Of all the components that go into making a top-notch PC, your gaming keyboard is probably the one you will spend the most time with, which can make choosing the best gaming keyboard a pretty difficult decision, though this is the case many to choose from. I am here to help. I have tested many gaming keyboards over the years and have compiled all of my top gaming keyboard recommendations below to help you choose the best gaming keyboard for you and your budget. I’ve covered all kinds of budgets, as well as mechanical switch settings, and it’s also where you can find everything you need to know about buying a new gaming keyboard – including the difference between membrane and mechanical keyboards and all different types of mechanical Switches mean. Whatever you’re looking for, I have a gaming keyboard recommendation for you.
Similar to choosing the best gaming mouse, there isn’t a single keyboard that is definitely better than the others. For example, if you’re a mechanical keyboard user, you likely have your own personal switch preference, be it loud, linear blues or tactile, clicking browns, and you may also prefer a certain type of form factor. From super-compact 65% keyboards to tenkey less models without a number pad.
Because of this, I’ve tried to cover all of the basics in our list of the best gaming keyboards. Check out the list below for my top tips for each type of keyboard. Remember, this list is not set in stone. It will change when I get new keyboards to test and when old models reach the end of their lifespan. However, what I’m looking for in a gaming keyboard always remains the same. When I get a new keyboard to test, I value comfort, build quality, noise levels, and the number of additional features compared to the cost.
All of my gaming keyboard picks meet these and several other criteria. You can read more about it by clicking the links below.
You’ve probably heard of Fnatic about their esports endeavors rather than their hardware manufacturing chops, but the Fnatic Streak is sure to be one of the ones best mechanical keyboards I’ve ever used.
Not only is it a pleasure to type on, but it also comes with the world’s most comfortable palm rest that you reposition in one of three grooves on the accompanying base so you can place them wherever it’s most convenient for you. It’s immensely practical and much more comfortable than the hard plastic pads you usually see on other mechanical keyboards. Their respective designs are surprisingly tasteful, even for an esports company. They offer a minimum of logos and excess branding to keep everything nice and clean and not at all embarrassing to have it on your desk.
The Ducky One 2 is another great alternative for those who have one Looking for a straightforward mechanical gaming keyboard, but it doesn’t have as many features as the Fnatic Streak, such as: B. USB passthrough or this beautiful palm rest.
Alright, that might be a bit of a cheat, but seriously, the Roccat Vulcan is just too good not to mention it alongside the Fnatic Streak. It’s more expensive and doesn’t have as many features as its Fnatic rival, but the Vulcan sure is wonderful for typing and gaming.
Much of that is down to the Vulcan’s awesome titanium switches that the Roccat shares with the exceptional switch manufacturer TTC has developed in-house. At their core, these are tactile switches that are probably the closest to the feel of Kirsch’s MX Browns, but because of their shorter actuation point (the point at which the keyboard registers a key) and the overall travel distance, they feel just as nice and fast Like Cherry MX Reds gives you the best of both worlds. Roccat recently released a new model with titanium speed switches (the black Vulcan 121), which are 30% faster than their original tactile ones.
Thanks to its sturdy aluminum housing, it is also beautifully finished and available in different models and configurations. With the top of the range Vulcan 120, you get a detachable palm rest, plus all the extra media buttons and volume control, while the middle sibling Vulcan 100 is exactly the same minus the palm rest. The entry-level model Vulcan 80 is now just the standard keyboard with blue LED backlighting instead of flashing RGBs. There’s also a white version of the Vulcan 120 called the Vulcan 122 and the aforementioned black Vulcan 121. They’re all still quite expensive compared to other keyboards on this list, but these titanium switches are a real treat if you’re into something different than the standard Cherry MX options.
If you already have a membrane keyboard but want to know if mechanical gaming keyboards are right for you, a hybrid keyboard like the Asus TUF Gaming K5 could be the answer. Halfway between the membrane and the mechanism, this so-called « Mecha-membrane » keyboard offers the best of both worlds, as it is more responsive than your typical membrane keyboard and quieter than your full-fledged mechanical keyboard. Plus, it doesn’t cost the world either, which makes it our best budget gaming keyboard.
It’s not all quiet, but certainly a lot more sociable than any of the other mechanical keyboards on this list – so you can get it inside the ear receptacle of one use other people with functioning earlobes and do not run the risk of anything being thrown in the general direction of your head. Each key still offers a comfortable level of precision and tactile feedback, and the subtle RGB lighting doesn’t come into your face either.
For those of you who’d rather have something cheap and cheerful that doesn’t get in everyday use As an absolute racket, you should probably stick to a membrane keyboard instead of a loud mechanical keyboard and my best membrane keyboard right now is the excellent Razer Cynosa. It’s also my first choice for those looking for an excellent budget gaming keyboard.
It’s a bit more expensive than a typical membrane keyboard, but you can really feel where the extra money has gone. Not only does it respond faster than your average membrane keyboard, but it also has some decent gaming features like RGB lighting and a special game mode that disables the Windows key. You can also use it to record your own macros – which you can’t do with the similarly priced and nearly as good HyperX Alloy Core RGB.
It’s also one of the tastier gaming keyboards on this list, its plain black one Housing is largely free of hideous logos and corporate styling. Plus, being more of a membrane keyboard than a mechanical keyboard, it’s much quieter than virtually any keyboard you’ll read here. If you want to upgrade your existing membrane keyboard without sacrificing CLACK with a hybrid or mechanical keyboard, the Razer Cynosa is a great choice.
The Logitech G915 Lightspeed Wireless is perhaps the most expensive gaming keyboard on this list, but Worth it. With its super slim aluminum frame, oleophobic keycap coating, gorgeous volume roll and double height adjustable feet, this is the pinnacle of wireless gaming keyboards.
The G915 Lightspeed Wireless is available in three different types of Logitech GL switches (click, tactile and linear) and feels wonderful under your fingers. It offers tons of tactile feedback and quick, sharp keystrokes. It also feels very responsive thanks to Logitech’s Lightspeed technology, and to me it felt like using a traditional wired keyboard. The clicking version that was sent to me for review wasn’t too loud either, which makes it nice and easy on the ears as well.
It also has great battery life. Even after a few weeks with full RGB lighting, the G915 only lost about 35% of its charge. I think you can easily use this for a whole month without having to plug it back into your PC. Even better, it only takes three hours to fully recharge the battery, and you’ll get a warning when it drops to 15% so you don’t get suddenly interrupted while playing.
Logitech has just announced that there will also be a more compact, tenkeyeless version of the G915 – the G915 TKL, which gives you even more options in terms of size. If the wireless version is out of your price range, there is a cheaper wired version with the exact same design as the Logitech G815 Lightsync that is just as beautiful and costs £ 165 / $ 150.
Mechanical keyboards are darn fast, but for For those looking for the absolute snazzy gaming keyboard, there is simply nothing better than an opto-mechanical keyboard. The Razer Huntsman is my choice as it is both slightly cheaper and a lot more attractive than its competitors like the HP Omen Sequencer.
Be warned though. Opto-mechanical keyboards are a noisy all-caps keyboard compared to a typical mechanical keyboard. So you have to be prepared for even more deafening CLACKY CLACKS than Cherry MX Blue switches when you go for an option. Aside from the noise level, the Huntsman is a real beauty to type in, and its feet also offer two different height levels.
There’s also an upscale version of the Huntsman if you want a palm rest, dedicated media buttons, and even more RGB lights in the form of the Huntsman Elite, but it’s also double the price at the time of writing, which makes the regular Huntsman much better value for money.
The Vulcan Pro TKL is a compressed version of the aforementioned Roccat Vulcan and another brilliant addition to the mechanical keyboard family from Roccat. It cuts off the number pad for a more compact form factor, but retains the same superb build quality and Roccat’s fantastic titanium switches.
Roccat has opted for new optical versions of its proprietary titanium switch for the Vulcan Pro TKL decided, but unlike the Razer Huntsman above, this is a much quieter type of gaming keyboard that won’t scratch your ears. It will likely still drive friends and family to the wall when they’re around, but not to the same extent as the hunter.
The Vulcan Pro TKL’s smaller size doesn’t mean it is sacrificing any features, either. since you still get a nice, tactile volume wheel and a dedicated microphone mute button. Roccat’s Swarm software lets you add a secondary function to virtually any key on the keyboard, giving you tons of customization options. It’s expensive, but if you’re looking for the best tenkey less keyboard, it doesn’t get any better. For a cheaper alternative, I would recommend the MiniStreak from Fnatic or the Fnatic Streak65 below.
As the name suggests, the Fnatic Streak65 is a 65% keyboard that is even smaller than the Roccat Vulcan Pro TKL mentioned above. It is as small as possible without becoming inconvenient for everyday use. While it doesn’t have a lot of extra features due to its small footprint, you still get the all-important arrow keys (which you don’t have on smaller 60% keyboards like the HyperX x Ducky One 2 mini keyboard). as well as media keys assigned to the Fn keys.
It’s a brilliant little keyboard that is great for both work and gaming, and Fnatic’s new low-profile speed keys look and feel almost identical to their classic Cherry MX counterparts . It’s not for everyone, especially when it’s practically the same price as the slightly larger Fnatic miniStreak, but if you’re determined to go ultra-compact and you don’t mind making a few feature compromises here and there, Then the Fnatic Streak65 is the best compact keyboard I’ve tested so far.
If RGB lighting is your thing, the Asus ROG Strix Flare is another fantastic mechanical keyboard to consider. The price has also dropped a lot lately, making it an even better deal than before. It’s a tastefully designed keyboard that cuts a fine, sophisticated profile on your desk. The sleek, double-matte and brushed design visible diagonally on the right side of the keyboard gives it a personality that is both sophisticated and reserved.
And there are plenty of RGB LEDs too. Not only are they on the keys themselves, but there are also two strips under the keyboard, plus another pair that protrudes from the top, transparent cutout and can be used to plug into 3D printed gamer tags or the plastic that came with it ROG logo (as shown above).
Again, you need to download Asus’ Armory software to adjust the ROG Strix Flare to one level of illumination per key. However, once you do, there are numerous options available to you. The sub-light streaks are surprisingly subdued for those who prefer a more subtle approach to their rainbow-colored light shows, and I didn’t find them particularly distracting while gaming either.
The first thing you need to decide is whether you want a mechanical gaming keyboard or one Membrane keyboard want. In general, mechanical keyboards are better suited for gaming because of their fast, clean, and linear movements, and their short actuation points (when the keyboard is actually registering that you have pressed a key). They are more expensive, however, with most prices starting at a minimum of £ 80 / $ 100, if not significantly more. However, they are more durable than membrane keyboards and (in theory) easier to repair because you only have to replace the individual switch instead of throwing out the entire keyboard.
Membrane keyboards, on the other hand, are usually much quieter and cheaper than their mechanical counterparts, as they are made from less expensive Materials are made. This, in turn, makes them more prone to breakage and is generally a bit of a pain to fix. Often times, the low price makes it easier to just buy a brand new one.
When deciding on a mechanical keyboard, the next step is to decide what type of switch you want. Most gaming keyboards usually use Cherry MX switches made in Germany. Occasionally, however, you’ll see other types from Kailh and Outemu, or in the case of Logitech and Razer, their own internal switches. By and large, however, they fall into one of two categories: linear or tactile.
Taking Cherry’s MX switches as an example, linear red switches are often considered to be the fastest and best for gaming. Their clean up and down movements don’t offer much tactile feedback, making them less suitable for long typing stays, but their short actuation points make them a popular choice for FPS gaming and competitive online gaming. You can also find even faster linear variants, also known as MX Silver, which have an even shorter actuation point than MX Reds.
Tactile Blue switches, on the other hand, are generally considered better for typing while due to their loud and clicking sound Brown switches represent a kind of stopover between red and blue. They’re a bit quieter than other types of switches, but when you press them you often feel a small bump halfway up, which gives you a slightly more physical confirmation that you pressed a button correctly.
We see that too more Kailh or Kaihua switches also appear on mechanical keyboards. These are made in China and the most popular linear models are Kailh Reds, which are very similar to Cherry MX Reds, and Speed Silvers, which, as you might have guessed, are Kailh’s answer to Cherry’s MX Silver. You can also find tactile Kailh Browns and blues, but there are a few more tactile ‘Speed’ variants, including Speed Bronze and Speed Copper. These are less common, but much « clicker » (i.e., loud) than their linear speed silver counterparts.
Outemu switches are also made in China and are largely the same as what you’ll find at Cherry MX camp. They’re typically found in budget gaming keyboards and come in very similar colors: red, blue, and brown, and black. The latter are linear like their red switches, but have a much stronger actuation force, which means that you have to press them down harder for a keystroke to register.
Razer, on the other hand, have a completely different color scheme than Cherry and Kailh. They only have one linear type (yellow) and two tactile types (green and orange). Yellow is closest to Cherry’s MX Silver switches, while greens are virtually identical to Cherry MX Blues. Orange is Razer’s answer to MX Brown switches.
The Logitech naming convention is much easier to understand. While they all go by the name of ‘Romer-G’, they are usually described as either Romer-G Linear or Romer-G Tactile. Simple.
Katharine Castle
Hardware editor
Katharine writes about all the pieces that go into your PC so you can play all the beautiful games we love to talk about. Really liked JRPGs and getting quests. She is also RPS ‘Resident Deals Herald.
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