Best Gaming Keyboard 2022
PC gaming requires more than just any old keyboard, mouse, and headset. Gaming keyboards are especially important because they do so much more than just typing. Of course, finding the best gaming keyboard for you really depends on your playstyle. Everyone has their gaming peripherals and will recommend something different almost every time.
My day job (which I absolutely love) requires me to test and review gaming tech and goodies. So, my friends, family, and people throughout my various communities always ask me “What’s the best keyboard/headset/mouse, etc.?” Or “Which keyboard do you use?” So, I wanted to share my favorite keyboards that I actually use daily or almost daily.
When I review keyboards, I look for performance, customizability, and durability, and aesthetics. I personally don’t care about price. However, when people ask me for my input, they usually look for something that’s reasonably priced that performs well. So, I do take that into account as well, but it’s not a major factor for my personal preference. Coincidentally, my favorite gaming keyboard is absolutely affordable.
Pulsar Lunar Alloy RGB Gaming Keyboard
Best, all-around gaming keyboard. Full-Size Mechanical Keyboard
Why We Love It:
High-quality Double-shot Keycaps
Sleek Design
Pro, Mechanical Gaming Keyboard at Affordable Price
The Pulsar Lunar Alloy RGB Gaming Full Keyboard is my favorite keyboard all around. It’s my main keyboard for so many reasons. From its size, performance, and aesthetic, this keyboard really wowed me.
The Pulsar Lunar Alloy RGB is a full-sized keyboard but it’s slender enough to provide a lot of extra space on my desk. As a writer who also games, having extra space on my desk is very important. Normal-sized keyboards always made my desk feel a bit cluttered. And honestly, I can’t really function with a TKL, save for a few things.
While a lot of gamers may prefer a detachable cord, I love that the braided cord is attached. I’ve never experienced any lag in keystrokes. Nor have I experienced lag in-game. I love the feel of the Outemu red switches when I type. Usually, red switches are super kind of on the quiet side and aren’t as clicky, but these, kind of have a smooth balance to them, and have never carried into my headset. This is including some of the headsets with less than stellar noise filtering.
You can customize the RGB with the Pulsar Fusion software available on its website.
Das Keyboard X50Q Smart Gaming Keyboard
Best Smart Gaming Keyboard
Why We Love It:
Dedicated Media Controls: Volume Knob, Play/Pause, Track Forward/Backward
Applets via Das Keyboard Q Software
RGB Customization extends to both side panels
The Das Keyboard X50Q was a fun keyboard to test and use. Though too big for my personal space, it was still an amazing piece of tech. The X50Q takes customizability to a whole other level while helping improve productivity.
This is THE keyboard for gamers who multitask. Not only is the Das Keyboard X50Q customizable, but it allows for the use of applets through the Q software. You can set up Twitch alerts, assign or complete tasks through Trello and Asana. You can drag and drop applets to your preferred, assigned key and customize the alert color.
I also really like the keyboard’s industrial aesthetic that includes a volume dial. And the RGB customization extends to the side panels.
Razer Huntsman Mini
Best 60% Gaming Keyboard
Why We Love It
Great for Limited Spaces
Razer Chroma RGB
Also Available in Mercury
Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of TKL keyboards. However, for my standing workstation, I use the Razer Huntsman Mini 60% Keyboard. My standing desk is only 24 in. wide, so I’m not worried about having a full-sized keyboard.
The Razer Huntsman is probably one of the best, all-around keyboards to date. And the Huntsman Mini performs with the same power, just in a smaller package. Its function keys are easy to program to help stay productive with less desk space. And the leg stands give it the perfect height for me to work with while standing.
Razer makes amazing, customizable gaming peripherals that just look great. And the Huntsman Mini is no exception. Though small, it looks amazing in my little workspace. Typing isn’t an issue because I don’t do heavy typing at my standing station. I use it for testing gear. The Razer Huntsman Mini is also the only instance where I prefer a detachable USB cord. It makes it easy to move things around, rearrange my desk, and more.
Pulsar Nova Optical Pro
Best Waterproof Gaming Keyboard
Why We Love It
Waterproof
High-end Performance w/ Entry-Level Price
Swappable Red Linear or Blue Clicky Mechanical Switches
Let’s face it: some gamers like to snack and drink while gaming. And that can get messy. Accidents happen. Spills happen. You’ll need a gaming keyboard that’s both high quality and spillproof. The Pulsar Nova Optical Pro is the best waterproof gaming keyboard out there. It’s not only waterproof, but this entry-level keyboard looks, feels, and performs like a high-end gaming keyboard.
The Nova Optical Pro comes with either Blue Clicky switches or Red Linear switches. Like the Pulsar Lunar Alloy, the Nova Optical Pro uses Pulsar’s software to customize the keyboard’s RGB settings.
How to Choose the Right Gaming Keyboard
Choosing a gaming keyboard really depends on a few things: your personal playstyle, desk space, and your budget. No one will really be able to choose a gaming keyboard for you. So, you really have to think about what you want to get out of it. Are you just gaming? Will you be using your gaming PC for work and other projects? Will you be gaming on the go? What’s important to you?
When considering your personal playstyle, do you feel as if the louder the keystroke, the stronger your attacks are? Then you’re likely looking for something with blue, green, or purple, clicky switches. However, if you want quiet and smooth keystrokes, then you want to look for red switches. If you’re lacking desk space and do not use a laptop, then you will probably be looking for a TKL or 60% keyboard. And if those extra keys and number pad are important to you, then look for a sleeker full-sized keyboard.
All in all, there are so many great PC gaming keyboards out there. You just have to play around with them and pay attention to your own needs.
FAQ
These are questions about gaming keyboards people ask me surprisingly often. Here, I do my best to answer them.
What’s the best pink gaming keyboard?
Razer BlackWidow V3 is probably the best pink gaming keyboard out there.
What’s the best keyboard for World of Warcraft?
Honestly, almost any high-quality, mechanical keyboard is good for World of Warcraft or any MMO. For me, the best gaming keyboard to play WoW and Elder Scrolls Online has been the Pulsar Lunar Alloy RGB. It’s my current gaming keyboard and it’s great all around. But if you’re looking to sync your game with RGB, then I’d go with Razer Huntsman V2.
