Discussion Best Gaming Keyboards 2024

[Colif]

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-keyboards,6024.html

Since the link at bottom of page goes to a 2019 thread, I start this one instead.

Funny, I looked for a gaming keyboard a few months ago and almost all of the ones on that list weren't even on mine.
True, I wanted Wireless and didn't want to have to deal with Synapse or Asus Armoury Crate on my PC, so that takes 3 of them off list already.
I did look at Logitech but low profile keys look like a pain to clean.

The best looking category just makes me wonder... who cares what it feels like to use, does it look good?

What makes a gaming keyboard anyway? All it need is rgb? No quick fire keys like on the Steelseries tkl?

 

[Lutfij]

I feel like gaming keyboards are overrated...you can do the same kind of gaming with a regular keyboard but yeah a mechanical keyboard does wonders.

The RGB is necessary, it adds at least 9000 FPS to the overall experience.

 

[thestryker]

The fact that neither the Wooting HE series or Razer Huntsman Pro made this list means we need more reviews. Those both have the ability to act as a joystick/thumbstick input due to the analog switches which is pretty much the only big innovation in keyboards with regards to gaming in a long time.

I've been tempted by Wooting since they store everything settings wise on the keyboard itself so while it has software it's not necessarily permanently required. Of course I also still have my Ducky Shine (yes the original one) which only has 6KRO via USB and can't bring myself to replace it.

 

[Colif]

Those both have the ability to act as a joystick/thumbstick input due to the analog switches which is pretty much the only big innovation in keyboards with regards to gaming in a long time.

do you mean rapid key presses?
The steelseries listed has that feature too since all alphanumeric keys are digital on it - https://steelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-pro-tkl-wireless-2023

I almost got it but its price here is just silly.

I didn't even get a gaming keyboard in the end, as apart from that feature, almost any keyboard can be a gaming keyboard now. Most have RGB. ended up buying this one instead as I wanted actual keys and a lot of the wireless ones are low profile or had bad reviews of keycaps.

https://nuphy.com.au/products/halo96-wireless-mechanical-keyboard

I can replace almost everything on this one, new switches... ok, new keycaps... sure... shame I can't swap battery as that is its weakness but the cable isn't far away to charge it again.

The article feels more like an ad than a suggestion. Always seems to be the same brands as well. Never look outside box of big companies who send them free things to review.
Razer need to fix their software before I would ever buy them again. They are working on a beta version of Synapse so maybe one day.

 

[thestryker]

do you mean rapid key presses?

Nope, though they can do that as well. The ones Steelseries uses are like the keys on the Razer Tartarus Pro where they have the ability to set the actuation point and have a secondary function on single keypress. Wooting and the Huntsman Pro are fully analog so they can act exactly the same as a thumbstick/joystick input for things like movement (as well as doing everything the Steelseries can).

edit: the problematic side of that is games that don't deal with the input well and try to bounce back and forth between the two modes, but it can be turned off for both KBs. There are of course ways around that, but it's something that game developers could easily solve.

 

[DSzymborski]

I'm always kinda left out of some of the keyboard nerdery because I like full-size keyboards. I need an independent number pad and whether I'm working or playing a game, my keyboard is almost never on a desk, but across my upper legs because I almost always sit parallel to the desk with my feet up, so wider is better there too. So I miss out on some of the compact keyboards that people like and garner most of the attention.

But given that, as long as *I* get to choose the keycaps and especially the switches, pretty much anything works for me.

 

[Colif]

Mines a 96% layout, you just miss 2 keys (pause & Scroll lock) + dedicated multimedia keys. I have a number pad but no gaps between keys. I haven't tried to use numbpad yet but its there. My multimedia keys are on Function keys.

I haven't used a table ever... at home anyway... Keyboard always on my lap. No real space for a table here.

I can buy any keycaps I want (almost) and thought about getting shine through just so the rgb isn't wasted but as that kills battery, I don't use much rgb. So keys might not be needed. This has good quality keycaps on it now.

 

[tecmo34]

I agree @thestryker , to not have the Wooting HE on this list, you can't call this the best gaming keyboards list. You ask any keyboard enthusiast and they will have the Wooting HE in their top 10 for gaming. I've stayed away from Wooting as I don't like 60% keyboards but they are coming out with an 80% layout this year. HE seems to be the "future" for gaming keyboards and I took the leap on the BOOG75 by Meletrix that should arrive next month. I love their Zoom 75 so I figured I give their HE version a go to jump on the latest trend (customer keyboard # 10 🤣).

Now do you need HE to be a true gaming keyboard, NOPE but to echo what the others have said, give me the option for customization of the keycaps, switches, plate material, & etc. is all that matters to me. RGB is considered a "must" for a gaming keyboard category but as an enthusiast, it is not a requirement when I build / purchase a keyboard. I really don't like shine through keycaps, so must of my keyboards just really get backlite from the RGB and I keep on a static color for the theme of the build versus RGB.

Feel, sound, looks and ability to customize are my things I look at when getting a keyboard. Really, any keyboard that has a 1K polling rate and decent switches is good enough to game on. You'll get more bang for the buck on a better gaming mouse or audio device than a keyboard to improve your gaming. Obviously, this doesn't include PC components and monitor refresh rate / resolution that play a huge factor in your gaming experience.

 

[tecmo34]

Mines a 96% layout, you just miss 2 keys (pause & Scroll lock) + dedicated multimedia keys. I have a number pad but no gaps between keys. I haven't tried to use numbpad yet but its there. My multimedia keys are on Function keys.

When I'm gaming, I use a 75% layout (some times a TKL) but at work, I use a 96% layout (GMMK2 and or Monsgeek M2). I have an Alice layout that I'll use for some for typing but not a layout I like for gaming and or work. If I don't want to switch out the keyboards at home, I do have a GMMK Numpad that I'll use for crunching numbers.

 

[Colif]

The RGB is necessary, it adds at least 9000 FPS to the overall experience.

I guess this is reason RGB is a necessary aspect for a gaming keyboard... as it doesn't really help any other way (unless you count the SDK that you can load for games that change the colors of some keys to highlight them. )
My keyboard has 3 different RGB lighting zones, one is a ring of led around base that according to faq can't be turned off. I seem to have managed it. Another is an led action light that has option to be turned off, so it is. Only rgb that shows now is reactionary to my fingers.
Before I got a keyboard with white keys I always got RGB just so I could see letters. Now its too easy.

Only one of those gaming keyboards in article has switchable switches and I question what that actually means:

Hot-swappable ROG NX mechanical switches: Pre-lubed switches for smoother clicks and eliminates bouncing noises respectively; fast actuation and ROG-tuned force curves provide great keystroke feel and consistency

ROG Azoth | Keyboards | ROG Australia

ROG Azoth 75% gaming keyboard with gasket mount and three-layer dampening foam, highly customizable with hot-swappable pre-lubed ROG NX mechanical switches, ROG keyboard stabilizers, PBT doubleshot keycaps and lube kit, tri-mode connection with 2.4 GHz SpeedNova technology, OLED display with...

rog.asus.com

It appears it only accepts Asus switches which sure restricts choice.

contents of box shows how many extra switches you get:
3 x ROG NX Switch

wow... how does 3 switches help anyone? Could be a sample pack... my Nuphy came with extra switches in case I wanted to try them. though in my case they were more generous with extras:

Only see one lot of ROG NX switches for sale and they not cheap. Prefer keyboards you can put way more switches on. Not restricted by choice then.
two variants -
NX Snow - linear (like Cherry MX red)
NW Storm - Tactile but clicky (I think this is like a Cherry mx Blue)

Asus have red, blue & brown variants

Cherry mx blue are Tactile with an audible click, whereas brown don't have the click.