Whether you want to gain a competitive edge or just mess around with some RGB lighting, you’ll need one of the best gaming keyboards. Although the old guard of brands like Corsair, SteelSeries, and Razer still make some excellent gaming keyboards, the competition is fierce in 2024, with smaller brands rising up to push the market of gaming keyboards forward.
An excellent example of that is our top pick, Asus’ ROG Strix Scope II 96, which elevates gaming keyboards to an enthusiast level while maintaining a mainstream price. Although it’s the top gaming keyboard for most people, it isn’t the best for everyone. After putting our fingers on dozens of different gaming keyboards, these 10 are the only ones you should keep in mind.
Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming
Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96
The best gaming keyboard
Pros
- Wonderful typing and gaming experience
- Space-saving 96% layout
- Comfy wrist rest
Cons
- A little expensive
- No TKL or smaller option
Why you should buy this: It nails the high-end gaming experience without going overboard on price.
Who it’s for: Gamers who want a little bit of everything.
Why we chose the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96:
The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 defies logic in more ways than one. At $150, Asus is able to provide one of the best sounding and feeling keyboards on the market, all while packing in premium wireless, a comfortable wrist rest, per-key RGB lighting, and shockingly good switches.
There are two things that help the Strix Scope II 96 achieve such a fantastic feel. It includes board foam, absorbing the hollow ping you get on most gaming keyboards, and it comes with lubricated ROG NX Snow switches. These two factors allow it to get close to the typing experience you get on enthusiast-level gaming keyboards, but Asus still comes in at a mainstream price.
Outside of the feel, Asus opted for a 96% layout for this keyboard, which saves a ton of space. You get all of the keys available on a full-sized keyboard, but they’re pushed closer together. It doesn’t sound like a big difference, but the Strix Scope II 96 feels much smaller than a normal keyboard when it’s actually set up on your desk.
Between the unique layout and excellent gaming experience, the ROG Strix Scope II 96 is easy to recommend. It nails every aspect of a gaming keyboard we want to see, pushing far beyond the other options available at this price.
Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96
The best gaming keyboard
HyperX Alloy Origins Core
The best cheap gaming keyboard
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Aluminum frame and body
- Bright, vibrant RGB lighting
- True mechanical switches
Cons
- Full-sized option is more expensive
- No wrist rest
Why you should buy this: It’s a cheap mechanical gaming keyboard that feels like a premium option.
Who it’s for: Gamers on a budget who still want a quality mechanical keyboard.
Why we chose the HyperX Alloy Origins Core:
The HyperX Alloy Origins Core is an unassuming mechanical gaming keyboard, which means one thing: It’s cheap. Coming around $80, and often on sale for around $60 to $70, the HyperX Alloy Origins cuts the fluff and provides a sublime gaming experience at a fraction of the price.
All of the essentials are here: True mechanical switches, pre-key RGB lighting, and an aircraft-grade aluminum body. You have the options between linear, tactile, or clicking switches, so you can pick up a model for work, gaming, or anything in between.
The Alloy Origins Core has a lot of goodies, too, including onboard profile storage, macro support, and a detachable USB-C cable. It doesn’t come with a wrist rest or dedicated media buttons, but considering the price, the Alloy Origins Core gets a lot right.
HyperX Alloy Origins Core
The best cheap gaming keyboard
Asus ROG Azoth
The best wireless gaming keyboard
Pros
- Multipurpose OLED display
- Sublime typing experience
- Gasket mount design
- Switch stabilizers
- Switch lubing station included
Cons
- North-facing PCB can present keycap issues
- Stock NX switches aren’t the best
Why you should buy this: It’s arguably the best gaming keyboard ever made.
Who it’s for: Gamers who want custom-keyboard quality, right off the shelf.
Why we chose the Asus ROG Azoth:
It’s rare for an off-the-shelf keyboard to truly rival the best custom keyboards, but that’s exactly what the Asus ROG Azoth did when we put it through its paces. It offers an almost-unparalleled typing experience, a supremely sturdy design, soft and comfortable keycaps, and it’s incredibly quiet. The silicon gasket mount helps cushion every keypress without inhibiting accuracy or typing speed, and there are stabilizers on all the big keys, so they feel the same no matter where you hit them.
The switches are Asus’ own NX switches, in either linear red, tactile brown, or clicky blue. They’re good, but not amazing. Fortunately, this is a keyboard you can easily customize, so you can buy your favorite brand of switches and slot them right in to this deeply customizable keyboard. The wireless functionality is a real treat too, with options for 2.4Ghz and Bluetooth connection making sure you can have a subline gaming space with as few wires as possible. Battery life is great, lasting multiple days of use without needing a charge.
The little OLED display in the corner is a nice touch. It’s a little gimmicky, but it can display some useful information without your PC’s temperatures or fan speeds. You can also have it play custom animations or show whatever text you like, should you wish.
It’s an expensive board, but one well worth paying for if you want the best of the best.
Asus ROG Azoth
The best wireless gaming keyboard
Keychron Q1 HE
The best gaming keyboard with Hall Effect switches
Pros
- Fantastic typing experience
- Instant response to key presses
- 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless
Cons
- Pricey
- Magnetic switches aren’t for everyone
- Finicky software
Why you should buy this: It’s one of the best-feeling keyboards you can buy, and it’s extremely fast.
Who it’s for: Enthusiasts who want a premium typing and gaming experience without much fuss.
Why we chose the Keychron Q1 HE:
Keychron’s Q1 is a legendary keyboard, and the new HE model is even better. It takes the comfortable 75% layout, excellent build quality, and seemingly endless customization of the Q1 and adds Hall Effect, or magnetic, switches. These switches can provide a nearly instant response, making them excellent for gaming.
The switches on this keyboard come from Gateron, and they use two opposing magnets. You can customize where each key activates based on the distance between these two magnets, down to 0.1mm. You can also set multiple commands to a single key, activating at different points as you press down and release the switch.
It’s a useful feature, but Keychron manages to add magnetic switches while maintaining the excellent typing experience of the original Q1. You still get board foam and a double gasket mount, leading to a silky typing experience that allows you to fly across the keys.
The expected trimmings are here, as well, including Windows and macOS support, wireless through Bluetooth or 2.4GHz, and a dedicated metal volume wheel. Keychron has managed to teeter on the edge between mainstream and enthusiast keyboards, and the Q1 HE shows how the company maintains balance. It’s almost perfect out of the box, but you still have plenty of options to customize the keyboard if you wish.
Keychron Q1 HE
The best gaming keyboard with Hall Effect switches
SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless
The best gaming keyboard for esports
Pros
- Unique Omnipoint 2.0 switches
- Dual actuation inputs
- Perfect size for gamers
- Satisfying typing and gaming experience
- Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections
Cons
- Unnecessarily expensive
- SteelSeries GG is a bit confusing
- 60% form factor limits use cases
Why you should buy this: It’s the most adjustable 60% gaming keyboard you can buy.
Who it’s for: Competitive gamers who want every advantage possible.
Why we chose the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini:
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is an unassuming 60% keyboard, but it has a lot of interesting features beneath its basic exterior. It uses SteelSeries’ Omnipoint 2.0 switches, which allow you to adjust the actuation point through software from 0.2mm up to 3.8mm.
For competitive gamers who need split-second reactions, the adjustable actuation makes a huge difference. At its lowest point, all you need to do is feather the switch to register an input, which makes quick double-taps and reactive inputs much easier to pull off.
The Apex Pro Mini is a great gaming keyboard outside of its unique mechanical switches, too. It works with low-latency 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, or through a wired connection, and SteelSeries’ GG software allows you to set up macros, rebind keys, and much, much more.
SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless
The best gaming keyboard for esports
Asus ROG Falchion RX LP
The best compact gaming keyboard
Pros
- Remarkably small
- Excellent sound and feel
- Unique media controls
Cons
- Expensive
- No customization options
Why you should buy this: It doesn’t sacrifice sound or feel, despite the low-profile form factor.
Who it’s for: Gamers who need something compact.
Why we chose the Asus ROG Falchion RX LP:
We’ve seen a trend toward low-profile gaming keyboards over the last few years, but there isn’t a keyboard that sticks the landing like the Asus ROG Falchion RX LP. It’s the standard low-profile affair, with thin keycaps and even thinner switches, but Asus makes a few key changes to its design that help it feel and sound much better.
The biggest change is board foam. There are two layers of silicon inside the keyboard that help absorb the pinging noise you get on keyboards without any sound absorption. The ROG Falchion RX LP still has that snappy response that low-profile keyboards are known for, but the sound and feel is much more premium.
In addition, the keycaps come with a unique design. Asus uses four pins on each corner of the switch that click into place on the keycaps. This stabilizes the keycaps on top of the switch so that they don’t wobble. It may sound small, but it’s important to have a stable typing experience on a low-profile keyboard, and the Falchion RX LP nails that.
This keyboard goes beyond just feel, though. It includes tri-mode wireless, as well as a sensor on the back that you can bind to commands like volume and media controls. Asus also managed to fit the number of keys on a 65% keyboard in the space of a 60% keyboard, making the ROG Falchion RX LP feel even smaller than it already is.
Asus ROG Falchion RX LP
The best compact gaming keyboard
Glorious GMMK Pro
The best gaming keyboard for customizations
Pros
- Very well-built
- 5-pin switch socket
- Programmable knob and macro keys
- Great customization options
Cons
- No wrist rest
- No adjustable feet
Why you should buy this: A well-built custom gaming keyboard for enthusiasts.
Who it’s for: Gamers who want to dive into the custom keyboards category.
Why we chose the Glorious GMMK Pro:
Custom keyboards allow you to build them in a way that best suits your needs. The Glorious GMMK Pro is one such option and is an excellent choice if you want to build your first keyboard. It’s a 75% mechanical keyboard where, apart from the switches and keycaps, you can also change the programmable rotary knob, the USB-C cable, and the included aluminum PCB switch plate. The all-aluminum chassis and base plate ensure a solid build quality, plus you get per-key RGB backlighting, macro-programmable keys, and the Glorious Core software to control everything.
It is a barebones keyboard, so you need to invest extra in switches and keycaps, although the 5-pin socket means you can install almost any mechanical switch option available on the market. The only downside of the keyboard is that it has a tall profile, so it might not be for everyone and there are no adjustable feet nor does it come with a wrist rest.
Glorious GMMK Pro
The best gaming keyboard for customizations
Corsair K65 Plus
The best gaming keyboard with RGB
Pros
- Solid typing and gaming experience
- Windows and macOS support
- 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth
Cons
- Plastic shell
- Stock keycaps aren’t the best
Why you should buy this: It’s the best Corsair gaming keyboard on the market.
Who it’s for: Gamers who want to step up their keyboard game without endless research.
Why we chose the Corsair K65 Plus:
The Corsair K65 Plus puts Corsair back in the gaming keyboard competition in a big way. This is Corsair’s first 75% keyboard, and it comes with plenty of premium features. You’re free to not only swap out the keycaps, but also the switches, and you get a dedicated metal volume wheel.
What really makes the difference is board foam, however. This is the first Corsair keyboard with built-in sound dampening, and it completely transforms the sound and feel of the keyboard. This feels like the premium keyboard that Corsair has been trying to nail for the past several years.
It’s not too expensive, either. At $160, the K65 Plus certainly isn’t cheap, but you get a lot for that price. Most notably, you get Corsair’s excellent Slipstream wireless tech, along with Bluetooth. Corsair even includes a slot to hold the adapter at the back of the keyboard. Considering we were seeing much lesser keyboards that only held a wired connection from Corsair a few years ago, the K65 Plus is a massive step up.
Corsair K65 Plus
The best gaming keyboard with RGB
Keychron C3 Pro
The cheapest mechanical gaming keyboard
Pros
- Incredible price for a mechanical keyboard
- Responsive and comfortable switches
- Red backlighting
- Gasket mounting makes it quiet to use
- Full remappable using QMK/VIA
Cons
- Lacks RGB lighting options
Why you should buy this: It’s the cheapest customizable mechanical keyboard you can buy.
Who it’s for: Gamers on the tightest of budgets who still want a customizable mechanical keyboard.
Why we chose the Keychron C3 Pro:
The Keychron C3 Pro is a fully functional mechanical keyboard with excellent tactile switches, remappable functions, and gasket mounting for quiet typing and gaming. It’s a near-complete mechanical keyboard package priced around $35. It’s half the price of where even affordable mechanical keyboards usually sit, making it a stellar addition to any budget-gamer’s setup.
There is no RGB backlighting, but you get red backlighting to illuminate the keys in the dark, and it has a 1,000 Hz polling rate, so it’s responsive and well-suited for competitive gaming. It supports macOS and Windows, and you can toggle between layouts at the press of a button. The tenkeyless layout is excellent for gaming, too, since it sheds some of the additional keys and keyboard elements that you won’t need for most games. That saves space and helps keep the price down.
Keychron C3 Pro
The cheapest mechanical gaming keyboard
Wooting 60HE+
Best gaming keyboard for esports
Pros
- Incredibly fast switches
- Supports Rapid Trigger keypresses for strafing
- Customizable actuation distance on each key
- Hall Effect switches are simple and durable
- Gasket mounting and foam padding make it quiet to type on
Cons
- Expensive
- Over-engineered for most gamers
Why you should buy this: It’s about as fast as gaming keyboards can get.
Who it’s for: Professionals, or gamers who want to take their games very seriously.
Why we chose the Wooting 60HE+:
Gaming keyboards are fast, but they don’t tend to make you that much faster than a more generic mechanical keyboard, or even some of the ancient rubber-dome membrane alternatives. Not when there are so many other factors that can impact your reaction speed, from your monitor’s refresh rate to your own reaction time.
But the Wooting 60HE+ isn’t for most gamers. It’s for gamers looking to eke out every possible advantage they can to get that next win. If you already have a high-end gaming monitor, a superfast gaming PC, and believe you are as fast as you can get, then a Wooting 60HE+ might be just what you need to take your gaming skills to the next level.
It’s fitted with Gateron x Lekker magnetic Hall Effect switches — some of the fastest keyboard switches you can find — with customizable actuation distances to as shallow as 0.1mm. That makes them blazing fast by themselves, but they also support “Rapid Trigger” and “Rappy Snappy” keypress techniques, for superfast strafing and other competitive gaming moves to keep you ahead of the competition.
Don’t like the switches? You can swap them out for something else. Find the 60% layout too constricting? You can use the onboard software to double up commands to expand its usage. There’s per-key RGB lighting, infinite remappability for each key, and you can even take the board apart and replace individual components for a truly customized look and feel.
Wooting 60HE+
Best gaming keyboard for esports
Frequently Asked Questions
What keyboard layout is best for gaming?
Generally, keyboards come in a standard 104-key layout complete with a number pad. But for gaming, it can be interesting to contemplate smaller keyboard layouts, sacrificing practicality in favor of a more compact keyboard. The primary reason you would want to do this is to clear up desk space for your mouse — having a wide-open space for your mouse next to a small keyboard allows you to play at lower DPI settings and make longer sweeps without running into your keyboard, thus increasing your in-game performance.
A full-size keyboard is a good option if it’s your only keyboard and it will need to double as a work keyboard. Another answer could be that 60% keyboard layouts are the best for first-person shooters, but as they make a lot of sacrifices to meet the compact footprint requirements, TKL (tenkeyless, or num-pad free) keyboards generally offer a more desirable balance of features.
Do keyboard switch types really matter?
In the world of gaming keyboards, switches are all the rave. Generally, mechanical keyboards always take the prize in this category, mainly for the feel of their mechanical actuation. Traditionally, there are three main types of switches: Linear, tactile, and clicky. Linear switches travel down with equal force along the stroke, whereas tactile switches have a distinct bump on the way down. Clicky switches have tactile travel but also offer a click halfway through the stroke to indicate that they have actuated and sent the signal to the PC.
But by now, there are more switch options than just Cherry MX Red, brown, and blue. These come in low-profile now too, and there is a new MX Speed Silver switch on the market, which is like a linear red switch but with a faster actuation point and lighter travel.
Meanwhile, a lot of keyboard manufacturers are coming out with their own switches, like Corsair’s OPX optical switch. Razer has its own, Logitech has the Romer-G switch on many of its keyboards, and there are third-party switch makers like Kailh and Gateron that provide switches also used in many of today’s keyboards.
Generally, we recommend linear switches for pure gamers and tactile switches for those who type a lot. If you’re only typing, a clicky blue switch can be very satisfying, though your environment might not be quite as appreciative of your click-clacking keyboard if you go down that route, generally leaving the choice between linear and tactile switches.
Is RGB lighting on keyboards all the same?
Most gaming hardware comes with RGB lighting nowadays, whether that’s something you care for or not, so it’s no surprise that all of the best gaming keyboards have it too. The best ecosystems, such as those from Corsair, Logitech, and Razer, have software that runs on your PC that allows you to get very nitpicky about your lighting effects and allow for support that can sync with other compatible RGB lighting in your setup. Cheaper keyboards may have similar systems but generally rely on on-keyboard lighting profiles that lack any significant customization options beyond a select few effect types and color options.
Additionally, the RGB lighting quality can also vary massively between keyboards. Some have very lackluster implementations that lack vibrancy and brightness, while others offer exactly that. This can depend on the keycap, switch type, and the color of the backplate underneath the switches.
Do keyboard ergonomics make a difference?
We don’t really suggest a truly ergonomic keyboard design for gaming, as the re-positioned keys can be awkward to use for gaming purposes. However, a good keyboard with the right switch type, elevation, and quality wrist rest can do miracles for your typing comfort.
Your posture is also important. Sit too low, and you’ll perch your shoulders up. Sit too high, and you’ll have to carry your arms. A wrist rest is easy to improvise with a towel, but wrist pain can take weeks to recover from. Do yourself a favor and adjust your seat, desk, and monitor to the correct height to ensure you don’t have to miss gaming sessions with your friends.
What is the best gaming keyboard for esports?
The best gaming keyboard for esports is the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless. It doesn’t have a number pad, which saves you some room for mouse flicks, and it includes a tournament switch that turns off some extra features to keep your performance consistent during a competition.
If you need even more room for your mouse, the Razer BlackWidow V3 is an excellent 65% keyboard that has an even smaller footprint.
Read the full article here
