Mechanical keyboards determine whether the user has pushed a key or not. When you press the key, the switch gets pressed down, sending a command to the PC to do likewise.
During our research, we found out that not one gaming keyboard could meet the needs of all of us. You might like the keyboard your friend uses to play FIFA 20, but it can be useless while playing COD.
After checking various gaming keyboards, we have compiled a list of the 9 best of them. Take a look.
Top 9 Best Mechanical Gaming Keyboards
1. Tt eSports Poseidon Z RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
If you have been looking for an RGB keyboard minus the astronomical price tag and the crazy looks, the Poseidon Z RGB is worthy of your attention.
Features
First thing first, the Z RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard has been equipped with a LED Black light display. If you are a fan of gaming in the dark, you’ll absolutely love this feature. As for the layout, eSports have gone classic, hence providing the gamers with the retro feel.
Secondly, you might be aware of the awkward feeling when – deep into your game, you inadvertently press the Windows Key to disturb the flow. Thankfully, since it contains a disable windows key option, this keyboard will rid you of any such miseries.
As we have talked earlier of the benefits of Macro keys, this keyboard – via its programmable Macro feature, will provide you just that. In fact, apart from the Window and Fn key, you can convert all keys into a macro key.
Another useful feature of this keyboard is the set of profiles it allows you to create. For, it allows five profiles for different games – hence saving you from the hassle of setting controls every time you switch between games.
User Critic
Some users have complained that this keyboard is way too loud. That is, if you want to do some typing besides gaming, this keyboard might make your work a bit tricky.
Pros
- Heavy, feels good in your hands
- Comes with a 5 year warranty
- Allows 5 Game Profiles
- Has LED illumination
Cons
- Loud
Final Verdict
If you are going to buy a keyboard specifically for gaming purposes, this keyboard is worthy of your money. However, if you want to perform other tasks – like typing as well, it is NOT worth the extra cost.
2. DREVO Calibur 71-Key RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
If you are a fan of illuminated keyboards – but praise some decency as well, you’ll absolutely love the DREVO Gaming Keyboard. What’s more, its price also belongs to the lower spectrum, which, when viewed by juxtaposing with its warranty, makes this keyboard a no brainer to have.
Features
When you’ll start this keyboard for the first time, it will greet you with its seven lighting modes. What’s more, all of these modes are configurable, meaning you can adjust them to run slower or faster as you please.
Finally, the keyboard also contains a couple of memory buttons which allows the keyboard to remember the color pattern you set up last time. Hence, there is little to no danger of seeing a different color pattern every time you switch on the keyboard.
As for the switches, they are of pretty good quality actually. For a person who has used Kaihl Blacks, Cherry Blacks and Reds (ranked worst to best), I would rank these Outemu Blacks as my 2nd favorite. For, in addition to the absence of flex in the board, you’ll have to try very hard to evoke a ping out of this keyboard. Pretty Solid isn’t it!
User Critic
On the flip side, the 60wpm limit of this keyboard makes it a No-go area if you are into typing. What’s worse, you cannot type more than 40wpm on a Windows unit as the keyboard will give way after that. Also, in the past, some users had complaints regarding the Bluetooth 3.0 employed by this keyboard. Thankfully, Calibur has resolved the complaint by updated the Bluetooth to its 4.0version.
Pros
- Solid Build
- Seven lighting modes
- Memory button lets the keyboard remember your favorite color modes
- Good Polling Rate
Cons
- Bluetooth connection is relatively unstable
Final Verdict
Even after the upgrade, the Bluetooth connection offered by this keyboard isn’t spotless. That said, it has a lot of other features to make up for this shortcoming. And as it doesn’t cost much, you can ignore this little malfunction for the meager price tag.
3. Anne Pro 2 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Though relatively new in the market, the Anne Pro Bluetooth 4.0 Keyboard has shown all the traits to be a success. Doubt my claim? Read its features to find out.
Features
The first thing which has made this keyboard a darling of users its limited space-occupying keyboard. Thanks to the 61 keys – which occupy only 2/3rd of the space of your normal keyboard, it is comfortable, handy and durable for everyday work. That is, whether you want to play, study or work, this keyboard is a must-have.
Also, if you are a professional gamer, you might already be aware of the importance of arbitrary programming shortcut keys. Making the keyboard convenient to operate, this keyboard boasts these keys.
Also, giving you a taste of its compatibility, this keyboard comes in both wired and wireless forms. For, while the wireless version makes it compatible with the new versions of desktops, the wired version does the same to the old ones.
Finally, as we already talked above, some users are annoyed by the sound their keyboard buttons make. Thankfully, by utilizing PBT keycaps, the buttons of this keyboard have been made delicate in touch.
User Critic
Some users have lamented the limited battery life of this keyboard when operating with the backlighting mode.
Pros
- Backlit, mechanical and wireless (a rare combo)
- Build quality is decent
- Price is manageable
- Has an optional USB Bluetooth 4.0 Adapter
Cons
- Battery life is limited in the backlighting mode.
Final Verdict
If you feel you can do your work without a number of keys and a dedicated cursor – yes, this keyboard doesn’t have these utilities, this is a quality backlit, mechanical, wireless keyboard.
4. Logitech RGB G810 Orion Spectrum Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Ask professional gamers, and they might tell you that this keyboard is the step-brother of the slightly more expensive Logitech G Pro keyboard. Yes, there are some similarities – as both of them belong to Logitech, however, this one races ahead when it comes to features.
Features
So, what is it that makes this keyboard a must-have? For starters, the ultra-responsive key switches separate this keyboard from the competition. By providing 25% faster key actuation rates – as determined by the manufacturer, these ultra-responsive key switches make sure not one of your move in the game goes amiss.
Secondly, if you are a fan of listening songs while playing games, this keyboard provides brilliant media control buttons. For, it has dedicated buttons for play, pause, volume adjustment and mute to give you the power to adjust and skip songs right from your keyboard.
Turning our attention to the design – and since it doesn’t contain anything flashy, this keyboard is positively dignified. For, since the keys touch the edges of the peripheral, most has been made of the keyboard’s space.
As we are talking about keys, it would be cruel if I didn’t mention how quiet they are. More importantly, to give you a hint of the keyboard’s ruggedness, the keys provide a good amount of resistance on pressing. Hence, they won’t ditch you down midway.
As for the features, only one sentence would be enough to showcase their efficacy: this keyboard runs on the Logitech Gaming software. Well, in case you don’t know already, this software is one of the best gaming management programs.
For, in addition to allowing you to reprogram certain keys, this software gives you the option of playing with the full backlighting. What’s more, you can link games to custom profiles and since the software has the ability to automatically scan the system for games, it will create profiles for them on its own.
User Critic
Some users have complained that, while playing some games, the profiles wouldn’t load automatically. Others deemed it not good enough for typing.
Pros
- Has an elegant design
- Provides great performance
- Have comfortable keys
- Backlighting is gorgeous
Cons
- Not the best for typing due to low polling rate
Final Verdict
Boasting an elegant interface and substantive extra features – those which you can actually use, the Logitech G210 Orion Spectrum is a versatile, attractive keyboard.
5. Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 Gaming Keyboard
To please veteran PC gamers – who are pleased with nothing but the best, the BlackWidow Chroma V2 has all the bells and whistles. It is well made, uses Razor’s personalized key switches, and has a pass through for both a USB port and a headphone jack. Still, it isn’t perfect and with its price touching the ceiling, the competition is fierce for this keyboard.
Features
If you love keyboards that feel smaller, you’d absolutely love this keyboard. Otherwise, you would find yourself cramped for space because the keys aren’t well spaced from each other.
Nevertheless, this keyboard is very well built – and there is extreme solid plastic feel due to the absence of even the traces of flex in its body. Also, the padding is great as well and while it might not be as durable as I like, it has got the finish of my liking.
Turning our attention to its performance, I have to say the orange switch – with which this keyboard is equipped, allowed me to code, write and game with aplomb. For example, every time you’ll press a key, a solid tactile bump will welcome you, hence allowing you to feel each key. That said, this keyboard isn’t silent by any stretch of the imagination and is the loudest of its rivals.
As for the lighting, the keyboard is one-miss-one-hit in this regard. For, while the RGB lighting underneath each key is bright, it isn’t consistent, meaning there is an RGB separation between lights. To make up for it comes forward the Chroma Configurator software which, despite being advanced, is easy to use.
For example, if you want to fire a macro or open a program – you can assign each key for the action. Similarly, it allows each of your games to have their own RGB lighting effects and keyboard layout once you’ve set it.
User Critic
As stated above, the RGB lighting of this keyboard is anything but perfect. Also, the keyboard has no media buttons as well.
Pros
- Advanced and easy to use software
- Key switches are quality
- Design is attractive
- Provides a comfortable wrist rest.
Cons
- Expensive
- Only contains one USB slot
Final Verdict
Boasting a detachable wrist rest, this keyboard has a lot of customization options to blow your breath away for the good. Hence, if you can afford to pay its price – which is anything but cheap, the Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 is a nice option to have.
6. Razer BlackWidow Elite Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Just another BlackWidow. This is the three word review of this gaming keyboard. For, it has all the features – and also the shortcomings, which you normally expect in the BlackWidow series.
Want to know more? Scroll down.
Features
As mentioned above, the BlackWidow Elite is a proud ambassador of the Black Widow line of keyboards. Nothing signifies this statement as well as its design. Being full size and containing a row of micro keys, the Elite is simply a variation in the BlackWidow series.
One area, however, where it differs from its counterparts is its face plate. Extremely low profile, it lets you see every key cap – and even the root of the switch lying underneath. This is in stark contrast to other BlackWidow series keyboards on which you see a plastic plate hiding the lower half of the key caps.
Another aspect where it shows similarity to other Black Widow keyboards – especially the BlackWidow Elite mentioned above, it is size and weight. In addition to having the same size and weight, there is wrist support as well this keyboard.
As for the keys, while they are pretty responsive to their credit, they are noisy as well. On towards the features and while its ultimate version contains five extra macro keys, this Tournament edition is fullsize. After that, you get full RGB illumination, a good, working software and a vibrant appearance of colors.
Finally, talking about performance, I was greatly impressed with how the keyboard performed seamlessly no matter to which game I tested it on. Be it Star War: The Old Republic, Star Wars: Battlefront, Rise of the Tomb Raider or StarCraft II, the keyboard performed fantastically.
User Critic
Users have had two major complaints with this keyboard. First, they complained that this keyboard is much too expensive. Second, some lamented about its software glitches.
Pros
- New design
- Mechanical switches are decent
- RGB lighting is mesmerizing
Cons
- Software isssue
Final Verdict
If you don’t do typing enough – which means you want a keyboard ONLY for gaming purposes, the Razer BlackWidow X Tournament Edition is worth a shot.
7. Das Keyboard 4 Professional MX Blue Mechanical Keyboard
If you are a gamer who doesn’t need – or demand much of your keyboard, the Das Keyboard 4 is a worthy addition to your arsenal. To put it mildly, it is a workhorse, meaning it won’t ditch you anytime soon. Also, the blue switches are just too good to ignore.
Features
Where are all the macros? This was the first thought which came to my mind after looking at this keyboard. That means, if you are a gamer who cannot live without macros, this keyboard is NOT worthy of your money.
Nevertheless, there is a large population of gamers who don’t need macros, to begin with (raise your hands, FIFA lovers). For them, the bomb build keys suggest they are in dreamland. Thanks to the anodized aluminum top panel, the build quality is way too good.
Similarly, whenever you will depress the keys, a loud “click” sound will come out. It’s the switches mentioned above that deserve the praise for this. That is unless you haven’t used membrane keyboard for ages, this Das Keyboard is a dreamland to type on.
That said, no matter how high its price tag is, this DAS keyboard will never attract the attention of Leage of Legend and/or World of Warcraft players. There are three reasons of this: the keys are just not enough, macros aren’t there, and no thumb keys will restrict you from changing key mappings on the go.
Still, this purist, minimalist version of a gaming keyboard is not without its advantages. For, it doesn’t require a driver, has a couple of more extras – like the 2-port USB and a 3.0 Speed hub, and has on-board media controls.
So, while it isn’t the best gaming keyboard you’ll ever see, it is one of the purest. Now figure out what the preceding sentence means.
User Critic
As stated above, lack of macros is a big concern for users. Similar is the case with the number of keys whose shortage makes this keyboard a No-go area for hardcore gamers.
Pros
- Durable will last ages
- Doesn’t require a software to run
- Gives a number of extras
- Keys are dependable
Cons
- No macros
Final Verdict
If you want a mixture of a gaming keyboard and a 1940’s typewriter, this keyboard was built just for you.
8. Logitech G413 Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
If you are looking for a keyboard which is both best and inexpensive, your search ends here. That said, looking at the high targets Logitech keyboards set for themselves in the past, this keyboard fails to meet some of them.
Features
Compare it with other gaming keyboards – or even with traditional keyboards, you can see it looks a bit naked in design. Everything is just too much exposed, in a bad way that is. Have doubts? Just look for a traditional plastic fairing on the keyboard. You won’t be able to find it. Why? It isn’t there. Consequently, with no plastic faring, the underlying base plate of the keyboard is there for all to see.
Another thing you’ll notice on first looking at this keyboard is its thinness. Ever since the introduction of G910 Onion Spark by Logitech, the company has gone for sophisticated and thinner keyboards progressively. It is in this context that the G413 seems the final major step, for it measures only a centimeter thick.
As for the performance, Logitech, surprisingly, went neither for Cherry MX switches nor did it go after membrane keys. Rather, what you get in the G413 is a full dose of Romer-G switches. Since they are relatively new, it’s likely you have never heard of them before. No worries, as there are only two things you need to know about these keyboards: they are silent and they are responsive.
More importantly, since they are rated at 70m actuations, these switches should last longer than yur former, traditional keyboard. Also, if you want to differentiate your gaming-specific keys from the rest, the G413 provides 12 faceted key caps. Use them.
Unfortunately, the one area where this keyboard was badly let down was its features. For example, even though it contains macros, there are no media buttons. What’s worse, the USB pass through is just 2.0 – can you believe it? A very, very bad move.
Nevertheless, while we have presented the bad features, there are good ones as well. Just look at the bottom of the keyboard where a cable pathway is waiting for you to route it to your headphone cable.
User Critic
As suggested above, this keyboard doesn’t have a media control button. Similarly, the speed of the USB-pass through – which is rated 2.0, is a farce.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Sophisticated, thin design
- Key switches are comfortable
- Inexpensive
Cons
- No media keys
- Lighting options are limited
Final Verdict
Though not very customizable – as indicated by the lack of media keys are limited lighting options, the inexpensive G413 features an attractive design and comfortable key switches.
9. Razer Ornata Chroma Mecha-Membrane Gaming Keyboard
Talking about the Mac Gaming Keyboards, the Razer Ornate Chrome is the Best Seller. What’s it then which perched this keyboard at such a prestigious place? We find out in the features section.
Features
No matter whether you like this keyboard or not, you’ve to give it credit for one thing, at least: it led to the rebirth of rubber-dome keyboards. While Logitech has released their rubber-dome keyboard, it was the Razer Ornata Chroma which let the world know that rubber-dome keyboards haven’t faded into the night.
On towards the hard facts, Razer has equipped this keyboard with a magnetic wrist rest. An inch high, it contains a good dosage of plush form to let you rest your wrist. Although the foam may fade out over time, it looked brilliant straight-out-of-the-box.
One blunder you’ll immediately notice on seeing the keyboard for the first time is that the letters are offset. For no obvious reason, the letters are perched at the top of each key, giving this keyboard an awkward look.
You might think that the offsetting of letters has something to do with the Led lighting, where in fact it wasn’t. For, all the LEDs are centered, meaning the bottom of each letter is distinctly brighter than the top. Hence, this lack of uniform lighting is another negative.
As for the curious words of Mecha Membrane technology, it indicates that this keyboard has a part silicone dome, part mechanical switch. Consequently, when you press the key, both parts will come to action to do the deed.
One thing which I found surprising with this keyboard – more so that it is a best seller, is that it has no audio or USB pass-through. Similarly, there are no dedicated media keys as well.
Without so much to make better, the performance of this keyboard is surprisingly good. Yes, the fusion of two technologies – Ornata Chroma, will make you feel weird a bit at the start, but as you go on, you’ll notice the purpose of this marriage.
User Critic
No dedicated media keys. No audio or USB pass-through as well.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Provides fine typing experience
- Contains custom designed keycaps
- Contains anti-ghosting
Cons
- No dedicated media buttons
Final Verdict
If you own a Mac, there is no other gaming keyboard which is as popular as the Ornata Chroma. Yes, it has some shortcomings – no keyboard comes foolproof, but its low price gives this keyboard a head start over its much-more expensive counterparts.