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The 6 best gaming keyboards for digital domination

Whether you’re looking to up your competitive performance or bathe your desk in RGB glare, these gaming keyboards will let you reach your peak potential
Callum Bains
by Callum Bains 
The 6 best gaming keyboards for digital domination
Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT
Best build quality
The Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT has style and is built to last.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Solid build Customizable Options galore
The Bad
Takes up a lot of desk space
The Bottomline
For gamers who want a customizable keyboard, the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT is a solid pick.
HyperX Alloy Elite 2
Best For Illumination
A very reliable keyboard with multi-media control options and customisable features.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Very customisable USB pass-through Vibrant LED illumination Multi-media control features
The Bad
No wrist rest Some software complaints
The Bottomline
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 gives you a great deal at a decent price.
SteelSeries Apex 3
Best For Noise
The membrane switches on the SteelSeries Apex 3 ensure a quieter gaming experience.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Quiet Reactive to in-game experiences Durable Different specs available
The Bad
No USB passthrough
The Bottomline
If you're a gamer who's irritated by constant clicking — but like long sessions — this is one for you.
Corsair K63
Best For Wireless
Game from the sofa without missing a step with the Corsair K63.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Mobile Fast connection Slick keystroke tech Reasonably priced
The Bad
Lapboard not included Average battery life
The Bottomline
The Corsair K63 Wireless is the best in user mobility at an affordable price.
Roccat Magma
Budget pick
This is the best affordable membrane keyboard around — and it outperforms budget mechanical options.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Dazzling RGB backlight Responsive keys Full-size layout Lightweight
The Bad
Membrane key switches Hard plastic wrist rest
The Bottomline
A reliable membrane keyboard that’s as quiet as it is cheap.
Razer Blackwidow V4 Pro
Best for features
Packed with all the features most gamers will need, this keyboard is dependable, comfortable, and a great all-rounder.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Plenty of macro keys Full transport controls Tactile keys Comfortable wrist rest
The Bad
Loud key switches Unintuitive macro placement
The Bottomline
An all-rounder that’s packed with features and delivers great bang for your buck.
> Entertainment

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

The good
Solid build Customizable Options galore
The Bad
Takes up a lot of desk space
The Bottomline
For gamers who want a customizable keyboard, the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT is a solid pick.
Specs
  • 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

The good
Very customisable USB pass-through Vibrant LED illumination Multi-media control features
The Bad
No wrist rest Some software complaints
The Bottomline
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 gives you a great deal at a decent price.
Specs
  • 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
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 offers enough features for serious gamers at a price that won’t put a serious hurt on your wallet.  The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 comes with the company's own HyperX Red linear switches and durable ABS "pudding" keycaps that allow for more light.  HyperX's Ngenuity configuration software will allow you to assign custom macros (three onboard profiles and as many as you can come up with in the software) to simplify frequently used command sequences. You can also disable keys, including the Windows key, which is pre-programmed to shut off while in game mode. Additionally, backlight options can be set specific to individual keys. Multi-media controls that include dedicated media buttons and a roller bar for adjusting the volume, 100% anti-ghosting, N-Key rollover, USB pass through, and a braided cord for durability help to round out the many features of the moderately priced HyperX Alloy Elite 2.

SteelSeries Apex 3

Best For Noise

The good
Quiet Reactive to in-game experiences Durable Different specs available
The Bad
No USB passthrough
The Bottomline
If you're a gamer who's irritated by constant clicking — but like long sessions — this is one for you.
Specs
  • 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
Experience gaming without the noisy click, click, click of your keyboard. The SteelSeries Apex 3 offers softer sounds with its low-friction, SteelSeries Whisper-Quiet membrane switches. The durability of the keyboard, price and complementary features bring it to the top of our list for quiet keyboards.  SteelSeries advertises that the keys will last for 20 million clicks. Unless you’re a 24-7 gamer (get some sleep!) that’s a long life for a keyboard. The keyboard is built with water-resistant construction, so you will reach 20 million even with some accidental spills. With 24-key rollover, that durability does not come at the expense of a smooth gaming experience.  The RGB backlighting is customisable in 10 separate zones, and responds in real time to your in-game experience by utilising Game Sense reactive lighting. You can also integrate the keyboard with Discord Chat to receive notifications through the keyboard any time you receive a message.  With a a full-sized keyboard with a tenkey number pad, the Apex 3 is big even without the magnetic wrist rest. The keyboard has enough space for a volume wheel and a dedicated media button in the upper right corner. SteelSeries Engine software allows you to customise the most intense macros.

Corsair K63

Best For Wireless

The good
Mobile Fast connection Slick keystroke tech Reasonably priced
The Bad
Lapboard not included Average battery life
The Bottomline
The Corsair K63 Wireless is the best in user mobility at an affordable price.
Specs
  • 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
Wired keyboards have built-in advantages for gamers: there’s less lag, they're more responsive, and mobility isn’t typically a sought-after gaming feature. Still, there are those who do want the portability, or just can’t stand a messy tangle of wires. The Corsair K63 Wireless offers mobility with little sacrifice in responsiveness.   You can connect the Corsair K63 Wireless via 1ms 2.4GHz gaming-optimised wireless technology, high-speed and low latency Bluetooth, but also have the option to use wired USB when you don’t need to be mobile. The rechargeable battery will give you up to 15 hours of action if you are connected through Bluetooth, which has a radius of about 33 feet. The tenkeyless design allows for a more portable size. The Gold contact CHERRY® MX Red mechanical gaming key switches ensures your keystrokes are instantly actuated, and the full-key rollover provides full anti-ghosting technology. The keys are backlit by blue-lit LED lights and are designed with large fonts. You can assign macros to your keys, and adjust the lighting effects, through the Corsair Utility Engine (CUE).  The keyboard comes standard with a detachable, soft touch wrist rest. For additional comfort, a lapboard can be purchased separately.

Roccat Magma

Budget pick

The good
Dazzling RGB backlight Responsive keys Full-size layout Lightweight
The Bad
Membrane key switches Hard plastic wrist rest
The Bottomline
A reliable membrane keyboard that’s as quiet as it is cheap.
Specs
  • 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

The good
Plenty of macro keys Full transport controls Tactile keys Comfortable wrist rest
The Bad
Loud key switches Unintuitive macro placement
The Bottomline
An all-rounder that’s packed with features and delivers great bang for your buck.
Specs
  • 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.

Topics: Entertainment, Twitter, Social Media, Games, HyperX Alloy Elite 2, SteelSeries Apex 3, Corsair K63, Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT, Roccat Magma, Razer Blackwidow V4 Pro

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