Best gaming keyboard 2021: Our top 10 keyboard picks

Having the very best gaming keyboard can give you a significant advantage in competitive gaming – there’s no denying that. 

This means serious PC gamers will want a top-end board, so we’ve assembled a list of all the best gaming keyboard options currently available. And if you’re not bothered about your multiplayer kill/death ratio, we’ve also included budget-friendly boards that still offer a stellar performance.

There’s everything from analog to modular gaming keyboards here, while we’ve also included some budget options if you’re on a strict budget. So without further ado, here are our best picks:



How We Test

Learn more about how we test keyboards We use every keyboard we test for at least a week. During that time, we’ll check it for ease of use and put it through its paces by playing a variety of different genres, including FPS, strategy and and MOBAs. We also check each keyboard’s software to see how easy it is to customise and set up.








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Asus ROG Claymore II



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Pros


Premium build quality
Modular design is ingenious
Clicky optical switches feel decent




Cons


High price
Non-attachable wristrest
Cheap-feeling keycaps




£249.99$269.99







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ASUS ROG Strix Scope TKL Deluxe



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Pros


MX keyswitches are sturdy and reliable
Classy and sturdy design
Intuitive software




Cons


Pretty high price
Lack of macro keys
Stronger wrist-rest magnet needed




£149.99$149.99







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Corsair K100



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Pros


Brilliant opto-mechanical switches
Packed with features
Sturdy design and great RGB LED lighting




Cons


Expensive
Some flimsy buttons
No USB 3.0




£229$229







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Logitech G Pro



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Pros


Petite and portable
Great key feel
Superb LED quality and implementation




Cons


May be a little loud for some gaming setups
The switches are effectively MX Cherry copies





£119.99







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Logitech G915 TKL



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Pros


Compact and portable design
Lightspeed and Bluetooth switching is seamless
Three options of superb GL switches
Macro key customisation is incredible




Cons


Very expensive
Lack of USB passthrough






£199







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Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini



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Pros


Excellent build quality on Yellow switch model
Compact, travel friendly design
Solid, near latency free wireless connectivity




Cons


Expensive






£180$180







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Razer Cynosa Lite



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Pros


Affordable for every gamer
Sturdy plastic construction
Synapse 3 works a charm




Cons


Lack of mechanical keys
Unremarkable design





£44.99







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Razer Huntsman V2 Analog



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Pros


Analog switches can be a game-changer
Crisp backlighting
Sturdy build quality




Cons


Immense cost
Software programming can be fiddly
Can be super-loud




£249.99$249.99







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Roccat Pyro



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Pros


Properly sturdy build quality
Quick linear switches are ideal for gaming
Affordable price
Great backlighting




Cons


Lack of USB passthrough
Grooved plastic may not please some
Cherry MX clones may not be the choice for purists





£89.99$99.99







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SteelSeries Apex Pro



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Pros


Keys are absurdly responsive and ripe for customisation
OLED smart display is compelling and well executed
Robust and stylish build quality
RGB lighting is subtle and explosive in equal measure




Cons


Making the most of its customisation features requires investment
Lacks dual-function keys






£199.99$199.99













Razer Huntsman V2 Analog

The best gaming keyboard, full-stop.



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Pros

Analog switches can be a game-changerCrisp backlightingSturdy build quality

Cons

Immense costSoftware programming can be fiddlyCan be super-loud

The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is hands-down the best gaming keyboard on the market today. Its analog switches provide a competitive edge for the most professional players and offer controller-like skills for everyone else.There’s also plenty more to write home about thanks to the incredible build quality, a comfortable wrist rest, marvellous backlighting and above all, the immense functionalities of Synapse 3.It isn’t the keyboard for everyone though. That £249 price tag makes it the same as an Xbox Series S, meaning it’s only really reserved for those who want a real competitive edge, or simply have too much to spend.Reviewer: Reece BithreyFull review: Razer Huntsman V2 Analog review













Roccat Pyro

A good value gaming keyboard that excels at the basics



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Pros

Properly sturdy build qualityQuick linear switches are ideal for gamingAffordable priceGreat backlighting

Cons

Lack of USB passthroughGrooved plastic may not please someCherry MX clones may not be the choice for purists

Those who don’t have a fortune lying around, but still want a great, mechanical gaming experience should look no further than the Roccat Pyro. It crams in every conceivably modern feature, be it volume rollers, light switches and even a wrist rest for an affordable price.There’s also some classy looks and a good overall frame that help to make the Pyro feel more expensive than it is by some margin. For switches, it makes use of TTC Reds which, while are CHERRY MX clones, stay faithful to the originals in feeling and responsiveness.If you’re wanting additional macro keys though, a USB passthrough or any more added extras, then the Pyro unfortunately won’t provide. But for an incredible all-rounder at a great price, this is a brilliant option.Reviewer: Reece BithreyFull review: Roccat Pyro review













Corsair K100

An opto-mechanical behemoth



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Pros

Brilliant opto-mechanical switchesPacked with featuresSturdy design and great RGB LED lighting

Cons

ExpensiveSome flimsy buttonsNo USB 3.0

With the Corsair K100 its laser-powered switches ensure such a speedy performance that even the most demanding eSports star won’t be able to complain.It’s also brimming with features, including macro keys, media buttons and a wheel that can be configured to perform a great number of shortcuts, including scrolling down a web page or tweaking the RGB LED brightness.But with an eye-watering £229 starting price, this high-end gaming keyboard should only be considered if you’re convinced you need the fastest switches possible. Anyone playing the likes of Minecraft, Planet Zoo or Crusader Kings needn’t bother here.Reviewer: Mike JenningsFull review: Corsair K100 review













Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini

The best mini wireless gaming keyboard



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Pros

Excellent build quality on Yellow switch modelCompact, travel friendly designSolid, near latency free wireless connectivity

Cons

Expensive

The Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini is only 65% the size of a standard gaming keyboard, yet Razer has still made sure to cram in some spectacularly premium features.

The V3 Mini features Razer’s HyperSpeed technology, ensuring a near latency-free wireless connection. It’s also flaunting mechanical switches, and retains the arrow keys despite other small boards ditching them to save space.

This is arguably the best wireless gaming keyboard around, although that steep price will still be hard to swallow with the lack of dedicated Macro and multimedia buttons. Reviewer: Alastair StevensonFull Review: Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini review













ASUS ROG Strix Scope TKL Deluxe

A brilliant, premium TKL option



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Pros

MX keyswitches are sturdy and reliableClassy and sturdy designIntuitive software

Cons

Pretty high priceLack of macro keysLack of macro keys

The Asus ROG Strix Scope TKL Deluxe is another fantastic mini gaming keyboard, although it’s available at a far more affordable price than the above Razer since it uses a wired connection. The Cherry MX switches are fast and snappy, with Asus offering a range of options (Silent Reds, Blacks, Browns, Blues and Speed Silvers) so you can find the perfect ones to suit your needs. And while you can hardly call this board cheap, it still undercuts the likes of the Logitech G815 by a few quid.There are issues here though, namely with the lack of Macro keys reducing the number of customisation options. But if that won’t deter you, this is an excellent space-saving wired keyboard that we strongly recommend.Reviewer: Reece BithreyFull review: Asus ROG Strix Scope TKL Deluxe review













Asus ROG Claymore II

A fantastic modular offering



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Pros

Premium build qualityModular design is ingeniousClicky optical switches feel decent

Cons

High priceNon-attachable wristrestCheap-feeling keycaps

If analog keys aren’t your thing, but you’ve still got a mint to spend on a keyboard, then the Asus ROG Claymore II is the ideal option. As well as coming with optical switches, it also has a fascinating design. The Claymore II features this ingenious modular design that means you can use it in a multitude of configurations. Want the numpad on the left? No problem. Just want a great TKL keyboard? Go right ahead. With this, Asus have provided more than just a clever party trick and given users an awful lot of customisation.Alongside this, there’s also the fact that the Claymore II is remarkably well made, looks great and has some marvellous lighting to go alongside. Its price is a little high, but for those who can afford it, this is an ideal choice.Reviewer: Reece BithreyFull review: ASUS ROG Claymore II review













Logitech G Pro

A good MX-less TKL board



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Pros

Petite and portableGreat key feelSuperb LED quality and implementation

Cons

May be a little loud for some gaming setupsThe switches are effectively MX Cherry copies

The Logitech G Pro Keyboard is another fantastic compact gaming keyboard, but snubs MX Cherry switches for Logitech’s own GX alternatives. This may put off Cherry purists, but it does mean the Logitech G Pro is available for a cheaper price than some of its compact rivals.While we think Cherry switches feel smoother, there’s not much difference at all as they still provide that satisfying clack and tactile feel. The Logitech G Pro X model will even allow you to swap the standard GX Blue switches for softer GX Brown or smooth GX Red switches.Like with many compact keyboards, the Logitech G Pro Keyboard has notable omissions such as Macro keys and a volume wheel, but it’s a superb keyboard that excels at the basics.Reviewer: Andrew WilliamsFull Review: Logitech G Pro review













SteelSeries Apex Pro

An incredible keyboard with an integrated screen



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Pros

Keys are absurdly responsive and ripe for customisationOLED smart display is compelling and well executedRobust and stylish build qualityRGB lighting is subtle and explosive in equal measure

Cons

Making the most of its customisation features requires investmentLacks dual-function keys

SteelSeries has also weighed in to the uber-premium keyboard space with its Apex Pro that, while a little bit under the usual £250 price tag, still packs a massive punch. It uses switches with adjustable actuation points that provide incredible levels of customisation, as long as you’re prepared to invest some time.There’s also an integrated OLED display that’s equally as customisable and gives the Apex Pro an intriguing edge over its competition. Bundled in are the usual tropes of a great gaming keyboard such as amazing build quality thanks to an aluminium frame and some properly incredible backlighting.However, if you are looking to go full analog, the Huntsman V2 Analog might be a better bet thanks to the fact it offers dual-function keys. Otherwise, you won’t go wrong if you pick up the Apex Pro.Reviewer: Jade KingFull Review: SteelSeries Apex Pro review













Razer Cynosa Lite

A portable-friendly wired option with membrane keys



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Pros

Affordable for every gamerSturdy plastic constructionSynapse 3 works a charm

Cons

Lack of mechanical keysUnremarkable design

Only seriously competitive PC gamers can usually justify spending over £100 on a gaming keyboard, so we’ve made sure to include a more affordable option: the Razer Cynosa Lite.Razer’s budget-friendly wired gaming keyboard misses out high-end features such as mechanical switches and dedicated Macro keys, but it’s still well built and feels great to use whether you’re gaming or typing. The wonderful Synapse software also provides lots of customisable options for the RGB lighting.If you’re not playing competitive games such as FPS and MOBAs, then the Razer Cynosa Lite is one of our favourite gaming keyboard options currently available.Reviewer: Reece BithreyFull Review: Razer Cynosa Lite review













Logitech G915 TKL

A wireless, low-profile TKL masterclass



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Pros

Compact and portable designLightspeed and Bluetooth switching is seamlessThree options of superb GL switchesMacro key customisation is incredible

Cons

Very expensiveLack of USB passthrough

The Logitech G915 TKL is the best wireless gaming keyboard we’ve reviewed for people who want to take up as less desk space as possible. Its small size and low-profile keys also make