The 7 Best Gaming Keyboards - Summer 2022 Reviews

The SteelSeries Apex Pro is the best wired gaming keyboard we've tested. This high-end model comes in full or TKL-size and has a unique feature that allows you to adjust the pre-travel distance of each key on a per-key basis. It means you can set the distance lower while gaming for a more responsive feel or set it higher while typing to reduce the risk of typos.

As this is a premium board, it has tons of extra features, including dedicated media keys, full RGB backlighting, and an OLED screen that allows you to make settings or lighting adjustments directly on the keyboard without using any software. It also has onboard memory to save your customized settings. The linear OmniPoint switches feel smooth and light to press, and when combined with the board's extremely low latency, your gaming experience will feel very responsive and fluid.

Unfortunately, it isn't available in any other switch type, so if you're a fan of the iconic noise of clicky switches or you want the feedback of tactile switches, you won't find that on this board. Also, while the plushy wrist rest is comfortable and adds great ergonomic support during use, it's prone to attracting dust, so you'll have to clean it frequently. With that said, this is one of the best mechanical keyboards for gaming, and it's an outstanding choice if you're looking for a feature-packed keyboard.

If you tend to play a lot of MMOs, you'll want a keyboard with programmability and customization at its core, and the Corsair K100 RGB doesn't disappoint. That's how it earned the title of the best MMO gaming keyboard that we've tested. To be sure, it's a premium model, but comes fully loaded with features to make your gaming experience as fun and engaging as possible.

In the top right corner, there are dedicated media keys and a volume wheel, so you can control all of your media directly from the keyboard. On the left side, there's a column of dedicated macro keys for easy access and a unique iCUE wheel that allows you to make on-the-fly adjustments. If that weren't enough, this keyboard has 44 independent RGB zones that are all customizable using the companion software. Also, its latency is exceptionally low, and the maximum 8000Hz polling rate adds to the extremely responsive feel of the keyboard. 

However, it's worth noting that the 8000Hz polling rate can be taxing on your PC and not every game supports it. Also, the difference in performance between a 1000Hz polling rate setting and a 8000Hz setting is pretty minimal, so you might not notice an improvement anyway. With that said, it's a solidly-built gaming option and an outstanding choice for MMO gamers looking for a customizable board.

Maybe cable management isn't your strong suit, and luckily, there are options. The best wireless gaming keyboard we've tested is the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro. It connects wirelessly using its dedicated USB receiver or Bluetooth. You can pair it with up to three devices simultaneously, great if you're streaming, gaming, or filming in a multi-device setup.

Its latency is incredibly low no matter what connection style you use, so it's well up to the task of gaming in any genre. The clicky Razer Green switches in our unit feel light to actuate and provide a nice satisfying clicky noise. However, you can get the board with linear Razer Yellow switches if you'd prefer something quieter and with no tactile feedback. Since it's a premium board, it comes with many additional features, like dedicated media controls, a programmable wheel, and Windows key lock, so you won't accidentally minimize your game.

Unfortunately, it comes with ABS keycaps, which are prone to developing shine from the oil on your fingers, and some keys don't work on macOS. Also, the software is only available on Windows; however, it does have onboard memory, so you can save settings and use them on a computer that doesn't have the software installed. Overall, this is an outstanding gaming option if you want a full-size keyboard with exceptional wireless versatility.

We know some gamers feel the Numpad hanging off the side of a full-size keyboard is just dead weight. If that sounds like you, you'll want to check out the Corsair K70 RGB TKL, which is our pick for the best TKL gaming keyboard. This keyboard is a scaled-down 80% version of the Corsair K70 RGB MK.2. Altogether it feels very well-built, its keys feel stable and well-spaced, and it has thick, doubleshot PBT keycaps.

Its latency is extremely low, and it has a maximum polling rate of 8000Hz, which is much higher than most gaming keyboards and means the keyboard can send electronic reports back to its connected computer more often. Doing so can provide slightly faster response times, but not all gamers will notice a difference with it enabled, and it can eat up a considerable amount of your system resources. Our unit has linear Cherry MX Speed switches, which feel responsive and very light. However, they don't feel completely linear. If you prefer a linear switch, it's also available with Cherry MX Reds.

Unfortunately, it doesn't include a wrist rest, meaning longer gaming sessions may tire out your hands and arms quicker. Also, while it has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys, the overall brightness isn't very impressive. That said, this is a very high-performance option for any fans of the TKL form factor.

If you feel that bigger isn't necessarily better, you'll want to take a peek at the Obinslab Anne Pro 2, the best compact gaming keyboard that we've tested. It's a 60% compact keyboard that takes up very little space on your desk. Its frame is plastic, but it feels very sturdy, and it has high quality, doubleshot PBT keycaps with a matte finish.

It has exceptionally low latency over a wired connection. However, you can also connect it wirelessly via Bluetooth, which is great for productivity but not something we recommend for gaming as the latency is much higher over a Bluetooth connection. The unit we purchased has tactile Gateron Brown switches that don't require much force to actuate. The pre-travel is slightly higher than other mechanical switches, which some gamers might be disappointed with. That said, it's also available in a wide variety of other switch types, including linear switches, which many gamers prefer for their responsiveness.

Unfortunately, it's not the most comfortable option as it lacks an included wrist rest, and there aren't any incline settings. That said, it's a very performant option in a tidy, compact package to leave you with more room for big mouse movements, and it's one of the best mechanical keyboards for gaming that we've tested.

Premium boards come with a hefty price tag, but the EVGA Z15 is an outstanding keyboard that comes in at a budget-friendly price point. It has features usually found on higher-end boards like dedicated media keys, a volume wheel, and a hot-swappable PCB, so you can swap out the stock switches for your favorites to get the feeling you prefer. It even comes with a magnetic wrist rest for additional comfort.

Although it's a budget option, its latency is on par with the premium boards on this list, coming in at just under a millisecond, so you don't have to worry about sacrificing performance. Also, it comes with your choice of Kailh Speed switches in either clicky Bronze or linear Silver, and the Speed Bronze switches we tested have a very short pre-travel distance and a low actuation force, making them feel very sensitive and responsive. 

Unfortunately, the keycaps are made of ABS plastic that doesn't feel very high-quality, which is to be expected on a budget board. However, they're more likely to develop shine and become slippery from finger oil over time. Also, its companion software allows for a good amount of customization, but it isn't as easy to use or well-designed as the companion software from other manufacturers. With that said, it's an excellent choice, and it's the best budget gaming keyboard that we've tested.

Looking for a non-mechanical option? We recommend the EVGA Z12, the best non-mechanical keyboard for gaming that we've tested. This full-size board comes with rubber dome switches, which offer a smoother and softer feel over their mechanical counterparts. Though, it's important to note that this switch type doesn't offer the same tactile feedback that you might get from a clicky or tactile switch.

While this keyboard's latency might be a tad too high for competitive gameplay, it's well-suited for casual gaming. The RGB backlighting is customizable in zones using the companion software, and it shines through the keys, making them easy to see in the dark. Also, it comes with features usually found on more premium keyboards like full macro-programmability, dedicated media keys, and a Game Mode, which disables the Windows key.

Unfortunately, its build quality feels a bit cheap, which is normal given its budget price point. The whole body is plastic, and the ABS keycaps are prone to becoming slippery and shiny over time. With that said, it's a good choice with great features if you're looking for a non-mechanical board to use for gaming.