No matter what kind of video games you play, your keyboard is an important part of your gaming setup. The right gaming keyboard can really help enhance your gameplay, so here are some things to consider before making that purchase.
Quick Links
- What To Look For in a Gaming Keyboard
- Best Gaming Keyboards
- Redragon S101 Wired Gaming Keyboard
- Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
- Razer Cynosa Chroma Gaming Keyboard
- Razerhuntsman V2 Analog Gaming Keyboard
- Corsair K55 Rgb Gaming Keyboard
- Npet K10 Gaming Keyboard
- Steelseries Apex 3 Rgb Gaming Keyboard
- Rii RK100+ Rainbow Led Gaming Keyboard
- Dierya DK63 Wireless Gaming Keyboard
- K1 Led Rainbow Backlit Keyboard
- Final Thoughts
What To Look For in a Gaming Keyboard
Mechanical or Membrane
There are two types of gaming keyboards available on the market: mechanical and membrane. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.
A mechanical keyboard works using spring-loaded switches positioned underneath each keycap. As a result, the keyboard provides almost immediate feedback to the user. The buttons also make that familiar keyboard click sound when pressed.
A membrane keyboard works when the keycaps are pressed down onto the conductive circuit underneath, creating an electric current. These keyboards are often lighter and less expensive than mechanical keyboards.
Mechanical keyboards are often of higher quality than membrane keyboards, making them ideal for hardcore gaming.
Polling Rate
Polling rate refers to the rate at which your keyboard delivers feedback to your computer and also how regularly it checks the keyboard’s USB for user input data.
It’s important to have a keyboard that matches the rate of your computer monitor. For example, a regular keyboard has a polling rate of roughly 125Hz, so you’ll want to have a much higher polling rate for your gaming.
The higher the polling rate, the more responsive your keyboard will be. However, having a higher polling rate will use a lot of CPU power.
Some gaming keyboards allow you to choose between multiple polling rate options.This can allow you to customize your polling rate to match your gaming style, meaning you can distribute your CPU power however you like. Keep in mind that this feature could be a bit more expensive.
Anti-ghosting
Ghosting on a keyboard is when you’re pressing multiple buttons at the same time, but one of the buttons doesn’t register. It can cause you to miss or perform the wrong move, which can be very frustrating whilst playing a video game.
To avoid this problem, gaming keyboards are programmed with an anti-ghosting function, which means they are able to handle at least five simultaneous key presses. This is a great function to have, meaning you’ll never miss a move because of a fault with your keyboard.
Customization
Being able to customize your keyboard can really help it to fit into your gaming setup. There are lots of keyboards available with different designs and colors, but also extra features as well.
Backlighting can really make your setup feel much more awesome, and it has other benefits as well. If you’re playing with low light or in the dark, you’ll still be able to see the keys. Plus, some keyboards even allow you to customize the color.
Having extra keys on your keyboard is often overlooked, but it can be really beneficial for a more hardcore gamer. Extra keys can be reprogrammed for any functions that you want them to have, for example, to access any menus or in-game abilities.
Some gaming keyboards allow you to save shortcuts for various games. This means that you can record and keep different settings, so you won’t have to change your button layout every time you change to a different game.
Best Gaming Keyboards
Redragon S101 Wired Gaming Keyboard
The Redragon S101 Wired Gaming Keyboard is designed to be perfect for gamers. With its stunning design and durability, this keyboard will make a great addition to any gaming setup.
Being a membrane keyboard, the keys are quiet yet solid and will last for a long time, so you won’t have to worry about the lifespan. The keys also have a backlight feature with seven different RGB lighting modes and effects available and four brightness levels so you can adjust accordingly.
Anti-ghosting included with the keyboard allows for up to 25 keys to be pressed simultaneously without any conflict. The keyboard also has 10 multimedia keys, plus 12 additional FN and multimedia keys.
A high-quality wired gaming mouse is included with the keyboard. It’s durable, has high-precision accuracy, and allows for a DPI of up to 3200. It comes with six buttons, five of which can be programmed with different memory profiles.
Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
The Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a great-looking keyboard with a modern design and high durability.
Despite being a mechanical keyboard, the keys have been designed to make a quieter sound so you can game late at night without waking anyone. Plus, the keys are dustproof for added durability.
Just like the S101, the K552 also has a backlight feature. There are 19 different lighting effects and game modes with six colors to choose from. It also has an adjustable brightness level, so you can adjust it to be comfortable to look at.
The polling rate of the keyboard is 1,000Hz, giving you high-precision accuracy and quick responsiveness.
All of the keys have the anti-ghosting feature, making it brilliant for FPS games. The keys each have a metal construction and are plate mounted for accuracy and precision. There are only 87 keys on this keyboard as the number pad on the right side has been removed.
Razer Cynosa Chroma Gaming Keyboard
The Razer Cynosa Chroma Gaming Keyboard is a more stylish-looking keyboard that is both functional and durable.
Designed to be as quiet as possible, this keyboard comes with membrane keys that have some cushioning when pressed. It’s also durable and spill-resistant, giving it a longer lifespan and protecting it from accidental spillages.
A fully customizable backlighting feature is included with the keyboard. You can use Razer software to choose different colors for individual keys to make your keyboard look exactly how you want it to.
Keys and buttons on the keyboard can be reprogrammed to have different functions. You can assign macros, save profile configurations to the cloud, and experiment with more advanced capabilities.
The keyboard has a fast response time as a result of the 1,000Hz polling rate. There’s also an anti-ghosting feature that allows for up to 10 commands at the same time without any problems, giving you just what you need for pinpoint accuracy.
Razerhuntsman V2 Analog Gaming Keyboard
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog Gaming Keyboard is a keyboard designed for the more hardcore gamer. Its unique style can bring a cool atmosphere to your setup.
Its innovative design uses optical switches that make it feel like both a keyboard and a controller. Unlike a traditional mechanical keyboard, a beam of light hits a sensor to trigger it when a key has pressed. This method is much more durable, more responsive, and is less likely to fail.
The keys have an actuation range of 1.5mm to 3.6mm and can be adjusted however you like to suit your playstyle. They can also be programmed to register two actions in one press, cutting down on the number of inputs needed and enhancing your gaming.
A backlight feature is included with the keyboard and can be customized using Razer software. With the software, there are millions of colors to choose from and a suite of effects for your enjoyment.
Corsair K55 Rgb Gaming Keyboard
The Corsair K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard has a sleek design with high durability and can be customized to suit your gaming style.
As it’s a membrane keyboard, the keys are quiet when pressed for a comfortable gaming experience. They’re also extra responsive, with a polling rate of 1,000Hz. As a bonus, the keyboard is also dust and spill-resistant for added durability.
The keyboard comes with a dynamic RGB backlighting feature which can be fully customized with a range of colors and lighting effects. There’s also a removable soft rubber palm rest that can keep your wrists relaxed, allowing you to play for longer.
An anti-ghosting feature ensures that you can press multiple keys at the same time, meaning you can perform your combos without fail. There are also six macro keys that can be programmed however you like and dedicated media keys that you can use to control volume and audio without disrupting your gameplay.
Npet K10 Gaming Keyboard
The NPET K10 Gaming Keyboard is a keyboard made for gaming professionals. It has beautiful colors and markings that will never fade as it’s able to withstand sweat.
This mechanical keyboard has UV-coated keycaps with injection laser carvings that will last you for a very long time. Plus, this keyboard is extremely durable and water-resistant. The sturdy stainless-steel base of the keyboard has drain holes underneath to help prevent damage from any spillages.
A colorful backlighting feature is available with four LED lighting modes. The brightness of the backlight can be changed, making it perfect for gaming in the dark.
Like other keyboards, the NPET K10 has an anti-ghosting feature that allows for 26 keys to be pressed simultaneously without any issues, ensuring that you stay fully immersed in your game. There are also 12 multimedia shortcuts available for easy navigation and control.
Steelseries Apex 3 Rgb Gaming Keyboard
The SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB Gaming Keyboard is a beautifully designed keyboard with gorgeous colors and a smooth finish.
This mechanical keyboard is very durable and water-resistant, so you can rest assured that it will last you for a while. The keys are as quiet as possible and can last for up to 20 million key presses, and there are dedicated multimedia controls for easy adjustments on the volume or any settings.
Rainbow RGBis included with the keyboard and can be customized with its 10-zone colors to fit any color scheme. There is also a premium magnetic wrist rest for comfort and support, allowing you to play for as long as you like.
An anti-ghosting feature and adjustable polling rate allow you to play without any problems and adjust your gaming style accordingly. The maximum polling rate you can have is 1,000Hz, which should be plenty of power for any game you own.
Rii RK100+ Rainbow Led Gaming Keyboard
The Rii RK100+ Rainbow LED Gaming Keyboard is a wonderful gaming keyboard available at an affordable price that could be perfect for any gamer building their first setup.
Although it’s a membrane keyboard, it’s described as having a “mechanical feeling” to it. It has excellent build quality, and the keys have a fast response time when pressed for pinpoint accuracy.
The keyboard features a rainbow backlight that has both a solid and breathing light mode. Unfortunately, the colors are set and cannot be changed, but you can adjust the brightness for your comfort. The backlights automatically go into sleep mode if left untouched for 10 minutes, saving you money and extending its lifespan.
There doesn’t appear to be any anti-ghosting feature available, so you may have some difficulties if you play games that involve quick button pressing. Nevertheless, this is still a great choice of a keyboard for someone who doesn’t play intense video games.
Dierya DK63 Wireless Gaming Keyboard
The DIERYA DK63 Wireless Gaming Keyboard is a compact keyboard with less buttons than a regular keyboard.
This mechanical keyboard is a 60% keyboard, which means that it doesn’t have F-keys or a number pad. Instead, users will need to press FN and any number key in order to trigger the F-keys.
You can choose to connect the keyboard to your computer or another device with a wire or via Bluetooth. With Bluetooth, this keyboard can support up to three devices simultaneously and switch between them with ease.
An RGB backlight effect is featured with the keyboard. There are eight effects to choose from, including different colors and modes to make your setup feel much cooler.
Anti-ghosting is available with the keyboard, so you can press multiple keys simultaneously without missing any inputs. Being a mechanical keyboard, the buttons have a fast response time for a high level of accuracy.
K1 Led Rainbow Backlit Keyboard
The last product on this list is the K1 LED Rainbow Backlit Keyboard. It has a great layout ideal for gaming with bright colors that can make any setup feel complete.
This membrane keyboard is designed to be ergonomic, allowing you to play for a long time without developing fatigue or injury. There’s also an adjustable stand positioned underneath so you can play in a comfortable position.
A mouse is also included with the keyboard. It has an adjustable DPI of up to 3,200 for faster-paced games and high accuracy.
There’s a colorful LED backlight included with the keyboard that can be changed to seven different colors that can fit your color scheme. The lights also allow you to see the keys and letters clearly in the dark.
Anti-ghosting is not an available feature with this keyboard, meaning it might not be ideal for fast-paced video games. However, this keyboard is ideal for gamers who play more slower-paced games.
Final Thoughts
Having a gaming keyboard that fits your playstyle and your gaming setup can really help you focus on playing. Make sure to think about what you would like to gain from a keyboard and what features you would like before you choose which one to buy.