One of the best gaming keyboards can convey a higher sense of consolation and management to your PC play time, whether or not you’re luxuriating with a prolonged RPG or sweating via a web based shooter. Whereas they don’t all the time really feel as premium for typing as customized mechanical keyboard, they’re often a pleasant improve over a typical membrane mannequin. To assist these trying to improve, I’ve spent extra time researching gaming keyboards than any individual fairly ought to, testing dozens of well-reviewed choices alongside the best way. Whether or not you need one thing mini, analog, wi-fi or simply plain low cost, these are one of the best I’ve discovered.
What to search for in a gaming keyboard
To be clear, any keyboard could be a “gaming keyboard.” If you happen to play a lot of video video games immediately and have by no means sighed to your self, “man, this keyboard is holding me again,” congratulations, you most likely don’t have to pay further for a brand new one. Self-proclaimed gaming keyboards usually come at a premium, and whereas one of the best supply high-quality designs, snazzy RGB lighting and some genuinely worthwhile options, none of them offers you god-like ability, nor will they out of the blue flip dangerous video games into good ones.
Mechanical vs non-mechanical
Now that we’ve touched grass, I did prioritize some options whereas researching this information. First, I largely caught to mechanical keyboards, not laptop-style membrane fashions. They are often loud, however they’re extra sturdy, customizable and broadly satisfying to press — all optimistic traits for a product you could use for hours-long gaming classes.
Dimension
Subsequent, I most popular tenkeyless (TKL) or smaller layouts. It’s completely effective to make use of a full-size board if you happen to actually need a quantity pad, however a compact mannequin provides you extra space to flick your mouse round. It additionally enables you to preserve your mouse nearer to your physique, which may cut back the stress positioned in your arms and shoulders.
Switches, keycaps and construct high quality
Linear switches, which are sometimes branded as “pink,” are typically favored by avid gamers. These give keystrokes a easy really feel from high to backside, with no tactile “bump” that might make quick, repeated presses much less constant. They often require little drive to actuate, and so they are typically quiet. Nonetheless, if you happen to want the texture and/or sound of a extra tactile or clicky change, get a type of as an alternative. You would possibly lose some pace in esports-style video games, however nothing is extra essential than your consolation.
Some gaming keyboards are primarily based on totally different mechanisms completely. Optical switches, as an illustration, use a beam of sunshine to register keystrokes, whereas Hall effect switches use magnets. These usually really feel linear, however they’ll permit for a extra versatile set of gaming-friendly options, equivalent to the flexibility to set customized actuation factors. (You possibly can learn extra about how this works under.) Usually, they’re quicker and extra sturdy too. However keyboards with these further options sometimes aren’t low cost.
Regardless, you need a body that doesn’t flex below stress, keys that don’t wobble and stabilizers that don’t rattle while you hit bigger keys just like the spacebar. I want double-shot PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) keycaps over those who use cheaper ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic, as they received’t develop a greasy shine over time and their icons received’t fade. A hot-swappable PCB (printed circuit board) that makes it simple to vary switches if the temper arises is right, as are devoted media keys.
For the sake of simplicity, I solely thought of prebuilt gaming keyboards for this information, although lots of the picks under permit for personalisation down the road. If you happen to (and your checking account) actually need to go wild, try our information to building a custom keyboard.
Software program, connectivity and RGB
If a keyboard has companion software program, it ought to allow you to program macros and customized key bindings for video games with out frustration. For comfort, a wired keyboard ought to join via a removable USB-C cable. A very good wi-fi keyboard received’t add critical lag, however provided that it makes use of a USB receiver, not Bluetooth. (It’ll most likely value extra as properly.) Some gaming keyboards promote super-high polling charges — i.e., the pace at which a keyboard experiences to a pc — to cut back latency, however until your monitor has an particularly quick refresh fee, the standard customary of 1,000Hz must be effective. And whereas no one wants RGB lighting, it’s enjoyable. Client tech might use extra of that, so the cleaner and extra customizable the RGB is, the higher.
How we examined
The easiest way to guage a keyboard is to only… use it, in order that’s what I did. To cowl a wide range of use instances and design kinds, I’ve researched dozens of keyboards over the previous a number of months that’ve broadly obtained excessive marks from skilled reviewers and customers alike. I’ve then used every mannequin I’ve introduced in as my each day driver for quite a few days. Since I write for a residing, this gave me sufficient time to get a powerful sense of every keyboard’s typing expertise.
For gaming, I give particular focus to every keyboard’s responsiveness in quick, reaction-based on-line shooters equivalent to Halo Infinite, Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends, Valorant, Overwatch 2 and (extra not too long ago) XDefiant, as many would-be gaming keyboard consumers get one within the hopes that it’ll assist with that style particularly. I made certain every keyboard felt snug with different forms of video games, although, equivalent to Baldur’s Gate 3 (a turn-based RPG), Hello-Fi Rush (an motion recreation with an emphasis on timing and rhythm) and Forza Horizon 5 (an arcade racing recreation). I used the latter to higher consider the pressure-sensitive options of the analog keyboards I examined.
If a keyboard might be configured with a number of change sorts, I bought the linear mannequin. Upon receiving every keyboard, I eliminated a number of keycaps to make sure none had been chipped or damaged. I famous whether or not any keys felt wobbly, whether or not the case flexes below stress, whether or not the feel and end of the keycaps adjustments after use and whether or not bigger keys just like the spacebar felt notably rattly or hole. I typed on every keyboard in fast succession in a quiet room to get a way of the place they ranked by way of noise. For wi-fi fashions, I checked whether or not the battery drain at 50 % RGB brightness aligned with a producer’s estimate. I seemed to outcomes from websites like Rtings to make sure nothing was out of order with latency. I did my very own testing on a 144Hz monitor with my private rig, which features a Tenth-gen Core i9 CPU and an RTX 3080 GPU.
This helped me guarantee every keyboard met a baseline of general high quality, however to reiterate, a lot of this course of is subjective. I can inform you if a keyboard is loud primarily based on how I slam my keys, as an illustration, however you might have a lighter contact. What my tastes discover “snug,” “pleasing,” and even “helpful,” you could dislike. As I’ve written before, keyboards are like meals or artwork in that means. So, preserve an open thoughts.
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Connectivity: USB-C | Dimension(s): 60 % | Switches: Gateron Lekker Linear60 | Scorching-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 no less than, it may be. The secret is 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, in order that they have fewer bodily contact factors that may undergo from put on and tear over time.
This setup permits a couple of genuinely helpful options. For one, you may modify 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 susceptible to errors. You can even combine and match, making your WASD keys quicker 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 best way again up, so you may repeat inputs quicker. 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 just a little extra pace 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 at least one key primarily based on how far it’s pressed. In Halo, as an illustration, 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 recreation, you possibly can flippantly press a key to tug out a grenade, absolutely press to throw it, then launch to reequip your predominant weapon. All of this requires some mind retraining, but it surely finally lessens the necessity to contort your fingers to carry out a full set of instructions. Which, in flip, can prevent extra treasured seconds throughout a battle.
As a result of the keys are pressure-sensitive, you can too set them to imitate an Xbox controller. With a racing recreation 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? After all 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 essential: Loads of video games aren’t designed with analog keyboards in thoughts, so don’t count on the 60HE+ to switch your gamepad. Proudly owning this received’t magically make you a top-tier participant both. If you’re up towards different individuals round your ability 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 actually 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 just designed to just accept Corridor impact switches.) It sounds a smidge chattery, but it surely’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 simple to remap keys, assign macros, create profiles and or modify 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 stated, there are a couple of 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 known as the 80HE can also be on the best way, although it’s solely up for pre-order as of this writing. Simply know you can solely purchase every system from Wooting, which sells its gear in batches.
Additionally price noting: We beforehand advisable an older model of this system, 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 equivalent.
- Analog switches are quick and deeply versatile for gaming
- Straightforward-to-use software program
- Sturdily constructed
- Comfy for typing
- Clear RGB lighting
- Wired-only
- 60 % design is not for everybody
- Solely that can be purchased in batches
- Does not sound fairly as good as greatest conventional mechanical keyboards
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Connectivity: USB-C | Dimension(s): 80 % | Switches: Razer Linear Optical Pink (examined), Purple | Scorching-Swappable: No | Materials: Plastic with aluminum high plate | Keycap materials: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (north-facing) | Software program: Razer Synapse 3
If you happen to don’t want all the additional options of an analog keyboard just like the Wooting 60HE+ and simply need one thing rather less dear, think about the Razer Huntsman V2 TKL. There’s no fast set off, analog enter or customized actuation right here — only a strong, well-built keyboard from a significant model that works reliably for gaming.
One of the best factor concerning the Huntsman V2 is that it’s unusually quiet, as an inside layer of sound-dampening foam provides 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 via the keycaps neatly. Nearly each key’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 when you can sneeze and discover one million complaints about Razer’s Synapse software program across the net, 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 pink linear switches; one other model has purple clicky switches, however these sound harsher and have a barely greater 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 assist 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 a couple of years outdated, and Razer has since launched a brand new Huntsman V3 Professional line (which we notice 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 printed, 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 usually accessible for $50 to $60 much less. At that value, it’s a effective worth if you happen to will need to have a gaming-branded keyboard. Do notice, nevertheless, that we spotlight a extra conventional mechanical keyboard on this value vary under.
- Linear switches are quiet and responsive
- PBT keycaps
- Comfortable wrist relaxation
- Comparatively fundamental characteristic set
- Some wobbly keys
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Connectivity: USB-C | Dimension(s): 65 % | Switches: Kailh Pink | Scorching-Swappable: Sure | Materials: Plastic | Keycap materials: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (north-facing) | Software program: None
If you wish to pay as little as potential for a suitable, honest-to-goodness gaming keyboard, get the G.Skill KM250 RGB. For $45, it presents 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 always plagues finances keyboards. Its 65 % format doesn’t chew up house, but it surely nonetheless matches in a set of arrow keys. Although there’s no devoted software program for programming the KM250, you may shortly swap via lighting results proper from the system. 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, bolstered stems or pre-lubed springs you’d discover in a extra premium keyboard. Key presses sound hollower and really feel a bit stiffer while you backside out consequently. Plus, whereas having PBT keycaps in any respect on this vary is nice, they aren’t as pleasingly textured as costlier choices.
However come on, it’s $45. For that value, all the things right here is past useful. And if you happen to ever need to improve a few of its lesser parts, you may.
- Glorious worth
- Scorching-swappable
- Rotary knob
- Respectable PBT keycaps
- Plastic body
- Hole sound
- Keystrokes really feel considerably stiff
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Connectivity: 2.4GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Dimension(s): 80 % | Switches: SteelSeries OmniPoint 2.0 | Scorching-Swappable: No | Materials: Plastic with aluminum high plate | Keycap materials: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (north-facing) | Software program: SteelSeries GG
If you need a gaming keyboard you may tackle the street, otherwise you simply despise cable litter, try the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless. Just 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 increase or decrease the actuation factors of particular person keys anyplace between 0.1mm and 4mm, allow a rapid trigger mode to repeat presses quicker and bind a number of instructions to at least one key primarily based on how far it’s pushed. (To provide one other instance, you possibly can flippantly press W to stroll, then maintain it to run.) There’s no full-on analog mode, and you’ll “solely” assign two actuation-based instructions to a key directly, 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, in order that they’re simple to succeed in. The aluminum-plated chassis is strong, and the per-key RGB appears effective. 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, modify the actuation, set macros, change backlight brightness and even see data 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, but it surely’s not soothing. The house bar, nevertheless, 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 usually needed to go away 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 a listing value of $250, none of this comes low cost. If typing and key really feel is your main concern, we’ve got 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 one in every of Wooting’s choices over these until you should go wi-fi.
- Quick and deeply versatile magnetic switches
- Useful OLED show
- A number of connection modes
- Magnetic wrist relaxation
- Expensive
- Mediocre acoustics
- Battery life might be higher
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Connectivity: 2.4GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Dimension(s): 65 %, 75 % (customary or Alice format), 80 % (examined), 96 %, one hundred pc | Switches: Gateron Jupiter Brown (examined), Pink, Banana | Scorching-Swappable: Sure | Materials: Plastic | Keycap materials: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (south-facing) | Software program: VIA
If you happen to aren’t intense about esports-style on-line play and simply need a good mechanical keyboard you can too use for video games, strive the Keychron V3 Max. For lower than $100, it presents a wi-fi body with hot-swappable switches, double-shot PBT keycaps and a quantity knob. By default, it comes with Gateron’s Jupiter Pink (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 preserve 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 unintentional inputs, although they’ve a considerably a considerably excessive profile, to allow them to really feel just a little extra in the best way 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 centered on ultra-low latency as a devoted gaming keyboard, and it doesn’t have any of the particular options accessible with the Wooting 60HE+ or Apex Professional TKL Wi-fi, but it surely must be responsive sufficient for all however essentially the most aggressive gamers. A built-in change enables you to swap between Home windows and macOS modes, and there are OS-specific keycaps within the field. You possibly can program the board via the free VIA software, which can take a second to determine and isn’t loaded with gaming-specific tips, however nonetheless enables you to remap keys, create macros or modify the backlight throughout OSes. It is also accessible over the net.
The V3 Max’s keys are individually backlit, and you’ll modify 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 also be product of plastic, so it’s onerous to name “premium.” And the stabilizers might 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 trying to get into mechanical keyboards as a interest, one which’s nicer for typing than the Huntsman V2 TKL. It’s a powerful 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 advisable 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.
- Good worth
- Typing feels and sounds nice
- Scorching-swappable switches
- USB-C and USB-A wi-fi receivers
- Rotary knob
- Plastic design
- Some rattle with bigger keys
- Keycaps neuter RGB backlight
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Connectivity: 2.4GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Dimension(s): 60 %, 75 % (examined), 96 % | Switches: NuPhy Aloe, Cowberry, Wisteria, Moss; Gateron Low-Profile Pink 2.0, Brown 2.0, Blue 2.0 | Scorching-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 sort precisely, however since low-profile switches often require little drive to actuate, they’re nearly inherently well-suited for gaming.
If you happen to 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, but it surely’s adequate on the necessities to be worthwhile. Latency is low sufficient for on-line shooters, and the linear “Daisy” switches in my check 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 gentle clack to every press. If you need one thing extra tactile, clicky and even lighter, NuPhy sells the Air75 V2 with a number of different change choices as properly. (NuPhy technically would not pre-configure the system with the Daisy switches, however the “Cowberry” mannequin ought to really feel comparable, if a bit quicker.) The switches are additionally hot-swappable, although the marketplace for low-profile keycaps and switches isn’t tremendous intensive.
The board itself is impressively slim, so that you don’t must contort your wrists to sort 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 just a little overstuffed, however I’d fairly have extra devoted keys than fewer.) Whereas the chassis will flex a tiny bit if you happen to push down onerous, the keys are secure, the stabilizers don’t rattle and the fold-out ft are agency. The large, double-shot PBT keycaps give ample room for every press. Plus, all of it appears type 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 quicker.
On a associated notice, that is one other wi-fi mannequin that may join over a USB dongle, Bluetooth or a detachable USB-C cable. I did discover a couple of connection hiccups with the dongle at launch once I had a wi-fi mouse paired on the similar time, however firmware updates appear to have mounted these points. The system 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 could have to do a little extra setup to get VIA to acknowledge the keyboard, however not a lot.) With the backlight off, NuPhy says it might probably last as long as 220 hours; with it on, that drops between 35 and 57 hours. Simply notice that it comes from a smaller firm, so it might take just a little longer than standard to ship.
- Slim, sturdy and engaging design
- Nice typing expertise
- Spacious, high-quality keycaps
- Configurable with a number of change choices
- Low-profile design can result in typos and fatigue, particularly for first-timers
- Inventory keycaps aren’t shine-through
Honorable mentions
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Connectivity: 2.4GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Dimension(s): 75 % | Switches: Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula | Scorching-Swappable: Sure | Materials: Aluminum | Keycap materials: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (south-facing) | Software program: Keychron Launcher
The Keychron Q1 HE is actually the gaming variant of Keychron’s Q Max series, which is the highest choose 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 by way of 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 preserve all the things sounding nice, minor rattling on the house bar apart. Like different Corridor impact keyboards, it presents customizable actuation, a fast set off mode, the flexibility to assign a number of instructions to at least one 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. Really setting your profiles isn’t as intuitive as it’s in SteelSeries’ GG app or (particularly) Wooting’s Wootility both, and you’ll 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 while you’re frantically shifting round. The keycaps aren’t shine-through, both, so any RGB results are muted. (If you happen to tie sure RGB results to particular profiles, this could 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 would like a premium wi-fi keyboard for video games before everything.
- Feels and sounds nice for typing
- Versatile magnetic switches
- Premium aluminum chassis
- Software program wants polish
- Keycaps neuter RGB backlight
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Connectivity: 2.4GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Dimension(s): 96 % | Switches: ASUS ROG NX Snow (examined), Storm | Scorching-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 robust various to the Apex Professional sequence if you wish to go wi-fi. It’s a pleasure to sort on, with very good sound dampening, pre-lubed ROG NX switches, an impressively sturdy case and secure, PBT-coated keys. It’s hot-swappable, its battery life score is way greater 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 choose. That stated, it doesn’t have the fast 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 if you happen to care about typing expertise greater than further gaming-friendly options, it’s glorious.
- Glorious typing high quality
- Scorching-swappable
- Good battery life
- Not as versatile or feature-rich as Wooting 60HE+ or SteelSeries Apex Professional TKL Wi-fi
Different gaming keyboards we examined
ASUS ROG Azoth
The ASUS ROG Azoth is sort of a smaller model of the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wi-fi with a couple of extra fanatic touches, equivalent to a gasket-mounted design — which provides keystrokes a softer really feel — a programmable OLED show and a toolkit for lubing switches within the field. It’s exceptionally well-made by any customary, not simply “for a gaming keyboard.” However its characteristic set nonetheless isn’t as versatile because the Wooting 60HE or SteelSeries Apex Professional TKL Wi-fi, which makes its $250 price ticket a troublesome ask.
Keychron C3 Professional
The tenkeyless Keychron C3 Pro is the highest finances choose in our mechanical keyboard information, and it stays an incredible stand-in for the G.Talent KM250 RGB if you wish to keep below $50. With its gasket mount design, inside foam and pre-lubed switches, it feels and sounds fuller to press. The base version we examined lacks hot-swappable switches and solely has a pink backlight, however Keychron not too long ago launched revised fashions that tackle that and add full RGB. That stated, their ABS keycaps really feel cheaper and may develop a shine over time, plus there’s no quantity knob. Some might discover KM250’s smaller measurement extra handy for gaming, too.
NZXT Perform 2 and Perform 2 MiniTKL
The complete-size NZXT Function 2 and tenkeyless Function 2 MiniTKL are completely strong midrange choices with quick optical switches and the flexibility to swap between two common actuation factors, however they’re let down by mediocre stabilizers on the bigger keys.
Razer Huntsman V3 Professional
The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is a line of wired analog keyboards that is available in 60 %, TKL and full-size choices. They’ve nearly all of the options we like on the Wooting 60HE+, however their optical switches are noisier and extra hollow-feeling.
Razer Huntsman Mini
The Razer Huntsman Mini is a effective selection if you would like a 60 % keyboard and don’t want Wooting-style software program tips, with textured PBT keycaps, a sturdy aluminum high plate and the identical quick optical switches we praised with the Huntsman V2 TKL. The 60HE+ is far more versatile, although, whereas the KM250 RGB is a extra interesting worth.
Corsair K70 Max
The Corsair K70 Max is one other one with magnetic switches, however making an attempt to program its extra superior options via Corsair’s iCue software program was a ache.
Corsair K70 RGB TKL
The Corsair K70 RGB TKL is an honest if fundamental midrange mannequin, but it surely’s additionally on the noisy facet in comparison with the Huntsman V2 TKL, and it’s saddled with middling software program.
Logitech G Professional X TKL and G Professional X 60
The wi-fi Logitech G Pro X TKL and G Pro X 60 are built well however too costly to lack hot-swappable switches and the analog options of gadgets just like the Wooting 60HE+. There isn’t a lot sound-dampening foam in both board, too, in order that they don’t sound nice.
Logitech G915 TKL
The Logitech G915 TKL is a wi-fi low-profile keyboard with a steel body, however its skinny ABS keycaps really feel too low cost for one thing that’s often priced round $180. Logitech launched a brand new wi-fi low-profile mannequin known as the G515 Lightspeed TKL in late June; we secured a evaluation unit simply earlier than our newest replace was printed, so we’ll embrace our ideas within the subsequent refresh to this information.
Current updates
June 2024: We up to date this information with a brand new “conventional mechanical keyboard” choose, the Keychron V3 Max, plus a pair new honorable mentions and extra notes on different gaming keyboards we’ve tried. Observe that we’ve examined — and can proceed to check — a number of different keyboards that aren’t explicitly marketed towards gaming, however we’ll direct you to our common mechanical keyboard buying guide for more information on these.
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