Some go so far as to include entirely new features, such as in-game statistics tracking, text communication to the keyboard, or built-in touchscreen displays. Other possible enhancements include rows of dedicated media keys for adjusting volume, playing and skipping music, and the like and profile keys for toggling on game-specific sets of keyboard functions.
Some gaming keyboards also have USB pass-through, letting you connect other USB peripherals to the keyboard itself, freeing up an extra port or two on your PC. Most gaming models offer a key numeric pad, which laptops frequently lack and is a necessity for anyone who needs to tally numbers or enter data into a spreadsheet. So-called "tenkeyless" models slice off the numeric pad in the interest of space savings and keeping your typing and mousing hands closer together.
Bear that in mind if you're looking at gaming keyboards, as tenkeyless models are a recent trend especially in that subclass. If you want to go even smaller, 60 percent keyboards eliminate even more keys. Check out our 60 percent keyboard guide for everything you need to know about the category. Speaking of USB: Though you may prefer your keyboards to be wireless, most gaming keyboards are wired for a reason. Wired keyboards are snappy, as you don't have to worry about the potential input latency involved in the transmission of wireless signals.
With a run-of-the-mill wireless keyboard, you might expect some delay between you pressing down a key and your computer registering it as a keypress. When you're playing games, especially in the case of competitive multiplayer titles, it's critical to keep this lag to a minimum. That's why many competitive gamers and esports hounds swear by wired only.
That said, many of the big players in gaming keyboards offer a few avowed low-latency wireless designs. But wireless gaming keyboards remain the exception rather than the norm. See our picks for our favorite wireless keyboards. Another area that we consider when evaluating gaming keyboards is the software. These days, almost every gaming keyboard worthy of being called one is tied to an application that lets you assign functions to shortcut keys, create game-specific profiles, and customize on-keyboard lighting.
One of the best-regarded examples of keyboard software, iCUE boasts a simple interface with a vast assortment of options for personalizing your board. You can, for example, record your own custom macros or assign new functions to existing keys.
For Corsair keyboards that support RGB, you can even use the software to stack various effects, with the option to preview combinations before applying them.
G Hub is the newer interface for Logitech gear, and it offers a more digestible interface for setting up game profiles, customizing and synchronizing lighting zones, and assigning a second layer of functions to your keys, activated by pressing an assignable G Shift command. Meanwhile, all Razer keyboards use an application called Synapse for personalization. Up until G Hub was released, Synapse had one of the cleanest interfaces of all the keyboard utilities we've tested.
Easy to learn, Synapse employ menus with options to modify lighting, create profiles, record and assign macro functions, and integrate your Razer hardware with Philips Hue lights for the ultimate coordinated RGB or "Chroma," as Razer calls it experience. The control you get over the RGB lighting with the accompanying software utility adds to the customisation options here, so it's very much a gaming keyboard that can be whatever you want it to be.
It's definitely one for the enthusiasts and tweakers, though of course anyone can just plug it in and get going. Besides all the modular features on offer, the keyboard is very solidly built and connects via USB. Typing is fast and responsive, and you shouldn't have any problems using this to sneak past enemies or attack them head on. It's on the expensive side, but we think it has enough features to justify the cost. The typing action is totally top notch, as you'd expect for the price — combined with the wrist rest and full array of keys, it's a dream to use.
In terms of features, you've got per-key RGB lighting along with strips of LEDs around the edge, you've got the great programmable Control Wheel dial, six programmable macro keys, plus dedicated media keys, and a numberpad.
It's a full suite of stuff. There a USB port for power, though you'll to connect it to your PC with two connectors to make use of that. It's a really expensive option particularly for a wired keyboard in a world where wireless is really starting to break through , but you can't fault the results one bit, as our full Corsair K RGB Mechanical Keyboard review will tell you. HyperX has a fine pedigree when it comes to gaming keyboards, and the Alloy Elite 2 is another winner: it's very well constructed, with flexible lighting and a variety of dedicated media and volume keys, and it'll work just as well for general computing tasks as it will for gaming.
The supplied HyperX software makes customisations a breeze, and you can produce some incredibly funky-looking effects from this keyboard The solid steel frame and HyperX mechanical switches make for a pleasurable, robust typing experience too. With USB 2. With 88 keys plus media keys , backlighting colour combinations that run into the millions, a lovely thin form factor, a dedicated volume scroll wheel, instant wireless connection and optional Bluetooth, and a simple-to-use macro editor, it's likely that the Logitech G TKL is going to attract a lot of fans.
A smaller, more compact version of the also amazing Logitech G, this 'tenkeyless' version is easier to position on a desk and to lug around, but loses none of the typing experience — and that's great by the way. You get a choice of three mechanical key types with this keyboard, so you can customise it to suit your preferences.
It's on the expensive side, and we would like a few more customisation options in terms of keyboard shortcuts, but really these are minor drawbacks that you don't have to worry about.
A fantastic, low-latency gaming keyboard that'll also serve you well for everyday computing tasks too. This being SteelSeries you know the build quality is going to be excellent as always, and the Apex 7 really looks the part: it's made from Series aircraft-grade aluminium, with a wide and deep wrist pad that should keep fatigue at bay even over the longest gaming sessions.
Using SteelSeries' own take on Cherry MX mechanical switches, these keys are good for some 50 million keypresses.
It ticks all the boxes you need when you're looking for the best gaming keyboard of Roccat advertises the Vulcan Aimo as a "precision gaming tool" and, after getting our hands on the board and producing our official Roccat Vulcan Aimo review, it's hard to argue with that. In terms of usability, the Vulcan Aimo is really comfortable to use and boasts a top mix of programmable keys, so it's handy for both for gaming and everyday PC tasks. Its Titan switches are also among the very best we've ever placed our fingertips on, with a very linear actuation, super-fast input recognition, and super-light caps combining wonderfully.
Quiet switches aren't often a quality we put much stock in when searching out the best gaming keyboards, but considering how responsive the bespoke keys are in Roccat's incredibly impressive Vulcan Aimo, we're beginning to think we'd like to see them more often.
The keyboard, with its anodised aluminium plate, feels incredibly well built under the fingertips the board weighs in at a rock solid 1, grams , and with its remarkably bright Aimo lighting engine it's also one of the most visually appealing boards in our guide. Powered by a bit ARM Cortex processor, and featuring a sleek detachable wrist rest and lengthy 1. And plenty of the judges in the T3 Awards agreed the Aimo is a gaming keyboard worthy of praise, with it winning the Best Gaming Keyboard award.
STOGA uses its own switches rather than a recognisable other brand, but it calls its switches 'Blue', and they're pretty much impossible to tell apart from Cherry MX Blues, which is a real testament to the quality STOGA has built into an incredibly low-priced keyboard.
Being Cherry MX Blue-style switches means you get some real resistance, and a very satisfying and unmissable click. Great for precision, but undoubtedly noisy, so factor that into your plans. Otherwise this is a no-nonsense keyboard — its tenkeyless and its lacking media keys, but it has to get to a cheaper price somehow. Its build also isn't as premium as expensive models in the sense of it being aluminium or something else extremely solid, but there's no question of it feeling flimsy.
It's build to last, just not from expensive materials. And there RGB backlighting still, of course, but its not programmable. If your focus is on a great feeling for playing or typing and less on extra features, this is one hell of a buy.
The TUF Gaming K3 keyboard brings with it the build quality and reliability that you can usually expect from Asus, alongside the very flexible lighting controls — with the free Windows software, you can create a whole host of lighting effects on this keyboard even lighting up keys as you press them, if you want.
We like the anti-ghosting tech deployed on the Kailh mechanical switches here, and Asus says they're good for around 50 million keystrokes, which we can well believe.
Whether you're in the middle of some intense gaming action or simply trying to compose an email, you can rely on the Asus TUF Gaming K3. There's USB 2. Add in macro keyboard programming and dedicated media keys, and this is a keyboard that impresses in just about every department — and that includes the price bracket that Asus has put it in. If you want some of the style and functionality of a gaming keyboard but also want to spend as little as possible, give the Trust GXT RW Avonn some consideration — for really not much money at all you get a keyboard that looks the part, feels solid to game with, and has some customisation options included, too.
The build quality and materials don't quite hit the premium levels that you might find on some other keyboards, but the Trust GXT RW Avonn certainly doesn't disappoint. The membrane keys are firm and responsive, with plenty of travel and you can press up to six at once , while the centimetre inch cable is plenty — just plug it into Windows or macOS and you're good to go.
The keyboard illumination is the real star here, though, considering the price: the keys are backed by what Trust calls a 'rainbow wave' of colour, which you can of course customise in terms of both colour and brightness. It looks very sharp in reality, and add in the 12 dedicated multimedia keys, and it's a gaming keyboard that won't let you down.
Wireless and gaming haven't often mingled well when it comes to PC gaming, but those times are a changing and Corsair's new K63 Wireless is leading the charge, and a worthy addition to our list of the best gaming keyboards of Its 1 ms ultra-fast connection uses a 2. You get the clickety-clack goodness of some Cherry MX Red switches with gold-plated contacts, no less , a full set of RGB backlights and plenty of media keys to keep you in control.
You'll get 15 hours of use on a single charge, so expect this wireless wild child to keep you well connected, even on an all-nighter. For around half the cost of many of the boards in this guide you're getting a slick actuation point of 1.
Those Romer G switches make a fine alternative to the Cherry MX, with each one sitting in a sturdy, aircraft-grade aluminium alloy chassis for some minimalist style on your desk. A great budget mechanical gaming keyboard option, especially for gamers who like an understated, mature design. When choosing a gaming keyboard the first thing you should consider is what switch type you want.
You'll come across various different kinds of mechanical switches when shopping for the best gaming keyboard, with each one offering a different kind of feedback — and working out which switch is best for you work out which of these keyboards is the one you need to get.
Some use White Alps or Black Alps — these are common switches, with the White Alps being the more popular of the two due to their pronounced tactility. Most, however, use a form of switch known as a Cherry MX. These are broken up into colours — black, red, brown, blue and clear — with each one offering a distinctly different feel. Much of this comes down to preference, but certain types suit certain tasks more than others.
Most keyboards enable you to swap switches if you're not enjoying the ones you're using, so don't feel like you're stuck with one model forever once you invest in it. The Cherry MX black is the switch of choice for many gamers who play online. The black variant is 'linear', meaning the keystroke doesn't give you as much of clack, reducing the amount of feedback as you're smashing the keys in a heated moment. Don't be afraid to try out a few before you buy, as there's almost certainly a switch type out there that's perfect for you.
Some manufacturers now make their own switches, often based on one of the existing standards. There's also membrane switches as well. These work differently to mechanical switches and typically cost less as they are less precise.
Membranical switches have also been created that sit between the two main switch types but these are rare. Once your switch type has been decided you can then factor in other elements, such as form factor do you one a full-size keyboard or a tenkeyless model, for example?
One thing many gamers overlook when buying a gaming keyboard is software. This is understandable as it isn't as tangible as the physical product, but good companion software can really elevate a gaming keyboard experience and not all makers excel in this department. If you want to setup multiple key mapping profiles or lighting profiles, as well as control things like half press actuation commands and more, then make sure you get a unit with strong software.
Lastly, while you certainly shouldn't rule out gaming keyboards from small or new makers, do make sure the you read around as much as possible before pulling the trigger as that lack of proper heritage could cost you in the long term. What looks like a cheap, fast, quiet, mechanical bargain from a startup company may look like a bargain, but its build quality or long-term reliability may leave a lot to be desired.
The wired Cherry MX For a board that can be illuminated in up to What it lacks in a dedicated macro column, it makes up for with its reasonable price and quality, durable design. It also includes an extra set of silver keycaps for WASD and the first four number keys to up its aesthetics. The board supports full N-key rollover, meaning you never have to worry about key presses not registering.
It is damned pretty, but you don't get the wrist rest The original Freestyle Edge from Kinesis was one of the best split ergonomic keyboards on the market. This upgraded RGB model improves on the original in several ways. It retains the split design, allowing you to set the deck's two halves at shoulder width and reduce back neck and shoulder strain.
The gap also lets you drop a flight stick or HOTAS in between them for space sims or leave your controller within easy reach when you're typing in text chat or messengers between sessions. The Freestyle Edge RGB is also customizable, with onboard storage for up to nine user profiles, ten dedicated macro keys on the left half, and the ability to customize every key individually including the entire layer you access by pushing the Fn key.
It's fully programmable without the use of any additional software, though it can also be customized through Kinesis' Smartest software for an even more granular experience.
The Huntsman family of Razer keyboards is the only place in the world to find their optomechanical switch, and it's one of the best and most technologically interesting switches on the market. The optomechanical build eschews traditional metal contacts and instead actuates by a beam of light that fires through the switch when the key is depressed, meaning actuation is almost instantaneous.
The other major advantage of removing all the relatively frail, slender metal contacts from the switch is that they're rated as twice as durable as standard mechanical switches, up to million keystrokes. They're tactile switches that actuate at 1. They're also great for typing for much the same reason. The rest of the Elite is well designed, too, with a comfy detachable magnetic wrist rest, a full suite of dedicated media controls, and a multi-function dial that can be used for anything from altering your PC's volume to scrolling through lighting suites for the It also features some handy storage on the keyboard, so you can easily save your preferences to a profile that will travel with you if you move it to a different machine.
It's an excellent, fully-featured keyboard with some truly fantastic switches, though you'll pay a premium for the privilege of using them. Read our full Razer Huntsman Elite review. The Apex Pro may be built around one headline feature its ability to set the actuation point for every key individually. Still, it's also an excellent, competitive gaming keyboard, even without that groundbreaking customization. That said, adjusting the actuation point on a key-by-key basis is an incredible boon, particularly for anyone that splits their time between typing and gaming.
If you struggle to decide between a linear and tactile switch, the Apex Pro offers you a hybrid that can satisfy both needs in the same model.
Or, if you find you're frequently nailing a particular key by accident and blowing your cooldown, you can set it individually to require that you bottom out, so you'll really need to push it with intention. The Apex Pro also features a novel OLED display in the upper right-hand corner of the board, which lets you alter the actuation though only across the entire board uniformly; the per-key settings require the SteelSeries Engine software , handle media controls, or even display a tiny animated gif.
While it's more gimmick than a necessity, it does let you alter some key settings without having to dig deep into a separate software suite. And the low profile of the chassis with the heightened keycaps contributes to a beautiful aesthetic, with little to no wasted space around the board's edges.
We can talk for hours about the feel of mechanical switches versus membrane switches, but ultimately that's a personal choice. What makes mechanical switches objectively superior, however, is their far extended life span.
They can take far more punishment and keep responding long after a membrane switch has collapsed in on itself. The switch type is arguably the most important choice to make when picking your new gaming keyboard. Cherry mechanical switches are the most common and most recognizable, but there are a host of alternatives on offer, as well a bunch of upmarket, specialist switches to choose from.
Only you can make that call, but we would suggest that at least having the option to toggle the top row between function and media controls would be our choice. Having a discrete volume wheel can be super useful, however. Keyboard size is absolutely a defining factor.
Full-sized keyboards tend to offer the most features and a Numpad, but if you don't have space, then all of those extras you paid for will be useless. Tenkeyless boards the ones with no number pad and compact keyboards can be a great option, too, if you don't care about all the extra bells and whistles or you don't have any use for alt codes how barbaric!
There's something wonderfully minimalist about its tenkeyless design, simple white lighting and quiet Razer Orange switches. Razer originally pitched the BlackWidow Lite as a keyboard that splits the difference between gaming and productivity applications, and it's not hard to see why. This peripheral is small, straightforward and relatively inexpensive. It's also perhaps the most understated accessory Razer has ever produced; the company is usually a little louder than this.
One potential drawback is that the BlackWidow Lite's keys are fairly squeaky before you install a series of rubber O-rings in them. The rings are included, but installation is a slow, painstaking process. You'll also have to live without a media bar, which is often a boon for productivity users.
Otherwise, the BlackWidow Lite can help you excel in a tournament, or in Excel. Read our full Razer BlackWidow Lite review. Only time will tell for sure, but I believe that the Logitech G represents the future of gaming keyboards.
Just as gaming mice and headsets have become increasingly wireless over the past few years, the G demonstrates how keyboards can take the same route without sacrificing aesthetics or performance. The G is a gorgeous, ultra-thin gaming keyboard that connects to computers via either USB dongle or Bluetooth. There's no lag; there are no dropped signals. It's just as quick and responsive as any wired peripheral. Thanks to low-profile key switches and full RGB lighting, the G is both comfortable and visually striking.
Its only real downside is that it costs a lot of money. But when you consider that it will save your desk from unsightly wires and last for many years, it could be a great investment. Read our full Logitech G review. This is particularly true if you're in the market for a TKL, or tenkeyless, model.
Like its full-size counterpart, the Corsair K70 Mk. You can customize intricate lighting patterns, set up profiles for individual games or even reprogram any key you choose. It's a versatile system. Furthermore, while its discrete media keys come in hand, their nonstandard configuration makes them a little more difficult-to-use than what you'd find on a full-size model. The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 demonstrates that mini keyboards can be perfectly good for gaming.
Granted, the Alloy Origins 60 might be a tough sell if you're not already committed to a mini keyboard design. Touch typists will find a lot of their favorite buttons missing, and the keys switches are a little louder than you'd expect. Still, as mini gaming keyboards go, this is one of the better ones.
Read our full HyperX Alloy Origins 60 review. When was the last time you got a compliment on your keyboard? When I reviewed the Roccat Vulcan Aimo , I had a steady stream of coworkers parading past my desk, telling me how gorgeous my keyboard looked. The Vulcan Aimo features a sleek black chassis with a subtle grain design, on top of which you'll find brightly colored, translucent key switches and ultra-thin black keycaps. If you set the keyboard up with rainbow lighting effects which the Roccat Swarm software lets you do , you may find it difficult to tear your eyes away.
Of course, aesthetics alone aren't what make the Vulcan Aimo so good. The typing experience is quick and comfortable, and the in-game performance is impeccable. You can set up profiles for individual games, and control your music at a tap thanks to discrete media buttons. Read our full Roccat Vulcan review. Like the full-size model, the G TKL is a stylish and expensive peripheral.
It's also one of the only wireless mechanical gaming keyboards on the market. If you want to ditch your wired setup but don't have a lot of desk space available, this is probably the model for you. As with other Logitech models, the G TKL benefits from excellent key switches, intuitive software and a durable design.
You still get discrete media keys, as well as thin, elevated keycaps and per-key RGB illumination. While the G TKL costs almost twice as much as similar wired models, it's arguably worth the premium, especially if you find yourself moving the keyboard around to take advantage of its USB dongle and Bluetooth connection profiles.
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog represents a novel experiment with Razer keyboards: analog optical key switches.
0コメント