Best gaming keyboard 2021 – the best gaming keyboards we've tested

Get one of the best gaming keyboards for the ultimate gaming experience. Having the best gaming laptop or the best gaming PC just isn’t enough. Having the best peripherals for gaming will not just improve the way you play the best PC games, delivering the responsiveness, comfort and accuracy you need to triumph over your enemies; it will make the most out of those powerful specs under the hood.

Specifically tailored to the needs of a PC gamer, the best gaming keyboards offer improved build quality, a range of mechanical switches, ergonomic designs, anti-ghosting, and N-key rollover, as well as software-based features to extract the most from the hardware.  That makes it crucial for the most immersive gaming experience and the fastest response. 

So, game wisely and in style with the best gaming keyboard. It’s an essential companion, whether you’re playing the latest and greatest titles or sticking with the best free games. When you’ve made your pick from this list, be sure to grab the best gaming mouse and the best gaming monitor as well.

Razer Huntsman v2 Analog on a white background

(Image credit: Razer)

1. Razer Huntsman v2 Analog

The best gaming keyboard right now

Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Switches: Analog mechanical

Fully customizable key actuation
Delightfully tactile key clicks
Extremely comfortable wrist rest
Eye-wateringly expensive
Built-in twin-cable 

Combining the latest optical technology and Razer’s analog mechanical key switches, the Razer Huntsman v2 Analog is good enough to get a five-star rating from us. That’s under-selling it. This gaming keyboard delivers the best typing and gaming experience of any keyboard we’ve tested in the last few months, with extremely satisfying tactile feedback and a wrist rest that’s designed to let you game for longer. As far as keyboards go, it is sitting on the expensive side of things, but it’s definitely worth it.

Read the full review: Razer Huntsman v2 Analog

Roccat Vulkan TKL Pro on a white background

(Image credit: Roccat)

2. Roccat Vulkan TKL Pro

First in its class compact gaming keyboard

Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

Fast and accurate performance
Compact form factor
Pricey

Who needs a full-sized keyboard when TKL gaming keyboards such as the Roccat Vulkan TKL Pro exist? This compact gaming keyboard is among the best in performance, comfort, and looks, touting a classy brushed gunmetal finish and floating keys that brilliantly showcase its customizable RGB lighting. Roccat’s Titan optical switches are not only fast and accurate, but satisfying, quiet and robust as well. It’ll set you back quite a bit, but it’s so worth it.

Read the full review: Roccat Vulkan TKL Pro

Razer Huntsman Elite, gaming keyboard on a white background

(Image credit: Razer)

3. Razer Huntsman Elite

Light it up

Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

Fast key actuation
Tactile key switches  
Expensive 

If you have the need for speed, then the Huntsman Elite is your best bet, thanks to its new optomechanical switches. That sounds like a mouthful, but essentially, it means that Razer has managed to combine mechanical switches with optical sensors. This unthinkable allows the Huntsman Elite to take its actuation to the next level, and you would be hard-pressed to find a faster keyboard on the market. Switches aside, it’s also remarkably comfortable to type on. Plus, it’s covered with more RGB lighting than you can shake a stick at. Sure, it needs two USB cables for power and costs a small fortune, but with tech like this, it’s absolutely worth it.

Read the full review: Razer Huntsman Elite 

Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768, gaming keyboard on a white background

(Image credit: Alienware)

4. Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768

Shockingly good value

Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

 Cherry MX Brown switches 
 Affordable 
 Plastic body 

When you think Alienware, “value” isn’t the word that comes to mind. But, this time around, the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 is a genuinely great deal. At under 100 bucks or quid, you’re getting the toughest gaming keyboard fitted with mechanical keys, dedicated macro keys and slick aesthetics. It’s not the most feature rich keyboard in the game, but at this price, it really doesn’t need to be. One of the best gaming keyboards in 2021, the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 gets the job done, and looks good while doing it.

Read the full review: Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 

Corsair K95 RGB Platinum, gaming keyboard on a white background

Corsair K95 RGB Platinum is one of the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested. (Image credit: Corsair)

5. Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

The Rolls Royce of RGB gaming keyboards

Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

Hypnotic disco lighting
Handy media and shortcut keys
Classy aluminum build
Awkward software
Rubber palm rest gets grungy quickly

A $159 price tag on a gaming keyboard might a tad too steep, but the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum, one of the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested in the last year, really does give you a lot of ounce for your bounce. We’re not talking the more trivial bells and whistles like fancy RGB lighting either – although since we are on the subject, this one’s got a whole lot of them, not to mention its integrated 19-zone light bar and the 16.8 million color options, to boot. By bang, we actually mean its 6 dedicated macro keys, 8MB on-board storage and aircraft-grade anodized brushed aluminum frame.

Read the full review: Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition, gaming keyboard on a white background

Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition manages to deliver fast performance without being expensive. (Image credit: Razer)

6. Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition

The Razer Huntsman, but smaller and faster

Interface: Wired, wireless | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

Fast switches
Removable cable
Not many extra features

Shelling out more than $100 for a great gaming keyboard is to be expected if you’re even slightly serious your gaming performance. But the beauty of Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is that it manages to deliver fast performance without being the most expensive keyboard in town. True, there aren’t a lot of features here, which puts it behind many of its feature-rich rivals, but it makes up for that by being small and boasting a removable to make it perfectly portable for on-the-go gaming.

Read our full review: Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition

Corsair K65 Mini, gaming keyboard on a white background

(Image credit: Corsair)

7. Corsair K65 Mini

Hard to ignore performance in a compact design

Interface : Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

Beautiful yet sturdy
Hyper responsive keystrokes
No way to change elevation

60% keyboards are more than a passing fad. Gamers with smaller desks or just want a more compact setup in general will find these ultra-compact gaming keyboards a boon, and the Corsair K65 Mini is among the best of those. With incredibly satisfying presses, an impressive polling rate of 8,000Hz, and highly customizable keys, there’s a lot to love here. And, they make this keyboard well worth the admittedly steep learning curve if you’re used to full-sized keyboards. It may take a while to get used to not having arrow keys, for example, but you won’t regret it.

Read the full review: Corsair K65 Mini

SteelSeries Apex 3, gaming keyboard on a white background

The budget-minded SteelSeries Apex 3 may come with a few concessions, but it also boasts some impressive features. (Image credit: SteelSeries)

8. SteelSeries Apex 3

The Apex of value

Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: No

Affordable
Great RGB lighting
No mechanical switches
No USB passthrough

Not all great gaming keyboards have mechanical switches, as this affordable Apex keyboard is proving. The budget-minded SteelSeries Apex 3 may come with a few concessions, but it also boasts some impressive features that more than make up for those compromises. One of those features is its IP32 water resistance for protection against any spills – because who hasn’t accidentally knocked over a can of soda while gaming? Another is its reactive and customizable 10-zone RGB illumination to make your gaming experience all the more impressive. And, if you absolutely hate those clickety clacking noises that mechanical keyboards love to make, you’ll really appreciate this keyboard’s whisper quiet gaming switches. 

Read the full review: SteelSeries Apex 3

HyperX Alloy Origins 60

(Image credit: HyperX)

9. HyperX Alloy Origins 60

Compact gaming keyboard at an affordable price

Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Switches: Mechanical

Affordable
Premium build
No macros

Gone are the days when mini keyboards were a novelty. These days, there’s not only a lot of options out there, but a lot more people are also making the switch. Still, it’s easy to find the best one for you. HyperX’s contender, for example, the Alloy Origins 60, is the best option if you’re looking for a mini keyboard that’s affordable yet extremely reliable. Some corners are cut, yes. At the same time, you’re getting a premium build and excellent performance so it’s still worth every penny.

Read the full review: HyperX Alloy Origins 60

SteelSeries Apex Pro, gaming keyboard on a white background

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

10. SteelSeries Apex Pro

Taking magnetism to another level

Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

Beautiful aluminum build
Custom actuation settings
Quiet
Expensive

The SteelSeries Apex Pro’s svelte aesthetic and clever OLED display are just the appetizers. The SteelSeries Apex Pro gets our coveted 5-star rating for many reasons, the biggest of which are its stunning and solid build, custom actuation and comfortable – not to mention, quiet – magnetic switches. Performance-wise, it’s among the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested yet, which makes its $199 price tag worth the splurge.

Read the full review: SteelSeries Apex Pro



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