If you are a serious gamer, you know how essential high-quality gaming gear is. The controller, the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and the latency of your connection, everything could make the difference between a resounding victory and a crushing defeat. So today, we bring you the definitive list of the best gaming keyboards you can buy in 2021. We will also list the best inexpensive gaming keyboards for folks on a budget.

The gaming keyboards listed below span across different price points, ranging from sub-$50 affordable devices for folks on a budget to over $200 decked-up cutting-edge keyboards with all the bells and whistles one can ask for. So without further ado, let’s check out the best gaming keyboards (mechanical, membrane, TLK, and more) you can buy right now. Do note that we have only included mainstream devices with standard layouts and QWERTY keypads.

  • SteelSeries Apex Pro
  • Razer BlackWidow Elite
  • Cooler Master CK552
  • Logitech G915 LightSpeed TKL Wireless
  • Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro
  • Corsair K100 RGB
  • Mountain Everest Max
  • HyperX Alloy Elite 2
  • Razer Cynosa V2
  • HyperX Alloy Origins 60

Note: We have covered all types of gaming keyboards in this list, including the best mechanical, membrane, TKL, mini and more. Check out our detailed gaming keyboard guide to learn more about different switch technologies in gaming keyboards.

Possibly the best full-sized mechanical gaming keyboard you can buy right now, the SteelSeries Apex Pro comes with OmniPoint adjustable switches. You can adjust each key in the keyboard to meet your preferred sensitivity level, whether for gaming, work, or anything else. The actuation distance can range from 0.4 millimeters to 3.6 millimeters, depending on the user’s preference. It also comes with a clickable metal roller and media keys that allow users to adjust volume and settings such as brightness, rewind, skip, pause, and more.

The Apex Pro also features an OLED smart display that acts as a command center for adjusting settings and tracking real-time information from games, Spotify, Discord, and more. The SteelSeries Apex Pro is built out of aircraft-grade aluminum alloy that makes it highly durable. It also comes with stunning RGB Illumination that the company claims delivers up to 16.8 million colors per key. The keyboard also comes with a premium magnetic wrist rest that provides full palm support for a comfortable and ergonomic feel.

While most people prefer linear keys for gaming, some folks swear by tactile switches. If you’re one of them, the Razer BlackWidow Elite is the keyboard for you. It comes with Razer’s in-house Orange mechanical switches that offer tactile feedback with a quieter click. These switches require 45 g of actuation force, making them ideal for most gaming and typing purposes. If tactile isn’t your thing, you can also choose between the clicky Razer Green and the linear Razer Yellow switches. At just under $100, it is also one of the best budget mechanical keyboards for gaming right now.

  • Pros: Well-built and sturdy, Full RGB backlighting, Macro-programmable keys, Available in three different switch options
  • Cons: Software-based customization only available on Windows

The Cooler Master CK552 is a great mechanical keyboard at an incredible price. It comes with an option of Gateron Red, Blue, or Brown mechanical switches, all of which offer rapid response times for quick in-game action. It also features attractive RGB backlighting that includes per-key LEDs with multiple lighting modes and effects. The keyboard also features on-the-fly controls that allow for real-time adjustments to the lighting and macros with no additional software. If you want more granular control, you can rely on the company’s software for advanced customization. It lets you map over 16.7 million colors to any key, customize lighting modes, and fine-tuning macros.

4. Logitech G915 LightSpeed TKL Wireless: Best TKL Gaming Keyboard

Logitech G915 is an excellent keyboard known for its build, ergonomics, and feature set. While the full-sized wired, linear variant is the most popular, Logitech also offers a ten-key-less (TKL) variant. It boasts low-profile mechanical switches for speed, accuracy, and performance. The Logitech G915 TKL features a compact form factor, LightSpeed wireless connectivity, low-profile GL switches, and LightSync RGB. It comes in 3 options: GL Tactile, GL Linear, or GL Clicky, and all three are among the best in their respective categories.

The BlackWidow V3 Pro is one of the best wireless mechanical gaming keyboards you can buy. It comes with an option between clicky and tactile Green switches or the smooth and silent Yellow models. The latter is the more popular one for gaming and offers great speed and precision, thanks to an actuation point of just 1.2mm. They offer no tactile feedback and include sound dampeners to reduce any audible clicks. It also comes with a clean design that enables better immersion in integrated games and lighting setups.

The Corsair K100 RGB is one of the best linear mechanical gaming keyboards money can buy. It offers cutting-edge performance, style, durability, and a whole host of customization options. It features Cherry MX Speed Silver RGB key switches that provide lightning-fast response times with an actuation distance of just 1.2mm. The switches come with a guarantee of up to 100 million keystrokes and register key presses up to 4x faster than standard mechanical gaming keyboards.

The Corsair K100 RGB comes with a durable aluminum frame, dynamic per-key RGB backlighting, and a 44-zone three-sided LightEdge. It is powered by Corsair’s AXON Hyper-Processing Technology, which helps deliver up to 4x faster throughput with native 4,000Hz hyper-polling and 4,000Hz key scanning while simultaneously driving up to 20-layer lighting effects. The keyboard also comes with a programmable iCUE control wheel that gives you command over backlighting, media jogging, and more through Corsair iCUE software.

The Everest Max from German peripherals manufacturer Mountain is an 80% TKL keyboard that you can expand with modular components like a numeric keypad or a media dock. Both can be attached either to the right or the left of the base model for ultimate customization. Other features include customizable display keys and hot-swappable switches, as well as keycaps. It comes with many different switch types, including Cherry MX Red, Brown, Blue, Speed Silver, and Silent Red. Of course, there’s also the customary RGB and programmable macro keys.

  • Pros: Fantastic hardware, Great modularity
  • Cons: Software still a work-in-progress, Extremely expensive

Buy From Mountain: (Base: $129.99; Full Setup: $269.99)

The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 is a full-sized mechanical gaming keyboard, and you have a choice of Cherry MX Blue, Brown, and Red switches. It also features translucent ABS pudding keycaps that enable the RGB lighting to shine through for a more immersive gaming experience. The Cheery MX switches themselves are the perfect balance between responsiveness and accuracy, with short travel time and actuation distance. They also feature an exposed LED for brighter, more luminous RGB lighting.

9. Razer Cynosa V2: Best Membrane Keyboard

The Razer Cynosa V2 is a membrane keyboard that offers the best price to performance ratio right now. It is a full-featured gaming keyboard with membrane switches, full RGB lighting, a programmable Game Mode, and discrete media keys. The keyboard can execute up to ten commands at the same time with built-in key rollover anti-ghosting. It also offers a high degree of personalization and gaming immersion with Razer Chroma RGB that syncs with popular games, Razer hardware, Philips Hue, and gear from 30+ partners.

The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 is a 60% gaming keyboard with a sturdy build, responsive mechanical switches, and RGB backlighting support. It includes HyperX Red switches with a short travel time and low actuation force and per-key RGB lighting. The switches are rated for 80 million keypresses, making them among the most reliable in the market. The keyboard comes with an aircraft-grade aluminum body that provides long-term durability and structural stability.

Buy From HyperX: ($99.99)

The list above not only includes the best professional-level gaming keyboards (mechanical, membrane, TLK, and more) but also more budget-friendly options suitable for all. So pick the best gaming keyboard that suits your budget and tickles your fancy. In the meantime, check out our list of the best budget SSDs for gaming and the best gaming RAM you can buy right now. Also, check out how you can speed up your Windows 10 PC to give you that added edge while gaming. Finally, make sure that your PC is not running too hot and avoid thermal throttling.