The 4 Best Budget Gaming Keyboards - Spring 2024 Reviews

The best budget gaming keyboard we've tested is the Razer Huntsman Mini. This board uses optical switches, available in linear or clicky varieties. These switches feel like standard mechanical switches but use a beam of light to register keystrokes. Combined with how lightweight these switches are, the result is an extremely fluid and responsive-feeling gaming experience. Like other options on this list, this keyboard offers all the standard customization features with Razer's Synapse 3 software, including macro programming, per-key RGB backlighting effects, and onboard storage for custom profiles.

The build quality on this keyboard is also excellent, and it feels very sturdy even compared to more premium options in Razer's catalog. Another major selling point for this keyboard is its compact size, which takes up very little room on your desk, giving your setup a minimal look and leaving plenty of room for dynamic mouse movements. Unfortunately, this board has a fairly tall profile and doesn't include a wrist rest, so you may consider buying one separately for the most comfortable gaming experience.

The Keychron V5 Max isn't specifically marketed as a gaming keyboard above all else, but there are a few reasons why we're recommending it here. First off, its raw gaming performance puts many more dedicated gaming keyboards to shame. Second, it incorporates many quality-of-life features often found on more expensive custom keyboards. Some of these features include high-quality PBT keycaps, a gasket mount system that makes typing feel softer, and multiple layers of acoustic foam inside the keyboard that round out the sound profile. There's even an included toolkit, so you can completely disassemble your board to swap out pieces, and the hot-swappable PCB means you can quickly pop out the stock switches for those of your choosing.

One of its only downsides is that while it has full RGB lighting, it has south-facing LEDs, and the keycaps don't have shine-through legends. This means you won't be able to read the legends on your keyboard as easily. If that isn't a dealbreaker for you, then this is a highly versatile, high-performing option that really stands out. It's also worth noting that this keyboard is part of a wider V Max lineup. The only major difference between these variants is their size and key layout. You can browse the models in this lineup on Keychron's website to find a model that fits your needs and setup.

Mechanical options often hog the spotlight, but non-mechanical gaming keyboards have advantages. Take the Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT, the best non-mechanical budget gaming board we've tested. It uses membrane switches hidden under a piece of solid frosted plastic, a bonus for the folks who like to eat and drink by their keyboard as it's more resistant to spills and crumbs since there aren't any exposed moving parts. These switches are nearly silent during use, making it a great choice for people who game late into the night or have to game in tight, shared spaces.

In terms of its performance and features, it has almost every feature a gamer could want. It includes RGB backlighting that's customizable on a per-key basis, dedicated macro keys for easy access, extremely low latency, and a detachable wrist rest for ergonomic support during those marathon sessions.

If you're looking for a cheaper, non-mechanical option, we recommend the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL. Its compact TenKeyLess form factor leaves you with more space on your desk for dynamic mouse movements, and its rubber dome switches are fairly light to press and very quiet compared to most mechanical switches. However, they have a longer pre-travel distance and feel a bit mushier compared to more expensive options.

This keyboard also doesn't offer the same level of raw gaming performance compared to the other options on this list, so we don't recommend it for competitive play. However, it's an impressive pick for casual gaming in any genre. It also has some extra features that are rare around this price, like the ability to set macros to any key, dedicated media keys, and a volume wheel. It has RGB lighting, too. However, the keys aren't individually lit, so you only have eight zones you can customize in the software.