When building or upgrading a gaming PC, one of the most looked over components is a high-quality keyboard. Unfortunately, many gamers believe that all keyboards are equal, which couldn’t be further from the truth. The best gaming keyboards offer a multitude of improvements over standard keyboards, such as built-in media keys, a backlight and proprietary technology to give you an edge when you game, especially in online multiplayer matches. If you take a look at the equipment used in any professional eSports tournament, you’ll notice that every gamer there uses some variation of a gaming keyboard, which is a testament to how well these keyboards perform. Before you take the plunge and purchase a gaming keyboard, you need to know what separates the best gaming keyboards from the worst.
What Makes a Good Gaming Keyboard?
Unlike other hardware components, such as a graphics card or a CPU, there aren’t a lot of factors involved in what makes an excellent gaming keyboard. However, this doesn’t mean you should just run off and purchase the first gaming keyboard that strikes your fancy, as you could pay for features you never intend to use!
The first thing to think about how you plan to use your gaming keyboard and under what conditions. For example, if you’re going to use it primarily during the day, a powerful backlight is likely not that important. Likewise, if you don’t plan on playing a lot of MOBA or MMORPGs, you may not have a use for programmable keys. By figuring out the primary use of your gaming keyboard, you can zero in on the features that are important to you and pick the perfect gaming keyboard for your needs.
There are five primary categories you need to look at when purchasing a gaming keyboard:
The number of extra keys on the keyboard
Whether you want a wired or a wireless keyboard
The design of the keyboard
The keyboard’s anti-ghosting capability
Choosing a mechanical vs. a non-mechanical keyboard
In the following sections, we’ll cover each of these categories more in-depth, plus discuss a few other things you need to keep in mind when purchasing a gaming keyboard.
Extra Keys
One of the first things consumers notice about a gaming keyboard is that it packs a lot of additional buttons onto its frame. In addition to your standard keys, a gaming keyboard typically has extra multimedia buttons, programmable keys and perhaps even a volume knob.
Multimedia keys are standard on every gaming keyboard, and it’s rare to find a keyboard that does not include any of these keys. The difference between budget and high-end gaming keyboards are the number of multimedia keys on the keyboard. For example, a budget gaming keyboard may only have buttons to lower, raise or mute the volume while a high-end keyboard may include buttons to launch apps and control a media player along with a dedicated knob to control volume instead of buttons. If you’re trying to save a bit of cash, none of these extra multimedia buttons are essential, mostly just adding convenience for the user. If you feel like you can live without a volume knob or dedicated buttons to open apps, it’s worth it to save a few bucks and get a cheaper gaming keyboard.
The other set of additional keys on a gaming keyboard are a set of programmable keys, allowing users to map complex commands that they can activate with the press of a single button. While MMORPG and MOBA gamers will love these programmable keys, if you’re looking to play RPG or FPS games, you’re likely not going to have a use for them. When making the decision over how many programmable keys you need, if you need them at all, think about the type of genre you play the most and go from there.
Wired Vs. Wireless
One of the hardest categories for gamers to figure out when looking at a gaming keyboard is whether to purchase a wired keyboard or a wireless one. Each one has their distinct advantages and disadvantages, and ultimately, the decision rests in whether you value responsiveness or convenience.
A wireless keyboard is ideal for those who want the freedom to put their gaming keyboard wherever they want, whether it’s next to the monitor or on their lap. Most gaming keyboards typically have short cables, so a wireless keyboard is ideal for those whose computer case isn’t near where they want to use their keyboard. Also, you also won’t have to worry about unsightly cables draped across your gaming area with a wireless keyboard.
However, with a wireless gaming keyboard comes a slightly slower response time, which isn’t going to fly for most professional gamers. Sometimes, all it takes is that extra millisecond delay for your action to register to turn a victory into a defeat. Not to mention, you’ll save money in the long run with a wired keyboard as you won’t need to buy batteries every time your keyboard needs a recharge, nor will your keyboard cut out during an intense match due to lack of power.
In the end, the decision over whether to go for wired over wireless or vice versa is purely a personal choice. If you’re someone who takes gaming seriously and value that extra responsiveness, opt for a wired keyboard; on the other hand, if you’re a gamer who values convenience over above all else and don’t mind always buying batteries, a wireless gaming keyboard is the best choice.
Ergonomic Design
If you’re planning on pulling frequent all-night sessions with your favorite PC games, an ergonomic design for your gaming keyboard is of the utmost important if you want to avoid wrist and hand injuries. Luckily, the majority of gaming keyboards take your health into account with standard features such as a wrist rest and raised keys. Some gaming keyboards even offer adjustable height and tilt controls, letting you place your gaming keyboard in a position that works best for your wrists. If you’re going to spend long hours at your computer playing games, look for a gaming keyboard that has as many of these ergonomic features as possible; your wrists will thank you later!
Anti-Ghosting Technology
PC games these days are far more complicated than they were in the past, with almost every button on your keyboard used in some form. In fact, some games, such as first-person shooters like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, routinely have you pressing two or more keys simultaneously to pull off advanced moves. Anti-ghosting technology is the technology that allows you to press more than one key and have your keyboard register each key press, which isn’t possible on standard or older keyboards.
While you’ll find anti-ghosting technology on every gaming keyboard in some form, what differs from keyboard to keyboard is the amount of keys that you can press simultaneously. Some of the low-end gaming keyboards only allow you to press four or five keys simultaneously while some high-end keyboards up this number to a whopping 19 keys. If you’re planning on playing games that require fast reflexes and multiple key presses, it’s worth it to get a keyboard that supports as many simultaneous key presses as possible. If you plan on playing games that don’t require a lot of simultaneous key presses, such as role-playing games or strategy games, save yourself some cash and opt for a budget gaming keyboard.
Should I Buy a Mechanical Gaming Keyboard?
Once thought of as a niche product, mechanical keyboards are making a return in a big way, with many professional eSports players pledging loyalty to this category of keyboards. It’s easy to see why, as mechanical gaming keyboards offer more precise control over your key presses, less accidental key presses and the ability to double-tap keys quicker. With games such as League of Legends, where precise, rapid key presses are necessary for victory, a mechanical keyboard makes a fantastic gaming keyboard.
The one thing you’ll want to look for when buying a mechanical gaming keyboard is the type of switch used. In a mechanical keyboard, each key has an individual mechanical switch under it, with certain kinds of switches being better for gaming than others. The best mechanical switches for gaming are Cherry MX Red, Black and Brown, in that order, and you’ll want to avoid Cherry MX Blue mechanical switches, as these switches benefit typists more than gamers. Some budget mechanical gaming keyboards use proprietary mechanical switches and, while these switches are decent in their own right, you’ll want to stick to the Cherry MX brand whenever possible if you want the highest quality mechanical gaming keyboard.
While the mechanical switches themselves provide a noticeable difference over an electronic membrane keyboard, the other advantage a mechanical gaming keyboard has is its weight. Due to the mechanical switches, a mechanical gaming keyboard is much heavier and less prone to moving around your desk.
A mechanical gaming keyboard may sound like the perfect gaming keyboard, but it does offer a few disadvantages that gamers should take note of before purchasing. Mechanical gaming keyboards are notorious for the loud noises they make while typing, with each key making a loud and distinctive “clack” sound as you press it. While some mechanical gaming keyboards boast quieter key presses, overall a mechanical keyboard is a noisy device that could potentially annoy your roommates or neighbors. Also, some gamers may not enjoy the feel of a mechanical keyboard or the increased amount of pressure it takes to press a key. If possible, try out a mechanical keyboard at your local electronics store before purchasing one, envisioning if the keyboard is something you think you’ll still enjoy after a few hours of continuous use.
The Top 12 Best Gaming Keyboards
Now that you know what to look for in a gaming keyboard, you’re ready to select one of your very own. Below, we’ve gathered the top 12 best gaming keyboards in three different categories: budget, mid-range, and high-end gaming keyboards. From mechanical to electronic with a range of additional keys to hardly any at all, there’s something for everyone on this definitive list of gaming keyboards.
Budget Gaming Keyboards
HAVIT Rainbow Backlit Wired Gaming Keyboard
The HAVIT Rainbow Backlit Wired Gaming Keyboard is a gaming keyboard that combines style and substance into one package. This gaming keyboard features the ability to swap the W, A, S and D keys with the arrow keys along with the option to disable the Windows key. The anti-ghosting technology supports the simultaneous pressing of 19 keys while the 12 multimedia keys let you control everything from your volume to your media player. The starring feature of the HAVIT Rainbow Backlit Wired Gaming Keyboard is the seven different LED backlights, with each backlight featuring three different brightness modes. The HAVIT Rainbow Backlit Wired Gaming Keyboard is compatible with a broad range of operating systems ranging from Windows 2000 all the way to Windows 10.
SAREPO Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
The SAREPO Mechanical Gaming Keyboard features proprietary blue mechanical switches, and while these switches aren’t ideal for gaming, this is still a great starter mechanical gaming keyboard. At such a low price, this keyboard is a great way to test out a mechanical keyboard without having to spend a lot of money upfront. This keyboard is durable, lasting for at least 50-million clicks before you’ll need to think about a replacement. With nine different LED backlights, the SAREPO Mechanical Gaming Keyboard gives you plenty of options when it comes to customization. The anti-ghosting capability of the SAREPO Mechanical Gaming Keyboard only supports up to a maximum of six keys, so while this keyboard isn’t ideal for games like League of Legends, it will work just fine for the turn-based strategy and puzzle genres.
Redragon Karura K502 USB Gaming Keyboard
While the original Redragon Karura K502 USB Gaming Keyboard wasn’t a hit among gamers, the company redesigned the keyboard from the ground up to offer this new and improved version. You’ll find the following features in the Redragon Karura K502 USB Gaming Keyboard:
Improved keys which offer a faster response time and more durability
Seven backlight colors with four brightness levels each
19 non-conflict keys
12 multimedia keys
The ability to change the input speed of the keyboard
The option to disable the Windows key during gameplay
Tt eSports COMMANDER LED Illumination Gaming Keyboard
If you’re looking for a gaming keyboard built for eSports, then look no further than the Tt eSports COMMANDER LED Illumination Gaming Keyboard. This budget gaming keyboard includes features typically reserved for keyboards more than twice its price, including durable metal edges, mechanical key caps, auto-repeating keys and a powerful LED backlight. The best part about the Tt eSports COMMANDER LED Illumination Gaming Keyboard is that not only do you get a great budget gaming keyboard with your purchase, the manufacturer also throws in a high-quality gaming mouse for free!
SteelSeries 64470 Apex 350 Gaming Keyboard
If you’re looking for a good mid-range gaming keyboard, look no further then the SteelSeries 64470 Apex 350 Gaming Keyboard. This gaming keyboard features keys that have a lower profile than other gaming keyboards, decreasing the amount of time it takes for your fingers to reach each one while also increasing each key’s response time. The function and macro keys, on the other hand, feature a high elevation that makes it easier to find them during a game. The proprietary SteelSeries Engine software included with the SteelSeries 64470 Apex 350 Gaming Keyboard is an easy-to-use program that lets you program macros, set up different gaming profiles and even adjust the keyboard’s backlight.
Best Gaming Keyboards 