The best gaming keyboard is responsive, reliable, and probably plastered in RGB lights. It's important you pick the right one for your desktop, too. Besides a gaming mouse, you'll interact with your gaming keyboard more than any other piece of hardware on your desk. There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all gaming keyboard because preferences vary from gamer to gamer. The number of options you have these days for gaming keyboards can feel overwhelming. Even keyboard switches come in all colors and types, which means you might want to read up on the best mechanical keyboard switches around before heading to checkout. Then it comes down to whether you go with a 60% tenkeyless keyboard to save precious desk real-estate or a full-sized keyboard packed with media controls? Are you more a Cherry Red or for Razer Green type of person when it comes to switches? If you're still confused or just unsure what you want, we can help determine what keyboard style is right for you.
Below we picked out the
best gaming keyboards we tested this year to accommodate most gamers'
particular needs and wants. We also tested out the best cheap gaming keyboards
that won't upset your bank account if these choices are a bit out of your price
range.
A computer keyboard designed for gamers. Although several
controllers have dials and levers for games, the W, A, S, and D letter keys on
the standard QWERTY keyboard are also widely used. On gaming keyboards, which are mostly
mechanical, the key switches require less depression and result in faster
action for games. There may also be extra keys that are user-configurable for
macros (commonly used key sequences). See video game controller, gaming mouse,
gaming PC, mechanical keyboard, WASD keys and macro.
The Faster the Switch the Better
The major criterion is the speed of the key switch. Known as the
"actuation distance," it is how far the key has to be depressed to
make contact with the electronic circuit. The shorter the distance, the faster
the key responds. A standard mechanical switch has a 2-millimeter actuation
point, while some keyboards are as little as 0.4mm.
In addition to the depression distance, the processing time is a
consideration. The "keystroke signal processing" (KSP) is the time it
takes to turn a depressed key switch into a USB signal, and the "USB
polling rate" is how fast that request is monitored for transfer to the
motherboard.
When you want to go the extra mile and upgrade to the absolute
best of the best, it's hard to find a more premium option than the Corsair K100
RGB. Be warned, though; this is a big keyboard: its enormous footprint still
requires some desk clearing before it can be nested comfortably. But
feature-wise, the K100 RGB's got it all. Dedicated media controls and a USB
pass-through, a metal volume wheel, RGB lighting. Speaking of RGB, there is an
aggressive amount of RGB in this keyboard. During our tests, we noted excellent
key responses, a decent spread of keys for most hand sizes, a satisfying
tactile click to each press, and wonderfully dimpled keys to help you rest your
fingers when you're not actually pressing down. While this all seems quite
obvious, it shows that the K100 RGB nails the basics and includes the fancy
extras, which is why it's top of the list.
If even mecha-membrane keys don't suit you, and you demand a
full membrane typing/gaming experience, the Razer Cynosa is the deck for you. I
know there are people out there who prefer the soft embrace of a pure membrane
switch, and that's fine—each to their own. The Cynosa has some of the best
feeling, low profile membrane keys I've ever tested, and at a retail price of
$60, it is one of the most affordable gaming keyboards out there (well, past a
certain threshold of quality). While it may lack some of the features several
gaming boards pack in these days, stuff like a dedicated wrist rest or media
controls, it does boast Razer's extensive RGB lighting, which can be programmed
on a per-key basis or applied by zones. It's a solid, no-frills, nice-looking
keyboard that's the best membrane option of a huge range that I've tested.
There is a step-up version of the Cynosa available. Still, for $20 extra, the
only real addition is under-glow RGB, so unless that kind of 'ground effects'
package is massively appealing to you, I recommend you save your cash and
invest in the base model.
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