Best gaming keyboard 2018
Looking for the best gaming keyboard of 2018? Don't blame you. The finest keyboards and mechanical switches offer a gaming experience like no other, plus they have RGB lights and stuff. Rad.
Check out the best gaming keyboard prices on Amazon US and Amazon UK.
The humble keyboard is an intrinsic part of the PC gaming experience. Together with a best gaming mice it forms the perfect peripheral partnership that offers us PC peeps the most accurate and most immediate control system of any gaming machine out there. It doesn't matter whether you're rocking the best PC controller, anyone playing FPS games on their PC is going to need the level of control you can only get with the classic ol’ WASD/mouse combo.
But what makes the ultimate in gaming keyboard supremacy? There are essentially two schools of thought on that front: mechanical keyboard or non-mechanical switch keyboards. The first school of thought is obviously correct and the second woefully misinformed. From there it's just a straight up fight over which different mech-switch type you prefer. We've listed all the main switches below in the 'How to buy' section for easy reference. There are actually quite a few these days...
Hit the quick links below for some general buying advice on what to look for when picking the ultimate gaming keyboard, as well as our pick of the top compact boards.
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Best gaming keyboard
Corsair K70 Rapidfire
Type - Mechanical | Switch - Cherry MX Speed RGB | Anti-ghosting - N-key
Corsair’s K70 boards are the absolute best gaming keyboards I’ve ever used. Since they first launched back in 2013 I’ve been a massive fan, and haven't seen anything since which has changed my mind. Not even Corsair’s later boards, like the Strafe, or the overly-bling K95 Platinum, have been able to replicate the same mix of simple industrial design and sheer pleasure to use.
They have evolved over the years, now fully mech-switched (the original used non-mechanical switches for some of the keys) and offering multiple Cherry MX options and RGB LED backlighting, but the classic design has remained more or less the same since their inception. The simple brushed aluminium base gives the board a robust feel and with the keys floating above it the light bleed from the per-key illumination gives a pleasing under-lit glow.
I’m also a big fan of the discrete media controls too. Too many boards hide their controls behind the F keys, requiring some digital gymnastics to press two distant keys at the same time. In the middle of a game that’s almost impossible to do quickly and/or easily. The large, scrolling volume wheel is the best part about that, and has been copied by many other boards, though never bettered.
I’ve picked the Rapidfire edition of the Corsair K70 as the top board because the light touch Cherry MX Speed keys mean seriously hardcore gamers might get a slight boost in actuation speed from their button clicks, and the rest of us don’t have to be so heavy-handed (and loud) when we’re gaming or typing. The Speed switches are almost the same as standard Red switches, just with a shallower actuation point.
I also prefer this non-RGB version for the aesthetic alone. The RGB switches have a clear plastic base which stands out under the keycaps and frankly detracts from the K70’s otherwise clean design. You still get LED backlighting, but it’s red only... though it is also often cheaper than the RGB version.
Read the full Corsair K70 Rapidfire review.
The best Corsair K70 Rapidfire prices we’ve found today:
Best gaming keyboard runner-up
Wooting One analogue keyboard
Type - Mechanical analogue | Switch - Flaretech Optical | Anti-ghosting - N-key
The Wooting One is unlike any other gaming keyboard currently available. Don't let the per-key RGB LED illumination fool you, under those keycaps are some of the most advanced mechanical switches on the market. The Flaretech optical switches allow for complete analogue input and, once you're used to them, they can make a huge difference to your mouse and keyboard PC gaming.
That means sneaking is now possible by lightly holding down the 'W' key and steering your way around Far Cry 5 shouldn't be a jerky, drunk-driving sim experience either. The software that allows you to add in analogue support is smart and well-designed as is the actual keyboard itself. The package gives you a bunch of spare switches you can easily replace yourself if you somehow manage to top their rated 100 million keystroke lifetime.
And it's only getting better. The Wooting team is committed to improving the board, and have recently added RGB effects to make with the pretties. And what makes all this all the more amazing is that it's a small team that have brought the Wooting One all the way through from humble Kickstarter beginnings to make a great product.
Read the full Wooting One review.
Best gaming keyboard runner-up
Logitech G810 Orion Spectrum
Type - Mechanical | Switch - Logitech Romer G | Anti-ghosting - 26-key
If you’re not a fan of the various shades of Cherry MX switch, Logitech offer their own Romer G option. The Romer G switches are a little shallower than the standard Cherry MX switches, though not quite as much as the slightly speedier Speed switches of the Rapidfire. Their action feels a little deadened compared with the Cherry alternative, but that does make them a quieter option. The G810 Orion Spectrum has a simple, elegant design which makes it my favourite of their mech switch options – the G910 just feels a little showy for my taste. The G810 also has similar discrete media controls to the K70 which is always a big plus for me.
The best Logitech G810 Orion Spectrum prices we’ve found today:
Best gaming keyboard runner-up
Razer Blackwidow Chroma V2
Type - Mechanical | Switch - Razer Green/Orange/Yellow | Anti-ghosting - 10-key
Razer also utilise their own switches in their gaming keyboards. They’ve got green, orange, and yellow switches, which are more or less analogous to Cherry MX blue, brown, and silent switches, respectively. The Blackwidow Chroma V.2 is available with your choice of these three switches. We’ve been using the Razer yellow switches, and they are very responsive and pretty quiet compared to similar Cherry MX reds.
The Blackwidow Chroma V.2 features the same sunk-in design of the first iteration, leaving the slimmer floating design to the Blackwidow X. Unfortunately, the Blackwidow still does not feature media keys, preferring to integrate these with the function keys. In some ways, the keyboard retains a surprising sleek style thanks to the lack of implemented controls and the clean font, but we have seen many other manufacturers implement these keys in stylish and fitting ways, and for a gaming board, Razer don’t have much of an excuse for leaving them out. Despite this one issue, the Razer Blackwidow Chroma V.2 is a fantastic keyboard, and the included wrist rest is simply superb, making it a great addition to any gamer’s arsenal.
The best Razer Blackwidow Chroma V2 prices we’ve found today:
Best gaming keyboard runner-up
Logitech G513
Type - Mechanical | Switch - Romer G tactile or linear | Anti-ghosting - 26-key
And we thought the Razer Blackwidow Chroma V2 had a sexy wrist rest... Logitech have fashioned a glorious memory foam palm-cuddler and it makes it feel like you're typing on air, especially with the new linear Romer G switches. Though sadly there's no attempt to connect it with the board, which is a pain.
It's still got the same brushed aluminium aesthetic we liked about previous G413 keyboard, and that gives it a serious, solid look. It makes the keys look like they're floating above the metallic surface and aids the RGB looks. It's beautifully engineered and has a more subtle design than most gaming peripherals, which we can't really help but admire.
There are no discrete media controls on this board, unlike the G810 above, but Logitech's quality software means you can switch the rarely used function keys around to favour their secondary function first.
Read the full Logitech G513 review.
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Best compact gaming keyboard
Wooting One analogue keyboard
Type - Mechanical analogue | Switch - Flaretech Optical | Anti-ghosting - N-key
The Wooting One isn't just a great compact gaming keyboard it's very nearly the best gaming keyboard around. Those Flaretech optical switches allow you to turn what is normally a very digital controller into a complateley anlogue device. Who needs those fiddly Xbox controllers now? The keyboard and mouse combo has just got even better.
And so has the Wooting One since its launch. The small team is continually listening to user feedback and updating the device, making it more usable, adding in new features, and delivering wider compatibility.
It's a great little keyboard, with a genuine unique selling point, and solid software too. Made all the more remarkable because of its humble Kickstarter beginnings.
Read the full Wooting One review.
Best compact gaming keyboard runner-up
Kingston HyperX Alloy FPS
Type - Mechanical | Switch - Cherry MX Red/Blue/Brown | Anti-ghosting - N-key
There are smaller boards, which miss out the the numpad on the right, but thanks to the way the HyperX team have designed the Alloy FPS its desktop footprint isn’t that much greater than those cut-down keyboards. And for a good many gamers missing the numpad can be a real deal-breaker. That makes it a great option for those craving a more compact design but don't necessarily want to sacrifice keys.
The rigid metal base is very reminiscent of the brilliant K70, with the keys almost floating above the board and the red LED glow softly spreading out beneath them. But the base barely stretches beyond the limits of the keys themselves, keeping that footprint to a minimum. The rigid design also lends the Alloy FPS a tangible sense of solidity and robust quality.
As a compact gaming keyboard it doesn’t have the discrete media controls I’d normally prefer, instead using modifiers on the function keys, and HyperX have made an odd choice in adding a charging port rather than a full pass-through data and power connection. They’re also only offering the Alloy FPS with clicky Cherry MX Blue switches right now, though will be offering a wider range soon, announced at CES alongside the RGB board.
As it is, the Alloy FPS still makes for a great compact gaming keyboard, delivering all the mechanical switch control you’d want, with almost all the features of its broader competition. It’s a great first go at the board market and proves to have been well worth the wait.
The best Kingston HyperX Alloy FPS prices we’ve found today:
Best compact gaming keyboard runner-up
Cooler Master MasterKeys Pro M
Type - Mechanical | Switch - Cherry MX Red, Blue, Brown | Anti-ghosting - N-key
Those RGB LED switches are all well and good if you want to paint a rainbow across your board, but if you're after the cleanest, brightest, retina-searing white then Cooler Master's MasterKey Pro M has got you covered. This small-scale version also nails the compact design while still retaining a full numpad.
That might seem like some sort of ergonomic voodoo, but Cooler Master have simply ditched the discrete navigation buttons and integrated them in their familiar configuration within the numpad. By virtue of its onboard ARM processor, the Pro M can run sans drivers to give you the full complement of on-the-fly macros and lighting effects without having to wait for the OS to catch up.
The Cooler Master MasterKey Pro M comes with either Cherry MX Red, Blue, or Brown keys – to get the lowdown on what that means check out the table below. In terms of actual design it's super-basic but that means it's also fuss-free, with a detachable USB cable, solid footing and no messing around.
The best Cooler Master MasterKey Pro M prices we've found today:
Best compact gaming keyboard runner-up
Razer Blackwidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2
Type - Mechanical | Switch - Razer Green/Orange/Yellow | Anti-ghosting - 10-key
The Razer Blackwidow Tournament Edition Chroma V.2 (...phew) follows the same design as it’s larger sibling, except for the lack of a number pad. The all plastic build is retained from its predecessor, unlike the very pleasing designs of the HyperX and Corsair boards, but it does offer a choice of three mechanical switches - either green, orange or yellow. The switches feel great and well-made, the backlighting is vibrant, and the wrist rest is incredible.
With the lack of media keys a little disappointing, at least the Razer is very compact in return. It’s a great board, and one that we were particularly sad about retiring once the next board was due for review.
The best Razer Blackwidow Tournament prices we’ve found today:
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Best budget gaming keyboard
Logitech G213 Prodigy
Type - Membrane | Switch - Logitech Mech-Dome | Anti-ghosting - 13-key
Buying a really cheap keyboard will leave you on a hiding to nothing. A $20 board is likely to very quickly start to lose functionality, whether that's a few sticky keys or a total meltdown. It's often a bit of a false economy. Maybe spending $60 on a gaming keyboard is still too much, but the Logitech G213 Prodigy is a great example of a more pared back design still offering a lot.
Because of the lower price you're not getting mechanical switches or a rigid metal frame. Instead, you get Logitech's own Mech-Dome switches and a resolutely plastic feel. They may be membrane switches but they have the travel and almost the same speedy response of a mechanical switch. In fact, they feel a lot like Logitech's Romer G switches. However, they're spongier and feel a little more dead in comparison.
Despite its all-plastic design the G213 is still pretty robust. There is a certain amount of flex if you press firmly in the middle of the line of function keys, but otherwise it feels rather sturdy on the desktop. It also comes with a built-in wrist rest and discrete media controls too. And for you RGB LED fans out there the G213 comes with five lighting zones you can colour to your heart's content.
The G213 Prodigy might be slightly above what you'd call a budget keyboard, but its still smart design and solid build makes it worth keeping an eye on in the sales especially.
The best Logitech G213 Prodigy prices we've found today:
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Best budget gaming keyboard runner-up
Vava Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Type - Mechanical | Switch - Kailh Blue | Anti-ghosting - N-key
Approx. $59
Vava might not be a brand you are familiar with when it comes to computer peripherals. With only a single mouse, and a single keyboard - the aptly-named Vava mechanical gaming keyboard - they keep things short but sweet.
The Vava keyboard is a great all-round board, you’d hope it would be, they have no alternatives after all. There are no media keys or volume wheels, but in return you get rock-solid Kailh blue switches, which are a great alternative to Cherry MX switches, especially on a budget.
The keyboard’s finish is great, the RGB LEDs are vibrant due to the white backplate the switches sit on, and it doesn’t overdo it with gamer font on the keycaps. I do have a few gripes however, although exclusively with the top right indicator LEDs. Possibly the only part of the board that absolutely screams cheap, and it doesn’t help that two of the three indications have ‘LOCK’ in all caps, while the third is in lowercase… it doesn’t bother me at all… NOPE… not at all.
Despite the slight design oversight, the keyboard is a real contender at that price point somewhere in between mech-brane and high-end gamer boards. Unfortunately the Vava doesn’t seem to be available in the UK right now, so for gamers in ol’e Albion, one of the other budget boards are your best bet (or wait for a good deal on HyperX Alloy FPS).
Best budget gaming keyboard runner-up
Cooler Master MasterKeys Lite L combo
Type - Membrane | Switch - Mem-Chanical | Anti-ghosting - 24-keys
There's a tremendous sense of value to this Cooler Master bundle even if the ambidextrous mouse feels a little lightweight. The keyboard itself comes with a suprisingly effective pseudo mechanical switch design. Ok, even writing down Mem-Chanical makes me want to vomit all over this simple, elegant keyboard, but they genuinely feel more robust and comfortable to use than a standard membrane switch. They're actually very similar to Logitech's Mech-Dome keys and come with twice the life cycle of traditional membrane switches and a higher click force to hit the actuation point.
The mouse is a little bit of an afterthought, with an Avago optical sensor and a maximum DPI of 3,500. But if you're looking for a decent package that won't break the bank the Cooler Master's li'l bundle is well worth a look.
The best Cooler Master MasterKeys Lite L prices we've found today:
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Best budget gaming keyboard runner-up
Corsair Raptor K30
Type - Membrane | Switch - Rubber dome | Anti-ghosting - N-key
The budget end of the Corsair keyboard range still manages to pack a punch in gaming terms. Gone are the various shades of Cherry MX mechanical switch - a consequence of the lower price - and gone is the rigid brushed aluminium frame, but the Raptor K30 has still been produced with the same design notes as the excellent K70. The floating keys give it a similar aesthetic and the discrete media controls mean you don't have to contort your hands over your board to pause a tune.
The Corsair K40 is currently $80 / £66 on Amazon, which is the RGB alternative to the listed Raptor K30.
The best Corsair Raptor K30 prices we've found today:
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How to buy a gaming keyboard
As ever in the ol’ PC peripheral world the best gaming keyboard has to take into account personal preference. What makes something aesthetically pleasing for me may not be for you, and the same goes for the sort of switches you want to have sitting under the keycaps of your new gaming board.
You might also absolutely have to have 16.8 million different colours available to the lights blazing away on your desktop. But remember, there’s no such thing as a free LED. The RGB LED switches add an often massive price premium to the cost of a particular board. If you’re looking to save a bit of cash then there will often be single LED colour versions of your favourite gaming keyboard, which will otherwise be technically identical.
Keyboard switches
Your choice of LED has probably the least effect on the performance of your keyboard. What you really want to consider, then, is your choice of switches, as this will have a massive effect on your interaction with your PC. There are two main options: mechanical switches and membrane, dome, or scissor switches (which are kind of all the same).
Mechanical switches are the ones which make your keyboard loud and sound like you’re working in some 1940s newsroom. Membrane, dome, or scissor switches are far quieter, have shorter keys, and are likely the ones used in your laptop, the ones in the keyboards at school, and those in any cheapo board you might have gotten free with your computer.
The advantages of the mechanical switch are great: they’re more robust, will last far longer, can be more accurate and are able to send every single keypress from board to PC no matter how much you bury your face in the keys. You also don’t have to press a mechanical switch all the way down to register an input, which makes them less fatiguing than non-mechanical switches where you do.
Non-mechanical switches are liable to fail a lot sooner than solid mech switches too, leading to a bit of a false economy when it comes to making that initial keyboard purchase. They’re also limited on the number of key presses they can reliably send to the PC when many buttons are pressed at the same time, which arguably makes them less suitable for gaming.
But there are some who simply don’t get on with the feel of mechanical switches, often because the travel is too long and the keys too high. Or because they’re simply too loud. We’ve recently had the office filled with mechanical keyboards and Phil has started working from home a lot more.
There are also many, many different types of mechanical switch to choose from…
The biggest difference between them is whether they have a linear travel, a tactile click, or a tactile bump. If they're linear then the key has a smooth travel all the way down to the bottom of the switch, if they have a tactile click you'll feel, as well as hear, the actuation point of the switch, and with a tactile bump you'll just feel that actuation point.
Personally, I prefer a linear switch. I find the sound of the other types uncomfortable, like the chitinous clicking of an arachnid from Starship Troopers, while the tactile bump just makes your keyboard feel gritty, like the sandwiches you take to the beach and, no matter what hermetically-sealed container you've kept them in, still contain sand for you to grate your teeth on.
We are starting to see more hybrid switches that combine the cost-effective nature of membrane switches with some of the mechanics of the costlier Cherry MX-type switches. Both Logitech and Cooler Master have released impressive budget keyboards with horribly named new membrane-ish switches.
Keyboard controls
Your keyboard is the most direct input device for your PC so it makes sense for it to have easily accessible controls for other parts of your system. You'll find most gaming keyboards come with volume and media controls (play/pause, forward, back) as well as other more gamer-centric offerings, like the ability to shut off the Windows key to stop you being dragged back to the desktop by an accidental mis-strike.
These controls come in two forms: discrete and integrated. To save space, cash, and design efforts, a lot of manufacturers drop a function modifier into the layout – like you’ll find on most laptops – which gives you access to the controls on the F keys by holding down one key and stretching your hand to hit another at the top of your board. This is the least intuitive method and often means you’ll have to peer down at your keyboard trying to work out which button is the one to hit before double-dipping the keys.
Having discrete controls is by far the most preferable method because they need just a single press and are also easier to locate without having to waste time searching for it. The scrolling volume wheels of the Corsair K70 and latest Logitech boards also give you more fine grain control over the sound levels of your machine.
N-key rollover
This is one of those terms that might not make sense to everybody out there. We sometimes talk about N-key rollover when discussing the features of mechanical keyboards, and it means the keyboard is able to capture every single key press, in the order they were hit, no matter how many keys are depressed at the same time. Some mechanical and non-mechanical keyboards have a limited version of this and multi-key rollover can be anything from three to 26 simultaneous presses.
Any budget picks?
Fear not, I will be updating the guide with non-mechanical switch and budget boards in the future.
Thanks! :-D
No CoolerMaster? You can't get better quality from Corsair or Razer.
I've recently upgraded from Logitech G710+ to the MasterKeys Pro L and I see why CM is praised so much in the world of mechanical keyboards.
Fingers crossed they're on their way to the test bench...
I really wish that I could find a setup of all the kinds of mechanical keyboard switches to test out, because I've tried a few friend's mechanical keyboards... And I very much dislike them.
I find it hard to believe I'm magically the only person who doesn't like mechanical keyboards, but I'm not going to order an expensive keyboard I don't think I'll like.
You're absolutely not the only one! Personally I love a good mech switch, but I know a lot of gamers who really don't get on with them at all.
It might be worth seeing if you can get a feel of the Logitech G213 Prodigy - it's a membrane switch board with the travel of a mechanical switch.
Or try Logitech's Romer G based ones (like the G810) - they're still mechanical switches but have a different, less harsh, feel than the Cherry MX option.
I'll look into those if I get a chance! By far my favourite feeling keys are scissor switches like they use in laptops. I'm not a big fan of the 'chiclet' style they do now, but it's still not bad.
I got Logitech G810 Orion Spectrum and i think its the best keyboard i have ever owned easily.
It's a great little board - the one I've got plugged into the PCGamesN test bench :)
No mention of Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate? http://www.daskeyboard.com/daskeyboard-4-ultimate/ ...it is *the* best mechanical, high end, gaming keyboard I've ever owned (and I've owned a few over the last 25 years!)
Loving the K70, especially the flat form under the keys which means no dust and dirt gets stuck between the keys!
Individual lights is good for gaming in the dark just highlighting the keys you need.
I am all about the K70 love. Best keyboards I've ever owned :)
Yes, I agree the Cherry MX red switches are the best in playing FPS type games but can be rather cruel to players that need typing accuracy and have heavy hands or fingers since the level of mistyping might be intolerable especially with anti-ghosting features are on.
I would recommend the Cherry MX browns or blues as being the best for strict typing quality but they sacrifice speed in order to reduce inaccurate inputs.
I don't usually recommend the non-standard Cherry MX clones or even the officially sanctioned Cherry MX variants by Logitech, Corsair, or Razer because they are all variants designed to speed inputs and not accuracy, comfort, or compatibility was in mind when they were designed. If you want additional speed regardless of what type of Cherry MX mechanical keyboard you have then why not install o-ring dampeners underneath your keycaps. These will reduce the distance for input executions, reduce the noise, and may also make the inputs more comfortable. You can always remove them whenever you want.
For the most comfortable keyboard inputting using a mechanical keyboard, I would recommend using Topre Capacitive Switches. Those keyboards cost a lot and the feeling is quite different than membrane or Cherry MX switch keyboards. They don't click but they thunk in the way they input your commands.