If you’re a gamer, you’re probably very particular about your gaming keyboard. You should be. Gaming keyboards can make a significant impact on your daily activities. That’s because most office keyboards aren’t particularly comfortable or long-lasting. If you are a good gamer, here is a related article on how to choose the best monitor for gaming.
Gaming keyboards are more expensive, but they also include features that less expensive office peripherals do not, such as mechanical keys, software suites that allow you to reprogram keys, and RGB lighting for a little bling. Here are the best gaming keyboards you can get today.
SteelSeries Apex Pro – Best Gaming Keyboard Overall
If you want the best gaming keyboard on the market, the SteelSeries Apex Pro should be your go-to. Although this isn’t the most recent gaming keyboard in the market presently, its features are unrivaled. The OmniPoint switches inside the board, in particular, allow you to adjust the pre-travel distance of each key between 1.0mm and 3.8mm. It means that you can easily configure the companion software to have a super short pre-travel for your WASD keys and a longer pre-travel for the rest of your keyboard to avoid typos while chatting.
As a high-end gaming keyboard, the extra features do not end there. There are dedicated media keys for controlling playback, a volume knob, and a small OLED screen for making quick changes to your keyboard settings without opening the software. If you want, you can also display images or gifs on the screen. This keyboard also has a USB pass-through to connect to other devices without using a USB port on your computer. All of these features are comfortably packaged into one device, to make for an excellent gaming experience.
Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition – Best Budget Gaming Keyboard
If you happen to be on a budget, we recommend the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition. This keyboard has a TenKeyLess layout, which means it doesn’t have a Numpad but does have arrow keys and the entire navigational cluster of buttons. It clears some space on your desk for mouse movements or that pad of paper with in-game codes or other hints. Despite being an older model, it still delivers incredible performance on the same level as some of Razer’s recent releases. It uses Razer’s proprietary linear Optical switches inside the board, which have a very short pre-travel distance and don’t require much force to actuate. This makes every keypress feel smooth and instantaneous, especially when combined with the keyboard’s incredibly low latency. RGB fans will be pleased with this keyboard’s excellent per-key RGB lighting customization and color mixing.
Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro – Best Wireless Gaming Keyboard
Cable management is one of the most inconvenient aspects of creating a gaming setup. Cables take up valuable desk space and can make your set-up look messy if they stick up everywhere. You don’t have to worry about cable management with a wireless keyboard, such as the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro. Simply plug in your USB and you’ll be immersed in a responsive gaming experience. This keyboard currently has one of the lowest wireless latencies on the market, making it ideal for gamers. It also includes a plush detachable wrist rest to keep you comfortable and well-supported while playing.
ASUS ROG Falchion – Best Compact Gaming Keyboard
Compact gaming keyboards are having their moment right now, for good reason. Their smaller form factor allows for more flexible mouse movements. They look far more stylish than a bulky full-size model with a Numpad that you only use for PIN entry. So, if you’re looking for a small keyboard, the ASUS ROG Falchion is an excellent choice. This well-built model is also wireless, with a battery life of 450 hours when the RGB backlighting is turned off. It has a USB receiver, so you can use it wirelessly or in wired mode with the included charging cable. Regardless of how you use it, this keyboard has low latency and is ideal for FPS. Overall, it is a great option wrapped up in a nice little package.
Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT – Best Non-Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
While all of the keyboards mentioned above are mechanical, you may not enjoy the sound or feel of that type of board. In that case, the Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT is a good choice. This full-size model includes all of the features typically found on high-end gaming keyboards. Instead of the mechanical switches, it employs rubber dome switches, which provide significantly more resistance or tactility during use, ensuring that you always know when a key has been registered. It also has full RGB backlighting that can be customized per key, which is a rare feature on a rubber dome keyboard because RGB lighting is usually done in zones. This rubber dome board’s extra features, combined with its extremely low latency, make it an excellent gaming option for those who dislike mechanical keyboards.
