become a well-known company thanks to their gaming gear that satisfies many customers. Razer gaming keyboards are known for having switches that have a long life span. Green Razer switches are easy to press, but they provide you with a bump. They are also known for being “clicky,” but not loud. Yellow Razer switches are silent. They are also easy to press since they offer little resistance. Orange Razer switches are tactile, but they aren’t hard to press, and they make no noise.
Kailh is a well-known name among the keyboard enthusiasts. If you choose to go for Kailh switches, you will get a product that has proven itself by being reliable. Red Kailh switches are quiet, but they offer a little bit of resistance when pressed. Black Kailh switches are also quiet, but they offer more resistance than the Red ones. Brown Kailh switches are a good choice if you need to feel the bump while pressing the keys. It is also good to know that Brown Kailh switches don’t make the clicking noise when pressed. Blue Kailh switches are noisy, but they are easy to press. Kailh Speed switches come in four variants: Copper, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Copper, Bronze, and Gold offer some resistance when pressed, but they make no noise. Silver Speed switches offer no resistance, and they are not loud.
Now that you have learned more about the switches, you are almost finished. You only need to be aware of a few more things, and you will be able to make an educated purchase.