Best Gaming Keyboards in 2025

Choosing the right gaming keyboard is more about personal preference than selecting the best gaming mouse or headset. Factors such as layout (tenkeyless or full-sized), mechanical switches, and additional features all play a significant role in your decision. Given the expense, understanding these elements is crucial before making a purchase. Here's a detailed look at some of my favorite keyboards that I've personally tested.

I've had the opportunity to use a wide range of keyboards, including many new releases, so my recommendations are based on firsthand experience. I'll explore how each keyboard's switches perform in competitive gaming and how they feel during long typing sessions. Unique features like Razer's Command Dial or the SteelSeries OLED control panel add value, but they often depend on software, which is another consideration for customization. Even keycaps can influence a keyboard's performance, highlighting the many nuances involved in choosing a gaming keyboard.

TL;DR: These Are the Best Gaming Keyboards:

Best Overall### SteelSeries Apex Pro (Gen 3)

17See it at Amazon### Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro

6See it at Amazon### Redragon K582 Surara

3See it at Amazon### Cherry MX LP 2.1

3See it at Amazon### Logitech G Pro X TKL

4See it at Amazon### Keychron K4

1See it at Amazon### Corsair K100 RGB

2See it at Amazon### Logitech G515 TKL

1See it at Amazon### Pulsar Xboard QS

1See it at Amazon### Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%

2See it at AmazonGiven the variety of keyboard styles, I've categorized my recommendations to showcase different types from various manufacturers. This way, I can highlight the strengths of each without focusing solely on my current favorite, the SteelSeries Apex Pro. Each keyboard excels in specific areas and may better suit your needs and preferences. For instance, the Cherry MX LP 2.1 is my top pick for a compact 60% keyboard due to its low-profile keys and lightweight design. If you're after a low-profile TKL, the Logitech G515 TKL is a great choice with its slim frame and useful features. For those on a budget, the Redragon K582 Surara offers impressive performance at a reasonable price. Let's dive into the details of my top picks for the best gaming keyboards.

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (Gen 3) - Photos

11 Images1. SteelSeries Apex Pro (Gen 3)

Best Overall Gaming Keyboard

Best Overall### SteelSeries Apex Pro (Gen 3)

17The SteelSeries Apex Pro stands out as the ideal gaming keyboard, featuring Hall Effect switches, an OLED control panel, and solid construction. It's available in both full and tenkeyless layouts, with a wireless option. In my review of the Apex Pro TKL Gen 3, I found it nearly perfect, with its OmniPoint 3.0 switches and OLED control panel meeting all my expectations for a gaming keyboard.

The Apex Pro's design is sleek and understated, yet enhanced by bold keycap fonts and tasteful RGB lighting. The Hall Effect switches offer smooth, consistent keystrokes, and their customizable actuation points (from 0.1mm to 4.0mm) provide versatility for both gaming and typing. Features like Rapid Tap, Rapid Trigger, and Protection Mode can enhance performance, though their utility depends on the games you play. The OLED panel allows for easy control of media, lighting, actuation points, macros, and profile switching, making it a comprehensive solution. With a battery life of up to 45 hours, it's a reliable choice despite the typical limitations of battery life in keyboards.

Overall, the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 is the keyboard I've been seeking, and it would take a truly exceptional keyboard to replace it.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro – Photos

25 Images2. Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro

Best High-End Gaming Keyboard

### Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro

6Razer's flagship BlackWidow V4 Pro keyboard excels with its mechanical switches, macro keys, and customizable Command Dial. It's a full-sized keyboard with a wired connection, boasting an 8000Hz polling rate.

Razer's proprietary switches, including Orange (tactile), Yellow (linear), and Green (clicky), are some of the best in the market. The keyboard's additional features, like macro keys and media controls, are highly customizable via the Synapse software, making it versatile for productivity. The BlackWidow V4 Pro's build quality and performance set it apart, as detailed in our review. While it may not have the OLED screen of its tenkeyless counterpart, its full-sized layout and features make it a top choice for those seeking a high-end gaming keyboard.

3. Redragon K582 Surara

Best Budget Gaming Keyboard

### Redragon K582 Surara

3Budget-friendly keyboards have evolved significantly, and the Redragon K582 Surara exemplifies this with its excellent performance and build quality at a fraction of the cost.

Redragon's reputation might be overshadowed by more prominent brands, but the K582 Surara holds its own. Its "professional" Red switches, similar to Cherry MX Reds, deliver smooth, buttery keystrokes. Despite its full-sized layout and flashy design, the K582 Surara is a reliable choice, often available at a discounted price of around $36. It's a testament to how far budget keyboards have come, offering a compelling alternative for those looking to save without sacrificing performance.

4. Cherry MX LP 2.1

Best Compact (60%) Gaming Keyboard

### Cherry MX LP 2.1

3For those who prefer a compact 60% keyboard, the Cherry MX LP 2.1 is a standout choice. Its lightweight and low-profile design, coupled with Cherry MX Low-Profile Silver switches, offer top-notch performance.

The MX LP 2.1 is incredibly light, making it easy to carry between locations. Its slim keycaps enhance the low-profile feel while providing satisfying keystrokes. The keyboard's Bluetooth capability adds to its versatility, making it ideal for various settings. Despite its compact size, it held up well in long-term use, including through multiple raid tiers in Final Fantasy XIV, as noted in my review.

5. Logitech G Pro X TKL

Best Tenkeyless (75%) Gaming Keyboard

### Logitech G Pro X TKL

4The Logitech G Pro X TKL combines the best features of a tenkeyless keyboard with excellent mechanical switches and build quality. It's available in both wired and wireless versions, with a battery life of up to 50 hours.

The G Pro X TKL's sleek design and exposed keycaps allow for tasteful RGB lighting. It retains useful on-board controls without becoming bulky, featuring a volume wheel, media controls, and mode toggles. Logitech's proprietary switches deliver satisfying keystrokes, making it a top choice for those seeking a high-performance TKL keyboard. While other keyboards may boast advanced features like OLED screens, the G Pro X TKL excels in its core functionality.

6. Keychron K4

Best 96% Layout Gaming Keyboard

### Keychron K4

1The Keychron K4 offers a 96% layout that retains all the keys of a full-sized keyboard while saving space. It features Gateron Red switches and is available in wired, 2.4GHz, and Bluetooth connectivity.

The K4's minimalist frame and slim bezels make it a space-efficient choice. Its Gateron switches performed well in both gaming and daily use, offering a smooth and responsive typing experience. The keyboard's color schemes add a touch of personality, and its wireless capabilities enhance its versatility. The 96% layout takes some getting used to, but it's an excellent option for those who need full functionality without sacrificing desk space.

Corsair K100 RGB Review

14 Images7. Corsair K100 RGB

Best Full-Sized Gaming Keyboard

### Corsair K100 RGB

2The Corsair K100 RGB is a premium full-sized keyboard with a brushed aluminum plate, macro keys, and optical switches. It's a wired keyboard with an 8000Hz polling rate, offering robust on-board controls.

The K100 RGB's design balances flashiness and functionality, with RGB strips enhancing its aesthetic. Its optical switches, or the optional Cherry MX Speed switches, deliver satisfying keystrokes. While the software could be better, the keyboard's customization options and high polling rate make it a top choice for those seeking a full-sized gaming keyboard.

Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL - Photos

10 Images8. Logitech G515 TKL

Best Low-Profile Gaming Keyboard

### Logitech G515 TKL

1The Logitech G515 TKL is an excellent low-profile keyboard with a slim frame and thin keycaps. It features Logitech's Tactile switches and is available in wired, 2.4GHz, and Bluetooth connectivity.

In my review, I praised the G515 TKL for its performance and design. Its ultra-thin keycaps add tactility and maintain a sleek look, while the mechanical switches offer a shorter actuation point for low-profile efficiency. While the top bar could include more features, the G515 TKL is a top choice for those seeking a high-performing, low-profile gaming keyboard.

Pulsar Xboard QS - Photos

15 Images9. Pulsar Xboard QS

Best Wired Gaming Keyboard

### Pulsar Xboard QS

1The Pulsar Xboard QS is a standout wired keyboard with impressive build quality, a unique aesthetic, and excellent Kailh Box Ice Mint 2 switches. It's a tenkeyless (75%) keyboard with dual connectivity.

The Xboard QS's switches offer a light actuation force, making it comfortable for extended use. Its design, featuring a retro-futuristic look and programmable volume knob, adds to its appeal. While it lacks first-party software, physical customization is straightforward. Despite its high price, the Xboard QS earned high marks in my review for its performance and build quality.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% - Photos

13 Images10. Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%

Best Customizable Gaming Keyboard

### Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%

2The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is designed for customization, featuring swappable parts and the updated Command Dial. It's a tenkeyless keyboard with tactile Razer Orange switches and up to 60 hours of battery life.

The V4 Pro 75% allows for easy switch replacement, enabling users to tailor their keyboard to their preferences. Its build quality, including layers for satisfying keystrokes, and the Command Dial enhance its appeal. Despite its high price, the V4 Pro 75% stands out for its customization potential and performance, as highlighted in our review.

Gaming Keyboard FAQ

What are the advantages between different mechanical switches?

Choosing the right mechanical switch is central to finding the perfect gaming keyboard. Originally dominated by Cherry, the market now includes proprietary switches from brands like Logitech and Razer, as well as competitive offerings from Gateron and Kailh Box. Optical and Hall Effect switches represent newer trends, using light and magnets for actuation.

Switches come in three main types: linear, tactile, and clicky. Linear switches provide a smooth keystroke with no tactile feedback, ideal for gaming. Tactile switches offer a bump at the actuation point, aiding in precise input. Clicky switches provide both tactile and audible feedback, preferred by some for typing. Optical and Hall Effect switches are typically linear and offer adjustable actuation points.

Key switch characteristics include actuation point, travel distance, and actuation force. The actuation point determines when a keystroke is registered, with competitive switches often having shorter points for faster inputs. Travel distance is the full distance a key travels, and actuation force is the effort needed to press a key. These factors influence the feel and performance of a keyboard.

Should I go with a TKL, compact, or full-sized keyboard?

The choice between TKL, compact, and full-sized keyboards depends on personal preference and usage. Full-sized keyboards offer all keys but take up more desk space, suitable for those who use the number pad frequently. The 96% layout retains functionality in a smaller footprint, ideal for those looking to save space without sacrificing keys.

Tenkeyless (TKL) keyboards remove the number pad, offering more desk space for mouse movement. Many TKL keyboards include additional features to compensate for the lost functionality. Compact 60% keyboards are the smallest, omitting the center column and function keys, which can be accessed through key combinations. While they save space, they may not be ideal for games requiring extensive key use.

Should I go wired or wireless for a gaming keyboard?

Wireless connectivity is more crucial for gaming mice and headsets due to their movement. For keyboards, wireless is a nice-to-have feature. Many keyboards offer both wired and wireless options, with the wired versions often being more affordable. For instance, the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL's wireless version is pricier than its wired counterpart, but both offer similar performance.

Modern wireless technology has minimized input latency concerns, with brands like Logitech and Razer offering high-performance wireless solutions. Higher polling rates are also available through wireless dongles, showcasing the advancement in wireless gaming peripherals.