Best gaming keyboards 2024: Razer, SteelSeries, and more top picks

How we tested

I spent at least one week testing out each gaming keyboard in this roundup, using them for gaming (of course) and for normal tasks throughout my workday like typing up emails and documents. To keep performance tests consistent, I used each gaming keyboard to play a fast-paced, online multiplayer shooter like Overwatch 2 and Call of Duty: Warzone, as well as a slower and more strategic RPG (specifically, Baldur's Gate 3). Even though I'm abysmal at PVP shooters, it's imperative that a good gaming keyboard can perform under that kind of pressure.

Here are some of the things I took into consideration during testing so that I could narrow down the top picks for you:

Size/layout: The size of a keyboard doesn't necessarily make it any better or worse. That part really comes down to user preference and how much desk real estate you have. But, the specific layout of the keys on each board definitely matters. Do the keys make sense? Or is there a bunch of extra clutter that makes the keyboard more difficult to use? If you're opting for a smaller keyboard, customization is super important. Customization will allow you to remap keys, save user profiles, program macros, and more.

Build quality: Nobody wants a cheap piece of plastic as their main gaming keyboard. During testing, I paid special attention to the build quality of each unit and took note of any premium materials like double-shot PBT keycaps and aluminum alloy backplates.

Switches: Most gaming keyboards come with either mechanical or optical switches (some even have their own proprietary switches, like SteelSeries' OmniPoint 2.0s). Generally speaking, optical keyboards have speedier actuation times and durability, while mechanical keyboards have better tactile feedback and more expansive customization options. Some keyboards are also "hot-swappable," which means you can remove your switches and put new ones in. Switches can be easily identified by color:

• Blue, Green, and White switches (Clicky): Very audible with lots of feedback.

• Brown and Clear switches (Tactile): A bit quieter but with some audible feedback. Brown switches are my personal go-to.

• Red and Silver switches (Linear): No audible feedback at all.

Backlighting: I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to backlighting — I don't personally customize it all that much, but I realize that there's a large audience for this. During testing, I took notice of how well-lit each board was, and how customizable the RGB settings were. In my opinion, you should get a keyboard with "per-key RGB," which simply means that every single key has its own customizable backlight. So, if a keyboard allowed me to create RBG zones or simply had RGB-per-key backlighting, it got higher marks.

Connectivity: This describes how you'll connect to your computer, either wireless or wired. (Which one is better? Check out our FAQ section.) Low latency in a gaming keyboard is a necessity. If there's any noticeable delay between when you hit a key and when you see it pop up on your screen, that's a big no-no. Each of my top picks performed well in this area. They got extra brownie points if their wireless connections (if they had one) were nearly as responsive as their wired counterparts.

Customization: One of the best parts of the gaming keyboard experience is being able to make it your own, even down to the finest details. If a keyboard allowed me to remap inputs, fine-tune RGB backlighting, or had hot-swappable switches, it scored higher. Bonus points for easy-to-use companion software and extra dials and keys for reassigning. I scrutinized the smaller keyboards I tested more heavily in this category, as having fewer keys requires a lot more customizability to make it worthwhile.

Comfort: Finally, I took into account the general feel of each keyboard. Was the typing experience smooth, or did something just feel "off?" Did my hands and wrists hurt after extended sessions? If they fell under that umbrella, they ultimately weren't chosen. Keyboards with included accessories for comfort and usability, like wrist rests and additional cables, ranked higher.