The best gam൲ing keyboards are evolving. With Hall effect switches now a mainstay on the shelves, faster polling rates advertised outside of the core competitive market, and a number of custom-esque design features making their way to gaming circles, things look very different in 2025. On top of all that, your gaming keyboard will likely also have to do꧙uble up for productivity with all the navigation and extra keys you need for day-to-day work. That's a lot of work, but if you find the right deck you'll have a set of clickers tailored exactly to the features and feel you need on the desk.
Right now, the best gaming keyboard is the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3. You're getting the latest magnetic Hall effect switches 🅺in here (and the best implementation of them I've tested so far), as well as a fantastic snap, excellent speeds, and plenty of extra onboard controls. However, you'll find plenty m𝓀ore options all across the price scale below as well.
Whether you're looking for a cheaper membrane keyboard (where all your keys are positioned under a rubber dome), or a slightly more premium mechanical keyboard (where each key has its own m꧃𝐆echanism to register), I'm bringing you my top picks based on my own hands-on experience. I've worked and played with all of these gaming keyboards to find the absolute best contenders on the market right now, and regularly revisit boards to test them against the latest releases as well.
Yes, these are cheaper membrane switches, but ܫwith full programmability, media controls, and RGB lighting this is ♏an excellent budget pick with plenty of features.
An unbeatable battery life, excellent connection options, and a super soft typing feel makes the Asus ROG Azoth t🐼he best wirele🌌ss option on the market.
The Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid actually represents the best value on the market right now, though you will need to move into three-figures to get it. It's exceptionally well-priced for a TKL Hall effect dec🎃k.
With its analog switches♉ and fantastic key caps, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini offers features few other 60% decks can, and at a similar price point.
I've dipped a few toes in the world of custom decks, but that only sparked an obsession with gaming keyboards on a much larger scale. I've been reviewing these clickers for over five years at GamesRadar, and dissecting (and often breaking) them for far longer than that. I'm looking for the best models based on typing feel, actuation speed, precision, and onboard control features - but 🦩my time as a Deals Editor at our sister site TechRadar means I put value for money above all else.
Recent updates
May 12 - The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Cherry MX 3.1 and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Acer Predator Aethon 330 have been on the test bench in the last few weeks, though neither have made their way to the top list. The former is fantastic for typing but doesn't quite nail enough features to stand out for gaming, while the latter offers decent features for the low UK price point, but doesn't represent good value against the rest of the market in the US. Both have been added to the 'Also Tested' section below. April 22 - We have a new entry to our top list in today's update, with the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini taking the lead in the 60% category from the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless. The analog switches and similar price point clinched it for Razer in this matchup, with the Huntsman offering far more functionality than Corsair's entry. I've also been testing the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair K70 Pro TKL, a Hall effect deck that stumbles a little in its software, ൩switch feel, and keycaps. Both Corsair models mentioned here have been added to the 'Also Tested' section further♛ down the page.
The latest 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3🌼 doubles down on what made the original so impressi🥀ve. With a set of Hall effect optical switches underneath (most of) the keycaps and a fantastic typing feel, it's the best gaming keyboard on the market.
Buy it if:
✅ You don't need a wireless connection: This is a fully wired deck, but it still costs as much as a wireless connection. If you know you don't need that 2.4GHz receiverౠ, the extra features are well worth investigating.
✅ You're a dual-actuation power user: If y🐠ou've had a Hall effect keyboard before, and already know you like the feature, this is the next step. It's a lot to learn, but the feel of these switches makes it one of the best options in this newer field.
✅ You use Discord: The OLED panel up top can display Discord messages right on your desktop. It's a small feature in the grand scheme of things, but adds ♛plenty of extra value for certain users.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a portable deck: While it's light and relatively thin, the wired connection on the Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 does hold it back in terms of portability. A wireless version is available, costing🌼 even more.
❌ You want a fully Hall effect keyboard: Not all clickers are optical here, which means only the alphanumeric section of the keyboard can be confไigured with multiple actuation points.
Design: At first glance this keyboard could be any other. Barring the SteelSeries logo on the included wrist rest, the black form and si𒆙mple design risks fading into the background on the market. It's a particularly well engineered piece of kit, though, with a strong build, sturdy base, and lightweight frame you're getting the best of both worlds. A set of grippy rubber feet keep that lighter frame firmly in place on a desk, while the actual frame is remarkably slimline. A plastic chassis and aluminum plate is pretty standard fare, but it's all stuck together particularly well with smooth joins and a matte finish. You're also getting those vibrant SteelSeries RGBs for a full suite of LEDs as well.
Features: The SteelSeries OmniPoint 3.0 Adjustable HyperMagnetic Analog switch is a fantastic development. It's buttery smooth, with just enough thocc to feel satisfyingly mechanical in nature but with the speed and customization options of those optical clickers. Actuation points can be set to a super lightweight 0.1mm, which I found to be supremely speedy for competitive endeavors, or all the way down to 4mm for full travel. That's a wider range of options compared to the previous generation, but meeting alternatives like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Huntsman V3 Pro and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Glorious GMMK 3 HE.
These clickers have a few fancy tricks up their sleeves. Alongside setting your own actuation points, you can also configure dual-step actuation (two inputs within the same tap), use Rapid Trigger to dynamically lower the actuation point during repeat presses, and employ the SOCD Rapid Tap feature to cancel opposing i⛄nputs. On top of all that you've got an OLED control panel for swapping presets, adjusting actuation on the fly, viewing system information, and more.
Performance: These switches fly under the fingertips, with an incredibly smooth feeling and not a whisper of ping or🎉 rattle. They're deep and crisp but with a satisfying movement that makes for a particularly easy half-press. I found it much easier to work out where I was in a keypress, which came in particularly handy when using dual-step features. It's a shame that only the main deck area is Hall effect (even the arrow rows are standard Gateron Reds, which feels like an oversight).
Verdict: The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 is a premium keyboard, but if you've got the time to invest in learning a dual-step actuation system it packs the features to make good on that cost. It won't make sense for everyone, but if you'rꦇe looking for the next ste🅘p in customization it's a fantastic pick up.
The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Cynosa V2 is a budget-minded godsend. You're getting a solid performance at a respectable price here, with a range of dedicated features baked in on top🔜.
Buy it if
✅ This is your first gaming keyboard: Its low price and easy customization setup mea𒀰n the Razer Cynosa V2 is perfect for your first setup. You're getting all the excitement with RGB and full deck programmability without investing too much straight away.
✅ You want programmability: 𒆙It's rare to find a gaming keyboard this cheap that doesn't skimp on certain features like full-deck programmability. If this is a must the Cynosa V2 is going to come in very handy.
✅ RGB lighting is a must: Of c🐠ourse we've got that classic Razer per-key lighting - a far more intricate LED system than the majority of gaming keyboards in this price 💎range.
Don't buy it if
❌ You type for long periods of time: Squeaky keys and a softer membrane switch type mea𒁏n those who type particularly quickly for long periods of time could find this deck uncom🅺fortable.
❌ Space is limited: If y💎ou want to keep plenty of space for mouse sweeps, or you're just rolling with a smaller setup it'♑s worth considering a smaller 75% or 65% deck.
Design: The Cynosa V2 is decidedly a Razer affair, with blaring RGB lights set against a black matte plastic backdrop. A fairly significant slope down the front of 𒈔the main deck provides the palms with a softer approach to the main deck where a wrist rest has been priced out of the box. A new suite of media controls are all kept separate from the main keys, dropped in the top right corner as smaller circular buttons with a volume rocker to the right.
Features: As a memb🌺rane device, this version of the Cynosa is much quieter than the competition - a design feature that our reviewer particularly appreciated compared to the louder mechanical decks we're used to seeing. That's because its keys are pressing down on a rubbery sheet, meaning you don't get that distracting typewriter 'clack'. In other words, it's perfect in a busy household or at work where you don't want to cause too much noise.
Macro settings which allow you to program each key add further value. This isn't a feature I see making its way into the vast majority of cheaper gaming keyboards. In fac𒉰t, it's usually one of the first to go once you get into this kind of price range. To find full programmability next to an array of RGB LEDs is excellent - especially considering there's dedicated media controls as well.
Performance: It's solid under stress, too. More specifically, the speed and resistance of each key is spot on. My fingers were flying across them in testing, but they never felt cheap - they're much lighter switches than those found in cheaper membrane keyboards, like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Roccat Magma, so I'd recommend if you're looking for twitch reflex actionꦓs without the price tag of a more expensive mechanical option.
The smooth plastic keycaps were satisfying to type with, too. Considering the Cynosa V2's low cost, that's an impressive feat. I did encounter a few squeaky keys in my test unit, and this has long been an issue in our experience with Razer Cynosa keyboards. While this isn't constant,▨ it is🙈 certainly noticeable.
If you've🔴 never owned a gaming keyboard before, this isꦛ the perfect place to start.
Razer Cynosa V2 review
Verdict: If you're after a buꦉdget gaming keyboard for your first setup, or you simply don't need the speeds or luxury typing feel available further up the price scale this is certainly an excellent place to start.
Smaller design still offers plenty of functionality
Reasons to avoid
-
Will be difficult to swap keycaps
-
One of the most expensive decks on the market
The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Azoth is the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboard I've had on the GamesRadar desk so far. Between a silky smooth typing experience, hot-swappable switches, speedy response times, and plenty of premium extras, you're covered for both gaming and everyday productivity 🦩in style here.
Buy it if
✅ You're happy to invest: The Asus ROG Azoth is up there with some of the most expe𝕴nsive gaming keyboards on the market. You're certainly getting your money's worth here, but this is one for those with a bigger budget.
✅ You want hot-swappability: The hot-swappable switches play a large r♎ole in keeping this deck fresh, but very few gaming keyboards can offer both the speed required for gameplay and that customizable PCB. The Azoth is one of the early few that nail both aspects.
✅ You prefer a snappier typing feel: If you keep the ROG ❀NX switches under the hood you're in for a good time - particularly if you prefer a snappier, faster actuating 🌳typing feel.
Don't buy it if
❌ You need a full-sized deck: A 75% form factor is great for a variety of work and productivity uses, but if you rely on a number pad you'll want to pick up a larger dﷺeck.
❌ You rely on dedicated macro buttons: There's no space for dedicated macro button🌼s on boar💞d here, which might be a problem if you rely on handy shortcuts during gameplay.
Design: That's because Asus has taken its inspiration from the custom keyboard market, building an off-the-shelf 75% deck with three layers of sound dampening foam in its ga꧒sket mounted chassis. On top of all that, the Azoth also carries a particularly slick design. Its cool grey and black aesthetic pays homage to custom keyboard kits before it, but still manages to add a gamer flair in the OLED display animations and RGB flare. A slimline bezel and grippy PBT keycaps give everything a premium polish to boot. Add three levels of ergonomic comfort and space for up to six profiles in the onboard memory and you have yourself an all-in-one powerhouse.
Features: Hot-swappable switches, a sturdy wireless connection, OLED panel with multi-functional clicker, and grippy PBT keys? There's little the ROG Azoth doesn't pack into its smaller form factor. This is an impressive spec sheet for those willing to invest in a keyboard with both form and functionality - though there are no dedicated macro keys. Its battery is also best-in-cla🔜ss, offering up to𒊎 2,000 hours with RGB lighting off.
Performance: All of that means every keystroke has a soft landing with no reverb around the main body (thanks to the pre-lubed stabilizers), but the NX switches under the hood also offer a satisfying clack to each silky smooth press. Pair that with a speedy debounce and nippy response times and you've got yourself a fast deck with all the comfort of an enthusiast level set of keys. That's not easy to find in a wireless🍰 keyboard - I often find that hot-swappable decks sacrifice these kinds o൲f speeds to save space for luxury typing. However, the Asus ROG Azoth proves you can have it all.
It's going to take a lot 🤡to knock the Asus ROG Azoth off my desk, and I would se🐼riously urge anyone looking for a premium typing experience to keep one on theirs.
Asus ROG Azoth review
Verdict: No other wireless deck on the market can achieve this kind of spec sheet ri🗹ght now. T💫he overall experience on offer here in unparalleled, making it the best cable-free option on the shelves right now (for those who can afford to invest, anyway).
I was surprised when I looked at the price of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid. It's not just that it's rare to find a magnetic-switched gaming keyboard with this kind of premium feel for $169.99 / £169.99, but the brand itself isn't exactly known for its affordable costs. After all, its mechanical 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro X 60 deck did little to separate itself from the rest of the market and comes in $10 / £10 more expensive. At🐠 its core, this is a highly customizable Hall effect gaming keyboard with a satisfying key feel and particularly easy setting adjustments - all at a price that🦩 undercuts a lot of the giants in this arena.
Buy it if:
✅ You want adjustable switches: You can pay far more for far less if you're after a Hall effect keyboard, and the Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid offers up all the customization options you can ask for a🎀t a g🐟reat price.
✅ You prefer a softer typing feel: Lཧike many Hall effect decks, the sharpness of mechanical switches i🦋s gone here. That can feel too cumbersome for some, but the softer approach is more comfortable for others.
✅ You want dedicated media controls: Most gaming keyboards 🐟offer some kind of media control, butꦇ plenty don't. Even the ones that do rarely offer dedicated buttons for both playback and volume, but Logitech has you covered.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You prefer a snappy typing feel: The extra resistanc💯e behind🃏 these switches doesn't impact speed, but if you prefer a clackier response it's worth looking into alternatives.
❌ You want four-input actuations: Some Hall effect keyboards can hold up to four functions per keypress, whereas the Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid only offers two. That's still standard for these decks, but there are more customizable model♛s out there.
Design: Logitech has done little to change its design formula over the years, but the G Pro X TKL Rapid certainly benefits from a tried and tested build formula. Super bright RGB LEDs fire out from under each PBT doubleshot keycap 🌊(though longer legends do unfortunately suffer from some uneven illumination), each studded out on a metal top plate nestled in a plastic main chassis.
While that's not quite as sturdy a build quality as the Asus ROG Azoth, it keeps things light and flexible while still offering a rock solid typing feel. The Rapid is available in black, white, or pink, and is fairly simple aesthetically - save for a particularly striking gleam of silver running around the periphery. There's noticeably less sound dampening on the inside, though, so sounds are a little less muffled than they are in SteelSeries options or the similar 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:NZXT Function Elite Mini TKL.
Features: Logitech's magnetic switches can actuate all the way down the keypress, giving🤡 you full control from just 0.1mm to the full 4mm of travel. On top of that, you've got the typical dual-actuation and rapid trigger features you'd expect from Hall effect decks, with a slick software to set them all up on. Logitech G Hub is surprisingly adept at taking you through all these settings, with streamlined processes ♛for everything including simple keybindings. Some Hall effect keyboards allow for four inputs per keypress (two on the way down and two on the way up), but that level of control is still a little rare.
This is a fully wired deck so there's no need to worry about battery life. The additional power demands of magnetic switches mean that most keyboards like this rely on a cable, but if you're after a wireless alternative it will certainly take you out of the 'value' category. The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE is a fantastic option, but it's north of $300. Elsewhere, dedicated volume and media playback controls are a𝕴 nice bonus (most decks 💯offer one or the other), and polling is sensibly capped to 1,000Hz (very few players need more than this).
Performance: I've had my hands on a lot of Hall effect gaming keyboards over the last few months and, by design, they generally have a little more resistance to their switches. That's multiplied consid꧋erably in t🌜he Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid. It's not going to be everyone's favorite feeling, but it does give you a little more control over exactly where in the keypress you end up (which can be particularly handy for fine-tuned actuation functions). Everything still zips away with impressive speed, especially when set at the top 0.1mm actuation point, with both competitive and solo games running smoothly.
Verdict: The Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid offers magnetic switches (and all the extra features that come with them) at a price that's rarely seen in the mainstream gaming market. That, combined with extra media controls, a slick design, and streamlined software experience ꧙makes for the best value🌞 gaming keyboard on the market right now.
The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile is a fᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚantastic gaming keyboard in its own right, but its super satisfying typing experience and unique media control scheme make it a standout in today's market.
Buy it if
✅ You regularly travel with your kit: The lightweight, slimline design of the Asus is a fantastic benefit to anyone who wants to take their setup on the go - as is the Bluetooth connection option☂ and long battery life.
✅ You want dedicated media controls: 65% keyboards are often plagued with having their media playback controls remapped to a function row. However, you've got a dedicated slider𓆏 here for quick access.
✅ You want sensitive switches: One of the biggest draws towards low profile keyboards is their speed, and the🍎 Asus switches in here marry that short travel time with nicely sensitive switches for twitch-reflex reactions.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want a full-sized keyboard: If you want access to a full number pad and a set of navigation keys we'd recommend checking out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro instead.
❌ You rely on the shift key for a lot of macros: The shorter shift key did trip me up during testi🃏ng, having me accidentally hitting the caps lock regularly. That's not a major issue for everyday use - unless these two keys are regularly used in your macro commands.
Design: Due to its low profile design, the Asus ROG Falchion RX can afford its incredibly slimline design. At first glance, the floating top plate seems almost impossible, but a cleverly placed wedge underneath hides the extra depth so that it's invisible from a top down perspective. Combine🥀d with super skinny bezels, this ꧋is a particularly svelt piece of kit.
Of course, one of the biggest design features has to be the glossy RGB display running along the top. This not only houses your media control slider (along the front edge), but also provides real-time visual feedback for said slider in its RGB stripes. All of that sits around a set of crisp white keycaps. These are ABS but they feel nicely soft under the hand, and have been trea🧸ted to avoid shine.
Features: It's rare to find dedi🔜cated media controls on a 65% keyboard, but the Falchion packs a small touch-sensitive slider along its top panel that can be configured for anything from🐠 scrolling to playback. That's a solid feature in itself, but combine it with Mac OS support (and associated printed legends), two layers of sound dampening foam under the main chassis, and on the fly macro recording and you've got a full house.
Performance: The typing experience here is absolutely fantastic, with those softer keycaps playing into the l♎ightweight switches particularly well. Those layers of foam create a nicely muted soundscape to each keypress, avoiding the clack of traditional gaming keyboards while still providing a satisfying auditory response. The size of the shift key did get in the way of accuracy a little here. It's a considerably stubby implementation and, in combination with the se🍎nsitive switches and low profile keycaps, we were regularly hitting caps lock instead. That's only going to be a problem if you rely on these keys for more complex bindings, though.
Verdict: Overall, the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile was one of the most promising keyboards to hit the market last year. Its extra features aജnd satisfying, yet comfortable, typing experience make it🐓 the best low profile gaming keyboard I've tested yet and its connectivity and compatibility is up there with the best as well.
The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini has beaten the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless to become the best 60% gaming keyboard I've tested so far. Put simply, it comes in at the same price, offers far more 🐲flexibili🗹ty in its features, and feels much nicer under the fingertips. It's not without its setbacks, with an echoey chassis and some whining LEDs, but if you're going for speed, customization, and versatility it's a must-see.
Buy it if:
✅ You need your arrow buttons back: One of the biggest things🌜 drawing me to the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini is its fantastic use of dual-step actuatio♕ns to allow for quick access to arrow buttons without having to hold the Fn key.
✅ You play racing or stealth games: Having your WA💫SD keys act more lik⭕e a thumbstick can be handy in a range of genres, but it's particularly useful in stealth or racing scenarios.
✅ You prioritize keycap feel: Nobody wants to play on greasy caps, and the PBT doubleshot toppers on Razer's switches feel particularly tactilไe under the fin♎gertips.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You hate keyboard echo: I'm right there with you and there are so many redeeming qualities to this deck it's easy to overlook. However, if you cannot stand the thought of a switch echo you'll want to look somewhere e✅lse.
❌ You need a wireless connection: There aren't many gaming keyboards with adjustable switches that also use a 2.4GHz connection, but Razer certainly doesn't. If you need a cable-free setup you'll need to move further up t🗹he price scale.
Design: I tested the newer white version of the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini, but therꦛe's a more standard black model available as well. Personally, I'd opt for the white. It's a cleaner look that stands out much more compared to the pretty stock all-black affair, plus the strength of the RGB LEDs under each cap reflect much better off this surface. The result is a slick look with a hovering effect under the main keys. Razer has also abandoned the chunky form factor of previous Huntsman entries, instead opting for a slim chassis and low bezels.
Of course, there's a downside to that sleek design. In gaming and everyday use, it sounds like there's no padding inside whatsoever. That💧 means keys can rattle and echo across the deck, feeling slightly harsh in their bottom-out and making a hell of a racket.
Features: Where to start. This isn't a Hall effect keyboard, for that it would need magnets under each stem. However, it does benefit from Razer's Analog switches. That me🔯ans you're still getting adjustable actuation points, rapid trigger, and dual-step actuation (which the brand ingeniously uses to still keep your arrow buttons a tap away). It also opens you up to a feature that I've only see𒀰n on this line of gaming keyboards.
With the tap of a button in Synapse, the WASD keys can be instantly transformed into more of a thumbstick-level of control. Rather than simply turning on and off, the pressure you apply to these keys will determine the speed you move in any direction. That makes creeping up on unsuspecting guards or finessing your racing lines far easier. Corsair does keep one card in its pocket, though only the top 1% of competitive players will notice, the Huntsman can only poll at 1,000Hz, whereas th𒅌e K70 Pro Mini Wireless ꧟can go up to 8,000Hz.
Performance: While a little noisy, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini feels fantastic in both single-player and competitive endeavors. The super tactile keycaps keep things feeling fresh a💫nd precise, and while you'll need to get used to the slightly different feel of the switches, inputs are fast and accurate as well. These analog switches don't feel like Hall effect clickers, which often carry a little more tension underneath, but they're slightly more restrictive than a simple mechanical bottom-out. Overall, th𒊎e typing experience isn't comparable to that of the Asus ROG Azoth or SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL featured further up this list, but the extra features certainly keep gameplay performance fresh.
Verdict: With its excellent analog switches offering some pretty exciting unique features, as well as its slick design, strong RGB, and lightweight form factor, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini is the best gaming keyboard for those after a more compᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚact shape. It wins out for value, coming in at the same price as other decks without those adjustable switches, but might put a strain on your ears.
Launched in 2024, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Endgame Gear KB65HE makes smart use o💃f hall effect switches to offer an endlessly customizable 65% keyboard with plenty of extra features, all without breaking the bank. This is a go-to deck for both speedsters and those t꧒aking their time with their keystrokes.
Buy it if:
✅ You play competitively: S🏅et at their short🌳est positions, these switches are incredibly fast. That, plus the fact that their exact actuation point can be fine tuned makes this an excellent option for those tapping quickly.
✅ You want deeper customization options: Adjustable switches are by no means common, but they provide ample control over𒐪 exactly hoꦕw your switch performs. Don't like them? You can always hot-swap them out.
✅ You only play at your desk: With a chunky base and wired connection, this is one for thos🎐e keeping their setup firmly in place.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You travel regularly with your kit: The lack💟 of wireless connection and heavier form factor means this keyboard isn't going to play nicely with a backpack setup.
❌ A wireless connection is a necessity: If you don't like the idea 💝of cables flowing over your desktop, it's worth checking out something with a 2.4GHz connection.
Design: The Endgame Gear KB65HE doesn't set out to do anything drastic with its design. This stocky black box could be any 65% keyboard released in the last few years. However, it's a fully CNC milled aluminum chassis with premium Ducky PBT keycaps 𝐆up top. That's an air of luxury you certainly don't get every day, though the resulting weight can be off putting if you need to travel r♋egularly.
Features: The Gateron KS-37B switches under the hood are the stars of the show. These are hall-effect switches, a term you may be familiar with if you've been fighting thumbstick drift in your controllers. Essentially, they're powered by magnets rather than electronics which means they're super durable and, crucially, you can set the point at which they actuate.
That means you can set these bad boys to click at just the slightest touch, or opt for something a l⛎ittle deeper making for a fantastic level of c♊ontrol no matter which genres you're playing. This is also a hot-swappable keyboard, so if you don't like the feel of these switches in particular you can always change them out for something else.
Performance: I enjoyed a rich, robust typing experience across the full Endgame deck, with very little wobble to larger keys and a soft, smooth feel to each keypress. Experimenting with different actuation speeds actually made a noticeable difference in more competitive endeavor𒐪s, and even the most sensitive of settings waﷺs still accurate due to a nice level of tension in the springs themselves.
Verdict: Its customization features, excellent typing feel, and premium build quality make the Endgame G𝔉ear KB65HE the best 65% keyboard I've tested yet. It's offering fantastic bang for buck value whether you're investing in your first deck or upgrading from something a little simpler.
I'll get it out of the way first, this is not a cheap device. The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Blackwidow V4 Pro comes in at $229 / £229, but if y💮ou're looking for this kind of pedigree power it's an investment well worth making.
Buy it if
✅ Macros are everything: With a massive range of macro commands at your dis♒posal, this is truly the best gaming keyboard for those after an all-in-one control panel.
✅ You want a sound dampened typing experience: While Razer doesn't always nail it with acoustics, the V4 Pro seems to be an outlier. There's a solid tꦿhud to every keystroke with a pleasant level of sound dampening under the main chassis.
✅ You want a command center for both work and play: These macros are excellent for gaming, but they also come in particularly h♔andy for productivity. I was primarily using the side buttons for everyday actions during work, but there are plenty of🍌 uses for the command dial as well.
Don't buy it if
❌ You don't need additional macro support: Of course, if you don't use macros you're not going to ge🦩t the best value for money here. This is an expensive keyboard because of that attention to extra controls.
❌ Desk space is a concern: This thing is🦄 also a monster. If you're working with a smaller desk, I'd seriously consider measuring every🥀thing up before buying.
❌ You need your keyboard to travel well: It goes without saying this beast of a keyboard won't play nice with🤪 a backpack - if you're looking to travel, check out a smaller 65% deck.
Design: Every inch of this massive deck feels superbly put together. There's a density that comes with these high quality materials that promises a high degree of durability. While I don't usually expect to see ABS keycaps in this $200+ price range, they're nicely textured and offer a solid response under the hand. That, combined with the internal sound dampening foam, makes for a particularly satisfying experience overall. That's a nice departure from the endless echoes of other gaming keyboards, particularly the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Huntsman V2.
The build materials are high quality, the aesthetic is on point, and the typing feel is satisfying - but that's not what makes the BlackWidow V4 Pro the best full-sized gaming keyboard. It's t💎he extra buttons and controls that handle that.
Features: The V4 Pro is everything one could want from a full-sized gaming keyboard, and then some. That control-panel style suite of dials and buttons will be the downfall of this latest relea🐽se in certain eyes - it's certainly not fit for a small setup - but if you're after a full command𝔉 centre and the macro support to back it up this is where you need to be looking.
The top of the deck sports your standard dedicated media playback controls with a volume roller to boot, but there's also the Command Dial. While underutilized, this is a handy piece of kit if you regularly switch programs. In-game it takes a little tinkering to really be useful (and it's placed a little too far away from the main deck to be considered easily grabbable), however, with 30 steps per revolution and up to eight functions there's plenty of pote꧋ntial hidden up here. On top of that, you've got five dedicated macro keys running along the left and three additional buttons to the side of the deck itself. That's an incredible suite of controls sure to satisfy even the most impatient combo arti𓃲sts.
While you're dropping the wireless🤡 connectivity of previous BlackWidow instalments, the V4 Pro makes up for it with USB passthrough, slick RGB lighting runninౠg full diameter of the deck and wrist rest, and a fantastic typing experience.
Performance: In general, gaming keyboards tend to focus their efforts on either speed or customization. The BlackWidow V4 Pro manages to na💧il both. I didn't necessarily notice the benefit of 8K hyper-polling in everyday play, but competitors are going to feel the benefits. Each key remained snappy and responsive across a wide range of genres, though, even if the larger size meant precision was a little reduced.
If you're loo𒉰king to pack as many macros as possible, this is the deck for you.
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro review
Verdict: The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro is a heavy purchase - both physically and in price. This is 🌜a massive rig that's going to take up considerable♔ space on the desk, but will provide an unparalleled level of control.
Every keyboard that takes up residency on my desk goes through a series of tests to see exac🃏tly how it ranks among the best decks on the market. I check everything from the n-key rollover to the keyboard's scan rate to make sure all features are as described, but I also put each set of keys through their paces through a series of genres and titles. I test response times, debounce, switch speeds, ease of macro use, travel, weight of switches, and polling rate using faster first person shooter and action titles as well as strategy, simulation, platformer, and racing genres as well.
I also pay close attention to how well ⛎the form factor lends itself to the useability and speed of each device. That means💦 I'm always judging whether the build materials are solid and watching out for flex, keycap wobble, and inconsistent or unreliable switches. I use each model for a minimum of two weeks at a time, bringing them into my daily life for work and play - so I can gather an early idea of whether any scuffs or scratches will appear from standard everyday use.
Crucially, I keep these keyboards in my rotation far beyond the publicat🔥ion of my final review - which means I can watch out for longer-term durability concerns and update m𓆏y findings as well.
My testing also covers those all-important switches. I check how well the actuation feel, traꦉvel distance, and speed comply with the overall design and intended use-case of the keyboard itself. I also fully strip and rebuild any hot-swappable keyboards that I review as well.
At the end of my testing, I make an assessment not just on performance, but also concerning the overall value of the product itself. Tജ𓃲hat means I measure all of my findings against the price point and competing models within that bracket as well.
You'll find the latest typing speed test resu🤡lts for all recently tested gaming keyboards below, and more thou𓆉ghts on decks that didn't make the top list further down.
Acer Predator Aethon 330 | The Acer Predator Aethon 330 is tricky to find in the US, and when it is available it's close to $100. That's just not cheap enough considering the echoey board, scratchy typing feel, ဣ🌠and awkward keybindings. For £50 it might be workable in the UK, if you're going all in on a wireless connection in your budget keyboard.
Cherry MX 3.1 | This is a super-soft typing experience like no other, so if you're after a silent 𝔉linear feel it's a must-see. However, t🃏here isn't the software or hardware support in here for the Cherry MX 3.1 to compete with similarly priced gaming keyboards.
Corsair K70 Pro TKL | The magnetic switches and excellent control dial on the Corsair K70 Pro TKL certainly work hard for this deck, as does the 8,000Hz polling rate fඣor competitive players. However, the switch feel is just a little too soft compared to its peers and the ABS keycaps on the UK model are disappointing. This deck doesn't do enough to beat others in its price range for most p𒈔layers, though competitive users may still want to take a look.
Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless | The Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless was my favorite 60% gaming keyboard before the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini came along. Even though you're not getting the adjust💫able switches of newer releases, there's still a wireless hot-swappable deck with up to 50 onboard profiles available here. These days, it's seeing regular discounts to boot.
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% | At $299.99 the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is a particul𒉰arly expensive gaming keyboard - unfortunately it doesn't do enough to justify that hꦇigh price tag compared not just to the rest of the market but also its non-wireless sibling. Its OLED display is among the best in town, and its wrist rest is a rarity these days, but considering it costs more than both the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 and Asus ROG Azoth without bringing much new to the table it's difficult to recommend.
Alienware Pro Wireless | The Alienware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard (there's a mouse and headset out under the same name) takes things back to pure mechanical joy. These are some super satisfying red linear clickers, seated in a slightly-squished 75% form factor. This is a high price point for a deck that dro𓆏ps a few features from other models in its class, though, and the Asus R🧸OG Azoth offers better battery life and onboard controls.
NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL | At $199.99, the NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL is just a hair cheaper than SteelSeries' top rig, but its switches ܫdon't offer the same level of intuitive feedback and the build quality feels a little cheaper in the hand. Considering there's only $20 in it at full MSRP, the Apex Pro is still the better buy. Competitive types after an 8,000Hz polling rate should certainly take a second look here, though.
Ducky One X | A full-sized Hall effect behemoth, the Ducky One X goes head to head with the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro in the 100% category. Its lack of dedicated gaming features, low battery life, and often janky software keep it out of the limelight. However, i🅷f you're after a softer-feeling set of magnetic clickeꦗrs it would be my first recommendation.
Lemokey P1 Pro | The Lemokey P1 Pro offers excellent value for money, with a much lower price tag than you'll usually find on a TKL hot-swappable wireless device. It doesn't quite have the software backing to go up against the likes of the SteelSeꦓries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3, though.
Glorious GMMK 3 | The Glorious GMMK 3 is a fantastic keyboard with endless customization options and a luxu💖rious typing feel. It's my favorite hot-swappable deck on the market, but if you're buying purely for gaming there's better value elsewhere.
Drop CTRL V2 | The D༺rop CTRL V2 brings the fan-favorite range up to more modern features and speeds, but still doesn't quite catch up to the rest of the market. You've got foam packing instead of gasket mounts and rudimentary software support - this was an iterative update that was necessary but not exactly a game-changer - especi𝓰ally at $200.
Cherry XTRFY K5V2 | The Cherry XTRFY K5V2 offers a smooth typing experience with an extensive array of onboard function controls. Unfortunately its low 🐲quality build means it doesn't quite make it onto this list.
Corsair K65 Plus Wireless | The Corsair Kౠ65 Plus Wireless looks, plays, and feels like a cheaper version of the Asus ROG Azoth. It's a solid deck by itself, boasting strong value in its smooth typing feel and wide feature set. You're getting a shorter battery life, lower quality build, and heavier switch feel compared to the ROG Azoth, though.
Razer BlackWidow V4 75% | Razer nailed its first hot-swappable gaming keyboard, with the BlackWidow V4 75% offering a🍷 luxurious typing feel, excellent acoustics, and a comfortable design. That said, it's no rival to the speed or features of the Asus ROG Azoth and it's still around the same price when the former's regular discounts are considered.
Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air | The Vulcan II Mini Air has 🌊a couple of tricks up its low profile sleeve - excellent power saving features, super bright RGB lighting, and a compact, lightweight form factor. The typing experience is particularly heavy, though, with ABS keycaps cheapening the feel as well.
Cherry MX 8.2 | It's odd that Cherry didn't make the MX 8.2 a hot-swappable keyboard, but as it stands the deck is a solid feeling and performing keyboard without too much extra flair. It's a little beige for its price tag, though, with no onboard 🌼memory, less vibrant RGB, and acous🍌tic reverb.
Gaming keyboards come in all shapes and sizes, but there are a few notes all decks must hit to be in with a shot on 🍨this top list. I'm looking for gaming keyboards that provide both speed and comfort while still offering up additional benefits from their form factors or extra controls.
Speed
Of course, speed is going to be at the top of my mꩲind when testing gaming keyboards - but thankfully there aren't too many decks from major brands that fall below the thre🐻shold for gaming. I make sure a gaming keyboard has at least a 1,000Hz polling rate straight off the bat, but beyond that I'm looking for key-spacing, switches, and build quality that can all lend itself to extra speed on the battlefield.
Comfort
If you're going to be tapping away at these decks for as long as me, they need to be comfortabl𒊎e. That doesn't just mean checking for a wrist rest when opening the box, though. I'm making sure the switches themselves are comfortable enough to press (and press quickly), the elevation of the keyboard lends itself to ergonomic use, and that the keycap materials remain comfortable at a range of dಌifferent temperatures and angles.
Battery
A wireless keyboard needs to be able to stand on its own two feet, so I'm always looking for gaming keyboards that can hold their charge. If a keyboard barely makes it past 20 hours, or falls well below of its stated battery life, it's goinܫg to be in a tricky position. I'm looking for a battery life that can make it through a week of work and play.
Sound
While preference for particul♔ar switch sounds are pretty personal, I'm constantly making sure that the switch really is the only sound I hear during testing. A lot of mechanical keyboards can suffer from rattle or ping, which can make the whole experience feel consid🐻erably cheaper. I'm looking for an auditory profile that keeps things focused on the thocc of your switch.
(Image credit: Future)
Software
If you want to set up your own keybindings, presets, or just tinker with the🗹 RGB lighting, you'll need to download your keyboard's respective software. The layout of these menus, ease of use, impact on system load, and range of customization options is always at the top of my checklist when testing gaming keyboards. I'm looking for software that keeps its footpri💫nt light, while offering easy and intuitive navigation across a good range of personalization points.
Reliability
We're a bit beyond making sure simultaneous presses are being recorded now, but reliability is still an important factor in my hunt for the best gaming keyboards. I'm looking for durable materials in both the keyca🀅ps and chassis, stabilizers without wobble, consistent RGB LEDs, and stable wireless connections.
Value for money
Above all else, I'm on the hunt for exce🐻llent value for money. After all, a brand can throw everything they have at a gaming keyboard and charge whatever they want for it - if it's too expensive for its features and performance it's never going to be the best g🐎aming keyboard. I'm looking for keyboards that sit fairly within their price range, especially at the higher end of the scale.
How to choose a gaming keyboard
(Image credit: Future)
The gaming keyboard market is massive, and there are plenty of different models out there all offering a sligh🦩tly different experience. Finding the right one for you can be tricky - especially if this is your first deck. However, there are a few key features that you can narrow down to in order to make sure you're getting the best experience for your playstyle. From size to switches, connections to caps, gaming keyboards are made up of a number of different elements - andဣ each one has an impact on how you interact with your games.
Connection
The first thing you'll likely want to decide on is your connection. A wireless gaming keyboard is better for travel and keeps your desk clutter-free. But you can save a considerable amount 🀅of cash if you just attach that little cable. Unlikeꦡ the world of gaming mice, the presence of that wire doesn't impact the actual experience of using a keyboard. However, if you plan on using your deck with multiple devices in your setup it's well worth investing in a 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connection.
Size
Once you've landed on one side of the wired vs wireless debate, it's time to take a look at ꦿyour desk top. Keyboards have evolved beyond the full-sized decks we came to accept back in the day - you can now get tiny 🌄60% models and even larger command centers.
Each comes with its own benefits. While many initially struggle 🔯with the finger gymnastics required by the smallest keyboards (most commands are assigned to a secondary functional layer), a 65% model is 𒐪perfect for those looking for a little more room to swing their mouse while still keeping a good amount of controls on board. 75% bumps you up to some extra navigational keys, and is preferable if you're using your keyboard for work as well as play but still want to keep things slim.
A full-sized model is going♑ to limit your mouse movements a little, but provides more options for extra keybindings and macros.
Typing feel
If you're going to be using your keyboard for heavier typing sessions, it's well worth investing in a model that borrows from the world of custom decks. Features like gasket mounting, tape modding, and foam dampeners have all made their way from the enthusiast space to gaming keyboards in the last year, and make for a fantastic feel when hammering through the keys. If, however, you're only really going to be running the WASD this kind of investment might be misplaced (these design features can drive up the pr𝕴ice a little).
Switches
The vast majority of keyboards come with a range of different switch options to choose from. However, once you've narrowed your selection down to a few candidates it's worth taking a look at the clickers yo💜u have available. More and more of the best gaming keyboards are actually hot-swappable (meaning you can easily replace the switches down the road), but picking up the kind of actuation speed and feel that suits you from day one is still important.
A linear switch is a smooth sweep down through the keypress, witho𒁏ut any bumps underneath. This is best for faster gameplay with repeat presses.
A tactile switch will present a small bump to the actuation halfway down the keypress - it's more satisfying and controlled, but not as fast when it comes to repeat pᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚresses.
So as not to run this glossary section for te🐼n pages, this guide focuses on key terms applied to gaming keyboards themselves, rather than the switches employed in them.
Anti-Ghosting - A gaming keyboard with anti-ghosting features will allow multiple keys to be pressed at the same time and still recognize all of the inputs separately.
Chatter - Chatter describes a fault in keyboard switches that appears with age. Multiple inputs are registered from a single keypress.
Doubleshot - Doubleshot is a process of adding legends to keycaps that increases durability by combining two layers of plastic.
Flex - Flex is a term used to describe the slight bending of the main keyboard chassis when pressure is applied or with typing force.
Gasket Mount - A gasket mount is a mounting style making its way to gaming keyboards. Rubber sheets are placed between the frames of the keyboard and the main plate for a softer typing feel and reduced unwanted sound.
Hotswap - Hotswapping a switch involves easily removing it from the casing of the keyboard and plugging another in. A hot-swappable keyboard will allow you to change the switches without having to solder anything.
Keycap - The plastic cover on top of a keyboard switch.
Macro - A macro is a keybinding or series of inputs programmed to a single keypress. A dedicated macro key is a set of keys set aside for this purpose.
N-Key Rollover - A keyboard advertized as having N-Key Rollover can detect and register simultaneous key presses of any number of keys.
Numpad - The array of number and navigational keys often found on the right hand side of a full-sized keyboard.
Optical (Switch) - An alternative to mechanical keys where light is used to trigger a keypress response rather than individually moving parts. An optical keyboard is faster than a mechanical one, but doesn't feature the same feedback.
PBT - A keycap material known for its superior durability and more textured feel compared to cheaper ABS.
PCB - The printed circuit board of the keyboard.
Ping - A reverberation of unfavorable high-pitched sound when a key is pressed.
Polling Rate - The speed at which the keyboard communicates with a PC.
Scan Rate - The speed at which the keyboard itself checks for new inputs.
Stabilizer - A set of two small bars used to hold larger keys in place and reduce wobble.
Switch - The component underneath a keycap that registers an input.
Gaming Keyboard FAQ
(Image credit: Future)
What are the best gaming keyboard brands?
If you're looking to narrow your search, or you're looking to build a whole ecosystem of RGB lighting, it's worth sticking to one brand.✅ I've had my ha🧔nds on a massive selection of keys, and our my top three brands are SteelSeries, Asus, and Razer. These are the brands that most often appear in our top roundup above, with plenty of range in their prices catering to entry level buyers and pros alike.
What is the difference between a keyboard and a gaming keyboard?
There are several features separating gaming keyboards from eꦅveryday office decks. The most immediately obvious is RGB lighting. Gaming models generally all feature customizable LEDs underneath the main keycaps, with a range of different effects to choose from. However, there are more differences that give gaming decks the edge in more competitive arenas. You're more likely to find a mechanical switch underneath your caps, for example, whereas ch൲eaper office keyboards regularly use softer membrane switches.
Mechanical switches are more satisfying and tactile and can actuate very quickly (especially when optical switches are introduced), whereas membrane models can feel a little squishier under the hand, and don't provide a fast debounce for repeat presses (find out more in our full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:mechanical vs membrane keyboard breakdown).
A gaming keyboard will generally also run much quicker. The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:polling rate will be set to a minimum of 1,000🍸Hz - meaning you have very little chance of your keypresses being missed by your PC. Most office keyboards have a polling rate of between 500Hz and 800Hz, dropping✨ as low as 125Hz in some models.
Other than speed, switches, and RGB, you may notice a gaming keyboard offering dedicated macro but♉tons🃏 for personalized keybindings, additional media controls, or tournament locks included.
What size gaming keyboard should you use?
Gaming kꦕeyboards come in a range of shapes and sizes. Thankfully these days we’re seeing fewer RGB bricks with jagged corners and a weight that would bend a desk. However, there’s still a good variety of size configurations to choose from.
🔯A TKL, 60 or 65% keyboard drops the number pad and may even lose your arrow buttons and function keys as well. That’s better for keeping your desk space, and making sure you can still swing your mouse around in the heat of battle, but can limit you functionally.
If you’re using your desk setup just for gaming, and that happens to be faster paced, more agile shooter titles, this is an excellent option. However, if you’re working on your keyboard as well, or if y🌳ou can’t do without your macros or media controls, a full sized board may be required.
Managing Editor of Hardware at GamesRadar+, I originally landed in hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving over to GamesRadar. In between, I've written for Tom’s Guide, Wireframe, The Indie Game Website and That ♏Video Game Blog, covering everything from the PS5 launch to the Apple Pencil. Now, i'm focused on Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops (and the keyboards, headsets and mice that come with them), PS5, and trying to find the perfect projector.
