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Who is this site for?
It is, of course, for anyone with a keyboard who wants to test how well it works
However, there are some people this is particularly helpful for
Namely, hardware managers — people in charge of maintaining the stock of hardware, for examples in offices and schools
If you have to test 25 keyboards, it is a big help to use a site like this.
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When should you use this site?
If you want to check for ghosting.
If you want to know how many keys your computer or laptop’s keyboard can register at one time.
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Find out if the typing problems you’re having are due to software or hardware.
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Gaming Keyboard
Corsair K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard — Quiet
Gaming keyboard for a very reasonable price.
Full-size keyboard with 6 configurable extra keys and media controls.
RGB lights can be configured specifically to your taste.
No need to install extra software; simply a solid gaming keyboard without having to spend a fortune.
Looking for a
new keyboard?
Check out the four keyboards we recommend.
Honest recommendations: We only chose keyboards we would actually buy ourselves.
For each category we picked the keyboard we thought is best at a fair price.
Apple Keyboard
Apple Magic Keyboard
Official Mac keyboard, updated recently.
Has all Apple function keys, is small and light but very robust.
Remarkable build quality, stylish but clearly built to last.
Also works well with iPads and iPhones, and Windows computers.
Apple recently released a new edition with touch ID. This lets you log in with your fingerprint on the latest MacBook Pros and iMac.
Illuminated Keyboard
Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
Excellent all-round full-sized keyboard with illuminated keys for a great price.
Praised for being very comfortable, with an added palm-rest for ergonomics.
High quality, one reviewer said he used his for nearly 8 years without breaking.
Also comes in a Wireless Version
About our
Keyboard Test
We made this website simply to help people test keyboards.
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If you have any feedback, let us now on Twitter via @Keyboardchecker.
We also just launched a review site about 3D Printers and a woodworking database.
Wireless Keyboard
Logitech MX Keys Wireless Keyboard
Probably the best wireless keyboard on the market. Premium build quality and features.
Sturdy and solid build. Many reviewers comment how heavy and sturdy the keyboard feels.
Backlighting so you can see your keys even in a dimly lit room.
Copy and paste between devices with Logitech’s special software. Works with Windows, Linux, and MacOS.
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The 6 Best Gaming Keyboards — Winter 2023: Reviews
- Table of Contents
- Intro
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Best Keyboard
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Best Upper Mid-Range
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Best Mid-Range
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Best Budget
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Best Cheap
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Best For Enthusiasts
- Notable Mentions
- Recent Updates
- All Reviews
- Discussions
Updated Jan 20, 2023 at 09:16 am
By Gregory Vodden
Shopping for a gaming keyboard that best suits your needs can be confusing, but we’re going to keep it simple. The most important factors to consider are the latency (how responsive a keyboard is), switch types (the feeling of the keypress and the noise it makes), and the overall comfort and feel. From there, you can decide if you’d like additional features like RGB backlighting, media controls, or software customization options that help you make your board feel just right for you.
Most gamers look for mechanical keyboards as they typically offer lower latency, more features, and better build quality, so our recommendations lean more toward mechanical offerings.
We’ve tested over 185 keyboards, and below are our recommendations for the best non-mechanical and best mechanical keyboards for gaming. If you’re looking for a keyboard that isn’t strictly gaming-focused, check out our recommendations for the best keyboards or the best mechanical keyboards. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a gaming keyboard on a strict budget, check out our recommendations for the best budget gaming keyboards.
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Best Gaming Keyboard
SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless
SEE PRICE
Amazon.de
Unavailable
Missing Store
Gaming
9.
1Size
Compact (60%)
Connectivity
Wireless
Mechanical
Yes
See all our test results
The best gaming keyboard we’ve tested is the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless. This wireless unit has an adjustable pre-travel distance feature, meaning you can set the sensitivity of your keypresses. Whether you want a nearly instant actuation point for competitive gaming or a longer pre-travel distance for general typing, you can customize each key individually within a pretty wide range to best suit your needs.
This keyboard also has a feature to allow you to program two inputs to a single key, depending on how far down you press it. You can connect this board using its USB receiver or with up to three devices using Bluetooth, and the battery life lasts in the neighborhood of about 20 to 30 hours with RGB enabled.
This may not sound like much, but it’s normal for a competitive gaming keyboard with similar features. If you’re willing to disable the RGB lighting, you can extend the battery life for upwards of 150 hours. If you’re still concerned about battery, there’s also a wired-only version, the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini. Or, if you prefer a full-size version of this keyboard, check out the SteelSeries Apex Pro.See our review
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Best Upper Mid-Range Gaming Keyboard
Logitech G715
SEE PRICE
Amazon.de
Unavailable
Missing Store
Gaming
9.0
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Connectivity
Wireless
Mechanical
Yes
See all our test results
At an upper mid-range price point, our recommendation is the Logitech G715.
It’s a playful keyboard with a fun cloud-shaped wrist rest, pastel-colored accents, and a nice «underglow» effect from the frosted RGB lighting strip around the unit. Although this board doesn’t have the same degree of customization as our top pick, the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless, its very low latency and overall gaming performance are just as fantastic. Additionally, it’s a great out-of-the-box unit that requires minimal tweaking or programming to get it to feel just right. Whether you use it in a wired mode with the included USB-A to USB-C cable or wirelessly with its USB receiver, it delivers a responsive in-game experience with no noticeable delay, even if you’re playing competitively. You can get this unit with your choice of Logitech’s own GX switches in the usual offerings of linear Red, tactile Brown, and click Blue Blue, so you can pick the switch feeling you prefer.
See our review
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Best Mid-Range Gaming Keyboard
Corsair K70 RGB TKL
SEE PRICE
Amazon.
de
Unavailable
Missing Store
Gaming
9.5
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Connectivity
Wired
Mechanical
Yes
See all our test results
At a mid-range price point, we recommend the Corsair K70 RGB TKL. In addition to its outstanding gaming performance, the K70 RGB TKL features excellent build quality with a hard plastic chassis, durable PBT keycaps, and ergonomic kickstands that open sideways, so you don’t accidentally collapse them if you accidentally nudge your board. Performance-wise this keyboard has a maximum polling rate of 8000Hz, which means it reports your keystrokes to your computer much faster than most gaming keyboards.
This feature contributes to this keyboard’s near-millisecond latency and provides a very fluid and responsive in-game experience, especially when combined with the light-to-press Cherry MX switches. You can get this keyboard with either classic Cherry MX Red switches or Cherry MX Speed switches. Both switches feel very light and smooth, but the Speed switches have a slightly shorter pre-travel, making them very quick to actuate.This keyboard is part of a larger Corsair K70 lineup that features keyboards of different sizes with slightly different features. While we recommend the TKL size here, as it gives you the most space on the side for mouse movements, you might prefer a larger board like the Corsair K70 RGB MK.2, which costs a little more but also includes a wrist rest.
See our review
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Best Budget Gaming Keyboard
Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition
SEE PRICE
Amazon.
de
Unavailable
Missing Store
Gaming
9.4
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Connectivity
Wired
Mechanical
Yes
See all our test results
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is our recommendation for a budget model that doesn’t compromise performance. This keyboard is an older model from Razer’s flagship Huntsman lineup, so it features exceptionally low latency and gaming-focused optical switches that combine for a very fluid and responsive in-game experience. The Razer Optical switches have a linear feel with a very short pre-travel distance and a feather-light actuation force.
While these switches are excellent for gaming, you might find yourself making more typos while chatting with friends because even a light touch can accidentally actuate keys.However, since it’s a budget model, it’s missing a few extra features found on something a bit more premium, like the Corsair K70 RGB TKL mentioned above. For example, the Razer doesn’t have dedicated media keys, a volume wheel, or a higher-than-average polling rate. So, if you don’t mind the more stripped-down nature of the board, it’s the best bang for your buck.
See our review
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Best Cheap Gaming Keyboard
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL
SEE PRICE
Amazon.de
Unavailable
Missing Store
Gaming
7.
2Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Connectivity
Wired
Mechanical
No
See all our test results
For a cheaper option, look no further than the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL. Its TenKeyLess form factor leaves you plenty of space on your desk for sweeping mouse movements, and while most options on this list use more mechanical switches, this keyboard has rubber dome switches. These switches are fairly light to press, and they’re very quiet compared to most mechanical switches. This switch type is also more resistant to small spills and debris. However, they have a longer pre-travel, so they feel less responsive.
The latency on this keyboard is higher than on more premium options, so we don’t recommend it for high-stakes competitive play, but it’s more than suitable for casual gaming in any genre.
It also has some extra features which are rare at this price point, including the ability to set macros to any key, dedicated media keys, and a volume wheel. It has RGB lighting, too, but the keys aren’t individually lit, so you only have eight customizable zones. If you’d prefer a more traditional form factor, there’s a full-size version of this keyboard, the SteelSeries Apex 3. It’s virtually identical apart from its size, but it also includes a wrist rest and is typically only a bit more expensive.See our review
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Best Gaming Keyboard For Enthusiasts
Wooting two HE
SEARCH
Amazon.de
Unavailable
Missing Store
Gaming
9.2
Size
Full-size (100%)
Connectivity
Wired
Mechanical
Yes
See all our test results
The Wooting two HE pushes gaming keyboards in a different direction, and it’s our recommendation if you’re an enthusiast looking for the best gaming board you can find.
Similar to our top pick, the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless, the Wooting two HE also uses proprietary magnetic switches that allow you to control the pre-travel distance of each key. However, the Wooting gives you a few more millimeters range when you’re customizing the pre-travel distance: from an ultra-sensitive 0.1mm to a lengthy 4.0mm. As an added plus, the companion software has a web-based version, so you don’t have to load your PC up with bloatware to customize your keyboard.There are tons of software features to play around with, including not one but two multi-input features, so you can dial in your keybinds exactly the way you want for playing competitive titles where every millisecond counts. On top of it all, this keyboard has an Analog Mode, which mimics the inputs of a gamepad controller, making it a great choice if you’re also a fan of racing games or flight sims. It’s important to note that this keyboard isn’t available through any popular online retailers. Instead, you’ll have to order the keyboard on Wooting’s website.
See our review
Notable Mentions
- Ducky One 3:
The Ducky One 3 is a versatile mechanical keyboard that comes in different colors and sizes. It has a hot-swappable PCB, meaning you can put in your own custom switches. While its latency is low enough to handle fast-paced or competitive gaming, it isn’t as low as the Logitech G715.
See our review - Obinslab Anne Pro 2:
The Obinslab Anne Pro 2 is a great compact gaming keyboard. However, its latency isn’t as low as the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition, and it has a fixed incline that is pretty tall.
See our review
Recent Updates
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Jan 20, 2023:
We’ve replaced the EVGA Z-12 with the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL as our pick for the ‘Best Cheap Gaming Keyboard’.
We’ve also made several minor changes to our phrasing in several entries and added several special mentions of full-size versions for some of our existing picks.
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Dec 21, 2022:
Minor updates to text for readability; no changes to picks. -
Dec 02, 2022:
Minor changes to the text for readability. No changes to picks. -
Nov 02, 2022:
Minor updates to text for clarity and accuracy. Added Obinslab Anne Pro 2 to Notable Mentions. No changes to picks. -
Oct 03, 2022:
Replaced the Corsair K100 RGB with the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless as the Best Gaming Keyboard, replaced the BlackWidow V3 Pro with the Corsair K70 RGB TKL, and added the Logitech G715 as the ‘Best Upper Mid-Range’ pick.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best non-mechanical and best mechanical keyboards for gaming for most people. We factor in the price (a cheaper product wins over a pricier one if the difference isn’t worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no keyboard that is difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our gaming keyboard reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no product is perfect for every use, most keyboards are great enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them. Be sure to know your key switch preferences before choosing.
Discussions
Test and review: G.Skill KM780 is the first keyboard from the manufacturer of memory
In the past, many manufacturers have tried their hand at the gaming peripheral market, and G.
Skill has joined their number. This manufacturer is well known for its memory modules, but at Computex 2015 it announced its intention to introduce mice and keyboards in the future. Our test lab received the KM780 keyboard, G.Skill’s first model, but expectations were high. I wonder if G.Skill will be able to follow the path of Corsair and offer users worthy products? It seems that the market for gaming peripherals is far from being saturated, since not only G.Skill, but also Patriot Memory announced their ambitions. nine0004
G.Skill prepared to enter a new market and offered everything that competitors can offer. Mechanical switches, RGB lighting, the ability to program macros… All this should appeal to ambitious gamers. Of course, the manufacturer paid attention to equipment and workmanship. The keyboard has not appeared in Russia yet, but in Europe you will have to pay about 180 euros for the G.Skill KM780, that is, at the level of competitors. G.Skill did not choose dumping, so the keyboard should provide significant advantages over competitors.
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» Photostrecke
Specifications — G.SKILL KM780:
- Switches: Cherry MX Brown
- Actuation force: 45 / 55 g
- Stroke to actuation point: 2.0 mm
- Stroke to stop: 4.0 mm
- Illumination: RGB palette; separately each key
- Backlight functions: multiple brightness levels; fade mode; individual RGB lighting per key
- Additional keys (hardware): 6 x macro; multimedia; switching profiles; volume control
- Additional interfaces: USB 2.0; microphone and headphones (3.5 mm)
- Polling rate: max. 1000 Hz (1 ms)
- Built-in memory: 512 kB
- Anti-Ghosting: 100%
- Macros: up to 18 macros (6 keys, up to 3 profiles)
- Cable: length 2 m
- Price: 180 euros
nine0015 Key programming: complete
nine0015 Dimensions: 520 x 280 mm (with box and hand rest panel)
Scope of supply/accessories:
- G.
Skill KM780 - Box with additional keys
- Hand rest panel
Design and workmanship
Keyboard design reminiscent of Corsair’s Logitech G-Series and K-Series, the G.Skill KM780 can be called a mixture of the mentioned families. On the left, G.Skill has added six additional buttons that can be freely programmed. It seems that such a block of keys has become the de facto standard for gaming keyboards. Above are the buttons for recording macros and switching profiles. Additional multimedia keys and a volume display indicator are placed above the numeric keypad. Without backlighting, the KM780 keyboard looks relatively modest and unassuming. nine0005
G.Skill added an outer frame made of aluminum tube with a diameter of about 6 mm to the KM780. At first glance, it is intended to improve the durability of the keyboard, but in fact it is not. If you press hard in the center, the keyboard flexes a few millimeters. However, this does not mean at all that the KM780 keyboard has defects in strength.
During normal recruitment, it does not bend. So why do you need a frame? It seems to us that it gives the keyboard a unique visual accent, and also carries a certain functional load. nine0005
The box with additional keys can just be attached to the mentioned frame — of course, if there is enough space on the desktop. Such a mount justifies itself if you plan to change keys frequently. A mouse cable holder is also attached to the frame. It can be moved to the right or left side of the keyboard (for right-handers and left-handers). By themselves, interchangeable buttons do not provide significant advantages. We didn’t really like the combination of a smooth cutout surface and slope as the finger often slips off. The panel for resting the hands cannot be called convincing either. Outwardly, she looks pretty, but in the work she did not show herself very much. The surface is too smooth, and the right hand also falls into the notch during typing, which is inconvenient. nine0005
At first glance, the disadvantages are small, but they reduce comfort somewhat.
Most likely, this is the result of G.Skill’s limited experience in the field of gaming peripherals.
Functions and equipment
At a price of just under 200 euros, an additional USB port is indispensable. But it is not located in the best way. The port is located at the back, just in front of the round frame, so large USB key fobs can cause problems. Nearby are two 3.5mm audio jacks for a microphone and headphones. There is even an N- and 6-Key Rollover toggle switch, although it is not mentioned in the specifications or on the box. We have seen the roller for adjusting the volume before. In our opinion, the solution is very useful. But if it were a little larger, with more tangible teeth, like on a mouse, then it would be much more convenient to use it. Multimedia buttons use conventional hemispherical membranes, but for this task they are quite enough. nine0005
G.Skill opted for non-clicky Cherry MX Brown switches. G.Skill placed the switches directly on the aluminum plate without any additional plastic protection.
This approach makes it easier to clean the keyboard from dust. Other manufacturers usually add a layer of plastic. But this «free» approach has its drawback in the form of noise levels. MX Brown keys are louder and more resonant than competitive keyboards. Either way, the textured aluminum panel looks pretty. Appearance and build quality are excellent. nine0005
The keycaps are made of transparent ABS plastic with paint on top. The key designation is then laser cut into the ink layer. MX Brown switches have a backlight LED at the top center. Therefore, the designation on the key cap must be applied in the correct place. G.Skill only partially managed this. For example, the Shift button’s label is offset from the LED, so it appears very dim. As a result, only standard keys are well backlit. In games or when typing, the MX Brown switches perform traditionally well. The stroke to the actuation point is 2 mm, the actuation force is 45 g. G.Skill did not change anything here. As well as the maximum travel of 4 mm to the stop.
nine0005
We liked the equipment of the keyboard. Cherry’s MX Brown switches will satisfy even the pickiest of users. There is also a USB 2.0 port, albeit the only one. Except in the details, G.Skill did not interfere with improving its keyboard, but we did not find any serious shortcomings.
Software and programming
The utility can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website, it takes about 60 MB. The software provides all the necessary functions. The utility’s menu structure is clear and understandable, with all options easily accessible. Here G.Skill tried no worse than its competitors. As we noted above, in the future G.Skill plans to release not only a keyboard, but also a mouse. As we suspect, one utility will be responsible for working with all the manufacturer’s peripherals. nine0005
The keyboard has a built-in memory of 512 KB, so it can store three profiles. You can save the settings for your favorite game in one profile, and then quickly switch to them.
Profile settings are stored in the keyboard memory, you do not need to run the utility to switch.
Of course there are rich backlight options. You can adjust the color of each key. Various effects are possible, the manufacturer regularly offers a fairly large selection. But still, the utility seemed to us not worked out in everything. For example, to activate lighting effects, you first need to create a profile. This intermediate step could be skipped. Otherwise, the application can be called convincing and functional, the set settings worked flawlessly. The menu structure is very similar to competitors’ products, but this can hardly be called a disadvantage. Here, too, a de facto standard has been formed in recent years. nine0005
Conclusion
The start of G.Skill in the market of gaming peripherals can be called successful. We liked the workmanship and materials, but the design is nice too. The keyboard is closed on top with a textured aluminum panel, on which switches with keys without protection are installed.
This design looks beautiful. But still, some aspects of G.Skill could be improved. The hand rest panel looks stylish, but in practice it is inconvenient. The location of the USB port is also not the best, as is the slanted design of the interchangeable keys. Little things like that make the KM780 keyboard less than ideal. But the “first pancake is lumpy” at G.Skill did not work out, unlike some other manufacturers. So it will be interesting to see new models in the future. nine0005
The equipment is more than sufficient for its price. RGB backlit mechanical switches have become the de facto standard in premium keyboards today. The same goes for the functional utility, the software has improved markedly in recent years. And the G.Skill utility follows the established canons. Of course, being a pioneer in the market, G.Skill tried to come up with something new. Here you can note the clip-on box with interchangeable keys. How interesting it is in practice — decide for yourself. nine0005
Overall, the G.
Skill KM780 is a decent gaming keyboard with high build quality and good functionality. The KM780 was not without minor flaws, but other manufacturers also do not produce ideal products.
Benefits of G.Skill KM780:
- Stylish aluminum cover
- Long cable (2 m)
- Good workmanship and materials
- RGB lighting and function utility
- Hand Rest Panel Shape
- USB port location
- Replacement keys have an unfortunate shape and surface
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G.Skill KM780 Disadvantages:
Corsair K100 keyboard, due to a bug in the firmware, accidentally types the entered text by the user after a few days / Sudo Null IT News Users thought that this was due to a keylogger or other malware. The manufacturer explained that the keyboard does not have a hardware function that would work as a keylogger, but the bug may be related to the macro recording option, which in some cases does not work correctly.
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Users noticed the strange behavior of the K100 keyboards back in August, but by the end of December there are more and more such messages. One computer gamer explained that his keyboard started typing on its own after a while when he connected the device to a MacBook Pro and a gaming computer via a KVM switch.
“Every couple of days the keyboard would randomly start typing on its own while I was working on my MacBook. It looks like it usually prints messages that I previously typed on a gaming PC. When it started, the keyboard wouldn’t stop until I unplugged it and plugged it back in,” explained the K100 owner. He called this phenomenon «phantom typing». Moreover, tips on resetting the keyboard settings and clearing the device’s memory did not help him and other owners. Like a forced firmware update. nine0005
Other users have also reported unusual keyboard behavior.
“Seriously, I bought the K100 a few weeks ago and haven’t even installed iCue (Corsair’s peripheral programming utility).
It’s Wednesday 8pm and I was just editing a document and the keyboard started typing out full sentences from a confidential chat conversation I had early Monday morning, repeating control keystrokes and all. I saw him step back and correct my proposal just as I did. How is this possible? Why does the keyboard register keystrokes? It should go to the trash. I can’t let him tweet my bank account password while I’m away,» wrote another player. nine0005
“Exactly the same problem. The same model randomly prints what was printed days or weeks ago. Confidential data, passwords, whatever. This is strange. Disabling the keyboard is the only solution,” another user confirmed.
“Ran into the exact same problem on a brand new K100. It looks like the firmware of the device has been compromised, as there should be no reason why the device registers keystrokes and plays them back in the hardware. Wrote a working document, turned off and rebooted the next morning, and the keyboard literally started typing the entire document when launched in Windows, opened notepad and saw that it had typed over 100 letters, ”said another K100 owner.
He ended up going back to his old K9 keyboard.5 until the manufacturer fixes the issue.
The developers at Corsair are aware of the problem, but have not yet been able to fix it. In their opinion, such a bug may be related to recording macros, and the recent firmware update released by Corsair has only made the situation worse. The keyboards continued to phantom print, but also began to freeze until they were reconnected.
Experts believe that the Corsair K100 is somehow able to record macros, both using the manufacturer’s proprietary software like iCue and doing it without it. nine0005
«A macro function may be triggered unintentionally and record keyboard input and possibly mouse activity as well. These macros are then run and played back later, which is erroneously interpreted as keylogging. We are still investigating the exact nature of the occurrence of this problem, according to reports from our customers, ”Corsair explained without specifying when this bug will pass in the K100.
