A good keyboard doesn't necessarily mean an expensive one. We've bought and tested over 290 keyboards and narrowed our recommendations down to the best budget and cheap models available. These keyboards offer a reliable build quality and a satisfying typing experience for various uses, all without breaking the bank.
The keyboard models below use either rubber dome or mechanical switches. For a refresher on how these switch types differ, see our mechanical vs membrane keyboards article. If you're only interested in options with mechanical switches, check out our best budget mechanical keyboards article instead. Or, if you're looking specifically for a gaming keyboard with a low price point, see our article for the best budget gaming keyboards.
We test dozens of keyboards each year, and to maintain independence, we buy every unit ourselves. Our reviews go beyond subjective typing impressions or quick gaming sessions. Each keyboard is put through the same standardized test bench, so you can directly compare our results. We use specialized tools like a Mecmesin force tester to measure switch force curves and a Beagle 480 USB analyzer to capture input data for latency testing. Multiple teams contribute to each review in a process that can take days or even weeks from start to finish.
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Best Budget Keyboard
GamingOfficeMobile/TabletProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCRaw PerformanceSize:Full-size (100%)Connectivity:WirelessSee all our test resultsBluetooth Multi-Device Pairing:The Logitech Signature K650 is our recommendation for the best budget keyboard for most people. You can connect this wireless keyboard via Bluetooth or with the included USB receiver. Depending on your daily usage, a pair of AA batteries can power this board for up to 36 months. This keyboard uses quiet rubber dome switches, making it a great choice that won't bother others in shared workspaces, dorm rooms, or home offices.
It has a sturdy plastic body, and unlike more expensive mechanical options, there aren't any exposed moving parts, which means it's more resistant to minor spills or food crumbs if you often find yourself eating or drinking in front of your computer. It also offers good built-in ergonomic features, including a built-in palm rest, low-profile keycaps, and feet that provide two incline settings. These features ensure you can type on this keyboard without angling your wrists too sharply, which can help keep you comfortable, especially when typing for long stretches.
It's a full-size keyboard board, so not only does it have all the keys you need, including a numpad, but there's plenty of space between keys. The keycaps also have rounded tops, making it easier to differentiate between keys by feel, which can help you type faster and avoid typos.
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Best Budget Mechanical Keyboard
GamingOfficeMobile/TabletProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCRaw PerformanceSize:Compact (75%)Connectivity:WirelessSee all our test resultsBluetooth Multi-Device Pairing:The Ducky OK-M is our recommendation for anyone looking for a mechanical keyboard on a budget. This series includes a small lineup of keyboards rather than a single model. They connect wirelessly using an included USB receiver or Bluetooth, and they’re available in 65%, 75%, and 98% sizes, so you can choose one based on your desk space and which keys you actually need. The smaller 65% size has arrow keys but lacks a numpad and function row, the compact 75% size includes the keys most people need but removes the numpad, and the 98% size keeps the numpad but removes a couple of navigation keys and packs everything more tightly together.
These keyboards stand out for their surprisingly satisfying typing experience. Build quality is also quite good for the price: the case feels solid, everything feels well put together, and there isn't any significant flexibility despite the all-plastic build. They also have a gasket mount, which gives typing a slightly softer, almost cushioned feel. They're compatible with the VIA configurator, a popular open-source, web-based software tool used by many custom mechanical keyboards. The software is intuitive and easy to use, giving the OK-M series better customization support than most keyboards at this price.
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Best Budget Gaming Keyboard
GamingOfficeMobile/TabletProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCRaw PerformanceSize:Full-size (100%)Connectivity:WiredSee all our test resultsBluetooth Multi-Device Pairing:The Corsair K70 CORE is the best budget gaming keyboard we've tested. It offers excellent gaming performance, combining outstanding responsiveness and a solid build quality. The chassis is made of plastic and aluminum, providing good rigidity and minimal deck flex. Corsair offers the K70 CORE in both full-size and TKL (TenKeyLess) layouts. The TKL version removes the number pad to provide extra room for your mouse, which is perfect for FPS players or anyone with limited desk space. The Corsair MLX Red linear switches used are lightweight and have a short pre-travel distance, making them ideal for fast-paced, reaction-heavy games. The 1000Hz polling rate may not be as high as the 8000Hz rates found on some newer boards, but in practice, that difference isn't one you'll be able to notice in-game. The switches are soldered, so they cannot be swapped later if you want to refresh the keyboard's feel down the line. The RGB lighting, combined with the clear key legends, makes keys easy to read in the dark.
If you're looking for something even more compact, the Corsair K65 RGB MINI is a fantastic alternative. It has a smaller 60% layout that also removes the function row and the arrow keys. This model pushes performance further with an 8000Hz polling rate and near-instant latency. While you won't be able to notice the benefit of these higher polling rates, it does help produce slightly lower and much more consistent latency performance, which can still make a marginal but measurable difference if you play at a very high competitive level.
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Best Cheap Keyboard
GamingOfficeMobile/TabletProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCRaw PerformanceSize:TenKeyLess (75%)Connectivity:WirelessSee all our test resultsBluetooth Multi-Device Pairing:The Keychron B33/B36 keyboards are our pick if you're looking for a cheap keyboard. They're available in full-size and TKL versions, depending on your needs. These keyboards use deep scissor switches that are comfortable and quiet. While they don't provide quite the same tactility as a mechanical keyboard, the switches offer a 3.5 mm travel that helps approximate a mechanical keyboard experience. It's a sort of middle ground between mechanical switches and a more standard scissor switches. They also support wireless connectivity and can even achieve low-latency numbers that'd be totally suitable for the occasional gaming session.
If you're looking for a more easily portable option, the Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s is another great option. This wireless keyboard's standout feature is its slim, compact design, making it easy to slip into bags or laptop cases for on-the-go use. It's also a great fit for smaller workspaces, leaving more space for your mouse and other essentials on your desk. This keyboard uses AAA batteries and connects via Bluetooth, allowing you to pair up to three devices simultaneously and switch between them with hotkeys. Using the configuration software, you can create custom profiles, remap shortcuts, and even create macros. That said, the somewhat unusual circular-shaped keycaps and tighter key spacing can take a bit of getting used to at first. Also, this keyboard's compact layout means it gives up some of the keys found on standard full-size boards, including dedicated arrow keys and a numpad.
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Best Cheap Mechanical Keyboard
GamingOfficeMobile/TabletProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCRaw PerformanceSize:Compact (96%)Connectivity:WirelessSee all our test resultsBluetooth Multi-Device Pairing:The AULA F99 is our recommendation if you're looking for a cheaper mechanical keyboard that still feels surprisingly refined for the price. Its standout feature is its gasket-mounted design, which gives it a soft, cushioned typing feel that many people enjoy. That said, it leans very soft, so if you prefer a firmer typing experience with more direct feedback, the somewhat more expensive Ducky OK-M above is the better choice. It also has a gasket-mounted design, but its implementation feels intentionally stiffer and more controlled.
Despite its lower price, the AULA F99 still feels fairly well put together. Its PBT keycaps feel great under your fingers, and while the chassis doesn't feel especially premium and uses cheaper-feeling plastic, the keyboard doesn't feel loose or poorly assembled. A foam layer inside the case also helps it avoid the hollow sound common on many inexpensive plastic keyboards, and it has a surprisingly pleasant sound profile straight out of the box. Like the more expensive Ducky, it also has a hot-swappable PCB, so you can swap switches without soldering and experiment with your setup later. It also supports wireless connectivity over Bluetooth or the included 2.4GHz receiver.
The weakest part of the package is software support. The configuration software feels unintuitive and less polished than what you get from more established brands, though it still gives you the customization options most people need for shortcuts and backlighting. If you don’t need this larger size, the AULA F75 is worth considering instead. It’s more compact and usually costs a bit less.
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Best Cheap Gaming Keyboard
GamingMobile/TabletOfficeProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCSize:TenKeyLess (80%)Connectivity:WiredSee all our test resultsBluetooth Multi-Device Pairing:Many gaming keyboards come with steep price tags, so finding a great unit at a lower price can take time and effort. For a cheaper option, we recommend the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL. This keyboard has a compact TenKeyLess form factor, which means it lacks a traditional numpad but still has dedicated arrow keys and a function row. While our best budget gaming pick, the Corsair K70 CORE, uses mechanical switches, this keyboard uses rubber dome switches. Rubber dome switches are significantly quieter, and they're a bit more resistant to minor spills and debris. That said, they don't quite offer the same high-end performance.
Speaking of which, the overall latency performance on this keyboard is higher than on more premium options, so it isn't a great fit for high-level competitive play. Still, it's more than suitable for casual gaming in any genre. It also has some surprising extra features normally found on more expensive options, including a volume wheel and the ability to set macros to any key. It also has RGB lighting with eight separate zones you can customize using the companion software. If you're interested in a full-size alternative with a numpad, there's a full-size version of this board called the SteelSeries Apex 3. The full-size version is typically a bit more expensive; however, it includes a wrist rest for added comfort.
Notable Mentions
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Keychron B1/B6 Pro:
The full-size Keychron B6 Pro and its smaller, more portable sibling, the Keychron B1 Pro, are wireless models with low-profile designs. They're typically priced similarly to the Keychron B33/B36 and are great alternatives if you want a keyboard that takes up less desk space and offers a typing experience that more closely resembles typing on a laptop.
See our review -
Logitech G213 Prodigy:
The Logitech G213 Prodigy is an older gaming keyboard, but it's a full-size model typically available for around $50 USD. It offers significantly better raw gaming performance than the typically less expensive SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL. However, its build quality feels a bit cheaper, and its backlighting is zone-lit, so you can't individually customize the RGB on a per-key basis.
See our review -
Dell KB216:
If you're looking for the cheapest possible option, the Dell KB216 is a much more straightforward alternative to the Keychron B33/B36. While the keys do feel mushy, the low-profile design means you don't have to angle your hands too sharply to reach all the keys. It's also very quiet, making it a great choice for an office setting where you may be sensitive to bothering those around you.
See our review -
MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra:
If your budget allows it and you're not intimidated by the high level of customization available, the MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra is an outstanding wireless budget gaming keyboard alternative to the Corsair K70 CORE. It's more expensive but is extremely well-built, delivers exceptional performance, and comes with very feature-rich software.
See our review
Recent Updates
Jun 11, 2026:
We've added the Ducky OK-M as our new 'Best Budget Mechanical' pick. It typically costs a bit more than the AULA F99/F75, our previous pick, but has a more controlled typing feel and comes in three sizes instead of two. The AULA moves into a new 'Best Cheap Mechanical' category as a slightly lower-cost option with a much softer feel. We've also removed the 'Best For Mobile' category to keep the article focused on everyday keyboards.
Mar 30, 2026:
The Aula F99/F75 replaces the Keychron C1 Pro/C2 Pro as our new 'Best Budget Mechanical Keyboard,' and the Keychron B33/B36 are our new cheap keyboard picks, with the Logitech Pebble Keys 2 serving as a smaller alternative. We also removed the office keyboard pick and put the Dell XB216 and the MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra as Notable Mentions.
Nov 06, 2025:
Since the Corsair K70 RGB TKL is no longer available at a budget price, we have replaced it with the Corsair K70 Core, along with the Corsair K65 RGB MINI, as our new 'Best Budget Gaming Keyboard.' We also added the Keychron C1 Pro/C2 Pro as our pick for 'Best Budget Mechanical Keyboard.' It provides great all-around performance and typing quality at an accessible price point.
Jul 07, 2025:
Replaced the Razer Huntsman Mini with the Corsair K70 RGB TKL as recent price drops have made it a better budget pick overall. Added the Aula F99/F75 as a Notable Mention.
Apr 10, 2025:
We've removed the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard from our list of Notable Mentions, as it has been discontinued. We've reviewed the rest of our picks and haven't made any other changes at this time.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best budget and cheap keyboards for most people. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our keyboard reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no keyboard is perfect for every use, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.