Best gaming keyboard 2019 (February)

The greatest gaming keyboard is determined by what precisely you’re searching for. Whether that’s a full-size or compact board, membrane or mech change, full RGB or simply easy single-colour backlit, we’ve rigorously examined every gaming keyboard that has crossed our desks to assist you decide. It’s a tricky job, however somebody’s acquired to spend all day gaming onerous simply to check them out…

We’ve picked the perfect Logitech, Corsair, and Razer keyboards, as nicely a number of choices from established, and a few up-and-coming, producers, that can assist you select the proper gaming keyboard to your setup. The humble keyboard is an intrinsic a part of the PC gaming expertise, it’s even set to turn out to be a part of the console expertise too, with Microsoft repeatedly claiming official support is coming to Xbox One and One X.

Together with a high quality mouse, the gaming keyboard types the proper peripheral partnership, one that provides us PC peeps probably the most correct and most quick management system of any gaming machine on the market. It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re rocking even the perfect controller, anybody enjoying FPS games on their PC goes to want the extent of management you may solely get with the traditional ol’ WSAD/mouse combo.

But what makes the final word in gaming keyboard supremacy? There are primarily two faculties of thought on that entrance: mechanical keyboard or non-mechanical change keyboards.

Rodent pal: Need the best gaming mouse too?

The first college of thought is clearly appropriate and the second woefully misinformed. From there it’s only a straight up combat over which totally different mech-switch kind you favor.

The greatest gaming keyboards are:

Check out the perfect gaming keyboard costs on Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Winner: Best gaming keyboard

Corsair Ok70 Rapidfire

Approx. $120 | £154

Pros
 Durable
 Volume wheel
 Cherry MX key switches

Cons
 Low-profile wrist relaxation

Corsair’s Ok70 boards are the best possible gaming keyboards we’ve ever used. Since they first launched again in 2013 we’ve been large followers, and haven’t seen something since which has modified our minds. Not even Corsair’s later boards, just like the Strafe, or the overly-bling Ok95 Platinum, have been capable of replicate the identical combine of straightforward industrial design and sheer pleasure to make use of.

They have advanced through the years, however the traditional design has remained kind of the identical since their inception. I’ve picked the Rapidfire version of the Corsair Ok70 as the highest board as a result of the sunshine contact Cherry MX Speed keys imply significantly hardcore players would possibly get a slight enhance in actuation pace from their button clicks, and the remainder of us don’t should be so heavy-handed (and loud) after we’re gaming or typing. The Speed switches are virtually the identical as normal Red switches, simply with a shallower actuation level.

Read our full Corsair K70 Rapidfire review.

Runner-up

Wooting One analogue

Approx. $140 | £130

Pros
 Analogue motion
 Tough and dependable
 Great assist

Cons
 Analogue doesn’t work in each game

The Wooting One is not like every other gaming keyboard presently accessible. Don’t let the per-key RGB LED illumination idiot you, underneath these keycaps are a few of the most superior mechanical switches available on the market. The Flaretech optical switches enable for full analogue enter and, when you’re used to them, they’ll make an enormous distinction to your mouse and keyboard PC gaming.

That means sneaking is now doable by calmly holding down the ‘W’ key and steering your means round Far Cry 5 shouldn’t be a jerky, drunk-driving sim expertise both. The Wooting group is dedicated to bettering the board, and have not too long ago added RGB results to make with the pretties. And what makes all this all of the extra superb is that it’s a small group which have introduced the Wooting One throughout from humble Kickstarter beginnings to make an excellent product.

Read our full Wooting One review.

Runner-up

Roccat Vulcan 120

Approx. £150

Pros
 Unique
 Incredible lighting
 Well-built

Cons
 Low-profile wrist relaxation

Roccat has accomplished one thing not usually seen within the gaming keyboard market, it’s created one thing really distinctive. From the floating, pseudo chiclet design of the keycaps to working with TTC to create the brand new Titan mechanical change, the Vulcan is a breath of recent air out there.

And it’s an excellent board too. The switches aren’t fairly the identical as a Cherry MX, however the distinction is so slight that the opposite options of the Vulcan outweigh any gentle points we could have with it.

Read our full Roccat Vulcan 120 review.

Runner-up

Ducky One2 Horizon

Approx. $102 | £105

Pros
 Built like a tank
 High-quality key caps
 Replaceable USB-C cable

Cons
 No backlighting or wrist relaxation

If you need a gaming keyboard that would survive a direct hit by a cruise missile then the Ducky One2 might be going to be your greatest wager for post-apocalyptic PC gaming. I anticipate you’ll discover one dotted across the West Virginian panorama in Fallout 76.

It’s not probably the most aesthetically pleasing keyboard round, although it has its personal simplistic magnificence, and it’s not probably the most feature-packed both, however it’s as strong a board as you’ll discover. It has double-shot PBT keycaps (with a number of spare within the field) and a double layer PCB to outlive the tip of these hyper-aggressive Black Ops 4 games. The no-nonsense styling additionally looks like the proper antidote to the slew of over-designed, LED-ridden keyboards that each firm appears intent on inflicting on the gaming public.

Read our full Ducky One2 Horizon overview.

 

Runner-up

Razer Blackwidow Chroma V2

Approx. $123 | £150

Pros
 That wrist relaxation tho
 Detachable cable
 Macro keys

Cons
 No media keys

Razer utilises its personal switches in its gaming keyboards. They’ve acquired inexperienced, orange, and yellow change choices, that are kind of analogous to Cherry MX blue, brown, and silent switches, respectively. The Blackwidow Chroma V.2 is obtainable along with your alternative of those three switches. We’ve been utilizing the Razer yellow switches, and they’re very responsive and fairly quiet in comparison with comparable Cherry MX reds.

The Blackwidow Chroma V.2 options the identical sunk-in design of the primary iteration, leaving the slimmer floating design to the Blackwidow X. Unfortunately, the Blackwidow nonetheless doesn’t characteristic media keys, preferring to combine these with the operate keys. Despite this one problem, the Razer Blackwidow Chroma V.2 is a incredible keyboard, and the included wrist rest is just very good, making it an excellent addition to any gamer’s arsenal.

Runner-up

Logitech G513

Approx. $130 | £115

Pros
 Just have a look at that wrist relaxation
 Vibrant centre-key lighting
 Brushed steel end

Cons
 No media keys

And we thought the Razer Blackwidow Chroma V2 had an attractive wrist relaxation… Logitech have original an excellent reminiscence foam palm-cuddler and it makes it really feel such as you’re typing on air, particularly with the brand new linear Romer G switches. Though sadly there’s no try to attach it with the board, which is a ache.

It’s nonetheless acquired the identical brushed aluminium aesthetic we appreciated about earlier G413 keyboard, and that provides it a critical, strong look. It makes the keys appear like they’re floating above the metallic floor and aids the RGB seems. It’s fantastically engineered and has a extra delicate design than most gaming peripherals, which we are able to’t actually assist however admire. There are not any discrete media controls on this board, however Logitech’s software program means you may change the hardly ever used operate keys round to favour their secondary operate first.

Read our full Logitech G513 review.

Winner: Best compact gaming keyboard

Wooting One

Approx. $140 | £130

Pros
 Compact
 Easy set up due to removable cable
 Well-built

Cons
 Not the lightest

The Wooting One isn’t only a nice compact gaming keyboard it’s very practically the perfect gaming keyboard round. Those Flaretech optical switches will let you flip what is often a really digital controller into a very analogue system. Who wants these fiddly Xbox controllers now? The keyboard and mouse combo has simply acquired even higher.

And so has the Wooting One since its launch. The small group is frequently listening to consumer suggestions and updating the system, making it extra usable, including in new options, and delivering wider compatibility. It’s an excellent little keyboard, with a real distinctive promoting level, and strong software program too. Made all of the extra exceptional due to its humble Kickstarter beginnings.

Read our full Wooting One review.

Runner-up

HyperX Alloy FPS

Approx. $80 | £73

Pros
 Detachable cable
 Compact, full keypad design
 Comes with journey pouch

Cons
 Tenkeyless nonetheless wins on dimension

There are smaller boards, which miss out the the numpad on the appropriate, however due to the way in which the HyperX group has designed the Alloy FPS its desktop footprint isn’t that a lot better than these cut-down keyboards. And for a superb many players lacking the numpad could be a actual deal-breaker. That makes it an excellent possibility for these craving a extra compact design however don’t essentially need to sacrifice keys.

As a compact gaming keyboard it doesn’t have the discrete media controls I’d usually choose, as a substitute utilizing modifiers on the operate keys, and HyperX have made an odd alternative in including a charging port reasonably than a full pass-through information and energy connection. As it’s, the Alloy FPS nonetheless makes for an excellent compact gaming keyboard, delivering all of the mechanical change management you’d need, with virtually all of the options of its broader competitors. It’s an excellent first go on the board market and proves to have been nicely well worth the wait.

Runner-up

Cooler Master MasterKeys Pro M

Approx. $100 | £85

Pros
 Tiny
 Smart numpad design
 Detachable cable

Cons
 No devoted media keys

Those RGB LED switches are all nicely and good if you wish to paint a rainbow throughout your board, however in case you’re after the cleanest, brightest, retina-searing white then Cooler Master’s MasterKey Pro M has acquired you lined. This small-scale model additionally nails the compact design whereas nonetheless retaining a full numpad.

That would possibly appear to be some kind of ergonomic voodoo, however Cooler Master have merely ditched the discrete navigation buttons and built-in them of their acquainted configuration inside the numpad. By advantage of its onboard ARM processor, the Pro M can run sans drivers to provide the full complement of on-the-fly macros and lighting results with out having to attend for the OS to catch up. In phrases of precise design it’s super-basic however meaning it’s additionally fuss-free, with a removable USB cable, strong footing and no messing round.

Runner-up

Razer Blackwidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2

Approx. $140 | £114

Pros
 Great dimension
 Wrist relaxation for days
 Detachable cable

Cons
 lacks numpad

The Razer Blackwidow Tournament Edition Chroma V.2 (…phew) follows the identical design because it’s bigger sibling, apart from the dearth of a quantity pad. The all plastic construct is retained from its predecessor, not like the very pleasing designs of the HyperX and Corsair boards, however it does provide a alternative of three mechanical switches – both inexperienced, orange or yellow. The switches really feel nice and well-made, the backlighting is vibrant, and the wrist rest is unbelievable.

With the dearth of media keys slightly disappointing, not less than the Razer may be very compact in return. It’s an excellent board, and one which we have been significantly unhappy about retiring as soon as the following board was due for overview.

Winner: Best low-cost gaming keyboard

Logitech G213

Approx. $69 | £35

Pros
 High-quality membrane
 Price-conscious

Cons
 Membrane keys
 No per-key lighting

Buying a actually low-cost keyboard will go away you on a hiding to nothing. A $20 board is more likely to in a short time begin to lose performance, whether or not that’s a number of sticky keys or a complete meltdown. It’s usually a little bit of a false economic system. Maybe spending $50 on a gaming keyboard remains to be an excessive amount of, however the Logitech G213 Prodigy is a superb instance of a extra pared again design nonetheless providing rather a lot.

Because of the lower cost you’re not getting mechanical switches or a inflexible steel body. Instead, you get Logitech’s personal Mech-Dome switches and a resolutely plastic really feel. Despite its all-plastic design the G213 remains to be fairly sturdy. It additionally comes with a built-in wrist relaxation and discrete media controls too. The G213 Prodigy is likely to be barely above what you’d name a funds keyboard, however its nonetheless good design and strong construct makes it price maintaining a tally of within the gross sales particularly.

Runner-up

Cooler Master MasterKeys Lite L combo

Approx. $57 | £55

Pros
 High-quality membrane
 Mouse included

Cons
 Mem-chanical…
 Mouse is an afterthought

There’s an incredible sense of worth to this Cooler Master bundle even when the ambidextrous mouse feels slightly light-weight. The keyboard itself comes with a suprisingly efficient pseudo mechanical change design. Ok, even writing down Mem-Chanical makes me need to vomit throughout this easy, elegant keyboard, however they genuinely really feel extra sturdy and cozy to make use of than a normal membrane change.

The mouse is slightly little bit of an afterthought, with an Avago optical sensor and a most DPI of three,500. But in case you’re searching for a good package deal that gained’t break the financial institution the Cooler Master’s li’l bundle is nicely price a glance.

Winner: Best Enthusiast Keyboard

ErgoDox EZ

Approx. $355 | $299 (standalone)

Pros

 Ergonomic
 Layering performance
 Detachable USB-C cable

Cons
 Expensive

Ergonomic keyboards deserve slightly extra love within the gaming world, and the ErgoDox EZ is a major instance why. This cut up ergonomic design not solely helps prevents nasty hand and wrist pressure, however its fantastically crafted case, detachable change design, and 32 programmable layers all make it top-of-the-line gaming boards within the biz.

This succesful keyboard is likely one of the most versatile we’ve come throughout, and its utility is just restricted by how deep you dive into its many options. Sure, it’s area of interest, and it’s not low-cost both, however if you’d like one thing new and thrilling, that can definitely ship in relation to gaming efficiency, you needn’t look a lot additional than the ErgoDoz EZ.

Read our full ErgoDox EZ review.

Runner-up

Topre Realforce R2

Approx. $258 | £325

Pros
 Unique, easy change
 Smart aesthetic
 High high quality

Cons
 Expensive

The Topre Realforce is technically a membrane keyboard, however hear me out. Each particular person change consists of a rubber dome over a coiled spring that makes contact with a PCB. As a consequence, all of that inconsistent squishiness from a membrane board is gone, changed by an actuation and really feel like no different available on the market.

If it’s endgame you’re after, you are able to do little higher than the Topre change: it’s easy, quiet, and an all-round pleasure to kind on. And with Fujitsu now donning the licensed distributor title badge within the US, this distinctive board is not robust to return by. But you’ll nonetheless be paying a whopping nice sum to choose one up – and for that purpose, this board remains to be enthusiasts-only.

Read our full Topre Realforce R2 review

No matter your funds it’s at all times doable to discover a high quality keyboard that gained’t allow you to down when you’re working and gunning round a game of Rainbow Six: Siege.

And that doesn’t should imply selecting up a funds mechanical keyboard only for the sake of it. A well-built mechanical is undoubtedly the perfect gaming controller on the market, however the Logitech G213 comes out high for funds boards, and that’s as a result of the standard of this membrane board simply can’t be matched by the rest in its value vary. If you need funds mechanical, nevertheless, the Vava blew us away with its clicky switches and easy design.

If you will have the funds for one thing slightly extra mechanical, nevertheless, it’s cash nicely spent in our eyes. The authentic Corsair Ok70 is certainly one of our favorite all-round keyboards. It’s strong, well-designed, packed to the brim with options, and its Cherry-made switches are a tried and examined method that’s recognized globally for reliability.

There’s additionally the Wooting One for players who need some slightly extra compact. The tenkeyless design of this board cuts down on the pointless extras and as a substitute focuses on a design that permits for optimum mouse motion and is straightforward to hold round. Not solely small, nevertheless, the Wooting additionally provides analogue switches, permitting for a keyboard with distinctive performance you gained’t discover elsewhere.