When it comes to gaming keyboards, there are a lot of options. But picking one that is the best for your needs can be challenging.
You want a keyboard that feels great and is reliable in games. That means a quality key switch that is fast and responsive. This is especially important for esports players who need to react quickly.
SteelSeries Apex Pro
The Apex Pro is a solid, sturdy keyboard that offers a premium experience. It is a little pricey but it makes up for it with features like customizable per key RGB lighting, a wrist rest that attaches magnetically and a mini OLED display that lets you see stats and gameplay on the fly.
The keyboard’s highlight feature is its Omnipoint switches, which feel very similar to normal mechanical keys but can be set to actuate in different ways. You can choose from a light 0.2mm press to a full 3.8mm press, for example, which can be useful in games like FPS where a lighter touch can give you a sprint speed advantage over your opponents.
You can also use Steelseries’ PrismSync app to sync your lighting and other settings across multiple SteelSeries products and even add animated GIFs to the small OLED display, which you can activate by pressing the button next to the audio wheel.
Roccat Vulcan II Mini
Roccat’s PC arm has had a busy year, having released not one but two new keyboards for gamers to enjoy. The Vulcan II Mini and the bigger sibling Vulcan II Max are both excellent and a worthy addition to any state-of-the-art gaming desktop setup.
This compact 65% mechanical keyboard is a joy to use thanks to its Titan II Red linear switches and impressive RGB lighting. It also features Roccat’s Easy-Shift key duplication technology and Game Mode.
The latter makes it easier to control gaming functions by highlighting the second layer on the white keys. The only minor drawback is that the south-facing LEDs on each switch can be distracting when a secondary function is active. Fortunately, you can disable these. But even with this issue, the Roccat Vulcan II Mini is one of the best keyboards for gamers 2023.
Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro
As one of the few low-profile mechanical gaming keyboards on the market, this tenkeyless model from Razer offers a surprisingly solid set of features. For starters, it offers a choice of linear, tactile, and clicky switches that are notably smoother than the ones in most other mechanical keyboards. It also comes with the tried-and-true combo of Chroma lighting and Synapse 3 software. It’s also rated for 40 hours of battery life with the lighting set to half intensity.
Despite its slim profile it’s still made with quality in mind including a 5052 aluminum alloy top plate and laser-etched keycaps that have a “durable” coating. It’s also compatible with Razer’s HyperSpeed wireless technology, which allows multiple compatible accessories to be paired with the same dongle.
Asus ROG Falchion
The Asus ROG Falchion is one of the best 65% keyboards for gamers. It features a surprisingly comprehensive set of customization options as well as a few neat extras, such as a touch panel on the left side of the board.
It also has a unique design, with the keys being separated into groups to allow for more flexibility. For example, the right-most group of keys have all the controls for the RGB lighting. The arrow keys can adjust the brightness, and there are several different modes available as well.
The Falchion uses Cherry MX Red switches, which are a fan favorite and should feel familiar to most gamers. It has N-key rollover and a fast 1000Hz polling rate, which makes for smooth and responsive gaming.
Vigor GK71 Sonic
The Vigor GK71 Sonic is a full-sized keyboard that features MSI’s own light, linear switches. Designed in partnership with Kailh, the switches feature a short pre-travel and 45g actuation force for a smooth feel that minimizes finger fatigue.
A memory foam wrist rest and dedicated media keys round out the keyboard’s ergonomic design. The aluminum frame has narrow edges that closely follow the area occupied by the keys and a knurled top edge that doubles as a volume control.
The switches feature per-key RGB lighting that can be customized with the included MSI Dragon Center app. The software allows you to customize and program each key’s illumination with up to 16 million colors. It’s a great tool for creating a custom look that matches your desktop setup or favorite games.