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Introduction:
Any faultless gaming performance deserves a great keyboard that will match in performance and experience one derives. Any good gaming keyboard has to be fast, accurate, and comfortable to use. From the competitive gamer to the casual player and streamers alike, we’re going to help you find the perfect fit for your setup in this overview of the best gaming keyboards in 2024.
Importance/Need of the Product:
Among peripherals, a gaming keyboard is definitely at the top of the list for a hardcore gamer. With performance-based features such as mechanical switches, anti-ghosting, and custom RGB lighting, they stand way apart from any ordinary keyboard. A good gaming keyboard will be eye-catching; it will add a line of elegance to how responsive one is while playing a game, and comfort during those long hours of sitting to play games.
Selection Criteria:
Choosing the best gaming keyboards shall be based on a few vital parameters. Here’s what we looked out for in this guide:
- Switch Type: Mechanical keyboards are usually favored due to their tactile and sensitive keys, making them most suitable for gaming. Membrane keyboards are softer, and strokes may not be as precise.
- Design: From full-sized keyboards with a numpad to compact tenkeyless designs, the possibilities are endless. This also applies to ergonomic options.
- Connectivity: For the most part, wired keyboards usually allow the fastest input times; however, wireless options become in highest demand due to the enhancements made in technology.
- Extra Features: Anti-ghosting, N-key rollover, programmable macro keys, and even custom RGB lighting make a case for justifying an increased price.
- Durable: Since gaming keyboards are in use so much, durability means everything. We’ve scanned boards constructed for the most aggressively high gaming sessions.
- Price: Price points range everywhere from what we picked out, giving our choices in every wallet size.
Detailed Comparison Table:
Product | Type | Connectivity | Switch Type | Backlighting | Key Features | |
Kensington Pro Fit USB Washable Keyboard | Membrane | Wired | Membrane | None | Washable, spill-resistant | |
Corsair K55 RGB PRO | Membrane | Wired | Membrane | RGB | Macro keys, Anti-ghosting | |
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II | Mechanical | Wireless | Mechanical | RGB | Hot-swappable switches | |
Amazon Basics Low-Profile USB Keyboard | Membrane | Wired | Membrane | None | Compact design | |
Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard | Membrane | Wired | Membrane | None | Integrated trackpoint | |
Amazon Basics USB Wired Computer Keyboard | Membrane | Wired | Membrane | None | Low-profile keys | |
Kensington ErgoSoft Wrist Rest | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Ergonomic wrist rest | |
Glorious Gaming GMMK 2-65 | Mechanical | Wired/Wireless | Mechanical | RGB | Hot-swappable, 65% compact size | |
IBM SK-8825 Lenovo USB US Ivory Keyboard | Membrane | Wired | Membrane | None | Classic design | |
Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro | Mechanical | Wired | Mechanical | RGB | Tenkeyless, hot-swappable |
The Kensington keyboard offers a modern style with ergonomic features, designed for comfortable use with its ambidextrous hand orientation. It connects via USB or USB-A, ensuring compatibility with various devices. The sleek white color complements its contemporary design, and with 104 keys and buttons, it provides full functionality. Included in the package is the keyboard itself, perfect for users seeking a blend of style, convenience, and ergonomic efficiency.
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO gaming keyboard is designed for serious gamers, compatible with both gaming consoles and PCs. It connects via USB and features 110 keys, offering spill-proof protection and customizable RGB backlighting. The keyboard includes hotkeys, media keys, and a comfortable wrist rest, enhancing the gaming experience. Its sleek black design adds a modern touch, while the backlit lighting provides a dynamic visual element, perfect for immersive gaming sessions.
The ASUS NX Snow gaming keyboard is a versatile option for gamers, compatible with gaming consoles and featuring both wired and wireless connectivity. This mechanical, backlit keyboard is designed specifically for gaming, with 96 hot-swappable keys that allow for customization. The RGB backlighting adds a vibrant touch, enhancing its sleek black aesthetic. With its gaming-centric features, the ASUS NX Snow provides a premium and responsive experience, perfect for competitive play.
The Lenovo wireless keyboard is a sleek and modern option for office use, compatible with laptops, PCs, and tablets. It offers both wired and wireless connectivity through Bluetooth, providing flexibility for different setups. With 84 keys, this pure black keyboard features a simple, single-color backlighting that adds to its elegant design. Perfect for office environments, its compact and wireless design ensures convenience and efficiency for everyday tasks.
The Amazon Basics portable wired keyboard is designed for personal computers, offering a compact and lightweight option for users on the go. Its black color complements a minimalist design, making it a practical choice for those seeking portability and simplicity in their everyday computing needs. With a reliable wired connection, it ensures a stable and consistent performance for personal computer use.
The Kensington compact ergonomic gray leather wrist rest is designed for medium-sized keyboards, blending style and comfort. Its unique ergonomic design enhances typing comfort while its leather material adds a touch of sophistication. The compact size ensures it fits well on most desks, providing both functionality and a sleek appearance to complement your workspace.
The Glorious gaming keyboard is designed for a variety of devices, including PS4, PS5, Xbox, laptops, and desktops. With USB-C connectivity, it ensures a fast and reliable connection. This keyboard features 67 keys with RGB backlighting, adding a vibrant touch to its sleek white design. It also supports 5-pin hot-swapping, allowing for easy customization of switches, making it a versatile and stylish choice for gaming enthusiasts.
The IBM SK-8825 keyboard is a modern office tool featuring a classic ivory color and a sturdy design. It connects via USB, ensuring a reliable connection for daily office tasks. With 104 keys, it provides full functionality, and its ivory material and style add a touch of elegance to any workspace. The included USB cable ensures straightforward setup and use, making it a practical choice for professional environments.
The Turtle Beach gaming keyboard, designed for both laptops and PCs, features a modern white design with RGB backlighting. It connects via USB-A and includes advanced features such as magnetic switches, AIMO RGB lighting, and rapid trigger capabilities. With 84 keys, the keyboard supports hot-swapping, anti-ghosting, and offers a tenkeyless design for a more compact setup. Its advanced customization options and sleek aesthetics make it a standout choice for gamers seeking both performance and style.
Product Descriptions and Analysis
1. Kensington Pro Fit USB Washable Keyboard
The Kensington Pro Fit USB Washable Keyboard is constructed with durability in mind; it’s aimed at gamers and the regular user who wants a washable solution for spills and other accidents. This keyboard has membrane keys, so it would be more suitable for casual gamers, although it does provide good comfort and lifespan. The fact that it can be washed makes it perfect for gamers who love to snack or drink juice as they game. It also lacks advanced gaming features, such as mechanical switches or RGB lighting, which would appeal to hardcore gamers.
2. Corsair K55 RGB PRO Membrane Wired Gaming Keyboard
The Corsair K55 RGB PRO is an inexpensive gaming keyboard with a lot to show for its price. It has RGB backlighting, which can be customized, and six programmable macro keys for better control during gameplay. Its membrane switches spare your fingers from fatigue and are quiet to boot, but lack the sharp responsiveness some players look for. Still, full anti-ghosting capability ensures simultaneous key presses register, hence becoming a strong contender for all gamers who do not want to spend money on mechanical options.
3. ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless Gaming Keyboard
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II is on top models in 2024, beaming with high-performance, wireless connectivity, mechanical switches, and stunning RGB lighting. The hot-swappable switches of the unit offer the ultimate flexibility to gamers for customization for a typing experience by switching between various kinds of switches as per one’s preference. Sleek in design and keeping up with speed, this will do well for one who wants both performance and looks. With a higher price point, however, it may not be the best option for budget-conscious people.
4. Amazon Basics Low-Profile Wired USB Keyboard
The very basic and extremely affordable Amazon Basics Low-Profile USB Keyboard is all that is needed to get a functional keyboard without frills. While this is not designed as a gaming keyboard, it does give a compact design that would appeal to casual gamers or those with limited desk space. Furthermore, for gamers who are accustomed to mechanical keyboards, the membrane switches seem less satisfying, and their lack of lighting or advanced features somehow suggests that the keyboard is better suited for general use than intensive gaming sessions.{Gaming Desktops}
5. Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard
This keyboard does feature the iconic trackpoint from Lenovo, which immediately makes it a favorite for people who have always liked to use something as a built-in mouse alternative. Although it is not focused on gaming, the tactile feedback of this keyboard is pretty awesome for simple typing and general use. While a lack of RGB lighting and mechanical switches deters gamers from this board, durability and comfort place it as a solid option for those who want a keyboard that will do the job for work and casual gaming.
6. Amazon Basics USB Wired Computer Keyboard
The Amazon Basics USB Wired Computer Keyboard also offers some very basic simplicity and functionality for a very low price. This keyboard works fine for light gaming, but extra features like anti-ghosting or changeable macros are not available on it. It has low-profile keys that make typing very soft and easy; however, the more serious gamers may be demotivated by its membrane keys lack of feedback.
7. Kensington ErgoSoft Wrist Rest
Although this isn’t a keyboard, an ergonomic wrist rest is probably one of the finest add-ons that any gaming setup could sport. This soft, cushioned design reduces pressure on the wrists during long hours of gaming and thus could be deemed to be an accessory to go along with mechanical keyboards.
8. Glorious Gaming GMMK 2-65 Percent Keyboard
Glorious Gaming GMMK 2-65 Percent Keyboard is small in size yet mighty for gamers looking to have all of the best stuff in a slightly smaller setup. The hot-swappable mechanical switches mean you don’t have to solder the switches in while replacing them, providing the best opportunities to the enthusiast community of keyboards. The 65% footprint allows space saving without any compromise on the necessary keys a gamer needs. Additional aesthetic appeal is added with the RGB lighting, which is customizable, hence making this a great choice for gamers who want everything in one device when it comes to functionality and design.
9. IBM SK-8825 Lenovo USB US Ivory Keyboard
This retro-styled board dishes out a classic, no-nonsense design and reliability. The lack of many of today’s gaming keyboard features—such as RGB lighting or mechanical switches—keeps it light on features. Still, its robust build quality and clean design make for a good board for no-nonsense gamers.
10. Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro Magnetic Mechanical Keyboard
The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro is a high-performance mechanical gaming keyboard with hot-swappable mechanical switches to customize the feel of buttons and vibrant RGB lighting that can be used to show off your personal style. The tenkeyless design provides space savings while delivering top performance. Designed for serious gamers, this keyboard’s premium features come at a higher price than many keyboards but are well worth it to most who are serious about their gaming.
Pros and Cons:
Kensington Pro Fit USB Washable Keyboard
Pros:
Washable, solid construction, and affordable.
Cons:
Lacks gaming-specific features such as RGB lighting or mechanical switches.
Corsair K55 RGB PRO Membrane Wired Gaming Keyboard
Pros:
RGB lighting, macro keys that can be customized, anti-ghosting.
Cons:
Membrane keys may not provide the same tactile feedback as mechanical switches.
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless Gaming Keyboard
Pros:
Wireless, hot-swappable mechanical switches, RGB lighting
Cons:
High price point
Amazon Basics Low-Profile Wired USB Keyboard
Pros:
Affordable, compact design.
Cons:
Not designed for gaming as there is a lack of RGB lighting and mechanical switches.
Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard
Pros:
Has a track point in the middle, hard to break.
Cons:
Not meant for gaming. No RGB Lighting or mechanical switches.
Amazon Basics USB Wired Computer Keyboard
Pros:
Very inexpensive, works well for basic users.
Cons:
It’s a membrane keyboard, which means there’s a very limited application of the device for gaming.
Kensington ErgoSoft Wrist Rest
Pros:
Soft, comfortable, and provides ergonomic functionality.
Cons:
Not a keyboard, per se, it has limited utility on its own.
Glorious Gaming GMMK 2-65 Percent Keyboard
Pros:
Compact, hot-swappable switches, customisable RGB.
Cons:
Fewer keys, 65% layout.
IBM SK-8825 Lenovo USB US Ivory Keyboard
Pros:
Robust and simply classic design
Cons:
Lacks modern gaming features
Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro Magnetic Mechanical Keyboard
Pros:
Excellent performance, hot-swappable switches, RGB lighting
Cons:
Rather expensive, tenkeyless design isn’t for everyone.
Gaming Keyboard Buying Guide
To buy a gaming keyboard, there needs to be a fine line between performance and comfort, along with features to meet your gaming style. This Buying guide will take you through the factors that need to be considered for your decision.
Mechanical vs. Membrane Keyboards
Mechanical Keyboards: These have individual switches underneath every key, enhancing feel, and providing added durability and faster response times. With multiple kinds of mechanical switches—in linear, tactile, or clicky feel—it provides variable feel that is perfect for gamers looking for precision and customization.
Membrane Keyboards: These are generally more pocket-friendly and make use of a pressure pad system underneath the keys. They are quieter but less responsive compared to mechanical keyboards. The use of membrane keyboards would, therefore, be more fitting for casual gamers or those that prefer a soft touch when typing.
Switch Types
Linear Switches: Smooth and quiet; mostly preferred by people for faster gaming since less force is needed to actuate them. Cherry MX Red and similar switches are the fastest ones a gamer can get.
Tactile Switches: Give a clear bump feeling when the key actuates, and provide more feedback. Cherry MX Brown switches are mostly preferred by people who want a balance between gaming and typing.
Clicky Switches: While the combination of tactile feedback with an audible click makes them a quite pleasing way to type, they can be a bit loud. Cherry MX Blue switches are preferred by those looking for a more engaging feel when typing.
Key Rollover and Anti-Ghosting
N-Key Rollover: This checks for simultaneous registers of multiple key presses, very critical when one is dealing with complicated gaming inputs. Look for NKRO on a keyboard to avoid the misfires of keystrokes during intense play.
Anti-Ghosting: Prevents the unwanted key press when more than one key is pressed simultaneously. Any decent gaming keyboard needs to have NKRO and anti-ghosting features.
RGB Lighting and Customization
RGB Backlighting: This isn’t going to make you a better gamer, but it does offer a certain degree of customization and will make your setup look nice. All major gaming keyboards have a much greater range of customization when it comes to lighting profiles and effects that can help with visual cues or complement the rest of your setup.
Customizable Macros: Some of the boards allow one to set up custom macros, which enable a complex action with the press of one key. This feature may be quite useful when playing games that demand a repeated set of actions or multi-step commands.
Wired vs. Wireless
Wired Keyboards: A stable connection with zero latency—something every competitive gamer needs in terms of speed.
Wireless Keyboards: The newest wireless keyboards, especially those using Bluetooth or some other proprietary wireless technology, have significantly reduced latency and improved battery life. This has led to increased flexibility and a cleaner setup of the desktop.
Ergonomics and Comfort
Ergonomic Designs: For gamers who like taking long gaming sessions, wrist rests, adjustable angles, key spacing, and others come in as highly important features. So, consider using an ergonomically designed keyboard in case you carry out gaming for more hours at a stretch.
Tenkeyless Keyboards: Compact versions that do not include the numeric keypad, the tenkeyless keyboards provide more space for mouse movement. This keyboard type is ideal for gamers who require desk space and portability.
Durability and Build Quality
Materials: Gaming keyboards are often constructed with strong materials, such as aluminum or high-grade plastic. Keyboards with sturdy key switches, rated for millions of keystrokes, are long-lasting.
Water and Dust Resistance: Some keyboards give an extra layer of resistance from spills and dust, enhancing their lifespan, especially in unregulated environments.
Connectivity Options
USB Passthrough: Sometimes, the ability to plug other peripherals, like a mouse or headset, right through the keyboard, can help in cable management.
Dedicated Media Controls: These help to change volume or play/pause music quickly without necessarily having to leave the game. Many high-end gaming keyboards incorporate dedicated media keys for ease.
Compact vs. Full-Size Keyboards
Compact Keyboards: These include boards such as 60-65% keyboards that take some keys away from the normal keyboard to save space. The best for minimalistic setups or when gamers prioritize mobility.
Full-Size Keyboards: These contain all the keys with a numeric pad. They offer the user more functionality and are, therefore, more suited to gamers who need extra key bindings or users who do their work on a keyboard besides gaming.
Price and Value
Budget Options: A good gaming keyboard is available in all price ranges. While budget options may lack some premium features, such as customizable RGB lighting or mechanical switches, they could still give relatively good performance back to the casual gamer.
Higher-End Keyboards: High-end keyboards often sport features such as hot-swappable switches, premium materials, and a lot of complex personalization options. They are best suited for serious gamers or those with the desire to have a keyboard that will last them for years.
Keeping the above factors into consideration, you will be in a good position to be able to pick the right gaming keyboard for your particular needs, whether you are a competitive gamer, a casual player, or someone interested in customization and comfort.
FAQ:
Gaming Keyboards
What is the difference between a mechanical and a membrane gaming keyboard?
Mechanical ones have switches under every key. They give better feel, are more durable, and correspond faster. Membrane keyboards apply pressure pads under the keys; they are quieter but generally less responsive.
- Which of the switch types is best for gaming?
Linear switches, like the Cherry MX Red, are primarily used for gaming due to their linear, smooth, and fast actuation. Some, however, have a preference for tactile and clicky switches that would allow them to further feel the press for a greater sense of satisfaction when typing.
- Is RGB lighting necessary on a gaming keyboard?
Lighting in RGB does not hold any significant performance but does allow for customization and added aesthetics. Many gamers enjoy the customizable lighting profiles that allow a little extra on top for the gaming experience.
- Should I choose a wired or wireless gaming keyboard?
Wired keyboards give zero latency and a stable connection, hence making them quite perfect for professional gamers. Wireless keyboards deliver greater flexibility and a clutter-free setup with however a slight latency that is usually brought, though modern models improved it considerably.
- What is NKRO and anti-ghosting, and why does it matter?
NKRO (N-Key Rollover) is a solution to the accuracy of the pressing of many keys simultaneously, quite common in games with long and complicated orders. Anti-ghosting is when a single key, on being pressed, prevents other keys from being activated, hence enabling smooth gameplay without errors.
- Do I need a tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard for gaming?
Tenkeyless keyboards remove the numeric keypad, hence making the unit more compact and giving more mouse space. This is loved by gamers who either have a minimalistic way of setting up or travel a lot; otherwise, full-sized keyboards would be better if the numeric keypad was going to be needed for work or productivity.
Final Recommendations:
- Best Overall: The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless Gaming Keyboard offers high-end features and wireless connectivity, making it perfect for gamers who want premium performance without wires.
- Best Budget: The Corsair K55 RGB PRO Membrane Wired Gaming Keyboard offers great value with RGB lighting and customizable macro keys at an affordable price point.
- Best Compact Option: For those looking for a smaller form factor, the Glorious Gaming GMMK 2-65 Percent Keyboard is an excellent choice with hot-swappable switches and a compact design.
Summary:
How your games feel and perform can boil down to the gaming keyboard you choose. Whether you care about mechanical switches, connectivity, RGB lighting or customization–the perfect keyboard for all types of gamers already exists. Just be sure to keep in mind what works best for you, because there are a number of products available here that can take your game up another notch.
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