The Best Gaming Keyboards in 2022 to Up Your Gaming Experience

For the everyday computer user, a keyboard is a device for typing to search, send emails, and perform other basic tasks. But to a gamer, the keyboard is everything. The best gaming keyboards take the gaming experience to a whole new level by reducing finger fatigue, enhancing gaming interactions with the PC, smooth control of avatars, and ensuring lightning-fast response times.

The quality of your keyboard could be what stands between you and beating that world-record high score, winning a Battle Royale, beating that time limit, or simply having a thrilling gaming experience. And if you care about any of these, you should get yourself the best gaming keyboard available.

There are thousands of gaming keyboards out there, and this makes it quite difficult to find the ideal keyboard. But not to worry, there’s a keyboard for every gamer, and yours is just right around the corner.

What are the factors to consider when buying a gaming keyboard?

Gaming keyboards consist of many components responsible for their unique functionalities. These components control the performance of gaming keyboards, so it is vital to take note of them and consider them before making that all-important gaming keyboard purchase.

Switch Type

In keyboard terms, the switch is the mechanism underneath each key on a keyboard that registers keystrokes. The switch type determines the quality of tactile feedback, response time, and auditory feedback. There are two major types of key switches: mechanical and membrane.

Every key in a mechanical switch keyboard is spring-loaded, which gives them enhanced tactile feedback. Mechanical switches are often loud or clicky and require low actuation forces to register their keystrokes, which makes them faster. Plus, they offer more accuracy than rubber switch keyboards. They are also quite heavier and more expensive than the rubber switch alternative.

Rubber switch keyboards, on the other hand, feature membrane layers covered by rubber domes under each key. They make less noise than mechanical switches and are the best option if you are on a budget. Plus, they are usually water-resistant and give spongey tactile feedback.

Overall, mechanical switches are the best, but rubber switch keyboards will give you great value too.

Size

The size of any gaming keyboard depends on the number of keys on it. Some keyboards, known as full-sized keyboards, come with the full package: number pad, macro keys, alphanumeric section, special function keys, and directional keys. Smaller-sized keyboards, known as Tenkeyless (TKL) keyboards, can be about 40 to 80% of the size of full-sized keyboards. At 80%, they lack number pads, but if we are to go 65% or less, then other functional keys would be off or integrated with other keys.

The size of the keyboard you go for depends on the type of gaming you will be doing, however, TKL keyboards will give you the best value for your money in terms of functionality, versatility, and portability.

Actuation Distance

This refers to the distance a key has to travel to make a contact with the internal mechanism to register a keystroke. It determines the speed or response time of the keyboard switch, and will greatly affect the performance of any gaming keyboard.

A rule of thumb for this is that “the shorter the distance for the key switch to connect with the internal mechanism, the faster its response time.” Most gaming keyboards feature actuation distances of 2mm, but if you want a faster keystroke response time, select a gaming keyboard with lower actuation distances of 1.5mm, 1.2mm, or even as low as 0.5mm.

Connectivity

The connectivity between your PC and keyboard will affect how fast it registers. When it comes to connectivity, there are two types: Wired and Wireless.

Wired keyboards are connected to the PC with a wire or cord, while wireless keyboards connect via Bluetooth, infrared, or radiofrequency technology. Wired keyboards are the most common types among gamers and generally the cheapest. The more costly wireless keyboards on the other hand are some milliseconds faster than wired keyboards, and this makes them the preferred option for high-end gamers. However, take note that wireless keyboards require charging from time to time, so ensure that you have a charging port/plug for that.

Material

Keyboards are typically built of plastic, but the type of plastic will determine how durable they are. Gaming is a passionate activity and sometimes you may get lost in the moment and drop or hit it in anger or frustration. You need a keyboard that will survive your gaming fits every now and then, and for the best durability, ABS plastic is what you should go for. It is the major component of mechanical switch keyboards and it offers a lifespan of about 50 million keystrokes. The cost of ABS keyboards may be on the high side, but they are worth every dime. The alternative is the less durable and cheaper PVC plastic. Most rubber switch keyboards use those materials and they are known to break or shatter relatively easily.

Key Rollover and Anti-Ghosting

N-key rollover (NKRO) is a keyboard’s ability to register multiple key presses at once, with “N” being the number of keys it can register simultaneously. As a gamer, you will make a ruckus of your keyboard by clicking on multiple keys at once, so it will be up to your keyboard to register each key.

Keyboard ghosting is the term for when your keyboard refuses to register some keys after you press about 6 keys simultaneously and it can be quite frustrating. Save yourself some gaming stress by selecting a keyboard with high NKRO potential and anti-ghosting features.

Some Gaming Keyboard Basics

What does Cherry MX mean?

Cherry MX is the gold standard for worldwide mechanical key switch technology. Cherry uses colors instead of digits to highlight different switch models, which is one of the things that makes them unique. Here are some of the Cherry MX models:

Cherry MX Red (most popular)

Non-clicky
Non-tactile
Travel distance: 4mm
Actuation force: 45g
Actuation distance: 2mm

Cherry MX Blue

Clicky
Tactile
Travel distance: 4mm
Actuation force: 50g (Peak Force 60g)
Actuation distance: 2mm

Cherry MX Black

Non-clicky
Non-tactile
Travel distance: 4mm
Actuation force: 60g
Actuation distance: 2mm

Cherry MX Clear

Non-clicky
Tactile
Travel distance: 4mm
Actuation force: 55g (Peak force 65g)
Actuation distance: 2mm

Cherry MX Brown

Non-clicky
Tactile
Travel distance: 4mm
Actuation force: 45g (Peak force 55g)
Actuation distance: 2mm

What is the Difference Between Gaming Keyboards and Normal Keyboards?

Gaming often requires more complex interactions and input systems than normal PC activities like typing, photo and video editing, and so on. With this in mind, gaming keyboards are built with enhanced features, performance, and speed to enable gamers to improve their gaming experience.

• One of the major differences between both keyboards is the switch type. Most gaming keyboards are fitted with mechanical switches, rather than the membrane switches usually found in normal keyboards.
• Gaming keyboards often offer more stability than normal keyboards. They don’t slide around even when gamers start making a ruckus while gaming.
• Top-tier gaming keyboards run on proprietary software systems that allow games to customize and optimize their keyboards. These systems give gamers the ability to execute actions like setting up multiple avatar profiles and switch between both of them seamlessly. Normal keyboards cannot relate to this.

How do I take care of my gaming keyboard?

• Do your best not to spill any liquid on it
• Clean your keyboard from time to time. Dirt and debris reduce the performance of gaming keyboards over time.
• Try as much as possible not to smash or hit it violently after losing a game or in the excitement of winning one.
• Always place your gaming keyboard on a suitable desktop mat to protect it from friction.