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    Best gaming keyboard 2020: the best gaming keyboards we've tested

    Get the best gaming keyboard you can afford to truly get the most out of your gaming session. It’s not just the best gaming PCs and the best gaming monitors that are vital to getting a smooth gaming experience that will get you to the top of the leaderboards. The peripherals you use to interact with the game are just as important.

    You don’t want the keyboard or mouse to be what’s holding you back when playing against friends in the latest battle royale game. The best gaming keyboards, in particular, offer a set of features to give you every advantage like N-key rollover, quicker key actuation, and the ability to create and use macros. Better yet, they provide better accuracy to give you an edge over the competition, and have the built to withstand all your button mashing for years to come.

    The best gaming keyboards are more than fancy RGB lighting. More importantly, they help minimize the wall between you and the best PC games for an even more immersive experience. And, with all the features, build quality, and performance they offer, they’re more than worth the upgrade. So, read on to find the most ideal one for you.

    And, while you’re in the market for peripherals, pop in to see our best gaming mouse list as well to round out your rig.

    The best gaming keyboard 2020 at a glance

    1. SteelSeries Apex Pro
    2. Razer Huntsman Elite
    3. Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo
    4. Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768
    5. Cooler Master MasterSet MS120
    6. Corsair K95 RGB Platinum
    7. Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard
    8. Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition
    9. SteelSeries Apex 3
    10. Razer Cynosa V2

    SteelSeries Apex Pro

    The SteelSeries Apex Pro gets our coveted 5-star rating. (Image credit: SteelSeries)

    1. SteelSeries Apex Pro

    Taking magnetism to another level

    Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

    Beautiful aluminum build
    Custom actuation settings
    Quiet
    Expensive

    The SteelSeries Apex Pro’s svelte aesthetic and clever OLED display are just the appetizers. The SteelSeries Apex Pro gets our coveted 5-star rating for many reasons, the biggest of which are its stunning and solid build, custom actuation and comfortable – not to mention, quiet – magnetic switches. Performance-wise, it’s among the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested yet, which makes its $199 price tag worth the splurge.

    Read the full review: SteelSeries Apex Pro

    Razer Huntsman Elite

    Razer Huntsman Elite costs a small fortune, but it’s absolutely worth it. (Image credit: Razer)

    2. Razer Huntsman Elite

    Light it up

    Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

    Fast key actuation
    Tactile key switches  
    Expensive 

    If you have the need for speed, then the Huntsman Elite is your best bet, thanks to its new optomechanical switches. That sounds like a mouthful, but essentially, it means that Razer has managed to combine mechanical switches with optical sensors. This unthinkable allows the Huntsman Elite to take its actuation to the next level, and you would be hard-pressed to find a faster keyboard on the market. Switches aside, it’s also remarkably comfortable to type on. Plus, it’s covered with more RGB lighting than you can shake a stick at. Sure, it needs two USB cables for power and costs a small fortune, but with tech like this, it’s absolutely worth it.

    Read the full review: Razer Huntsman Elite 

    Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo

    Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo uses Roccat’s own Titan switches. (Image credit: Roccat)

    3. Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo

    The sci-fi keyboard

    Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

     Feels great to type 
     Gorgeous lighting 
     Expensive  

    The Roccat Vulcan 120 should be at the top of your gaming keyboard wish list, if you want one that looks and feels good. This svelte keyboard uses Roccat’s own Titan switches, rather than the Cherry MX switches found on most other keyboards on this list, and we can vouch for how superb they are. This gaming keyboard combines amazing tactile feedback with quiet and comfort. It really isn’t hard to see why this is one of the best gaming keyboards on the market today.

    Read the full review: Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo 

    Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768

    Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 is fitted with mechanical keys, dedicated macro keys and slick aesthetics. (Image credit: Alienware)

    4. Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768

    Shockingly good value

    Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

     Cherry MX Brown switches 
     Affordable 
     Plastic body 

    When you think Alienware, “value” isn’t the word that comes to mind. But, this time around, the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 is a genuinely great deal. At under 100 bucks or quid, you’re getting the toughest gaming keyboard fitted with mechanical keys, dedicated macro keys and slick aesthetics. It’s not the most feature rich keyboard in the game, but at this price, it really doesn’t need to be. One of the best gaming keyboards in 2020, the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 gets the job done, and looks good while doing it.

    Read the full review: Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 

    Cooler Master MasterSet MS120

    Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is affordable while being up there with its more premium ‘mem-chanical’ competitors. (Image credit: Cooler Master)

    5. Cooler Master MasterSet MS120

    The complete package

    Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: No

     Compact design 
     Illustrious lighting 
     Included mouse is mediocre 

    Not everything has to be super high-end to be good, and the Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is the perfect example. Though this one’s a keyboard and mouse set, the keyboard is the star of the show. Sitting at just under a hundred bucks, the MasterSet’s keyboard is affordable while being up there with its more premium ‘mem-chanical’ competitors in terms of quality. The switches on offer bring a ton of tactile feedback and deep travel. It’s quiet as well, so you can furiously pounding away during an intense late-night Overwatch match without worry. The Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is, without a doubt, one of the best gaming keyboards under $100.

    Read the full review: Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 

    Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

    Corsair K95 RGB Platinum is one of the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested. (Image credit: Corsair)

    6. Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

    The Rolls Royce of RGB gaming keyboards

    Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

    Hypnotic disco lighting
    Handy media and shortcut keys
    Classy aluminum build
    Awkward software
    Rubber palm rest gets grungy quickly

    A $159 price tag on a gaming keyboard might a tad too steep, but the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum, one of the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested in the last year, really does give you a lot of ounce for your bounce. We’re not talking the more trivial bells and whistles like fancy RGB lighting either – although since we are on the subject, this one’s got a whole lot of them, not to mention its integrated 19-zone light bar and the 16.8 million color options, to boot. By bang, we actually mean its 6 dedicated macro keys, 8MB on-board storage and aircraft-grade anodized brushed aluminum frame.

    Read the full review: Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

    Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard

    Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard is extremely comfortable to type as well as game on. (Image credit: Havit)

    7. Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard

    Low profile. High performance

    Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

     Fully programmable keys 
     Thin, sleek design 
     No multimedia buttons 

    You might be thinking that if you’ve seen one of the best gaming keyboards, you’ve seen them all: big, garish hunks of metal with bright RGB lighting. Well, the Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard will surprise you. While it definitely has the RGB lighting (honestly, how could it not?), it leaves the rest of the cliches in the past where they belong. Appealing and responsive, this keyboard is only as big as it needs to be, and is thus extremely comfortable to type as well as game on. There are no multimedia buttons, but we’d happily make that trade any day for a keyboard this good at such a low price.

    Read the full review: Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard  

    Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition

    Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition manages to deliver fast performance without being expensive. (Image credit: Razer)

    8. Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition

    The Razer Huntsman, but smaller and faster

    Interface: Wired, wireless | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

    Fast switches
    Removable cable
    Not many extra features

    Shelling out more than $100 for a great gaming keyboard is to be expected if you’re even slightly serious your gaming performance. But the beauty of Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is that it manages to deliver fast performance without being the most expensive keyboard in town. True, there aren’t a lot of features here, which puts it behind many of its feature-rich rivals, but it makes up for that by being small and boasting a removable to make it perfectly portable for on-the-go gaming.

    Read our full review: Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition

    SteelSeries Apex 3

    The budget-minded SteelSeries Apex 3 may come with a few concessions, but it also boasts some impressive features. (Image credit: SteelSeries)

    9. SteelSeries Apex 3

    The Apex of value

    Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: No

    Affordable
    Great RGB lighting
    Empty No mechanical switches
    No USB passthrough

    Not all great gaming keyboards have mechanical switches, as this affordable Apex keyboard is proving. The budget-minded SteelSeries Apex 3 may come with a few concessions, but it also boasts some impressive features that more than make up for those compromises. One of those features is its IP32 water resistance for protection against any spills – because who hasn’t accidentally knocked over a can of soda while gaming? Another is its reactive and customizable 10-zone RGB illumination to make your gaming experience all the more impressive. And, if you absolutely hate those clickety clacking noises that mechanical keyboards love to make, you’ll really appreciate this keyboard’s whisper quiet gaming switches. 

    Read the full review: SteelSeries Apex 3

    Razer Cynosa V2

    (Image credit: Razer)

    10. Razer Cynosa V2

    The best in its class

    Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Programmable keys: Yes

    Meaningful refinements over its predecessor
    Inexpensive price remains
    Membrane switches

    Razer may have its share of pricey products, but it’s also got a knack for making quality budget-friendly devices. And, if there’s anything the Razer Cynosa V2 proves, it’s that you don’t have to spend an obscene amount of money on peripherals to get the best. Among the best gaming keyboards we’ve played on this year, this one’s the best in its class, improving on its predecessor’s design while adding more functionality, solid key customizability and a brand-new set of media keys. Even if you’ve never been a fan of membrane switches, this one might just make a convert out of you, especially for that price.

    Read the full review: Razer Cynosa V2

    TechRadar’s PC Gaming Week 2020 is celebrating the most powerful gaming platform on Earth with articles, interviews and essential buying guides that showcase how diverse, imaginative, and remarkable PC games – and gamers – can be. Visit our PC Gaming Week 2020 page to see all our coverage in one place. 

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