Best gaming keyboard 2023 | PCGamesN

Arming your gaming PC setup with the greatest gaming keyboard will make a distinction, whether or not you’re into first-person shooters or epic RPG adventures. Positive, you’ll be able to technically get by utilizing WASD keys on any previous board, however your fingers will thanks if you happen to arm them with high-quality mechanical switches and beautiful keycaps.

That will help you get hold of the proper clicky-clacky PC companion, we’ve whipped up an inventory of the most effective gaming keyboard choices in 2023. We’ve included a couple of favourites by the likes of Corsair, Razer, and HyperX, however we’ve additionally put price range and lesser-known options to the take a look at utilizing our skilled digits. Our picks will make an important match for the best gaming mouse, and can finally assist bolster your desktop expertise.

Right here are the most effective gaming keyboard choices in 2023:

1. Finest gaming keyboard

The most effective gaming keyboard is the Razer Huntsman V2.
Count on to pay $199.99 USD / £199.99 GBP.

Professionals

• Razer optical switches
• Doubleshot PBT Keycaps
• Extraordinarily comfy wrist relaxation

Cons

• Costly
• No USB passthrough
• Mounted USB cable

Razer is aware of a factor or two about keyboards, and the Huntsman V2 is a terrific testomony to that reality. Armed with optical switches, delectable doubleshot PBT keycaps, and refined attractiveness, this board is an ideal ten in our eyes. It even goes above and past by wielding built-in dampening foam, which helps ditch rattling and clattering whereas preserving pleasing ASMR clicks.

The Razer Huntsman V2 is admittedly dear, and it’s arguably designed with keyboard lovers in thoughts. Nonetheless, it’s going to nonetheless present any gaming PC setup with correct and speedy enter, because of its 8,000Hz polling charge.

That’s going to matter if you happen to’re trying to improve your expertise within the best FPS games, as you’ll be capable to swiftly dip, dive and dodge your approach to security throughout standoffs with out worrying about latency. You may even swap out its keycaps to provide it an aesthetic edge – a characteristic that’ll inject a little bit of character into your PC gaming house.

Learn the PCGamesN Razer Huntsman V2 review for our full run-down and rating.

2. Finest modular gaming keyboard

The most effective modular gaming keyboard is the Mountain Everest Max.
Count on to pay $249.99 USD / £259.99 GBP (Core begins at $149.99 / £149.99).

Professionals

• Modular
• Sizzling-swappable switches
• LCD macro buttons

Cons

• Wrist relaxation is a bit skinny
• Collectively dear, however you should purchase part-by-part

We’re a giant fan of modularity, and the Moutain Everest Max absolutely embraces the thought of hot-swappable addons. Whereas many different gaming keyboards on the market characteristic detachable switches, the Everest Max helps a further numpad and media bar, each of which elevate its performance past what you’d count on from customary PC peripherals.

In case you’re a streamer, you’re going to dig the non-obligatory Mountain Everest Max Displaypad, because it basically features like a Stream Deck substitute. Geared up with LCD keys, we reckon the addon’s macro talents may give Elgato a run for its cash, all whereas taking over much less valuable floor house by being successfully a part of the keyboard’s footprint.

An entire setup will set you again a hefty quantity, however the core keyboard is available in at $149.99. Not unreasonable contemplating it packs Cherry MX switches and nice construct high quality besides, and it definitely makes extra of an announcement than most of its premium rivals available on the market.

Learn the PCGamesN Mountain Everest Max review for our full run-down and rating.

3. Finest low cost gaming keyboard

The most effective low cost mechanical gaming keyboard is the Epomaker SK61.
Count on to pay $65 USD / £65 GBP.

Professionals

• Gateron Optical
• Worth-driven worth level
• Removable cable

Cons

• Software program is iffy
• Temperamental perform key

You don’t must pay high greenback for respectable gaming keyboard specs, because the Epomaker SK61 is a price range champion that gives unbelievable bang to your buck. It’s not the most cost effective possibility on the market, however for $65 USD, you’ll get a board with hot-swappable switches, PBT keycaps, and respectable RGB backlighting. It’s even water resistant, so it’ll probably survive any unlucky incidents at your desk.

Because the identify implies, the Epomaker SK61 contains a 60% structure with a grand whole of 61 keys. The keyboard’s dinky design isn’t going to attraction to everybody, however its dimension and hanging white, purple, and gray color pallet completely seems the half. It’s one of many prettiest keyboards we’ve used, and the very fact boasts model and substance means it holds up as a each day driver. It’s additionally geared up with a removable USB-C cable, which admittedly places our favorite Razer keyboard to disgrace.

It’s value noting that if you happen to’re trying to lower the twine, there’s a wi-fi model that solely value round $10 {dollars} extra. The creators of the Epomaker keyboard, Skyloon, like to modify out their product names for no matter purpose, however the mannequin is offered on Amazon because the Yunzii SK61S.

4. Finest TKL gaming keyboard

The most effective TKL gaming keyboard is the Corsair K70 TKL.
Count on to pay $150 USD / £150 GBP.

Professionals

• Compact TKL design
• Totally-featured
• Properly-built

Cons

• No wrist relaxation
• Costly when not on sale

Not everybody wants a numpad, and the Corsair K70 TKL ditches its right-hand keys whereas retaining all the pieces that makes the unique mannequin so nice. It wears the identical aluminium shell as its full-sized sibling, wields Cherry MX switches, and provides an 8,000Hz polling charge – a combo that helps the tenkeyless K70 commerce blows with keyboard rivals massive and small.

The K70 TKL avoids cluttering its floor with fancy bells and whistles, but it surely does supply a pleasant set of media keys and a nifty quantity curler. That’s to not say it utterly forgoes flamboyancy, as its spectacular RGB backlighting provides a shocking splash of color, and it’ll sync up along with your Corsair PC case and different peripherals utilizing iCue. Nonetheless, showboating isn’t this board’s precedence, with most of its options (fairly rightly) catering to esports efficiency and performance.

Learn the PCGamesN Corsair K70 TKL review for our full run-down and rating.

5. Finest compact gaming keyboard

The most effective compact gaming keyboard is the Mountain Everest 60.
Count on to pay $149.99 USD / £119.99 GBP.

Professionals

• The smallest keyboard with arrow keys
• Quiet however satisfying typing expertise
• Mountain mechanical switches are satisfying

Cons

Mountain saves the day but once more with its modular design, because the Everest 60 is a 60% gaming keyboard with an non-obligatory numpad. Naturally, meaning if you happen to ever remorse investing in board with out quantity keys, you’ll be able to treatment the problem by choosing up a nifty attachment, quite than having to choose up a substitute.

The Everest 60 follows within the premium footsteps of the Max, with incredible construct high quality serving to to justify its price ticket. We predict your fingers will agree, as its proprietary switches and silicone layer gives every key with a satisfying sound and really feel. Simply remember that the modular numpad will set you again a further $50, and it’s not suitable with Max mannequin modules.

Learn the PCGamesN Mountain Everest 60 review for our full run-down and rating.

6. Finest wi-fi gaming keyboard

The most effective wi-fi gaming keyboard is the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini Hyperspeed.
Count on to pay $229.99 USD / £229.99 GBP.

Professionals

• Selection of two.4GHz Razer Hyperspeed or Bluetooth wi-fi
• Excessive-quality Doubleshot keycaps
• One of the vital comfy wrist rests round

Cons

• Not the most cost effective possibility round

The Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed is a mouthful to say, however this dinky keyboard is certainly one of our wi-fi favourites. Armed with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity, the board embodies the corporate’s dedication to each high quality and aesthetics, all whereas taking over much less room in your desk.

That final level is extra essential than you assume, particularly relating to the most effective wi-fi keyboard choices. In spite of everything, a part of the attraction is having the ability to simply decide up your board and yeet it away with out coping with cords, one thing that makes it simpler to make use of elsewhere.

Whether or not you’re in search of a board that’ll additionally pair with the most effective Steam Deck dock in your front room, or a cordless companion to stay in your backpack, the BlackWidow V3 Mini understands the project. With a flick of a swap, you’ll be capable to pair up with Bluetooth gadgets or embrace the advantages of ‘Hypersense’ low latency whereas utilizing a standard PC. In case you’re in a pinch, you’ll be able to even add a USB C wire again into the combination, however its 200-hour battery life could stop that situation completely.

Learn the PCGamesN Razer Blackwidow V3 Mini review for our full run-down and rating

7. Finest low-profile gaming keyboard

The most effective low-profile gaming keyboard is the Razer Deathstalker V2.
Count on to pay $249.99 USD / £230 GBP.

Professionals

• Low-profile
• Nice RGB
• Wi-fi

Cons

• Very costly
• Keys could really feel barely rattly

Gaming keyboards are normally pretty chonky, however the Razer Deathstalker V2 packs tons of options right into a pleasantly flat package deal. Whereas the unique mannequin makes use of membranes, its successor is kitted out with optical switches and ABS keycaps that in some way handle to keep away from standing too tall. The end result? A beautiful low-profile keyboard that avoids the standard compromises.

The Deathstalker V2 is admittedly dear, however that doesn’t hold it from being among the finest low-profile gaming keyboards we’ve used. Dwelling inside its 19.9cm aluminium shell are acquainted options like Hypersense wi-fi connectivity and the aforementioned optical switches, that means it shares DNA with the likes of the Huntsman and Deathstalker sequence. It’s additionally a looker, because it makes room for dazzling Chroma RGB backlighting beneath its quick caps.

The Deathstalker V2 is likely to be a gaming keyboard, but it surely pulls a low-profile aesthetic that’ll mix in anyplace. We’re not essentially saying it is best to take this costly peripheral to work, however if you happen to did, it gained’t stick out like a sore thumb. Identical goes for when you’ve got a desk in your front room, and its nifty quantity wheel serves a sensible goal for these with a PC media centre offering their TV with leisure.

Learn the PCGamesN Razer Deathstalker V2 review for our full run-down and rating.

8. Finest membrane keyboard

The most effective membrane keyboard is the HyperX Alloy Core RGB.
Count on to pay $39 USD / £45 GBP.

Professionals

• Function-packed for a membrane keyboard
• Reasonably priced
• Customisable

Cons

• Largely plastic
• Software program is clunky

We love the clatter of switches, however if you happen to’re taking part in PC video games within the presence of others, you may wish to go for a membrane resolution just like the HyperX Alloy Core RGB. It’s nonetheless a gaming keyboard via and thru, and buying and selling away clicky-clacky innards really comes with a couple of sudden advantages.

Naturally, membrane keyboards make much less noise, and the Alloy Core RGB is each quiet and responsive. On high of that, it’s additionally exceptionally sturdy, and its design provides it a pure resistance to spills. But, it seems like different gaming keyboards on the skin, geared up with spectacular RGB that embraces HyperX’s common vibe.