You don’t have to empty your bank account to get one of the best gaming keyboards. We’ve scoured the internet, purchased ten top-tier gaming keyboards that we, as a team, believe are worthy of everybody’s attention and reviewed them so you don’t have to!

To obtain that extra degree of objectivity required in any review, we decided to test these keyboards over the period of two months. Whether you’re looking for a mechanical or membrane keyboard, RGB keyboard, or TKL keyboard, we’ve got you covered. Pair one of these bad boys with the best gaming router, a reliable mouse, a gaming chair a top-tier gaming headset, and you got yourself a perfect gaming rig. With that being said, let’s dive into the best gaming keyboards that you can buy.

MARCO GIULIANI → Here’s the thing: not all good gaming keyboards have to be mechanical. Talk about radical ideas, huh? No matter how much I am attached to the idea of a mechanical keyboard, with all its satisfying clicks and such, I couldn’t ignore the merits of the Razer Cynosa Chroma.

Interestingly, the Razer Cynosa Chroma is neither a mechanical nor a membrane keyboard. It’s an intriguing mish-mash of concepts and ideas that took the best elements from these two schools of design and put them together into a unique blend.

One common criticism regarding membrane keyboards is that the keys feel spongy, making for a slightly awkward typing experience. This effect is caused, in part, due to the fact that membrane keys have a single sheet of rubber domes inside them.

Razer (partially) solved this age-old issue by cushioning the keys in a process which they call ‘’soft-cushioning’’. However, Razer’s soft-cushioning technology is a double-edged sword. Typing feels better than on a regular membrane keyboard, but only for a few hours due to the taller-than-average keys.

On the bright side, its soft-cushioning technology is ideal for gaming. The keyboard was tested on Rainbow Six: Siege and Company of Heroes 2, two pretty intense games, and I am happy to report that the keyboard handled itself flawlessly. Even after multiple intense Siege matches, there were no signs of fatigue or discomfort. Another advantage brought by, you guessed it, the soft-cushion technology is that it’s silent. 

But the biggest selling point of the Razer Cynosa Chroma is its incredible RGB options. If you’re a fan of RGB lighting then oh boy, you’re in for a treat. The ridiculous degree of customization is made possible by Razer’s Synapse software. There are tons of effects to choose from – so many, in fact, that they deserve an article of their own. But suffice to say, if you want to make your keyboard look like the set of a Wes Anderson movie, you can do so without any difficulties. All in all, the Razer Cynosa Chroma is one of the best budget mechanical keyboards. 

IOANA “BAABUSKA” → Budget keyboards have always been a mixed bag. To keep the price down, some sacrifices have to be made. Many price-friendly gaming keyboards end up being three or four features short of the high-budget experience. There’s always a catch. Despite having its fair share of flaws, the Logitech G213 is not one of those keyboards. 

I’ve been using the G213 for well over 10 months, spilled coffee on it a couple of times, and punched it a few others. It’s still working. I would buy it again in a heart-beat, especially since it’s perpetually discounted to $40-45. It has many cool features, including pretty custom-color backlighting (something that some of the best budget gaming keyboards do not have btw).

Comfortable, sleek and durable, the Logitech G213 may be one of the best budget-friendly gaming keyboards on the market. Being a membrane keyboard, one would expect the G213 to suffer from the same comfort issues. Fortunately, this is not the case.

The keys are well-spaced, making typing come extremely natural. The media controls are intuitively placed so that they’re easy to find even in the dark.

While the overall design of the keyboard is nothing to write home about, its matte black plastic frame, ABS plastic keycaps, and elegantly rounded corners will capture fans of minimalism. While the palm rest is non-detachable, it doesn’t take a whole lot of space. Plus, it fits in pretty well with the overall design of the keyboard.

Once you take a closer look at its performance, you realize why the G213 stands out compared to other budget keyboards. The main reason is the technology behind its mech-dome keys. Whereas mechanical keyboards use a network of individual mechanical switches to send signals, the G213 transmits electrical current between its membranes. This makes it cheaper, but at the same time less precise, but that is par for the course when it comes to membrane keyboards.

To conclude, the Logitech G213 is sleek, durable and overall great gaming keyboard. There are few better budget-friendly options, so if you want performance without breaking the bank, you should give this model a shot.

Buying tip: If mechanical keys are higher on your priority list than custom-color backlighting, and you have $20 extra to spend, you could also go for the Logitech G413.

IOANA “BAABUSKA” → Next up on our round-up of best gaming keyboards is the Reddragon Yama. Previously known for their line of the budget, but nothing-to-write-home-about mice – Perdition and Mammoth -, as well as for Asura, the people at Reddragon have undoubtedly outdone themselves with Yama.

If I were to describe the Reddragon Yama in a few seconds, that would be ‘’the jack of all trades of keyboards’’. This keyboard has everything a gamer could need – macro keys, media keys, intricate RGB effects (ok, not really essential for gaming, but you know), crazy-diverse customization options, and so on and so forth.

Look, I know what you’re thinking. Such an abundance of options and artifices gives off the impression of a cheap Chinese product. But trust me, it’s not the case here. Reddragon makes some of the best gaming keyboards. Back in 2017, while I was building my new PC, I received an ANALA K558 that I still use on my second PC!

The design of the Yama, like everything else about this particular keyboard, is a step forward for the manufacturers. In some respects, it shares the elegant, streamlined bulkiness of the Corsair K63, but with one notable difference: unlike the K63, the Yama has NUMPAD keys. The multimedia keys are located on the top side of the keyboard. They feature a different shape and texture from the rest of the keys, making them very easy to reach within a single motion of the hand.

The Reddragon Yama lives up to its name. It is very sturdy and durable. Having a body built out of aluminum, you can be sure this keyboard is on the heavier side, but not to an extent which makes it hard to carry or maneuver. Despite the fact that I’m not a huge fan of the keycap font, I recommend this keyboard. The Yama is a huge step forward for the manufacturer, and I can’t wait to see what Reddragon will do next.

MIHAI RADUCU → When it comes to straightforward, no non-sense keyboards, few can compete with the Roccat Suora FX. A fancier version of the standard Roccat Suora (which is the budget version), the FX variant has several neat features that ensure a great gaming experience.

For starters, even though it lacks a hand rest, the Suora FX is designed from the ground up to maintain comfort levels at max even after several hours of gaming. There’s no wiggle room between the keys. 

This might seem counterintuitive at first, but it’s actually a very inspired design decision, making the keys easier to access without needing to move the wrist around too much. For those who want that extra incline, the back features rubber feet.

The Suora FX has a strong and sturdy build that keeps it firmly in place. While it is on the weightier side, it’s not to a degree that you’ll have trouble putting it away in a second’s notice or cleaning it. It doesn’t feel cheap, I can guarantee you that, and the extra weight, coupled with the quality of the materials ensure that it will stand the test of time.

Now (you knew this was coming), let’s talk RGB. In this respect, the Soura FX doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it greatly exceeded my expectations – after several rounds of testing, I’ve concluded that it had one of the most varied customization options out of all the keyboards that we’ve purchased for this article.

There are 10 different types of RGB backlights to choose from, with customizable light intensity, speed and other fun stuff. Wrapping up, if you are looking for a balanced mix between function and guilty RGB pleasure, the Suora FX might just be the best gaming keyboard for you.

MARCO GIULIANI → The HyperX Alloy was the designated surprise hit during our testing sessions, the underdog if you will. First, let’s talk about the packaging – right from the get-go, you know they mean business. Open the box, and you’re welcomed by a finely-textured pouch which contains the keyboard.

So, what’s so great about this particular gaming keyboard? For starters, I’ve been particularly impressed by its minimalistic design. It’s straight and to the point, no fancy angles, engravings, anything. Well, with one notable exception – the WASD keys, which are textured to ensure a better grip during gaming.

The HyperX Alloy is designed, from the ground-up, with durability in mind. The strongest proof in this sense is the design of the keys. Because they’re laid down on silicone pads, the keys are guaranteed to last a very long time, even if you remove them for frequent cleanups (which is very easy to do, btw).

Its biggest disadvantage is, without a doubt, the lack of RGB lighting and software.

But even without RGB lightning and customization options – which shouldn’t matter in regards of gaming-, the HyperX Alloy is one of the best gaming keyboards capable of going head to head with the likes of Razer and Corsair.

MARCO GIULIANI → Number five on our list of best gaming keyboards comes from Corsair. The K63 follows the company’s well-known affinity for function over form. In some ways, it shares this design philosophy with the HyperX Alloy (more about that later), in that it makes some sacrifices in the looks department and compensates with other things. 

While, admittedly, it falls slightly short in terms of looks compared to other Corsair products, I believe its bulky, ‘’no-nonsense’’ design to be part of the charm. This is not to say it’s an ugly keyboard by any stretch of the imagination. Let’s just say its design is a ‘’grower’’. After a few hours, I started growing fond of its black, raised keycaps, and the blocky, ‘’in-your-face’’ typeface emblazoned on the keys.

While some people may not be crazy about the design, nobody can question the overall quality on the table (pun totally intended). Being a tenkeyless keyboard, the K63 is undeniably compact.

Want to free up some space? You can tuck it under the couch.

Planning to play some video games while visiting your parents? The K63 is small enough to fit in a regular backpack.

However you put it, the K63 doesn’t take up more precious real estate than it has to.

Furthermore, the Corsair K63 is very sturdy. It stays firmly in place even in micro-management heavy games where you’ll be slapping the keyboard to cast spells and issue commands like, well, all RTS and MMO’s, essentially. Speaking of slapping keys, this model uses Cherry MX Red switches.

These bad boys are typically sold in game-centric mechanical keyboards, and in the case of the K63, they really add to the whole experience. Gamers want their commands to respond fast, and with an actuation force (how much force the finger needs to apply on the key for the keyboard to register it) of 45g, the K63 is ideal for fast-paced games.

As with most mechanical keyboards, this keyboard is quite noisy, so you might want to keep it far away from your roommates. Another bizarre quirk is the non-detachable cable, which sort of goes against the concept of compactness, but it’s not a big deal. To conclude, the Corsair K63 is a sound choice for gaming and one of our unexpected favorites in this best gaming keyboard round-up.

MARCO GIULIANI → The SteelSeries Apex M750 is pretty much the definition of ‘’what you see is what you get.’’ But in a good way. It offers exactly what you would expect from one of the best gaming keyboards, namely a fantastic software for customization, intricate RGB lighting, great tactile feedback and, most importantly, a top-tier gaming experience.

A well-rounded keyboard, the Apex M750 excels in almost every department. Comfortable, with rounded and soft to the touch edges, the M750 will support you through multiple hours of gaming. Its sturdiness and weighty build, coupled with the rubber pads, keep it firmly in place, which solves the issue of having to constantly reposition the keyboard while gaming.

The RGB options are very diverse and customizable. Owing to the fact that the M750 is part of the SteelSeries Prism family, you can synchronize it with other hardware of the same manufacturer.

Its only drawback, if you can call it that, is that it’s unsuited for anything else other than gaming. The excessive noise, as well as the lack of NUMPAD keys, make it unsuited for productivity work.

On the other hand, since the keyboard is built and marketed for gaming, this issue shouldn’t factor too much into your purchase decision.

IOANA “BAABUSKA” SIMA → Tom’s Guide called the Corsair K70 Rapid Fire ‘’the most full-featured e-sports keyboard on the market’’, and rightfully so. When it comes to well-rounded keyboards that offer a great balance between design and function, few boards can surpass the Corsair K70 Rapid Fire. It truly is one of the best gaming keyboards out there.

Similar to other Corsair keyboards, the K70 Rapid Fire (not to be confused with the standard K70 RGB) features the same tasteful minimalistic design. While far from being a tiny keyboard, the Rapidfire takes advantage of space masterfully, with adequate breathing room between the keys and a large, comfortable, detachable wrist rest that features a textured surface.

It doesn’t take more space than it needs to, which comes especially handy in times when desk real estate is particularly precious. The WASD keys are nicely textured, keeping the fingers exactly where they should be thanks to the anti-slip surface.

Back in 2016, the Corsair K70 was the first major gaming board to feature the then brand-new Cherry MX Speed. This technology gave Corsair an edge over competitors, and it’s also the main reason why it holds up so well today, three full years after release. These keys are characterized by their unnaturally precise responsiveness – hence the ‘’Speed’’ in their name -, as the keyboard registers commands upon the slightest tap.

However, the Rapid Fire’s switch technology is a double-edged sword. While this extreme responsiveness is great for twitch shooting and other micromanagement-intensive games, typing is problematic for obvious reasons. This is one of the keyboards you’ll want to keep far, far away from your college essays or resumes. But since this is a keyboard custom-built for gaming and e-sports especially, it would be unfair to let this weight too much into the final verdict.

There are so many cool things about this keyboard that it deserves its own separate article. Wrapping up, the Corsair K70 offers one of the most complete experiences & among the best gaming keyboards, even now, three years after release. That’s something considering the speed at which the peripheral market moves.

MARCO GIULIANI → What if I told you that there’s a mechanical keyboard that won’t cause your neighbors to call the police on your for excessive noise? Meet the runner-up on our list of best gaming keyboards, Logitech G512 Carbon, the “stealthiest” mechanical keyboard this side of the peripheral market.

If I were to describe this keyboard in three words, it would be silent, sharp and precise. The G512 comes with Romer-G tactile switches, which are designed to offer faster response times when gaming by shortening the actuation distance. It’s worth mentioning that the G512 is available with three different switches – Romer-G Tactile, Romer-G Linear and the clicky GX Blue.

For testing purposes, we purchased the Romer-G Tactile version, so I can’t give my two cents on the other switch types for obvious reasons.

When it comes to comfort, I’m happy to report that the G512 is quite comfortable, but with one slight issue: the sharp edges. It’s not a big deal, mind you, and far from a deal breaker, but it’s worth taking into consideration if you care about these things.

The G512 is slimmer than your average keyboard and doesn’t take up too much space on the desk. If you’re in desperate need for some extra space, the manufacturers were thoughtful enough to place a USB 2.0 passthrough on the top side of the keyboard.

Don’t let its petite frame fool you – this bad boy is heavier than it lets on, partly due to its aluminum-magnesium alloy.

You’ll have a hard time accidentally knocking this board off of your desk, making this keyboard the twitchy gamer’s dream come true.

As far as macros are concerned, the G512 does feature programmable macros – but no designated buttons for it. On the bright side, they are fully programmable, should you desire to do so. Moreover, it features buttons for multimedia and adjusting certain settings with a few keystrokes.

In conclusion, I strongly recommend the G512 for its sleek design, responsive switches, and sturdy build. If you’re looking for a well-rounded gaming keyboard, this might be the best choice for you.

IOANA “BAABUSKA” → Finally, you’ve made it to the end, and what we believe to be THE best gaming keyboard. Reliable, sturdy and highly customizable, the Razer Huntsman Elite is also the most expensive keyboard in our round-up.

I know this keyboard is a hard sell, especially when you realize that you can buy a PlayStation 4 by dropping a few extra dollars. Nevertheless, I truly, wholeheartedly, believe that the Razer Huntsman Elite is worth every penny.

While, as a whole, the Razer Huntsman is a mature-looking, compact keyboard that will probably last you for the better part of a decade, its biggest selling point is the optomechanical switch technology. Razer may not the first ones to implement optical switches, but the execution is certainly unique.

Removing the switches from the keyboard will reveal a network of purple switches containing the standard cross-shaped pegs, as well as a box surrounded by a metal frame. Now, Razer’s optomechanical technology stands out because it employs a combination of short mechanical actuation and light beams to register commands, with an actuation force of 45g.

In lay talk, this means that the commands will register as soon as you press the key, with virtually no delay. What I’m basically trying to say here is that once I’ve tested the Huntsman Elite, I couldn’t blame my poor gaming performance on the gear anymore (which I totally never do btw).

All jokes aside, the Razer Huntsman Elite is an incredibly precise keyboard that will noticeably improve your gaming experience. If Razer’s fancy actuation technology isn’t enough to justify the high price, maybe the crisp, satisfying clicky sounds, its comfortable RGB-enabled wrist rest and varied customization options will convince you. This keyboard is absolutely gorgeous and if it isn’t within your price range, you can opt for its cheaper variant, the Razer: Huntsman.

CONCLUSION

This was our round-up of the best gaming keyboards that you can buy right now. All of the keyboards featured in this article are sound choices by themselves, but whether or not one product or another is the best for you depends on what games you usually play. When choosing keyboards for this write-up, we’ve made sure to get the products that strike a healthy balance between pricing, essential features and extras – a.k.a. RGB options -, so you’ll surely find something to your liking here.

WIN ONE OF THE KEYBOARDS IN OUR ROUND-UP!

Hey guys! Thanks for reading through our article. We’ve had so much fun testing these products (office hijinks and whatnot), and we’ve decided to give away one of the keyboards that we’ve reviewed. You can join our giveaway by tapping the button below. And while you’re at it, you can also find out more about our contest here.