March 2021
Gaming Keyboard Rankings Report
This report contains an aggregate consensus of Gaming Keyboard rankings posted by key online experts, as of March 2021.
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Gaming Keyboards.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Gaming Keyboards, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for March 2021 ranking
CNET
PCMag
Tom's Guide
TechRadar
Digital Trends
T3
Rtings.com
Laptop Mag
PC Gamer
Tom's Hardware
We ranked Corsair K100 RGB #1 in March 2021 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Corsair K100 RGB as #1.
PC Gamer
The best gaming keyboard
|
Pros
Responsive optical switches
All the RGB, all the time
Premium build quality
|
Tom's Hardware
Best Gaming Keyboard for Work and Play
|
Pros
1mm-actuation optical mechanical switches
Cushioned wrist rest and premium PBT keycaps
|
Cons
Expensive
Some features feel gimmicky
|
T3
A high-end keyboard that feels super-premium
|
Pros
+Beautiful build and design
+Dedicated media keys
+Some great extra features
|
Laptop Mag
The best overall gaming keyboard
|
Pros
Premium attractive build
Comfortable typing experience
Blazing fast key inputs
Tons of functionality and customization options
|
Cons
Pricy
OPX keys need getting used to
|
We ranked SteelSeries Apex Pro #2 in March 2021 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked SteelSeries Apex Pro as #1.
TechRadar
Taking magnetism to another level
|
Pros
+Beautiful aluminum build
+Custom actuation settings
+Quiet
|
Cons
Expensive
|
PC Gamer
The best gaming keyboard for per-key actuation
|
Pros
Per key actuation allows for incredible customization
Robust feature set
Attractive, minimalist deck with full RGB
|
Tom's Hardware
Best Customization
|
Pros
Adjustable per-key actuation points for most keys
5 on-board profiles with RGB and actuation settings
Aluminum build
USB passthrough and some cable management
|
Cons
Questionable long-term typing experience
Expensive
|
We ranked Razer Huntsman Elite #3 in March 2021 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Razer Huntsman Elite as #1.
PC Gamer
The fastest gaming keyboard
|
Pros
Opto-mechanical keys
Beautiful, fully lit, durable full sized board
Dedicated media controls
|
T3
The best premium gaming keyboard
|
Pros
+Revolutionary optomechanical switches
+Impressive focus on RGB backlighting
+Mature and minimalist design
+Incredibly fast typing performance
|
We ranked Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro #4 in March 2021 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
Tom's Hardware
Best Wireless Gaming Keyboard
|
Pros
Doubleshot keycaps feel premium, resist smudges
Premium wrist rest
|
Cons
Finicky when battery is very low
No macro keys
|
T3
The best wireless gaming keyboard
|
Pros
+Lag-free wireless connectivity
+Comfortable to use
+Very premium feel
|
Cons
-Some software issues
-Battery life may be an issue
|
Laptop Mag
Best wireless mechanical gaming keyboard
|
Pros
Excellent build quality
Subtle matte black design
Extensive lighting and customization options
Comfortable typing experience
Lag-free wireless input
|
Cons
Pricey
Battery life is a little short
|
We ranked Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 #5 in March 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 as #1.
Tom's Guide
The best gaming keyboard overall
|
Pros
Gorgeous design
Key switch selection
High-quality components
|
Cons
Expensive
|
Laptop Mag
Still one of the best gaming keyboards around
|
Pros
Stunning aesthetics
Multiple key-switch choices
High-quality build
Useful extras
|
Cons
Expensive
|
We ranked Razer Cynosa V2 #6 in March 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
TechRadar
The best in its class
|
Pros
+Meaningful refinements over its predecessor
+Inexpensive price remains
|
Cons
-Membrane switches
|
Tom's Guide
The best budget gaming keyboard
|
Pros
Robust RGB lighting
Profiles and Game Mode
Reasonable price
|
Cons
Convoluted software
Bulky, plain design
|
T3
The best budget membrane gaming keyboard
|
Pros
+Great keyboard feel
+Quiet membrane keys
+Customisable RGB lighting
|
We ranked Logitech G915 #7 in March 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
PC Gamer
The best wireless gaming keyboard
|
Pros
Lag-free wireless
Great battery life
Low-profile mechanical switches
|
PCMag
Best for Serious Fans of Low-Profile Switches
|
Pros
Very comfortable low-profile key switches.
Wireless without lag.
Handy media, macro, and profile keys.
Handsome.
Good battery life.
|
Cons
Wildly expensive.
No built-in dongle storage.
Low-profile switches are an acquired taste.
|
Tom's Guide
The best wireless gaming keyboard
|
Pros
Excellent key switches
Beautiful design
Robust software
|
Cons
No wrist rest
Very expensive
|
We ranked Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB #8 in March 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
PC Gamer
The best gaming keyboard for customization and ergonomics
|
Pros
Split keyboard and unique layout to reduce strain
Optional lift kit and wrist rests to improve ergonomics
Extremely customizable
|
PCMag
Best for Ergonomically Minded Gamers / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
True Cherry MX switches in a choice of three varieties.
Comfortable ergonomic design, once you're accustomed to it.
Superb, plush wrist rest.
Per-key customizable RGB lighting.
|
Cons
Driverless SmartSet app is more work than we'd like.
Optional "lift kit" costs extra.
Steep learning curve.
|
Laptop Mag
Best outside-the-box design
|
Pros
Unique split-keyboard design
Optional lift kit to improve ergonomics
Customizable to the max
|
Cons
Lift kit not included
|
We ranked Logitech G915 TKL #9 in March 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
Tom's Hardware
Best TKL Gaming Keyboard
|
Pros
Slim, sturdy build
Comfortable low-profile switches
Easy switching between wireless dongle or Bluetooth connection
|
Cons
No G keys for programming
No wrist rest or USB passthrough
Expensive
|
T3
An excellent wired or wireless compact option
|
Pros
+Fantastic typing experience
+Compact form factor
+Plenty of lighting options
|
We ranked Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT #10 in March 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT as #1.
Tom's Hardware
Best Gaming Keyboard Splurge
|
Pros
Comfortable classic design with dedicated media keys and metal volume roller
Double Shot keycaps and wrist rest feel more premium
Elgato Stream Deck support makes macro keys more versatile
|
Cons
Cumbersome cable
Plastic clips on removable wrist rest feel like they could break
Elgato Stream Deck support means installing two pieces of software
|
PCMag
Best for Streamers and Macros Tweakers / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Same great K95 Platinum design and features.
Elgato Stream Deck support.
More onboard profiles.
New and improved wrist rest.
PBT doubleshot keycaps.
|
Cons
Not an enormous upgrade over the previous K95 Platinum.
|
We ranked Roccat Vulcan 120 #11 in March 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
PCMag
Best for Fast-Action Gamers
|
Pros
Stately look can serve gamers, productivity users alike.
High-quality switch feel and sound.
Dedicated media keys and volume dial.
Per-key RGB lighting, plus zone-based lighting.
|
Cons
No dedicated macro keys.
No USB or audio pass-through.
|
T3
A great all-round premium gaming keyboard
|
Pros
+Silent mechanical keys
+Incredible build quality
+Stunning AIMO lighting
|
We ranked DAS Keyboard X50Q RGB #12 in March 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked DAS Keyboard X50Q RGB as #1.
T3
The best gaming keyboard for most people
|
Pros
+Gamma Zulu mechanical key switches
+Premium, aluminium build
+Strong RGB brightness
+Full N-Key Rollover
|
We ranked Glorious GMMK #13 in March 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Glorious GMMK as #1.
T3
The best gaming keyboard for modular customisation
|
Pros
+Fully modular
+Simple software
+Robust design
|
We ranked Razer Huntsman Tournament #14 in March 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
TechRadar
The Razer Huntsman,but smaller and faster
|
Pros
+Fast switches
+Removable cable
|
Cons
-Not many extra features
|
PCMag
Best for Esports Hounds
|
Pros
Light, compact design.
Optical switches are accurate and have hair-trigger actuation.
Detachable cable enhances portability.
|
Cons
Featherlight actuation can lead to lots of typing mistakes.
|
We ranked HyperX Alloy Origins #15 in March 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
Tom's Hardware
Best Mainstream Gaming Keyboard
|
Pros
Attractive, compact design
Excellent RGB lighting
Three-level rear height adjustment
|
Cons
No dedicated media controls or macro keys
Shorter 1.8mm switch actuation (versus 2mm) feels like a gimmick
NGenuity software could be more intuitive
|
PCMag
Best for No-Nonsense Mechanical-Keyboard Buffs / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Solidly made chassis.
Well-priced.
Proprietary switches offer unique feel.
Detachable USB-C cable.
|
Cons
No creature comforts, such as dedicated macro keys or USB pass-through ports.
|
We ranked SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL #16 in March 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
PCMag
Best for Esports Players Seeking a Tenkeyless Design / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Durable aluminum body.
Handy OLED mini-display with easy-to-use onboard menus.
Snappy mechanical switches.
Per-key-programmable RGB backlighting.
|
Cons
Loud key action, in Blue sample tested.
|
We ranked Logitech G Pro X #17 in March 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
PCMag
Best for Extreme Tweakers,Key-Switch Connoisseurs
|
Pros
Allows for swapping out actual key-switch mechanisms on a per-key basis.
Switch-swapping isn't hard.
Compact design.
Feels good to type on and game on.
|
Cons
Expensive, especially if you buy multiple switch sets on day one.
Onboard memory stores only one profile.
|
We ranked Razer Ornata V2 #18 in March 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
PCMag
Best for Fans of a Classic Razer Design
|
Pros
Dedicated media keys
Programmable volume roller
Mecha-membrane keys
Padded wrist rest
|
Cons
Not that many new or updated features
|
We ranked HyperX Alloy Elite 2 #19 in March 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
T3
Everything you could want in a gaming keyboard
|
Pros
+Sharp, responsive switches
+Full set of media keys
|
We ranked Whirlwind FX Element #20 in March 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
T3
The best gaming keyboard for RGB lighting brilliance
|
Pros
+The best RGB lighting in the business
+Super-responsive typing
+Nicely constructed from premium materials
|
We ranked Corsair K63 #21 in March 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
T3
The best gaming keyboard for a wireless,mechanical gaming setup
|
Pros
+Reliable wireless signal
+128-bit AES encryption mode
+Premium build quality
|
We ranked Logitech G413 #22 in March 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Gaming Keyboards” rankings.
T3
A great budget mechanical gaming keyboard
|
Pros
+Precision Romer-G lighting system
+Robust build quality
+Low price point
|