April 29 2019

The 8 Best Gaming Keyboards

You wouldn’t jump into a game of Rainbow Six Siege without your best guns and armor—or an excellent keyboard, right? Each member of the holy trinity of gaming peripherals (headset, mouse, and keyboard) has a significant impact on your performance and enjoyment. A $39 membrane keyboard from the office store might be okay for short Minecraft sessions. However, we think even casual games deserve better.

The best gaming keyboards have the design ideally suited for gamers. They feature faster response times, more tactile keys, built-in macro support, and tons of other features. These are what that sets them apart from regular old typing keyboards.

These days, most of them have tons of RGB backlighting too, ranging in intensity from “subtle glow” to “unicorn nightclub.” Some gaming keyboards are even designed to cater to specific genres of games, as you’ll see in some of our reviews. For example, if you play Fortnite, it’ll be beneficial for you to know what’s the best keyboard for Fortnite.


Top 8 Gaming Keyboards

Keyboards are one of the essential pieces of gear in a gamer’s arsenal, so we’ve checked out a whopping eight of them for you. In this guide, prices range from $60 to $200. Thus, there’s sure to be something that works for your budget out of our gaming keyboard recommendations. There’s a wide variety of features on offer too, for MMOs, first-person shooters, MOBAs, and even stealth games.

After the reviews, you’ll find a gaming keyboard buying guide that covers the essentials: membrane vs. mechanical keyboards, types of switches, and extra buttons. Finally, we’ve been poking around various corners of the internet to compile a list of the most common questions gamers are asking about gaming keyboards. Guess what? We’ve even answered them for you. Grab a snack and settle in!

Best Choice: Corsair K95

Pros & Cons

  • High-quality, durable construction
  • Excellent response time
  • Useful macro keys are out of the way, but still convenient to access
  • Slightly confusing software
  • Requires two separate USB cables for full functionality

With an excellent price-to-features ratio and a durable aluminum frame, the Corsair K95 mechanical gaming keyboard comes out on top in the battle for the title of “best gaming keyboard in 2020.”

Key Features

  • Three profiles for macro and lighting storage
  • Cherry MX Speed switches
  • Six programmable macro buttons, compatible with all games

Corsair K95 Review

A keyboard that costs as much should last for a long time. One of the first things you’ll notice about the Corsair K95 mechanical gaming keyboard is that it’s substantial and reliable—even the legs are nice and thick. The keys and switches themselves are well-built too; it takes some deliberate force to remove them, and they click firmly back into position when replaced.

This keyboard’s response time is about as close to zero as it can realistically get. The Cherry MX Speed switches earn their name, but they are pretty loud in comparison to MX Browns (though nowhere near as deafening as Blues).

Each key has a very short travel distance to actuation. With practice, you can achieve noticeably faster reaction times in games where fractions of a second can make a difference.

The K95 comes with six extra programmable macro buttons (called “G buttons”) that strike a right balance between accessibility and unobtrusiveness. The macro keys are arranged in a single vertical column on the far left side of the keyboard.

Most people will probably find it most comfortable to manipulate macro buttons with their left ring fingers. Sadly, this does require moving your whole left hand away from the standard WASD position. However, it can be done quickly enough that it shouldn’t be a problem in most cases.

There are a handful of other excellent extra features on the K95, like multimedia controls that include a beautiful big volume dial and a detachable wrist rest. The media buttons only work most of the time, though; web browsers and desktop media apps respond consistently, but only some games do.

We only have two complaints about the K95, and they’re both pretty minor. The included software (used for saving custom macros and backlighting patterns) is visually unintuitive and takes some experimentation to figure out.

You also might need two separate USB cables—but only if you care about the RGB lights and you only have USB 2.0 ports available. A single USB 3.0 port can handle everything. But, given that those ports are prime real estate on many gamers’ rigs, this could be a minor bummer; especially if you don’t have enough of them for all of your USB 3.0 devices.

In conclusion, the K95’s pros far outweigh its cons. We have no reservations about awarding it the title of “best gaming keyboard,” as well as the best Corsair gaming keyboard on the market.

Best Quality: Razer Huntsman Elite

Pros & Cons

  • Near-instantaneous response time
  • Programmable multi-function media buttons
  • Slim, low-profile design
  • Expensive
  • Loud keys

Key Features

  • 1.5mm (i.e. super-short) actuation distance
  • Rated for 100 million keystrokes
  • Plush wrist rest with LED lighting

Razer Huntsman Elite Review

The Corsair K95 has some pretty fast keys, but the Razer Huntsman Elite is even faster. With an actuation distance that’s 30% shorter than most mechanical keyboards, you’re getting response times almost 50% faster than the industry average once you get a feel for the lift-off distance.

If you play games that require lightning-fast reactions and rapid repetitions of the same keys, you’ll notice performance superior to almost any other keyboard. Combined with a high-quality gaming mouse, this will undoubtedly improve your headshot ratio.

Also, like the K95, the Huntsman Elite has a few programmable multi-media buttons, but these both feel better and work better (as in, more consistently across more games and programs). They have an excellent, firm tactile response, and the customizable multi-function dial can even control your screen brightness and a few other system settings.

Overall, the keyboard has an excellent low profile that sits almost flat on your desktop, even with the legs extended. Whether or not you consider that a pro or a con will depend on your preferences and how often you need to reach the upper rows of keys. But if nothing else, you could always put a thin book under the legs if you need a steeper angle.

The Hunstman Elite is an excellent keyboard, but it’s not entirely perfect. Its two main drawbacks are both super obvious: You’ll notice the price tag when you buy it, and you’ll notice the sound of the keys… Well, all the time.

They’re almost as loud as Cherry MX Blue switches—possibly even loud enough to hear through your headphones at times, depending on how high your volume is cranked. Some people find the loud clacking of mechanical keys gratifying or even relaxing, but plenty of others can’t stand it.

You might want to look elsewhere if you hate that sound.

Best Value: Logitech K840 Mechanical Keyboard

Pros & Cons

  • Cheap
  • Quiet keys
  • Good for typing as well as gaming
  • Programmable keys don’t always work in-game
  • Bare-bones in terms of features

It took Logitech a little longer than some of their competitors to finally get into the mechanical keyboard market, but we’re glad they did. Their highly affordable K840 keyboard may not be explicitly designed for gaming, but it’s perfectly serviceable for that purpose. There are many other outstanding Logitech gaming keyboards, so make sure to check them out.

Key Features

  • 12 programmable multi-function keys
  • Durable aluminum frame
  • High-precision Romer G mechanical switches

Logitech K840 Mechanical Keyboard Review

We’ve all been 12 years old, and many of us have spent many years being broke after high school or college. One way or another, most of us know the pain of having to use a junky, off-the-shelf discount keyboard for gaming.

The Logitech K840 isn’t a top-tier gaming keyboard, but if your main short-term goal is to simply upgrade to a substantially better-than-average keyboard for as little money as possible, look no further.

The K840 doesn’t have any gaming-specific features to speak of, but it’s got quiet keys (by mechanical keyboard standards), reasonably quick response times, and a robust aluminum body. Overall, it’ll serve your basic gaming needs well enough.

If you do a lot of typing, it’s borderline great for that, because the keys actuate cleanly with minimal force and reset with satisfying vigor. The slightly steeper than average curvature of the keys helps to reduce typos (and errantly lobbed grenades) by guiding your fingers toward the center of each one.

The programmable multi-function and media keys work fine when you’re not in-game, but they’re less reliable when certain games are running. Still, that problem is hardly specific to this keyboard, so we can’t penalize the K840 too heavily there.

There are no other bonus features to speak of; for the most part, it’s just a keyboard, but it’s a well-constructed and pleasantly responsive one, making it one of the best mechanical gaming keyboards around. For the price of taking your significant other to Chili’s (with drinks), it’s a pretty good deal.

Best for Fortnite: SteelSeries Apex M750

Pros & Cons

  • QX2 switches are lightning-fast and rated for 50 million clicks
  • Easier to clean than most mechanical keyboards
  • Discord and in-game notification features are pretty cool…
  • … or maybe they’re just dumb gimmicks
  • Less feedback than you may want or be used to

SteelSeries has put a lot of effort into a wide range of fancy extras in the Apex M750—extras that you’ll likely either love or completely ignore.

Key Features

  • QX2 mechanical gaming switches
  • Integrated Discord notification functionality
  • RGB lighting reacts to in-game events like low health or cooldown timers

SteelSeries Apex M750 Review

Some people love it when their keyboards can take phone calls, water the garden, and make smoothies. If you don’t care about bells and whistles, the SteelSeries Apex M750 may not be the keyboard for you.

Fortunately, the M750 doesn’t neglect the essentials in its relentless pursuit of extra gadgetry. Its proprietary QX2 switches are comparable to the much more widely known Cherry MX Silver Speed switches in terms of response time and actuation distance. However, they’re quieter and don’t provide as much haptic feedback.

It’s also worth noting that the M750 is significantly easier to clean than most mechanical keyboards due to the slightly wider than average gaps between the keys and the frame. It’s not a huge difference, but an occasional blast of compressed air will remove most dust and pet hair without having to pull the keys off for rigorous cleaning.

So what are these extra features we’ve been going on about? The most interesting one is probably the built-in Discord integration, which can flash the keyboard’s RGB lights in colors and patterns of your choosing. This feature can alert you about various Discord events, such as new messages, muted microphones, and even voice connection problems.

These customizable lighting notifications can also be set up to notify you of in-game events like refreshed cooldown timers, ammo pickups, or low health. Although this feature presumably only works with certain games. We think it’s pretty cool, but your mileage may vary.

For gamers who love flashy new tech but still place a high priority on the essential functions of a gaming keyboard, the SteelSeries Apex M750 would be a great choice.

Best Mecha-Membrane: Razer Cynosa Chroma

Pros & Cons

  • Cheap, especially for a Razer product
  • Responds to light pressure
  • Compatible with Xbox One
  • Keys are prone to squeaking over time
  • No macro keys

If mechanical keyboards aren’t your speed for whatever reason, there are some reliable membrane gaming keyboards out there, like the Razer Cynosa Chroma.

Key Features

  • Whisper-quiet keys
  • Spill-resistant design
  • Personalized RGB lighting and button mapping

Razer Cynosa Chroma Review

Yes, the Razer Cynosa Chroma is a full $10 cheaper than our “best value” pick, the Logitech K840, but it’s also a little bit less value-packed. The main reason to go with this keyboard over that one would be to stretch your budget as far as possible while still getting a product decently suited to long gaming sessions.

Note that the Cynosa Chroma is a membrane keyboard, not a mechanical one like most of our other top picks. It’s very quiet and hyper-responsive. If anything, it might be a little too sensitive for some people, especially longtime Cherry MX White or Green users.

The keys themselves are nice and soft, and they’re sealed with some kind of silicone (we think) to reduce the danger posed by spilled drinks. If you like how the Cynosa Chroma looks, you’d probably also love its twin sister. Take a look at the Razer Ornata Chroma review, as it might be the perfect keyboard for your needs.

If you’ve got an Xbox One, you’ll be minorly delighted to know that you can plug the Cynosa Chroma directly into it and… Save four seconds when you type out the name of your next Dark Souls character? There aren’t a ton of Xbox games that really call for a keyboard, but it would undoubtedly make web browsing and Netflix a bit easier, so there’s that.

Several Amazon reviewers complain of keys that start to squeak over time, so that might be something to consider. This “feature” shouldn’t be a huge problem, either in terms of noise or the number of keys it affects. Still, keyboards shouldn’t squeak >:(

The biggest turn-off for us was the complete lack of macro keys. It’s hardly the end of the world, but extra macro keys are one of those things that you get used to quickly and miss them like crazy when they’re gone. Still, considering it’s low price, the Cynosa Chroma is a solid B+ gaming keyboard.

Best Ergonomic: Cooler Master MK850

Pros & Cons

  • Aimpad is actually pretty useful
  • Cherry MX Red Linear switches offer superior sensitivity and speed
  • No software required
  • Not cheap
  • Wristpad isn’t the greatest

Considering our “best premium gaming keyboard award,” it was a pretty close call between the Cooler Master MK850 and the Razer Hunstman Elite.

Key Features

  • Revolutionary Aimpad technology
  • Customizable media and multifunction keys
  • Durable aluminum frame

Cooler Master MK850 Review

When you hear the name “Cooler Master,” you probably think cases and fans, not keyboards. Well, maybe you should think of keyboards because the MK850 is a superbly constructed one with an innovative (and surprisingly useful) new feature.

I don’t know about you, but I’m generally wary of hardware gimmicks. I need to be convinced that they’re useful—or at least valuable enough to outweigh any drawbacks they might bring to the table.

The “Aimpad” technology that claims to simulate a controller’s analog stick with the QWERASDF keys sounds suspiciously like meaningless marketing copy. But, it’s actually pretty neat once you get the hang of using it.

Basically, you activate Aimpad mode with the touch of a button and then use QWERASDF like a simulated analog joystick. Those eight keys become ultra-sensitive to pressure; you can press them in different combinations with varying levels of force on each key to reasonably approximate the 360° rotation of a stick.

There’s definitely a learning curve to it, but if you mess with it for a few hours, it starts to feel pretty good. The “aim-pad mode” is especially handy for QTEs (which tend to be wonky on keyboards) and for driving vehicles.

The MK850 utilizes Cherry MX Red switches, which are arguably one of the best types for gaming because they’re quiet, super-fast, and actuate easily. They’re rated for 50 million keystrokes, so they should last almost as long as the keyboard’s sturdy aluminum frame.

As a bonus, you don’t need any extra software to use any of the MK850’s functions, not even the RGB lighting. Setting up and switching profiles can all be done right from the keyboard itself, and it’s a pretty intuitive process.

There are only two things about the MK850 we don’t love, one of which is its hefty price tag. Still, you are most certainly getting a premium product here. The other drawback is the included wrist pad, which has a poor design. There’s an intrusive strip of plastic across the top which almost invariably digs into your wrists over time — thereby defeating the whole purpose of a wristpad.

All in all, MK850 is an outstanding gaming keyboard. Maybe Cooler Master should do this kind of thing more often.

Best Budget: Alienware AW768

Pros & Cons

  • 15 macro buttons with real-time recording
  • Cherry MX Brown switches are great for both gaming and typing
  • Killer price
  • Macro functions are somewhat limited
  • The (arguably mandatory) wrist rest isn’t included
  • ESC key isn’t where it belongs

If you need Maximum Macros™ and don’t want to spend $100, the Alienware AW768 might be the gaming keyboard for you.

Key Features

  • 16.8 million RGB lighting options
  • Three adjustable leg angles
  • Programmable media wheel

Alienware AW768 Review

We know what you’re thinking. Yes, it is pretty weird to see an Alienware product show up in the “best value” category of… well, anything. We checked—the price is accurate. Our favorite thing about this keyboard is its smorgasbord of 15 macro keys (5 keys, each with two alternate functions).

Combine this with a button-heavy mouse like the Redragon COBRA (featured in our guide to the best FPS mice), and you should never want for macros.

The AW768’s Cherry MX Brown switches are quiet and fast, making them a superb choice for gaming. This keyboard would have a fair price at $100, so for anything less, it’s a steal. It’s not perfect, though. Despite having effectively 15 macro keys, their functions are somewhat limited, at least in comparison to many other gaming keyboards.

You can bind single keys or multiple keys to each macro button, but that’s basically where their functionality ends. You can’t have a macro button repeat a key rapidly while held down, for example.

While we’re griping about keys, the escape key isn’t where it belongs, and that’s at least moderately irritating. It’s been shifted about an inch to the right, and the macro programming key is where it should be. We don’t know about you, but we think the escape key is one that should always be easy to find. Especially if you play a lot of horror games. (Having a panic button is nothing to be ashamed of.)

Finally, AW768’s Amazon product page is somewhat misleading. It states that the keyboard has an optional wrist rest, but fails to make clear that “optional” means “sold separately.”

This wouldn’t be a big deal if the keyboard were reasonably comfortable to use without it, but it’s not. You pretty much need a wrist pad (not necessarily the one they’re trying to sell you—we’re sure a $5 office store model will work fine).

Despite its moderate shortcomings, the Alienware AW768 is an excellent gaming keyboard—it’s just not an outstanding one.

Best Two-Part: Kinesis Freestyle Edge

Pros & Cons

  • Supports hand and wrist health
  • Great for first-person shooters
  • 8 macro keys
  • Choice of Cherry MX Blue, Brown, or Red switches, all for the same price
  • Backlighting is solid blue, no other colors available
  • A bit expensive given its feature set

Let’s face it; gaming is a physically stressful hobby. Protect your wrists and fingers with the Kinesis Freestyle Edge ergonomic gaming keyboard.

Key Features

  • Up to 20” of separation
  • 4MB onboard memory
  • Detachable wrist pads

Kinesis Freestyle Edge Review

We’d feel a little guilty if we closed out our roundup of the best gaming keyboards without including at least one highly ergonomic option. I don’t know about you, but I’m over 30 now, and I’m the only gamer I know that doesn’t have persistent minor wrist pain (probably because I’m the only one that stretched and took frequent breaks as a teenager).

The Freestyle Edge gaming keyboard from Kinesis is like one of those weird 2-piece keyboards you see middle-aged secretaries using at work, but for cool kids. 😎 The two halves can be placed up to 20” apart—far enough that you can surely find a precise layout that feels comfortable.

You don’t have to position them purely for ergonomic reasons, either—for first-person shooters and other games that don’t use the right half of the keyboard, you can ditch it entirely.

This keyboard has eight macro keys, which is pretty nice since a lot of them only have five or six. You can also choose Cherry MX Blue, Red, or Brown switches at checkout, all for the same price. (Scroll down just a bit to our helpful table of mechanical keyboard switch types if you aren’t sure which is best for you.)

If you really care about your RGB lighting, you may not fall in love with the Freestyle Edge. A comprehensive list of your color choices follows: blue, really blue, and a little less blue.

It’s also priced reasonably high. Understandably, a split keyboard would cost a bit more than a comparable standard full-size model, but the price gap seems a little excessive in this case.

As long as you don’t mind paying premium-tier prices, the Kineses Freestyle Edge is a tremendous B+ gaming keyboard that promotes healthy posture. So, think of it as a medical investment in future you, who almost certainly won’t be getting full Social Security benefits.

 

Gaming Keyboard Buying Guide

Gaming keyboards are a bit easier to shop for than mice because there aren’t quite as many variables to consider. When it comes to response time, as in, the actual time it takes your PC to interpret a signal, pretty much all keyboards nowadays are the same (1-2 ms). That mostly leaves the “mechanical vs. membrane” question, types of switches, and extra features to contemplate.

Mechanical vs. Membrane Gaming Keyboards

By and large, gamers favor mechanical keyboards, but there’s still a significant minority who prefer membrane keyboards. What’s the difference between mechanical and membrane, anyway?

Membrane keyboards work by sending a signal when a circuit is completed between the bottom surface of a key and a large, flat circuit board that lies underneath it. Back in the 90s and early 2000s, membrane keyboards were pretty easy to identify by sight. They usually had short keys made of silicone, plastic, or soft rubber. Today, many have plastic tactile keys, which makes them look like mechanical keyboards, but the mechanism is quite different.

Ajazz AK33 Mechaincal Keyboard

Mechanical keyboards, as the name suggests, send signals when mechanical switches in each key are activated. Gamers generally prefer them for several reasons. For one thing, they tend to last a lot longer than membrane keyboards do, provided they’re cleaned regularly and used gently. If you’re not sure how to properly clean your keyboard, check our guide on how to keep your keyboard clean.

Many gamers also prefer a lot of haptic feedback—i.e., keys that firmly reset when released—so they can be sure that the input was recognized. Most membrane keyboard keys don’t move much when pressed, but some newer models (the ones that look mechanical) are starting to change that.

We generally recommend mechanical keyboards for gaming, but we recognize that there are good reasons that some gamers might prefer to go the membrane route. For one thing, membrane keyboards are almost always quieter, and they’re often a bit less expensive. They’re also easier to keep clean, and some models are more resistant to spilled liquids. The added resistance is there because the gaps between the keys and the circuit board are smaller (or sealed entirely).

Types of Mechanical Keyboard Switches

Let’s assume that you’ve already had the “mech vs. mem” debate with yourself and decided to go mechanical. If you’ve never owned such a keyboard before, it may seem weird that their “switches” are color-coded. Furthermore, it doesn’t help that most websites seem to assume you already know what those colors mean. Let’s define a few terms; then we’ll throw a useful decision-making table at you.

Karura K502

Noise level is our totally-scientific opinion on how much noise each type of keyboard makes. Some Cherry switches—Blues in particular—get loud enough to annoy a troublesome roommate into moving out, which may not be a bad thing.

A key with a tactile response or haptic feedback is one that springs back with some force when pressed, making it easy to tell that the key received input.

Actuation force describes the force required to depress the key far enough to register an input. We usually measure it in grams or newtons, but we’ve simplified it here. Low actuation force means the key can be depressed with a light touch, whereas keys with high actuation force require a bit of oomph.

Switch TypeNoise LevelTactile ResponseActuation Force
Cherry MX RedQuietNoLow
Cherry MX BlackQuietNoMedium
Cherry MX BrownQuietYesMedium
Cherry MX BlueLoudYesMedium
Cherry MX WhiteMediumYesMedium-High
Cherry MX GreenMediumYesHigh
Cherry MX SilverQuietNoLow

If you’re still not sure which way to go, we’ve got some more in-depth comparison guides to help you decide—check out our articles on Cherry MX Red vs. Brown and Cherry MX Speed vs. Red switches. Note that even though we recommend each type of switch for either gaming or typing, you may have different preferences.

There’s no “right” type of mechanical keyboard switch for gaming. Also note that Cherry MX switches are the most common type of switch, but they’re not the only ones out there. Some keyboard manufacturers make their proprietary switches, and that practice is gradually becoming more common.

Extra Buttons

What is a keyboard but a big tray of buttons, after all? Extras like multimedia buttons are pretty standard on most mid-tier gaming keyboards these days, but gamers have needs above and beyond the ability to pause Spotify. We’ll run through some of the most common (and most useful) extra buttons you’ll see on some of our favorite keyboards.

razer cynosa chroma pro

Additional macro buttons make a gaming keyboard easy to spot. They’re usually big, crammed over to one edge of the keyboard, and labeled something like “M1,” “M2,” “M3,” etc. Bonus macro keys often require additional software to set them up or change them. They generally can’t be programmed from within a game (that’s gradually changing, though).

You can map them to single or multiple keys or mouse clicks. It’s usually best to assign unusual combinations of keys from opposite sides of the keyboard, so you don’t accidentally activate a macro in the course of normal gameplay.

Multifunction buttons sometimes referred to by different, but equally vague names can do lots of different things (obviously). The Razer Hunstman Elite, for example, has a dial that can be set to control screen brightness, sound volume, and a few other things. Programmable multifunction buttons that control system functions can’t be used as macro buttons, though.

Media buttons were once found almost exclusively on gaming keyboards, but they’re pretty standard on most keyboards now. Most commonly, various media controls are assigned to the F1 through F12 keys and activated by pressing them in conjunction with some function key. In some cases, they’ll be their separate buttons.


Frequently Asked Questions

Here are five of the most common questions gamers are typing into Google about gaming keyboards, along with our answers to them.

Is a Mechanical Keyboard Better for Gaming?

Short answer: Yes, we generally think so. However, as we mentioned in the “Mechanical vs. Membrane Keyboards” section of our buying guide, there are some reasons that you might prefer a membrane keyboard.

hp omenGenerally, mechanical keyboards are better for gaming because they last longer, give more noticeable and consistent haptic feedback, transmit signals slightly faster. As a bonus, they come with more gaming-specific features. Although that’s likely an example of a market-driven virtuous circle—gamers mostly buy mechanical keyboards, so manufacturers stack more gaming features onto them).

What’s the Best Gaming Keyboard for Under $100?

The Logitech K840 and the Alienware AW768, both of which we covered here, are excellent gaming keyboards that cost well under $100. Which one you’d prefer depends mostly on what you want out of your next keyboard, so be sure to read both reviews.

If neither of those keyboards is quite what you’re looking for, click over to our guide to the best budget gaming keyboards or the best gaming keyboards under $50. Then, you’re sure to find something affordable that you like.

What are the best gaming keyboard switches?

Cherry MX Reds, Blacks, and Silvers/Speed Silvers are pretty widely recognized as the three switches most suited. These opinions stem from the fact that they have low actuation force and travel distance, making these switches easy to press rapidly.

keyboard switches

Cherry MX Brown switches are commonly considered a tremendous middle-of-the-road switch. Gamers and typists both love them because of their medium actuation force, moderate tactile bump and a reasonable degree of quietude.

Is Cherry MX Blue Good for Gaming?

The internet will say “not really,” and if you went out and took a bunch of votes, it’d probably be right. However, I’m typing this on a set of Cherry MX Blues that I also use for gaming, and I’ve grown quite fond of them over the years. Yes, they require a bit of force to actuate, and yes, they’ve got a noticeable bump to overcome. I like it that way.

Even if you already have one of the best keyboards for gaming, you still might be underperforming? And why is that? Perhaps your settings are all wrong. If you think that is the case, take a look at our guide on how to reset keyboard settings.

logitech g pro mechanical

I’ll concede that they’re objectively not great if you need to press the same key many times in rapid succession. However, I don’t generally play games that require that. I think they’re fantastic for fast-paced shooters because there’s never any doubt as to whether an input has registered. I dunno, the ol’ Blues feel right to me.

What Keyboards Do Pro Gamers Use?

You’d have to ask them—but don’t. Seriously though, take what pro gamers say about the products they use with a grain of salt, at least while they’re active in that scene. Sponsorship deals often pay a decent chunk of their bills. Therefore, it can be hard to know if they use Keyboard X because they love it or because someone is paying them.

Okay, okay, I’ll try to be a little more helpful. I spent some time poking around pro gaming forums; it turns out that many pro gamers list all their gear online for anyone to peruse. There’s a pretty big range of products represented all around the world. Such a big array that I’d bet they choose their gear the same way that we common folk do: by figuring out what feels the best to them based on the games they play.

HyperX Alloy FPS pro

Most professional gamers use wired keyboards because of faster response rates and less lag. However, if you’re not competing professionally, the difference is insignificant, and you could go for one of the best wireless gaming keyboards out there. Bottom line: As far as I can tell, there’s no elite lineup of gaming keyboards that a significant number of professionals use.


Conclusion

Choosing a gaming keyboard is a serious responsibility, just like choosing a name for your firstborn child. Ok, that’s a ridiculous comparison. Your keyboard is way more important.

With the knowledge you’ve gleaned from our excellent review roundup and buying guide, you’re prepared to go shopping. I’m even thinking about picking up that Cooler Master MK850, myself… but don’t tell my beloved Cherry MX Blues I said that.


Sources:

  1. Lauren Hall-Stigerts, Best Gaming Keyboard Features, BigFish Games, March 24th, 2014
  2. Razer Huntsman Elite, Razer Support

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Tim White


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