Looking to gain the edge in your favourite games? Here’s our pick of the best gaming keyboards you can find in the UK
If you’re an avid PC gamer, your long-suffering keyboard has probably seen better days. If you’re thinking it’s time to retire that clunky old Microsoft keyboard, there’s a wide variety of gaming-specific keyboards to buy – from cheap and cheerful entry-level models, right up to professional-class keyboards that will cost more than your computer’s processor.
Regardless of whether you’ve got £25 or £150 in your pocket, we’ll explain what you need to look out for and run through our pick of the best gaming keyboards you can currently buy.
How to buy the best gaming keyboard for you
Do I need to buy a mechanical keyboard?
Many people swear by mechanical keyboards and that’s due to the key switches that work independently from each other. This makes them more responsive, feel less mushy and, some would argue, more accurate to type or game on.
Not all switches are equal, however: there are different types of mechanical switches made by various manufacturers. The most well-respected mechanical switches come from the German company, Cherry. It produces the range of very popular Cherry MX mechanical switches: Black, Blue, Brown and Red.
The different coloured switches determine the feeling you’ll have at your fingertips:
- MX Black is linear and hard to press, for heavy-handed gamers.
- MX Blue produces a loud click and is often chosen by typists or gamers who want to hear when they’ve pressed a key – and can put up with the noise.
- MX Brown is a halfway house between MX Red and MX Blue – it’s easy to actuate, but has a tactile bump for those who game and type a lot.
- MX Red is a membrane-like switch for gamers who want a soft-to-press switch.
It should be mentioned that different manufacturers produce their own switches – Logitech (Romer-G), SteelSeries (QS1), Razer (Kailh) – while others source OEM switches from China.
What are macros and why should I care?
Macro keys are useful for games where multiple key combinations are used regularly. If you often reach for certain multi-key commands, you can assign any series of keystrokes to a macro, which then lets you perform that command with a single, quick key press. This can be an invaluable way of easing the pressure on your hands. Most keyboards have software that provides macro support and some even have dedicated macro keys.
Do I need a keyboard with RGB lighting?
Whether or not you see this as a must-have feature is down to your own personal tastes, but RGB lighting can add a much-needed dash of personalisation, colour and excitement to a keyboard. Certain manufacturers, such as SteelSeries, have even combined RGB lighting to interact with your game. For example, the GameSense feature on the company’s Apex M800 mechanical keyboard illuminates strips of the keyboard to show in-game stats such as your ammo or health level.
Build quality, keycaps and key wobble
Most keyboards are made from hard plastic, but some look and feel more premium by swapping the plastic for metal. Whichever material the manufacturer uses, the goal for a well-built keyboard is to exhibit zero flex. If you want the best, most reliable feel while typing or gaming, the keyboard has to ensure that the keys are held perfectly in position, and don’t deflect or move out of alignment when you press them.
The build quality of the keys is also crucial. Better-quality keycaps last longer and feel better at your fingertips. Well-designed keys also don’t wobble, meaning they provide a consistent typing and gaming performance – so you’ll hit the right key more often.
What other features should I look out for?
There are plenty of features to think about, some of which are found on the higher-priced keyboards. These include a wrist rest; a removable cable (these are often a braided design for durability); USB and audio pass-through; dedicated media and macro keys; a volume wheel; and, last but not least, bundled software that allows you to customise your keyboard’s performance and lighting array.
The best gaming keyboards to buy in 2018
HyperX Alloy Elite RGB: The best gaming keyboard
- Price when reviewed: £150
The HyperX Alloy Elite RGB follows on from the regular Alloy but adds an intuitive wrist rest, dedicated media controls, a volume wheel and individually backlit RGB keys.
Just like the regular Alloy, the Elite RGB has a metal frame, which makes it an incredibly well-built keyboard. It has no keyboard flex, so it won’t bend under heavy typing (or raging). As for performance, with Cherry MX Red switches, the HyperX keyboard is excellent to type and game on. Actuation is accurate and, with an N-key rollover, you won’t miss a keystroke. Its keys don’t wobble, either.
There’s no need for software, but if you want to programme a macro, you can download the NGenuity software, which is easy to navigate and customise. There’s a USB pass-through, which makes it convenient to plug and play USB drives. If you’re not fussed about RGB lights, save yourself some money and get the regular HyperX Alloy Elite (below) instead – it’s available with Cherry MX Red switches and only backlit with red LEDs.
Key specs – Mechanical: Yes, Cherry MX; Backlit: Yes, RGB; Wrist rest: Yes; Additional ports: USB; Dimensions: 444 x 169 x 39mm
Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo: A fresh look
- Price when reviewed: £150
Many keyboards look alike, but Roccat’s Vulcan 120 Aimo is something different altogether. instead of having a frame around the key switches, Roccat has placed them on top of the metal frame and with thin-looking keycaps, it looks rather special. To achieve this, the company developed its own in-house ‘Titan’ switches in order to shave off the bulk of the design. The Titan switch has a tactile 1.8mm actuation point, one that’s lower than the equivalent Cherry MX Brown.
Gorgeous looks aside, its performance is flawless. From typing, gaming or even setting your eyes on the RGB keys, the Vulcan is a pleasure to use – here, there are no compromises being made over Cherry MX switches, especially with the keyboard’s aluminium top plate eliminating any keyboard flex. The Vulcan 120 has a plastic wrist rest included and has a clicky volume wheel at the top right-hand side; the Vulcan 100 is a tad cheaper and doesn’t have one included, while the Vulcan 80 limits itself to blue LEDs only and does away with the wrist rest, too. These cost £140 and £120, respectively.
Key specs – Mechanical: Yes, Roccat Titan; Backlit: Yes, RGB; Wrist rest: Yes; Additional ports: No; Dimensions: 462 x 235 x 32mm
Corsair K70 RGB: An incredible gaming keyboard
- Price when reviewed: £135
There are various iterations of the Corsair K70 (RGB/Red, MX Brown/Red/Speed, K70/K70 Lux). The one I’ve picked out is the Corsair K70 RGB MX Red, due to its lighting capabilities and mechanical switches, which make it ideal for FPS gamers.
The K70 RGB has dedicated media controls, assignable macros through its CUE software, a detachable wrist rest, a USB pass-through and, of course, RGB lighting that lights up like a Christmas tree. It should also be mentioned that it has a 32-bit ARM processor, an up to 1000Hz polling rate and an 8, 4, 2 or 1ms key-response time. Moreover, there’s barely any keyboard flex, its keys don’t wobble and the keycaps are well made.
If you feel you need dedicated macro keys, though, opt for the Corsair K95 RGB instead.
Key specs – Mechanical: Yes, Cherry MX; Backlit: Yes, RGB; Wrist rest: Yes; Additional ports: USB; Dimensions: 438 x 163 x 24mm
Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2: The best tenkeyless keyboard
- Price when reviewed: £135
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 is quite a mouthful, but this keyboard is anything but large. Without the number pad, the Razer is a tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard. Within the package, you’ll find a detachable braided cable and a magnetic wrist rest, which provides an extremely comfortable feel.
You’ll also find Razer has used its own “Yellow” switches, which are made by the Chinese manufacturer Kailh. It’s a linear and silent mechanical switch that requires 45g of force to actuate – making it comparable to the Cherry MX Speed Silver switch. The keys are fully RGB-lit and very comfortable to game or type on.
Key specs – Mechanical: Yes, Razer Yellow; Backlit: Yes, RGB; Wrist rest: Yes; Additional ports: No; Dimensions: 370 x 206 x 40mm
Logitech G613: The best for wireless gaming
- Price when reviewed: £130
The Logitech G613 is a wireless mechanical gaming keyboard that boasts an impressive 1ms report rate over Logitech’s own Lightspeed wireless technology. This provides a wired-like experience for a select few Logitech products, including the G613.
Logitech has included six programmable keys, which can be customised via the Logitech Gaming software. There are dedicated media controls to the right and a game-mode button that will lock the Windows key. As for battery life, the G613 has a quoted battery life of 18 months and takes two AA batteries, which are included.
The most impressive feature of the keyboard is its wireless and Bluetooth connectivity. With a simple click of one of the physical buttons, you’ll switch between the two modes. This means you can connect, without the USB dongle, to a Bluetooth-enable device (including a smartphone) or benefit from Lightspeed technology by using the included USB adaptor.
As for performance, the Romer-G mechanical switches are a real joy to type on. This is the best wireless gaming keyboard on the market – hands down.
Key specs – Mechanical: Yes, Romer-G; Backlit: No; Wrist rest: Yes, integrated; Additional ports: None; Dimensions: 478 x 216 x 33mm
Cooler Master MasterKeys MK750: Simplicity at its very best
- Price when reviewed: £120
If you’re looking for a do-it-all keyboard, want a premium frame, a detachable wrist rest and RGB Cherry MX keys, and no fancy extras, the Cooler Master MasterKeys MK750 will tick all the right boxes.
Unlike more expensive keyboards, it doesn’t have any additional USB ports, nor dedicated macro keys, but what it does have is an excellent all-around performance and build quality. There are dedicated media keys on the top right-hand side and the keyboard connects to your PC through a USB Type-C cable.
The MK750 is essentially everything you’d want or need from a fully-fledged RGB gaming keyboard.
Key specs – Mechanical: Yes, Cherry MX; Backlit: Yes, RGB; Wrist rest: Yes; Additional ports: None; Dimensions: 438 x 132 x 42mm
HyperX Alloy Elite: The best gaming keyboard under £100
- Price when reviewed: £100
HyperX’s Alloy Elite mechanical gaming keyboard is as rugged as keyboards come. With a solid-steel frame as its top plate, the keyboard can survive a lot of abuse – and probably a zombie apocalypse, too.
There’s absolutely no keyboard flex, the keys don’t wobble and the keycaps are moulded nicely so they grip the fingers perfectly. As for performance, it has the top-notch Cherry MX Red switches, which are excellent for those who want a soft feeling keyboard. It’s ideal for FPS gamers.
The Alloy Elite features a USB pass-through, a braided cable, red backlit keys and a great set of bundled accessories, including textured titanium-coloured keycaps, a key puller, and a detachable wrist rest. Unfortunately, there are no dedicated media keys.
Note: For the same price, we’d pick the Alloy Elite over the Allow FPS for its bundled wrist rest and dedicated media controls.
Key specs – Mechanical: Yes, Cherry MX; Backlit: Yes, Red; Wrist rest: Yes; Additional ports: USB; Dimensions: 444 x 226.8 x 36.3mm
Fnatic Gear Rush: Perfect for late-night gaming
- Price when reviewed: £70
Fnatic is known in the esports scene for its accomplished gaming teams, but the company also does gaming peripherals. The Rush keyboards come in a few key switch variations: your regular Cherry MX Blue, MX Brown and MX Red cost £70, while the £10 dearer Cherry MX Silent Red switch model offers a more silent experience. The quieter Cherry MX Silent switch means you can game at night without having to disturb anyone. It’s significantly quieter and feels just like the vanilla Cherry MX Red switch – a win-win for everyone.
No matter which switch you opt for, the Rush has an included wrist rest, red backlit keys, a rubberised black finish, media keys, programmable macros through Fnatic’s software and a USB port for flash drives at the top left-hand side.
Key specs – Mechanical: Yes, Cherry MX; Backlit: Yes, Red; Wrist rest: Yes; Additional ports: USB; Dimensions: 448 x 148 x 33mm
Corsair K55 RGB: The best gaming keyboard under £50
- Price when reviewed: £49 – Buy now from Amazon
If you’re on a strict £50 budget and want a gaming keyboard, the Corsair K55 RGB is an excellent starting point. It features a detachable wrist rest, dedicated macro and media keys and comes preconfigured with ten three-zone RGB lighting effects – which means you can make it glow like a spaceship.
Despite not having mechanical keys, it has multi-key anti-ghosting that allows you to press as many keys as your fingers can handle. For its price, it’s an excellent gaming keyboard.
Key specs – Mechanical: No; Backlit: Yes, Zonal RGB; Wrist rest: Yes; Additional ports: None; Dimensions: 480 x 166 x 35mm
Sumvision Sonic Wave: The best under £25
- Price when reviewed: £23
Looking to upgrade your keyboard, but don’t want to spend much money? This is where the Sumvision Sonic Wave steps in. It provides zonal RGB lighting, a mechanical feel, accessible media keys through the Fn+F combination and an integrated wrist rest for just under £23 – all of which makes it ludicrously good value for money.
The keyboard even has a trick up its sleeve: its lighting will react to music played loudly through your speakers – which is why it’s called the Sonic Wave. It does have a little bit of keyboard flex, but on the plus side, the keycaps are well made and the keys don’t wobble. If you want a decent gaming keyboard for less than £25, you really can’t go far wrong.
Key specs – Mechanical: No; Backlit: Yes, Zonal RGB; Wrist rest: Yes; Additional ports: None; Dimensions: 441 x 135 x 42mm
Source: expertreviews.co.uk
