Style, ergonomics, and, of course, the most pleasurable clickity clacks are all included in the top gaming keyboards.
Top 5 Best gaming keyboards in 2024 We look for features, comfort, and affordability when looking for the best gaming keyboard. All the gaming keyboards included in this article meet these three criteria; however, we have concentrated on a range of pricing points to accommodate different budgets.
Right now, the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is the greatest gaming keyboard available. It is exceptional in every way, with a full-size yet portable design and an excellent mechanical feel. However, if you’re looking for something less expensive, the G.Skill KM250 RGB has us completely impressed and is without a doubt the greatest low-cost gaming keyboard of 2024.
Choosing a mechanical keyboard is a crucial decision for anyone buying a gaming keyboard. In general, we would argue that a mechanical switch is always preferable to a membrane one. They are often faster and feel much better when typing and playing games. However, specialized switches like Hall effect, optical, and even induction are becoming more and more common these days, and because of qualities like rapid trigger, they’re becoming excellent choices for competitive gamers.
Table of Contents
THE BEST GAMING KEYBOARD
NO.1 : Asus Rog Strix Scope ii 96 Wireless
The best gaming keyboard
Pros
- Excellent switch feel
- Sound dampening that really works
- Hot-swappable switches
- Adjustable multimedia control wheel
Cons
- Armoury Crate app is messy
The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is the best gaming keyboard available. A keyboard like this one is uncommonly enjoyable to use in every way. Although there are more advanced, more affordable, and quicker boards available—all of which are recommended below—the Strix Scope II 96 Wireless combines many of the characteristics we want in a contemporary gaming keyboard.
First off, these are some of the industry’s smoothest mechanical switches. On this board, ROG-branded NX Snow or NX Storm switches are available. Although the Storm switches offer a little heavier tactile alternative, I’ve been using the Snow switches, which are your standard linear dealio with an actuation force of 45g. These switches don’t do much on their own, but a little lubrication helps a lot.
The typing experience can be considerably improved by applying a small amount of lubricant to each mechanical key switch. Every hit results in a magnificent clack, and every keystroke is steady and fluid. You may avoid the trouble of opening each switch and applying the lubricant yourself because it has already been pre-applied to each one. That can become messy; we’ve done it before.
At their lowest configurable actuation point of 0.4mm, the Corsair K70 Max actuates with a snappier response than either of the existing switches, which both act at 1.8mm. Comparably, the K70 Max polls at 8000Hz, whereas the Strix Scope polls at only 1000Hz. In-game, the Scope II 96 is quite responsive, so I didn’t notice that.
It’s also not too loud. The combination of switch pads, robust PBT plastic keycaps, and sound-dampening foam reduced the sound of the linear switches to a faint pitter-patter. Sturdy stabilisers that are lulled up also maintain the silence of the larger keys, including the spacebar.
Any of the NX Snow switches on this keyboard can be changed out for any other keys you like. If you don’t replace them with lubricated switches, though, I’ll personally go after you. That is not how the Scope II should be done.
The Scope II 96 has been condensed into a smaller chassis, yet it still functions almost like a full-size board—notably, it still has a complete numpad. The delete key is now farther away from your pinky than usual as a result. After a few weeks of use, I feel that I’ve mastered the art of typing on the Scope II 96, albeit it does take some getting used to.
Although many game keyboards seemed to be exact replicas of what Corsair produced ten years ago, I haven’t been as impressed by a gaming keyboard in a long time, but the Scope II 96 is still really good. Its main goal is to master the real workings of a gaming keyboard that is mechanical. Most importantly, it costs a fraction of what its smaller, more expensive twin, the ROG Azoth, does yet is still excellent for gaming.
NO.2 : G.Skill KM250 RGB
The best budget gaming keyboard
Pros
- Super affordable
- Per-key RGB
- Hot-swappable base
- Discrete volume dial
- PBT pudding caps as standard
Cons
- Hollow sound
- Plasticky chassis
- Kailh red switches aren’t great
Gaming keyboards made of metal can be very expensive. The best thing about the G.Skill KM250 RGB is that it doesn’t. For this reason, it’s our choice for the best gaming keyboard under $20 in 2024. Even with its low price, it still has hot-swappable keys, mechanical switches, per-key RGB, and discrete media controls.
The G.Skill KM250 brings a new definition to the term “cheap gaming keyboard.” For just $40, have access to features that were previously exclusive to enthusiasts. That’s crucial at a time when it seems like PC peripheral costs are only going up.
To be honest, you don’t need anything more than what’s supplied here if you’re looking for a solid tiny board. With its compact and straightforward design and Kailh linear mechanical switches, it’s a no-nonsense design par excellence. Nevertheless, you’ll be happy to hear that per-key RGB backlighting—a feature that many love—remains.
If you’d want, you can cram in some more expensive switches and use the G.Skill KM250 chassis to build a cute little semi-custom setup. It is obviously devoid of the ultra-luxurious features of sophisticated stabilisers and sound dampening, but I’m ready to make such concessions in exchange for such an incredibly affordable keyboard. Furthermore, to be quite honest, I’ve had far worse stabilisers on pricey Razer and NZXT keyboards in the past.
The plastic chassis and the supplied Kailh switches make typing sound quite hollow. They’re not horrible, but they’re also not wonderful.
However, the sound is noticeably different now that a set of Halo True heavy tactile switches have replaced the linear Kailh Red switches. Even without dampening, it feels fantastic to type on now. It’s not as rich-sounding as the Mountain Everest 60 or Asus ROG Azoth. If you add snazzy new switches, it’s also at most half the price, and you’d be hard-pressed to notice the difference if you were wearing a headset.
There are a few more useful keys on this fairly ordinary 65% board layout than on a 60% one. The majority of the keys and the cursors are somewhat apart, and there are distinct Del, PgUp, and PgDn buttons as well. An excellent choice.
a distinct volume wheel as well. I really appreciate having a tangible, tactile volume control; it’s a really nice little bonus that I wouldn’t have anticipated on a board this pricey. It’s not just about turning up and down the volume—you can also click down to mute or unmute your audio.
The entire package really impresses me, and the G.Skill KM250 is a great choice if you want a complete mechanical keyboard feel without having to spend fanatic money.
NO.3 : Keychron Q3 Max
The best tenkeyless gaming keyboard
Pros
- Ridiculously sturdy
- Smooth, lubed switches
- Solid battery life
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Side mounted keycaps may not be for everyone
Encased in a sturdy aluminum block, the Keychron Q3 Max is perhaps the greatest tenkeyless gaming keyboard available. It offers an enjoyable typing experience.
Be not misled into believing that there is less competition in the tenkeyless (TKL) gaming keyboard industry than there is in the full-size one. It really is. In only the last few months, we have tried a ton of wonderful TKL boards, including the ROG Azoth and the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL, two outstanding keyboards from well-known brands in the market. and the Q3 Max continues to excite us the most.
Although Keychron isn’t a household name yet, it will become one as it releases more boards similar to this one and the K2 below.
A thick, machined aluminum piece is used to create the Q3 Max. As such, it weighs an incredible 2.045 kg. But don’t let that deter you. It’s common knowledge that heavier keyboards are more durable and provide a far better typing experience than lighter, more flimsy ones.
This is the situation. Typing is a breeze with the Q3 Max. Its architecture is made up of numerous layers, including film, latex pad, sound-absorbing foam, and additional foam. In comparison to some, this results in a typing experience that is steady and continuous, but not quite.
as well as how it sounds. Q3 Max has an amazing sound.
A TKL keyboard’s ability to take up less space than a full-size keeb is one of its main advantages. This entails removing the numpad—hence the name—as well as frequently other unnecessary functionality like separate media keys. But it’s becoming more common for keyboard manufacturers to shove media controls somewhere else, and Keychron has done the same thing here.
The Q3 Max has a dial, or knob, that can be used to adjust brightness, zoom in and out, adjust volume, and do a lot more. It can be customized to any extent that is reasonable using the QMK firmware keymap tool, Launcher, which is available as an open source project. The wonderful thing about Launcher is that it can be used through a browser.
The Q3 Max has RGB backlights on each key, which can be adjusted using the onboard shortcut keys and the same dial. Three switches are available for selection: Gateron Jupiter Red, Brown, and Banana. Similar to the ROG Strix Scope II 96, all three are pre-lubricated and easy to type on.
You have a choice of connecting choices, including wired USB Type-C or wireless 2.4 GHz using the included dongle and Bluetooth. In fact, we hardly ever needed to pull out the USB wire to charge the Q3 Max because the battery lasts a solid 180 hours when the backlight is turned off and 100 hours while it is on.
Even though it is partially understood that it will cost a significant amount of money, it still hurts. You can at least be certain that you’re receiving value for your money. This is the whole package—a great TKL gaming keyboard that doubles as an office hero.
NO.4 : Mountain Everest 60
The best compact gaming keyboard
Pros
- Great typing feel
- Reassuringly robust
- Responsive
- Optional modular numpad is great
Cons
- Base Camp software remains a minor weak point
- Overall package gets expensive
The cutest and most portable gaming keyboard is the Mountain Everest 60. It has every enthusiast keyboard feature you could ask for, but more importantly, it is completely functional enough to serve as your daily vehicle.
Although Asus produced their own modular keyboards years ago, Mountain is the first to do it correctly. With several mounting possibilities and a sturdy, secure fit for the modular components, the entire setup is functional rather than merely a marketing ploy. Although the Everest 60 isn’t modular on its own, it can be hot-swapped with a special numpad that may be bought separately. It will also attach to both sides of the board, which is crucial in my opinion.
You’re just not doing it right if you’re still using the numpad on the right side of your gaming keyboard. The main advantage of a smaller keeb is that it puts your mouse and WSAD hands closer together. You can still use the extra buttons and desktop space for your gaming rodent by moving the numpad to the left.
It does take some getting used to the tiny right shift key, but the inclusion of the cursor keys greatly improves the Everest 60’s overall usefulness. However, the board’s inherent quality isn’t the only reason I’ve fallen in love with it.
I’ve never had a better typing experience, and all because to a small design that typically doesn’t bother me too much.
In order to improve the aural experience, the keyboard’s base is filled with a layer of silicone to increase weight and reduce sound. On either side of the PCB, however, are two layers of foam. In order to prevent rattle on even the wide spacebar, Mountain has utilized genuine Cherry stabilisers on the board and has ensured that they are installed and lubricated appropriately for the Everest 60.
The Mountain mechanical keyboard switches that the firm is shipping inside the Everest 60 for the first time really amaze me, too. In addition, Mountain is offering them individually in three different configurations: Linear 45, Tactile 55 (signaling the 55cN force required for actuation), and Linear 45 Speed (which feature a shorter trip and actuation point). The Tactile 55 feel fantastic in my sample, which I’ve been using. Extremely responsive, stable, and lubricated from the factory, eliminating any grittiness that tactile switches can have.
Still, there’s a cost associated with all this fantastic keebiness. The numpad attachment is an added bonus. Certain bundles feature the new, colorful PBT keycap line in addition to the two, which can result in a slightly lower price. not by much, though.
NO.5 : Wooting Two HE
The best rapid trigger gaming keyboard
Pros
- Analog switches
- High reliability
- Hot swappable switches
- Adjustable actuation
- Solid app with easy to navigate menus and features
Cons
- Games don’t always play nice with analogue switches
- Analog control takes some getting used to
The finest gaming keyboard with quick trigger is the Wooting Two HE. What does that even mean? This indicates that this keyboard uses Hall effect switches to its advantage when playing competitively. This keyboard can enhance a user’s response speed in games like as Valorant and Counter Strike by detecting when a key is released and’resetting’ it more quickly than conventional mechanical switches could.
To fully understand quick trigger, one must understand how a conventional mechanical switch operates.
Consider the Cherry MX Red switch. To reach the functioning position, this will need a predetermined actuation force (45 cN) and a set amount of travel (2 mm). At this point, a signal is transmitted from the keyboard to your PC and a key press is recorded. The metal contacts of the switch come together at this point. The switch then moves back up and passes through a reset point that is roughly in the operating position. Since everything depends on the mechanical components of the switch, nothing can be altered. However, if you wanted a different combination of actuation force, travel, and reset, you could purchase various mechanical switches.
A switch with a Hall effect is distinct. Every Lekker switch has a magnet inside its stem. The Wooting Two HE can precisely trace the mechanical switch’s full depression and return by monitoring the magnet’s magnetic force as it moves via a Hall effect sensor on the keyboard’s PCB. Because the switch itself doesn’t decide this, the user can modify the operating position and reset point in the firmware of a keyboard to suit their needs.
This is also possible with other sorts of switches, such as induction and optical. However, we think Wooting does it the best at the moment.
With each key hit, the rapid trigger feature alters the reset point in a logical manner. Thus, whenever you release a key after pressing it, the reset point is always activated. This implies that you won’t need to release the key completely each time you depress it.
That little bit of time saved on each keystroke might add up in competitive games.
Before quick trigger became popular in the esports industry, the Wooting Two HE’s standout feature was its fully analog controls on every key. Dual actuation, easily adjusted typing, and gaming settings are additional nice features.
HOW WE TEST GAMING KEYBOARDS
As much about performance as peripherals are about convenience, comfort, and aesthetics. We start by examining the construction quality of each keyboard, paying particular attention to high-end components like aluminum alloy backplates and double-shot PBT keycaps. We examine the default typing angle, angle modification options, top and bottom casing materials, keycap profiles and legends, and included accessories like wrist rests and cables.
After that, we utilise each keyboard as our main means of input for work and play for a few weeks. We write on them, play games on them, and do everything in between. Before we start using each keyboard, we take a typing test, and we take several during the testing process. Typing tests offer our reviewers an idea of how well the keyboard’s components fit together and how easy it is to get used to, even if it has an odd size or layout. However, they are not very effective as objective measures of anything.
We use a range of games to test the keyboard’s performance, from action-packed first-person shooters and battle royale titles like Overwatch 2 and Apex Legends to more endurance-based open-world role-playing games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and The Elder Scrolls Online. In addition to testing the keyboard’s performance in a fast-paced, competitive setting, we also want to know how comfortable it is to use if you intend to play massively multiplayer online role-playing games.
We test and review the supplied switches as well, since many customers prefer not to make further purchases right away after purchasing a keyboard. If the keyboard is hot-swappable, we replace the included switches with our preferred ones to see how it affects the typing experience. In addition, if the keyboard is wireless, we test the battery life and resilience of the keyboard at low battery levels, as well as the strength, consistency, and latency of the wireless connection.
Finally, since personalization is a significant component of gaming keyboards, we use any companion software that comes with each keyboard to verify its customizability. Although key remapping and customisation aren’t as vital on a keyboard as they are, example, on a mouse, they can be on tiny or ultra-compact keyboards.
Top 5 Best gaming keyboards in 2024 : FAQS
Q. What is the big deal with mechanical switches?
We may debate the feel of membrane switches against mechanical switches for hours, but in the end, it comes down to preference. The objective superiority of mechanical switches lies in their significantly longer lifespan. They are significantly more resilient and can continue to function long after a membrane switch has given way.
Q. Why do gamers use 60% keyboards?
The primary rationale behind gamers opting for compact 60% keyboards is the increased room that the smaller form factor provides for your gaming mouse. This implies that you can set your mouse’s DPI settings lower, which will increase accuracy but also need wider sweeping motions.
Additionally, it implies that your hands are closer together when resting on the mouse and WSAD keys, which enhances your ergonomic posture when using your computer or playing games.
Q. What is the most important thing to look for in a mechanical gaming keyboard?
Arguably, the most crucial decision to make when selecting a new gaming keyboard is the switch type. Cherry mechanical switches are the most widely used and well-known type, but there are many more options available, including a large selection of upscale, specialty switches.
Q. Are dedicated media controls a deal-breaker?
Although it’s ultimately up to you, we would think that at the very least, we should be able to switch between the function and media controls on the top row. However, having a dedicated volume wheel can be quite helpful.
Q. What size of keyboard do I need?
Size of the keyboard is unquestionably a decisive feature. The majority of functions and a Numpad are often found on full-sized keyboards; nevertheless, all of those niceties are pointless if you don’t have room for them. If you don’t need alt codes (how savage!) or don’t care about all the other bells and whistles, tenkeyless boards (the ones without a number pad) and small keyboards can also be a fantastic option.
