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Ready to advance your gaming experience with a top-notch gaming keyboard? Look no further! We have invested considerable time and effort to acquire and rigorously test the 12 best gaming keyboards currently available on the market. In this comprehensive review, we delve deep into many essential features that separate the gaming keyboard elite from the rest, including switch type, macro set-up, software capabilities, lighting options, and even comfort-enhancing palm rests. We have cut through the noise with practical performance tests, providing genuine insights into each keyboard's capabilities. Our ultimate goal is to simplify the often daunting process of selecting the perfect gaming keyboard by presenting you with clear and concise product comparisons. Say goodbye to the tedious task of sifting through endless product specifications on a daunting spreadsheet. We have meticulously handled all the nitty-gritty work for you, ensuring that this comprehensive comparative analysis serves as your ultimate guide in making an informed decision that aligns perfectly with your gaming needs and expectations.
At the pinnacle of our top gaming keyboards list, the Corsair K100 RGB gaming keyboard reigns supreme, boasting exceptional performance and unparalleled versatility. This keyboard has earned its top spot due to a perfect balance of innovation and practicality, catering to the needs of avid gamers. One of the key features that sets the Corsair K100 apart is its dedicated macro keys and a customizable control wheel. This thoughtful design allows gamers to streamline complex commands and execute them with ease, enhancing overall convenience and adaptability during intense gaming sessions. Whether it's executing a series of in-game actions swiftly or triggering complex commands with a single press, the K100 delivers an outstanding user experience.
However, no product is without its flaws. While the Corsair K100 excels in numerous aspects, it does fall short in on-the-fly macro capabilities. For users seeking quick customization and adjustment on the fly, this limitation might be disappointing. But if you aren't deterred by a couple of minor flaws, we highly recommend the K100. For a quick customizable alternative, the Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT earned a top award for its feature-packed ability combined with a nice price tag that won't hurt your bank account.
Overall, our testers were blown away by how well the Corsair K100 RGB performed in our tests.
While the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro gaming keyboard didn't earn our best overall award, it undeniably stands as a close and formidable contender. This keyboard offers a wealth of customization options, complemented by an innovative light-up palm rest that enhances the overall gaming experience. A notable addition is the volume roller, allowing for quick audio adjustments, and the highly customizable layout that contributes to exceptional performance in various gaming scenarios. Crafted through a dual-shot molding process, the keyboard's keycaps ensure durable labeling for enduring intense gaming sessions, reflecting Razer's commitment to a reliable product. The cushioned wrist rest, adorned with Chroma RGB lighting, enhances comfort and reduces wrist strain during extended gameplay.
However, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro has a couple of minor drawbacks. Some users might find the media key icons less visible during fast-paced gameplay, and macro creation could be less intuitive compared to alternative options. But, if customization is a high priority for you, this could be your best option. If high visibility is important to you, we suggest the radiant Redragon K552. This keyboard is a beaut. The keys individually light up to create a more reliable setup for your gameplay. All this is included with a cheap price tag.
The palm rest on the Razer V4 lights up in addition to the keyboard.
Central to the SteelSeries Apex Pro's acclaim is its revolutionary adjustable actuation feature, enabling users to tailor their keystroke sensitivity with precision, harmonizing seamlessly with their distinct gaming approach. This unparalleled level of control and responsiveness equips gamers with the tools to fine-tune their gaming encounters, forging a distinct competitive advantage in every digital showdown. Beyond its remarkable performance, the Apex Pro extends a considerate embrace of comfort, ensuring that protracted gaming sessions remain physically accommodating. The inclusion of a well-crafted palm rest offers a respite to fatigued wrists and hands, reaffirming the keyboard's commitment to a comfortable gaming experience. Lastly, the Apex Pro is the most affordable option of our tested premiere gaming keyboards.
Nevertheless, it's important to acknowledge a minor limitation of the Apex Pro, centered around its non-detachable cable. While this aspect might mildly inconvenience some users, this keyboard's exceptional performance and feature-rich design unequivocally overshadow this drawback, cementing its status as a great choice for discerning gamers seeking an immersive and precision-driven gaming keyboard. If the non-detachable cable is a deal breaker, then we suggest our best overall, the Corsair K100 RGB keyboard.
The extensive customization capability is a notable feature, granting users substantial control over the keyboard's radiant lighting.
Membrane doesn't last as long as mechanical switches
Clip in palm rest
The Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT gaming keyboard is a fantastic budget-friendly option that doesn't compromise on features and functionality. With its highly customizable keys and dedicated macro buttons, gamers can tailor their gaming experience to suit their preferences and playstyle. The spill-resistant design ensures durability, providing peace of mind during intense gaming sessions, while the captivating RGB lighting adds a vibrant and immersive atmosphere to the gaming setup. The convenience of IP42 protection further enhances the keyboard's durability, safeguarding it against spills and dust. With six dedicated macro keys, users can gain a competitive edge by programming complex macros or assigning streaming commands. This full-featured gaming keyboard is a cost-effective choice, offering everything gamers need to excel without stretching their budget.
However, the Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT does have some drawbacks worth mentioning. The membrane switches, while functional and responsive, may not provide the same satisfying tactile feel and durability as mechanical switches. This may concern users who prioritize long-term reliability and prefer the mechanical keyboard experience. Additionally, while the included clip-in palm rest offers some comfort, some users may find it less desirable compared to the integrated or detachable palm rests found on other keyboards. Despite these drawbacks, the keyboard's affordability and feature-rich design still make it an attractive option for those seeking a budget-friendly gaming keyboard with customizable features. Mechanical key types are important to those who like that tactile feel when playing. Redragon K552 keyboard uses mechanical key types while still providing a low price.
The K55 uses rubber dome membrane switches rather than mechanical ones.
Making its mark on our list of top gaming keyboards, the Redragon K552 impresses with its remarkable array of solid features and performance, all at an incredibly low price point. This budget-friendly mechanical keyboard exceeds expectations with its N-Key rollover and individual key lighting, offering a straightforward yet effective solution for gamers seeking a reliable and affordable option. The ergonomic design adds an extra layer of appeal, ensuring gamers can embark on extended play sessions without sacrificing comfort or experiencing fatigue. With its high-quality and durable construction, the Redragon K552 guarantees a consistent and reliable gaming experience, providing gamers with the confidence to engage in intense battles and demanding gameplay.
Despite its commendable features, the Redragon K552 does have a few minor drawbacks that warrant consideration. During our testing, we discovered that the lighting modes' names could be somewhat obscure, which might lead to confusion for users attempting to customize their lighting preferences. While the individual key lighting is a positive aspect, the lack of accompanying software for further customization or programming might disappoint some users who desire more intricate and personalized setups. Nonetheless, the Redragon K552 remains a solid choice for those seeking an affordable and reliable mechanical keyboard with impressive features and durable construction. If you'd like to invest more in your future keyboard to get additional customizations, then we suggest the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro. This keyboard stands out for its additional customizable audio adjustments.
The lighting customization option on the K552 is limited but it excels in individual key lighting.
Positioned as one of the leading contenders in the gaming keyboard market, the Wooting 60 HE stands out with an impressive array of features designed to cater to gamers seeking unparalleled control and performance. With adjustable actuation, rapid trigger key response, and the convenience of toggling NKRO for console compatibility, this keyboard offers an exceptionally customizable gaming experience. Its compact 60% size, complemented by hot-swappable keys, adds to its appeal, while the inclusion of a carry strap adds practicality for on-the-go gamers.
Despite its remarkable performance and flexibility, it's worth noting that macro creation requires separate software, which might present a slight learning curve for users accustomed to integrated solutions. Additionally, while the lighting customization is solid, it may not offer the extensive options provided by some of its competitors in the market. For those looking for better lighting options, we like the Corsair K100 RGB because it goes beyond the standard options. This keyboard includes captivating color sequences that make it alluring to the user.
The Wooting 60HE offers a generous selection of customizable lighting effects.
Earning a notable mention on our esteemed gaming keyboard roster, the HyperX Alloy Core RGB stands out with its remarkable simplicity and commendable functionality. While we didn't find this to be the best overall in terms of features and customization, we do feel that those who just want a straightforward option that gets the job done will prefer this model. The Alloy Core comes with a spill-resistant design that ensures durability for both casual and intense gaming sessions. With user-friendly features, this keyboard offers hassle-free setup and immediate usability, appealing to gamers seeking an uncomplicated yet efficient experience.
However, we noted that the Alloy Core RGB does not come with a palm rest. The absence of a palm rest could impact comfort during extended gameplay. Despite not receiving an award, the HyperX Alloy Core's straightforward design and performance make it a notable choice for gamers seeking reliable gaming peripherals.
The HyperX Alloy Core is notable for its simplicity and performance.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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Why You Should Trust Us
To cut through all the hoopla surrounding gaming devices, we bought the top gaming keyboards on the market and put them through a rigorous but practical series of tests that cover all aspects of performance and reliability. Specifically, we looked at lighting customization, performance, ease of programming and macros, convenience, and palm rest comfort. All these features were evaluated while playing many hours of MMOs, MOBAs, RTSs, ARPGs, and FPS.
Senior Research Analyst Austin Palmer is a dedicated gamer in his free time and an electronics specialist during the workweek. Over the last half-decade, he has been on the leading edge of testing everything from VR headsets to gaming mice. All told, Austin spends the majority of his waking hours with his fingers dancing across a keyboard. Likewise, Senior Review Editor Nick Miley uses a keyboard for work and recreation. While not a passionate gamer, Nick uses macros for administrative work and, having typed millions of words over the course of his career, knows quality switch action and well laid out features when he uses them.
The K100 RGB comes with an excellent palm rest.
Well-placed media keys are a godsend when you need fast and accurate adjustments during a heated gaming session.
The Wooting provides gamers with fast input speeds.
Analysis and Test Results
In our quest to identify the premier models in the class, we dedicated countless hours immersing ourselves in frenzied gaming sessions with various keyboards. Our comprehensive evaluation covered every aspect of product performance, ranging from comfort and ease of operation to customization capacities. Through this meticulous examination, we present below the detailed results of our tests, highlighting the keyboards that excelled and the reasons behind their outstanding performance.
Value
We determine value to be a balanced ratio of both performance and price. Though, depending on your needs and budget, there are several options in our lineup that would be considered great value. If you want the best of the best and money is no concern, the Corsair K100 RGB is a great option. On the other hand, the SteelSeries Apex Pro is another premiere option for just a little less. If you don't plan on spending too much on a keyboard but still want decent features and customization, we recommend the Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT.
Lighting Customization
Many of the products in this review come with a broad array of lighting customization options such as multi-layer effects to simple static colors. The new generation of keyboards now offers many users the ability to create a visually immersive gaming experience. The depth of complexity and customization supported varies considerably. However, our testers found that the best in terms of this metric was by far the Corsair K100 RGB, Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT and HyperX Alloy Origins.
The main criteria for high-ranking lighting customization include ease of customization, level of customization, colors, and number of presets.
The K100 RGB and its cheaper counterpart, the K55 RGB Pro XT, offer a level of customization nothing short of impressive, empowering users with an extensive array of options to fine-tune their lighting selections. From choosing random colors to creating lighting effects that alternate between two colors, the possibilities are vast and cater to a wide range of creative preferences. Moreover, users can adjust the speed, direction, and starting/stopping points of different lighting effects, providing them with a truly personalized and dynamic lighting experience.
The lighting customization options for the K55 RGB Pro XT are vast!
Credit: Abriah Wofford
While the HyperX Alloy Origins is truly remarkable, offering users a high degree of freedom to pre-select all lights or choose specific keys for individual effects. This level of granularity allows gamers to create unique and personalized lighting configurations, perfectly tailored to their gaming style and setup. Additionally, the ability to adjust the speed of the effects adds a delightful touch of personalization, giving users precise control over the dynamics of their lighting display.
The lighting customization for the HyperX Alloy Origins allows you to enhance your gaming experience by adding complimentary color profiles to your keyboard.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Performance
A gaming keyboard may have all the cosmetics in the world, but if it does not have strong overall performance, it fails to be useful. For this metric, we evaluated performance by measuring latency and N-Key rollover/anti-ghosting for each keyboard. Latency is the measure of the time it takes for your keystroke to transmit to your computer. N-Key rollover/anti-ghosting is a feature that guarantees the keyboard can accurately detect and process multiple simultaneous key presses without any signal conflicts or missed inputs.
The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro stands out for its 50 key rollover capabilities and remarkable input speeds. The V4 Pro offers a choice between two switches, each catering to different preferences. The Green Switch boasts precise actuation with clicky, tactile feedback, ideal for those who prefer a more pronounced keypress response.
Another great option is the SteelSeries Apex Pro, which also impresses with its 104-key rollover and 100% anti-ghosting. The HyperX Alloy Origins, the Wooting HE, and the Redragon K552 also scored similarly to the Apex Pro in terms of anti-ghosting and input speeds.
The Apex Pro provides gamers with lighting-fast input speeds.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Programming and Macros
Programming keys and macros functionality is crucial in assessing the quality of gaming keyboards. This level of personalization not only provides a competitive advantage but also streamlines repetitive actions, enhancing efficiency and precision during intense gaming sessions.
The best two keyboards in this metric are by far the Corsair K100 RGB and Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT. Both of these keyboards utilize the iCue software that enables gamers to program macros on the fly with ease. In addition, both come with six extra macro keys, enhancing the versatility of these keyboards.
Behind the Corsair keyboards stand the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro and Razer Ornata V3. Razer offers a wide variety of programmable buttons, which enable users to effortlessly assign custom functions to the keys. Although the initial setup might not be entirely intuitive, the keyboard's options remove the necessity for re-recording macros, resulting in a smoother and more user-friendly programming experience.
Razer keyboards offer plenty of programmable buttons.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Convenience
The convenience section for gaming keyboards is assessed by switch type availability, keycap swapping, dedicated media, and USB passthrough. Offering different switch types allows users to customize the tactile feel and actuation of keys, while dedicated media keys and USB passthrough allow easy access to basic commands during gaming sessions.
The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro is a favorite in terms of convenience. The V4 Pro presents users with a choice between two switch options: the Razer Green switch, known for its satisfying clicky sound, and the Razer Yellow switch, offering a smooth and linear feel. While the availability of only two switch types may not encompass all users' preferences, the inclusion of both clicky and linear options accommodates a diverse range of gamers seeking distinct tactile sensations.
The macros set-up and editing couldn't be easier with the box menu - simply click to a design macros with or without delays.
Credit: Austin Palmer
The SteelSeries Apex Pro strength lies in its diverse switch options, including the innovative OmniPoint switches. This feature grants users the advantage of adjustable actuation distance, allowing for a highly customizable typing and gaming experience tailored to individual preferences. While the tactile switches may lack this adjustable actuation feature, the presence of this cutting-edge technology on the Apex Pro truly sets it apart from other keyboards. Honorable mentions in this metric include, HyperX Alloy Origins, Cooler Master MK730, Ducky One 3 Mini and the Corsair K100 RGB
The Apex Pro offers dedicated media buttons, allowing users to control playback and volume during gaming.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Palm Rest
A good palm rest is a useful asset for a gaming keyboard as they provide wrist support and comfort during long gaming sessions. Palm rests are instrumental in promoting a healthier and more enjoyable gaming experience, making them a beneficial feature for users seeking optimal comfort and support during extended keyboard use.
Models such as the SteelSeries Apex Pro and the SteelSeries Apex 3 both offer a good angle and width, ensuring it gets close enough to the keys for a comfortable gaming experience without feeling cramped. Those with smaller hands may find this width to be the most comfortable for various games.
Unfortunately, not every keyboard comes with its own palm rest. These include the Wooting HE, Ducky One 3 Mini, HyperX Alloy Origins, Redragon K552, and HyperX Alloy Core. Sometimes there is 3rd party compatibility, but oftentimes these separate palm rests are quite awkward when placed against the original keyboard.
A palm rest adds a necessary degree of comfort during prolonged gaming sessions.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
In our extensive evaluation of gaming keyboards, we thoroughly examined all the crucial components that contribute to a smart and effective peripheral. Our focus encompassed the programming and customization software, the types of switches employed, the presence of media and macro keys, the comfort-enhancing palm rest, rollover capabilities, and the versatility of lighting customization. High-performance gaming demands excellence from a keyboard, so it's crucial not to be caught off guard by limitations such as restricted macros or ghosted keystrokes. We hope that we've provided all the essential information you need to make an informed decision and choose the best keyboard that fulfills your gaming performance expectations while staying within your budget. If you need a mouse to complete your gaming setup, we've tested those too in our our gaming mice review.
