Best Gaming Keyboards in January 2024: for Ultimate Performance

Choosing the best gaming keyboards can make all the difference in the world when it comes to having an excellent PC gaming experience. The peripheral you select can be crucial, whether you are playing first-person shooters or slogging through the fast-paced demands of a multiplayer online game.

Even though they are frequently more expensive than their office counterparts, gaming keyboards have features like RGB lighting that can be customised and programmable keys that can be adjusted to fit your particular playing style. Their use of mechanical keys rather than membrane keys distinguishes them, guaranteeing improved accuracy and responsiveness that are essential in the intense heat of online competition.

Our team, which consists solely of devoted PC gamers, has put a variety of the best gaming keyboards up for rigorous testing. We can steer you away from keyboards that might not be worth the investment and towards ones that really offer value for your hard-earned money thanks to our extensive knowledge of the gaming industry. We have everything you need, whether you’re looking to add a powerful deck to the year’s best gaming PC or need a more portable option for a smaller setup.

Importance of a Quality Gaming Keyboard

A good gaming keyboard is something that every serious gamer needs. It’s a very important part of making the gaming experience and performance better. Here are a few reasons why it’s important to have a good gaming keyboard:

???? Response and Accuracy: Gaming keyboards have features like mechanical switches or optical switches that make them respond faster and be more accurate than regular keyboards. This means that your actions in the game are registered quickly and accurately, giving you an advantage over the other players.

???? Durability: Gaming keyboards are made to last through long, hard use. They are made of high-quality materials and often have reinforced keys to handle the repeated pressing of keys that happens while gaming. This makes sure that your gaming keyboard will last longer and still work well after being used a lot.

???? Customization and programming: Many gaming keyboards have RGB lighting that can be changed and keys that can be programmed. You can change the way the keyboard looks and set up macros to do complicated tasks with a single key press. With this level of customization, you can make the keyboard fit your gaming style and personal tastes.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Gaming Keyboard

For a smooth and fun gaming experience, it’s important to get the right gaming keyboard. Here are some things to think about before you decide:

???? Types of Keyboards: There are three main types of keyboards: membrane, mechanical, and hybrid. Mechanical keyboards are popular with gamers because they feel good and last a long time. Membrane keyboards, on the other hand, are cheaper. Hybrid keyboards take parts from both types and combine them.

⚙️ Switch Type: Think about the switch type if you choose a mechanical keyboard. There are different types of switches, such as Cherry MX, Razer, and Logitech, and each has a different action force and feedback. Try out different switches to see which one works best for you.

⚡ Anti-Ghosting and N-Key Rollover: Make sure the keyboard has anti-ghosting and N-key rollover. These make it so that multiple keys can’t be pressed at the same time, which is very important in fast-paced games.

???? Backlighting: Many gaming keyboards have backlighting that can be changed. Think about whether you want a single-color backlight or an RGB backlight to match your gaming setup and create an atmosphere for gaming.

???? Macro Keys: Some gaming keyboards have special keys called “macro keys” that let you program complicated key combinations. These can help you quickly run commands in the game.

Best Gaming Keyboards Comparison Table

The table below shows a comparison of the best gaming keyboards, including key features like mechanical switches, RGB lighting, customizable macros, anti-ghosting, and wireless connectivity. It looks at how well they work, how well they are made, and how comfortable they are to use. This helps gamers choose the best option to improve their gaming experience.

Razer Huntsman V2 Analog

The Razer Huntsman V2 analog keyboard is top-notch in terms of features, design, and price, although dedicated macro keys would have been nice. The pressure-sensitive keys offer a high level of control in supported PC games and are highly programmable, from their sensitivity to their reset point and functionality. For those who can handle Razer’s new analog optical switches, this is as good as it gets.

Razer’s Synapse software lets you set each key on the keyboard to function like the left and right analog joysticks on an Xbox controller. It’s easy to set W, A, S, and D as the left up, left down, and right joysticks, for example. Then, when you lightly press W in a racing game, your car moves forward a bit while you press the button to reach top speed. Overall, this is one of the Best Gaming Keyboards that you can buy right now.

HyperX Alloy Elite 2

The Alloy Elite 2 is a successor to the Alloy Elite RGB, which means they’re cut from the same cloth – or in this case, steel. The new keyboard is functionally the same as its predecessor, with the exception of two or three major changes, the most important being the switch to HyperX Red switches. Still, it is one of the Best Gaming Keyboards that you can consider.

On the whole, this is a good thing. The Alloy Elite 2 is compact for a full-sized keyboard at 1.7 x 17.4 x 6.7 inches. The low profile and steel top deck give the case a sleek, elegant look. The hardware design makes room for the RGB lighting to take center stage: The Alloy Elite 2 now comes with translucent ABS keycaps that are not only more durable, but also allow more colored light to shine through from the switch LEDs. “Pudding” doesn’t describe the feel of the keys, but the composition of the keycaps.

Roccat Pyro

The Roccat Pyro offers incredible value for money. Thanks to the decent linear switches, sturdy build, and sharp lighting, this is one of the best gaming keyboards we have tested in a long time. For experienced gamers willing to spend more money, the higher-end products from Razer and Steelseries might be a tad better.

Unlike some of the other higher-priced keyboards, the Pyro has its own grooved plastic wrist rest that adds comfort and makes this particular Roccat keyboard feel more like a premium product than some of its competitors. However, it might get a bit jagged on the wrists with extended use. Easily one of the Best Gaming Keyboards available on the market.

SteelSeries Apex 5

SteelSeries keyboards has included a wrist rest, which is a surprising extra at this price. It feels decent, if not luxurious, thanks to a soft-touch coating and is easy to attach and remove thanks to magnets. Rubber feet on both the keyboard and palm rest keep the whole thing from slipping.

The Apex 5 is a full-length keyboard with a numeric keypad, but it doesn’t stretch out to take up an excessive amount of space on my desk. It has a few extras with a volume control, a play/pause button, and a small OLED display. The wheel feels good, turns smoothly, and can be clicked to mute the sound.

The OLED display is a simple black and white display that is limited for gaming, but that doesn’t mean it’s useless. It can display simple GIFs for some flair, or show which profile is selected. we set it to display who was talking in Discord, which we think was the most practical thing it could do. Thus, this product is one of the Best Gaming Keyboards available right now.

Corsair K70 RGB TKL

The Corsair K70 RGB TKL is a fantastic gaming keyboard. The Cherry MX Speed switches on our unit are very easy to operate and have minimal travel. Latency is also very low for a responsive gaming experience. All buttons are macro programmable, it has full RGB lighting and is very well made. Unfortunately, it does not come with a wrist rest for long gaming sessions.

The Corsair K70 RGB TKL is well suited for office use. It is very well made, and the Doublehot PBT keycaps feel great. Typing quality is excellent, but the linear Cherry MX Speed switches lack tactile feedback and can cause more typos than usual. Unfortunately, it does not come with a palm rest, which may be disappointing for some. Currently, this is one of the Best Gaming Keyboards that you can buy right now.

Corsair K70 Mk.2

At first glance, the MK2 looks just like the MK1, the only noticeable difference being the glowing Corsair logo in the top center. The previous version only had a plastic logo, which Corsair has now added lighting to. The dark, brushed aluminum case of the K70 RGB MK.2 is unchanged and looks and feels fantastic. If we had to equate the case to any other keyboard, Corsair’s keyboard flagship K95 Platinum would immediately come to mind.

The keycaps have a floating design that is consistent with the direction Corsair seems to have taken with almost all of its mechanical keyboards. This greatly benefits the RGB light show that dances under the keys and makes cleaning very easy. But just like the Strafe MK.2, these ABS plastic keycaps seem to leave fingerprints very easily. So, if you want one of the Best Gaming Keyboards, we highly recommend this product.

Razer BlackWidow Lite

BlackWidow Lite is a tenkeyless design that is somewhat reminiscent of the previous generation BlackWidow Tournament Edition. It’s incredibly compact, and despite being so light, it’s solid and feels well-made. The keyboard uses Razer’s orange switches, which can be easily identified by the exposed bases. The orange switches are much quieter than Razer’s traditional green switches, which eliminates the loud clacking and makes the BlackWidow Lite a bit more comfortable to type on in an office environment.

The difference between orange and green switches isn’t just in sound, though. Orange switches require less actuation force and less overall travel to reach the floor. The orange switches have the same overall travel as the green switches on the regular BlackWidow, but they feel lighter and faster, especially when typing. Overall, it is one of the Best Gaming Keyboards that you can buy.

HyperX Alloy Origins 60

The market for 60% keyboards is booming thanks to the compact size of the peripherals, which take up very little desk space. They’re also lightweight, offering maximum portability for gamers on the go, and it’s hard to ignore the way they show off RGB lighting effects under the keycaps. HyperX’s Alloy Origins 60 excels at all of these things, and if its claimed 16.8 million colors don’t grab your attention, its unique space bar certainly will.

The Alloy Origins 60 also comes with a replaceable ESC keycap with a chic HyperX logo. Combined with the uniquely designed spacebar and dazzling RGB lighting per key, this is one eye-catching keyboard. The keys are housed in a solid aircraft-grade aluminum frame with sturdy retractable feet that allow for three different keyboard tilt angles. The ability to adjust the angle of the keyboard to fit different surfaces is a fantastic design benefit. Easily one of the Best Gaming Keyboards available on the market.

Logitech G915 TKL

The Contrastic RGB animation sets the top row, navigation keys, and soft buttons to a different color than the rest, showing that the G915 TKL can look more aggressive even with its lighting. But like the full-size G915 Lightspeed, you can notice a slight drop in light between the button spacing, which prevents the look from being 100% clean.

The Logitech GL switches are indeed quite low, but in the case of my tester, the tactile pressure point is pleasant to type on. The Logitech keyboard didn’t feel spongy, and since the keys are close together, it was easy to feel comfortable. It will take some time to get used to the lack of space south of the space bar, which is almost at the edge of the keyboard. The switches on the keys are silent, while the keycaps make a soft, plastic-like clack when pressed.

Razer BlackWidow V3

The SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a feature-rich keyboard with proprietary hybrid mechanical switches. These switches have a short travel and low actuation force. They provide satisfying tactile and acoustic feedback, similar to Cherry MX Blues.

Despite the responsive switches, however, the latency is quite high for a wired keyboard and could be a deal-breaker for serious gamers looking for the lowest possible input lag. Like other keyboards in the same line, it has an OLED screen that you can customize to display almost anything you want, and its software is intuitive and user-friendly. Every key is macro programmable, and there’s full RGB backlighting for those who like to play in the dark. Currently, this is one of the Best Gaming Keyboards that you can buy right now.

Asus ROG Strix Flare II

The Strix Flare II Animate, named after its animated LED display in the upper right corner, is a sleek keyboard that’s meant to be the tasteful, bright centerpiece of a PC gaming setup. For that reason, it’s equipped with all the bells and whistles: Hot-swap ports, bright RGB LEDs in both the keyboard and palm rest, custom multimedia controls, internal noise dampening, and a premium feel that’s hard to find in pre-made mechanical keyboards these days.

These switches sound pretty good, too. They have a solid, crisp clack that sounds premium, and any ping or rattle is eliminated (for the most part) by the dampening foam installed in the case. Their sound profile reminds me of an old office keyboard in the best sense – soft, crisp and precise.

Patriot Viper V765

The white switches give the Viper V765 a slightly shorter travel than the Cherry MX Blue and Razer Green Clicky switches. While these two switches have a travel of 4mm and trigger (register pressure) at 2mm, the White Boxes trigger at 1.8mm and have a total travel of 3.6mm.

With its gunmetal gray aluminum finish, tapered angular corners, and RGB light panels adorning the left and right sides, the Viper V765 looks a bit like a glam rock spaceship. However, the gray is such a dark shade that it doesn’t look quite as interesting unless it’s in a bright area.

Hexgears Impulse

In a word, this keyboard is solid. You may not have the full metal case, detachable USB cable, or modular switches of premium designs, but the excellent build quality surpasses most of the better-known keyboard manufacturers in this price range. BOX switches provide a smooth, even key travel, and the two-tone pudding keycaps provide dramatic illumination even at low intensity.

While not explicitly a “gamer” board – the lack of linear options will certainly put some off – the independently controlled light show for the keys and LED ring will certainly excite users who like to turn their desks into miniature raves. The key shafts and standard layout are compatible with all ANSI-formatted keycap sets, making the Impulse a good board if you want to customize it after purchase.

SteelSeries Apex Pro

With a width of 436.7 mm, a length of 139.2 mm and a height of 40.3 mm, it is relatively compact for a full-size board, which also has a positive effect on the lighting and generally gives the impression that it is a simple device, even though it has so many luxurious features.

While looks are important, the most important feature of a mechanical keyboard is its feel. The easiest way to describe how it feels to type or play with the Apex Pro is…. unique. The keys have a light touch, which makes sense since the switches are based on SteelSeries’ linear red switches.

Logitech G915 Lightspeed

The Logitech G915 is an exceptional keyboard for gaming. The low-profile switches are incredibly responsive and provide nice tactile feedback, and the keyboard has extremely low latency. Dedicated media controls let you customize your audio without minimizing gaming, and the dedicated macro keys are a great addition. And if you like to game in a dark room, the full RGB backlighting is a plus.

The keyboard is comfortable to use without a palm rest and is available in three switch options: GL Tactile, GL Clicky, and GL Linear. We bought our keyboard with the tactile switches, which are easy to press and offer good typing quality. Logitech keyboard’s also offers a G915 TKL version of this model, which we did not test, but we expect it to perform similarly.

How to Maintain and Clean Your Gaming Keyboard?

Maintaining and cleaning your gaming keyboard is important to make sure it lasts long, works well, and stays clean. When used a lot, dirt, dust, and oil can build up on gaming keyboards, especially mechanical ones. Here are some things you can do to make sure your gaming keyboard stays in good shape:

???? Regular Dusting: It’s essential to keep your keyboard clean to prevent dirt and debris from causing issues. Regularly dust your keyboard to ensure nothing gets stuck between the keys. You can gently remove the dust with compressed air or a soft brush.

???? Unplug and Turn Off: Before you start cleaning, always remember to unplug your keyboard from the computer and turn it off. This prevents electrical damage and accidental inputs during cleaning.

???? Keycap Removal: On many gaming keyboards, removing keycaps is straightforward. Carefully lift them off using a keycap puller or a flat tool. Once removed, you can clean each keycap individually and access the space beneath.

???? To clean the keycaps, soak them in warm soapy water for a few minutes. Use a soft brush or sponge to gently scrub them. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, as they could damage the keycap surface.

???? Cleaning the Keyboard Surface: To clean the keyboard surface, use a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with water or isopropyl alcohol. Be cautious and avoid using excessive moisture, especially near the edges of the keys.

FAQs