Thursday, October 28, 2021

Best gaming keyboard 2021 for all budgets and game genres

The best gaming keyboards can really make or break your PC gaming experience, and with more Black Friday deals rolling out earlier than ever this year, there's never been a better time to upgrade your gaming rig, 

With some of the best keyboards from bands like Razer, Corsair, and more, you can get the most out of the best PC games on the market right now, regardless of your budget.

There are some rather pricey, but feature-packed, options available, but there are also some amazing gaming keyboards out there with plenty of bells and whistles that you can get for pretty cheap even without a Black Friday or Cyber Monday deal.

We've gone through and tested all of the latest and best gaming keyboards out there to help you find the one that's right for your needs and budget, from clickity-clack mechanical options to whisper quiet options that provide just enough macro support to keep you gaming at your best.

Razer Huntsman v2 Analog on a white background

(Image credit: Razer)

1. Razer Huntsman v2 Analog

The best gaming keyboard right now

Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Switches: Analog mechanical

Fully customizable key actuation
Delightfully tactile key clicks
Eye-wateringly expensive

Combining the latest optical technology and Razer’s analog mechanical key switches, the Razer Huntsman v2 Analog is good enough to get a five-star rating from us. That’s under-selling it. This gaming keyboard delivers the best typing and gaming experience of any keyboard we’ve tested in the last few months, with extremely satisfying tactile feedback and a wrist rest that’s designed to let you game for longer. As far as keyboards go, it is sitting on the expensive side of things, but it’s definitely worth it.

Read the full review: Razer Huntsman v2 Analog

Roccat Vulkan TKL Pro on a white background

(Image credit: Roccat)

2. Roccat Vulkan TKL Pro

First in its class compact gaming keyboard

Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

Fast and accurate performance
Satisfying yet quiet operation
Plethora of shortcuts have a steep learning curve

Who needs a full-sized keyboard when TKL gaming keyboards such as the Roccat Vulkan TKL Pro exist? This compact gaming keyboard is among the best in performance, comfort, and looks, touting a classy brushed gunmetal finish and floating keys that brilliantly showcase its customizable RGB lighting. Roccat’s Titan optical switches are not only fast and accurate, but satisfying, quiet and robust as well. It’ll set you back quite a bit, but it’s so worth it.

Read the full review: Roccat Vulkan TKL Pro

Mountain Everest Max gaming keybard on blank white background

(Image credit: Mountain)

3. Mountain Everest Max

Jack-of-all-trades

Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

Innovative modular design
Creative media deck and macro pad
Software can be fussy

The Everest Max is the result of a successfully backed Kickstarter campaign, a fully customizable modular keyboard where it feels like every aspect of the design has been planned by the PC enthusiast community. Its modular design includes a media deck with an innovative display dial with boundless potential to monitor or change your PC performance, a left or right-handed Numpad with four programmable macro keys similar to those seen on the Elgato Streamdeck, and a plush wrist rest. Mountain even includes a set of hot-swappable key switches with the keyboard to help you get a feel for future modifications should you so choose.

Read the full review: Mountain Everest Max

Corsair K95 RGB Platinum, gaming keyboard on a white background

Corsair K95 RGB Platinum is one of the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested. (Image credit: Corsair)

4. Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

The Rolls Royce of RGB gaming keyboards

Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

Hypnotic disco lighting
Handy media and shortcut keys
Rubber palm rest gets grungy quickly

A $159 price tag on a gaming keyboard might a tad too steep, but the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum, one of the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested in the last year, really does give you a lot of ounce for your bounce. We’re not talking the more trivial bells and whistles like fancy RGB lighting either – although since we are on the subject, this one’s got a whole lot of them, not to mention its integrated 19-zone light bar and the 16.8 million color options, to boot. By bang, we actually mean its 6 dedicated macro keys, 8MB on-board storage and aircraft-grade anodized brushed aluminum frame.

Read the full review: Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition, gaming keyboard on a white background

Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition manages to deliver fast performance without being expensive. (Image credit: Razer)

5. Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition

The Razer Huntsman, but smaller and faster

Interface: Wired, wireless | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

Fast optical switches
Removable cable
Not a lot of extra features

Shelling out more than $100 for a great gaming keyboard is to be expected if you’re even slightly serious your gaming performance. But the beauty of Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is that it manages to deliver fast performance without being the most expensive keyboard in town. True, there aren’t a lot of features here, which puts it behind many of its feature-rich rivals, but it makes up for that by being small and boasting a removable to make it perfectly portable for on-the-go gaming.

Read our full review: Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition

Logitech G915 TKL Lightspeed

(Image credit: Logitech)

6. Logitech G915 TKL Lightspeed

The best wireless TKL gaming keyboard

Interface: Wireless | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Some

Amazing tactile feedback and typing experience
Wireless multi-device connectivity is impressive
No full remapping/macro capabilities

The G915 TKL lives up to its name, delivering the speed you need for epic gaming while keeping things cable-free. With a 1,000Hz polling rate and 1.5 mm actuation distance, it can keep up with its wired setup. It also has a long wireless range and decent battery life considering its stunning RGB lighting. Best of all, it’s a gorgeous keyboard with its low-profile floating keys and brushed aluminum deck. Small desk and travel friendly, this is without a doubt among the best gaming keyboards out there. 

Read the full review: Logitech G915 TKL Lightspeed

Corsair K65 Mini, gaming keyboard on a white background

(Image credit: Corsair)

7. Corsair K65 Mini

Hard to ignore performance in a compact design

Interface : Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

Hyper responsive keystrokes with up to 8,000Hz polling rate
Individually lit customizable RGB keys
No way to change elevation

60% keyboards are more than a passing fad. Gamers with smaller desks or just want a more compact setup in general will find these ultra-compact gaming keyboards a boon, and the Corsair K65 Mini is among the best of those. With incredibly satisfying presses, an impressive polling rate of 8,000Hz, and highly customizable keys, there’s a lot to love here. And, they make this keyboard well worth the admittedly steep learning curve if you’re used to full-sized keyboards. It may take a while to get used to not having arrow keys, for example, but you won’t regret it.

Read the full review: Corsair K65 Mini

SteelSeries Apex 3, gaming keyboard on a white background

The budget-minded SteelSeries Apex 3 may come with a few concessions, but it also boasts some impressive features. (Image credit: SteelSeries)

8. SteelSeries Apex 3

The Apex of value

Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: No

Affordable but has impressive features
Great RGB lighting
No mechanical switches

Not all great gaming keyboards have mechanical switches, as this affordable Apex keyboard is proving. The budget-minded SteelSeries Apex 3 may come with a few concessions, but it also boasts some impressive features that more than make up for those compromises. One of those features is its IP32 water resistance for protection against any spills – because who hasn’t accidentally knocked over a can of soda while gaming? Another is its reactive and customizable 10-zone RGB illumination to make your gaming experience all the more impressive. And, if you absolutely hate those clickety clacking noises that mechanical keyboards love to make, you’ll really appreciate this keyboard’s whisper quiet gaming switches. 

Read the full review: SteelSeries Apex 3

HyperX Alloy Origins 60

(Image credit: HyperX)

9. HyperX Alloy Origins 60

Compact gaming keyboard at an affordable price

Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Switches: Mechanical

Affordable yet premium build
HyperX Red switches are speedy and responsive
No macros on hand

Gone are the days when mini keyboards were a novelty. These days, there’s not only a lot of options out there, but a lot more people are also making the switch. Still, it’s easy to find the best one for you. HyperX’s contender, for example, the Alloy Origins 60, is the best option if you’re looking for a mini keyboard that’s affordable yet extremely reliable. Some corners are cut, yes. At the same time, you’re getting a premium build and excellent performance so it’s still worth every penny.

Read the full review: HyperX Alloy Origins 60

SteelSeries Apex Pro, gaming keyboard on a white background

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

10. SteelSeries Apex Pro

Taking magnetism to another level

Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

Beautiful aluminum build
Custom actuation settings
Is it worth its high price tag?

The SteelSeries Apex Pro’s svelte aesthetic and clever OLED display are just the appetizers. The SteelSeries Apex Pro gets our coveted 5-star rating for many reasons, the biggest of which are its stunning and solid build, custom actuation and comfortable – not to mention, quiet – magnetic switches. Performance-wise, it’s among the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested yet, which makes its $199 price tag worth the splurge.

Read the full review: SteelSeries Apex Pro



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