Best Budget Gaming Keyboard

The best budget gaming keyboard provides all of the essential gaming features without the superfluous extras or exorbitant prices. When the top gaming keyboards cost over $200, a simple budget keyboard option might save your bank account a lot of money. You can either supersize your graphics card or create a whole computer for a lot less money this way.

When we say 'cheap,' we're referring to price rather than quality. The majority of the budget gaming keyboards in this roundup are around $50 and will serve as a reliable companion to your gaming PC. However, certain features will be removed in order to keep the price low. Make a list of the features that are most important to you, such as media controls, LED displays, complex macro keys, and mechanical switches, and determine what you can live without.

Anyway, we've tried to compile a list of the finest low-cost gaming keyboards we've tested over the years, with prices ranging from $10 to $50. We've even included a number of high-quality keyboards that come with additional accessories to help defray the expense of a new setup.

1. G.Skill KM360

There is a current trend in the market for $200+ gaming keyboards, but it doesn't mean there aren't great mechanical switch boards available at a lower cost. Often, these more budget-friendly choices may include inexpensive switches from other manufacturers, however the G.Skill KM360 comes standard with the famous Cherry MX Red linear switch.

You might be unhappy with the single-color choice if you can't stand your gaming board not being lighted up like a rainbow, but the white LEDs on this G.Skill board are the brightest I've ever seen. Normally, I prefer to maintain my screen at maximum brightness all day, but doing so would burn out my retina on the KM360.

This TKL board is simple, but it serves its job admirably. It's sturdy, well-made, and dependable, and it also looks good. There's no wrist rest, no passthrough, and no media controls, but I'll gladly overlook these shortcomings in favor of cost-effective usefulness.

2. STOGA Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

The Cherry MX Blue switches are nearly indistinguishable from the STOGA mechanical keyboard switches. They imitate the clicky sound and feel that was originally desired by typists, but has now evolved into a popular gaming switch.

This type is a simple, no-nonsense tenkeyless design with RGB illumination that may be adjusted. It's tough to go wrong with the STOGA unless you detest clicky switches or have a pressing need for specialized media controls.

3. Corsair K63 Wireless

Wireless connections typically push up the cost of gaming keyboards, just as mechanical switches do. The Corsair K63 Wireless, on the other hand, manages to combine Cherry MX Red mechanical keys with a very fast and incredibly stable 2.4GHz wireless connection at a price that is well within the budget range. That's a lot of power in a cheap gaming keyboard, but it comes at the cost of a little cosmetic customization.

Because there is no RGB customization here, the blue lighting you take out of the box will stay with you. You lose a number pad and any specialized macro keys as a result of the smaller design, but the Corsair compensates for this by providing a fully programmable array of keys.

With a 75-hour battery life without backlighting and a 25-hour run time on maximum brightness, you'll be able to charge up through a Mini USB connector.

4. SteelSeries Apex 3

While the SteelSeries Apex 3 is a great all-arounder for those seeking for a low-cost gaming keyboard, those looking for a quiet experience will benefit the most from it. Each tap is incredibly quiet while staying pleasant and tactile thanks to SteelSeries' "Whisper Quiet" membrane switches. While they aren't mechanical switches, and you'll notice the absence of snap, they're nonetheless lightning quick and have the high profile that mechanical decks are known for.

You get ten customizable RGB zones here, which is a fantastic range that outperforms many other brands in this price bracket, however it falls short of Razer's fully paintable deck.

If you want to keep your desk tidy, you'll like the cable routing structures built into the base plate, as well as the slip-resistant luxury palm rest with rubber feet.

5. Logitech G213 RGB

Since its initial release, the Logitech G213 RGB has seen a significant price decrease. That makes the full-sized inexpensive gaming keyboard, even if it is an older model by today's standards, a particularly fantastic buy. With a non-detachable palm rest, big form factor, and plastic case, the deck has some signs of its age.

Under the hood, though, you'll still discover Lightsync technology, which can sync your five RGB lighting zones to content from your games. It's also completely compatible with Logitech's G-Hub software, which can be used to configure the illumination and apply macros to the function keys.

This is the deck for you if you're searching for a low-cost gaming keyboard while staying within the Logitech ecosystem - but if you're building a new setup, there are better features out there for just a little more money.

FAQ

Are cheap gaming keyboards good?

Gaming keyboards are available in a variety of forms, sizes, and quality levels. It typically boils down to speed, features, and durability to determine whether they're up to par. Mechanical switches have a very rapid actuation rate, so you'll be flying through instructions as quickly as your twitch reflexes allow, and they often have anti-rollover to prevent accidental keypresses.

Cheap gaming keyboards, on the other hand, frequently substitute membrane actuation for these switches. Top manufacturers like Razer, Logitech, Corsair, and SteelSeries have managed to squeeze as much speed as possible into these budget-friendly switches, despite being a touch slower.

The end effect can be amazing, but if you're looking for a keyboard under $30 from a budget manufacturer, double-check the actuation timings and travel lengths to ensure you don't receive a spongey deck.

However, you may get inexpensive mechanical keyboards that prioritize speed above other features that you might not use anyhow. To provide a good mechanical experience at a cheap price, some provide extremely limited illumination customization and forego features like USB passthrough and media controls. Mechanical switches also have a far longer lifespan than membrane switches.

All of this implies that certain low-cost gaming keyboards are well worth the money; all you have to do now is pick one that values the same characteristics as you.

What is the average gaming keyboard price?

Cheap gaming keyboards start at approximately $10 / £10, but for a reliable experience, we recommend investing closer to $50 / £50 on a sturdy deck with a decent set of switches and some RGB options. More mechanical gaming keyboards are available between $50 and $150 / £50 and £150, with many additionally including USB passthrough, in-depth macro features, and content-specific RGB settings.

You'll start seeing more premium actuation technology to get a super fast press, enhanced anti-ghosting and rollover, more costly mechanical switches, and more ubiquitous wireless capabilities after you pass the $150 / £150 threshold.

All things considered, the average gaming keyboard costs between $50 and $150 / £50 and £150.

Are gaming keyboards worth it?

Why should you buy a gaming keyboard in the first place? Traditional keyboards can be used to play games, but a gaming keyboard has been specifically designed to complement your current setup, provide fast, responsive controls, integrate directly with certain games and services, and can often be programmed to fine-tune your gaming experience with specific macros.

Whether you're looking for a super fast competitive setup or simply a more streamlined PC gaming experience, a gaming keyboard is definitely worth the money. Additionally, haptic, clicky switches make a significant impact.