The 6 best gaming keyboards for digital domination

Don’t say it too loudly, but a budget membrane keyboard is often superior to a budget mechanical keyboard. It’s an idea that the Roccat Magma confidently proves, with its chunky, silent membrane keys that give the other options at this price point a run for their money. 

The feel of the Magma will be familiar to anyone used to typing on an office keyboard, but its Game Mode function (which locks off features that could distract you during a competitive spree), Easy-Shift button that lets you assign duplicate functions to keys, and a full RGB backplate sell its gaming credentials. Despite its rather loud visuals, individual keystrokes barely make a noise, making this a great pick for anyone after a quiet keyboard that won’t empty your wallet.

If you’re willing to splash the cash on a feature-rich, reliable gaming keyboard that’s as comfortable as it is tactile, consider Razer’s Blackwidow V4 Pro. Its mechanical switches are as clicky as they come – great for those who like an audible response to each keystroke – and sport a nicely short travel distance. 

This keyboard really stands out for its abundance of extras. Five macro keys, plus an additional three pre-set buttons on the side let you set scripted actions, while a command dial in the top left functions as an easy means of controlling brightness, switching apps, or zooming in and out of a page. Add in the immensely comfortable cushioned wrist rest, and it's as ergonomic as you could want a gaming keyboard to be.

The position of the macros is a little unintuitive, but nothing you won’t get used to with time. For an all-around, likely-to-please-everyone keyboard that doesn’t skimp on RGB lighting, the Blackwidow V4 is the one to get.

At first glance, it may look as if the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT would be best featured under a "best aesthetic" category, with its custom lighting options that can be stored in five profiles directly through its onboard memory. 

Look closer, though, and you’ll see the XT offers customization almost everywhere. You can customize its Game Mode function and macros, purchase the keyboard with Cherry MX Blue, Brown, or Speed Silver switches, and the keyboard supports Elgato Stream Deck integration for when you want to shift from gaming to streaming.

Robust anti-ghosting technology is welcome, and USB 2.0 pass-through allows you to connect your peripheral accessories to the keyboard. The media buttons include a large volume wheel, as well as buttons for controlling the brightness, lighting effects, Windows Key Lock, and Game Mode settings. It’s fairly large, but space is a worthwhile sacrifice when you consider all the features provided.

Experience gaming without the noisy click, click, click of your keyboard. The SteelSeries Apex 3 offers softer sounds with its low-friction, SteelSeries Whisper Quiet membrane switches. Its durability, price, and complementary features make it the best quiet keyboard around. 

SteelSeries advertises that the keys will last for 20 million clicks. Unless you’re a 24-7 gamer, that’s a long life for a keyboard. The keyboard is built with water-resistant construction, so you will reach 20 million even with some accidental spills. With 24-key rollover (letting it simultaneously register as many keystrokes as you’d ever need), that durability does not come at the expense of a smooth gaming experience. 

The RGB backlighting is customizable and can even be set to flash when you receive a notification or message through Discord. With a full-sized keyboard, the Apex 3 is big even without the magnetic wrist rest, giving it room for a volume wheel and a dedicated media button in the upper right corner.

The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 offers enough features for serious gamers at a price that won’t hurt your wallet. Packing HyperX’s well-received red linear switches topped with translucent ABS "Pudding" keycaps, this keyboard’s big draw is its impressive RGB illumination. The lights look vivid, and backlight options can be set specific to individual keys for extra customization.

HyperX's Ngenuity configuration software will allow you to assign custom macros to simplify frequently-used command sequences, and you can also disable keys, like the Windows key, to prevent any annoying accidental keystroke kicking you out of the action mid-game.

The multi-media controls include dedicated media buttons and a roller bar for adjusting the volume, 100% anti-ghosting, N-Key rollover, USB pass-through, and a braided cord for durability, rounding out the many features of the moderately priced HyperX Alloy Elite 2. 

Wired keyboards are generally preferred by gamers. They reduce lag, are more responsive, and the restrictive mobility of a cable isn’t usually an issue. Still, if you’re after greater portability, or just can’t stand a messy tangle of wires, the Corsair K63 Wireless is your best bet.  

The K63 connects through a USB dongle or Bluetooth (or can be wired up with a USB when you don’t need to be mobile), and its rechargeable battery will give you up to 15 hours of action. The tenkeyless design makes for a more portable size, while the Cherry MX Red key switches are smooth and responsive.

Add in blue LED backlighting, assignable macros, adjustable lighting effects, and a detachable soft-touch wrist rest, and this is both a portable and comfy gaming keyboard.