The keyboard is a critical part of any gaming setting on your computer, and upgrading yours is one of the easiest ways to improve your performance and make gaming more enjoyable in general. And a solid gaming keyboard doesn’t have to break the bank either. There are many great options that cost less than $ 100, and some are available for less than $ 50. We’ve tried tons of cheap keyboards to help you decide which one will give you the most money for your money.
Just like selecting a new mouse to play, getting the right gaming keyboard has a lot to do with personal preferences – from ergonomic design (hello, wrist rest) to whether you prefer RGB lighting, mechanical keys, tactile feedback, soft keys, dedicated media keys or many other features to we can’t even list them. To narrow down your keyboard design preferences, consult the keyboard glossary of our sister site GameSpot.
Read more: The best gaming mouse under $ 50 for 2022
It is worth noting that Aukey, who is one of our best choices, was launched from Amazon last year because it was one of the few suppliers it is said to have sought positive user reviews for gift cards. But since our experience with the quality and value of Aukey accessories has been positive, we still recommend its hardware.
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The $ 50 G14 is one of the most affordable mechanical gaming keyboards available and Aukey has boosted its game with build quality and software without increasing prices. This TKL keyboard is chunky, but still saves desk space because it doesn’t have a numeric board; see Aukey’s G12 if you want that feature.
Although the case is completely plastic, it has a mass of metal frame. Combined with non-slip pads on the bottom, this keyboard will not slip while playing. In addition, there are two sets of feet that open in the back that give you three typing angles to choose from – something you can’t always find on more expensive keyboards. And while its USB cable is attached to the case, Aukey has added routing at the bottom so you can send the cable left, right or center.
The company’s blue switches are good for both typing and playing with the tactile punch you can feel i listen. These switches have a loud click on them, which should be kept in mind if you share a workspace). Also, there is no beeping from the switch springs, unlike the thinner full-size G12 keyboard, so all you really hear is their click. There is some key fluctuation, but it is relatively small and is generally a solid typing experience.
Legends on the keys are difficult to read with the backlight off. However, with 18 pre-programmed lighting options to choose from and four brightness settings, there’s little reason to turn the lights off completely while you’re working. You can always replace the key caps as well, and Aukey includes a puller. Keyboard software can be used to create your own RGB lighting by keys, set key macros or change key assignments, and save multiple profiles. The G14 is a great place to start if you’re just getting into mechanical keyboards for work or play.
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If you are most comfortable doing your office work on a membrane keyboard, Cynosa could be the gaming keyboard for you. It’s a membrane keyboard, not a mechanical one, so the keys are quiet and definitely softer than others here, and some might be mushy. However, if you want to use one keyboard for both work and play, this is a good compromise for the price of 60 USD.
Many of the original Cynos features are portable, including turnkey RGB lighting – a rarity in this end of the market – and a durable, spill-resistant design. What’s new is a set of media keys added to the upper right corner. Razer has also added a cable installation under the keyboard so you can keep your desk a little tidier.
This is also one of the most programmable keyboards. There are many preset lighting effects to choose from, and you can also create your own using Synapse 3.0 software. There’s also Razer’s Hypershift feature that allows you to set a secondary set of features for your keys that are accessed using the “shift” key you select. You can also reconnect keys and set macros using the software.
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Whirlwind FX Atom 60% mechanical gaming keyboard is not too different from other options of similar size. The compact design saves space, great if you need extra mouse space while playing. It will be easy to put in a travel backpack. (It also has a removable braided USB-C cable to help with that.) The company offers a choice of three mechanical switches, and all are brightly lit by RGB LEDs.
Atom’s backlight, or more precisely the software that controls them, is what makes this little keyboard stand out. The thing is, you don’t even need a keyboard to use the software.
The SignalRGB application allows you to adjust the brightness of the keyboard so that it has different effects during regular use and during media playback, including various games. The application has a library of game integration that you can choose from. I’ve tested the Battlefield V integration, for example, and it does things like turn on a red light on the keyboard when the HP is low or green when you’re cured. Fortnite integration will change the keyboard to pink and red when you do damage or purple when you add experience. There are many games available and, if you really like to mess around, you can create your own integrations using the company’s open platform lighting software.
However, SignalRGB software allows you to go one step further by spreading the effects to other RGB gaming peripherals. It supports more than 150 devices from Razer, Corsair, HyperX, Logitech, SteelSeries and others. You can also request others that are not yet supported.
Also, if you prefer a full-size keyboard, check out the company’s second-generation Element keyboard, which has the same switch options but has directional keys and a numeric keypad.
Read our review of Whirlwind FX Atom.
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Even on Logitech’s lower models, such as the G413 backlit gaming keyboard, the company doesn’t spend cheaply on build quality and components. It uses the same Romer-G tactile switches found on its multi-function models and has the same slim, simple and durable keyboard design with a brushed alloy of aluminum and magnesium alloy top. It has a braided USB cable with a USB through port on the back right and channels below to manage mouse and headphone cables.
The tactile switch is relatively quiet, no clicks when activated, just a subtle stroke and a short activation. If you like to hear i feel how you press the keys, this is probably not the best switch for you. There is only one color for the backlight – red – but the backlight is light and the font of the keys on this full-size keyboard is easy to read. Logitech includes 12 faceted key covers, which is nice, but we didn’t feel much difference.
The G413 can be programmed using Logitech’s G Hub software, which allows you to set macros and custom functions on the F1-F12 buttons, and there’s a game mode that turns off the Windows key. All in all, it’s a sleeker mechanical keyboard for games than the others here, but it’s also more expensive.
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If you want a wireless gaming keyboard i lights, consider K57. This inexpensive wireless keyboard uses rubber dome switches with a pronounced activation point, giving it a more office keyboard feel like the Razer Cynos. Playing on it requires a little more power than the mechanical keyboards here, and the rotation is limited to eight keys. Besides, the experience is quite good.
The K57 connects wirelessly to your computer via low-latency Bluetooth or Corsair’s 2.4GHz Slipstream technology, which uses a small USB-A adapter to play games without delay. It can also be wired with a included Micro-USB cable, which also charges the keyboard. While there is no longevity of Logitech when using RGB key lighting, you can go through a few days of gaming without having to charge it.
A row of dedicated macro buttons on the left and discrete media controls on the right round out the features. In addition, Corsair software is easy to use, which makes creating custom keyboard lighting and setting up these macro keys pretty painless. With $ 80, however, you definitely pay more for those features.
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Finding a good wireless gaming keyboard can be difficult. These babies are a rarity because the last thing you want to do is potentially introduce lagging into your performance. The Lightspeed G613 wireless device works just as well as the wired one, and the battery life is great for up to 18 months on two AA-size batteries. However, the keyboard does not have any backlight, which, although it is understandable to save energy, without the backlight of the keyboard really kills the experience of playing in the dark. You have six programmable buttons on the left, so that’s something.
The G613 uses the same Romer-G tactile mechanical switches as the G413, so everything I said about it applies here. I happen to like the feel of this play and knock switch, even though I was in the minority for our testing. This wireless keyboard is definitely the one you should try before you buy if you can.