Buying Guide
The best mechanical gaming keyboards (2024)
A good gaming keyboard is a must have for your PC gaming setup.
Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.
KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.
If you are a serious PC gamer, you probably understand that you need great peripherals to go along with your gaming PC. Finding the best gaming keyboard for you is a great start.
Without this vital piece of the puzzle, you’re basically buying a supercar only to put spare tires on it. And who would do that?
If the thought of spending hours researching gaming keyboards sounds terrible, don’t worry. We’ve spent time researching for you and have found the best options out there.
You’ll want something responsive, comfortable, and preferably with RGB to match the rest of your setup, and there are a lot of choices out there.
It can feel overwhelming if you are new to PC gaming or mechanical keyboards. Here’s what you need to know.
What are the best keyboard switches for gaming?
Before we begin, we’d like to discuss key switch choices. Firstly, you will want a mechanical keyboard, not one using membrane keys. It’s just going to be more enjoyable to use.
Then you’ll want to think about the type of switch you want, whether you prefer a linear response or a more tactile one. There’s also the option to go optomechanical, where the keypresses are registered by light.
The key point is that you can choose a keyboard that will suit your preferences to get the best gaming performance.
Don’t forget to consider which size you want and if you want additional features such as media keys or macros. But that’s enough talk. Let’s see what the best gaming keyboards of 2024 look like.
The best gaming keyboards 2024
SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini
We’ll kick things off with one of our favorites here at KnowTechie. The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is a 60 percent form factor keyboard, packing all of the necessary keys into a compact size.
It features the company’s own Omnipoint 2.0 adjustable switches. This lets you set your own actuation point from 0.2mm to 3.8mm on every key individually.
Aside from adjustable actuation, the Apex Pro Mini is equipped with RGB, PBT keycaps, and an aluminum shell. Click the button below for more details.
Read our review here: Review: SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini mechanical keyboard
Corsair K70 RGB TKL Champion Series
Corsair consistently delivers premium gaming keyboards, and 2023 is no different. The K70 RGB TKL Champion Series features Corsair’s popular dynamic per-key RGB for ultimate customization for your setup.
It comes with classic Cherry MX switches of your choice in another compact design. Built with competitive gaming in mind, the K70 Champion Series is a no-nonsense mechanical keyboard with a few extra bells and whistles.
It’s you can typically get this keyboard for $149.99. But if you keep your eye out, you can sometimes find it on sale for a great deal. Click below to find out more.
Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro
Razer has always made premium gaming keyboards, and the BlackWidow V3 Pro is our first wireless option on the list. It can connect via Bluetooth, a dedicated dongle, or with a wire in a pinch.
It comes with Razer’s own yellow mechanical switches. These are smooth switches with no tactile feedback and dampeners for a quieter gaming experience.
Or you can go with the Razer greens if you order from the website. That will give you a much more tactile and clicky experience.
The BlackWidow V3 Pro is incredibly durable with support for up to 80 million clicks. And you’ll want to utilize as many of those clicks as possible after forking over $229.99 for the BlackWidow V3 Pro.
Razer Ornata V3
If you’re looking for a more affordable option from Razer, the Ornata V3 is a great choice.
It features the company’s combination mecha-membrane switches for the tactile feel of mechanical switches and the softer touch of membranes.
The low-profile design is great for fans of smaller keyboards, similar to laptops. It’s a full-sized keyboard, but packs all the keys, including four media keys, into a compact design.
The Razer Ornata V3 typically sells for $69.
HyperX Alloy Origins
HyperX’s Alloy Origins series is an affordable mechanical keyboard line that has multiple layout options. Additionally, you can choose between two different switch types.
There is a full-size model, a 65 model, a 60 model, and a ten-keyless model. You also have the choice between HyperX Red and Aqua switches.
Everything is encased in an aluminum body, and, of course, the keyboard is stuffed with RGB.
Wooting Two HE
The Wooting Two HE might not technically belong on this list since it’s currently available only through preorder to ship in 2023. But we had to add this beast to our favorites.
The Wooting Two HE uses an analog switch allowing per-key adjustment, similar to the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini. It uses the company’s own Lekker linear switches that measure the entire keystroke, from top to bottom.
Another nice benefit of the Wooting Two HE is no unnecessary software downloads. You can customize the entire keyboard on board without the need for any extra programs.
It’s available for $194.99 from the company’s website. Click below for more information.
Cooler Master CK721
Next up we have a familiar name in the PC components world, but maybe less so when it comes to peripherals. Still, the Cooler Master CK721 is one of the nicest keyboards we’ve used this year.
This is another minimalistic keyboard with a 65 percent layout for ultra-portability. It comes with a dedicated 2.4GHz dongle, or you can connect it with Bluetooth to just about any device.
The keyboard comes with Cherry MX Blue switches, but yo. And what really helps to sell the CK721 is how nice it looks.
It comes in a white-on-silver or gunmetal finish that looks absolutely gorgeous. And how could we forget individual RGB for every key?
For a wireless keyboard, the CK721 is available for a modest price at just $119.99. It’s listed cheaper, just $99.99, on the website, but it’s currently out of stock there. Click below for more information.
Das Keyboard 6
While the Das Keyboard 6 isn’t marketed as a gaming keyboard, it deserves a place on this list. It’s a full-sized keyboard with Cherry MX switches and a full array of media buttons accompanied by a volume nob.
The keyboard also includes two USB-C passthrough ports that you can use to keep your devices charged or connect media to your PC. No RGB this time, but there is a white LED backlighting option to spice things up a bit.
We loved the Das Keyboard 6 when we reviewed it a couple of months ago. This professional mechanical keyboard is available for $199. Check it out below.
Keychron K2
Keychron is another brand making a name for itself with its wireless mechanical keyboards. The Keychron K2 is an 84-key layout, shoving tons of input into as small a form factor as possible.
It connects via a wired USB-C cable or its highly-reliable Broadcom Bluetooth 5.1 chipset. You can connect to up to three devices at once and easily switch between them with a button.
It also comes with a battery with up to 72 hours of typing or seven days of normal use. And for a wireless keyboard, the price is not too much at all, at just $79 on the company’s website.
Logitech G915 Lightspeed
Next up is the full-size G915 Lightspeed from Logitech. This keyboard puts a unique spin on mechanical switches.
The low-profile GL switches offer the performance and feedback of mechanical switches at half the height. The size and shape are also much closer to laptops or other membrane keyboards.
The G915 also offers full-range, 16.8 million color RGB backlighting for ultimate customization. Plus, it’s wireless, with up to 30 hours of gaming time on a single charge.
One of the few full-size keyboards on our list, the Logitech G915 Lightspeed is a little on the higher price side at $249.99. But this is another option that you can find on sale pretty often.
Roccat Vulcan II Max
The Roccat Vulcan II Max is a unique full-sized keyboard that will feel right at home in gamers’ hands.
This is a full-size keyboard complete with a number pad and a set of four media controls. It comes with TITAN II optical mechanical switches with great feedback.
The keycaps are thin, replicating a laptop keyboard, and it has 24 built-in “smart keys” with secondary functions, like muting your microphone, for extra convenience.
If you’re a fan of RGB, you’ll definitely want to check out the Roccat Vulcan II Max. It’s available for the retail price of $229, but be sure to shop around and look for good deals.
While the ‘fastest’ switch can vary based on individual gaming style and preference, Cherry MX Red and Speed Silver switches, along with linear switches more broadly, are often cited for their speed and performance in gaming contexts.
The best keyboard switch for gaming depends on individual preference. However, mechanical switches like Cherry MX Red, Brown, or Blue are popular choices among gamers for their tactile feedback, durability, and customizable options.
Getting the right gaming keyboard is key to a good PC setup
After spending the big bucks on building or buying yourself a nice gaming PC, the last thing you want to do is fork over some more money for peripherals.
But you need a good gaming keyboard to make the experience even better. Making the jump to mechanical switches can be a game-changer, and you’ll want to find a keyboard with the right features.
These are the best gaming keyboards in 2023, but if we come across anything else we feel deserves a place, it’ll get added to the list. Now, all you need to decide is which one is right for you.2
The fastest switches for gaming are typically considered to be the Cherry MX Speed switches, specifically the Silver variant. These switches have an incredibly short actuation distance of just 1.2mm, allowing for lightning-fast input response during gaming sessions. Their linear nature and low actuation force also contribute to their popularity among gamers.
Editors’ Recommendations:
- The best Steam Deck accessories
- These are the best Spotify alternatives for streaming music
- The best Windows and macOS keyboard shortcuts
- Review: Das Keyboard 6 Professional mechanical keyboard
Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s but one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.