Gaming Keyboards, The Ultimate Guide to Dominate the Battlefield

by Samuel Kalenga on Aug 13, 2024

Competition is ruthless in the esports arena, where every tenth of a second matters for victory. You need gear that can keep up with your reactions, amplify your skills, and grant you the incredibly small edge that gets you the win. Every dedicated gamer knows that a great PC or console is crucial, but few consider that a proper gaming keyboard can boost your performance, and bring your gameplay to the next level. Envision a beautifully crafted precision instrument perfectly suited for consistently lightning-fast reactions, reprogrammable macros, and maximum ergonomic comfort. This is the world of gaming keyboards – where every keystroke is a grenade in the hearts of your opponents.

Why Choose a Gaming Keyboard? Unleashing Your Potential

1. When gaming at the highest level, the importance of having a great keyboard really cannot be overestimated. For the uninitiated, here are the major reasons why: 2.

Enhanced Responsiveness: By nature, gaming keyboards relay your keystrokes to your system faster than standard keyboards. This is how, almost intuitively, you can follow the QWERTY controls in a fast-paced arcade Dynasty Warriors or Street Fighter game. The split-second response you’re getting is proof that your custom-built PC can handle the input. It’s exhilarating to input a combo in a fighting game or land headshots nonstop in a shooter as if your fingers are synced to a higher speed.
Tactile feedback: mechanical switches will let you feel the feedback of your keystrokes being registered, which will in turn let you type faster and more accurately because you actually feel each key click. This will prove to be valuable in games where speed and precision with key strokes are paramount, such as strategy games and MOBA games, where having to hit a certain point on the screen can spell the difference between victory and defeat.
User‑definable macros: Examples include mapping intricate, multi-step actions into a single keystroke. These can be highly beneficial in gaming – enabling you to assign yourself vital in-game benefits. Whether your objective is casting a major spell in an RPG, or a co-ordinated attack in a strategy game, the ability to automate successive sequences via a macro can mean the difference between life and death for you and your team.
Ergonomic Design: One of the main reasons why gaming keyboards are ideal for marathon gaming sessions is the fact that ergonomics has a substantial impact on gaming performance. Long gaming sessions can cause stress, discomfort and perhaps even Repetitive Strain Injury to your hands and wrists, which, in turn, can decrease accuracy and game performance significantly. To prevent pain and fatigue and ensure comfort during intensive gaming marathons you need to use a keyboard designed with ergonomics in mind that will make your gaming sessions less stressful and more enjoyable. Some gaming keyboards come with niceties such as small wrist rest, some feature an angled design, while others have a layout that positions the keys for you wrists in a more natural position.
RGB Backlighting: Mostly it gives the desired effect, but the RGB backlighting on gaming keyboards can be extremely helpful. You can customise the lighting effect and match your mood, make things easier to see in the dark, or create a beautiful looking gaming desk in general. The number of combinations available in the lighting effects are truly endless and this vibrant and colourful light can make the difference in locating the right keys, and in a timely manner, especially when playing late into the night.

The Language of Gaming Keyboards: Understanding the Terminology

If you don’t live and breathe gaming keyboards, the language of gaming keyboards can be bewildering. Here is a quick essence of the key terms:

Mechanical Switches: The meat and potatoes of a gaming keyboard. A membrane-based keyboard systems registers a keystroke when it depresses the entire single-piece sheet underneath a key. A mechanical keyboard, on the other hand, employs a discrete switch for each of their keys. The real deal! Especially for gamers, a mechanical keyboard’s physical switch provides the tactile feedback, responsiveness, and lifespan that makes this the preferred method from top-tier eSports pros. Each full keystroke should sound like an ergonomic detonation.
Linear switches: Linear switches have an even feel to press and are popular for speed and rapid keystrokes important in FPS (first person shooter) games, where split-second reactions are necessary. I think of linear switches as the smooth, even response for very quick movements.
Tactile switches: The tactile bump felt when pressed, providing the user with a definite indication of when the key has been pressed. Tactile switches have a shorter keystroke than clicky switches. Those who prefer to know that the moment they press their key, everything goes through, should opt for a tactile switch. The bump allows you to feel like the keystroke went through when it did. This makes for great gameplay when you need to execute precise keystrokes but want to know with 100 per cent confirmation that your keystroke went through and triggered whatever you wanted it to, for example teleporting, shooting an enemy in the face or sprouting wings and flying like Spider-Man.
Clicky switches: Clicky switches combine a tactile bump with an audio click. For people who like the tactile satisfaction of a bump but want a more distinct typing experience, or for the gamer who wishes for a fully distinct keystroke, a clicky switch is the one for you. You’ll get a satisfying click that clearly announces your typing prowess to those around you. Anti-Ghostroke will be detected, even if you press a combination of keys at once. Useful for all games that have complex keybinding set-ups, so you will never miss an input Combination Detect: Special programming to make sure any combination of keys you press in sequence is detected. N-Key Rollover (NKRO): This means every key can be depressed at the same time and will be registered, so you never miss a key press, even if you key-mash.
Configurable Macros: These are when we can assign detached actions to a single key, so that every second or attack of the game can be superimposed to the other, achieving a huge improvement in massEFX and gaining a huge advantage over our opponent, plus a great experience and victories. This feature makes the breadth of possibility in the games increase exponentially and it’s perfect for combining with each difficult. Another way we can use macros to customise is by tweaking the gameplay a bit, so we can enjoy differently, this “editing” will affect directly on the game xp, on the range wins and defeats. Here the keystrokes become shortcuts that can define the small time span we’re going to deal with.
RGB Backlighting: Choose from a variety of lighting effects and colours to spice up the look of your gaming setup, while also helping you spot the right keys, even in low-light settings.

Types of Gaming Keyboards: Finding the Perfect Fit

Game-specific keyboards include some or all of the traditional number-and-symbol cluster in the usual location, plus a multitude of additional keys that might include media controls, ambient lighting controls and a separate button for disabling the Windows key so that accidental jabs don’t jump you out of your game. Sizes and layouts vary. The following explores what are probably the more common shapes.

Full-sized keyboards: This is the classic keyboard with all the keys and the number pad – giving you a standard layout, larger keyboard, and a full set of keys. Great for gamers who game with a classic layout, or those who require a full set of keys for gameplay.
Tenkeyless (TKL) keyboards: Without the number pad, TKL input-device controllers save your desk space, and are a good option if you have limited space or are a minimalist gamer. Handling the balance between function and form factor, TKL controllers work well if you prefer a clean workspace. 60% Keyboards: super-portable, entry-level boards with the basics and nothing more, they offer total mobility and minimalist style for the discerning gamer on the go, or anyone who simply prefers everything in its place.
Wireless Keyboards: With these, you can move freely without the need for cables. The typical ones either use Bluetooth or a dedicated wireless receiver to connect with your computer; ideal for gamers who want to enjoy their freedom during games without wires and cords getting in the way.

Best Gaming Keyboards on the Market: Dominating the Battlefield

The sheer number of options makes it easy to feel intimidated. Wondering which one is the best gaming keyboard available in 2023? We’ve taken the leg work out for you. Our rounded up list of the best gaming keyboards spans a wide array of prices and features, so there’s something for every gamer out there, on every budget.

Best Overall: Dominating Performance with Precision

Razer Huntsman V2: This flagship keyboard from PC gaming monolith Razer boasts Razer’s optical switches. Few keyboards are as fast to actuate as these optical switches, and even fewer are quite as speedy to respond. It’s a keyboard for serious gamers, meticulously constructed with durable materials and tricked out with customisable RGB lighting options.
SteelSeries Apex Pro: It’s hard to call an $180 (£137) keyboard a budget option, but taking the market for it (you do need a PC to use it), the Apex Pro has, for the first time ever, a variable actuation point. That means you can adjust the depth of key presses for each switch, setting the travel distance to anticipate your style and take eye-hand coordination to a new level of customization. Not only can you change mode for each of its 104 keys, but you can set the threshold for what constitutes a valid action. This makes it one of the most configurable keyboards for all genre of gamers.

Best Budget: Unlocking Performance Without Breaking the Bank

HyperX Alloy Origins Core: HyperX has created a budget keyboard that doesn’t feel – well, budget. This all-rounder uses its trademark HyperX mechanical switches to provide secure and satisfying typing experience, while the metal-backed frame and numberpad mean there’s no give when you ride hard on its keys.
Redragon K552: Redragon, never one to drop the ball on its gaming keyboards, has a tried-and-true way of creating good-sounding budget products. The K552 offers between seven and 12 switch options, all with customisable backlighting, creating an immersive and visually stimulating experience for gamers. The build quality is also satisfactory for the budget price point.

Best Wireless: Untethered Freedom for Unstoppable Gameplay

Logitech G915 Lightspeeds: This premium wireless gaming keyboard uses proprietary low-latency wireless connectivity, where the connection speed matches common wired systems. The keyboard is able to meet the speed needs of gamers, while providing ergonomics and freedom of movement. It is affordable, too. Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro: marries Razer’s low-profile mechanical switches to a wireless form factor that makes this a nice, quiet and precise option for the minimalist gaming setup.

Best TKL: Compact Dominance for Space-Saving Gamers

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL: Good news for gamers who prioritise compactness over features – the Apex Pro TKL squeezes all of the latter brand’s cool adjustable actuation point tech into a tenkeyless form factor.
Logitech G915 TKL: This wireless TKL is one of the best keyboards Logitech has made, and its premium typing quality and compact footprint makes it great for even the very busiest gamers.

Best 60%: Ultimate Portability for Minimalist Gamers

Razer Huntsman Mini: It’s a mechanically small 60 per cent keyboard, with optical Razer switches and extremely colourful RGB backlighting. Because it’s so small (without the number keypad or the F-keys), it’s also very portable, perfect for gamers who want to take a good gaming keyboard ‘on the road’. Royal Kludge RK61. Left: A stock, unmodified RK61. Right: A coloured six-key home row mod. Photo supplied by the authorA full size keyboard. Photo supplied by the authorA 60 per cent keyboard. Photo supplied by the authorA 96 per cent keyboard, aka the TKL. Photo supplied by the authorA tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard with a higher ($230) price tag. Photo supplied by the authorA 60 per cent (short) spaced gaming keyboard. Photo supplied by the authorThe RK61 costs less than $50 and comes in Cherry MX red, brown, and blue flavours. It is a standard two-sided 60 per cent keyboard which looks like the Cherry MX keyboard, the reference keyboard in the globe.

Best for Customization: Sculpting Your Perfect Gaming Weapon

Corsair K100: With its swappable keycaps, detachable wrist rest, and macro pad – not to mention the adjustable Macro window, they all make the Corsair K100 a highly customisable product for any gaming enthusiast who wants to get every little detail spot on.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Gaming Keyboard: Navigating the Options

There are just so many great gaming keyboards available, choosing the right one for you is a matter of considering carefully what you need and desire. Here are the key criteria to keep in mind so you can find the best keyboard for your gaming needs and preferences.

Switch Type: Mechanical switches are most responsive and provide the best tactile feedback, with varying types of switches delivering different typing experiences – Linear switches are the speed king, while Tactile and Clicky switches deliver keystrokes with the most precise feedback. Take each for a spin to find something that best suits your game.
Layout: Decide whether you want a full-size keyboard, a more compact Tenkeyless (or ‘TKL’) keyboard, or a 60 per cent ‘compact’ or ‘ultra-portable’ keyboard. How much desk space do you have? How often will you be travelling with your keyboard?
Connectivity: Whether you prefer a wired or wireless keyboard solely depends on your preferences. If you prefer a simpler gaming setup without troublesome wires, it is ideal to opt for a wireless keyboard. Alternatively, if latency is your top priority and you are not bothered by wires, a wired keyboard would do the trick. A wireless keyboard would grant you better freedom of mobility around your desk when playing, while an inferior option would serve your needs better. Additionally, wired keyboards tend to be more reliable than wireless ones due to reduced lag because of the absence of radiofrequency.
Cost: Gaming keyboards can cost from several hundred to a few thousand dollars. Know your budget before shopping so you can limit your options and get the best value for your dollar.
Features: Do you require programmable RGB lighting? Macros? Media keys? A dedicated macro pad? Do you use a num-pad often enough to justify the extra row on the right?
Ergonomics: gaming sessions can go on for hours, so your keyboard needs to be comfortable. Ergonomic keyboards with adjustable wrist rests and angled keycaps are your best bets – they’ll reduce strain and fatigue over time.
Software: Some gaming keyboards include software where you can save custom settings and also remap keys. It can also enable you to create macros. Which platform do you prefer, mac or windows?

Conclusion: Elevate Your Gameplay with the Right Weapon

The gaming keyboard is a key part of putting together a gaming set-up, because getting the right one makes the whole experience better for you. Learn what features there are, the types of keyboard that are available, and what makes one good for you. With all of that knowledge, you’ll be able to confidently choose the best gaming keyboard for you, putting you in a position to rise victorious and smash your competition, all while enjoying the ‘splosions a little more, because you’re using the gear that’s right for you.

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