For dedicated gamers, the choice of a gaming keyboard can significantly impact the gaming experience. It enhances response time, ensures precise control, and handles rapid and repetitive button presses seamlessly. Premium gaming keyboards come equipped with special features tailored to gamers, such as customizable RGB lighting, interchangeable keycaps and switches, key mapping capabilities, and more.
Leading companies like Asus, Logitech, Razer, and SteelSeries present a diverse range of ergonomically designed gaming keyboards, offering both wired and wireless functionality, and sometimes a combination of both. These keyboards are available in various sizes and layouts, catering to different preferences — from full-size and tenkeyless (TKL) gaming keyboards to more compact options like 60%, 65%, or 80% keyboards. Whatever your favorite game may be, there’s a keyboard out there perfectly suited for you.
What are the best gaming keyboards in 2024?
Our team of gaming aficionados has meticulously curated a selection of top-tier gaming keyboards, each poised to elevate your gaming experience with your favorite PC titles.
- Top pick for a full-size gaming keyboard: Razer Huntsman V4 Pro
- Optimal choice for a TKL gaming keyboard: Logitech G915 TKL Prime
- Selection for a wireless gaming keyboard: Steelseries Apex Pro TKL
- Wireless Best fit for a 60% gaming keyboard: Razer Huntsman Mini Top
- Contender for an 80% gaming keyboard: Asus ROG Claymore II
When selecting a gaming keyboard, it’s crucial to align it with your gaming style, and skill level, and ensure seamless compatibility with your preferred games. Additionally, it should integrate seamlessly with your other gaming peripherals for a cohesive and immersive gaming setup.
Top pick for a full-size gaming keyboard: Razer Huntsman V4 Pro
Size: Full-size | Connectivity: Wired | Keycaps: Doubleshot ABS | Switch type: Razer Green mechanical switches | Key feel: Tactile/clicky | No. of keys: 104 | Lighting: Razer Chroma RGB per-key and under glow | Dimensions: 18.36 x 6.01 x 1.73 inches
The Razer Huntsman V4 Pro stands out as a premium gaming keyboard, boasting customizable per-key and three-side under-glow RGB lighting. Among its standout features, this meticulously crafted, full-size keyboard includes a versatile multi-function roller and four independent media keys. Additionally, it comes equipped with five programmable macro keys, three dedicated macro buttons on the side (perfect for key binding), and a convenient detachable USB Type-C cable.
Users can opt for either green switches (clicky) or yellow switches (smooth), while the quieter and tactile orange switches are available for purchase directly from Razer’s website or Amazon. The keyboard further impresses with onboard storage capabilities for up to five game profiles, providing a personalized touch to your gaming experience. As an added bonus, a detachable leatherette wrist rest is included for enhanced comfort during extended gaming sessions.
Optimal choice for a TKL gaming keyboard: Logitech G915 TKL Prime
Size: TKL | Connectivity: Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless | Keycaps: Oleophobic-coated | Switch type: Choose at time of purchase | Key feel: Choose between clicky, tactile, or linear | No. of keys: 90 | Lighting: Per-key RGB | Dimensions: 14.49 x 5.91 x 0.87 inches
Introducing a TKL-style keyboard that seamlessly combines Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity. With the flexibility to choose between three switch types, this keyboard guarantees an impressive battery life of up to 40 hours. Enhancing its versatility, internal storage accommodates two lighting profiles and three macro profiles, while the keyboard layout integrates four function keys and dedicated media controls.
Designed for ergonomic comfort, the keyboard features two pop-out legs at the bottom, offering a personalized typing angle. Noteworthy is its utilization of low-profile mechanical switches, meticulously crafted from quality materials. For gamers seeking to optimize desk space, minimize cable clutter, and enjoy high-speed and reliable performance, this keyboard emerges as an excellent choice.
Crafted from durable 5052 aluminum alloy with a steel-reinforced base, the G915 boasts both sturdiness and lightweight construction. At a slim 0.87 inches, the keyboard ensures a comfortable key travel distance of 2.7mm and an actuation distance of 1.5mm. Beyond its exceptional value for the price, the model dazzles with a vibrant display of over 16.8 million colors. Logitech recommends pairing this keyboard with its G502 wireless gaming mouse for an unparalleled gaming experience.
Selection for a wireless gaming keyboard: Steelseries Apex Pro TKL
Size: TKL | Connectivity: Dual wireless (Bluetooth and 2.4GHz) or wired | Keycaps: PBT | Switch type: OmniPoint 2.0 adjustable HyperMagnetic | Key feel: Adjustable | No. of keys: 104 | Lighting: Per-key RGB | Dimensions: 14 x 5.04 x 1.65 inches
In contrast to traditional mechanical keyboards, the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL wireless keyboard stands out with its 20 times faster actuation, 11 times faster response time, and double durability. Featuring the company’s Omnipoint 2.0 adjustable hypermagnetic switches, this keyboard offers the flexibility of wireless and wired usage.
A standout feature is the keyboard’s ability to allow gamers to program two actions for each key. This means a gentle keypress could prompt a character to walk, while a firmer keypress could trigger a sprint. Gamers retain control over key mapping and customization, providing a personalized gaming experience.
The TKL design minimizes desk space usage, and the wireless functionality reduces cable clutter. Lag-free gaming is ensured through the keyboard’s dual wireless design, and an OLED display in the top-right corner allows users to monitor performance. Other notable features include per-key RGB lighting, a sturdy casing crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, and onboard memory for storing up to five custom profiles. With a rapid response time of 0.7ms, the keyboard offers seamless performance.
The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 37.5 hours with a 2.4GHz connection or up to 45 hours using Bluetooth. The keyboard’s bottom is equipped with rubberized, tri-level feet for adjustable angles. For an optimal gaming experience, Steelseries recommends pairing this keyboard with the Aerox 3 wireless gaming mouse.
Wireless Best fit for a 60% gaming keyboard: Razer Huntsman Mini Top
Size: 60% | Connectivity: Wired | Keycaps: Doubleshot PBT | Switch type: Razer Optical (with other options) | Key feel: Clicky, linear or optical | No. of keys: 61 | Lighting: Razer Chroma per-key RGB | Dimensions: 11.56 x 4.07 x 1.45 inches.
For gamers seeking a wired yet compact gaming keyboard with customizable RGB lighting, the Razer Huntsman Mini is a standout choice. With a 60% form factor, it minimizes desk space while sacrificing dedicated functions or media keys.
What you gain, however, is a robust aluminum case construction, onboard lighting presets, fully programmable keys, N-key rollover with integrated anti-ghosting, and a 1000Hz ultra polling rate. The keyboard features internal memory capable of storing five profiles and lighting presets. Despite its compact size, the Razer Huntsman Mini encapsulates the quality, durability, and performance synonymous with Razer gaming keyboards, all within an affordable design.
Seamless customization of the keyboard and lighting is facilitated through the user-friendly Razer Synapse software. While the Razer Viper Ultimate Hyperspeed wireless gaming mouse is recommended by the company for optimal pairing, numerous alternatives are also available.
Contender for an 80% gaming keyboard: Asus ROG Claymore II
Size: Full-size or 80% TKL | Connectivity: Wireless (2.4GHz and USB) or wired | Keycaps: PBT Doubleshot | Switch type: ROG Red or ROG Blue | Key feel: Depends on switches selected | No. of keys: 104 | Lighting: Per-key RGB | Dimensions: 21.26 x 7.48 x 3.31 inches
A distinctive feature of this wireless gaming keyboard lies in its inclusion of a detachable numeric keypad. With this attachment, you enjoy the typing and gaming advantages of a full-size keyboard, while its removal transforms the keyboard into a TKL (80%) size, optimizing desk space. Additionally, a detachable wristrest is thoughtfully provided.
Functioning wirelessly, the Claymore II supports both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity. During purchase, users can choose between ROG red (linear) or blue (clicky) switches. Whichever is selected, the keyboard offers a premium feel with PBT doubleshot keycaps beneath your fingertips, ensuring durability and vibrant per-key RGB lighting.
The Claymore II seamlessly transitions between wired and wireless modes. Utilizing wired or 2.4GHz connectivity delivers an impressive 1ms response time. With the numeric keyboard attached and RGB lighting activated, the wireless battery life extends up to an exceptional 43 hours. Other notable features include four customizable hotkeys and a convenient volume control wheel.
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As we navigate the dynamic landscape of gaming keyboards, the choices presented here represent a spectrum of possibilities, each tailored to meet distinct gaming needs. The Razer Huntsman V4 Pro claims its throne as the ultimate full-size gaming keyboard, marrying customization and advanced features seamlessly.
For those seeking a balance between functionality and space-saving design, the Logitech G915 TKL Prime emerges as the optimal choice in the tenkeyless category. Meanwhile, the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL reigns supreme as the wireless champion, offering freedom of movement without compromising performance.
Delving into more compact dimensions, the Razer Huntsman Mini showcases its prowess as the quintessential 60% gaming keyboard, proving that its small size can pack a punch in functionality. Lastly, the Asus ROG Claymore II positions itself as a formidable contender for an 80% gaming keyboard, seamlessly integrating wireless capabilities with customizable features.
In the intricate world of gaming keyboards, the quest for the perfect peripheral is a highly personalized journey. As we conclude this exploration, the key takeaway is that the diverse array of options presented here caters to the varied tastes and requirements of gamers. Whether prioritizing size, wireless freedom, or advanced customization, these top picks embody the cutting-edge technology that defines the ever-evolving landscape of gaming peripherals. Ultimately, the perfect keyboard is the one that harmonizes seamlessly with your unique gaming style and preferences.
