Budget Gaming Keyboards
Whether you’re on a budget or you just want to save money, there are plenty of budget gaming keyboards out there to choose from. Some offer wireless connectivity and programmable RGB lighting effects while others are more traditional designs. You might want to look for a keyboard with a USB passthrough feature so you can hook up to your PC using a USB cable. You can also look for one with a programmable OLED screen so you can make on-the-fly adjustments to your keyboard.
Some budget gaming keyboards have membrane key switches. These are quiet and reliable and can give you a smooth, tactile feel similar to mechanical switches. However, they aren’t as robust as the more expensive keyboards. These keyboards also lack dedicated macro keys and multimedia keys.
The Razer Blade RGB is a high-performance gaming keyboard with RGB lighting effects. It’s a compact keyboard that includes a dedicated volume control wheel, a dedicated media playback wheel, and a programmable OLED screen that lets you display your preferred image or GIF. The keyboard also has a 4,000Hz polling rate for a smooth gaming experience. The actuation is quick, with a 0.8mm pre-travel and 1.2mm post-travel, which is great for fast gaming. The keyboard is also small enough to fit on a desk.
The Razer Blade Pro has an onboard UI that lets you customize the keyboard without software. The keyboard’s tiny OLED display lets you choose from a range of presets and integrates with select programs. Its responsiveness is also good, with a 1.4mm actuation that eliminates finger fatigue. You can also adjust the pre-travel for each key using OmniPoint switches. The kawaii gaming keyboard design also allows you to map secondary inputs to the WASD area with the Easy-Shift button.
Best Budget Gaming Keyboards
The Drevo Calibur V2 is a compact gaming keyboard that has an excellent build quality. The keys are made with double shot ABS keycaps and are soft to the touch, and they’re made with a dual injection molding process. The keyboard has a compact form factor and can connect to your PC using USB or USB-C. It also works with Macs and has a wireless connection. It’s one of the few mechanical keyboards that works with Bluetooth, which is a great option for gaming on the go.
The Corsair K100 Air Wireless is a solid budget gaming keyboard. It has five RGB lighting zones, a semi-transparent top plate, and an esports-ready response time. It also has a durable aluminum alloy top plate. The keys on the keyboard are rated for up to 100 million keystrokes, and the keyboard is rated to last for up to 200 hours when backlighting is off. The keyboard’s ergonomics are also good, with a sturdy aluminum frame and a magnetic wrist rest. The keyboard has a fast actuation and good battery life. It’s compatible with a variety of software, including Synapse 3 and Razer Chroma. It has a slim non-detachable cord.
The Razer Huntsman Mini is a cute keyboard that has a quick actuation point and good response time. It also has RGB Chroma support. It’s designed to be easy to move around, and is tournament ready. It’s great for gamers on a budget, but doesn’t offer as much as some of the more expensive keyboards.