You’ve built yourself a snazzy PC kitted out with all the latest hardware, but it won’t feel complete until you pick up a gaming keyboard to match.
If you’ve just coughed up hundreds of dollars on a top-of-the-line gaming rig, you might be tempted to skimp on the added peripherals, but you’d do well not to. For all the processing going on inside your PC, it’s the external hardware that you’ll be handling. Picking up a gaming keyboard can radically change the feel and function of your rig, and might even boost your multiplayer performance in the process.
With so many keebs (that’s the very cool slang word for keyboard) to pick from, and a whole bunch of jargon to read, wading through the RGB-laden world of gaming peripherals can feel like a slog. Pick the right keyboard, though, and your gaming and typing experience will feel anything but.
We've rounded up six of the top gaming keyboards on the market, so you can spend less time doing research, and more time actually gaming.
Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT
Best build quality
![](https://sm.mashable.com/t/mashable_me/cover/c/corsair-k9/corsair-k95-rgb-platinum-xt_wdkt.1024.jpg)
- Features: 6 dedicated macro keys, anodized aluminum frame, media controls with volume wheel, USB 2.0 pass-through, N-Key rollover, detachable wrist rest
- Key type: Cherry MX Speed Silver
- Size: Full size, 18.3 x 6.7 x 1.4 inches
At first glance, it may look as if the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT would be best featured under a "best aesthetic" category, with its custom lighting options that can be stored in five profiles directly through its onboard memory.
Look closer, though, and you’ll see the XT offers customization almost everywhere. You can customize its Game Mode function and macros, purchase the keyboard with Cherry MX Blue, Brown, or Speed Silver switches, and the keyboard supports Elgato Stream Deck integration for when you want to shift from gaming to streaming.
Robust anti-ghosting technology is welcome, and USB 2.0 pass-through allows you to connect your peripheral accessories to the keyboard. The media buttons include a large volume wheel, as well as buttons for controlling the brightness, lighting effects, Windows Key Lock, and Game Mode settings. It’s fairly large, but space is a worthwhile sacrifice when you consider all the features provided.
HyperX Alloy Elite 2
Best For Illumination
![](https://sm.mashable.com/t/mashable_me/cover/h/hyperx-all/hyperx-alloy-elite-2_57be.1024.png)
- Features: Low-noise switches, customizable lighting and function keys, game mode, media controls, HyperX Ngenuity gaming software, N-Key rollover, USB pass-through
- Key type: HyperX Red linear switches
- Size: Full size, 17.5 x 6.9 x 1.5 inches
SteelSeries Apex 3
Best For Noise
![](https://sm.mashable.com/t/mashable_me/cover/s/steelserie/steelseries-apex-3_yvma.1024.png)
- Features: 10-zone customizable RGB lighting, IP32 water resistance, 20-million key press durability, magnetic wrist rest, Discord in-game lighting notifications
- Key type: Whisper Quiet membrane switches
- Size: Full size 5.94 x 17.52 x 1.57 inches
Corsair K63
Best For Wireless
![](https://sm.mashable.com/t/mashable_me/cover/c/corsair-k6/corsair-k63_3vn8.1024.png)
- Dimensions: Tenkeyless, 14.4 by 6.8 by 1.6 inches
- Features: High-speed wireless connection, Gold contact CHERRY® MX Red mechanical gaming key switches, detachable soft-touch wrist rest, rechargeable battery, blue-lit LED, Corsair Utility Engine for macros and lighting effects
- Key type: CHERRY® MX Red mechanical
Roccat Magma
Budget pick
![](https://sm.mashable.com/t/mashable_me/cover/r/roccat-mag/roccat-magma_wy9h.1024.jpg)
- Features: Quiet keys, adjustable RGB backlight, Easy-Shift duplicator, detachable plastic wrist rest, optional Game Mode
- Key type: Membrane
- Size: Full size, 17.8 x 8.86 x 1.5 inches
Don’t say it too loudly, but a budget membrane keyboard is often superior to a budget mechanical keyboard. It’s an idea that the Roccat Magma confidently proves, with its chunky, silent membrane keys that give the other options at this price point a run for their money.
The feel of the Magma will be familiar to anyone used to typing on an office keyboard, but its Game Mode function (which locks off features that could distract you during a competitive spree), Easy-Shift button that lets you assign duplicate functions to keys, and a full RGB backplate sell its gaming credentials. Despite its rather loud visuals, individual keystrokes barely make a noise, making this a great pick for anyone after a quiet keyboard that won’t empty your wallet.
Razer Blackwidow V4 Pro
Best for features
![](https://sm.mashable.com/t/mashable_me/cover/r/razer-blac/razer-blackwidow-v4-pro_mwq6.1024.jpg)
- Features: Razer Chroma RGB lighting, USB passthrough, detachable wrist rest, dedicated media buttons, versatile command dial, metal construction
- Key type: Green mechanical switches (clicky)
- Size: Full size, 18.36 x 8.8 x 1.73 inches
If you’re willing to splash the cash on a feature-rich, reliable gaming keyboard that’s as comfortable as it is tactile, consider Razer’s Blackwidow V4 Pro. Its mechanical switches are as clicky as they come – great for those who like an audible response to each keystroke – and sport a nicely short travel distance.
This keyboard really stands out for its abundance of extras. Five macro keys, plus an additional three pre-set buttons on the side let you set scripted actions, while a command dial in the top left functions as an easy means of controlling brightness, switching apps, or zooming in and out of a page. Add in the immensely comfortable cushioned wrist rest, and it's as ergonomic as you could want a gaming keyboard to be.
The position of the macros is a little unintuitive, but nothing you won’t get used to with time. For an all-around, likely-to-please-everyone keyboard that doesn’t skimp on RGB lighting, the Blackwidow V4 is the one to get.
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