Top Keyboards 2023

The Asus ROG Strix Scope RX is a compelling keyboard with optical switches, per-key RGB lighting and many gaming-focused features. It's only limited by its size and keycaps.

The Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro is outstanding for gaming. It has exceptionally low latency, full RGB backlighting, and macro-programmable keys, which are customizable in the Razer Synapse 3 companion software. The keycaps are made of doubleshot ABS plastic, and gaming feels comfortable thanks to the detachable plushy wrist rest. Unfortunately, the clicky Razer Green switches sound and feel inconsistent.

While the K70 RGB is an excellent keyboard, its appeal rests predominantly in just how fancy its lighting is. If you just want a well-made mechanical keyboard, particularly one with USB passthrough, you’ll be paying an extra cash for features you won't use or aren't getting. If you’re someone who wants to seriously trick out their desktop while still getting the most functional gaming keyboard around, however, the Corsair K70 RGB should be your go-to choice.

The Vissles 84 is a 75% mechanical keyboard that can be used both with a cord and without one. It’s the best entry-level keyboard I’ve ever used, and the Vissles 84 is a great way to introduce people to the world of mechanical keyboards because it works with macOS, Windows, and Linux and lets you swap out keys on the fly.

The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless is a remarkable keyboard for gaming. The standout feature is its adjustable pre-travel distance, which you can set on a per-key basis within a wide range. Otherwise, this is a well-built unit with extremely low latency that's suited to any gaming genre. It also has easy-to-use companion software, meaning you can program macros or dual gaming inputs to any key. On the downside, it doesn't come with a wrist rest, which would improve the overall comfort.

The Corsair K70 RGB PRO is an outstanding keyboard for gaming. Its latency is incredibly low, so it's well-suited for competitive games. The pre-travel distance on the linear Cherry MX switches is also low, so keypresses feel light and responsive. It feels very well-built and solid, and it has individually lit keys, meaning you can see your keys in the dark. It has a Tournament Switch at the top, disabling macros and setting the RGB backlighting to a single, static color to reduce distractions. You can set its polling rate to a maximum of 8000Hz, but this feature is only well-suited for high-end systems with lots of processing power. Unfortunately, it's a large keyboard, so it takes up a lot of desk space, especially with the wrist rest attached.

The Razer Huntsman Mini Analog is an outstanding keyboard for gaming. It feels very well-built, and games feel very responsive thanks to its extremely low latency. Each key is individually lit with full RGB backlighting, though the hotkey legends printed on the front aren't shine-through, so they'll be hard to see in the dark. The standout feature of this keyboard is the ability to adjust the pre-travel distance and enable an analog mode to mimic the movements of a joystick controller. It's a compact board with a high profile, and it doesn't come with a wrist rest, so you'll probably feel some wrist strain and discomfort over a long period of use.

The Mountain Everest Max is excellent for gaming. All its keys are macro-programmable, and the dedicated software is easy-to-use, but it's only available on Windows. The keyboard is available with different Cherry MX switches, so you can get the ones you prefer, and it's hot-swappable. It's also customizable, as you can remove the Numpad if you want some extra space on your desk. Its latency is low enough for most competitive gamers, but it's still a bit higher than other gaming keyboards.

The Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II is good for use with mobile devices and tablets. It's a wireless board that you can use via its USB receiver or Bluetooth. It's very compact and thin, and it has an integrated pointing stick and mouse click buttons, so you don't need to bring a mouse with you while traveling. Although some keys don't work on macOS, Linux, and mobile devices, all alphanumerical keys work on most operating systems. Unfortunately, there's no backlighting, and you can only pair it with one device via Bluetooth and one via USB receiver, which may not be enough for some people.

The Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini is fantastic for gaming. It has incredibly low latency over both a wired connection and its USB receiver, and it has customizable RGB backlighting and macro-programmable keys. The clicky Razer Green switches on our unit feel light and responsive, and they provide nice tactile feedback. The board has a high profile and doesn't come with a wrist rest, so you may feel fatigue in your wrist after gaming for a long time.