Best Gaming Keyboard 2018: 9 mechanical keyboards for gamers
If you’re looking to up your online gaming, or move up the difficulty ladder, a gaming keyboard could prove invaluable. Get the right model and you’ll be treated to all manner of goodies, including improved, more reactive keys, customisable macro controls and, if you’re after a bit of bling, RGB lighting too.
But not all gaming keyboards are created equal – and splashing the cash on a super-expensive model won’t guarantee that it will meet all your needs. Before you part with you hard-earned pounds, think about the sort of keyboard you want. Here to help, we’ve created an in-depth buying guide to help you figure out which keyboard is best for you.
We’ve also tested all the latest keyboards to offer a comprehensive list of the best currently available in each category.
Mechanical switches explained
One of the most confusing elements of a mechanical keyboard are the colour-coded Cherry switches, which you’ll find on most brands. There are a few exceptions, however – some keyboard manufacturers, such as Razer and Logitech, have their own custom mechanical switches.
Mechanical switches are very different to the switches you’ll find on cheaper keyboards. They provide much better feedback and a more satisfying action. They’re not for everybody, though, so it’s worth trying before you buy. Cherry manufactures six distinct types of MX keyboard switch, named after colours.
Blue and Green switches are similar. Blue switches give a tactile click the moment the button becomes activated, meaning you get instant feedback for every keystroke, which is very satisfying. Green switches are similar, but require more force than the Blue switches to activate. These are fantastic for typing but exceptionally loud – so if you’re in a shared workspace, or have thin walls, then they’re best avoided.
MX Brown switches are similar to Blues but the tactile click is far less pronounced. They’re also less noisy than their Blue and Green siblings, feeling more like a bump than a click. MX Clear have a less pronounced click than the Brown switches, and require less force to activate. These switches are a good middle-ground for gamers who also type a lot.
MX Red switches have no tactile click and instead have an extremely smooth keystroke all the way to the bottom of the board. These are the most common switches on gaming keyboards due to their exceptionally easy and quick operation. They’re less comfortable for long periods of typing, and the lack of feedback can prove discomforting for some. MX Black switches are very similar to Reds but require more force to activate.
Finally, there are the new MX Speed switches, which have a very small actuation point of just 1.2mm.
Descriptions are all well and good, but you really need to try them out to determine which is best for you. You can buy MX switch samplers, although these cost in excess of £10, so you should probably try your local PC store first and get them to unbox some for you.
Since Cherry MX switches are interchangeable (usually not by the buyer), many of the keyboards on this list will offer multiple specifications with different MX switches.
Non-Cherry keyboards are becoming more common, with the likes of Logitech and Razer choosing to ship keyboards with their own custom switches. As you’ll see below, Cherry still dominates the list but alternatives are becoming more popular.
Other features
Many gaming keyboards also have extras that set them apart from the crowd. For example, some will come with USB passthroughs, meaning you can hook up USB peripherals to your keyboard directly, without having to plug them into your PC.
Some will also come with extra buttons for gaming shortcuts, which can be programmed through software that you can download from the manufacturer’s website.
You should also look out for coloured backlighting. Some keyboards will ship with a single colour, others will offer customisation options. This will no doubt add to the cost, and if you don’t like garish flashing lights, then you’re better off steering clear.
Logitech G213 Prodigy
1 of 9
Key features:
Fully RGB backlit keys
Logitech ‘Mech-Dome’ switches
Spill-resistant
Dedicated media controls
Weight: 1000g
Review price: £59.99
If you’re on a strict budget then the Logitech G213 Prodigy is a great gaming keyboard that offers spectacular value for money.
It aims to offer buyers a number of key features traditionally only seen on significantly more expensive boards. Highlights include fully RGB backlit keys, dedicated media controls and endless software customisation.
Its membrane switches – which Logitech has ‘tuned’ for gaming – aren’t quite as responsive as fully mechanical keys, but they’re more than good enough for most gamers and a significant step up on most regular keyboards.
All-in-all, although professionals will miss mechanical keys, it’s unlikely that you’ll find better for less than £60.
Apex M750
2 of 9
Key features:
SteelSeries QX2 mech switches
Full RGB backlighting
Discord and game RGB integration
Aluminum core
Review price: £150
The Apex M750 is SteelSeries’ current flagship mechanical keyboard – and if money is no object, it’s a great addition to any gamer’s arsenal.
Highlights include an exclusive, super-reactive key switch system, with rich and vibrant RGB lighting integration merely sweetening the pot.
The end result is a performance focused gaming keyboard that will meet 99% of gamers needs in everything from shooters to racers.
The only downside is that it doesn’t feature a USB passthrough or dedicated macro buttons, which will be an issue for ARPG and MOBA fans.
Logitech G413
3 of 9
Key features:
Romer-G switches
Silver and black designs
USB passthrough
Review price: £100
The Logitech G413 is the best £100 keyboard we’ve reviewed. It ticks all the boxes for a keyboard that’s going to be used for both work and play, and its attractive design means it won’t look out of place in a more subtle desk setup.
The full-size ‘board uses Logitech’s Romer-G switches. No, they’re not Cherry MX, but we’re starting to be won over by their mix of tactile feedback but relatively quiet performance.
There’s a USB passthrough for peripherals, which isn’t always a given at this price, and Logitech’s Gaming Software is fairly basic but gets the job done as far as macros go. Our only slight reservation are the single-colour backlights; we’re not fans of the bright red on the black model, but that’s down to personal taste.
All in all, Logitech’s latest mid-range gamer is a mighty success.
SteelSeries Apex M500
4 of 9
Key features
CherryMX Red switches
Blue backlighting
Fully programmable keys
No dedicated macro buttons
Review price: £95
The SteelSeries Apex M500 is one of the more basic mechanical keyboards around, but it does its job well and looks great.
It includes proper CherryMX switches, a robust design and stylish blue backlighting, along with excellent customisation software.
It doesn’t have a passthrough or any of the macro keys you’d get from more advanced keyboards, which is something to take into account if you value gaming-specific extras.
You don’t have to spend too much more to find yourself at one of the other keyboards on this list, but if you don’t care about extra features, there’s not much point in spending an awful lot more.
HyperX Alloy FPS
5 of 9
Key features:
CherryMX Blue switches
Red backlighting
Removable, braided cable
USB port (for charging devices only)
Review price: £100
The Alloy FPS is HyperX’s first attempt at a gaming keyboard, and it’s a solid first effort.
There’s no denying it’s a basic keyboard, but there’s a lot to like. The nearly bezel-less design means it won’t take up much space on your desk while still making room for a number pad.
Elsewhere, it’s a fairly basic keyboard with single-colour red key backlighting and no extra buttons for macros or media. But in this case, simplicity is its strength, and means it doesn’t cost the earth, either.
The braided USB cable is removable and it comes with a drawstring bag for easy LAN party transportation. There’s also a USB port from which you can charge devices, such as a smartphone.
You get spare key caps in the box for the WASD and 1234 keys for extra grip when gaming. It’s mostly superficial, but it looks good.
A basic keyboard, but the Alloy FPS is a decent deal, and as prices come down it’ll get even better.
Cougar 700K
6 of 9
Key features:
USB and audio passthrough
Macro keys
Multimedia buttons
Review price: £109
Cougar’s 700K is ridiculously cheap for what it offers. For £109 or less you get Cherry MX switches (Red seems the be the switch most frequently available), multimedia keys and extra buttons for your gaming macros.
There are downsides, however. Its angular design will divide opinion and its orange backlighting can’t be changed – although it can, of course, be switched off. We’re also not fans of the US layout of the keyboard, which displaces the “£” symbol and reduces the size of the Return key.
Another interesting design choice is the split space bar key, one half of which acts as you’d expect while the other can be assigned to an alternative macro function, such as a double jump or something completely different. This makes it rather strange to type on but very customisable for gamers.
It’s cheap and isn’t hugely pretty, but the Cougar 700K is great value, especially since it’s come down in price since our original review.
Corsair Vengeance K70
7 of 9
Key features
USB passthrough
Backlight
Multimedia keys and volume wheel
Review price: £129.99
Corsair’s gorgeous, brushed-metal keyboard comes in Cherry MX Red, Brown or Blue switches. It’s fully backlit, albeit with only red LEDs. It comes with a set of contoured keys for the commonly used WASD and 1-6 number keys, which makes them easier to find in the heat of battle.
Note that the keyboard doesn’t come with any extra macro keys, which may limit its appeal to game players who rely on shortcuts – MMOs and other fast-paced titles, for example.
The lack of a surround around the buttons themselves gives the board an industrial look. Although dirt and dust will be more of an issue as a result, those who take good care of their keyboard will be rewarded with great performance and shiny looks.
Asus ROG Claymore
8 of 9
Key features:
Optional number pad
Cherry MX Brown, Red, Blue or Black switches
RGB lighting
Metal core
Review price: £150 without number pad (£50 extra)
As we move into the luxury section of our round-up, the Asus ROG Claymore is an essential entry here.
It’s a beautiful thing, with a robust plastic and metal build, lack of bezel around the edge and fancy RGB lighting that can sync up with Asus Aura motherboards and graphics cards. There are some features missing, including both a wrist rest and USB passthrough, which are surprising omissions given the price.
There’s a wide variety of Cherry MX switches available, so gamers of all stripes should at least consider the Claymore.
Corsair K95 RGB Platinum
9 of 9
sdr
Key features:
Full RGB lighting
“LightEdge”
Cherry MX Speed switches
Review price: £199.99
Corsair’s K95 Platinum is the most over-the-top gaming keyboard we’ve ever seen. Seemingly not satisfied with being the king of RGB, Corsair has added what it calls LightEdge – an RGB strip – to the top edge of the keyboard, so you can completely satiate your mighty appetite for glowy lights.
Some of the Trusted office actually quite like it, but if you don’t, you can turn it off.
The rest is standard Corsair excellence: the base is sturdy, there’s a USB passthrough and a comfortable wrist rest and it’s all powered by Cherry MX Speed key switches, which have the most responsive action of any key switch we’ve seen.
It’s monstrously expensive, but you pay for the best.
MX Brown switches are similar to Blues but the tactile click is far less pronounced. They’re also less noisy than their Blue and Green siblings, feeling more like a bump than a click. MX Clear have a less pronounced click than the Brown switches, and require less force to activate. These switches are a good middle-ground for gamers who also type a lot.
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