The 8 Best Keyboards - Spring 2020
Reviews

The best keyboard for gaming we've tested so far is the SteelSeries Apex Pro. This is a great mechanical keyboard that features SteelSeries' OmniPoint linear switches. These are unique as you can use the software to customize their actuation point to better suit your usage. A lower actuation point will feel quicker and more responsive, which is great for gaming. You can then raise it when you need to work and want to reduce the amount of unwanted registered keystrokes and reduce typos.

This keyboard is very well-built thanks to its aluminum frame and great ABS doubleshot keycaps. It even comes with a nice magnetic wrist rest that's comfortable to use for long gaming sessions. The board also has full RGB backlighting, which can be customized inside the software. There's also a customizable OLED screen that can display whatever you want. Right next to it, you have dedicated media keys, which are very useful to control your music and volume without needing to minimize your game.

Unfortunately, some gamers might be disappointed by the lack of dedicated macro keys, but at least every key can be reprogrammed. The wrist rest is also a dust magnet but is easily cleanable. This is one of the most versatile mechanical keyboards and its customizable switches make it a unique option.

The best office keyboard we've tested so far is the Logitech MX Keys. This low-profile wireless keyboard has a metal frame that feels sturdy and durable. The keys are well-spaced and indented, which is great for typing accuracy, and typing on this keyboard doesn't feel tiring, as the keys are easy to press due to their low actuation force. Although it doesn't come with a wrist rest, the low profile nature of this keyboard is comfortable to type on even without one. The scissor switches make very little noise, so it shouldn't be bothersome to your colleagues, and there's backlighting for those who like to work in the dark.

Using Logitech's Options software, you can reprogram the function keys and save profiles. Unfortunately, there's no onboard memory, and the software is only available for Windows and macOS. This keyboard has a multi-device pairing feature, allowing you to pair up to three devices at the same time, making multitasking a breeze.

If you need a good office keyboard that you can type on all day with great multitasking features, consider this one.

The Razer BlackWidow Elite is the best keyboard for programming that we've tested so far. Although it's designed mainly for gaming, this keyboard has tons of features that should satisfy programmers as well. It's a full-size keyboard that has dedicated media controls, programmable keys, and it comes with a cushy wrist rest for extra support. Its Razer Orange switches provide a tactile bump that feels a lot like Cherry MX Browns, and they have a low actuation force and low pre-travel distance, resulting in a light and responsive typing experience that won't tire you out. Typing noise is fairly low, so you won't have to worry about using it in a quiet office environment.

This keyboard uses Razer's Synapse 3 software for its customization. It lets you reprogram keys, set macros, customize the RGB backlight, and save profiles. Luckily, the keyboard has onboard memory and you can also use the cloud sync feature if you need to move to another computer. The software is only available for Windows, so while all keys function properly on Linux, you won't be able to customize the keyboard. Additionally, some keys such as Scroll Lock or Pause/Break don't work on macOS.

If you're shopping for a great keyboard for programming, this one is worth checking out.

The Logitech Keys-To-Go is the best keyboard for use with mobile devices that we've tested so far. It has a slim and compact design that fits easily into most bags, and it has a rubber coating that feels quite durable. It comes with a phone holder, and its battery is rated to last up to 3 months, though it's not something that we test for.

This keyboard is meant for short messages or emails while you're out and about. It can be paired to any device that has Bluetooth capability; however, some keys don't work on Windows, Android, and Linux, as they're specific to Apple operating systems. Typing experience on this keyboard is rather poor, as the keys are hard to press and their shallow pre-travel distance can lead to more typos. It doesn't have backlighting or software support for customization, but there are dedicated media control keys and some quite convenient shortcuts. Overall, it's a good keyboard if you need to get some work done on the go.

The best budget keyboard we've tested so far is the Redragon K552-RGB. Despite its price, this keyboard has a great build quality, doubleshot keycaps, and full RGB backlighting. It uses clicky mechanical switches that are similar to Cherry MX Blues, which provide satisfying tactile feedback along with an audible click. Typing on this keyboard feels incredibly light and responsive, though it may not be the best choice for a quiet office setting.

Although this keyboard has individually backlit keys and features full RGB lighting, it doesn't have software support, so all customization needs to be done on the keyboard itself. There are a few media hotkeys to let you control your music while playing and you also have a Windows lock hotkey to prevent your game from minimizing accidentally.

Unfortunately, the keys aren't programmable and there is no onboard memory to save profiles. It may not be packed with the latest gaming features, but if you're shopping on a budget, this keyboard offers good value and should satisfy most users.