Windows Central Insider
There's no mystery to why gaming keyboards are so popular; they're just utterly essential. Anyone can play with an entry-level office option, but the benefits of a model that's designed from the ground up for gamers more than justify the costs. Whether you need something low-profile, high-speed, mechanical, or just a cross-compatible gaming keyboard for Xbox and PC, we've tested just about every kind there is.
Best overall gaming keyboard
Razer has dominated this list for years, and it does so with consistently great gaming keyboards. The latest Huntsman has a longer name than usual, especially with that 8KHz moniker at the end, but it's all about input accuracy. The Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz "polls" your PC at 8,000Hz, rather than the usual ~1,000Hz you see on other keyboards, so there's no chance your keypresses will be mistimed or, worse, missed entirely.
Outside of that, it's generally carrying the same stellar build quality as Razer's predecessors, and the Huntsman has the best linear key switches the company has made to date. "Snap Tap" gives you a side-strafing edge in first-person shooters, and its benefits carry over into practically any genre you could think of. This is the best gaming keyboard you can buy right now — with an honorable mention for its "Pro" variant.
Best wireless gaming keyboard
Alienware worked closely with professional esports athletes to design and refine its latest keyboard and mouse duo, resulting in a premium, comfortable product perfect for gaming and general typing. Wireless performance is impeccable, the products look and feel incredible, and the 75% layout is compact without sacrificing helpful multimedia keys. It's not cheap, but you're getting the best wireless gaming keyboard, able to connect to up to four devices via 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.1.
Its new in-house linear mechanical switches are responsive and tactile, but you can also easily hot swap your own custom keycaps or 5-pin switches for a more custom feel. That also makes this keyboard an excellent option for bespoke keyboard fans. Just remember that the gorgeous RGB lighting has a tendency to drain the battery (at least it's easy to charge).
Best low-profile gaming keyboard
The DeathStalker V2 Pro uses aluminum alloy to remain durable and premium despite its slim profile, and utilizes unique optical switches to achieve its responsive, reliable 2.8mm of key travel. This is a full-sized keyboard, too, with tenkey and tenkeyless options that don't compromise on niceties like customizable rollers and buttons, per-key RGB lighting, and onboard memory profiles to quickly switch between different setups for tasks or games.
This is a luxury product, though, which means it's a pricey peripheral. Likely related to its low-profile design, this keyboard also lacks an included wrist rest. The DeathStalker V2 Pro is wireless, however, meaning it can connect to up to four devices via Razer HyperSpeed and Bluetooth. Its slim profile and low weight make it easy to transport, too.
Best customizable gaming keyboard
All-in-one keyboard solutions are the most popular option for most people, but there's still a huge, passionate community of keyboard enthusiasts that want their gaming keyboard to be wholly unique and a reflection of their personality. Bespoke keyboards are the answer, and Keychron makes some of the best in the business. The best of the best? The Keychron Q6 Pro, a wireless mechanical keyboard that provides a phenomenal foundation for all your keyboard customizing needs.
This is a premium keyboard built like a tank, so you can be confident it'll last you years. It uses a gasket mounted design for a bouncier, more responsive typing experience, and lets you swap out the insulation, the pre-installed polycarbonate plate, the switches (up to 5-pin), and the keycaps. There's a huge amount of flexibility here, and you also get a great amount of customization through Keychron's software with per-key RGB lighting, customizable macro keys and dials, and plenty of onboard memory.
How to choose the best gaming keyboard for you
When it comes to choosing the best gaming keyboard for you, it's usually best to begin with a budget. How much are you looking to spend? A premium gaming keyboard can run you as much as $250, which is a steep investment for any gaming setup. After that, it's all about form factor and features. How big do you want your keyboard to be? Does it need to be wireless? Are there any specific features you're looking for?
If that sounds overwhelming, that's understandable. For many serious gamers, the best all-around option is going to be the Razer Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz (or its variants). The Huntsman line of gaming laptops is stellar, and it always has been, with attractive RGB-lit designs, and they often come with configurable profiles stored in on-board memory. They're generally just amazing keyboards across the, well, board.
You can't go wrong with most Razer keyboards, to be honest, but we also trust brands like Alienware and Keychron to consistently put out quality products across a range of budgets, and many will also be great for gaming.
How we test gaming keyboards
Every gaming keyboard is unique and therefore requires unique testing, but Windows Central reviewers make sure to hit the same pillars for every keyboard. We test the build quality and evaluate the overall design of the keyboard, including whether it includes RGB lighting or extras like wrist rests. We consider any unique features or special tech a gaming keyboard may have, like adjustable actuation.
We test any software the keyboard may use for customization or updates, such as its interface, features, and performance. We analyze the performance of the keyboard itself, such as its polling rate, how responsive it is, and the reliability and latency of its wireless connection (if relevant). Of course, we also test the keyboard's typing experience extensively, including when working, creating, or gaming. This includes the texture of keycaps, the type of switch used, the tactility and responsiveness of those keys, and more.
After all our testing is done, we assess if the keyboard's pricing matches the experience given and the existing flaws. All of this and more is part of the testing process for every gaming keyboard, but of course there's also the element of subjectivity — how much does the reviewer love the keyboard?
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