Level Up Your Online Gaming with a Premium Gaming Keyboard

If a premium gaming computer is the engine to your gaming vehicle, a proper gaming keyboard is where the rubber meets the road. Premium tires on a car make a world of difference when it comes to the car’s performance, and the same goes for a gaming keyboard in elite-level gaming, where every millisecond counts. You can’t have unaccounted keystrokes (ghosting) or have your hands get uncomfortable during long gaming sessions. The best gaming keyboards boast scary fast key actuation, colorful backlighting and keep your hands feeling fresh, even during gaming marathons.

The last thing you want is to miss a critical keystroke that could be the line between victory and defeat. To stop that, we’ve ensured you’ve got the best tools at your fingertips with these elite gaming keyboards. From wired to wireless, tenkeyless to ergonomic split keyboards, and with plenty of RGB in-between, make sure you rule supreme during your session and lead your squad to victory with one of the best gaming keyboards below.

1. SteelSeries Apex Pro

BEST OVERALL 

For serious gamers, precision is a must. With customizable key sensitivity, gamers can get the most from the SteelSeries Apex Pro. The OLED smart display in the top right corner allows you to further customize your settings without having to exit what you’re doing. You can even remove the wrist rest if that’s not your thing. Did we mention this thing is customizable? The Apex Pro also comes in a tenkeyless version if you prefer a more compact gaming keyboard.

2. Razer Huntsman Elite

RUNNER UP

Mixing mechanical switches with optical sensors affords gamers lighting speed when using the Razer Huntsman Elite. It’s a genius idea that leads to one of the fastest and most responsive gaming keyboards on the market. Plus, the RGB lighting makes for some cool color patterns while you game. It’s a bit of a power hog — you need two USB cables to power it — but it’s worth it for the speed.

3. Razer Cynosa Chroma Gaming Keyboard

BUDGET PICK

Membrane keyboards aren’t for everybody, especially membrane keys that are low-profile. That being said, this membrane keyboard is particularly affordable at under $50, and has a soft typing experience which is as good for typing and working as it is for those who prefer that type of experience gaming. It lacks a wrist rest, and media controls, but the RGB is customizable to the key and the price is right.

4. HyperX Allow Elite 2

AMAZON’S CHOICE

With 4.8 stars and more than 400 reviews, this is among the most highly rated gaming keyboards on Amazon. And for good reason, too. Its RGB lighting is bright, vibrant and customizable with software. The Pudding keycaps feel great to type on and provide a comfortable resting place for your fingers, but the HyperX Red Linear Switches is the real bread and butter of the operation. These switches are super quick and are especially great if you are suffering from ghosting problems from your current gaming keyboard.

5. Razer Huntsman V2 Analog Gaming Keyboard

BEST SPLURGE

Compact, tactile and beautiful, Razer Huntsman V2 Analog Gaming keyboard is the total package. It’s certainly on the pricier end of the spectrum, but the typing experience is ultra-tactile making for an accurate gaming experience and the RGB lighting is second to none. And the wrist rest will keep your hands feeling good even during marathon gaming sessions.

6. Roccat Vulcan Pro

STUNNING DESIGN

This is both one of the best performing gaming keyboards as well as one of the best designed. With new “Titan Switch Optical” switches, it has top tier responsiveness and the feel of mechanical switches. But the design is the real show stopper. It’s super slim and has transparent switch housing that makes the lighting look that much greater. Everything from the lighting to the detachable palm rest was well-thought-out and greatly designed.

7. HyperX Alloy FPS Pro

GREAT VALUE

If you can stand to forgo the 10-key number pad and some of the features other high-end keyboards boast, the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a solid choice. In-game mode, you get 100% anti-ghosting, so no critical keystrokes will go unregistered. Plus the ever-so-popular Cherry MX mechanical key switches make for speedy and comfortable typing performance. This keyboard has no-frills, but sometimes, that’s all you need.

8. Logitech G Pro X Keyboard

CUSTOMIZABLE KEY SWITCHES

Gamers who want to get really specific on key switch placement can go wild with the Logitech G Pro. Swapping out key switch mechanisms here isn’t difficult, and you can literally switch individual key switch mechanisms if you wanted. The keys themselves are comfortable and the design of the keyboard is compact enough to toss in your bag so you can game on the go.

9. Corsair K95 Platinum

WORTH CONSIDERATION

This attractive gaming keyboard leaves no space to waste. With 104-keys, including dedicated media keys and macro keys on the left side to help you map, it efficiently uses all its allotted space. Beyond aesthetics, the linear Cherry MX Speed Silver switches quicken keystroke speed for quiet, comfortable and fast performance, making it a great choice for serious gamers and even casual typists.

10. Redragon S101 Wired

#1 BEST SELLER

If you’re new to the computer gaming world, this is a great gaming keyboard, mouse combo to get your feet wet. The keyboard features seven different lighting modes along with four brightness variations. It’s comfortable and accurate, with n-key rollover registering individual keystrokes so they don’t get missed. For under $40, it’s no wonder this keyboard has an 86% approval rating on Amazon.

11. Asus ROG Strix Scope TKL

SMALL FOOTPRINT

If there’s a lack of real estate on your desktop, consider the Asus ROG Strix for your gaming keyboard. It’s nice and compact, which also makes it great to lug around from house to house or between tournaments. You get your choice of Red, Silver, Mech, Brown or TKL Red switches to meet your personal preference. The keyboard has some sneaky cool features like a one-touch Windows lock screen key as well as one touch controls for hiding all of your apps and muting your audio. Asus put a lot into a small package.

12. Corsair K100

FULL KEYBOARD

This keyboard strikes all the right notes — contoured keys that are comfortable and nicely spaced, plenty of RGB coloration and a full number keypad. Of course, that also means this is a rather hefty keyboard that eats up a lot of desk real estate. But it’s worth it to keep your wrists in good shape with the plush wrist pad, plus the media bay to quickly access controls like volume. This keyboard, as big as it is, is about as solid as they come.

13. Hexgears Impulse

GREAT FOR TYPING

This keyboard isn’t going to wow gamers with its flashy colors, style or features. It’s RBG lighting is rather blah, and with a lack of media bay or customizability, it’s certainly not the most feature heavy on our list either. So then what’s the deal? Typing on this keyboard is pure bliss. It’s contoured, responsive, accurate. And without it being too flashy, you can swap out your keyboard at work for this one and not look out of place.

14. Cooler Master CK552

FOR BUDGET GAMERS

Swapping out popular Cherry MX switches for Gateron help to lower the price on this gaming keyboard, but the latter-brand switches are still plenty clicky for gamers who like that. The RGB lighting on this keyboard is undeniably pro-level, and the aluminum top plate is also found on more expensive keyboards. It might not be as responsive for the most elite gamers, but intermediate to beginners can save a lot of coin on this inexpensive, yet durable option.

15. Roccat Vulcan 121 Aimo

BEST DESIGN

Everything from the lighting to the key covers is brilliantly designed. The key caps only cover the top of the key, leaving the switches exposed, which not only looks awesome but also helps the backlighting truly shine. As for the switches, Roccat uses their own that have a tactile feel but are also comfortable, quiet, and smooth, making them suitable for everyday typing as well as gaming.

Buy: Roccat Vulcan 121 Aimo $119.99

16. Corsair K70 MK.2

LOW PROFILE

There’s a lot to like about this gaming keyboard starting with the brushed aluminum frame that not only looks great but is also durable. And when you combine the low-profile design with the Cherry MX key switches, you get lighting in a bottle. Plus the RGB LED lighting looks vibrant as you game. Corsair also tosses in extras here such as a USB passthrough and media controls for a complete packaged gaming keyboard that’s only around $112. That’s a lot for a rather generous price tag.

17. Kinesis Freestyle Edge

BEST SPLIT KEYBOARD

As far as ergonomic gaming keyboards are concerned, this one is top shelf. With a 10-keyless design, the Kenesis Freestyle Edge makes the most of the real estate. Inside are true Cherry MX switches — you can choose which variety you’d like — for a customized typing experience and comfort. Speaking of comfort, the ultra-plush wrist rest keeps your hands feeling great during long gaming sessions.

18. Logitech G915 TKL Lightspeed Gaming Keyboard

BEST SPLURGE 

Those looking to go all out on a gaming keyboard should look no further than Logitech’s G915 Lightspeed Gaming Keyboard. While some gamers might not prefer a wireless option, the Lightspeed ensures you won’t ever lose connection during the heat of a match, or battery for that matter, as it boasts a staggering 40 hours on a single charge. Additionally, the low profile mechanical switches offer lightning-fast speed and accuracy while only being about half as tall as other keyboards.

Buy: Logitech G915 TKL Lightspeed Gaming Keyboard $213.99

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