Best overall
Corsair K95
The Corsair K95 is not cheap but you get a ridiculous amount of gaming keyboard for the price. You get a choice of Cherry MX Speed or Brown switches, the former being better for gaming while sacrificing a little in everyday use. The K95 is also packed with RGB lighting, macro keys and a really handy volume wheel.
The K95 is built with an aluminum frame, so it will withstand the rigors of the daily gaming grind, textured keycaps in places such as the space bar, and 8MB of onboard storage for lighting and macro profiles so you don't need access to any software to make them operate when you're on the road. The K95 costs around $200 for the MX Brown version or $160 for the MX Speed.
Bottom line: It ticks every box when you're looking for a gaming keyboard.
One more thing: Onboard memory means you can keep your macros and lighting profiles stored safely without the need for software.
Why the Corsair K95 is the best
If there's a dream gaming keyboard, the K95 is the closest to it right now.
It's big, and it's expensive, but if you're a PC gamer it ticks every box you could want. That starts with the Cherry MX Speed switches, which are so utterly responsive it almost feels like you're cheating. They're probably not the best if you do a lot of typing, but for gaming, they're almost unbeatable.
It's well made and thoughtfully designed, too. Sure, the font on the keys might not be your thing, but the fact Corsair included a detachable wrist rest, macro keys, a selection of textured keycaps, onboard memory for lighting and macro profiles and that sweet scroll wheel for changing volume shows it is really thinking about the people who will be using the K95. It's from a brand you can trust, and you can expect first-rate reliability.
Runner-up
Razer Blackwidow Chroma (V2)
Razer's Blackwidow keyboards are legendary, and the Chroma V2 continues the legacy. It runs Razer's own mechanical switches with 1,000Hz ultrapolling, and while they're a little different feeling than Cherry MX, they're fast, responsive and have a super satisfying "click."
The Blackwidow oozes features, too. Besides the customary Chroma lighting system, the Blackwidow boasts macro keys, USB and audio passthrough, serious anti-ghosting and an included wrist rest. It costs around $145.
Bottom line: It's packed with features, great lighting effects, and superb key switches.
One more thing: The Blackwidow Tournament Edition is an alternative for folks who want a smaller Blackwidow.
Best under $100
HyperX Alloy FPS Pro
Coming in at $80 is the Alloy FPS Pro from HyperX, the gaming arm of Kingston. It is built like a tank, subtle in looks and strong where it counts. With steel construction, the Alloy is going to take all of the gaming-related hammerings you can throw at it. And those Cherry MX Red switches will give you just the feeling you're looking for.
The 100 percent anti-ghosting means you'll never miss a crucial moment, and first-person shooter (FPS) fans, in particular, will love the optional textured keycaps, because keeping your fingers where it matters can be the difference between a W and an L.
Bottom line: It's a great price for a quality Cherry MX-equipped keyboard.
One more thing: The Alloy comes with optional textured keycaps for the WASD area.
Best budget mechanical
Corsair K66
The K66 by Corsair is a mechanical keyboard with no frills. There aren't any LEDs, the design is simple and everything else takes a backseat in favor of performance. This allows for a tactile feedback typing experience for an incredible $55.
The switches used are Cherry MX Red, and Corsair has made sure important features made it through to production, including dedicated multimedia buttons, 100 percent anti-ghosting support, and macro programming.
Bottom line: It's a top-quality mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX switches for less than $60.
One more thing: Despite the price, it still has 100-percent anti-ghosting.
Best membrane
Razer Cynosa Chroma
For ultimate gaming performance, mechanical keys win out every time. But not everyone enjoys the added noise you get from mechanical switches, while still wanting something reliable for gaming. Razer's Cynosa Chroma is one of the best membrane keyboards around with a quiet sound and a soft, cushioned key press.
Naturally, it comes with Chroma lighting, but it's also spill resistant and supports 10-key rollover with anti-ghosting. Thanks to the Synapse 3 companion app, you have additional features like being able to lock out the Windows key when gaming, and you can add additional functions using Razer Hypershift.
Bottom line: Membrane keyboards can still be fun for gamers, and the $60 Cynosa Chroma is the one to get.
One more thing: Hypershift allows you to add secondary functions to any key on the keyboard.
Best wireless
Logitech G613
There was a time a wireless gaming keyboard would be unthinkable. Not only is it now an option, but thanks to the Logitech G613 it's a great option that also has mechanical switches. Thanks to the company's Lightspeed technology, you get a one-millisecond report rate while being able to clack away on Logitech's Romer-G switches.
The wrist rest is permanently attached, and incredibly Logitech is claiming it possible to get a full year's battery life from the G613. For just under $100, you get all that, Macro keys and, importantly, no wires.
Bottom line: The first wireless mechanical keyboard was worth the wait.
One more thing: Up to a year's battery life means you shouldn't have to worry about it dying at a crucial moment.
Conclusion
There are a lot of great gaming keyboards out there right now, and PC gamers are spoiled. If the price doesn't put you off, Corsair's excellent K95 has everything you could want from a high-end keyboard. If you have other requirements, or a lower budget, the options here from Razer, HyperX and Logitech also are well worth the investment.
Best overall
Corsair K95
The Corsair K95 is not cheap but you get a ridiculous amount of gaming keyboard for the price. You get a choice of Cherry MX Speed or Brown switches, the former being better for gaming while sacrificing a little in everyday use. The K95 is also packed with RGB lighting, macro keys and a really handy volume wheel.
The K95 is built with an aluminum frame, so it will withstand the rigors of the daily gaming grind, textured keycaps in places such as the space bar, and 8MB of onboard storage for lighting and macro profiles so you don't need access to any software to make them operate when you're on the road. The K95 costs around $200 for the MX Brown version or $160 for the MX Speed.
Bottom line: It ticks every box when you're looking for a gaming keyboard.
One more thing: Onboard memory means you can keep your macros and lighting profiles stored safely without the need for software.