The best gaming keyboards can make the difference between success or failure in some of the best PC games.
Gaming keyboards are often more expensive than their office alternatives. This is due to features like RGB lighting, reprogrammable/swappable keys and more. They also use mechanical keys (rather than membrane keys), to ensure better accuracy and responsiveness in frantic competitive online matches. Premium gaming keyboards can even have aluminum chassis, which also raises the price.
Below is a selection of the best gaming keyboards we've tested to ensure you find a device that works with your budget and fits the amount of desk space you’re playing with. This includes boards from big manufacturers like Logitech, Razer, Corsair and more. And after you’ve found the gaming keyboard for you, why not pair it with the best wireless gaming mouse?
The quick list
Here's a quick overview of the best gaming keyboards you can buy right now based on our testing and reviews.
The Corsair K70 Max is a heck of a gaming keyboard. The main draw are its magnetic switches which let you adjust the keys' actuation points and program two functions on the same key. Sound-dampening tech, a sturdy aluminum frame and a comfy wrist rest make this a top-tier gaming keyboard.
The Logitech G413 SE is one of the cheapest mechanical gaming keyboards you can get from a major manufacturer. This full-size keyboard has no extra keys, no software features and only one shade of backlighting. It has no wasted space, no extraneous bells and whistles, and doesn't cost a whole lot.
The G915 is a gorgeous, ultra-thin gaming keyboard that connects via either USB dongle or Bluetooth. There's no lag and there are no dropped signals. The Logitech G915 is just as quick and responsive as any wired peripheral. Thanks to low-profile key switches and full RGB lighting, the G915 is both comfortable and visually striking, if pricey.
The Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro is one of the sleekest gaming keyboards we've ever reviewed, combining an elegant physical design with comfortable mechanical key switches and full RGB lighting. The wireless functionality is also flawless, supporting both USB and Bluetooth modes.
The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% is pricey at $189 it’s worth every penny. It’s a great keyboard for both gaming and working due to its compact size, responsive tactile keys, and overall comfortable typing experience. You can also fully reprogram the BlackWidow V4 via the Razer Synapse app.
The Corsair K70 RGB TKL Champion Series is ideal for those seeking a TKL, or tenkeyless, model. Like other Corsair keyboards, the K70 RGB TKL is pretty expensive. Like its full-size counterpart, this peripheral features authentic Cherry MX keys, a gorgeous design and robust software. It's a versatile system.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini proves mini keyboards are good for gaming. This 60% keyboard doesn't have a numpad, a function row or arrow keys, but if you can live with learning some button shortcuts, it's a fantastic way to streamline your gaming experience.
Unlike smaller models, the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed features a 65% profile. For gamers, the V3 Mini Hyperspeed features comfortable Razer Green or Yellow switches, as well as full RGB lighting, which you can sync with your other Razer gear.
If you're looking for a board that's slightly smaller than a full keyboard but with all the same keys, the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 is an excellent option thanks to its durable construction, hot-swappable design, detachable wrist rest and durable battery life. Even if its software isn't great, this board is a winner.
Tony is a senior staff writer at Tom’s Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iPadOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on Twitter. His work has appeared in publications such as Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.
The best gaming keyboard you can buy today
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The best gaming keyboard overall
The Corsair K70 Max is one of the most impressive gaming keyboards out there. The big selling point is its linear magnetic switches, which let you adjust the key's actuation point. Since the keys are magnetic, you're also able to program two functions on the same key. On top of that, it also has sound-dampening technology for quieter keystrokes, a tough aluminum frame and even a comfortable memory foam wrist rest. Overall, it's one of the best mechanical keyboards out there.
The comfortable wrist rest and insane level of customization are also strong bonuses. $230 isn't cheap, but if you're in the market for a gaming keyboard with more features than you might need, the Corsair K70 Max is worth checking out.
Read our full Corsair K70 Max review.
The best budget gaming keyboard
The Logitech G413 SE is one of the cheapest mechanical gaming keyboards you can get from a major manufacturer. It's either "no-frills" or "bare-bones," depending on how you look at it. This full-size keyboard has no extra keys, no software features and only one shade of backlighting. On the other hand, it has no wasted space, no extraneous bells and whistles, and doesn't cost a whole lot.
With tactile Long Hua switches, the keyboard has a distinctive tactile feel, which is suitable for both gaming and touch typing. Beyond that, the big draw of the keyboard is that it has minimal bezels, and squeezes a full keypad and a numpad into a relatively small frame. If you want a brand-name gaming keyboard without spending too much, the Logitech G413 SE is the one to get.
Read our full Logitech G413 SE review.
The best wireless gaming keyboard
The Logitech G915 is a gorgeous, ultra-thin gaming keyboard that connects to computers via either USB dongle or Bluetooth. There's no lag; there are no dropped signals. It's just as quick and responsive as any wired peripheral.
Due to its full RGB lighting and low-profile key switches, the G915 is equally comfortable and striking.
Thanks to low-profile key switches and full RGB lighting, the G915 is both comfortable and visually striking. Its only real downside is that it costs a lot of money. That said, you'll be spared from having extra wires on your desk. That alone could make it worth the investment, though there's plenty more to like about this keyboard.
Read our full Logitech G915 review or view our Logitech promo codes
The best low profile gaming keyboard
If you want a gaming keyboard that could easily double as an office model, look no further than the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro. This minimalist peripheral is one of the sleekest gaming keyboards we've ever reviewed, combining an elegant physical design with comfortable mechanical key switches and full RGB lighting. It looks fantastic — understated, but not quite plain.
Apart from that, the DeathStalker V2 Pro works beautifully in-game, just like most of Razer's high-end keyboards. The wireless functionality is also flawless, supporting both USB and Bluetooth modes, and offering a fair amount of battery life. While the DeathStalker V2 Pro isn't cheap, it could be the centerpiece of your gaming setup — or your work-from-home setup.
Read our full Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro review.
The best hot-swappable gaming keyboard
The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% is arguably the best mechanical keyboard Razer has ever released. Featuring the latest version of the company’s Orange Tactile mechanical switches, a compact 75% layout, and features borrowed directly from the keyboard modding community, the BlackWidow V4 75% is one of the best gaming keyboards you can buy.
This is the company's first hot-swappable keyboard, which is a huge bonus if you're into modding your mechanical keyboard. However, we’d argue you don’t need to mod it at all since it’s so great out of the box.
Read our full Razer BlackWidow V4 75% review.
The best TKL gaming keyboard
The Corsair K70 RGB TKL Champion Series is a mouthful, but it's also one of the best gaming keyboards you can buy. This is particularly true if you're in the market for a TKL, or tenkeyless, model. Like its full-size counterpart, the Corsair K70 Mk.2, the K70 RGB TKL features authentic Cherry MX keys, a gorgeous design and robust software. You can customize intricate lighting patterns, set up profiles for individual games or even reprogram any key you choose. It's a versatile system.
Like other Corsair keyboards, the K70 RGB TKL is pretty expensive. Furthermore, while its discrete media keys come in hand, their nonstandard configuration makes them a little more difficult-to-use than what you'd find on a full-size model. Aside from that, though, the Corsair K70 RGB TKL is a nearly flawless device.
Read our full Corsair K70 RGB TKL Champion Series review.
The best mini gaming keyboard
What the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini lacks in number of keys, it makes up for with its brilliantly responsive Hall Effect switches. This 60% gaming keyboard offers a plethora of great features thanks to its OmniPoint switches, such as useful dual actuation points and adjustable distance, on top of a fantastic build quality and sleek appearance. The Apex Pro Mini offers a more affordable pathway into Hall Effect switches, while saving on desk space compared to the full-sized Apex Pro.
You will need to look past some issues— there are minor brightness issues with the RGB lighting and the Hall Effect switches are not ideal for long-form typing. The Apex Pro Mini does not offer the smoothest experience for productivity, but makes an effort to account for this with handy shortcuts to the most used keys. Offering powerful per-key customisation in a small package, the Apex Pro Mini is an excellent mini keyboard for gaming.
Read our full SteelSeries Apex Pro review.
The best 65% gaming keyboard
The Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini Hyperspeed is one of the best mini gaming keyboards you can buy. Unlike smaller models, the V3 Mini Hyperspeed features a 65% profile. That means you won't have to sacrifice discrete arrow keys or a dedicated delete button. That's great news for touch typists. For gamers, the V3 Mini Hyperspeed features comfortable Razer Green or Yellow switches, as well as full RGB lighting, which you can sync with your other Razer gear.
Granted, the BlackWidow V3 Mini Hyperspeed is extremely expensive, considering its size. As a wireless keyboard with powerful lighting capabilities, you can also run through the battery pretty quickly, at least on default settings. Still, if your desk space is limited, the BlackWidow V3 Mini Hyperspeed is good for typing, good for gaming and good for saving room.
Read our full Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini Hyperspeed review.
The best 96% gaming keyboard
The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is a mighty keyboard offering an outstanding gaming experience. With a premium construction, good looks and different modes of connectivity, it should be on every gamer’s desk. Its performance is something to behold as the keys are responsive, smooth and stable, thanks to the ROG stabilizers and 1.8mm actuation points. It also comes with a leatherette wrist rest that magnetically snaps into place, letting you game or work for long hours without having to worry about wrist pain.
However, Armoury Crate — its companion software — can be janky, slow and annoying to use. You might also not be a fan of the 96% layout as it doesn’t really free up much space on your desk, but this is more of a pre-purchase consideration.
The ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is an excellent choice for competitive gamers and at this price, offers more than you could ask for.
Read our full Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 review.
How to choose the best gaming keyboard
There are three things to consider when trying to find the best gaming keyboard for your setup: Design, features and price. All three are interconnected, however — keyboards with more complex designs and fancier features cost more money. Simpler keyboards are cheaper. There are no special tricks here.
The first thing you'll want to determine is whether you want a full-size or tenkeyless keyboard. This is a pretty simple decision: Full-size keyboards have separate number pads on the right, while tenkeyless models don't. If you do a ton of productivity work, a numpad is worthwhile; if not, you can eschew it and save a few bucks.
During this time, you should also consider what kind of switches you'd like, if you're buying a mechanical model. Cherry MX is generally the gold standard. The most common types of Cherry switches are Red, which is quiet and linear, Brown, which is quiet and tactile, and Blue, which is noisy and tactile. Other switch manufacturers generally offer similar styles, although the color coding may be different.
Some features cost more money than others. RGB lighting can tack a few dozen bucks onto a gaming keyboard's price tag, and wireless connectivity can make a peripheral even more expensive. I personally like both of these options, but they're not necessarily worth the money if you're not worried about the aesthetics from your setup. After all, wireless keyboards don't necessarily offer a huge advantage, as keyboards are stationary devices.
How we test the best gaming keyboards
To determine the best gaming keyboard, we run each keyboard we review through a variety of tests. The first, and most important, test is to play through a number of different games, and see how the keyboard holds up. I usually like to try at least one FPS, RTS, RPG and MMO apiece, since these are the genres that benefit most from a good keyboard. (You can generally get away with a controller for most action/adventure titles.)
After that, we take a deep dive into a keyboard's software suite, evaluating how easy (or difficult) it is to reprogram keys, set up macros, adjust lighting and create profiles for games. Particularly intuitive software gets high marks; convoluted software can lose some points, even if it's very robust otherwise.
Finally, we make sure to use a keyboard for productivity for at least two or three days. Most gamers don't swap keyboards in and out; what they use for gaming, they'll need to use for work and general computing as well. The better a keyboard is at everyday tasks, the better its recommendation.
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