Best Gaming Keyboards 2024: Full-size, TKL, Mini, and More

Your keyboard is the part of your PC you touch the most: it's your primary connection to everything. A new keyboard will deliver a more immediately-noticeable difference than just about any other upgrade.

Finding the right keyboard is even more critical for gamers: you need a keyboard that's not only comfortable and easy to type on, but one that also delivers the perfect amount of tactile feedback, with zero latency, for speed and accuracy. Your keyboard is your main sidekick as you navigate complicated battle maps or vast open worlds — so you don't want to make this choice lightly.

We've tested all sorts of gaming keyboards, in every size, color, and style, and these are the best of the best for every playstyle. 

The Quick List

Best Gaming Keyboards You Can Buy Today

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Best Mainstream Gaming Keyboard

The HyperX Alloy Origins is compact, well-built, and reasonably priced (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Mainstream Gaming Keyboard

Specifications

Switches: HyperX Red (linear)
Backlight: Per-key RGB
Type: Full-size
Size: 17.4 x 5.2 x 1.4 inches (44.3 x 13.3 x 3.6cm)
Weight: 2.4 pounds (1,075g)

Reasons to buy

+
Attractive, compact design
+
Excellent RGB lighting
+
Three-level rear height adjustment

Reasons to avoid

-
No dedicated media controls or macro keys
-
Shorter 1.8mm switch actuation (versus 2mm) feels like a gimmick
-
NGenuity software could be more intuitive

The HyperX Alloy Origins' compact and quality build makes it the best gaming keyboard for mainstream gamers who just want to get down to gaming. It’s comfortable, with a premium look and feel, from its keys to its frame and vibrant RGB lighting. If you're familiar with linear switches, which are quick but offer little feedback, you'll feel right at home with HyperX's red linear switches. We also tested the clickier version, which uses HyperX's aqua switches and is also available  at Amazon and HyperX's store

For over $100, you can find gaming keyboards with more luxuries, such as media control buttons, a USB pass-through port (for easily plugging in another accessory, like your best gaming mouse), and more advanced software. The Alloy Origins is definitely a no-frills keyboard — but what it does offer, it executes very well. 

If you're not looking for a full-size keyboard, HyperX does offer smaller (and cheaper) versions of this keyboard. We've also tested the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 and the mini HyperX Alloy Origins 60, and HyperX also offers a TKL version — the HyperX Alloy Origins Core. 

Read: HyperX Alloy Origins review

Best Feature-Packed Gaming Keyboard Splurge

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro is worth the splurge (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Gaming Keyboard Splurge

Specifications

Switches: Razer Green / Razer Yellow
Backlight: Per-key RGB
Type: Full-size
Size: 18.25 x 6 x 1 inches (464 x 152 x 25mm)
Weight: 2.26 pounds (1027g)

Reasons to buy

+
Plush, padded wrist rest that extends keyboard’s underglow by 20 RGB zones
+
Programmable multi-function “Razer Command Dial”
+
Eight dedicated macro keys
+
8,000 Hz max polling rate

Reasons to avoid

-
ABS keycaps may not last long
-
Macro keys disabled by default
-
Customization is very software-dependent

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro is the ultimate full-size, feature-packed, customizable gaming keyboard to outfit your battlestation. It’s got everything you could need or want, including eight dedicated macro keys, a programmable multi-function “Razer Command Dial,” four dedicated media keys and a volume roller, and a plush, padded detachable wrist rest that lights up when you connect it to the keyboard. 

The BlackWidow V4 Pro is a wired keyboard that comes with Razer Green (clicky) or Razer Yellow (linear) mechanical switches. It features an aluminum alloy top plate, doubleshot ABS keycaps, and has bright, per-key RGB as well as underglow (with a total of 38 zones when the wrist rest is connected). It’s not our favorite gaming keyboard for typing (that’s up next), but the typing experience is decent: the Razer Green switches we tested are tactile, clicky, and loud, and the case has two layers of dampening foam. 

The main downside of this keyboard is its size: it will take up a large portion of your desk, especially if you use it with the detachable wrist rest. At $230, it’s also pretty pricey — and those extra buttons and dials are only worth it if you actually end up using them. 

Read: Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Review 

Best Budget Gaming Keyboard

(Image credit: Aukey)
Best Budget Keyboard

Specifications

Switches: Aukey Blue clicky mechanical switches
Backlight: RGB backlighting
Type: Full-size
Size: 18.1 x 7.8 x 1.4 inches
Weight: 2.5 pounds (1,134g)

Reasons to buy

+
An abundance of RGB lighting
+
Dedicated macro keys and volume knob for additional inputs
+
Solid construction with no pinging

Reasons to avoid

-
ABS keycaps
-
Cable is thick, unwieldy and can’t be detached
-
Non-removable palm rest

The Aukey KM-G17 is everything you want — and more (maybe too much more) — in a full-size mechanical gaming keyboard. It's a big keyboard, measuring 18.1 inches wide, 7.8 inches deep, and 1.4 inches tall — bigger than most full-size keyboards, thanks to its extra keys and non-removable palm rest. It has five macro keys, media keys, and a volume knob along the top, and attractive diffused RGB lighting along the sides. It comes with Aukey's blue clicky mechanical switches, which have an actuation force of 50g and 1.9mm of pretravel. 

The KM-G17 won't save you desk space, but it will save you money: it retails for just $60, and can often be found on sale for a little over half that price. Subsequently, you shouldn't be too surprised to learn that it doesn't have the bells and whistles of a premium gaming keyboard — namely, it has a plastic chassis and ABS plastic keycaps, a thick non-detachable USB cable, just one RGB lighting zone, and it's clunkier overall than higher-end gaming keyboards. 

Still, it's got what you need for gaming: full n-key rollover, a 1,000 Hz polling rate, and a built-in gaming mode. All of the keys are programmable using the keyboard's dedicated software, which lets you record macros, change the lighting effect, and save 10+ profiles to the keyboard's onboard storage. 

Read: Aukey KM-G17 Review 

Best RGB in a Gaming Keyboard

The Roccat Vulcan II Max is flashy and beautiful (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Looking Gaming Keyboard

Specifications

Switches: Roccat Titan II Optical (Red or Brown)
Backlight: Per-key RGB
Type: Full-size
Size: 18.23 x 6.0625 x 1.32 inches / 463 x 154 x 33.5 mm
Weight: 2.29lbs / 1040g (without accessories)

Reasons to buy

+
Bright, attractive lighting looks great on wrist rest
+
Linear or tactile switch options
+
Dedicated media keys and built-in secondary functions

Reasons to avoid

-
Fixed cable with dual USB connectors
-
Annoying Software
-
Slippery ABS keycaps

The Roccat Vulcan II Max is designed to dazzle you: This full-size wired keyboard not only features bright, per-key RGB lighting, which is on maximum display thanks to the keyboard’s flat, shallow keycaps; 24 of its switches also have dual-LEDs. The Vulcan II Max comes with a detachable silicone wrist rest that serves as a conduit for the keyboard’s lighting (it’s beautiful), and features dedicated media keys and a clickable volume knob. 

This is an attractive, unique-looking keyboard even without lighting — it has a slim, lightweight chassis with an aluminum alloy top plate, and flat, chiclet-y keycaps that leave the switches entirely exposed. The keyboard has 24 pre-programmed multi-function “smart” dual-LED keys, which light up to indicate secondary keybinds and can also change colors to display real-time info, such as headset or mouse battery life. The keyboard features Roccat’s Aimo lighting experience, which is an “intelligent” lighting system that interacts with, and reacts to, the user (and adapts over time). It’s definitely a dazzling alternative to the typical spectrum cycling, and it’s even more dazzling when paired with the Vulcan II Max’s translucent wrist rest. 

If you’re looking for a hypnotizing light show, look no further. The Vulcan II Max comes in both black and white colorways, with Roccat’s Titan II optical switches in red (linear) or brown (tactile). If you’re looking to save desk space, there’s also the 65 percent Vulcan II Mini.

Read: Roccat Vulcan II Max Review  

Best Wireless Gaming Keyboard

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Wireless Gaming Keyboard

Specifications

Switches: ROG NX Snow (Hot-Swappable)
Backlight: Per-key RGB
Type: 96 percent
Size: 14.84 x 5.16 x 1.57 inches / 377 x 131 x 40mm
Weight: 2.23lbs / 1012g

Reasons to buy

+
Hot-swappable
+
Excellent battery life
+
Improved linear switches
+
Sturdy build

Reasons to avoid

-
96 percent layout is pretty cramped
-
Only one layer of programmability
-
Annoying Armoury Crate Software

Asus's ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless gaming keyboard stands out compared to other wireless gaming keyboards, thanks to its well-built, sturdy (but not overly heavy) chassis, hot-swappable PCB, and impressive 1,500+ hour battery life (with the lighting turned off, naturally). The ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is a wireless keyboard with tri-mode connectivity (2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.1, and wired via USB-C) and a 96-percent layout — a compact layout that retains the 10-key numberpad but takes up only slightly more space than the average TKL. 

The ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is housed in a plastic chassis with an aluminum alloy top plate and double-shot PBT keycaps. It measures 14.84 x 5.16 x 1.57 inches (377 x 131 x 40mm) and weighs 2.23 pounds (1012g) — it's quite a bit smaller than, say, the full-size BlackWidow V4 Pro (which is 18.25 inches / 464mm long), but it has almost the same number of keys (less some of the navigation keys). It doesn't have any dedicated macro keys, but it does manage to squeeze a multi-function key and volume roller in the upper right corner. 

The ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless comes with Asus's second-generation Asus ROG NX switches in Snow (linear), and it has a hot-swappable PCB — so you can swap in the mechanical switches of your choice. The keyboard offers a solid, low-latency wireless connection over Asus's 2.4GHz Omni Receiver, and can get up to 1,500 hours of battery life over 2.4GHz wireless with the lighting turned off (about 90 hours with the lighting turned on).

Read: Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless Review

Best TKL Gaming Keyboard

The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless is a colorful TKL keyboard with optical switches and an OLED screen (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best TKL Gaming Keyboard

Specifications

Switches: SteelSeries OmniPoint 2.0
Backlight: Per-key RGB
Type: TKL
Size: 14 x 5.04 x 1.65 inche (355 x 128 x 42 mm)
Weight: 1.65lbs (747g) without cable

Reasons to buy

+
Highly customizable
+
Soft-touch magnetic wrist rest
+
Attractive but a little generic-looking
+
Excellent gaming performance

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Feels hastily launched
-
Buggier than usual

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless gives you back some desk space as well as wireless freedom, thanks to built-in dual wireless (low-latency 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.0). The 2022 redesign of the Apex Pro TKL features a simple, elegant chassis with an aluminum alloy top plate, double-shot PBT keycaps, and SteelSeries newest OmniPoint 2.0 linear optical switches.

Optical switches technically have mechanical parts, but they’re not the same as mechanical switches — optical switches are actuated via light, while mechanical switches are actuated via physical force. Although this makes for a less-than-ideal typing experience, it’s good news for gamers: Optical switches are speedier (and less prone to failure) than their mechanical counterparts. The Apex Pro TKL Wireless’ OmniPoint 2.0 switches offer both adjustable actuation (37 levels) and dual-action actuation, which lets you assign two actions to one key (at different actuation levels).

The main downside of the Apex Pro TKL Wireless is its $250 asking price (the keyboard also comes in a wired version, for $180), which makes it one of the priciest gaming keyboards on this list. While the Apex Pro TKL Wireless comes with plenty of premium features and accessories — including a customizable OLED smart screen and a detachable magnetic wrist rest with a soft-touch finish — these might not be enough to justify its expense. If you’d like something a little less customizable (and you don’t mind being tethered), SteelSeries’ Apex 9 TKL has an almost-identical form factor with hot-swappable optical switches — and will only set you back $140. 

Read: SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Review 

Best Gaming Keyboard for Typing

The Asus ROG Azoth has a premium build, an OLED screen, and hot-swappable switches — and it comes with a whole host of accessories (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Gaming Keyboard for Typing

Specifications

Switches: ROG NX Red
Backlight: Per-key RGB
Type: 75%
Size: 12.83 x 5.35 x 1.57 inches / 326 x 136 x 40mm
Weight: 2.61lbs / 1186g

Reasons to buy

+
Very sturdy build
+
Sounds and feels like an enthusiast board
+
Comes with a whole box of accessories
+
OLED display is attractive, versatile
+
Excellent battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Armoury Crate is the worst!!!!
-
Keycaps are a little slippery
-
Only one layer of programmability

Most gaming keyboards are designed for gaming, not typing. That doesn’t mean they’re bad for typing — they’re usually still pretty good (better than a non-mechanical keyboard, anyway), but they focus on gaming first and prioritize features like flashy RGB over tactile feel and sound. The Asus ROG Azoth, however, is one of the best keyboards for both gaming and typing that we’ve ever used — and we’re pretty impressed that it comes from a mainstream gaming company and not a boutique keyboard supplier. 

The ROG Azoth is a gasket mount mechanical keyboard with a 75 percent form factor (that’s slightly smaller than a TKL). It’s wireless, with both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, and it features doubleshot PBT keycaps, a metal top plate, and three layers of sound dampening foam inside its plastic chassis (plastic so as not to interfere with the wireless signal). It comes with Asus NX switches in Red (linear), Brown (tactile), or Blue (clicky), and Asus packages it with a full accessory kit, which includes keycap and switch pullers, extra switches, and a DIY lube station so you can have ultimate control of the keyboard’s sound and feel. 

It’s an excellent keyboard for typing, but it’s also great for gaming — thanks to its reliable, low-latency 2.4GHz wireless connection, snappy responsiveness, and incredible battery life (up to 2,000 hours over 2.4GHz, with both lighting and the OLED screen turned off). It also offers decent customization via a 2-inch OLED screen that can be programmed to display everything from a random GIF to current system info.

Read: Asus ROG Azoth Review 

Best Low Profile Gaming Keyboard

The Logitech G915 Lightspeed is slim, speedy, and wireless (Image credit: Logitech)
Best Low-Profile Gaming Keyboard

Specifications

Switches: Logitech GL (low-profile; tactile, clicky or linear)
Backlight: Per-key RGB
Type: Full-size
Size: 18.7 x 5.9 x 0.87 inches (47.5 x 15 x 2.2cm)
Weight: 2.3 pounds (1,025g)

Reasons to buy

+
Good for gaming and typing alike
+
Beautiful slim design

Reasons to avoid

-
Keys show marks easily
-
No wrist rest

If you want the speed and slimness afforded by low-profile mechanical switches, the Logitech G915 Lightspeed is the best gaming keyboard you can buy. This is a premium gaming experience through and through. That means a row of G macro keys for leveraging during battle, dedicated media controls, including an epic volume wheel roller, and even multiple connectivity options. You can go tried-and-true wired, use Logitech’s reliable dongle connection, or store the dongle in the keyboard’s built-in compartment and use Bluetooth. This makes connecting to multiple devices a little easier too. 

The G915 Lightspeed has earned a popular reputation but comes at a price. Despite its $250 MSRP, there’s no wrist rest, USB passthrough or premium keycaps resistant to smudging. As mentioned in our Logitech G915 TKL review, the smaller version of this keyboard is more affordable but foregoes even more luxuries, most noticeably G keys. 

But in addition to being a top-notch gaming peripheral, the G915 Lightspeed (and G915 TKL) offers a surprisingly good typing experience for a low-profile keyboard. We’ve tested it with Logitech's tactile low-profile switches for days and haven’t felt much extra exhaustion or like we were typing through sand, like we’ve suffered through on other low-profile keyboards. 

Read: Logitech G915 Lightspeed review 

Best Mini Gaming Keyboard

The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is a small keyboard that's packed with functionality (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Mini Gaming Keyboard

Specifications

Switches: SteelSeries OmniPoint 2.0
Backlight: Per-Key RGB
Type: 60%
Size: 11.53 x 4.02 x 1.59 inches / 293 x 103 x 40.3mm
Weight: 1.34lbs / 610g (wired) 1.2lbs / 543g (wireless)

Reasons to buy

+
Feels great and intuitive for gaming
+
Highly customizable
+
Bright, attractive RGB
+
Feels sturdy but isn’t too heavy

Reasons to avoid

-
Dual actuation has a learning curve
-
SteelSeries GG has some bugs
-
Legends for secondary keybinds are hard to see

Ultra-compact keyboards aren’t for everyone, but if you have limited desk space or you’re looking for a gaming keyboard that’s travel-friendly, a 60 percent keyboard can be a godsend. You’ll have to give up a lot — number pad, navigation keys, function keys, and even arrow keys — but you’ll barely notice these sacrifices with the right keyboard.

SteelSeries’ Apex Pro Mini Wireless (also comes in a wired version) is the right keyboard. 

The Apex Pro Mini Wireless is a sleek, sturdily-built 60 percent keyboard featuring SteelSeries OmniPoint 2.0 switches, which feature both adjustable actuation and dual actuation (much like the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog). Because it’s so small, the Apex Pro Mini Wireless has a slew of default secondary keybinds, which are printed on the sides of the keycaps and activated using SteelSeries SS function key. These secondary keybinds are so intuitive (and can also be remapped, if you want) that you won’t feel limited by the 60 percent layout. The keyboard is highly customizable: Almost every key can be remapped (first and secondary keybinds), have its actuation point adjusted, and have its RGB set – individually. 

If anything, the Apex Pro Mini Wireless might have too much going for it — maybe you don’t need an ultra-compact keyboard with every single feature shoved into it (especially considering its premium price point). If you don’t need all of these features and you’d like to spend a little less, try the SteelSeries Apex 9 series, which comes has adjustable actuation, hot-swappable switches, and comes in both Mini and TKL layouts.

Read: SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini review 

Quick Shopping Tips

  • Mechanical or bust? Most gamers probably aren't even considering a non-mechanical keyboard — for good reason. Only mechanical keyboard switches offer the tactile feedback, precision, and accuracy most gamers need, and membrane switches feel gummy and unresponsive by comparison. Recently we've been seeing more and more optical keyboards, which are technically mechanical, but use light — not physical force — to actuate. Optical switches still feel a little less satisfying to type on, but they actuate faster (nothing is faster than light, after all) and last longer than fully-mechanical switches.
  • RGB or not? All RGB lighting is not equal. Per-key RGB lets you program each key's color individually, while zone lighting limits your customization to just a few areas of the board. You can save a little money by getting a keyboard with a single-color backlight, but you’ll miss out on a spectacular light show. You can also forego lighting altogether, so long as you're a touch-typist (or gaming in a well-lit area).
  • Full-size, tenkeyless, or smaller? Tenkeyless boards drop the numpad, 65 percent boards eliminate navigation keys, and 60 percent boards also cut the arrow keys. Some users, such as MMO players, want every possible key (and more), while others prefer a smaller keyboard to clear up desk space.
  • Pick Your Switch The best gaming keyboards use a number of different mechanical switch types that determine the feel and sound of each key press. The type of switch you choose depends on your personal preferences for typing and gaming. For more on the ins and outs of mechanical switches, check out our guide on mechanical switch spec ranges.

Clicky Tactile: Blue, Green, White
Quiet Tactile: Brown, Clear
Linear (quiet and go straight down): Red, Silver

If you don't want to commit, a hot-swappable keyboard will let you swap out switches easily.

Savings on the Best Gaming Keyboards

Whether you're shopping for one of the best gaming keyboards we listed above or a different model, you may find some discounts by checking out our list of Corsair coupon codes, Newegg promo codes or Razer coupon codes.

Sarah Jacobsson Purewal
Senior Editor, Peripherals

Sarah Jacobsson Purewal is a senior editor at Tom's Hardware covering peripherals, software, and custom builds. You can find more of her work in PCWorld, Macworld, TechHive, CNET, Gizmodo, Tom's Guide, PC Gamer, Men's Health, Men's Fitness, SHAPE, Cosmopolitan, and just about everywhere else.

With contributions from
  • NightHawkRMX
    I'm glad no "mechanical feel" membrane keyboards made their way onto this list.
    Reply
  • bloodroses
    I'm actually kind of surprised not to see DAS, Ducky, Filco, Vortex, Topre, or other top rated brands that are usually listed on every other website.

    I'm definitely grateful Razor isn't listed.
    Reply
  • tyns78
    Surely this article must be a joke w/o the Kinesis Freestyle Edge (original or improved RGB version) on the list, or did they just not spot you a free sample? Wait, I found your review of the original: https://www.tomshardware.com/news/kinesis-gaming-freestyle-edge-keyboard,35987.html

    The new RGB version has the best wrist rests I've ever experience (the wrist pads for the original were not good). The lighting is cool and customizable. 10 macro keys on the left side and the programming is saved on the keyboard itself with multiple profiles that can be switched on the keyboard itself.
    Reply
  • docbones69
    I am still using the Logitech k740. Love the quick keys, quite keys. Still the best late night gaming keyboard that I have found.
    Reply
  • nub_nub
    bloodroses said:
    I'm actually kind of surprised not to see DAS, Ducky, Filco, Vortex, Topre, or other top rated brands that are usually listed on every other website.

    I'm definitely grateful Razor isn't listed.

    Typing on a Razor would be painful 🤕
    Reply
  • jamesdsimone
    I still have no idea why the SteelSeries Stealth Merc isn't made anywhere? There are all right standard keyboards.
    Reply
  • Lord Tyrion
    Keyboard company CEO: "Sales are sluggish and margins are poor - what should we do? CTO: "I know, lets add some tacky lighting and call them GAMING keyboards - then we can mark them up by 300%".....

    These are not gaming keyboards this is a gaming keyboard:
    Reply
  • Lord Tyrion
    jamesdsimone said:
    I still have no idea why the SteelSeries Stealth Merc isn't made anywhere? There are all right standard keyboards.
    The only 'real' gaming keyboard I have ever used. So happy that I bought some extra before they were discontinued just in case my current one dies... Sucks that they stopped making it - can't understand why sales weren't through the roof. Their current ones are just boring...
    Reply
  • starvinmarvin
    How do you not have the Logitech G915?
    Reply
  • KerSavon
    I love Tom's Hardware, I have been a reader for some 15 years now. I love the clear charts and comprehensive comparisons. But this time I am somewhat disappointed.
    Input lag was not even mentioned in the entire article. This is often significant, even in "gaming" keyboards, and may be in fact the single biggest source of lag in a fast PC. Granted, it is notoriously difficult to measure properly - still, I'm sure brilliant folks at Tom's could have come up with a suitably precise rig.
    Reply