Best gaming keyboards 2020: mechanical masterpieces
- VeteranShack
- Jun 14, 2020
- 6 min read
The best gaming keyboard 2020 buyer's guide that we've put together for you is the most comprehensive exploration of the mechanical gaming keyboards currently on the market that you'll find.
Regardless off whether you are looking for the best wireless gaming keyboard, the best RGB gaming keyboards, the best gaming keyboard and gaming mouse combo, the best gaming keyboard on a budget or any other variation, you'll find a great selection of options here to choose from.
Adding a great gaming keyboard to a setup can make a massive difference. As well improving gaming performance thanks to their enhances responsiveness (thanks mechanical switches!) and advanced features like programmable buttons, they also deliver a far superior ergonomics and aesthetics.
THE BEST GAMING KEYBOARDS AVAILABLE IN 2020
1. DAS KEYBOARD X50Q RGB
The best gaming keyboard for most people
REASONS TO BUY
+Gamma Zulu mechanical key switches
+Premium, aluminium build
+Strong RGB brightness
+Full N-Key Rollover
With a stunning, premium build, incredibly high-grade Gamma Zulu mechanical switches made by renowned Japanese maker Omron, and a raft of high-end premium features, the Das Keyboard X50 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is, in our opinion, the best pound-for-pound gaming keyboard in the world.
The aesthetic (unlike many gaming keyboards) is understated and exudes class, while the aluminium top plate adds a sturdy weight and luxe feel under the fingertips too.
Then when you throw in a tidy gaming mode indicator and ability to disable windows keys, an extra long braided 2-metre cable, a soft touch coated palm rest, and a built-in control knob, too, it's easy to see how the X50 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is our top recommendation.
A stunning, beautifully engineered gaming keyboard
2. RAZER HUNTSMAN ELITE
The best premium gaming keyboard
REASONS TO BUY
+Revolutionary optomechanical switches
+Impressive focus on RGB backlighting
+Mature and minimalist design
+Incredibly fast typing performance
Razer continues to push the envelope when it comes to PC gaming peripherals, including one of the latest additions to its keyboard range – meet the Huntsman Elite, which is our top recommendation if money is no consideration in your purchase.
This board's big selling point is the daring decision to combine optical sensors and mechanical switches to create Razer's own 'optomechanical' switches. The difference in speed is impressive to say the least, offering the unbeatable level of input speed and latency reduction.
The only caveats are it takes quite a bit of power to run, requiring not one, but two USB cables to keep it going, and it's rather an expensive investment too.
But, with a lovely array of RGB lights across those hybrid switches and enough customisation options to make even the hardest of hardcore players happy, this is a beast of a peripheral for ardent PC gamers. It also makes for a silky smooth typing experience should you want to double it up as regular 'board as well.
The best premium mechanical gaming keyboard on the market today.
3. STEELSERIES APEX 3
The best budget gaming keyboard
REASONS TO BUY
+10-zone RGB illumination
+Quiet gaming switches
+Attractive price point
The SteelSeries Apex 3 is a great new addition to the maker's line-up, delivering a really strong all-round package for a firmly budget price point.
In terms of features, the board's superb 10-zone RGB lighting system is something to write home about, as too its IP32 water resistance rating, which is impressive considering its low price point.
Design-wise the Apex 3 is a full-size gaming keyboard and, as such, comes with a ten key number pad, as well as dedicated media controls. The top plate is clean and slopes downward toward an comfortable included wrist rest.
In terms of key performance, the Apex 3 delivers really quiet operation thanks to SteelSeries' Whisper-Quiet switches. These a membrane switches rather than mechanical, though, but seem tuned for gamers and felt fast and responsive under the fingers.
Throw in the board's compatibility with the excellent SteelSeries Engine 3 customisation software, and strong cable management, and its easy to see why this budget board has won such acclaim.
A trimmed down version of an all-time great
REASONS TO BUY
+Fantastic typing experience
+Compact form factor
+Plenty of lighting options
With 88 keys (plus media keys), backlighting colour combinations that run into the millions, a lovely thin form factor, a dedicated volume scroll wheel, instant wireless connection and optional Bluetooth, and a simple-to-use macro editor, it's likely that the Logitech G915 TKL is going to attract a lot of fans.
A smaller, more compact version of the also amazing Logitech G915, this 'tenkeyless' version is easier to position on a desk and to lug around, but loses none of the typing experience – and that's great by the way. You get a choice of three mechanical key types with this keyboard, so you can customise it to suit your preferences.
It's on the expensive side, and we would like a few more customization options in terms of keyboard shortcuts, but really these are minor drawbacks that you don't have to worry about. A fantastic, low-latency gaming keyboard that'll also serve you well for everyday computing tasks too.
4. CORSAIR K95 RGB PLATINUM
The Corsair K95 RGB Platinum more than justifies the price tag
REASONS TO BUY
+Tons of lighting options
+Beautiful build and design
+Dedicated media keys
There's no doubt the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum is one of the best gaming keyboards on the market right now, with Cherry MX switches, USB passthrough, dedicated media controls, and customisable USB lighting thrown into the mix.
Okay, it's going to cost you a bit of money, and it's going to take up a substantial amount of room on your desk – but if you want the very best in gaming keyboards then this definitely needs to be on your shortlist.
The anodised, brushed aluminium frame really looks the part, and you can really go to town on the lighting customisations as well. Dedicated macro keys are another neat touch in what is a very impressive all-round package.
5. HYPERX ALLOY ELITE
Affordable Cherry MX gaming keyboard performance with a gorgeous, future-industrial design
REASONS TO BUY
+Cherry MX Red keys for less than £100
+Full set of media keys
Not every mechanical-keyed gaming keyboard has to break the bank – in fact, if you look in the right places you can find some robust and reliable models that are perfect for those looking to move away from a boring old everyday use board.
HyperX's Alloy Elite offers a fine entry level peripheral, with a set of Cherry MX Red mechanical keys, a large group of media buttons and some rather striking backlights with six dynamic lighting effects (including an 18 LED lightbar for added cool).
Its chunky, future-industrial build is the furthest thing from flimsy, but you will have to contend with a lack of macro support if this is your pick. In our view, absolutely one of the best gaming keyboards 2020 on the market today.
6. STEELSERIES APEX 7
The best compact mechanical gaming keyboard
REASONS TO BUY
+Dedicated OLED smart display
+Compact, minimalist design
+Dynamic per-key illumination
New from SteelSeries is the Apex 7 TKL Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, featuring a host of neat touches to impress gamers – not least the OLED smart display that's able to deliver information straight from games and apps (including Discord and Tidal).
This being SteelSeries you know the build quality is going to be excellent as always, and the Apex 7 really looks the part: it's made from Series 5000 aircraft-grade aluminium, with a wide and deep wrist pad that should keep fatigue at bay even over the longest gaming sessions.
Using SteelSeries' own take on Cherry MX mechanical switches, these keys are good for some 50 million keypresses. It ticks all the boxes you need when you're looking for the best gaming keyboard of 2020.
7. ROCCAT VULCAN 120 AIMO
A great all-round premium gaming keyboard
REASONS TO BUY
+Silent mechanical keys
+Incredible build quality
+Stunning AIMO lighting
Roccat advertises the Vulcan 120 Aimo as a "precision gaming tool" and, after getting our hands on the board and producing our official Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo review, it's hard to argue with that.
In terms of usability, the Vulcan 120 Aimo is really comfortable to use and boasts a top mix of programmable keys, so it's handy for both for gaming and everyday PC tasks. Its Titan switches are also among the very best we've ever placed our fingertips on, with a very linear actuation, super-fast input recognition, and super-light caps combining wonderfully.
Quiet switches aren't often a quality we put much stock in when searching out the best gaming keyboards, but considering how responsive the bespoke keys are in Roccat's incredibly impressive Vulcan 120 Aimo, we're beginning to think we'd like to see them more often.
More keyboards to chose from below!
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