When information technology comes to keyboards, the PC gaming crowd looks beyond a comfortable typing experience. The subtlety and elegance of productivity or enthusiast-level options are usually written off in favor of bolder, flashier designs that are complemented by features like super-fast laser or mechanical switches, macro keys, and securely customizable RGB lighting to match the aura with the rest of your gaming rig.

In that location are other factors to consider, such as a premium build quality, media keys, a wrist rest, or the convenience of a USB passthrough. In this commodity you'll detect our meridian picks from the wealth of gaming keyboards currently available for users with unlike budgets, connectivity and layout preferences.

  • Best Loftier-Finish Wired
  • Best Loftier-End Wireless
  • Best Budget Wired Keyboard
  • Best Budget Wireless Keyboard
  • And More...

    Honorable Mentions

All-time Loftier-Terminate Wired Keyboard

Corsair K100 RGB Optical-Mechanical or SteelSeries Apex Pro

Pretty much every keyboard on this list will be able to handle a bit of casual gaming. Notwithstanding, Corsair'south flagship K100 RGB throws in everything just the kitchen sink and that's why it's our peak pick when it comes to choosing the best gaming keyboards. Cheque out TechSpot'due south dedicated ownership guide for gaming keyboards here.

You lot'll need deep pockets to afford the K100 RGB, but Corsair'due south continual refinements to its flagship gaming keyboard have notwithstanding once more earned information technology the top spot in our high-terminate wired category. While its predecessor, the K95 RGB, remains a solid option in its own right, Corsair's latest features laser activated, opto-mechanical keys for superfast actuation that eliminates debounce delay and offers added durability over traditional, mechanical switches.

Corsair besides offers a slightly more affordable K100 with Cherry MX speed switches for gamers unwilling to move to the newer optical tech. Both versions arrive with an updated blueprint that adds even more RGB beyond the front and sides, and a new in-your-face iCue-powered media control wheel.

The Corsair K100's aluminum frame, PBT keycaps, six macro keys, removable wrist rest, USB 2.0 passthrough port and the dizzying 44-zone LightEdge RGB lighting brand information technology the ultimate choice for gamers that won't spill their drinks, but are looking to splurge on a premium, wired keyboard.

Alternative: SteelSeries Apex Pro

You probably don't need an OLED screen on your side by side keyboard, but SteelSeries has included one anyway in the gorgeous looking Apex Pro. The slender, aluminum alloy frame and wrist remainder jars wonderfully with the chunky, RGB-lit keys that sit atop SteelSeries' OmniPoint mechanical switches.

These offer adjustable actuation, allowing players to register keystrokes within travel distances of 0.iv-3.6mm. That'south a differentiating cistron at this toll point ($199), considering that the Steelseries offers notwithstanding features as Corsair's flagship, minus the optical switches and a set of dedicated macro keys.

Also, the sleek magnetic wrist residual on the Apex Pro won't experience as comfortable as the thicker, plusher pad on Corsair's K100 during extended gaming sessions. However, SteelSeries does take another reward over its rival, and that'southward the option of going TenKeyLess (TKL). The Apex Pro is available in a smaller, more affordable version that does away with the numeric keypad for users brusk on desk-bound infinite or those with a preference for this detail layout.

Best High-Terminate Wireless

Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro or Logitech G915 Lightspeed

If you're later on a high-end wireless gaming keyboard then Razer'southward BlackWidow V3 Pro should be at the top of your list. This $230 full-sized wireless keyboard and the recently released $173 Mini HyperSpeed (65% size) are disarming options in terms of features, though look to pay the usual Razer premium.

It should be noted that the BlackWidow V3 Pro -- like well-nigh wireless gaming keyboards -- has yet to gain feature parity with wired counterparts, so gamers looking to cutting the cord demand to consider that convenience as the deciding factor backside their purchase and should expect a few compromises in other areas.

Both BlackWidow V3 models are offered with Razer'south tactile and clicky Green, or linear and silent Yellow mechanical switches. They also feature doubleshot ABS keycaps for a shine typing experience, albeit one that will quickly smoothen on its way to the rated 80 million keystrokes.

While lag/latency on this keyboard volition just be noticeable to the most competitive of esports players, it's the BlackWidow's battery life that even casual gamers will find disappointing. Razer claims up to 192 hours of employ with the backlighting off. Since we know that won't happen on a gaming desk-bound, the bodily battery life comes in around 25 hours with the standard cycling rainbow lighting effect set at 50 percent effulgence. Await a single charge (via USB-C) to last thirteen hours if you're planning to use the keyboard with full RGB brightness.

The BlackWidow V3 too lacks USB passthrough and defended macro keys, though reprogramming existing ones tin be washed with Razer Synapse. Thankfully, it makes upwards for those shortcomings with dedicated media controls, a textured volume dial, plush wrist rest, Razer Hyperspeed connectivity with the provided 2.4 GHz dongle and multi-device support via Bluetooth. For those averse to the triple-headed snake, Logitech's G915 Lightspeed offers a different mix of compromises at an identical price betoken and the same 2-year warranty.

Alternative: Logitech G915 Lightspeed

For a gaming keyboard, the Logitech G915 bears a fairly understated, elegant design that would equally be at abode on an office desk or a LAN political party with its subdued RGB lighting. The main highlight of this wireless keyboard is Logitech'south low-profile mechanical switch available in either clicky, linear or tactile season. It's an unusual characteristic in this infinite, merely a much lower actuation distance of 1.5mm makes these switches more responsive than traditional mechanical keys, even if they accept some getting used to.

Logitech has a formidable rail record with PC peripherals, and the G915 Lightspeed with its neat primal layout builds on that feel. Unlike the BlackWidow V3 Pro, this keyboard comes with five dedicated macro keys, a separate row of buttons on the height aslope an edgeless volume wheel and can last for up to a longer 30 hours on a unmarried charge at full effulgence. Plow it down a scrap and y'all probably won't demand its micro-USB charging cable for at least a calendar week.

Disappointingly, the G915 lacks a wrist balance, which makes its $220 price tag slightly harder to digest. Some may as well find the keyboard's design a bit restrained, especially if they're after the typical ostentatious expect for their gaming setup, while others may not accept the learning curve of Logitech's low-profile GL switches. Gamers who do, volition find the G915 Lightspeed a solid wireless keyboard and a worthy alternative to the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro.

All-time Budget Wired Keyboard

Redragon K552 RGB Kumara

The Redragon K552 RGB will non only save gamers some desk infinite with its TKL-merely layout, but besides a lot of money. Information technology offers the biggest blindside for your gaming cadet, considering you become real mechanical switches, clicky RGB-lit keys with total anti-ghosting, metal-abs construction and a spill-resistant blueprint for just $40.

The K552 RGB uses Outemu Blue switches, which are essentially budget friendly clones of the Crimson MX Dejection and offer a clicky, loud typing experience. Like high-finish models from Corsair and Razer, it uses a metallic plate for mounting these switches and covers them under high quality, curved keycaps for a sturdy feel.

The K552'due south Redragon Zone companion app is pretty barebones in terms of customization and the keyboard'south TKL layout rules out defended macro or media playback keys. In that location's also no wrist residue, only that's an adequate omission for the price. The K552 RGB covers the basics fairly and its simple, no-frills arroyo, alongside a 1-year warranty makes it the best budget gaming keyboard currently available.

Alternative: HyperX Alloy Cadre RGB

The Blend Core RGB from HyperX is another well-rounded budget gaming keyboard that balances its use of silent, membrane keys with a total-sized layout, splash-resistant design and stylish RGB implementation. It also includes dedicated buttons for media playback, adjusting brightness, cycling through lighting effects, and enabling Game Mode (Windows Key Lock).

The Alloy Core RGB offers everything through hardware and isn't compatible with HyperX'due south Ngenuity companion app, making for an even simpler user experience than the Redragon K552. Unlike its cheaper rival, the HyperX can also be had with a wrist residual, provided you lot pay an extra $20.

HyperX'south membrane-based Alloy Core RGB is meant for upkeep gamers looking to avoid noisy, clicky feedback of mechanical keyboards. A sturdy structure, full-sized layout with dedicated keys and an impressive 2-yr warranty makes it one the all-time budget gaming keyboards around.

Best Budget Wireless Keyboard

Corsair K63 Wireless

High-end wireless keyboards demand a premium over wired options and the same stands true for the budget tier. To that finish, Corsair's K63 Wireless offers the best mix of features and compromises for budget gamers looking to cut the cord.

The K63 Wireless TKL (~$100) uses the relatively quiet Ruddy MX Cerise keys, which offer a linear typing experience with 4mm of travel void of clicky, tactile feedback. They also but light up in color blue, although Corsair's per-cardinal implementation and sturdy plastic makes for compatible light distribution and minimum bleed.

Despite the smaller layout, the K63 features dedicated media keys, while the iCue app allows a few customization options like setting upwardly macros and lighting effects. Although Corsair's software volition only play nicely with the K63's included 2.iv GHz dongle, the keyboard does support multi-device connectivity via Bluetooth and is too compatible with Corsair'south Lapboard accompaniment for home theatre/HTPC users.

The K63 Wireless charges via micro-USB and lasts for up to 75 hours on a single charge with the backlight disabled. Gear up it to 75 percent brightness and that effigy drops to effectually 25 hours. Other niceties include a detachable wrist residue -- that uses clips instead of magnets -- broad system compatibility and Corsair's typical assuming design.

Culling: Logitech G613 Wireless

There'due south a lot to like about the Logitech G613 Wireless. A low cost combined (usually $75) with short-travel Romer G mechanical switches, multi-device connectivity, total-sized layout, and dedicated macro keys. However, the lack of RGB, or any backlighting for that matter, will disappoint some. Logitech made the compromise so that the G613'south ii x AA batteries would final longer (upwardly to 18 months).

Although the keyboard'due south beefy design and dimensions are uninspiring and infinite consuming, they exercise bring an integrated plastic wrist rest to help with strain. Like the Corsair K63 TKL, the G613 also has wide system compatibility and can communicate via its USB receiver or Bluetooth.

Despite lacking RGB lighting, gamers can use Logitech'southward G Hub companion app for setting upwards macros and game profiles, making the G613 a competitive wireless upkeep gaming keyboard.

Honorable Mentions

Full-sized, high-end: Roccat Vulcan 121 AIMO

A competitively priced, high-end wired gaming keyboard that stands out from the oversupply with a stylish, low-contour design featuring Roccat'south Titan mechanical switches for a satisfying typing/playing feel and dazzling AIMO RGB lighting.

The Vulcan 121 is a full-sized keyboard, though a bit defective in terms of extra keys. At that place aren't dedicated macro keys -- existing ones can be programmed -- and the buttons for media controls only cover book settings, with hotkeys assigned for playback. It likewise lacks a USB passthrough and the included wrist residue isn't the almost comfortable effectually. Bated from these issues, the Vulcan 121 AIMO excels as a well-built gaming keyboard that should await the part with the rest of your gaming rig.

Pocket-sized and Premium: Razer Huntsman Mini

The Razer Huntsman Mini targets the niche of wealthy gamers looking for a space-saving sixty% keyboard that looks and feels premium. It uses Razer optical switches for an instant response with a choice of either clicky or linear keys.

Like other Razer models, gamers volition need to use the cloud-based Synapse app for customization to get the nigh out of this keyboard. Information technology tin be a bit annoying, similar the fact that Razer charges $20 on top of an already expensive cost tag for the privilege of owning a plush wrist rest. Thankfully, there'southward no extra cost for choosing the Mercury White variant, which should make your matching rig look all the more libation.

Value for Money: Corsair K55 RGB Pro

The K55 RGB Pro is a tempting full-sized wired keyboard for gamers on a budget who can practise without mechanical switches, or RGB backlighting found in the $x pricier XT variant.

Complementing Corsair'south design language is a solid listing of features such as dedicated macro and media playback keys, anti-ghosting with selective key rollover, spill and dust resistance, and a detachable wrist residual.

The iCue companion app tin can be used for customization (macros, lighting and adjusting polling rate), all the same, it likewise has onboard memory for assigning macros and direct accessible pre-set RGB lighting effects.

The K55 RGB Pro'south build quality and typing feel will remind gamers of its humble, affordable origins, merely the quietness of its membrane keys and added useful features make it one of best budget gaming keyboards.