The Best Gaming Keyboards

For most, a keyboard is simply a keyboard. For a gamer, a gaming keyboard is a cross between a controller and a statement of purpose. A good gaming keyboard is an extension of oneself, the physical bridge to the digital world. Choosing the keyboard that works for you and the genres you play can be difficult. Making a wrong choice is expensive and frustrating. With that in mind, here is our round up of our four favorite gaming keyboards.

SteelSeries Apex M750

A somewhat minimal choice, the SteelSeries Apex features highly customizable keys and key colors, and is marketed primarily at professional gamers and aspiring professionals. The keyboard has a very standard layout, with no media keys or specialized buttons, and boasts an impressive array of backlighting options, including notifications for chat and an audio visualizer.

The SteelSeries doesn’t have a USB pass-through and doesn’t have a terribly thick connecting cable, making it a very stripped-down keyboard. The SteelSeries doesn’t have adjustable feet, but this is a small gripe. For those seeking a simple, customizable keyboard with no frills and great linear, click-free key action, seek no more: the SteelSeries is for you.

Logitech G610 Orion Brown

For fans of the Cherry-MX brand of switches who don’t want to spend a fortune on a keyboard, the Logitech Orion Brown, retailing for $120, offers a great gaming keyboard on a budget. The G610 sports customization support through Logitech’s gaming software suite, making it a great choice for those who wish to customize the LEDs or disable certain keys during gameplay.

Unlike the linear and click-less key switches found in the SteelSeries Apex, the Orion Brown features the titular Cherry-MX Browns, which are soundless but have a slight click at the end of their action. This allows a great tactile feedback for a user who wishes to use the keyboard for both gaming and typical typing.

Razer Ornata Chroma

Razer’s Ornata Chroma is our favorite keyboard under $100, sporting a unique switch feel and gorgeous RGB chroma LEDs. The Ornata Chroma sports “Mecha-Membrane” key switches. They are hybrid of the traditional gaming mechanical switches and the more general silicone dome switch style. This “Mecha-Membrane” has the click of MX Blue or Brown switches but a bit of the smoothness (or stickiness, depending on your perspective) of membrane-style keyboards.

While the hybrid-style switches require a bit of acclimation, they provide an excellent experience for both typing and gaming, making the Ornata Chroma a fantastic choice for those who need to use the same keyboard for both gaming and normal typing tasks like work or writing.

Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

Our favorite gaming keyboard and Corsair’s current flagship gaming keyboard. Corsair is known for their exemplary computer components and peripherals, and the K95 Platinum upholds that sterling pedigree. Speaking of Sterling, the K95 uses the new Cherry MX Silver switches. These are a new take on the straight, linear action of the Cherry MX Reds. They sport a shorter travel time and smoother performance.

These Silver switches are ideal for fast-paced games like Overwatch or similar first person shooting experiences. The Silvers feel like a slightly higher quality version of the Razer Ornata Chroma’s “Mecha-Membrane” style switches. They are much cleaner and with less “stickiness” in their action.

The K95 is a somewhat larger keyboard, with wide key caps and tall keys. This makes it easy to tell which key your finger you’re on without having to look down to the keyboard. As expected of a premium RGB keyboard, the K95 offers a full suite of RGB customization and backlighting options. Using the Corsair Utility Engine, you can customize everything from RGB to macros. This makes it a fantastic choice for hardcore gamers. If you’re looking for the very best and not afraid to spend some money, look no further.

What’s Next?

You’ve checked out some of the best gaming keyboards around! Now it’s time to check out every keyboard’s closest friend: mice! Our roundup of our favorite gaming mice  can be found here!