Finest gaming keyboard 2021: Mechanical & wi-fi

Finest: General

• Connectivity: USB-A
• Keycaps: HyperX pudding keycaps
• Measurement: Full dimension
• Backlights:  Gentle bar and RGB

If in case you have sufficient desk area for a full-size gaming keyboard, then for our cash the HyperX alloy elite 2 is the best-looking {hardware} round. The keys have a delightful two-tone look with black caps atop white bases, making them look a bit like these fancy chocolate bars that mix milk and white.

Extra importantly, it’s additionally an absolute delight to sort and recreation on. We’re particularly eager on the devoted media and gaming keys, permitting you to regulate music, regulate brightness, toggle RGB presets and interact the gaming mode with out having to make use of difficult, stretchy key combos. With regards to RGB lighting, that is actually a keyboard that craves consideration, with (elective) dazzling light-shows for each keypress, enhanced by the translucent design of HyperX’s pudding keycaps. Its weighty design, in the meantime, implies that you actually should need the keyboard to maneuver to shift it: no unintended nudges right here.

It has a few downsides: the metal prime plate is a fingerprint magnet and there’s no bundled wrist relaxation. The keys could also be slightly far aside for some individuals’s tastes – an attribute that leads to fewer incorrect presses, however probably on the expense of barely extra drained fingers, in case your arms are on the smaller facet. However, at £140, the HyperX alloy elite 2 a severe keyboard at a surprisingly wallet-friendly worth.

Finest: For analogue controls

• Connectivity: USB-C, USB-A 3.0 through adapter
• Keycaps: Razer double shot PBT keycaps
• Measurement: Full dimension
• Backlights:  RGB

If cash is really no object, then right here’s one thing freshly launched that’s really revolutionary. The Razer huntsman V2 analogue advances on the already wonderful huntsman collection by including one thing that console players have taken as a right for generations: analogue controls.

Buttons on keyboards sometimes exist in considered one of two states: pressed or unpressed. However with the Razer, the keys will be programmed to emulate analogue controls. In different phrases, a lightweight press of ‘W’ might make your character stroll, whereas a heavy press might make them break right into a run. In typical Razer trend, this may be customised, with actuation factors for every key, that means you can also make the biting level anyplace between 1.5mm and three.6mm.

It’s one thing that takes slightly getting used to, however the advantages are apparent: with extra capabilities on single keys, much less gymnastics are required to tug off superior strikes. At £250, it’s by far the priciest keyboard on this listing, but it surely inherits all the advantages that Razer has perfected throughout its years available in the market: an ideal typing expertise, hypnotic programmable RGB lighting, enormous customisation potential and probably the most comfy (elective) wrist relaxation we’ve used up to now.

Nonetheless, if that is too wealthy to your blood, it’s price trying on the Razer blackwidow elite, which affords most of the identical options – minus the intelligent analogue innovation – for round half the value (£129.99, Sport.co.uk).

Finest: Price range gaming keyboard

• Connectivity: USB 2.0 x 1
• Keycaps: Octagonal, matte-coated keycaps
• Measurement: Full dimension
• Backlights: RGB

If cash is tight, however you continue to need a top-tier gaming and typing expertise, then MSI’s GK50 elite is actually price a glance. With a retail worth of £80, however usually noticed cheaper, it not solely affords a wonderful gaming expertise however can be a pleasure to sort on.

Actually, out of the field, it gave us one of the best pace and accuracy scores of any keyboards on this listing. That, mixed with the truth that its appears to be like are extra “workplace” than many of the {hardware} represented right here (as soon as the blinding lights are disabled), makes it the right keyboard for people who like to combine enterprise with pleasure.

The principle stuff you’d anticipate from a gaming keyboard are all current and proper – there’s n-key rollover, anti-ghosting, loads of RGB presets, respectable customisation software program and even further convex ctrl and alt keys which you could pop in for extra grip. Nevertheless it loses some marks for construct high quality, with its plasticky base and comparatively flimsy cable. Design sensible, the important thing gaming capabilities additionally want you to do operate key combos, which will be carrying, and there’s no wrist relaxation included. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless surprisingly totally featured for the value, and might be simply the ticket for people who need a gaming-focused keyboard with out the often excessive value of entry.

Finest: For key sensitivity

• Connectivity: Wired USB 2.0 type-A USB pass-through USB 2.0 type-AUSB
• Keycaps: MOBA keycaps
• Measurement: Full dimension
• Backlights: RGB

The texture of gaming keyboards is, after all, a matter of non-public style. If you happen to want one which’s very delicate to presses, then the Corsair K70 Mk.2 low profile could also be for you. The 1mm level of actuation implies that your in-game reflexes might markedly enhance, although we discovered this additionally typically ended up producing a stream of “aaaaaaaaaa” after we paused to assume whereas typing with digits resting on the keys.

If you happen to’re a lightweight contact typist, nevertheless, you’ll discover an terrible lot to love right here, with a minimalist slim design, devoted media and gaming buttons, and an enormous vary of customisation choices through the Corsair icue software program. The customisation doesn’t finish on the software program facet, both: Corsair consists of an elective set of keycaps for the first-person shooter WADS keys, with a bit extra texture for people who discover the preinstalled ones too slippy.

Its foremost disadvantage is the bundled wrist relaxation which feels low-cost and flimsy – in stark distinction to the keyboard itself, which is solidly constructed regardless of its slim body. The plasticky bumps don’t really feel good on the wrist, and it makes you marvel why Corsair included it in any respect. However when your foremost criticism is the standard of a free elective accent, it’s important to say that the Corsair K70 Mk.2 low profile is price a glance.

Finest: For minimalist design

• Connectivity: USB-C 
• Keycaps: Customized Fnatic-designed keycap 
• Measurement: Small
• Backlights: Immersive RGB lighting

A relative newcomer to the {hardware} world, Fnatic is best generally known as an eSports organisation, however its merchandise have confirmed to supply an ideal expertise at a extremely aggressive worth.

The Fnatic streak keyboards aren’t any exception. The streak65 is extremely compact whereas combining a typing and gaming expertise that’s up with one of the best of them, with a minimalist however stable building.

The complete-size streak RGB with its plush wrist relaxation is a bite-your-hand-off deal at simply (£109.99, Fnatic.com), or you will get the tiny streak65 (£109.99, Fnatic.com) or the marginally larger ministreak (£99.99, Fnatic.com) if you need a top-tier typing and gaming expertise with out breaking the financial institution.

Finest: For attractiveness

• Connectivity: USB-C to USB 2.0 type-A cable
• Keycaps: Matt-finished laser-etched ABS key caps
• Measurement: Tenkeyless 
• Backlights: RGB

The Roccat vulcan TKL professional actually has a definite look that’s more likely to attraction to followers of clear consoles. The keycaps are skinny, flat squares of plastic that sit atop the uncovered stems, considerably paying homage to old-school typewriters. It’s a robust look that actually helps the soothing RGB lighting to shine via superbly.

It’s not only a looker: it feels nice to sort on and affords a suitably satisfying clicky noise when every key’s pressed, with what we’d describe as the right quantity of resistance. The keys are well-spaced, so typos are uncommon when you get used to the texture of issues. Although, it does have a surprisingly massive footprint for a keyboard with out a numpad – and it’s a little bit of a disgrace that the gaming, lighting and media keys all require you to press the operate key on the identical time.

Add to that software program that takes some getting used to, and it is a keyboard that’s near good, however not nearly as good worth as a few of the others on this listing. But when the appears to be like attraction, it’s nonetheless an ideal choice.

Finest: Responsive wi-fi gaming keyboard

• Connectivity: USB type-A wi-fi dongle, Bluetooth, USB type-A cable
• Keycaps: Flat, low-profile choc keycaps 
• Measurement: Tenkeyless 
• Backlights: RGB

Purists would possibly warn you off wi-fi gaming keyboards. Not solely is there the danger of operating out of cost on the most inopportune second, however there’s an inherent latency in wi-fi connections that simply isn’t there with their wired counterparts.

After a while with the G915TKL gaming keyboard and Logitech’s proprietary lightspeed wi-fi know-how, nevertheless, we will affirm that it felt greater than responsive sufficient for us. For people who want to not waste a USB slot on the lightspeed dongle, there’s additionally a Bluetooth mode that may be toggled on – although we wouldn’t advocate it for aggressive gaming.

Actually, it’s arduous to fault the keyboard in any respect: it was nice for typing due to its low tread and video games felt fast and responsive. Devoted rubber media buttons are neatly organized on the prime, and whereas the lighting will be as excessive as you want, it’s very simple to make the G915TKL stylishly understated for workplace use on the push of a button.

The one actual disadvantage is the value, with the G915TKL nearly hitting the £200 mark. Most players don’t want wi-fi, however when you do, the value is justified.

Finest: For players with SteelSeries equipment

• Connectivity: USB 2.0 type-A to USB 2.0 type-A
• Keycaps: PrismCaps 
• Measurement: Full dimension
• Backlights: RGB

The SteelSeries apex 7 is a handsome keyboard and a superb performer, however its USP – a small OLED sensible show within the prime right-hand nook of the keyboard – seems like type over substance. It’s helpful when used to navigate menus while not having the software program, however more often than not it sits with the SteelSeries emblem, until you’re utilizing a recreation with further performance like Counter-Strike: International Offensive. However even then, it’s up to now out of the way in which that it’s not precisely a gamechanger.

That’s a pity, as a result of in any other case, the keyboard is likely one of the nicest we’ve used with a sensible, compact design and responsive efficiency each in-game and whereas typing. It’s additionally supremely comfy, with a rubber wrist relaxation that neatly attaches to the keyboard through magnets. Its intelligent built-in lighting may also sync up with different SteelSeries merchandise, when you occur to be utilizing a appropriate headset, mouse or mousepad.

General, it’s on the expensive facet with out providing a lot further for the cash. We will’t assist however really feel the area saved for the OLED mini show can be higher served with some devoted media keys as a substitute. It’s an ideal choice, nevertheless, for people who have already invested in different SteelSeries equipment or who’re intrigued by the CS:GO integration.

Finest: Wrist relaxation

• Connectivity: USB-C
• Keycaps: Doubleshot ABS
• Measurement: Full dimension 
• Backlights: RGB LED lighting

As you would possibly anticipate for a keyboard in its third iteration, Razer’s blackwidow V3 will get just about every part proper. The keys are responsive, clicky and supply a superb stage of resistance, and every part is properly customisable with the Razer synapse software program. The ergonomics really feel tried and examined for workplace or gaming use.

We’re not eager on the shortage of devoted gaming and lighting buttons, which suggests you’ll want to make use of operate keys for interplay, but it surely will get the fundamentals proper and there’s a built-in headphone jack and USB passthrough too – although the included wrist relaxation is a plasticky quantity that’s a little bit of a letdown in comparison with Razer’s standard plush commonplace.

For an additional £90 there’s the blackwidow professional (£229.99, Scan.co.uk), which is broadly the identical however with added wi-fi connectivity (which additionally means the USB passthrough is misplaced). It’s an ideal addition to the Razer assortment, and fortunately the corporate features a good spongy wrist relaxation for the value, too.

Finest: Compact wi-fi gaming keyboard

• Connectivity: Wired USB and 1 ms at 2.4 GHz RF
• Keycaps: ROG PBT double shot
• Measurement: Tenkeyless mini+ (65%)
• Backlights: RGB

Gaming keyboards are typically on the big dimension, but when desk area is at a premium for you, you then’ll need to take into account the Asus ROG falchion – a keyboard that guarantees the entire performance in a type that has 65 per cent of the keys of your common mannequin.

For probably the most half, this wi-fi marvel completely lives as much as this promise. It’s each a pleasure to sort and recreation on, and the tiny body offers you extra space for expansive mouse actions, which is nice for these with restricted desk actual property. Good clicky mechanical keys, customisable RGB lighting through the armoury crate synapse software program, onboard reminiscence for 5 profiles and a genuinely nice in-game really feel make this a winner.

Crucially, not like another small keyboards, Asus finds room for the arrow keys, which is one thing we sorely miss when attempting to edit paperwork in a rush. Sure, the devoted media keys are missed, however we’re a giant fan of the quantity touchbar on the facet. At £150 it might appear a bit expensive for a keyboard with such a small bodily footprint, however the low-latency wi-fi efficiency, satisfying really feel and ample customisation make it significantly price contemplating if area is your driving issue.

Finest: Water-proof gaming keyboard

• Connectivity: USB 2.0
• Keycaps: Plastic 
• Measurement: Full dimension 
• Backlights: RGB

The ROG strix scope RX is a competitively priced gaming keyboard geared toward first-person shooter followers with an prolonged left ctrl button for straightforward crouching and a compact design to present gamers most mouse motion. It additionally has a “stealth” button to immediately cover every part on display screen, simply in case you’re gaming once you actually shouldn’t be. No judgement right here when you really feel that’s one thing you would possibly want.

There’s no wrist relaxation, and we discovered the keys slightly too delicate for day-to-day typing and gaming – however for twitchy FPS, that gentle destructive can simply be recast as a optimistic. The development is stable, it feels strong and it’s even IP56-certified for cover towards water and mud, that means players can drink close by with confidence. As £125, it’s very tempting certainly.