Top 10 Best Gaming Keyboards In 2021

What to Look for When Buying a Gaming Keyboard

Type:

Gaming Keyboards are available in wired and wireless designs. A wireless design will offer you better flexibility. However, you need to invest in the one that comes with a powerful battery. Select the one that lets you connect it with ease.

Switch Type:

You can find the one that can have a membrane and mechanical switches. A mechanical switch offers tactile response with better accuracy. It is also durable but can be expensive. When it comes to membrane switches, it has a quiet operation and offers a mushy feel. Most of it comes in a water-resistant design. Some can also come with scissor technology.

Macros:

With custom macros, there will be dedicated controls. You will have to check the model carefully and then make your purchase. Always see if it allow you to reprogram the keys and have better functionality.

RGB LED Lights:

RGB LED lights help to create a perfect gaming atmosphere. Some will allow you to choose from multiple light modes. You can find the one that will allow you to adjust the lights for having a custom operation.

Comfort:

An ergonomic design will offer you better comfort. For optimal comfort, you need to see the overall design. Some can also come with an integrated wrist wrest that helps to prevent fatigue.

Others:

Always see if the gaming keyboard allows you to use it for a long time. A waterproof design can be a perfect purchase. Look at the keycaps carefully. Additionally, you can see if it is compatible with your operating system.

10. Redragon Multimedia Gaming Keyboard

This is a gaming keyboard from a company that understands that you may not always have a huge budget to blow on entertainment. They have made gaming equipment in various price segments to ensure that they cater to everyone.

We like that the mouse is a whole device as opposed to just an addition to the keyboard. The mouse is designed in such a way that it caters to any hand size.

It fits perfectly and has a balanced weight which makes it easy to put your fingers on. You also have control over the sensitivity of the mouse. The cable is encased in fabric and is a comfortable length.

The keyboard itself comes with up to 7 different backlit lighting modes. You can also choose the level of light intensity. The keys offer tactile feedback with low noise. The keyboard comes with an additional 8-piece set that you can use to weight tune. You also get a wrist rest to prevent your hand from straining.

Pros

• 7 different lighting modes
• 10 dedicated multimedia keys
• Works well with windows and some Mac versions

Cons

• Is not fully compatible with Mac OS

9. Razer Chroma Gaming Keyboard

This gaming keyboard from Razer offers a customized gaming experience. The keyboard allows you to fully program keys and key combinations to suit specific commands.

This gives you better control over the board. The keyboard also allows you to make up to 10 commands at a go. You can sync this keyboard with up to 30 gaming partners, and it also supports up to 16 million colors.

Gaming can often be an intense and time-consuming experience to the point where you may not have time to get up to eat or drink. It does come in handy to have your food near you, and because accidents happen, as one of the best gaming keyboards, this model from Razer comes fitted with a spill-resistant design.

This is a durable model that supports up to 80 million clicks. This is a high amount even for an avid gamer. To ensure that you get the most out of your purchase, the keyboard comes with a 2-year warranty.

Pros

• Fully programmable keys
• Spill-resistant design
• 2-year warranty

Cons

• Users complain of the intrusive software

8. Redragon K580 Gaming Keyboard

This is another product from Redragon that joins our list of the best gaming keyboards. With this model, you get up to 5 programmable macro keys. You can program these macros straight from the keyboard, and without having to use any additional software.

The board also comes with dedicated media controls. If you are listening to music as you play, these buttons allow you to skip, play, pause music from your keyboard without you having to stop playing your game. You can also adjust the music’s volume with a volume wheel. You can use the same adjust wheel to control the backlight brightness.

With the 104 keys anti-ghosting, you can easily press multiple keys at once. The keys offer nice tactile feedback with little to no noise. You can continue to use your keyboard even in the dark thanks to the 18 backlight colors you can choose from. The keyboard also offers edge lighting which improves your overall experience.

Pros

• 5 programmable macro keys
• Dedicated multimedia controls
• 18 backlight modes

Cons

• No CD software included, requires you to download

7. Corsair K55 Gaming Keyboard

Anything can happen as you immerse yourself in your game. If you had drinks nearby and accidentally spilled them, you won’t have to worry and that is because the keyboard is dust and spill-resistant. It offers IP42 protection to ensure that you can continue your game, even after you accidentally spilled something on it.

Just like some of the best gaming keyboards, this one comes with a soft wrist pad for you to rest your hand on during long gaming hours. This prevents unnecessary strain on your arm. Dedicated media buttons give you direct control over your music without you interfering with your game. You can easily stop, play, skip, or adjust the volume of your multimedia.

As you’ll be using your keys a lot, you’ll want a quiet experience that you can fully focus on your game. The keys on this keyboard are very quiet and offer good tactile feedback. The board comes with 6 programmable macro keys.

Pros

• Spill and dust-resistant design
• Dedicated media controls
• Quiet keys with tactile feedback

Cons

• Hangs with the use of controllers

6. Redragon Combo Gamer Bundle

With this gaming keyboard, it is similar to its sibling the Redragon S101, but instead of just a gaming keyboard, it comes as a gamer combo bundle. This means that in addition to the keyboard, you also get a mouse and a headset. This is great especially if you didn’t want to shop for a headset separately.

For a truly customized gaming experience, this keyboard comes with 7 different lighting modes that you can use when you’re playing in the dark.

Additionally, you have control over how bright the backlit light is; it is adjustable up to 4 levels. The keyboard also has 10 dedicated multimedia control buttons.

The mouse is housed in an ergonomic design and comes with 5 programmable buttons, a fast game engine, an 8-piece tuning set and a high-speed USB cable. As one of the best gaming keyboards, it comes with a headset with a microphone and speakers that deliver audio precision.

Pros

• Comes as an all-inclusive bundle
• 7 lighting modes and 4 brightness levels
• User-adjustable gaming mouse

Cons

• Users complain the mouse is too large

5. Havit LED Gaming Keyboard

This keyboard from Havit offers a more unique gaming experience. Unlike some of the best gaming keyboards that offer single colored backlit options, this model from Havit takes it a notch higher by offering a rainbow effect for the backlight. This offers a unique experience that gamers will appreciate. And, even if you do not like the effect, you can opt to disable it.

The gaming keyboard comes with a mouse that is ergonomically shaped offering you a great user experience. The mouse is just the right weight in your hands and offers up to 4800 DPI.

It also comes with a wrist rest that comes in handy for when longer gaming periods. The mouse offers good response sensitivity and precision gaming thanks to its sensitive sensor.

The keyboard comes with dedicated media control keys that enable you to control your multimedia without stopping the game. It also has 19 conflict-free keys and interchangeable keys.

Pros

• Rainbow backlit system
• Wired gaming mouse
• Anti-ghosting and multifunctional keys

Cons

• Users complain of inconsistent mouse sensitivity and controls

4. Razer Elite Gaming Keyboard

One of the most unique features that you are unlikely to find amongst the best gaming keyboards, is the Razer green switch technology that the company offers with this model. This technology gives you control over the speed, noise, and tactile feedback of the keys.

You get to choose between three modes where one offers a tactile and clicky experience. The second option offers tactile and silent feedback while the third option offers linear and silent feedback. You can choose between the three modes to suit your preference.

Also included in the purchase is a gaming mouse that is touted as having the most advanced optical sensor. With this mouse, you also get a scroll wheel resistance. The gaming headset that comes with this keyboard can mold itself to the shape of your head.

The headset is durable and comfortable to wear. With the hyper shift function, you can easily activate macros while not having to interfere with your base key functions.

Pros

• Razer green switch technology
• Full personalization experience
• Fully programmable macros

Cons

• Cheap quality design

3. Razer Huntsman Gaming Keyboard

Another product from Razer makes its way onto our list of the best gaming keyboards. With its Razer Optical switches, this keyboard can register key presses at the speed of light.

The keyboard also has fully programmable macros which enable you to choose how you want your keys to function. For those moments when you’ll be gaming for hours, you won’t have to worry about your wrist. The keyboard comes with a leatherette feature that ensures that your wrist is settled comfortably at all times. Made from high-quality aluminum, the keyboard is sturdy and durable.

You can sync this keyboard with the most popular games, hardware from Razer and it supports up to 16 million colors. It is also compatible with over 30 partners. You are assured that this gaming keyboard will offer you good service in the years to come. This unit does come with a 2-year warranty period, which is more than what most competitors are offering.

Pros

• High-quality aluminum construction
• Fully programmable macros
• Highly durable with a 2-year warranty

Cons

• Misleading onboard memory feature marketing

2. Razer Tournament Gaming Keyboard

If you are a pro gamer who often participates in tournaments then this is the keyboard for you. It is a tenkeyless design which makes it easier to position to use. It also takes up less space than a regular keyboard, and this comes in handy when you have other gaming equipment.

With Razer Chroma, you get a fully customizable experience. You can fully program the macro keys to suit whatever function you need. You also have control over the backlights as well as the intensity of the light.

As one of the best gaming keyboards, you also get dedicated multimedia buttons that allow you to control your music without interfering with your gaming.

Razer is known for its switch design, and they boast that this model uses its fastest switch design to date. This is ideal for gamers since the keys can register at the speed of light. Made from quality materials, the keys are thermoplastic which lends to the keyboard’s premium feel.

Pros

• Fastest Razer switch design
• Tenkeyless design for better positioning
• Detachable Type-C cable

Cons

• Software incompatibility with some windows versions

1. Razer Huntsman Elite Gaming Keyboard

The top position on our review of the best gaming keyboards goes to this Elite Huntsman model from Razer. It boasts of being among the first keyboards to use optical switches.

Design-wise, it offers everything you have come to love about Razer’s keyboards; raised tactile keys sitting in a premium aluminum case. Despite it being eye-catching, it stands out less as compared to other Razer designs.

Like other gaming keyboards, this one too comes with dedicated media control buttons. These buttons allow you to pause, play, and skip music without interfering with your gaming experience.

A small dial control enables you to lower or raise the volume. A second function is that the dial also controls the intensity of the backlight.

For longer gaming periods, your hands are likely to get tired and this keyboard thoughtfully comes with a wrist rest. The wrist rest and the keyboard are connected through magnets and they sit flush against each other. The keys rely on infra-red light to register and they are lightning-fast.

Pros

• Smart design
• A variety of lighting options
• Hybrid switches

Cons

• Inconsistent software

Frequently Asked Questions

What gaming keyboard should I buy?

Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition Gaming Keyboard is our top pick. The structure of the gaming keyboard is ergonomic, and the design is beautiful. The RGB LED lights are stunning, and the construction is highly durable. The keyboard offers a highly comfortable experience, and the grip will be better.

Is Corsair or Razer better?

Razer is a better brand in the gaming keyboard segment. It scores over popular brands like Corsair, Logitech, Alienware in terms of quality, design, comfort, and durability. The brand offers a variety of gaming keyboards to match the various requirements of the gamers.

How long should a gaming keyboard?

The longevity of a gaming keyboard depends on how long you are using the keyboard daily and how roughly you are handling it. Ideally speaking, a strong gaming keyboard can be best for 3-5 years for rigorous gamers. Otherwise, they should last somewhere between 5 to 10 years.

Is a mechanical keyboard good for gaming?

Yes, a mechanical gaming keyboard can be good for gaming. There are many professional gamers who prefer a mechanical gaming keyboard over a typical gaming keyboard. This is because a mechanical keyboard is highly durable, tactical in design, and faster in execution.

What keyboard do pro gamers use?

There are various popular brands available in the gaming keyboard category, but most of the popular gamers use Razer gaming keyboards. There are various Razer gaming keyboards available Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition Gaming Keyboard, Razer Huntsman Elite Gaming Keyboard, and Razer BlackWidow Elite Gaming Keyboard.

Conclusion

With the right gaming equipment, your gaming can go from “meh” to “awesome” pretty quickly. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you could benefit from the advantages that the best gaming keyboards have to offer. Your regular keyboard just won’t cut it. Choose any board from our list for a better gaming experience.