When acquiring the components necessary for your PC gaming setup, you will need a good keyboard. There are many differences of opinion surrounding this essential piece of hardware; however, there are some general attributes to look out for that are universally known to enhance your individual experience. Choosing the right monitor for gaming, as well as speakers, headsets, and keyboards all make a difference in your experience. When you are on the hunt for the best keyboard to suit your needs, finding one that falls within your budget is usually the first priority.
Other characteristics to take into consideration are the keyboard’s latency and switch types, as these determine so much of your gaming experience. Mechanical options are usually the most popular and sought after, mainly due to their lower latency and the amazing customization level that their switches allow. However, we included one non-mechanical alternative in our list that stands out for its durability and budget-friendliness. To help you in your search, we have compiled 3 of our favorite keyboards and divided them by price point, so you can explore what these different options offer.
Logitech G715: Higher Price Point
The Logitech G715 is a high-performance, comfortable keyboard. Its latency is extremely low, which makes it ideal for any type of gaming genre you enjoy playing, including highly competitive titles such as Call of Duty: Warzone. It comes with a wristrest and it is wireless, which allows for easy transportation. Although the RGB backlighting is highly customizable, it only allows for the F1-F12 keys to be macro-programmed.
This keyboard uses Logitech’s own GX switches, which allow you to choose between three options: GX Blue Clicky, GX Red Linear, and GX Brown Tactile. The keycaps are double-shot PBTs, which makes them extra durable as it prevent them from being worn down by friction and chemicals. The battery life offers 25-30 hours of uninterrupted gaming. Ranging around $200, this keyboard’s fantastic performance level and customizable features make it an awesome choice if you are on a higher-end budget.
Corsair K70 RGB TKL Champion Series: Medium Price Point
Our second option, the Corsair K70 RGB TKL, is recommended by experienced gamers as one of the best mid-range price point keyboards in the market. It comes with either Cherry MX Speed or Cherry MX Red switches; which pair up with its near-millisecond latency to create a smooth, efficient experience. These switches are very sensitive to touch, which makes it so the keys do not have to be pressed with nearly as much strength. This can in turn reduce the hand pain that many gamers experience after hours of gaming sessions.
The high programmability of the keys, which add to the customized feeling of the keyboard, is a main bonus feature that its users can experience. The Corsair K70 RGB TKL’s build is compact and its size allows for a lot of freedom through mouse movement on the side, though it does not have a wrist rest. This keyboard is known to be a great gaming tool which makes its price point, ranging from 120$-149$, totally worth it.
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL: Lower Price Point
Our only non-mechanical option on the list is the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL. If you are on a budget but want something durable, this is one of the best keyboards to acquire. Priced at $44.99, this keyboard is geared more towards casual playing rather than high-intensity competitive gaming. This is due to its latency being higher than that of other more expensive models. Its rubber dome switches are very quiet in comparison to the majority of mechanical switches out there and they are light to the touch.
The SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL includes RGB lighting, though it only provides eight zones you are able to customize to your liking. Made with double-shot PBT plastic keycaps, its build is water-resistant and sturdy. All of these characteristics make it a great keyboard choice as an efficient, low-budget option.
These are our three picks to help you on your keyboard acquisition quest! Identifying the features that are most important to you before making your choice is what will make it the right one. And if you need any help in picking the best gaming desk to pair with your new keyboard, check out our guide to Creating the Ultimate Gaming Setup here!
