Best Gaming Keyboards In 2022

The Good

• Premium switches
• Excellent build quality
• Magnetic wrist rest promotes comfort
• On-keyboard customization is a breeze

The Bad

The SteelSeries Apex 7 captures the top spot on our list thanks to its great value and performance. The Apex 7 has a premium build thanks to its “aircraft grade” aluminum alloy materials. Regardless of your preferences for switches, the Apex 7 can accommodate. If you like soft tactile keys with fast actuation, the brown buttons are the ideal choice. Opt for the blue for those who want to have tactile switches that provide more audio feedback. You can also get stealthy linear regulators by picking red. The Apex is equipped with anti-ghosting tech and 104 key rollovers.

The Apex 7 comes with a magnetic wrist rest for added comfort. It’s one of the best wrists rests we’ve used alongside a gaming keyboard, as it’s ergonomically designed and just the right size to offer enough support while not feeling bulky. Like most keyboards on this list, the Apex 7 has RGB lighting with 16.8 million color options per key.

With five customizable profiles–no additional software required–you can quickly cycle through different keyboard input layouts for your favorite games. The Apex 7 has a dedicated media roller, a small OLED display that shows settings, and USB passthrough support.

• Switch Types: Brown, Red, Blue
• Available in Tenkeyless: Yes

The Good

• Razer’s switches are some of the best out there
• Strong, hefty build quality
• Excellent media buttons
• The comfortable wrist support pad
• A low actuation point means a slightly faster input registry.

The Bad

• but can lead to typos or mistaken inputs

The Razer Huntsman Elite is a fantastic full-sized mechanical keyboard, thanks to Razer’s excellent in-house switches, robust build quality, and comfortable wrist support. The Huntsman Elite pairs its mechanical switches with optical sensors that make for fast inputs, and its keycaps feel significant to both type and game on. The optical sensors take your feedback before you’ve pushed the key down the whole way, making the keyboard register keystrokes faster and more likely to create typos if you’re not used to it. This is particularly true when typing fast, but I didn’t notice it much while playing first-person shooters like Rainbow Six Siege and Valorant.

The build quality is also quite impressive. Its heavy and substantial chassis feels like a brick, though the size is relatively compact for a fully-featured keyboard. It uses the entire surface and features distinct, satisfyingly clicky media buttons for pausing, playing, and skipping. These are extremely easy to navigate to and press, thanks to their distinctive shape and size, which I found helpful in pausing podcasts, YouTube videos, and music while playing games that required more of my attention.

The Razer Huntsman Elite is one of the best high-end keyboards out there, and if you’re looking for a tactile-switch gaming keyboard, it’s hard to beat it. Each Huntsman Elite also comes with padded wrist support that magnetically attaches to the bottom of the keyboard and syncs with its Chroma lighting patterns. It’s not the best wrist pad, but it offers adequate support for your wrists while you type and game for long sessions.

• Switch Types: Razer Linear Optical Switch, Clicky Optical Switch
• Available in Tenkeyless: Yes

The Good

• Adjustable mechanical switches are impressive
• Switches are smooth and relatively quiet
• Very solid and compact (ignoring the wrist rest) construction
• Lots of meaningful luxuries that make it feel high-end
• Comprehensive customization software

The Bad

• It’s relatively expensive

The SteelSeries Apex Pro is a high-end keyboard that, on top of looking and feeling the part in basically all respects, sports a pretty innovative feature that currently only exists in maybe one other keyboard: Adjustable mechanical switches. You can adjust the trigger point of each key on the primary essential spread to suit your preference, meaning you can program them to only activate, on the whole, concerted press (about 3.6mm) or the lightest of touches (a shallow 0.4mm).

Is that useful? It can be! A typical example will be if you’re a keyboard stickler who spends long periods both typing and playing PC games, like me. You might prefer longer, deeper actuation to help with accuracy and reduce slips while typing and a much lighter actuation to increase response times in action games. The SteelSeries Engine software makes it easy to build these profiles (which can be saved onboard the keyboard itself for hardware-side activation) and conveniently allows you to script automatic profile switching when a particular application becomes active (like Chrome or Apex Legends, for example).

However, it’s worth noting that the linear nature of the switches remains the same regardless, and there are no other options if you prefer a clicky or tactile switch. The way the keys respond can still feel like night and day, depending on where you are on the actuation scale.

A host of wholly unnecessary but luxurious features include a tiny OLED display plus a dedicated media playback and volume control wheel, both of which help navigate the onboard UI, allowing you to customize every aspect of the keyboard without launching the software. However, it’s certainly not as efficient. The display can easily be customized to display 1-bit, 128×40 pixel gifs and supports integration with a limited selection of programs like Discord, Dota 2, CS: GO, Mortal Kombat 11, and Tidal (if you use Tidal for some reason) to display vital information.

Features

As you’d expect, the aluminum construction is incredibly durable–it features an exposed keycap design. It sports a very compact trim, much like the HyperX Alloy Origins (though the lighting isn’t quite as vibrant). Nevertheless, the SteelSeries Apex Pro has everything you’d feasibly want from a premium high-end keyboard. It features a USB passthrough, cable routing, macro keys, a magnetic soft rubber wrist rest, and exposed LED lighting for individual keys. The adjustable switches are a meaningful customization feature (even if it seems ridiculous flex).

(Note: The more affordable Steelseries Apex 7 sports all the features of the Apex Pro but comes with more traditional SteelSeries-brand Red, Blue, or Brown switches.)

• Switch Type: OmniPoint Adjustable Mechanical Switches (Apex 7 available in SteelSeries Red, Blue, or Brown)
• Available in Tenkeyless: Yes

The Good

• Razer’s switches are among the best
• Robust build quality with aluminum chassis
• Detachable USB-C cable
• A low actuation point means a slightly faster input registry.

The Bad

• but can lead to typos or mistaken inputs
• Keystrokes can be loud, even for linear switches

Razer’s Huntsman keyboards

There’s something novel about a compact tenkeyless keyboard; they’re cute. If you have no use for the number pad and want a minimalist desk setup, they’re definitely up your alley. If that’s what you’re into, there are many options out there, as tenkeyless is quite popular among the PC gaming crowd, which was born out of the need for the small keyboard at cramped LAN competitions. But which one should you get? The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is an easy choice.

Razer’s Huntsman keyboards have a sleek aluminum chassis and an overall no-nonsense design. What makes these keyboards special are the options you have for mechanical switches. The Tournament Edition is explicitly the tenkeyless version, and it features a long detachable braided USB-C cable, which makes it easier to take places if you need to. It also retains the Razer Chroma RGB lighting though the backlighting isn’t as vibrant as other Razer keyboards.

Razer’s switches

Razer’s switches (Green, Yellow, and Orange) are tuned for competitive gaming with short actuation points and fine-tuned reset points; they’re also consistently smooth to the keystroke. I’ve mainly used Razer Yellow with the Huntsman TE, and it’s my preferred setup for when things get serious.

The fast response and short actuation point may also lead to more errant inputs, mainly from resting your hand on the keys; it’s something to be mindful of. And the Huntsman isn’t designed for the courtesy of others around you as complete keystrokes can be loud. It’d be hard to overlook the Razer Huntsman if neither of those is a big concern.

• Switch Types: Razer Orange, Green, or Yellow
• Available not in Tenkeyless: Yes

The Good

• Ultra-quiet keys
• Under $50
• Compact design

The Bad

• No profile support
• Not as much RGB customization as others

If you’re for a solid gaming keyboard for under 50 bucks, the SteelSeries Apex 3 is an attractive option. The Apex 3 features tactile switches that barely make a sound when pressed, so it’s an excellent option for those who want high-quality switches without the constant clattering while typing.

Apex 3

Even at this price point, the Apex 3 still has some attractive features, including anti-ghosting tech, RGB illumination that’s customizable across eight zones, a water-resistant design, media keys, and a volume roller. It also has a cable management system to help keep your desk looking clean. The Apex 3’s keys are graded for 20 million clicks, so you’re still getting a gaming keyboard built to last.

Switch Types: Whisper Quiet (tactile and silent)

Available in Tenkeyless: Yes

The Good

• Long battery life (AA required)
• Fast input response that matches that of wired keyboards
• Affordable, especially considering how few options are available
• Romer-G Tactile switches work well

The Bad

• Plastic wrist rest comes attached, making it a bit bulky overall
• No RGB lighting

Wireless mechanical keyboards are hard to come by since so few options are available. That’s not the only reason we recommend the Logitech G613, though. Input latency is at the top of concerns, but that’s been solved mainly as seen with wireless gaming mice, and Logitech adapts its “Lightspeed” tech found in its mice for the G613. It’s also a fantastic budget gaming keyboard.

The G613 is a full-size keyboard in every sense. It features a built-in plastic wrist rest, handy but not detachable. There are six programmable macro keys on the left side of the keyboard and a suite of media controls at the top-right. Most importantly, the G613 stands among the tremendous mechanical keyboards because of its fast response and accurate mechanical switches. It only comes with Romer-G tactile buttons, which isn’t so bad because these provide all the benefits of an automatic control like smooth, consistent keystrokes.

Logitech

While you’ll need to stock up on AA batteries, the G613 is quite efficient, lasting up to 18 months, according to Logitech–it’s so efficient, we’re not even talking in hours anymore. It’d be pretty annoying to swap out batteries for a keyboard every few months, so this is key. A reason why battery life last this long is because one common feature has been left behind: backlit keys. Keys are painted in a vibrant white that helps visibility, but it’s not the same as proper backlighting.

The prospect of a wireless gaming keyboard may not be as appealing as a wireless mouse (you’re not constantly moving a keyboard around and dragging a cord, after all). Still, those who want to cut the cord without sacrificing keyboard quality have a great option. Considering its feature set and the fact that it’s wireless, the Logitech G913 is a bargain. Plus, it’s almost always on sale nowadays.

• Switch types: Romer-G Tactile
• Available in Tenkeyless: No

The Good

• Solid, sturdy build that’s also water-resistant
• Dedicated media keys are convenient
• Smooth keystrokes with multiple options for Cherry MX switches (for RGB models)

The Bad

The Corsair K68 is an all-around solid keyboard–solid, of course, as it can take a beating. It’s pitched as the mechanical keyboard that’ll withstand the hazards that might accompany someone’s desk, like spilled liquids. On top of being water-resistant, it’s housed by a thick, sturdy chassis. There’s a protective membrane beneath the keycaps that shields the mechanical switches from damage, and any liquid it takes on is funneled out of the board. While Corsair’s product page shows the keyboard being showered on, we tested it ourselves in our K68 review–it turns out it can take showers.

Cherry MX  switches

Those are some perks specific to the K68, but it’s an overall top performer. We’ve only used it with Cherry MX Red switches, and, as expected, they work like a charm, providing smooth and responsive keystrokes. You have a few options when it comes to K68 models, however. A cheaper version only comes with a red LED backlighting and Red switches, but you’ll have to kick in a few more bucks to get the RGB backlit version, which lets you choose between Cherry MX Red Blue or Speed switches. Both models feature some nice, chunky media control buttons at the top-right, and they come packed with a detachable wrist rest with rubber texture.

There’s nothing wrong to say about the K68. You can’t go wrong if you’re looking for a great mechanical keyboard, especially if you’re accident-prone or want to make sure your investment doesn’t get destroyed so easily. It’s also a budget gaming keyboard, especially if you can find it on sale.

• Switch types: Cherry MX Red, Blue, or Speed
• Available in Tenkeyless: No

Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed

The Good:

Excellent battery life

Durable keycaps

Multiple connectivity modes

The Bad:

N/A

The Razer Blackwidow V3 is a terrific combination of portability, rugged durability, and satisfying tactile feedback for the gamer on the go. This keyboard can be connected via Bluetooth, Hyperspeed Wireless, or through a traditional USB-C cable, has up to 200 hours of battery life, and can be topped up with a fresh supply of electricity in a handful of hours.

As for the keys, Razer’s Yellow mechanical switches mean that you can hammer away at the opposition while enjoying its low sound profile, and the Doubleshot ABS keycaps will ensure that the labeling never wears off with repeated use.

Switch Types: Razer Yellow and Green

Available not in Tenkeyless: Yes

HyperX’s Alloy Core

The Good:

Budget-friendly price

RGB-lighting for days

Membrane keys for silent typing

The Bad:

Mechanical keyboards may have their fans, but the input devices which use a softer membrane construction are still worth looking at in today’s gaming scene. HyperX’s Alloy Core features just such a design, as its structure allows for quiet and responsive keys, spill-resistant in case of potential Pepsi peril, and an attractive price.

Thanks to the dynamic RGB lighting effects spread throughout it, it’s also a bright keyboard, and if you’re looking to sit back with music and moves, the dedicated media controls will come in handy.

Switch Types: Membrane keys

Available in Tenkeyless: Yes