Many keyboards feature backlighting, with RGB options offering over 16 million colors for customization. While backlighting improves visibility in the dark, full RGB lighting can enhance your setup with color matching and reactive effects. If RGB is a priority, consider the number and location of lighting zones, software quality, and customization options when choosing a keyboard.
We've tested over 280 keyboards, and below are our recommendations for the best keyboards with RGB lighting. This list mostly consists of wired-only keyboards, as RGB backlighting tends to quickly drain the battery on wireless keyboards, especially with custom effects. If you're only interested in wireless models, check out our picks for the best wireless keyboards. For other options, see our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards and the best keyboards overall.
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 RGB Keyboard
GamingOfficeMobile/TabletProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCRaw PerformanceSize:Full-size (100%)Hot-Swappable Switches:NoConnectivity:WiredSwitch Type:MechanicalSee all our test resultsOutput Type:Non-AdjustableThe Corsair K100 RGB is the best RGB keyboard we've tested for true RGB lighting fans. This keyboard has a whopping 44 RGB zones, including RGB strips along both sides and the top edge, and lighting surrounding the programmable dial. You can also use this dial to toggle between lighting profiles or adjust backlighting brightness directly on the keyboard. You can program the lighting for each of these zones independently or customize lighting for any individual key using Corsair's iCUE software, which also allows you to sync the lighting with any other Corsair peripherals or pieces of hardware you may have in your desktop setup.
This keyboard has a few other standout hardware features, including dedicated media keys and a column of programmable macro keys on the left side of the board. It supports a much higher-than-average maximum polling rate of 8000Hz and an effective update rate of 4000Hz. This helps it maintain extremely consistent split-millisecond latency, so it's a standout choice for casual or competitive gaming in any genre. Not only that, but the Cherry MX Speed Silver switches are optimized for gaming, with an incredibly short pre-travel distance and a light actuation force. This keyboard's price tends to fluctuate, but it's at its best value when it falls to around $200 USD or less.
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Best Upper Mid-Range RGB Keyboard
GamingOfficeMobile/TabletProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCRaw PerformanceSize:Compact (96%)Hot-Swappable Switches:YesConnectivity:WirelessSwitch Type:MechanicalSee all our test resultsOutput Type:Non-AdjustableIf you're looking for a wireless option with outstanding RGB, we recommend the NuPhy Halo96 V2. We've highlighted the largest 96% size option here since it offers the most extensive RGB, but this keyboard is also available in a smaller, compact 75% layout if you'd like more room on your desk for mouse movements while gaming. This wireless keyboard features a high-profile design. In addition to backlighting, it also focuses on acoustics with layers of silicone sandwiched inside and what NuPhy calls a 'GhostBar,' which is a spacebar with added polycarbonate and silicone pieces that dampen its sound and feel. You can buy this keyboard in several different expressive colorways and switch options. It also has a hot-swappable PCB, allowing you to change out the switches more easily if the stock options aren't to your preference.
When it comes to lighting, this keyboard has an impressive array of RGB zones that wrap around the entire keyboard, shining out from the translucent plastic bottom case. Unfortunately, the stock keycaps don't have shine-through legends, making them hard to see in dark rooms. That said, there are a set of helpful homing bars, which are shine-through slits on the 'F' and 'J' keys to help you quickly orient your hands on the home row in darker rooms. Additionally, NuPhy sells sets of shine-through keycaps on their website. Like the other options on this list, this keyboard comes with companion software allowing you to adjust the brightness, color, and effects of the RGB lighting.
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Best Mid-Range RGB Keyboard
GamingOfficeMobile/TabletProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCRaw PerformanceSize:TenKeyLess (75%)Hot-Swappable Switches:YesConnectivity:WirelessSwitch Type:MechanicalSee all our test resultsAnalog:If you don't mind sacrificing some build quality to save a bit of money, the NuPhy Kick75 is an outstanding mid-range pick with a very interesting RGB implementation. It includes a transparent top portion that diffuses the light throughout the keyboard when you crank up the backlighting. Unfortunately, like the NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2 above, it also doesn't include shine-through keycaps out of the box. Aside from its RGB performance, this keyboard has a very playful retro design. It's also available with a low-profile conversion kit that allows you to choose between using low-profile and regular profile switches. This will give you a lot of flexibility to customize the keyboard to your liking over time.
Performance-wise, this is a very versatile keyboard. It's well-built, and its soft gasket-mount design, pre-lubed switches, and pre-lubed stabilizers give it an excellent typing experience right out of the box. It's also very quiet, particularly with the Silent Kailh Blush Max switches we tested, which use dampened stems to keep noise to a minimum. For connectivity, it supports wireless use via a 2.4GHz receiver and pairs with up to three devices over Bluetooth simultaneously. On the performance side, the Kick75 holds up well. It delivers strong latency across the board and can get up to 1000Hz polling rate both wired and wirelessly, making it a solid pick for casual and competitive gaming alike. It does produce occasional outlier latency spikes, but they're too small to notice during play. Only the most demanding competitive players might have reason to care.
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Best Budget RGB Keyboard
GamingOfficeMobile/TabletProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCRaw PerformanceSize:Compact (60%)Hot-Swappable Switches:NoConnectivity:WiredSwitch Type:MechanicalSee all our test resultsOutput Type:Non-AdjustableThe Corsair K65 RGB MINI is our top budget recommendation. Performance-wise, it shares much with our top pick, the Corsair K100 RGB, including the same 4000Hz scan rate and exceptionally low latency. Its RGB lighting is exceptionally bright, and the PBT keycaps have crisp, easy-to-read legends that allow plenty of light to shine through. The unique perforated shine-through space bar adds an eye-catching effect, especially at full brightness.
The main drawback is its 60% layout. While the compact design leaves more room for mouse movement, it also means sacrificing a function row, navigation keys, and arrow keys. These functions are still accessible via hotkey combinations, but it may take time to adjust to them if you rely on them frequently. It's an excellent RGB-forward option, particularly for competitive gamers who prefer a compact layout. If you prefer a full-size layout, the Corsair K70 CORE is another very strong pick that can be found around the $100 USD price point.
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Best Cheap RGB Keyboard
GamingMobile/TabletOfficeProgrammingEntertainment / HTPCSize:TenKeyLess (80%)See all our test resultsConnectivity:WiredThe SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL is the best cheap RGB keyboard we've tested. While most keyboards at this price point only have zone lighting or can only display one color at a time, this one has full RGB backlighting and eight customizable zones. The keycaps also include shine-through legends, which is ideal if you want to use the keyboard at night. You can customize these zones and other features of this keyboard using SteelSeries' GG software.
As you'd expect, this keyboard won't perform as well as our budget pick above. The slightly high latency makes the board best suited for casual rather than fast-paced gaming. The rubber dome switches don't feel as snappy and responsive as the switches in our budget pick, the Corsair K65 RGB MINI. While it's good, especially considering the very low price point, the build quality also lags behind pricier units, with cheap ABS plastic keycaps that easily collect oil from your fingers and a thin, somewhat flimsy-feeling all-plastic chassis.
Notable Mentions
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Logitech G715:
The Logitech G715 has a white aesthetic that may be a better fit for your setup if it already incorporates many white elements. It also boasts an impressive RGB lighting array with a strip around the frame, creating a nice underglow effect. However, it's missing a numpad, which may not be to everyone's taste. Also, compared to the Corsair K100 RGB, its color-mixing isn't as good and has a noticeable blueish hue.
See our review -
Razer Huntsman Mini:
The Razer Huntsman Mini is a compact 60% model that's typically cheaper than the Corsair K65 RGB MINI. It offers comparable performance and has clear shine-through legends, just like the Corsair. However, it doesn't quite match it in terms of build quality or RGB brightness.
See our review
Recent Updates
Apr 16, 2026:
We moved the NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2 as our new upper mid-range keyboard. The NuPhy Kick75 replaces the ROCCAT Vulcan II Max as our new mid-range pick. We also replaced the now-discontinued Razer Cynosa V2 with the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL as our new cheap pick. Other picks are still valid and available.
Mar 10, 2025:
We've moved the Razer Huntsman Mini from its spot as our budget pick to the Notable Mentions section. In its place, we've added the Corsair K65 RGB MINI, which, while typically more expensive, offers better build quality and brighter, more extensive RGB backlighting.
Dec 09, 2024:
We've reorganized this article to better represent the current market, introducing a new 'Best Wireless RGB Keyboard' category and eliminating our 'Best Upper Mid-Range RGB Keyboard' category. We've also made small edits for clarity.
Sep 13, 2024: We've replaced our mid-range pick, the NuPhy Halo 96, with its successor, the NuPhy Halo 96 V2. It's slightly more expensive but has significantly more extensive RGB lighting. We've also removed the Corsair K95 Platinum from our list of Notable Mentions, as it's now discontinued and getting much harder to find.
Jun 18, 2024: We've added a note to our upper mid-range pick about ROCCAT's rebrand to Turtle Beach. We've also removed the Dygma Raise from the Notable Mentions since it's no longer on sale and is being replaced by the Dygma Raise 2.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best RGB membrane and best RGB mechanical keyboards for most people. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
If you'd like to do the work of choosing yourself, here's 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.