Why should you buy a gaming keyboard? The one budget offering that you purchased from the local PC shop for a tenner does the job with emails and essays - so, why not gaming? If you want to have a look through the best keyboards, we have that covered, too.
Whilst even the best budget gaming keyboards look incredible, there are several specialist technical features found onboard pricier keyboards that can give gamers a tactical edge over standard designs. They're more accurate – thanks to inconspicuous but essential mechanical functions, like anti-ghosting and rollover tech, that work to keep your keystrokes accurate and ordered. The ergonomics are refined, allowing you to stay free from hand fatigue for hours on end.
The best gaming keyboards at a glance:
• Best gaming keyboard: Corsair K95 Platinum Mechanical Keyboard - View at Amazon
• Best budget gaming keyboard: Logitech G512 Mechanical Keyboard - View at Amazon
• Best TKL gaming keyboard: SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL Mechanical Keyboard - View at Amazon
• Best gaming keyboard for streaming: Logitech G915 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard - View at Amazon
Multifunction and multimedia keys help to streamline system operation and user experience, and programmable macro keys can be customised to perform…well, whatever you like. Many keyboards also come with some form of software suite, allowing for even more detailed customisation, colour synchronisation, and game-by-game personal layout profiles. Often, these suites will control multiple devices from the same brand, including a gaming mouse, speakers, and gaming headset.
If you're keen to find out more about these features, check out our guide at the bottom of the page. In the meantime, to help you find your next gaming companion, we've rounded up the very best gaming keyboards around.
The best gaming keyboard
Description
Corsair knows gaming, and the K95 Platinum is a distillation of this experience, from design through to execution. The keyboard carries the ever-reliable Cherry MX Blue mechanical keyboard switches, delivering a rapid and accurate performance from underneath Corsair's carefully crafted and sturdy PBT double-shot keycaps.
There are six dedicated macro keys, which can be programmed with in-game and stream controls (via Elgato Stream Deck software). The metal body not only looks marvellous but also adds a firm rigidity to the board, reducing bounce and vibration.
Pros
- Excellent responsive key switches
- Great RGB lighting
- Perfect for streamers
Cons
- Not ideal for beginner gamers
Best budget gaming keyboard
Description
Logitech's G512 is a pro-tier mechanical budget keyboard, and it's not likely to be beaten. We were blown away by its excellent features, switches and G-Hub software capability when we reviewed the keyboard, and still is to this day.
Whatever your need, whatever your budget, the Logitech G512 SE is going to exceed expectations. Don't miss out on the chance to pick one up.
Read our full Logitech G512 SE Mechanical Gaming Keyboard review
Pros
- Great value keyboard
- Wonderful responsiveness
- Easy to use
Cons
- Loud clicking while typing from brown switches
Best TKL gaming keyboard
Description
One of the best TKL keyboards of the year, the APEX 7 boasts a significant list of features. The case is an aircraft-grade aluminium alloy with a choice of red, blue, or brown SteelSeries mechanical ultra-fast key switches.
What's more, there are also five custom macro key profiles, a USB passthrough port, RGB per-key illumination, and 100% anti-ghosting; dedicated media control. In conclusion, it's brilliant. Also available in a full configuration with the ten-key number pad.
Pros
- Great build quality
- Excellent key switches
- Excellent RGB lighting
Cons
- Loud ringing from key presses
Best gaming keyboard for streaming
Description
The Logitech G915 will please anyone looking for a streamlined and clutter-free PC gaming setup. The G915 has a stunningly low profile and, as a wireless board, is free from cables. You won't notice any performance drop-off from this wireless connection either, with a 1ms report rate (hence the well-deserved Lightspeed moniker).
The build is minimalistic, with the simple metal construction holding the board sturdy, even during furious in-game button smashes. The switches are something to be admired also – Logitech Pro Performance low profile models are half the height of traditional mechanical switches, delivering the same keystroke feel but with considerably less movement - it's not only the wireless connection that'll be moving at lightspeed now.
All-in-all, the Logitech G915 is perhaps one of the best Logitech keyboards of the year, not to mention one of the best gaming keyboards for streaming.
Best gaming keyboard under £50
Description
When we reviewed the HyperX Alloy Core, we found it to be a great gaming keyboard that compromises on some flashier features, to focus on delivering what counts.
The membrane keys are quiet yet clunky, offering a pleasing tactile response not too dissimilar from some mechanical switches. All function is built-in, so there's no additional software needed to run the keyboard. For the price, the Alloy Core is a great offering.
Read our full HyperX Alloy Core RGB Gaming Keyboard review
Pros
- Excellent value
- Great RGB lighting optionality
- Comfortable and quiet
Cons
- Not quite as accurate as a true mechanical keyboard
Best entry-level gaming keyboard
Description
As we said in our review, "for a gamer on a budget looking to try out the world of mechanical gaming keyboards, the Redragon Kumara K552 is a good place to start." Redragon's mechanical switches, modelled on the Cherry X Blue, provide great durability, tactility, and that important clicking sound.
It's a sturdy and surprisingly accomplished mechanical keyboard, considering the price. The aluminium base has liquid run-off holes, protecting you against any accidental spills.
Read our full Redragon Kumara K552 TKL Mechanical Gaming Keyboard review
Pros
- Excellent budget mechanical keyboard
- Great size
- Ideal for beginner gamers
Cons
- Full-size might not be appealing to all gamers
Best gaming keyboard with RGB
Description
The BlackWidow range is home to some of the all-time best-selling keyboards, and this iteration is one of the highlights. Keystrokes are smooth and reliable, with the tactile and clicky Razer Green switches being amongst the best we've seen.
Powerful customisation is possible with this keyboard, too, as you can reassign and configure every single one of the keys, with five whole-board configurations being storable for quick, on-the-fly access. On top of this, the Razer HyperShift is a key-activated function which doubles the functions available for each key.
The RGB Chroma lighting effects also add to the game immersion, with integrated game profiles activating specific lighting events to reflect on-screen actions. If you're looking for a gorgeous keyboard wristrest, you'll certainly find a great one with the Razer Blackwidow.
Pros
- Fantastic lighting
- Comfortable design
- Affordable and easy to use
Cons
- Loud switches aren't ideal for everyone
Best gaming keyboard for hardcore players
Description
The German-built DAS 4 is a high-grade keyboard, presented in an anodised aluminium robust casing with a black-on-black design. The Cherry MX Brown key switches will support fast and accurate keystrokes, while the dedicated media keys, instant sleep button, oversized volume control, and two USB 3.0 ports provide extra functionality for increased user functionality.
Everything this keyboard does, it does with accuracy and distinction. You'll have to know your QWERTY layout pretty well through, as the keys are completely blank, giving it an undeniably awesome aesthetic.
Pros
- Great keyboard design
- Ideal for intense gaming
- Brilliant tactile switches
Cons
- Not entirely necessary for casual gamers
Mechanical vs. Membrane
Typical typing keyboards tend to use a membrane (a rubber-looking mat that sits under the keys) to register keystrokes. If you're typing quickly, this membrane can cause rollover issues, both skipping and incorrect key activations.
This is in part due to membranes needing a very precise pressure activation and sharing the component used to register. When compared with a mechanical switch, a membrane can feel vague or mushy. On average, membrane keyboards have a short lifespan and are hard to clean, but some stand by the membrane board as they are often lighter, quieter, and more affordable than most mechanical boards.
Mechanical switches (and there are multiple types) are well-loved in the gaming community as they offer accurate and rapid key response even during moments of really high input. The feeling of a mechanical switch is tactile and reassuring, and the higher activation point means that the keys don't need to be completely pressed down to register. As each key has a dedicated switch, there's no accidental registering of other keys. The volume of individual switches can increase the weight and size of the keyboard.
Compact and TKL keyboards
Another quick concept to be familiar with is compact, or TKL (ten-keyless), gaming keyboards. These keyboards do not have the right ten-key number pad and accompanying function keys. This reduces the size and cost of keyboards, but for some, the removal of functionality will be too much greater sacrifice. It all comes down to personal preference.
Anti-ghosting and rollover tech
Rollover refers to a keyboard's ability to handle multiple keystrokes. X-rollover means that a keyboard should be able to register all keys being pressed simultaneously.
Ghosting is what happens when you've pressed multiple keys simultaneously, and some of the keys aren't reported at all – they disappear, hence 'ghosting'. Anti-ghosting means that the keyboard can handle and organise these keypresses.
When it comes to high-octane gaming situations, the instructions you give your gaming rig come thick and fast. With anti-ghosting and rollover tech, a keyboard can handle a significant number of quickly occurring keystrokes and delivery them accurately to your system.