A lot of gaming keyboard brands tend to offer similar features, but serious gamers know what sets the best keyboards for gaming apart. We looked at the features listed below, along with style, feel, and cost, to bring you our top picks for eight focused categories.
Switches: Keyboard switches — which sit underneath each key — pick up what you put down. Most gaming keyboards come equipped with one of a variety of different options for mechanical or membrane switches. The switches register your keystroke, so you want to make sure they function with speed and accuracy.
Type: Mechanical keyboards are sturdier, offer a more instant reaction, and tend to be the preferred option for gamers. Membrane keyboards are ideal for quieter performance and quicker movement across the keys.
Anti-ghosting: Anti-ghosting technology (i.e., the ability to capture simultaneous keystrokes without any hiccups) has become a standard on the best keyboards for gaming, and all the options highlighted below come equipped with some form of anti-ghosting technology. The difference between the keyboards is the number of anti-ghosting keys that can be used simultaneously, as some keyboards are more restrictive than others.
Backlighting: Gaming keyboards come equipped with either single-color backlighting, multi-color RGB backlighting, or no lighting at all. Some gaming keyboards even feature backlighting options that allow you to synchronize the lighting with the action on your screen to create the ultimate gaming atmosphere.
Additional features considered include ergonomics, customizable macros, design, and, of course, cost. The first step is to determine what your gaming priorities are, and whether they are specific to your favorite game or are more in line with budget or versatility.
Below, our guide to the best keyboards for pc gaming.
