We're on a constant hunt for the best gaming keyboards on the market, which means we've always got the latest and greatest decks on the go. We don't just stick to the heavy-hitting $300 types though - we're looking for the best keys across all price ranges. That means this guide to our favorite gaming keyboards spans every budget - from super cheap membrane decks to the most impressive planks on the shelves.
Whether you're looking for a cheaper membrane keyboard (where all your keys are positioned under a rubber dome), or a slightly more premium mechanical keyboard (where each key has its own mechanism to register), we're bringing you our top picks based on our own hands on experience. We've worked and played with all of these gaming keyboards to find the absolute best contenders on the market right now, and regularly revisit boards to test them against the latest releases as well.
It's also worth taking the rest of your setup into account when browsing - after all, you can unlock some particularly cohesive lighting effects when you combine a keyboard with a gaming mouse or gaming headset of the same brand.
The best gaming keyboards in 2023
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The Asus ROG Azoth was announced at CES 2023, and it's already set the bar for the year. Between a silky smooth typing experience, hot-swappable switches, speedy response times, and plenty of premium extras, you're covered for both gaming and everyday productivity in style here. That's because Asus has taken its inspiration from the custom keyboard market, building an off the shelf 75% deck with three layers of sound dampening foam in its gasket mounted chassis.
It's going to take a lot to knock the Asus ROG Azoth off my desk, and I would seriously urge anyone looking for a premium typing experience to keep one on theirs.
Asus ROG Azoth review
That means every keystroke has a soft landing with no reverb around the main body (thanks to the pre-lubed stabilizers), but the NX switches under the hood also offer a satisfying clack to each silky smooth press. Pair that with a speedy debounce and nippy response times and you've got yourself a fast deck with all the comfort of an enthusiast level set of keys. That's not easy to find in a wireless keyboard - we often find that hot-swappable decks sacrifice these kinds of speeds to save space for luxury typing. However, the Asus ROG Azoth proves you can have it all.
Apex Legends
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Epistory
Add three levels of ergonomic comfort, a flexible (and surprisingly high quality OLED display panel), and space for up to six profiles in the onboard memory and you have yourself an all-in-one powerhouse. No other gaming keyboard on the market can achieve this kind of spec sheet right now. Some have tried - Corsair's K70 Pro Mini took its first stab at a mainstream hot-swappable deck last year, for example. However, the overall experience on offer here in unparalleled, making it the best gaming keyboard on the shelves right now (for those who can afford to invest, anyway).
Read more: Asus ROG Azoth review
In contrast to the Hunstman V2 Analog's hefty MSRP, the Razer Cynosa V2 is a budget-minded godsend. You're getting a solid performance at a respectable price here, with a range of dedicated features baked in on top.
As a 'membrane' device, this version of the Cynosa is much quieter than the competition - a design feature that we particularly appreciated compared to the louder mechanical decks we're used to seeing. That's because its keys are pressing down on a rubbery sheet, meaning you don't get that distracting typewriter 'clack'. In other words, it's perfect in a busy household or at work where you don't want to cause too much noise.
If you've never owned a gaming keyboard before, this is the perfect place to start.
Razer Cynosa V2 review
It's excellent under stress, too. More specifically, the speed and resistance of each key is spot on. Our fingers were flying across them in use, but they never felt cheap - they're much lighter switches than those found in cheaper membrane keyboards, like the Roccat Magma featured elsewhere on this list, so we'd recommend if you're looking for twitch reflex actions without the price tag of a more expensive mechanical option.
Call of Duty: Warzone
Total War: Troy
Planet Zoo
The smooth plastic keycaps were satisfying to type with, too. Considering the Cynosa V2's low cost, that's an impressive feat. We did encounter a few squeaky keys in our test unit, and this has long been an issue in our experience with Razer Cynosa keyboards. While this isn't constant, it is certainly noticeable.
Macro settings which allow you to program each key add further value, while a smaller footprint means you won't have trouble fitting it on your desk. Once there, it certainly looks the part; RGB lighting adds a pop of color to its sleek black shell.
Read more: Razer Cynosa V2 review
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 sits in a Goldilocks zone of high end features and reasonable pricing, making it the best gaming keyboard for the majority of users. That's because of the suite of onboard functions (dedicated media keys, USB passthrough, and bright RGB lighting) and the slick design of HyperX's proprietary red switches. It's difficult to find a deck that combines all of these specs into a price point that doesn't stray too far into the $100 bracket, and certainly not with the build quality on offer here.
There are plenty of keyboards vying at this popular mid-range price point, but very few offer this particular experience.
HyperX Alloy Elite 2 review
We were particularly impressed with the red linear switches tucked away under those pudding-style keycaps. There's far less travel time here, compared to the likes of Cherry MX and Gateron, which means we were able to feel the speed of a more twitch-sensitive switch without any accidental keypresses. Everything feels slick and precise, even in more chaotic Fall Guys and Rocket League testing. Not only do those switches offer up a more precise actuation, though, but we also found them incredibly comfortable for both typing and longer play sessions.
Apex Legends
Fall Guys
Planet Coaster
Unfortunately, the HyperX Alloy Elite 2 isn't without its sacrifices. We were disappointed to find that this model ships with cheaper ABS keycaps. While you're still getting doubleshot legends, which will improve durability, two weeks of testing quickly left oily shine on regularly tapped keys, which made the texture-less caps feel even less sturdy underhand.
Nevertheless, you just don't see this level of performance and features on many keyboards in this price range. If you're running up against a $100 budget, we'd heavily recommend keeping a close eye on deals here, or pushing past that cut-off slightly for far better value for money.
Read more: HyperX Alloy Elite 2 review
The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro is everything one could want from a full-sized gaming keyboard, and then some. That control-panel style suite of dials and buttons will be the downfall of this latest release in certain eyes - it's certainly not fit for a small setup - but if you're after a full command centre and the macro support to back it up this is where you need to be looking.
We'll get it out of the way first, this is not a cheap device. The V4 Pro comes in at $229 / £229, but if you're looking for this kind of pedigree power it's an investment well worth making. While you're dropping the wireless connectivity of previous BlackWidow instalments, the V4 Pro makes up for it with USB passthrough, slick RGB lighting running full diameter of the deck and wrist rest, and a fantastic typing experience.
Every inch of this massive deck feels superbly put together. There's a density that comes with these high quality materials that promises a high degree of durability. While we don't usually expect to see ABS keycaps in this $200+ price range, they're nicely textured and offer a solid response under the hand. That, combined with the internal sound dampening foam, makes for a particularly satisfying experience overall. That's a nice departure from the endless echoes of other gaming keyboards, particularly the Razer Huntsman V2.
The build materials are high quality, the aesthetic is on point, and the typing feel is satisfying - but that's not what makes the BlackWidow V4 Pro the best full-sized gaming keyboard. It's the extra buttons and controls that handle that.
The top of the deck sports your standard dedicated media playback controls with a volume roller to boot, but there's also the Command Dial. While underutilized, this is a handy piece of kit if you regularly switch programs. In-game it takes a little tinkering to really be useful (and it's placed a little too far away from the main deck to be considered easily grabbable), however, with 30 steps per revolution and up to eight functions there's plenty of potential hidden up here. On top of that, you've got five dedicated macro keys running along the left and three additional buttons to the side of the deck itself. That's an incredible suite of controls sure to satisfy even the most impatient combo artists.
Read more: Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro review
The Logitech G915 sports the brand's trusted Lightspeed technology to provide a solid wireless connection no matter how frenzied your attacks are. Long considered the gold standard for wireless gaming keyboards, the G915 is a slimline powerhouse, offering a low profile key set and a competitive battery life to boot. You'll be able to run this particular deck at full brightness for 30 hours - that's considerably better than the runtime of the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro for slightly less cash to boot. While some wireless decks can run for much longer than Logitech's without that RGB lighting, though, this is a solid all-rounder which will appeal to those looking for a balance between aesthetics and performance.
With five dedicated macro buttons, a whole panel of media controls, and a sleek aluminium top cashing, there's plenty of luxury baked into the bare bones of this device as well. Not only that, but this isn't exactly a new release, which means we're seeing those lofty $229.99 / £209.99 starting prices sliding significantly. You'll likely find it closer to $180 / £140 right now.
You're not paying much for the Roccat Magma, and that places it in a particularly popular category. We were impressed by the value for money on offer here. Unlike some other contenders in this space, though, you're still getting a smooth, responsive experience with 26 key rollover, anti-ghosting, extra macro functionality, and customisable RGB lighting zones.
The Magma cleverly disguises a drop in aesthetic customization options with a replacement effect that some may even prefer.
Roccat Magma review
There are some sacrifices to be made to achieve such a low price tag (for example, the RGB lighting is set across ten individual LEDs which means you're not getting per-key customization, and the membrane keys do have a heavier actuation force than more tap-sensitive switches), but if you're not interested in premium speed or aesthetic customization, those setbacks won't encroach on your day-to-day experience.
Planet Coaster
Apex Legends
Rise of the Tomb Raider
There's a real sense of quality to the Magma, and despite initially being put off by that extra heft, we found that each key-press offers a satisfying resistance. However, if you're after something a little lighter, we'd recommend taking a look at the hybrid SteelSeries Apex 5 or the Razer Cynosa V2 - though you'll be paying a little more.
In addition, Roccat's EasyShift macro control is still present and correct with the Magma. This allows you to customize dual-functionality for certain keys, giving greater flexibility that offers a fighting chance against the best gaming keyboards. Not only that, but we were surprised by the durability of the chassis overall as well, while we can forgive the plastic design at this price point there was a sturdiness that impressed us considering the price point.
Overall, you're getting an excellent piece of kit for your cash here - even if you are skimping on the luxuries a little.
Read more: Roccat Magma review
SteelSeries is well known for making some of the best gaming keyboards, but many of them are pricey. This is where the SteelSeries Apex 5 swoops in. It offers a stripped-back version of everything that makes the expensive models great. More specifically, you're getting a slimline design, snappy actuation, and an OLED smart display in the upper right-hand corner to go with its affordable cost. We felt that the mini screen is underused during our testing, but it's a cool touch nonetheless.
The Apex 5 keeps everything that makes more expensive models great - from its slimline, borderless design, to its snappy actuation response across the board.
SteelSeries Apex 5 review
Although this model doesn't have customizable per-key actuation like the costly SteelSeries Apex Pro, it's still satisfying to game or type with. Its clicky keys only require the smallest amount of pressure to activate, and, once we got used to the sensitivity on offer here we were travelling across the deck with a kind of speed that's rare to find in similar models.
That's thanks to hybrid switches which bring together mechanical and membrane tech for the best of both worlds. We personally found the matte keys to be pleasingly soft to the touch, but those after a more tactile experience may need to swap out these ABS caps.
It's a memorable experience and the build quality never feels sloppy despite the lower price tag. You're still getting SteelSeries quality, but for much less than normal. It's superb value for money and a great keyboard all-round.
Read more: SteelSeries Apex 5 review
If you're after an investment piece that you can continue to customize over time, then look no further than the Mountain Everest Max. We were blown away by the feature set packed into this modular hot-swappable keyboard, as well as the premium build quality.
It's easy to see that this is a game-changer for those looking to make a significant investment.
Mountain Everest Max review
The Everest Max comes in a TKL format straight out of the box, with an additional number pad and media control panel to slot into the available USB-C ports. Being able to strip down from a full-sized deck when the heat is on is a particularly useful feature, but we'd thoroughly recommend keeping that digital control dial in your setup. From tracking APM to providing PC info, there's plenty of nifty features baked in here that turn your desk into a full command centre.
Borderlands 2
Planet Coaster
Cities Skylines
Don't get us wrong, this isn't a cheap gaming keyboard. At $299.99 you'll need to know that you'll make the most of the features on offer here. However, this is a rare release that really does live up to its value. There's nothing quite like the Mountain Everest Max on the market right now.
While we had a few hiccups with the Cherry MX Red switches not being factory lubricated, and the ABS keycaps felt a little cheeky on a keyboard this expensive, the sheer customization options open to you mean that you can't go wrong. We simply opened up those switches and had them running smoothly in no time, and swapped in some PBT doubleshot keycaps for an extra level of personalization as well.
Read more: Mountain Everest Max review
We've scored the Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro just a little higher than the newer Roccat Vulcan II Max. That's because of its wireless connection and the fact that the latter isn't only wired, but requires two USB ports without offering passthrough (all for around the same price as Razer's streamlined model). If you're after a low-profile gaming keyboard, then, the Deathstalker V2 Pro is your best bet.
The Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro presents an amazing set of features, wrapped up in a beautifully designed piece of tech that you'll be happy to have on your desk.
Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro review
Boasting Razer's low-profile optical switches (in either linear or clicky flavor) for extra speed, as well as onboard memory for up to five profiles, dedicated media keys and volume roller, HyperSpeed multi-device support, there's plenty packed into this $200+ / £200+ price tag. We found all of that to combine into an excellent typing and gaming experience, offering a comfortable low-profile design with the satisfaction of a mechanical deck. The slimline design was also particularly impressive, with the durable aluminium top plate tying everything up with an air of sophistication.
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You're getting a full suite of programmable keys, all the rollover and anti-ghosting tech one would expect, and dedicated media controls in the form of a volume dial and playback button. Combine that with the sleek form factor and long-lasting battery powering the wireless connection and you've got an excellent piece of kit in your arsenal.
Read more: Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro review
There's a battle taking place in the 60% gaming keyboard arena. 2022 brought us plenty of new models to scratch this minimalist itch, but the Corsair K70 Pro Mini came out as top dog. There's just so much packed into this miniature deck; up to 50 onboard profiles (many decks limit you to just five), hot-swappable switches, and plenty of double commands assigned to the function key. The K70 Pro Mini essentially keeps everything you need in a gaming keyboard while maintaining that space-saving form factor - and that's not something you see in every release.
"It's rare to find a miniature gaming keyboard that doesn't sacrifice anything, but if you're after an all-in-one powerhouse you're well served here."
Corsair K70 Pro Mini review
Compared to similar contenders like the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog and SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini, both keyboards that look to up their game with adjustable switches, the Corsair K70 Pro is flying through its spec sheet. Not only that, but everything handles particularly well in-game as well. Corsair's Axon processor keeps each move snappy and precise, with noticeably low latency and a strong response.
Apex Legends
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Fall Guys
We did notice that those hot-swappable switches were a little scratchy straight out of the box, and the stabilizers will need plenty of lubrication if you're going to be typing for long periods of time, but those are easy fixes thanks to the customization options on offer here.
Those finishing touches will only get you so far - swapping out the Cherry MX Reds for a set of super smooth Mountain Linear 45s alerted us to a particularly harsh landing space underneath the main deck here. There's no sound absorption here - but this isn't a keyboard designed for typists, it's one built for speed and personalization and it excels in these arenas.
Read more: Corsair K70 Pro Mini review
While we loved the previous generation HyperX Alloy Origins 60, the new 65% model improves on a few key areas to bring it up to the level of the best gaming keyboards on the market. The HyperX Alloy Origins 65 is the best mini keyboard available right now, with its reponsive, comfortable switches, improved PBT keycaps and spacing, impeccable build quality, and - of course - those all important arrow keys.
Gorgeously textured doubleshot PBT keycaps rise from a solid aluminium base plate, with a comfortable spacing between them and a solid weight to each keypress.
HyperX Alloy Origins 65 review
The Alloy Origins 65 is incredibly comfortable to use for both work and play, offering up some of our favorite PBT keycaps with a soft yet slightly grainy texture, and a solid range of movement as well. In our testing, we found precision movements a lot easier with these keys, compared to the cramped 60% model and its super sensitive switches. Actuation feels a little deeper in this model, making for far more accurate keypresses as well.
With low latency responses and a snappy debounce, those looking for their first competitive level keyboard will find a great home for their fingertips here. You're still only getting three onboard memory slots though. That's the same as the previous model (and several HyperX boards), but it does fall slightly short of the average offering of five.
With its slimline form factor that doesn't impinge on functionality, comfortable typing experience, and speedy reactions, the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 is the best miniature keyboard on the market. It can't quite keep up with the level of customization on offer in the hot-swappable Mountain Everest 60 or the actuation gradient of the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog. However, it combines enough of the features everyday players will actually use every day to make it a clear winner.
Read more: HyperX Alloy Origins 65 review
The K70 is one of Corsair's most successful lines of mechanical gaming keyboards, so it makes sense for them to bring the speed of the full sized model to a TKL form-factor. The result is a deck that feels tailor-made for tournament play, boasting 8,000Hz hyper-polling and 4,000Hz key scanning rates. It feels like an understatement to claim that the Corsair K70 RGB TKL is fast.
That's to say nothing of a feather-light actuation response, either. We were moving across these keys with minimal effort, but there's enough grip and anti-rollover at play here that we rarely had any trouble with multiple key presses in our testing.
This is a deck that feels tailor-made for the competitive scene as well, prioritizing speed, grip, and customization in both hardware and software.
Corsair K70 RGB TKL review
While you are losing out on some dedicated macro controls and USB passthrough, every key is programmable itself. However, a quick flip of the new Tournament switch can also reset your keyboard to competitive standards as well.
Finally, that new TKL size makes for a far more ergonomic feel. However, we were disappointed to find that the wrist rest is sold separately, and the lip of the keyboard itself proved a little harsh on the palms after longer play sessions. Still, there's so much functionality packed into this TKL model - functionality that we shouldn't take for granted in competitors' models - that it's easy to compensate for this minor irritation.
Thanks to the detachable cable, you're all set up for travelling too. Although the build could be a little lighter to fully make the most of this competitive use, you're getting a stunning and durable brushed effect on top as a trade-off that's not to be missed.
Read more: Corsair K70 RGB TKL review
How we test gaming keyboards
Every keyboard that takes up residency on our desks goes through a series of tests to see exactly how it ranks among the best decks on the market. We check everything from the n-key rollover to the keyboard's scan rate to make sure all features are as described, but we also put each set of keys through their paces through a series of genres and titles. We test response times, debounce, switch speeds, ease of macro use, travel, weight of switches, and polling rate using faster first person shooter and action titles as well as strategy, simulation, platformer, and racing genres as well.
We also pay close attention to how well the form factor lends itself to the useability and speed of each device. That means we're always judging whether the build materials are solid and watching out for flex, keycap wobble, and inconsistent or unreliable switches. We use each model for weeks at a time, bringing them into our daily lives for work and play - so we can gather an early idea of whether any scuffs or scratches will appear from standard everyday use. However, crucially, we keep these keyboards in our rotations far beyond the publication of our final review - which means we can watch out for longer-term durability concerns and update our findings as well.
Our testing also covers those all-important switches. We check how well the actuation feel, travel distance, and speed comply with the overall design and intended use-case of the keyboard itself. We also fully strip and rebuild any hot-swappable keyboards that we review as well.
At the end of our testing, we make an assessment not just on performance, but also concerning the overall value of the product itself. That means we measure all of our findings against the price point and competing models within that bracket as well.
For more information on how we make our recommendations, take a look at our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy. You'll also find more details on how we test gaming keyboards specifically as well.
Gaming Keyboard FAQ
What are the best gaming keyboard brands?
If you're looking to narrow your search, or you're looking to build a whole ecosystem of RGB lighting, it's worth sticking to one brand. We've had our hands on a massive selection of keys, and our top three brands are Razer, Corsair, and Roccat. These are the brands that most often appear in our top roundup above, with plenty of range in their prices catering to entry level buyers and pros alike.
What makes a gaming keyboard good?
Some of the best gaming keyboards all share a specific set of features and qualities that make them stand out from the rest of the pack. A good deck is one that offers a satisfying and precise typing experience but still packs a high response time (the speed at which the keyboard communicates with the PC) and additional customization options.
In your search for the best gaming keyboard, you should check three main features; switches, macro programming, and response times.
The switches you use will determine how each key-press feels under your hand, but each switch will register that key-press at a different speed. The moment that the keyboard registers that something has been hit is called the actuation point; a lower actuation point is better for gaming because you'll be able to react with faster twitch reflex inputs. The best switch is subjective, but red linear models are generally found in the top decks.
Macros set these dedicated decks apart from other every-day mechanical devices. A good gaming keyboard will offer around six additional keys that can be re-mapped for easy access to in-game actions like reloading, switching a weapon, or aiming down sights. However, some keyboards also eschew these dedicated keys for a fully remappable deck as well.
The speed of your keyboard is generally measured through its response time. While other aspects of your device can effect the speed of your inputs, like the actuation point, switch debounce times, and layout, the response time measures how long it takes the keyboard to scan each key press and send that information to your computer. We'd recommend looking for a response time between 1 and 8ms.
Should you use mechanical or membrane switches in a gaming keyboard?
Switch type is perhaps the most subjective aspect of a gaming keyboard. Before you even dive into the world of different switch types, it’s worth researching whether you’d like a mechanical or membrane keyboard - or perhaps a hybrid version of the two.
A membrane keyboard is cheaper and generally quieter, but won’t last as long and doesn’t offer the characteristic snap of a mechanical deck. That means actuation will feel a little mushier, and your key presses might not register as quickly. We’d recommend picking up a membrane keyboard if you’re new to kitting out your PC, or if you prefer a softer typing experience and don’t need that twitch reflex speed in the games you’ll be playing.
A mechanical keyboard is the go-to in the world of PC gaming. That’s because of its durability, customization options, and response speed. Once you start spending a little more cash on your setup, it’s worth investing in a mechanical keyboard that feels good to you. Choosing a switch type is the next step, but for that we’d recommend picking up a cheap switch tester like the Griarrac Cherry MX switch tester ($15.99 at Amazon (opens in new tab)).
Which switches should you use in a mechanical gaming keyboard?
Mechanical gaming keyboard switches come in three broad strokes; linear, tactile, and clicky. The first describes a switch that moves straight down when pressed, with no bumps in its feel or clacks in its sound. These linear switches are generally the most popular, allowing players to press keys repeatedly very quickly, and generally move across the board easier as well. They're also smoother and quieter for a more comfortable use as well.
However, you may want to try a tactile switch if you're looking for instant acknowledgement that your key press has registered. These switches feature a small bump when you press the key down fully - actuating (registering a keypress) when the bump is hit, rather than when the key is fully pressed. That makes for a more accurate keypress, and if you get used to feeling for the bump, a faster typing experience overall.
Clicky switches are still tactile, offering the same feel as a tactile, but do so with a louder clack sound. That's excellent if you're looking for a more audible experience, but not so good if you're working or playing in a shared area.
What size gaming keyboard should you use?
Gaming keyboards come in a range of shapes and sizes. Thankfully these days we’re seeing fewer RGB bricks with jagged corners and a weight that would bend a desk. However, there’s still a good variety of size configurations to choose from.
A TKL, 60 or 65% keyboard drops the number pad and may even lose your arrow buttons and function keys as well. That’s better for keeping your desk space, and making sure you can still swing your mouse around in the heat of battle, but can limit you functionally.
If you’re using your desk setup just for gaming, and that happens to be faster paced, more agile shooter titles, this is an excellent option. However, if you’re working on your keyboard as well, or if you can’t do without your macros or media controls, a full sized board may be required.
If you're fully upgrading your setup, it might be time to think about diving into the world of the best gaming PCs, or checking out our top pick for the best gaming laptop if you plan on taking your games on the go.
We're also rounding up all the best gaming chair brands, and - if you're not interested in the best gaming headsets on the market - you'll also find all the best computer speakers right here as well.
