16 Best Gaming Keyboards for 2023

This SteelSeries mechanical keyboard has comfortable magnetic switches and custom actuation. As a top gaming keyboard, it can be picked up for just less than $200. It comes with an ergonomic wrist rest for full palm and wrist support.   

The fact that you can fine-tune any of the magnetic key switches is what really makes this keyboard stand out. Using their software, you can change the sensitivity of each key and save it as a profile. This is ideal for hardcore gamers that need extra speed or prefer different setups for different purposes. I.e. One for typing and one for gaming. The actuation point can be as low as 0.4mm!

In a world of chunky gaming keyboards, SteelSeries has dialed things back with a more slender design. It’s minimalist and doesn’t take up much space. Furthermore, the wrist rest can be removed if you’re looking to save even more space or just aren’t a fan of the concept. Personally, we think its soft touch works well for the Apex Pro, especially for long gaming sessions.

The device also has a premium build, which we appreciate considering the price tag. That means high-grade aluminum for the frame and ‘OmniPoint’ mechanical switches. These keys, overall, have a faster response time and actuation point than most mechanical keyboards. Plus, as noted, you have full control. They’re guaranteed for 100 million keypunches and the company promises none of the labelings is going to wear off.

Considering its mechanics, it is a comparatively quiet gaming keyboard, but it still has that lovely key-registered snap.

The Apex Pro also has an OLED display above the right-hand number section. It has several functions, though these are more indulgences, not necessities. That’s not to say they aren’t useful. You can see your actuation settings, brightness, or even set a custom GIF on loop. That’s a new take on the screensaver, though we wouldn’t set this while gaming because it’s just annoying.

This is a wired gaming keyboard, which still means less input lag than most wireless alternatives. It uses a USB passthrough, which is illuminated to help you easily find it. It also means, however, that you’ll need two USB ports to power it.

Part of that is because SteelSeries Apex keyboards love that RGB lighting. You can set it to be a backlit keyboard with a single color or pattern. You can even have a different color per individual key, though this rainbow effect can be a little jarring. We suggest setting it to the vibe of your room or the game you’re playing. You only need to go for a crazy light show if the keyboard is in the background and you’re doing something else.

If you’ve been looking for a premium and programmable RGB mechanical keyboard, it doesn’t get much better than the SteelSeries Apex Pro.

A Razer mechanical keyboard, the Huntsman Elite’s name alone suggests something special. This is one of the fastest and top-rated gaming keyboards on the market. And because of that, it’s also one of the most expensive at around $250.

Its lightning quickness comes from its high-quality mechanical keys. Razer calls these optomechanical. They combine with the company’s patented lighting to give you that RGB keyboard you didn’t know you needed. 

The lighting goes all around the edges of the keyboard and the wrist rest, as well as behind every key. It is Razer, so it’s safe to say this is the most advanced RGB gaming keyboard available. It lets the color follow your typing like a wave, can be set to one shade or a pulsing pattern. Plus, you can even choose a color for each individual key. This is all programmable from some easy-to-use software. 

Razer has gone for a frameless design, which makes this the smallest and sleekest keyboard the firm has made to date. The meat of the device is housed by anodized aluminum, giving it that premium feel.

Everything is excellently laid out and it has a good group of media keys at the top. These include things like volume, mute, play, rewind, and fast forward. Razer also cleverly uses its light to act as indicators. For example, turning the volume louder gives off a white light that becomes more intense the louder you go. But don’t worry, this is temporary and only while you’re turning it. 

As for the wrist wrest, there’s no denying that it’s comfortable and gives support. However, Razer has gone with some metal framing that can actually jab you if you’re not careful, defeating the whole purpose of ergonomics. 

Of course, this can be removed entirely, and it’s not a dealbreaker, when its performance is class leading. Unlike traditional mechanical keyboards that use an electrical circuit to process a command when a key is pressed, the Huntsman Elite uses light. So, you have one of the fastest mechanical keyboards available. This equates to 45g of pressure, 3.5mm of distance, and a 1.5mm actuation point. So, whether you’re gaming or typing, you feel in control and quicker than ever before.

There’s a lot of light here, which means it needs much more power than your typical keyboard. That’s why you’ll need two spare USB ports to get the Huntsman going. Wireless does have its perks, but if you’re a gamer staying wired isn’t new. It means no lag and interference.

Overall, this is the fastest RGB mechanical gaming keyboard you can buy and the best Razer keyboard as well. If it meets your budget, we say go for it.

Lighting is all the rage right now when it comes to gaming and one of the best RGB keyboards on the market is the K100 RGB. This Corsair mechanical keyboard is of the optical variety, which means it uses light and digital sensors as part of the mechanical process. 

Some might argue that this is not truly mechanical. Yes, it might not necessarily be what a writer would use. The keys, however, have all the snap and feel of being mechanical, while being fast and fine-tuned for gamers.

For that, you can expect to pay between $199.99 and $229.99 MSRP, depending on the current Corsair deals. That’s a lot for a keyboard, so does it deliver?

To start with - high-quality. Everything from the tray to the dedicated volume roller is metal. The only plastic is the keys themselves, but these are guaranteed for millions of presses and there’s no wearing out of the labeling. There’s also a detachable magnetic palm-rest that’s obviously soft touch and very comfortable.

Corsair’s exclusive OPX brand of key switch provides just a 1mm actuation point. This is the distance it takes to register your press, while the key itself will stop at 3.2mm. It only requires 45g of pressure to start this process. Corsair also boasts half a millisecond of response from the point of actuation until your computer recognizes it. That’s fast and also why it must be wired at all times. Since it’s aimed at gamers and gamers sit at their desktop, we see no issue with this.

One unique feature is its multi-use glowing iCue wheel that sits in the top left corner. This lets you control everything from the lighting or your media to in-game or app programmable actions. Adding a Corsair keyboard macro is easy with the six additional dedicated keys. These function as keyboard shortcut options but can be highly programmable. This gives you an advantage in-game by carrying out certain tasks that may take longer at the click of a key. 

The K100’s lighting options are endless. You can have per-key lighting, permanently or pulsing as you type. This goes along with 44 other zones of lighting across the keyboard and all three edges minus the palm-rest side. 

There’s no doubt that this is fun but can also be distracting. Fortunately, you don’t have to use any lighting at all, but we’d suggest you be a fan if you’re going to pay a premium price for it.

While this option is certainly in contention for best RGB mechanical keyboard, the price won’t be for everyone. These are arguably the best Corsair keyboards available.

True gaming keyboards have traditionally been wired because there are less input lag and no chance for signal interference. There are a number of wireless gaming keyboards, however, that perform well for a price tag. One of those is the G915 TKL from the ever-trusted Logitech. You can purchase the Logitech wireless gaming keyboard for $230 MSRP.

This time around Logitech has kept things simple and low profile, focusing on function and not flash. At 36.9cm wide it might even be considered a compact gaming keyboard. Indeed, it’s almost 10cm smaller than the regular G915. It has also lost its right-hand numpad and some macro functionality, though you can easily set up macros with the F1-F12 keys. You really aren’t missing too much. You also get to keep dedicated media buttons at the top, including play/pause, rewind, fast forward, and mute. This is accompanied by a nice metal volume roller. 

Performance-wise, we were surprised by its wireless capability. Simply plug the dongle into an available USB port (preferably at the front of your computer). Its ‘Lightspeed’ technology will then maintain a strong signal and lag-free experience. As long as nothing is blocking it, you’ll get 1ms of latency, which is up there with a lot of wired competitors.

Even with fast first-person shooters, we didn’t notice any latency when sitting some distance away on the couch. You can switch the signal over to Bluetooth if you prefer, but Lightspeed is most certainly the strongest option if response time is important to you.

Another thing the G915 has managed to keep up with that’s usually reserved for wired keyboards is RGB lighting. Each key has its own LED and even with this turned on battery life is up to 40 hours. That’s an impressive feat, and you can go for even longer if you turn the lighting off.

It uses Logitech LightSync technology, which means 16.8 million possible colors and intuitive software to manage your lighting profiles.

The mechanical keys are also a pleasure to press and you can choose which type you prefer:

• GL Clicky – Giving you a traditional mechanical click sound and some tactile feedback.
• GL Tactile – Giving you a noticeable bump when pressed.
• GL Linear – A smooth almost silent key press. Ideal if you’ve been searching for quiet gaming keyboards.

If you like wireless keyboard gaming because it’s tidier for your desk or you sit further away, this is one of the best gaming keyboards for you. It’s also arguably the best Logitech keyboard for gaming currently.

If you’re looking for a budget gaming keyboard that still ticks all of the boxes, performance-wise, then the second generation CK530 from Cooler Master is a solid option. You can pick this up online for just $89.99.

Granted, it’s a little chunkier and less refined than the high-end products on our list, but it’s still loaded with features, including mechanical keys. These are rated for 50 million presses and use technology found on keyboards almost triple the price. The main difference is a slightly higher actuation distance than some, at 1.2mm, with a more noticeable bottom of 4mm. I.e. the keys press down further, more like a regular keyboard. Of course, whichever way you slice it, it’s still fast and great for gaming.

Likewise, as a wired device it has an input latency of just 1ms, so at no point are you going to notice a lag between what you’ve pressed and what you see in-game. In the box, you’ll find a nice 1.8m length USB cable to connect via USB 2.0. 

Cooler Master is also offering RGB lighting. It’s not quite as advanced as Logitech LightSync or Razer’s offerings. You do, however, get per-key LEDs with various modes and patterns. We found the kill lighting effect particularly satisfying when playing first-person shooters. The native software is easy to use and can map 16.7 million colors.

We were impressed by the ‘on the fly’ lighting and macro controls, which lets you change the lighting and your macro shortcuts without opening the software at all. 

For $90 we were also impressed with the overall build quality. There’s certainly some plastic, but you also get a curved brushed aluminum top plate. The keycaps are also ABS Double-injection and laser engraved, so they’ll never wear out. It in no way feels like a cheap gaming keyboard.

Furthermore, rather than a detachable palm wrist rest, there’s a completely additional cloth-covered foam pad that’s arguably more comfortable than most other keyboards. Despite being cloth there’s no irritation and it is completely non-slip, so you aren’t going to mess up during gaming.

While other keyboards have moved towards a flatter design, Cooler Master has a traditional slant, and this cannot be adjusted by feet. So, if you don’t like your keyboard to be at an angle then you’ll need to look for another model.

In conclusion, the Cooler Master CK530 V2 is easily in contention for best RGB mechanical keyboard under $100, especially if you like something a little more compact at 37cm wide. There are a few hints that it’s not a class-leader but the value for money is superb.

The slightly cheaper and older cousin to the K100, the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum has a standard MSRP of $199 and is still competing in the high-end of top gaming keyboards. 

Design-wise it’s full size but frameless at the sides, with a thin strip at the top for the media buttons and volume roller. You can also toggle lighting and gaming modes from here. At the other end, there’s a detachable palm rest made of rubber. This has been redesigned on more recent models, mainly because it’s not the most comfortable and is prone to scuffs, sweat, and dirt. Still, it’s not difficult to toss it to one side or replace it with something else.

The top plate and everywhere else that matters is aluminum and gets our approval as a premium built product. Everything is also non-slip and you can raise the pro gaming keyboard at a sloping angle with the snap-out feet underneath.

If you want something even more luxurious you can pay for different finishes, such as gunmetal or matte black. We personally thought the standard brushed aluminum frame looked great.

With the Platinum, you get six fully programmable macro keys down the left-hand side, in addition to a full keyboard layout. These are ABS Double-injection and built to stop any labeling from rubbing off. They are also mechanical style keys using Cherry MX technology. This results in a minimum force of 45g for each press, which actuates at 1.2mm. They bottom out fast and there’s no lag thanks to the USB wired connection.

The built-in software allows you to increase and decrease speed depending on what you’re doing at the time. For example, if you’re typing up an essay you might want a more traditional response. A hardcore gaming session where timing is everything will want the standard or even faster response. 

These can be saved as profiles along with the RGB lighting. When this keyboard was first released the iCUE software was a bit awkward to use, but now things are up to scratch. You get LightEdge keyboard technology, which means multiple colors can emit from the two edges of the keyboard, as well as lighting behind the keys themselves. 

The macros are more than just shortcuts, allowing you to store complex in-game actions or tasks in Windows to be enacted at the press of the desired one of six keys. These can also be taken on the go as they are stored within the keyboard’s own 8MB of onboard memory. In other words, you can take your profiles and use the keyboard on a different computer or laptop.

Although it is a slightly older model of a mechanical gaming keyboard, it set the standard and remains on par with the rest of the pack.

At $129.99 we’re headed more towards the mid-range in terms of pricing with this SteelSeries gaming keyboard. While it cannot be described as a compact mechanical keyboard, it’s not as wide as some and the right-side numpad has gone. For the uninitiated, this is commonly called a tenkeyless (TKL) design. In this case, you get a mini OLED display and six macro keys to take the regular numpad’s place.

The Apex 7 uses Steelseries' patented QX2 mechanical switches that you can choose in red, blue, or brown. This isn’t a color option but a preference for the way the keys snap. Red is traditional, making the mechanical clicking sound and is snappy. Blue is even louder, which can be fun but also doesn’t suit the workplace or, say, a home where someone may be sleeping. Brown offers a smoother, quieter, and less snappy experience.

All come with a short actuation point of 2mm, so gamers will get a fast response regardless of how far the keys themselves push in. In context, the 2mm is short by regular keyboard standards but it’s also not uncommon to find keyboards for gaming that have 1mm or less as well.

It was perfectly fast enough after testing shooters and other games that require it. SteelSeries also claim a great 0.7ms response time from actuation to the response on the screen. In short, this keyboard is ideal for gamers.

In the top right you will find a clickable volume wheel and play and pause media button. This sits next to the small 128x40 display, which supports certain status alerts, lets you know when there are new firmware and various info from supporting apps like Discord or Spotify (e.g. song name). You can even simply display an animated GIF. 

Furthermore, if you click the volume wheel you can scroll through settings on the display, switch and change profiles. You can also set macros without having to do anything on your computer itself. 

The Apex 7 must always remain powered and to enable neat cabling you get a USB passthrough port. This even illuminates white to help you identify where it is if it’s dark. 

Of course, it wouldn’t be a gaming keyboard without some form of RGB. SteelSeries has implemented a robust backlighting system that can be programmed on a per-key basis via the supporting software. This means you can have anything from one key glowing red to a whole wave of different colors sweeping across the keyboard.

There’s not much to dislike about the SteelSeries Apex 7. While it’s not a cheap mechanical keyboard, it’s still good value for money when similar products are pushing $200.

One of the best budget gaming keyboards you can buy, the Razer Cynosa V2 is just $59.99 MSRP. For that, you get a full-sized and traditional layout keyboard with media controls and per-key RGB lighting. It’s also not your average plastic build. You get a durable matte frame that’s scratch and spill-resistant and premium design tweaks - multiple cable routing options and angled feet. For a little extra you can also add on an ergonomic wrist rest.

Perhaps the only place it falters and why it’s priced so much lower than a lot of the best gaming keyboards is that it’s a non-mechanical gaming keyboard. It uses standard membrane switches instead. 

That’s not to say these aren’t high-quality or responsive, but if you enjoy that snap and noise, it's lost on this budget gaming keyboard. Instead, they hype each key’s softness, which all things aside, does aid longer gaming sessions from a comfort perspective.

Because it’s not mechanical there are no specs about actuation, but after testing it with first-person shooters we’re pleased to report no noticeable input latency. It’s wired anyway. The difference is all really in the texture and feeling, not necessarily performance. 

The media controls are new with V2 and can be found in the upper right section. You get the full set of play/pause, next, back, and volume and down. 

As it’s Razer you can expect the full shebang when it comes to lighting and you won’t be disappointed. Each key has its own LED backlight which can be individually customized via the great Chroma studio software. This results in 16.8 million colors (including shades) and several preset effects. For example, pulsing like a disco, back and forth waves, one single color, etc.  

Our favorite feature is the range of color presets for specific games. For example, some games will give you a red flash for a successful kill or a pulsing red siren-like effect if you are in low health. Some capture the game’s overall vibe and existing colors on-screen to add further ambiance.  

Anyone looking for relatively cheap gaming keyboards that still have most of the bells and whistles needs to give the Razer Cynosa V2 a look. If it wasn’t for the lack of mechanical keys, which is the feature of the day, it would easily be the best budget gaming keyboard we’ve reviewed for 2021. It’s most certainly the best membrane keyboard on the market.

Don’t let this one throw you off – ‘Glorious PC Gaming Race’ is a brand and does not refer to racing. Their GMMK gaming keyboard is a mechanical keyboard for gaming, overall, not for racing games. With that in mind, it’s well priced at $109.95 and offers a range of sizes and layouts at the same price.

You can go full size with a traditional layout or TKL where the right numpad is removed to save space. Plus, there’s a compact completely frameless version, which is one of the best 60% keyboard options on the market.

The one you choose will depend on whether you want to save space, prefer smaller keyboards when gaming or simply have a layout preference. In fact, you can even customize the entire design!

You can choose the size, US or international key layout, the type of mechanical switch, and the color of your keycaps. In total the price is similar to the prebuilds regardless of what you choose. Glorious deserves praise for such a user-friendly approach.

For the sake of this review, we went for the standard full-size pre-built model, which comes with Gateron brown switches. These are described as good for new mechanical keyboard users and all-around use. Instead of a loud click, you get more of a tactile feedback response so you can feel your click register. They also require only 45g of pressure, whereas their Green ‘Clicky’ option provides a loud click and requires 80g of pressure.

For most gaming the lighter and quicker the response, the better. Sound and ‘clickiness’ are more of a personal preference.

All of their keyboards are minimalist with little framing, along with rubber non-slip feet. Although there are no media buttons you can create macros for any key. If you go for customization you can even have different icons printed on these keys. These are all ABS double injected to prevent rubbing off.

Our full-size variety was 44 x 12.9 x 3.6 cm (L/H/W) and came with a non-removable USB cord that needs a USB 2.0 port at all times. You also get a keycap puller tool in case you order new keys later and a full switch puller in case you change the switch type. There’s also one Glorious branded ESC key that’s red and labeled ‘Ascend’ instead.

The GMMK has the full 16.8 million color RGB spectrum for backlighting. This is per key and supports multiple effects without software. The supporting manual will explain, for example, that pressing F1 + ESC will turn off all the lighting. It gets a lot more complex, but the average user will easily pick it up if they desire.

Overall, we were impressed not just by the quality and features of the GMMK but their modular approach to customization. A mid-level priced fully customizable LED mechanical gaming keyboard is a pretty cool option to have out there.

Hyper X’s Alloy Origins mechanical gaming keyboards can be found for a little over $100. They have all the features a serious gamer needs and come with a full-size layout. They don’t take liberties with space though, as there’s minimal framing.  

The mechanical switches are of their own Red Switch ‘linear’ variety, which means they have a smooth response without as much click or feedback as a traditional mechanical switch. This is arguably more efficient for gaming rather than typing. They also require just 45g force and actuate almost instantly. The full travel distance is just 1.8mm. 

While we personally enjoy a louder click and tactile feedback, functionally these were notably better for intense games like FPSs that need speed and precision. What adds to the experience is the lack of ghosting. This is when the keyboard allows you to press a relevant key to a game even if you accidentally catch one or several other keys. This allows for a quick sensitive response but only for keys, you intend to press.

There is also N-Key rollover functionality, which means you can press as many relevant keys together and have them all register at once. Again, this is ideal for certain games as it ensures you can perform multiple actions at once.

These features can be turned on and off via a game mode, so it doesn’t impact regular use.

Furthermore, while there are no dedicated macro buttons, F1 to F4 can function as such while in-game mode. These can be set alongside the RGB backlighting with the associated software. Colors can be assigned as a whole, per key or in zones/patterns. There are also some dynamic effects that respond to the keys you press or in-game events. 

The HyperX gaming keyboard design itself is fairly standard, though there are a few simple features worth noting. Firstly, it must always be connected via USB to your computer or laptop. This is to maintain power and a lag-free input. However, the USB cord is detachable. This makes it portable and easier for storage when not in use.

Secondly, the keyboard isn’t stuck in the flat position. Its adjustable feet can accommodate three different non-slip angles to support your preferred gaming and typing style. All it lacks is its own palm rest. 

The Alloy Origins also has a premium build-quality with a durable ‘aircraft grade’ aluminum body encasing the entire keyboard. This isn’t just a plate but pretty much everything but the keys.

Ultimately, for a little over $100, the HyperX Alloy Origins challenges the best gaming keyboard options that cost even more.

When it comes to paying for wireless in the gaming category you can always expect it to cost a bit more. This holds true with version 3 of Razer’s BlackWidow Pro. What you get though is an unbreakable 2.4GHz wireless signal and a good mechanical keyboard for gaming. It gives many wired options a run for their money at $229.99, though we appreciate that this is still at the higher-priced end for keyboards.

Out of the box, you get a nice standard-sized aluminum design, with a detachable leatherette wrist rest. There are also four dedicated media controls above the right numpad. These are all dials, with the biggest controlling volume and the others for pause play and skip. You can configure them for other uses, however. In fact, you can configure every single key via the Synapse Software, including adding macros and managing lighting patterns or per-key colors.

Since this is a wireless mechanical gaming keyboard, it does require a lot of power and Razer promises 13 hours of battery life with RGBs enabled. In our experience, you can almost cut that in half. If you know you’re going to be unable to charge the keyboard, you’ll get a much longer battery life with the lighting off.

As for the mechanical switches, Razer lets you take your pick depending on your personal preference. They have ‘Green’ which gives you that traditional clicky sound but a bit slower actuation. Or, you can go with ‘Yellow’ linear switches, which are smoother, less noisy, and more efficient for gaming. It might be a tougher decision if your keyboard also moonlights for typing work or essays. For straight-up gaming, we’d go with the linear switches for the faster response time.

What’s so good about this Razer wireless keyboard is that you can actually use the USB charging cable to turn it into a wired version if you are having connection issues. While nine times out of 10 the ‘Hyperspeed’ wireless option is perfect, you always have this as a backup. Meanwhile, you can also connect via inferior Bluetooth if you need a Bluetooth gaming keyboard. This is useful if you’re doing less intense gaming or not gaming at all. I.e. you want the lighting or to toggle between up to three devices via Bluetooth, which isn’t achievable via Wi-Fi. 

Razer has long dominated the RGB lighting space. So beyond the standard 16.8 million color customizable profiles, you also get 150 presets for games. This means titles like Fortnite and Apex Legends are ready to blast you the most appropriate colors at the right times, for the most immersion.  

As Razer keyboards go, they have developed one of the best wireless mechanical keyboard options on the market today.

Not to be confused with the excellent headset of the same name, this Logitech wired keyboard is essentially a 75 percent keyboard with TKL layout. That means compact, with no right-side numeric keypad, designed specifically for gamers. Logitech has also jumped on the customization bandwagon, allowing for every pro-grade mechanical switch to be replaced or changed until you have the perfect setup for you. Not bad for $150 MSRP. Though still not within everyone’s budget and this price isn’t the full story.

Out of the box, you’ll notice its thin, minimal framed design that has three angles to its leveling feet. All that’s missing is some kind of palm/wrist rest for extra comfort.

In terms of TKL layout, the only extras are two light indicators beside buttons for the game mode and on-the-fly brightness changing. Game mode turns off all the keys that are unlikely to be used during gaming. This prevents accidental presses and when combined with the RGB lighting, more focus on the keys you do need to be pressing. 

Upon purchasing your Logitech mechanical gaming keyboard, your switch choices are:

• GX Red: One of the best quiet gaming keyboard options, which is linear in response.
• GX Brown: Quiet with tactile feedback, so you definitely know you’ve pressed.
• GX Blue: Loud and clicky like a traditional mechanical keyboard.

From a raw gaming performance standpoint, it’s a toss-up between the first two. If you want to sacrifice a tiny bit of response time for some fun clickiness, then go for Blue. 

Either way, you can replace any of the 87 keys with different versions while a full set costs $50. You get the key tool in the box.

If you mix and match on purchase the price can shoot up to $250, so it’s better to have a singular preference. Logitech hasn’t quite got down the customization and modular approach that ‘Glorious PC Gaming Race’ has managed with the GMMK.

Also, in the box is a removable USB cord. This isn’t a wireless keyboard, but it makes for easier portability and storage – something competitive/eSports gamers tend to choose. 

Ultimately, unless you go for the Blue switches and don’t need the number pad, this keyboard is not for all-around use. It wouldn’t be very productive in an office. However, gamers get a fast 1ms response rate and a 1.9mm actuation point for the MX Red switches. As it’s wired, lag is not an issue.

The Logitech backlight keyboard uses their LightSync technology, so you can configure every key and sync up with other devices.

Overall, it’s one of the best gaming mechanical keyboards and perhaps the best Logitech gaming keyboard altogether. However, unless you know exactly what you want from it, the price model can be odd and expensive.

At $109.99, the Ornata V2 is more affordable than most good gaming keyboard products, yet it doesn’t disappoint in performance or features.

Where it makes its savings is with hybrid Mecha-Membrane keys. This means you don’t get the full benefit of mechanical switches but they’re really not that far off in terms of speed, which is ideal for gaming.

The keys, however, require more force than a lot of other gaming keyboards to get your presses registered. That could be a hindrance in gameplay. It’s definitely something you can get used to but it’s up to you whether you need to spend time missing presses or just go for something that’s suitable right away.

Design-wise, the Ornata V2 is familiar and premium looking. It has an aluminum frame where it counts. There are also some plastic elements and a very comfortable wrist rest that you can detach if you desire. 

On the top right, it has dedicated media buttons for forward, play, and back, as well as a high-quality volume wheel. 

It’s a gaming keyboard by Razer so you can still expect a full 16.8 million color RGB light show. This can be configured per key via the Synapse software, in patterns, waves, and a multitude of other ways. It also supports dynamic lighting, which means certain games are preset to give off the optimum lighting patterns to set the tone or to reflect certain actions. For example, restoring health might pulse your keyboard green.

If you want a solid gaming keyboard cheap and your budget won’t go higher than $100. Or, you want a quieter keyboard than even the quietest mechanical switches can produce, the Razer Ornata V2 is good. For a few more bucks, however, you can get some of the best mechanical gaming keyboards on the market and have a much better experience while gaming.

At $199.99 the Vulcan PRO by Roccat is in contention for best cheap mechanical keyboard, and we say it only because these types of keyboard are rarely cheaper than this. What you get doesn’t pretend to be sleek. You’re looking at a full-size keyboard with extended framing and built-in palm-rest. If you’re making the jump from a regular keyboard it’s an obvious and familiar-looking upgrade but they also make TKL and other more compact sizes under the brand.

If you’re someone that games and does everything else on the same rig, then this is certainly a winner in the size and layout department. The build-quality alone is a treat, with the frame made from aircraft-grade aluminum. The caps are ABS double injected, so they’ll essentially never wear out and the switches are guaranteed for 100 million keystrokes.

As far as being a good keyboard for gaming, you get the choice of a Red Linear switch, which is quiet and smooth, with a low actuation point of 1.4mm. If you prefer some tactile feedback and a bit of a click, then you can go for the Brown Tactile switch. This has a 1.8mm actuation point. Obviously, the red switches are more efficient and faster at gaming because of the lower actuation, but the real-world difference is negligible. Go with what feels best for you.

Like several competitors, these switches are optomechanical, in that they feel mechanical and have all the benefits, but also use optical light for a faster response time. When testing even the fastest and most intense games we couldn’t identify any input lag.

Other features include dedicated media buttons, such as a volume wheel and play, forward and back buttons. And, it wouldn’t be a modern gaming keyboard without some RGB lighting.

Here you get their patented AIMO ‘intelligent lighting engine’. This has the ability to automatically sync with other compatible devices so your whole gaming room is on the same page.  

Overall, we really liked the Roccat Vulcan PRO. It could easily be $200, and we’d still rate it well. If you want to save a bit of cash with a lesser-known brand, this is it. One of the best budget mechanical keyboard options available.

There are several Corsair mechanical keyboards in their range and this time they’ve managed to lower the price to a respectable $119.99 MSRP. The K70 RGB MK.2 comes with official Cherry branded MX Brown switches. These offer a good middle-ground between gaming and typing because you get a tactile bump but there isn’t an over-the-top clicking sound.

The actuation point is 2mm which is pretty good, and it requires little force. The quieter nature of the switch also means you won’t annoy people in other rooms (or yourself for that matter). You’ll also have no problem with lifespan as these are guaranteed for at least 50 million keystrokes. 

Like a lot of Corsair keyboards, the MK.2’s design is frameless at the left and right edges, with a detachable palm rest at the bottom and a strip at the top. Here you’ll find: 

• the profile and macro switching buttons on the left
• an illuminated logo where the USB cord comes out
• a mute button on the right. 

The metal volume roller is lovely. The whole frame and top plate are high-quality aluminum, while the keycaps are ABS double injected, which means there’s no rubbing off the icons. 

Another nice feature is the textured space bar. If that’s an important key to your gaming you’ll love it, though we could understand if you found it annoying while typing a long Word doc. 

Then comes the RGB lighting and the once loathed but now loved iCUE software. Each individual key can be programmed, there are preset effects and patterns, and dynamic support. This means games that support dynamic lighting will deliver immersive light effects that fit the colors, mood, or actions of the game. 

You can also remap virtually every key, set up three profiles, and easily switch between them on the fly. This is ideal if you have different needs for different games or want one profile for non-gaming and another couple for gaming.

To get practically all of the best gaming features on a premium-built keyboard for $159.99 is rare. While it’s not the best gaming mechanical keyboard, it’s not really far off. Overall, great value for money.