The best gaming keyboards: full-size, TKL, and 60% mechanical options

Buying the right gaming keyboard for your PC or console gives you an edge over the competition and makes your games more enjoyable. But how do you know you’re getting the best? With specs like high polling rates and variable actuation points, and a range of prices, it’s that easy to break through gaming keyboard territory. not.

Whether you’re a seasoned PC gaming veteran or a first-time gaming keyboard buyer, we’ve rounded up the best mechanical gaming keyboards available today. Each keyboard comes with a wealth of keycap customization options. If you want to tinker with technology, some of our keyboard picks are compatible with aftermarket parts, making swapping out the switches relatively easy even for budding modders.

best gaming keyboard

of Wooting 60 HE and 2HE The is a great gaming keyboard that offers great build quality combined with some unique features you won’t find in other models in this price range. Both models have some similarities, but size isn’t one of the similarities. The 60 HE is a 60% smaller keyboard with the arrow keys, numeric keypad and function keys removed, while the 2 HE is a full size model.

Both keyboards feature a layer of sound-deadening foam to reduce the “ping” you hear while typing, a sound you hardly get from a keyboard at this price point. We also like that Wooting uses his PBT keycaps, which are durable. Because they tend to look better after extended use than cheaper ABS keycaps. Some may scoff at the lack of dedicated media controls for adjusting volume or skipping music tracks, but RGB lighting, a detachable USB-C cable connection, and a bunch of interesting features He makes up for it with one of his magnets.

The Wooting keyboard uses magnets to activate hall effect sensors with the company’s Lekker switches. Compared to standard mechanical switches, which can only exist in two states (on or off), each Lekker switch is fully analog, so different inputs can be assigned based on how far the key is pressed.This is browser based woolen software.

For example, you can register one action that triggers on a light key press, and execute another command on a slightly harder press. Additionally, Wrecker’s switch resets the moment the switch is released, allowing him to quickly change direction while strafing. These features make the 60 HE more responsive to your typing than most other keyboards.

Unlike the other options on this list, purchasing the Wooting keyboard may take some time. Orders are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. At the time of this writing, the 2 HE and 60 HE are available on backorder, with the 60 HE expected to be in stock by his late June, and the 2 HE a bit later, he’s expected to be in stock in early July. is.

Image: SteelSeries

If you like the concept of keys with customizable actuation points, but want something a little less expensive, we have another recommendation.that is SteelSeries Apex Pro Minitypically available for around $140.

Like the Wooting model, the Apex Pro Mini features durable and abrasion-resistant PBT keycaps, and while this keyboard doesn’t have sound deadening foam, it’s not unduly noisy when pressing keys. SteelSeries’ exclusive Omnipoint switches offer multiple actuation points per key that can be mapped to different inputs using SteelSeries Engine software. One minor gripe is that it doesn’t have a quick reset feature like the Lekker switches do, but I don’t think it matters.

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that the Apex Pro Mini is also available as a wireless model. This keyboard was originally priced at $240, but now it’s not uncommon for him to find the Apex Pro Mini Wireless selling for close to $180. The wireless version retains all the same features as the wired version, but can be paired with devices via Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz connection. It comes with a detachable USB-C cable that you use for charging, and he offers a third connection method if you don’t need wireless at the moment.

Image: Asus

We wanted to install a keyboard without compromise here. ASUS ROG Azoth. A thick but compact 75% keyboard, the right side contains arrow keys and a function row, as well as some page navigation keys. It’s expensive compared to other similarly sized models (currently $226 on Amazon), but we think it’s worth the price because it feels like you’re typing on a professionally modified keyboard. .

ROG Azoth works by connecting via USB-C, wirelessly via Bluetooth, or paired with the included 2.4 GHz wireless dongle. One of the keyboard’s most notable external features is the small OLED screen built into the top right corner. By default, the screen is programmed to display animated GIFs, but it can also display system metrics or custom images. This is mostly cosmetic, but sometimes useful, like showing a low battery warning.

Next to the OLED screen is a small switch that is set to control media playback by default. Sure, it’s not as cool as the giant dials you’ll find on other keyboards, but I like that it has a satisfying click when nudged up and down and provides great tactile feedback.

Like the best keyboards on our list, the ROG Azoth is equipped with sound deadening foam. With lubricated switches, each key feels and sounds great. This keyboard is available in configurations with linear, tactile, or clicky switches. Uniquely, it comes with a hot-swap PCB that allows you to take it apart and install your own switches. Azoth ships with a tool to take it apart and lubricate the switch, which is the kind of small but nice touch that helps this product fetch its high price.

$250 (or a slightly discounted price) can prove to be a lot to spend on a keyboard, especially when full-size keyboards are available for less. But if you’re looking for a premium typing experience and deep customization, look no further than ROG Azoth.

best cheap gaming keyboard

Image: keyclone

of Keychron V1 QMK is the best affordable gaming keyboard that offers a lot of features for under $100.Sure, you can go to Amazon and find gaming keyboards under $50 If money is tight. But nothing I’ve used so far can match the design, features and customizability of the Keychron V1.

Prices for the V1 start at $84, but come in a variety of configurations that offer a variety of switches, case options, and optional multi-function dials. Importantly, none crossed the $100 threshold. If Amazon doesn’t have the specific configuration you’re looking for, Keycron Stores probably will. Keychron generally develops keyboards with the assumption that they will be modified at some point. To that end, cables, switches, keycaps, and even the case itself can be replaced with aftermarket parts to create something truly bespoke.

At this price, I like that the V1 QMK’s case includes sound deadening foam and has a screw-on stabilizer that is more stable than a clip-on stabilizer (obviously with a stabilizer can be easily installed). Tune your hardware now).

The V1 features customizable RGB lighting and knobs that can be used to control media playback. These functions and all keys can be remapped to other functions using Keychron’s web base. VIA software.

The V1 QMK doesn’t market itself directly to gamers like other brands, but don’t confuse its bland aesthetic with the basics. This unit matches many of the features found in more expensive models. If you’re looking for a reliable keyboard without breaking the bank, the V1 is a smart choice, especially if you’re looking to modify a mechanical keyboard or build your own.

best full size gaming keyboard

Image: Razer

of Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro is a full-size gaming keyboard with a powerful feature suite and understated appeal. If I had to list everything included, I would just be out of breath. It features a multi-function dial combined with a dedicated media play button, volume wheel, five dedicated macro keys, and three additional buttons on the side of the keyboard.

Unlike most other brands of keyboards, Razer only comes with the company’s own switches. At that time, you can choose either a linear switch or a clicky switch. You can customize each keycap to your liking, but you can’t modify the underlying switches.

That said, I’m happy to stick with Razer’s in-house switches. Because the switch incorporates sound-attenuating foam and lubricated stabilizers for a great out-of-the-box experience. And the aluminum housing and magnetic wrist rest give the V4 Pro a premium look and feel that Razer’s cheaper keyboards don’t have (not surprising given its $230 price tag).

V4 Pro boasts a unique spec of 8K polling rate. Most keyboards send and receive data based on keypresses no more than once every millisecond (1K polling rate), but this keyboard sends and receives data at eight times that rate, or eight times per millisecond. To do. In other words, 8,000 times per second. Sounds impressive? It’s a feature primarily made for esports pros and could benefit from getting a millisecond advantage, but in real-world usage most people may not notice it there is. So don’t buy this keyboard just for that feature.

BlackWidow V4 Pro includes a wealth of extra knobs and buttons, plus per-key RGB lighting that extends around the wrist rest when attached to the keyboard, all driven by the Razer Synapse software suite. The app also lets you assign custom functions to macro keys and use the multi-function dial to switch apps, scroll, zoom and more without taking your hands off the keyboard.

At $230, it’s pretty steep compared to other contenders on this list, but the BlackWidow V4 Pro may have more than enough features for the price for certain people.

best tkl gaming keyboard

Image: Corsair

Some of the brands we mentioned are already tenkeyless (TKLMore short) is a version of the popular keyboard that features a layout similar to the full-size keyboard, but with the numeric keypad truncated. My current favorite is Corsair K70 RGB TKL, offering the best balance of features and quality components for the price. The K70 RGB TKL retails for $150, but select configurations are available for around $115.

The K70 RGB TKL has a clean, minimalist look, with a sleek brushed aluminum top plate, durable PBT keycaps, and a detachable USB-C connection, all great features. Additionally, several different switch options are available. In addition to Cherry MX linear, tactile and clicky switch options, opt for silent linear switches for quieter performance, or opt for Corsair’s own optical switches if you’re not loyal to Cherry You can also

Despite being a compact TKL keyboard, this model cleverly reserves space for the always-handy volume rocker and dedicated media play button. The K70 also features an 8K polling rate, similar to the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro. On a technical level, this is great because information about keystrokes can be sent to the PC 8 times per millisecond. For most people, though, it probably won’t make much of a difference in gameplay. The final feature I can appreciate is the raised keycaps, which are much easier to clean of accumulated dirt.

K70 RGB TKL’s per-key RGB lighting can be customized through Corsair’s iCue software suite, which allows you to adjust lighting themes across multiple compatible devices, similar to Razer Synapse. If you want to take full advantage of your smart home, iCue can be integrated with Philips Hue or Nanoleaf smart lighting.