Your keyboard is your primary connection to your PC: it's the part you touch the most. This means that getting a better keyboard can yield a more immediately-noticeable difference than just about any other upgrade — including upgrading your CPU (opens in new tab).
A gamer's keyboard is even more critical. Gamers need something with instant response time and tactile feedback, but they also need it to be comfortable and easy to type on for long gaming and chatting sessions. And an attractive design with per-key RGB that can be customized to accompany your rig doesn't hurt, either.
Whether you're ducking and diving and sniping your way through a first-person shooter, wearing out your W-key exploring a vast open world, or chatting furiously on Discord and Twitch, your keyboard is going to be your main sidekick. You don't want to make that choice lightly — here are the best gaming keyboards we've tested, that deliver an exemplary combination of low-latency responsiveness, gamer-friendly features, and attractive, customizable style.
Quick Shopping Tips
- Mechanical or bust? Most gamers probably aren't even considering a non-mechanical keyboard — for good reason. Only mechanical keyboard switches offer the tactile feedback, precision, and accuracy most gamers need, and membrane switches feel gummy and unresponsive by comparison. Recently we've been seeing more and more optical keyboards, which are technically mechanical, but use light instead of force to actuate. Optical switches still feel a little unsatisfying to type on but offer speedy actuation (often adjustable) that many gamers may appreciate.
- RGB or not? All RGB lighting is not equal. Per-key RGB lets you program each key's color individually, while zone lighting limits your customization to just a few areas o the board. You can save a little money by getting a keyboard with a single-color backlight, but you’ll miss out on a spectacular light show. If you opt for something with no backlight at all, make sure you'll be gaming in a well-lit area or are a touch typist.
- Full-size, tenkeyless, or smaller? Tenkeyless boards drop the numpad, 65 percent boards eliminate navigation keys, and 60 percent boards also cut the arrow keys. Some users, such as MMO players, want every possible key (and more), while others prefer a smaller keyboard to clear up desk space.
Clicky Tactile: Blue, Green, White Quiet Tactile: Brown, Clear Linear (quiet and go straight down): Red, Silver
Pick Your Switch
The best gaming keyboards use a number of different mechanical switch types that determine the feel and sound of each key press. There are even new ones coming out all the time, such as the Cherry Viola switch. The type of switch you choose depends on your personal preferences for typing and gaming.
Don't want to commit? Check out our article on how to change mechanical keyboard switches easily. Our feature on mechanical switch spec ranges also explains how to read switch specs.
Best Gaming Keyboards You Can Buy Today
The HyperX Alloy Origins' compact and quality build makes it the best gaming keyboard for mainstream gamers who just want to get down to gaming. It’s comfortable, with a premium look and feel from its keys to its frame and vibrant RGB lighting. If you're familiar with linear switches, which are quick but offer little feedback, you'll feel right at home with this keyboard's red switches. We've also tested the clickier version with HyperX aqua switches, which are available on Amazon (opens in new tab)and HyperX's store (opens in new tab).
For over $100, you can find gaming keyboards with more luxuries, such as media control buttons, a USB pass-through port (for easily plugging in another accessory, like your best gaming mouse (opens in new tab)), and more advanced software. But what the Alloy Origins does offer, it executes excellently.
Note that HyperX has two smaller, cheaper versions of this keyboard: The tenkeyless (no numpad) HyperX Alloy Origins Core (opens in new tab) and 60% HyperX Alloy Origins 60.
Read: HyperX Alloy Origins review (opens in new tab)
The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro is the ultimate, full-size, feature-packed customizable gaming keyboard to outfit your battlestation. It’s got everything you could need or want: 8 dedicated macro keys, a programmable multi-function “Razer Command Dial,” four dedicated media keys and a volume roller, and a plush, padded detachable wrist rest that lights up when you connect it to the keyboard.
The BlackWidow V4 Pro is a wired keyboard that comes with Razer Green (clicky) or Razer Yellow (linear) mechanical switches. It features an aluminum alloy top plate, doubleshot ABS keycaps, and has bright, per-key RGB as well as underglow with a total of 38 zones when the wrist rest is connected. It’s not our favorite gaming keyboard for typing on (that’s up next), but the typing experience is decent: the Razer Green switches are tactile, clicky, and loud, and the case has two layers of dampening foam.
The main downside to this keyboard is its size: it will take up a large portion of your desk, especially if you use it with the detachable wrist rest. At $230, it’s also pretty pricey — those extra buttons and dials are only worth it if you actually end up using them.
Read: Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Review
Patriot Memory is better known for its RAM (opens in new tab)and storage than its peripherals, but the Viper V765 provides a key feel that’s second to none — in an attractive, affordable package. It's been a while, but the Patriot Viper V765 is still a good budget option with plenty of functionality. It's one of the rare keyboards to come with Kailh Box White switches, which actuate faster than regular Blue or Green switches thanks to their slightly reduced travel (3.6mm versus 4mm). The keys are the most responsive we’ve tested and make one of the most pleasant click sounds you'll find anywhere.
If Kailh Box White switches aren't enough to convince you the Viper V765 is worth buying, it's got plenty more going for it. This full-sized keyboard has an aluminum surface with tapered edges that give it a futuristic look. The vibrant RGB keys offer dozens of different light combinations — and you don't even need to install the software to access most of the RGB effects. The keyboard also features media keys, which are more often seen on pricier boards, as well as IP56 water and dust resistance.
The Viper V765 currently sells for $90 (opens in new tab), cheaper than most competitors with similar features. We wish it had taller flip-out feet and a slightly better app, but the V765 is still our favorite budget-friendly gaming keyboard.
Read: Patriot Memory Viper V765 review (opens in new tab)
The Roccat Vulcan II Max is designed to dazzle you: This full-size wired keyboard not only features bright, per-key RGB lighting, which is on maximum display thanks to the keyboard’s flat, shallow keycaps; 24 of its switches also have dual-LEDs. The Vulcan II Max comes with a detachable silicone wrist rest that serves as a conduit for the keyboard’s lighting (it’s beautiful), and features dedicated media keys and a clickable volume knob.
This is an attractive, unique-looking keyboard even without lighting — it has a slim, lightweight chassis with an aluminum alloy top plate, and flat, chiclet-y keycaps that leave the switches entirely exposed. The keyboard has 24 pre-programmed multi-function “smart” dual-LED keys, which light up to indicate secondary keybinds and can also change colors to display real-time info, such as headset or mouse battery life. The keyboard features Roccat’s Aimo lighting experience, which is an “intelligent” lighting system that interacts with, and reacts to, the user (and adapts over time). It’s definitely a dazzling alternative to the typical spectrum cycling, and it’s even more dazzling when paired with the Vulcan II Max’s translucent wrist rest.
If you’re looking for a hypnotizing light show, look no further. The Vulcan II Max comes in both black and white colorways, with Roccat’s Titan II optical switches in red (linear) or brown (tactile). If you’re looking to save desk space, there’s also the 65 percent Vulcan II Mini.
Read: Roccat Vulcan II Max Review
If you want the same experience as your typical full-sized mechanical gaming keyboard but without wires, the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro is the best wireless gaming keyboard we've tested. While many wireless keyboards are built for traveling, the BlackWidow V3 Pro maintains all the size, bulk, and functionality of a full-sized mechanical keyboard — including a premium tactile volume dial, media keys, an aluminum top plate, and doubleshot ABS plastic keycaps.
Razer doesn't skimp on the BlackWidow V3 Pro: It's packed with up to four profiles of onboard memory and vibrant per-key RGB lighting. However, RGB doesn't stick to profiles — advanced RGB fanatics will have to rely on software for pairing RGB, including custom effects, to profiles.
The BlackWidow V3 Pro connects to your computer via 2.4 GHz dongle (which we had no issues with during testing) or Bluetooth (up to three computers simultaneously). With RGB at max settings and no dimming effects, our test unit averaged about 14 hours of battery life — but you'll get up to 25 hours with RGB using power saving settings. You'll want to plug in before the battery hits 3%, as power saving settings kick in at that point and the keyboard starts acting a little wonky.
If you’re looking for a more portable full-sized wireless gaming keyboard, the Logitech G915 Lightspeed is fantastic and reliable with low-profile switches that some will enjoy for gaming and others will enjoy for travel. But for a full-sized mechanical gaming keyboard experience, the BlackWidow V3 Pro is the premium choice.
For more cable-free recommendations, visit our Best Wireless Keyboards page.
Read: Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro review
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless gives you back some desk space as well as wireless freedom, thanks to built-in dual wireless (low-latency 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.0). The 2022 redesign of the Apex Pro TKL features a simple, elegant chassis with an aluminum alloy top plate, double-shot PBT keycaps, and SteelSeries newest OmniPoint 2.0 linear optical switches.
Optical switches technically have mechanical parts, but they’re not the same as mechanical switches — optical switches are actuated via light, while mechanical switches are actuated via physical force. Although this makes for a less-than-ideal typing experience, it’s good news for gamers: Optical switches are speedier (and less prone to failure) than their mechanical counterparts. The Apex Pro TKL Wireless’ OmniPoint 2.0 switches offer both adjustable actuation (37 levels) and dual-action actuation, which lets you assign two actions to one key (at different actuation levels).
The main downside of the Apex Pro TKL Wireless is its $250 asking price (the keyboard also comes in a wired version, for $180), which makes it one of the priciest gaming keyboards on this list. While the Apex Pro TKL Wireless comes with plenty of premium features and accessories — including a customizable OLED smart screen and a detachable magnetic wrist rest with a soft-touch finish — these might not be enough to justify its expense. If you’d like something a little less customizable (and you don’t mind being tethered), SteelSeries’ Apex 9 TKL has an almost-identical form factor with hot-swappable optical switches — and will only set you back $140.
Read: SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Review
Most gaming keyboards are designed for gaming, not typing. That doesn’t mean they’re bad for typing — they’re usually still pretty good (better than a non-mechanical keyboard, anyway), but they focus on gaming first and prioritize features like flashy RGB over tactile feel and sound. The Asus ROG Azoth, however, is one of the best keyboards for both gaming and typing that we’ve ever used — and we’re pretty impressed that it comes from a mainstream gaming company and not a boutique keyboard supplier.
The ROG Azoth is a gasket mount mechanical keyboard with a 75 percent form factor (that’s slightly smaller than a TKL). It’s wireless, with both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, and it features doubleshot PBT keycaps, a metal top plate, and three layers of sound dampening foam inside its plastic chassis (plastic so as not to interfere with the wireless signal). It comes with Asus NX switches in Red (linear), Brown (tactile), or Blue (clicky), and Asus packages it with a full accessory kit, which includes keycap and switch pullers, extra switches, and a DIY lube station so you can have ultimate control of the keyboard’s sound and feel.
It’s an excellent keyboard for typing, but it’s also great for gaming — thanks to its reliable, low-latency 2.4GHz wireless connection, snappy responsiveness, and incredible battery life (up to 2,000 hours over 2.4GHz, with both lighting and the OLED screen turned off). It also offers decent customization via a 2-inch OLED screen that can be programmed to display everything from a random GIF to current system info.
Read: Asus ROG Azoth Review
If you want the speed and slimness afforded by low-profile mechanical switches, the Logitech G915 Lightspeed is the best gaming keyboard you can buy. This is a premium gaming experience through and through. That means a row of G macro keys for leveraging during battle, dedicated media controls, including an epic volume wheel roller, and even multiple connectivity options. You can go tried-and-true wired, use Logitech’s reliable dongle connection, or store the dongle in the keyboard’s built-in compartment and use Bluetooth. This makes connecting to multiple devices a little easier too.
The G915 Lightspeed has earned a popular reputation but comes at a price. Despite its $250 MSRP, there’s no wrist rest, USB passthrough or premium keycaps resistant to smudging. As mentioned in our Logitech G915 TKL review, the smaller version of this keyboard is more affordable (opens in new tab) but foregoes even more luxuries, most noticeably G keys.
But in addition to being a top-notch gaming peripheral, the G915 Lightspeed (and G915 TKL) offers a surprisingly good typing experience for a low-profile keyboard. We’ve tested it with Logitech's tactile low-profile switches for days and haven’t felt much extra exhaustion or like we were typing through sand, like we’ve suffered through on other low-profile keyboards.
Read: Logitech G915 Lightspeed review
Ultra-compact keyboards aren’t for everyone, but if you have limited desk space or you’re looking for a gaming keyboard that’s travel-friendly, a 60 percent keyboard can be a godsend. You’ll have to give up a lot — number pad, navigation keys, function keys, and even arrow keys — but you’ll barely notice these sacrifices with the right keyboard.
SteelSeries’ Apex Pro Mini Wireless (also comes in a wired version) is the right keyboard.
The Apex Pro Mini Wireless is a sleek, sturdily-built 60 percent keyboard featuring SteelSeries OmniPoint 2.0 switches, which feature both adjustable actuation and dual actuation (much like the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog). Because it’s so small, the Apex Pro Mini Wireless has a slew of default secondary keybinds, which are printed on the sides of the keycaps and activated using SteelSeries SS function key. These secondary keybinds are so intuitive (and can also be remapped, if you want) that you won’t feel limited by the 60 percent layout. The keyboard is highly customizable: Almost every key can be remapped (first and secondary keybinds), have its actuation point adjusted, and have its RGB set – individually.
If anything, the Apex Pro Mini Wireless might have too much going for it — maybe you don’t need an ultra-compact keyboard with every single feature shoved into it (especially considering its premium price point). If you don’t need all of these features and you’d like to spend a little less, try the SteelSeries Apex 9 series, which comes has adjustable actuation, hot-swappable switches, and comes in both Mini and TKL layouts.
Read: SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini review
It’s hard to find an ergonomic gaming keyboard that’s split, and still has all the gaming features you need (or want). And it's even harder if you want mechanical switches (let alone quality ones). That's what makes the Cloud Nine C989 ErgoFS excellent.
Aside from nonstandard Windows key replacement, which you can reprogram, this keyboard sports a standard key layout — making it much easier to adjust to the C989 ErgoFS's wide, split design. The keyboard comes with your choice of clicky, linear, or tactile mechanical switches from Cherry, as well as dedicated macro keys, a handy control wheels, and programmable RGB. It's a split keyboard, but the C989 ErgoFS boasts the most sought-after features of the best gaming keyboards.
There are a few caveats: It's huge, so make sure you have enough room for this large peripheral before you invest. The keyboard only allows for one tenting angle — the default 7-degree slope — and doesn't have legs. Also, the backlighting is almost mandatory because the keys' legends are otherwise difficult to read.
But whether you’re new to split keyboards or just want one that’s quality enough to take into the battlefield, the C989 ErgoFS is a good fit.
More: Cloud Nine C989 ErgoFS review
Savings on the Best Gaming Keyboards
Whether you're shopping for one of the best gaming keyboards we listed above or a different model, you may find some discounts by checking out our list of Corsair coupon codes, Newegg promo codes or Razer coupon codes.
