Forget about standard keyboards; gaming keyboards are optimized to give players an edge. They often feature mechanical keys (some gamers prefer Cherry MX switches) with a higher response time than regular keyboards, which can make the difference between victory and defeat in competitive gaming. Some even include wrist supports for more ergonomic typing and gaming sessions.

There are many other features that differentiate gaming keyboards from normal ones, including RGB lighting (which some gamers like for aesthetics and to highlight keypresses in the dark), programmable macros, and more. Many also offer passthrough capabilities for connecting additional peripherals, which is particularly useful if you’re playing in a group where someone else might need to use the same USB ports.

The DrunkDeer A75 is a fantastic option for gamers who want to be able to adjust the feel and response of their key presses. It uses a super-smooth hall effect magnetic switch that allows you to program two actions to the same key, one when pressed lightly and another when pressed harder. It’s on the expensive side but its flexibility and performance make it worth the investment for many gamers.

In addition to the customizable switches, this keyboard features an incredibly light, portable design. It has a removable number pad and a multi-function media dock that can be attached to the top left or right of the main chassis. Moreover, the keys are separated by a row of navigation buttons for easy access to other functionality and features. It has some nice extras, such as dedicated media and mute buttons, and features full key rollover with no “ghosting” or missed key presses. There also many ideas on this if you search pinterest gaming keyboards.

This budget gaming keyboard has a compact TenKeyLess layout that leaves room for dynamic mouse movements. It includes all the essential gaming features, such as RGB backlighting that’s customizable on a per-key basis, programmable macros, and excellent low latency. It also has dedicated media keys and a detachable wrist support for comfort during marathon gaming sessions.

It’s a little pricier than the competition, but the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL has all of the essentials that any gamer should have in a budget gaming keyboard. It includes RGB backlighting, which can be programmed on a per-key basis to highlight the most important keys in a game, a detachable wrist rest, and excellent low latency. It also features full key rollover, allowing for more complex macros and less missing keys during gameplay, and has the added bonus of a mute button and volume wheel on the keyboard itself.

It’s an excellent entry-level mechanical gaming keyboard that offers a premium experience at a fraction of the price. It features SteelSeries’ legendary gaming switches with customizable actuation points that can go as low as 0.2 mm. This allows for hyper-fast keypresses, which is a major advantage in games that require frequent repetition of keys, such as shooters. It also has Rapid Trigger technology, which eliminates the need for your switches to travel up and reset after actuating, which can speed up repeated keypresses in games that involve rhythmic pressing (think counter-strafing). It’s a great choice for gamers who want to maximize their performance on a limited budget.