Gaming Keyboard guide
Choosing the right gaming keyboard is crucial for any serious gamer. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which keyboard is right for you. In this guide, we will take a look at some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a gaming keyboard and help you understand the features and specifications that are important for an optimal gaming experience.
| Product | Description | Pros | Cons | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SteelSeries Apex Pro | Best quality | Tested | Expensive | 5/5 |
| Logitech G Pro X | Best overall | 5/5 | ||
| Corsair Gaming K70 RGB | Best budget | Tested | 5/5 | |
| Razer Huntsman Elite | Best for MMO's | 3/5 | ||
| HyperX Alloy FPS Pro | Best for FPS | 4/5 | ||
| Anne Pro 2 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard | Best for Fighting games | 3/5 |
Switch type
The switch type is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a gaming keyboard. The switches are responsible for registering key presses, and they can vary in terms of quality, durability, and feel. The most common switch types for gaming keyboards are mechanical, membrane and scissor-switch. Mechanical switches are known for their tactile feedback, durability, and satisfying click sound. Membrane switches are less tactile and have a softer feel but are more affordable. Scissor-switch are similar to membrane switches but have a more precise key-travel, making it more suitable for gaming.
Backlighting
Backlighting is a feature that allows you to see the keys in low-light conditions. This can be especially useful for gaming in the dark. Many gaming keyboards offer customizable backlighting, which allows you to change the color of the keys or create different lighting effects. Some keyboards also offer per-key backlighting, which allows you to customize the lighting for each individual key.
Macro keys
Macro keys are keys that can be programmed to perform specific actions or sequences of actions. Many gaming keyboards offer macro keys, which can be useful for gaming, especially for games that require a lot of keybinds.
Build quality
Build quality is another important factor to consider when choosing a gaming keyboard. Look for a keyboard that is durable and well-constructed. A keyboard with a metal frame or a heavy base is more likely to be sturdy and last longer.
Budget
Gaming keyboards can vary widely in price, so it's important to consider your budget when making your decision. Keep in mind that a more expensive keyboard may not always be the best option. Look for a keyboard that offers the features and specifications that you need at a price that you can afford.
How to Choose the Best Gaming Keyboard:
Keyboards don’t get much attention. Most people don’t even realize they have a keyboard sitting under their computer until it’s time to play some games. Even though this might seem like an obvious thing to check, not every gamer knows what makes a keyboard the best gaming keyboard. Some just go with what feels familiar and others go for the top-of-the-line model in hopes that it will be worth the cost. Either way, there is no harm in double-checking and reading up on different gaming keyboards before you make your purchase so you can get the most out of it.
Types of Gaming Keyboards
There are many different types of gaming keyboards, from compact and inexpensive ones to full-sized mechanical keyboards. There are also portable and wireless keyboards for those who want to take their gaming on the go. To make things even more confusing, some keyboards are designed for specific genres of games. For example, fighting games require a different key setup than role-playing games.
Differences Between Mechanical and LED Keys
One of the first things you may notice is the key types. Mechanical keys have a more authentic feel, while LED keys are more responsive and can be programmed to different colors. To decide between the two, consider how often you’ll be playing. If it’s mostly casual games, then a mechanical keyboard might be more than enough. If you play more advanced games, a better mechanical keyboard may help you find errors in your gameplay.
LED keys have become more popular over the years. Some people like the responsiveness of LED keys, while others find them a bit too clicky.
Determining key requirements for gaming
Many people are surprised to learn that technically, any keyboard can be used for gaming. Gaming hardware and accessories, however, are designed for specific genres of games. Mechanical gaming keyboards use actual physical keys, not LED keys or key switches. This means that mechanical keys don’t require any electricity and can’t be easily damaged with everyday wear and tear. LED keyboards, on the other hand, are either wireless or connected to a computer through a USB port. This means that they don’t need batteries and can be used even when the power is off. Although they can technically be used for gaming, mechanical keyboards are much more suited. Mechanical keys have a much softer yet more responsive touch than LED keys. They’re also more resistant to wear and tear, so they’ll last much longer than LED keyboards. As such, they are often recommended for gaming.
Brands to Consider
There are many brands out there who are specialists in their business so it's hard to say which brand is best in general, but for electronic products - especially for gaming - brands like Logitech, Steelseries, Corsair and others are very good.
Best Overall: Razer Blackwidow Tournament Edition
A gaming keyboard paired with a high-end gaming mouse is a great combination. The Razer Blackwidow Tournament Edition features mechanical keys, rubber key switches, and a detachable cord so you can take it anywhere. It even comes with a wrist rest so you can game comfortably. It also comes with a Razer Synapse 2.0 app that lets you customize the lighting and macros on the keyboard. It also features Razer Chroma lighting technology so you can play with up to 16.8 million colors. The Razer Blackwidow Tournament Edition also has a 10-key rollover keyboard that keeps all key presses from interfering with each other so you can input multiple commands at once without missing a beat.
The Razer Blackwidow Tournament Edition is the best overall gaming keyboard.Best Budget Choice: Corsair Gaming K70 RGB
If you want the best affordable mechanical gaming keyboard, the Corsair Gaming K70 RGB is your best bet. While the Blackwidow Tournament Edition is a high-end mechanical keyboard, the K70 RGB is a midrange option that’s still great for gaming. It features RGB lighting with up to 16.8 million color options and has a detachable cable so you can take it anywhere. It also features Japanese keycaps and a KRO-MILITARY grade certification which means it meets the same standards as military hardware. The Corsair K70 RGB is the best budget gaming keyboard.
Best For MMOs: Corsair Vengeance® Code Keyboard
The best MMO gaming keyboard is the Corsair Vengeance Code. It’s one of the best budget mechanical gaming keyboards, and it’s even better for MMO gaming. It features Cherry MX Brown switches that are great for typing and provide a satisfying click. It’s also one of the most durable keyboards on the market. It features anti-ghosting of up to 20 keys, which means you can press multiple keys without missing a beat. The best budget MMO gaming keyboard is the Corsair Vengeance Code.
Best For FPS: Razer Cynosa Chroma™ Pro-Keyboard
The best FPS gaming keyboard is the Razer Cynosa Chroma Pro. It’s a high-end mechanical gaming keyboard that’s great for competitive gaming. It features a fully anti-ghosting mechanical key matrix that’ll let you press all the keys without missing a beat. It’s also one of the few gaming keyboards with an integrated 16.8 million color RGB lighting system. You can choose from 16.8 million colors and tune the lighting with Razer Synapse software. The best FPS gaming keyboard is the Razer Cynosa Chroma Pro.
Best For Fighting Games: Razer Blackwidow Tournament Edition Chroma
The best fighting game gaming keyboard is the Razer Blackwidow Tournament Edition Chroma. It’s another high-end mechanical gaming keyboard that’s great for competitive gaming. It features a fully anti-ghosting mechanical key matrix that’ll let you press all the keys without missing a beat. It also features 8 million colors of RGB lighting with 12 lighting effects and a chroma-cycling mode that lets you cycle through up to 16.8 million colors. The best fighting game gaming keyboard is the Razer Blackwidow Tournament Edition Chroma.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the best gaming keyboard depends on your personal preferences and the type of games you play. It's important to consider the switch type, backlighting, macro keys, build quality, software, compatibility and budget when making your decision. Be sure to do your research and read reviews from other gamers to help you make an informed decision. Keep in mind that the most important thing is to find a keyboard that feels comfortable and that helps you play your best. Gaming keyboards can be a lot of fun, but finding the right one can be tricky. Mechanical keyboards have been around for a long time and are still by far the best choice for gaming. Mechanical keyboards use actual physical keys, not LED keys or key switches. This means that mechanical keys don’t require any electricity and can’t be easily damaged with everyday wear and tear. They’re also more resistant to wear and tear, so they’ll last much longer than LED keyboards. Mechanical keyboards also come with a more authentic feel. They have motors inside that press the keys and produce a linear, rhythmic sound. LED keyboards are either wireless or connected to a computer through a USB port. This means they don’t need batteries and can be used even when the power is off. LED keyboards are more responsive and can feel a bit clicky. They also come with more features, such as programmable keys and software. They’re also more fragile and harder to clean than mechanical keyboards. With so many different types of gaming keyboards to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one is best for you. The best way to ensure you get the best gaming keyboard for your needs is to do your research.