A complete PC gaming configuration is necessarily accompanied by a powerful keyboard. Whatever your criteria, keyboard width, silent switches, or mechanical model, our guide will guide you so that you can make the best choice.
Peripheral completely essential to the use of a computer, the keyboard has become for many years now one of the most important partners of the gamer, next to his mouse or even for some of his screen, his helmet, or his arcade stick.
The fact is that most keyboard manufacturers have felt the tide turn and rather than trying to please companies, the gamer has become a privileged target. Countless models bloom every year, even every month and it is not always easy to find your way around.
Choosing your gaming keyboard requires sorting out among many options, more or less dispensable accessories and features you want.
More importantly, this means above all looking at the form factor of the product, the technology embedded by the manufacturer, and even the precise characteristics of the switches used.
Are you more in favor of full-width keyboards with at least 105 keys or will a compact – tenkeyless – or even very compact model be more to your liking? In the same vein, do you rather aim for the discretion of silent contractors?
or the responsiveness of the best mechanical models?? Finally, the question of the price will obviously not fail to arise, the prices varying from simple to fivefold.
Our pick of the best gaming keyboards
Our selection of the best keyboards for gamers includes models for all budgets and all expectations.
They are classified from the cheapest to the most expensive knowing that the prices move regularly and that certain current promotions can modify the classification. Here are the 7 models selected:
The G-Lab Keyz Palladium: a small membrane price
Spirit of Gamer Xpert-K300: A good first mechanical prize
Razer Ornata V3: one of the thinnest keyboards
Corsair K60 RGB Pro Low Profile: discretion assured
HyperX Alloy Origins 60: extreme compactness and in-game comfort
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro: wireless and very precise
Mountain Everest Max: the ultimate modular keyboard
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL WL (2023): the best compact wireless keyboard
Razer Ornata V3
Often criticized for its “stratospheric” prices, Razer has already had a more accessible range for many years, the Ornata keyboards.
If, as on this “V3”, we still benefit from the excellent level of Razer finish, the manufacturer reduces the cost of this range by using membrane switches which will probably not be unanimous among gamers.
This is exactly the raison d'être of this V3 model which comes back to us with so-called “mecha-membrane” contractors that have been reviewed and corrected.
Let's clarify from the outset, there will be no question of finding sensations similar to those of the brand's best Huntsman.
The objective of mecha-membranes is to reach a kind of happy medium that will not satisfy all players but should allow a lot of them to have fun.
The mecha-membranes allow a quick strike, thanks to two main elements: they are more reactive than classic membranes, but their height is much lower than that of the most widespread mechanics.
The keys are thus only 4.40 millimeters high and the total thickness of the keyboard is limited to 27.05 mm.
It is actually quite simple to "play your fingers" on the entire keyboard.The entry per kilometer is very pleasant and, in play, you benefit from a relatively soft touch without giving the impression of the "softness" of other membranes.
It's not yet as “dry” as on a mechanical model, but it's already a clear improvement. On the other hand, we do not really understand the reason for this sound feedback added by Razer: no doubt he wants to give a little more of the illusion of a mechanical contractor, but silence is good too
Since we are addressing the reviews, we also regret that the secondary functions of the keys still do not take advantage of the backlight.For the rest, this Ornata V3 is an excellent surprise and a good alternative to mechanics.
WE LOVE
Excellent level of finish, worthy of Razer
Mecha-membrane contactors pleasant to the touch
Responsive, with dual activation option
Wrist rest provided and very comfortable
Extensive customization via Razer Synapse
WE DON'T LIKE
An imposing cable and a little too rigid
A strange desire to make membrane contactors “sound”
Again and again this problem of backlighting secondary functions
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro
New on the market, Razer's DeathStalker V2 Pro is presented as an ultra-thin model, usable with or without wires (via a USB dongle or via a standard Bluetooth connection).
It is equipped with very sensitive ultra-flat optical switches, with a stroke of 1.2 or 1.5 mm depending on the version (linear or audible) and an activation force of 45 grams.
Like any self-respecting gaming product, the DeathStalker V2 Pro of course benefits from RGB backlighting that can be customized via the Synapse application.
Well thought out and well designed, this keyboard is displayed at a price that is still quite high, partly justified by its functionalities and its comfort of use.
WE LOVE
Excellent level of finish, worthy of Razer
Extensive customization via Razer Synapse
Low-profile, responsive, and precise switches
WE DON'T LIKE
The secondary function of the keys is not backlit
High pricing
Mountain Everest Max
Once is not custom, we select a keyboard that is not from a "big manufacturer".
The Mountain company even went through crowdfunding on Kickstarter in order to validate its project… and what a project. It's quite simple, the Everest Max is the most customizable high-end modular keyboard that has ever been distributed.
Mechanically, it has excellent contractors for top-notch responsiveness. These are as often the famous Cherry MX for which you can choose between Brown, Red, Blue, Speed Silver, and Silent Red.
The interest is of course to be able to opt for rather silent switches or the most reactive models on the market.Even stronger, Mountain allows the choice between keycaps in ABS for a lower cost or in PBT to increase the longevity of the keys.
Still, the major advantage of this product is the incredible modularity which allows the positioning of multiple modules a little where you want.
Removable magnetic feet raise the beast, a numeric keypad can be placed on the left/right or even removed and the same goes for the multimedia dock. Of course, the removable wrist rest is included and all the accessories for changing the contactors are delivered.
Obviously, such a level of customization has a cost, but we immediately see the reason for this (a little) crazy expense. A success.
WE LOVE
Modularity pushed to the most extreme level
A remarkable level of finish
Quality and large choice of contractors
User-selectable ABS or PBT keys
Removable/relocatable media dock and numeric keypad
USB passthrough port, via a single additional cable
Well thought out and comfortable wrist rest
WE DON'T LIKE
The particularly high pricing, necessarily
Backlighting that could be more customizable
ABS keycaps that shouldn't even be offered
Plastic protection of display areas