The most effective gaming keyboards of 2024

Connectivity: USB-C | Measurement(s): 60 % | Switches: Gateron Lekker Linear60 | Sizzling-Swappable: Sure | Materials: Plastic | Keycap materials: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (north or south-facing) | Software program: Wootility

With most gaming keyboards, claims of “enhancing your play” are simply advertising and marketing fluff. With the Wooting 60HE+, it’s truly true — or at the very least, it may be. The secret’s its analog Lekker switches, which may reply to various ranges of stress, very like the triggers on a PlayStation or Xbox controller. These use magnetic Hall effect sensors, so that they have fewer bodily contact factors that may endure from put on and tear over time.

This setup permits just a few genuinely useful options. For one, you may regulate the actuation level of every key anyplace between an ultra-low 0.1mm and 4mm, in 0.1mm steps. With a fast-paced FPS, setting the actuation level low makes the keys extra delicate and thus exceptionally aware of fast actions. For a turn-based RPG or just typing, elevating that pre-travel distance makes every press extra deliberate and fewer vulnerable to errors. You may as well combine and match, making your WASD keys sooner to actuate however leaving the remaining at a much less sensitive degree.

One other characteristic, “rapid trigger,” registers the actuation and reset factors of a key press dynamically. This allows you to re-actuate a key mid-press, earlier than it has to go all the way in which again up, so you may repeat inputs sooner. It’s a boon for taking pictures and rhythm video games particularly: In a 1v1 shootout in Halo Infinite, you may strafe, cease and begin with a little bit extra velocity and granularity. We’re nonetheless speaking milliseconds of distinction, however generally that’s all that separates defeating a foe and leaving them with a sliver of well being.

Past that, you may tie as much as 4 actions to 1 key primarily based on how far it’s pressed. In Halo, as an example, I’ve made it so I can mark enemies and change grenades by long-pressing Q and E, respectively — i.e., the keys proper subsequent to WASD. Brief-pressing these keys, in the meantime, nonetheless lets me use their default bindings. In one other sport, you can flippantly press a key to drag out a grenade, absolutely press to throw it, then launch to reequip your major weapon. All of this requires some mind retraining, nevertheless it finally lessens the necessity to contort your fingers to carry out a full set of instructions. Which, in flip, can prevent extra valuable seconds throughout a battle.

As a result of the keys are pressure-sensitive, you may as well set them to imitate an Xbox controller. With a racing sport Forza Horizon 5, the W and S keys might stand in for the LT and RT buttons, whereas A and D replicate the left joystick. Does this really feel as pure as utilizing actual joysticks or a good wheel? In fact not. However for video games that don’t count on you to make use of a mouse alongside the keyboard, it’s actually not as clunky as you’d count on.

That caveat is necessary: Loads of video games aren’t designed with analog keyboards in thoughts, so don’t count on the 60HE+ to exchange your gamepad. Proudly owning this received’t magically make you a top-tier participant both. While you’re up towards different individuals round your talent degree, although, the additional little bit of precision these options present is tangible.

There’s been a wave of Corridor impact keyboards launched within the final 12 months, however the 60HE+ stands out for getting a lot of the fundamentals proper. Whereas there are definitely nicer-feeling mechanical keyboards, its double-shot PBT keycaps really feel crisp, its keys are well-spaced and the pre-lubed, linear-style switches are easy and satisfying to press. (They’re technically hot-swappable too, although the 60HE+ is barely designed to simply accept Corridor impact switches.) It sounds a smidge chattery, nevertheless it’s nonetheless pleasing to the ear and never particularly loud. The compact case doesn’t flex or wobble. Crucially, the charmingly-named Wootility software program makes it straightforward to remap keys, assign macros, create profiles and or regulate the RGB lighting. Refreshingly, it’s additionally completely accessible through the web. That per-key backlighting is tidy, and altering profiles proper from the keyboard is easy.

That mentioned, there are just a few downsides. The case, whereas sturdy, is basically plastic and solely has one incline setting. It doesn’t include a wrist relaxation (although you may buy one individually for $30), and the 60 % format received’t be for everybody. If you wish to add devoted arrow keys and a numpad, get the full-size Wooting Two HE as an alternative. A brand new 80 % mannequin referred to as the 80HE can be on the way in which, although it’s solely up for pre-order as of this writing. Simply know that you may solely purchase every gadget from Wooting, which sells its gear in batches.

Additionally price noting: We beforehand really helpful an older model of this gadget, the 60HE, in our high spot. The “Plus” mannequin is a really minor revision that adds support for screw-in stabilizers however is in any other case similar.

Connectivity: USB-C | Measurement(s): 80 % | Switches: Razer Linear Optical Crimson (examined), Purple | Sizzling-Swappable: No | Materials: Plastic with aluminum high plate | Keycap materials: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (north-facing) | Software program: Razer Synapse 3

In the event you don’t want all the additional options of an analog keyboard just like the Wooting 60HE+ and simply need one thing rather less expensive, think about the Razer Huntsman V2 TKL. There’s no speedy set off, analog enter or customized actuation right here — only a strong, well-built keyboard from a significant model that works reliably for gaming.

The most effective factor concerning the Huntsman V2 is that it’s unusually quiet, as an inside layer of sound-dampening foam offers it a pleasant muffled tone with no audible pinging. The linear optical switches are gentle and responsive, however bottoming out doesn’t really feel stiff. The double-shot PBT keycaps have an agreeable texture, whereas the aluminum-coated case doesn’t creak or flex. The per-key RGB lighting shines by the keycaps neatly. Nearly each secret’s macro-programmable, the entire thing connects over a removable USB-C cable, and it comes with a plushy leatherette wrist relaxation within the field. The latter isn’t magnetic although. And whilst you can sneeze and discover one million complaints about Razer’s Synapse software program across the internet, I’ve all the time discovered it simpler to learn than many competing apps. That claims extra concerning the state of gaming software program than Synapse, however nonetheless.

I particularly advocate the mannequin with Razer’s crimson linear switches; one other model has purple clicky switches, however these sound harsher and have a barely larger actuation level (1.5mm as an alternative of 1.2mm). There are different shortcomings, too: There is no hot-swap, and bigger keys like on the house bar, backspace and enter are a tad extra wobbly than all the things else. The keyboard can technically help as much as an 8,000Hz polling rate, however that’s largely a gimmick. Devoted media keys can be good, too.

The Huntsman V2 TKL is just a few years previous, and Razer has since launched a brand new Huntsman V3 Professional line (which we observe under). Razer sells full-size and analog versions of the Huntsman V2, however these are often priced too near the extra versatile Wooting 60HE and Two HE to advocate. (Shortly earlier than this information was revealed, the company did announce a brand new Huntsman V3 Pro line with a extra Wooting-esque characteristic set; we plan to check that quickly, although Razer is preserving the V2 fashions round at a lower cost.) At its preliminary MSRP of $160, we’d skip it, however today it’s typically out there for $50 to $60 much less. At that value, it’s a high-quality worth when you should have a gaming-branded keyboard. Do observe, nonetheless, that we spotlight a extra conventional mechanical keyboard on this value vary under.

Connectivity: USB-C | Measurement(s): 65 % | Switches: Kailh Crimson | Sizzling-Swappable: Sure | Materials: Plastic | Keycap materials: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (north-facing) | Software program: None

If you wish to pay as little as attainable for a suitable, honest-to-goodness gaming keyboard, get the G.Skill KM250 RGB. For $45, it gives PBT keycaps, hot-swappable switches, per-key RGB backlighting, adjustable ft, a removable USB-C cable and even a devoted quantity management knob. Its translucent “pudding” keycaps look funky however assist showcase these RGB results. The linear Kailh Red switches are fast and easy sufficient, with out the pinging noise that usually plagues price range keyboards. Its 65 % format doesn’t chew up house, nevertheless it nonetheless matches in a set of arrow keys. Although there’s no devoted software program for programming the KM250, you may shortly swap by lighting results proper from the gadget. Avoiding potential bloatware could also be higher at this value anyway.

Now, this isn’t a miracle. The plastic body is light-weight and surprisingly sturdy, however you don’t get the extent of sound-dampening foam, strengthened stems or pre-lubed springs you’d discover in a extra premium keyboard. Key presses sound hollower and really feel a bit stiffer if you backside out consequently. Plus, whereas having PBT keycaps in any respect on this vary is nice, they aren’t as pleasingly textured as dearer choices.

However come on, it’s $45. For that value, all the things right here is past useful. And when you ever wish to improve a few of its lesser parts, you may.

Connectivity: 2.4GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Measurement(s): 80 % | Switches: SteelSeries OmniPoint 2.0 | Sizzling-Swappable: No | Materials: Plastic with aluminum high plate | Keycap materials: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (north-facing) | Software program: SteelSeries GG

If you’d like a gaming keyboard you may tackle the street, otherwise you simply despise cable muddle, take a look at the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless. Much like the Wooting keyboards above, its linear-style switches use magnetic Corridor impact sensors, which open up a variety of legitimately helpful gaming options. You possibly can elevate or decrease the actuation factors of particular person keys anyplace between 0.1mm and 4mm, allow a rapid trigger mode to repeat presses sooner and bind a number of instructions to 1 key primarily based on how far it’s pushed. (To present one other instance, you can flippantly press W to stroll, then maintain it to run.) There’s no full-on analog mode, and you may “solely” assign two actuation-based instructions to a key without delay, however the Apex Professional TKL nonetheless permits for finer management than most wi-fi keyboards.

The “keyboard” a part of the Apex Professional TKL is passable as properly. The double-shot PBT keycaps keep away from grime and aren’t overly sculpted, so that they’re straightforward to succeed in. The aluminum-plated chassis is powerful, and the per-key RGB appears high-quality. You possibly can join over a 2.4GHz dongle, Bluetooth or a removable USB-C cable. There’s a set of ft with two incline angles across the again and a magnetic wrist relaxation within the field. On the entrance is a quantity curler and a mini OLED show, the latter of which helps you to test the battery, shortly swap profiles, regulate the actuation, set macros, change backlight brightness and even see information from certain apps.

You’d purchase this for gaming before everything although. The Corridor impact switches are comfortable, however there’s an audible, mildly sharp click on to every press. It’s not harsh, nevertheless it’s not soothing. The house bar, nonetheless, is noticeably louder and extra hollow-sounding than all the things else. (The switches aren’t hot-swappable both, although that’s not a shock given their distinctive design.) SteelSeries’ GG software is a bit wonkier to navigate than Wooting’s Wootility app, too; I typically needed to depart it open to make sure my customized actuation profiles weren’t overridden. The battery life, estimated round 40 hours with the wi-fi dongle, isn’t all that lengthy both.

And with an inventory value of $250, none of this comes low cost. If typing and key really feel is your major concern, we’ve a pair higher values in our honorable mentions under. However for gaming particularly, the Apex Professional TKL’s characteristic set and quick keys give it the sting. SteelSeries makes several other Apex Professional keyboards in numerous type components, however we’d advocate certainly one of Wooting’s choices over these until it’s essential to go wi-fi.

Connectivity: 2.4GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Measurement(s): 65 %, 75 % (customary or Alice format), 80 % (examined), 96 %, one hundred pc | Switches: Gateron Jupiter Brown (examined), Crimson, Banana | Sizzling-Swappable: Sure | Materials: Plastic | Keycap materials: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (south-facing) | Software program: VIA

In the event you aren’t intense about esports-style on-line play and simply desire a good mechanical keyboard you may as well use for video games, attempt the Keychron V3 Max. For lower than $100, it gives a wi-fi body with hot-swappable switches, double-shot PBT keycaps and a quantity knob. By default, it comes with Gateron’s Jupiter Crimson (linear), Brown (tactile) or Banana (extra tactile) switches; the Jupiter Reds are sufficiently gentle for on a regular basis gaming and, with the assistance of an inside gasket mount and a number of layers of sound-dampening foam, largely quiet. Every change comes pre-lubed, which helps maintain the out-of-the-box typing expertise from feeling or sounding low cost. Presses make a beautiful little pop. The keycaps are comfortably spaced and gently rounded, making it simpler to keep away from unintended inputs, although they’ve a considerably a considerably excessive profile, to allow them to really feel a little bit extra in the way in which than the keys on the Apex Professional or Huntsman V2 TKL for fast actions. All of it connects over a detachable USB-C cable, Bluetooth or a wi-fi adapter, and there are USB-C and USB-A dongles within the field.

The V3 isn’t as targeted on ultra-low latency as a devoted gaming keyboard, and it doesn’t have any of the particular options out there with the Wooting 60HE+ or Apex Professional TKL Wi-fi, nevertheless it ought to be responsive sufficient for all however probably the most aggressive gamers. A built-in change permits you to swap between Home windows and macOS modes, and there are OS-specific keycaps within the field. You possibly can program the board by the free VIA software, which can take a second to determine and isn’t loaded with gaming-specific tips, however nonetheless permits you to remap keys, create macros or regulate the backlight throughout OSes. It is also accessible over the net.

The V3 Max’s keys are individually backlit, and you may regulate its RGB results proper from the board. This appears odd with the default, non-translucent keycaps although. There’s a pair of foldable ft on the again, however this can be a high-profile keyboard with no included wrist relaxation, so it’s not the most ergonomic setup. The chassis can be made from plastic, so it’s laborious to name “premium.” And the stabilizers may very well be higher: There’s a faint however audible rattle when urgent the backspace or enter keys, whereas the house bar is louder and extra hollow-sounding than all the things else. Nonetheless, this can be a snug and customizable entry level for these seeking to get into mechanical keyboards as a interest, one which’s nicer for typing than the Huntsman V2 TKL. It’s a robust worth for non-twitchy video games.

The V3 Max is a tenkeyless mannequin, however Keychron sells a number of different size and layout options within the V Max sequence as properly. We beforehand really helpful the Keychron V3, an older wired mannequin, and that one continues to be strong if you wish to save a bit extra. However the Max’s wi-fi connectivity and improved acoustics make it a greater purchase.

Connectivity: 2.4GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Measurement(s): 60 %, 75 % (examined), 96 % | Switches: NuPhy Aloe, Cowberry, Wisteria, Moss; Gateron Low-Profile Crimson 2.0, Brown 2.0, Blue 2.0 | Sizzling-Swappable: Sure | Materials: Aluminum and plastic | Keycap materials: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (south-facing) | Software program: VIA

A low-profile keyboard combines the flatter form of a laptop computer keyboard with the extra gratifying really feel of mechanical switches. In comparison with typical mechanical keyboards, low-profile fashions aren’t as tall, and their switches have a shorter journey distance. This could make it tougher to kind precisely, however since low-profile switches often require little drive to actuate, they’re virtually inherently well-suited for gaming.

In the event you like this kind of design, get the NuPhy Air75 V2. Just like the Keychron V3 Max, it’s not outright marketed for gaming, so it’s not as feature-rich as our different picks, nevertheless it’s adequate on the necessities to be worthwhile. Latency is low sufficient for on-line shooters, and the linear “Daisy” switches in my take a look at unit are gentle and responsive throughout video games. They backside out shortly, to allow them to pressure your fingers over time, however they’re quick. The keys additionally sound good, with a light clack to every press. If you’d like one thing extra tactile, clicky and even lighter, NuPhy sells the Air75 V2 with a number of different change choices as properly. (NuPhy technically does not pre-configure the gadget with the Daisy switches, however the “Cowberry” mannequin ought to really feel comparable, if a bit sooner.) The switches are additionally hot-swappable, although the marketplace for low-profile keycaps and switches isn’t tremendous in depth.

The board itself is impressively slim, so that you don’t must contort your wrists to kind comfortably. It is a 75 % mannequin, so it saves house but squeezes in arrow keys and a full Fn row. (The format can really feel a little bit overstuffed, however I’d fairly have extra devoted keys than fewer.) Whereas the chassis will flex a tiny bit when you push down laborious, the keys are steady, the stabilizers don’t rattle and the fold-out ft are agency. The extensive, double-shot PBT keycaps give ample room for every press. Plus, all of it appears form of cute. There’s per-key RGB as properly, however the default keycaps aren’t shine-through, so the impact appears clumsy — plus it’ll drain the battery sooner.

On a associated observe, that is one other wi-fi mannequin that may join over a USB dongle, Bluetooth or a detachable USB-C cable. I did discover just a few connection hiccups with the dongle at launch after I had a wi-fi mouse paired on the identical time, however firmware updates appear to have fastened these points. The gadget works with Home windows, macOS and Linux, with system-specific keys within the field and a change on the highest for swapping between the primary two platforms. No matter OS, it makes use of the VIA software program for remapping keys, assigning macros and the like, similar to the Keychron V3 Max. (As of this writing, you might must do a little extra setup to get VIA to acknowledge the keyboard, however not a lot.) With the backlight off, NuPhy says it may last as long as 220 hours; with it on, that drops between 35 and 57 hours. Simply observe that it comes from a smaller firm, so it could take a little bit longer than typical to ship.

Connectivity: 2.4GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Measurement(s): 75 % | Switches: Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula | Sizzling-Swappable: Sure | Materials: Aluminum | Keycap materials: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (south-facing) | Software program: Keychron Launcher

The Keychron Q1 HE is basically the gaming variant of Keychron’s Q Max series, which is the highest decide in our information to the best mechanical keyboards. It’s a wi-fi mannequin with Corridor impact switches and a 75 % format that sits between the 60HE+ and Apex Professional TKL Wi-fi when it comes to measurement. On uncooked construct and typing high quality alone, it blows our high picks out of the water. Its full aluminum body has zero flex, whereas its double-gasket mount design and pre-lubed magnetic switches make keystrokes really feel springy. Layers of noise-dampening materials maintain all the things sounding nice, minor rattling on the house bar apart. Like different Corridor impact keyboards, it gives customizable actuation, a speedy set off mode, the power to assign a number of instructions to 1 key and a gamepad-style analog mode.

Alas, Keychron’s new Launcher software — which the corporate debuted alongside the Q1 HE — doesn’t fairly match as much as its {hardware}. As we write this, for one, Launcher received’t acknowledge the keyboard until you join it with a cable. Truly setting your profiles isn’t as intuitive as it’s in SteelSeries’ GG app or (particularly) Wooting’s Wootility both, and you may solely save three profiles to the onboard reminiscence.

The adjustable actuation vary (0.5mm to three.8mm) is technically shorter than both the 60HE+ or Apex Professional, and I ran right into a bug the place the keyboard would keep in sleep mode if left idle for a number of minutes until I switched it on and off once more. And whereas the design is unbelievable for on a regular basis use, the sculpted keycaps can take simply that little bit longer to succeed in if you’re frantically transferring round. The keycaps aren’t shine-through, both, so any RGB results are muted. (In the event you tie sure RGB results to particular profiles, this will additionally make it tougher to inform which profile you’re truly utilizing.) None of those quirks are deal breakers, however the Apex Professional TKL is a barely smoother expertise if you’d like a premium wi-fi keyboard for video games before everything.

Connectivity: 2.4GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Measurement(s): 96 % | Switches: ASUS ROG NX Snow (examined), Storm | Sizzling-Swappable: Sure | Materials: Plastic with aluminum high plate | Keycap materials: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (north-facing) | Software program: Armoury Crate

The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless (phew) is one other sturdy different to the Apex Professional sequence if you wish to go wi-fi. It’s a pleasure to kind on, with very good sound dampening, pre-lubed ROG NX switches, an impressively sturdy case and steady, PBT-coated keys. It’s hot-swappable, its battery life ranking is far larger than the Apex Professional TKL Wi-fi (90 hours with RGB on) and it has a multi-function key that places quantity, media and RGB controls in a single place. At $180, it’s additionally $70 cheaper than our SteelSeries decide. That mentioned, it doesn’t have the speedy set off or customized actuation tips of Corridor impact keyboards just like the Apex Professional TKL Wi-fi, and ASUS’s Armoury Crate software program is a little bit of a large number. However when you care about typing expertise greater than additional gaming-friendly options, it’s glorious.