The 7 Best Gaming Keyboards - Spring 2021 Reviews

The best full-size gaming keyboard we've tested is the SteelSeries Apex Pro. It has a sturdy-feeling aluminum body and a detachable wrist rest, and it has full RGB lighting with individually lit keys. Its companion software is easy-to-use, offers plenty of customization options, and is compatible with Windows and macOS. It's also available in a TKL size if you prefer, but we just tested the full-size version.

What makes it unique is its proprietary SteelSeries OmniPoint linear switches. You can tune the pre-travel distance on a per-key basis through the companion software so that the keys can feel more or less responsive, depending on your preference. It also has exceptionally low latency, and all the keys are macro-programmable. Some extra features include dedicated media keys, a USB passthrough, and a small OLED screen that you can program to monitor system information, play custom gifs, or use an in-game HUD for supported titles.

Unfortunately, the wrist rest tends to attract dust, and the keyboard feet open vertically, so they may fold back if you accidentally nudge your keyboard forward too much. The linear feel of the switches may be too sensitive for typing. That said, it offers outstanding performance and has loads of extra features, and it's the best full-size gaming keyboard we've tested.

The best gaming keyboard available in a compact size is the Obinslab Anne Pro 2. It's a versatile keyboard that's excellent for gaming but also good for other uses, like if you need a keyboard for your mobile devices. It can connect with up to four devices at once via Bluetooth, but you can also use it wired if you prefer for gaming.

It's available in a variety of switches from Cherry MX, Gateron, and Kailh, including tactile, linear, and clicky ones, so you can get whichever you prefer. We tested the Gateron Brown switches, which are very light to press while still offering good tactile feedback. Latency is really low if you're gaming with it wired, and even though it increases over Bluetooth, it's still fairly low. It comes with the ObinsKit software, which allows you to set macros, customize the RGB lighting, and save profiles to the onboard memory.

Sadly, it's limited on ergonomics as it doesn't have any incline settings or a wrist rest. It has a small profile, and due to its compact size, it may take some time to get used to at first. Once you do, the typing quality feels amazing as the keys are stable. All in all, if you want a compact option, this is the best gaming keyboard we've tested.

The best wireless keyboard for gaming that we’ve tested is the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro. This full-size model is mostly made out of plastic, but it has an aluminum faceplate, giving it excellent overall build quality. The ergonomics are also good thanks to the included wrist rest and two incline settings. It has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys, which is great for playing in dark rooms.

You can connect it via Bluetooth or with its USB receiver, and you can pair it with up to three devices, easily swapping between them with a switch on the left side. Typing quality is great overall, and it shouldn’t cause any fatigue or pain even after long periods of use. We tested the variant with clicky Razer Green switches, which feel light and very responsive, but it's also available with linear Razer Yellow switches.

Unfortunately, the clicky switches on our unit are fairly loud, which may bother people around you. If you're concerned about noise, you may prefer the Razer Yellow switches, which should be quieter. Also, the companion software is only available on Windows, and a few buttons don’t work on macOS. That said, it has outstanding low latency and a bunch of extra features that make it one of the best gaming keyboards we've tested.

The best keyboard for MMO gaming that we've tested is the Corsair K100 RGB. It feels very well built, with a metal top plate that adds rigidity, and it has good ergonomics with a detachable wrist rest and multiple incline settings. The keycaps are doubleshot PBT and very stable, and the feet are thick and grippy, so you're unlikely to collapse them moving the keyboard.

It has full RGB backlighting with individually lit keys, six dedicated macro keys, and dedicated media keys. The companion software allows you to reprogram or set macros to any key, adjust lighting effects, and save custom profiles to the onboard memory. The unit we tested has linear Cherry MX Speed switches, which have very low pre-travel distance, making them feel very light and responsive. If you're interested in another switch type, it's also available with linear Corsair OPX optical switches, advertised as having an even shorter pre-travel distance.

Unfortunately, certain keys don't function in macOS or Linux, and because of the low pre-travel distance of the Cherry MX speed switches, you may make more unintentional keystrokes before you get used to them. That said, this is a remarkable keyboard with exceptional performance and plenty of customizability, making it the best keyboard for MMO gaming that we've tested.

The best gaming keyboard in the budget category that we've tested is the Logitech G413. It has a simple and straightforward layout and exhibits virtually no flex with an aluminum plate atop its plastic frame. It has grippy rubber feet, one incline setting, and is fairly comfortable to use despite not having an included wrist rest.

It comes with proprietary Romer-G Tactile switches with short pre-travel and a small bump before actuation, and it feels good overall to type on, though the keys feel a bit stiff. Each key is individually lit with red backlighting, and you can easily change the brightness and set some effects through the Logitech G HUB software. The keyboard also features a USB passthrough to make connecting peripherals easier, a Windows key lock to prevent accidentally minimizing sessions, and fantastic low latency which should be great for competitive games.

Being in the budget category, however, its doubleshot ABS keycaps feel a bit cheap and might shine easily with regular use, and the incline feet feel a bit loose. Some people may also dislike the red-only backlighting. Also, you can only program macros onto the function keys, and you can't save profiles onto the keyboard since it lacks onboard memory. Nonetheless, it has many great features and is an excellent budget option for gaming.