What is the best gaming keyboard ?

Introductions And The Use Of A Gaming Keyboard

Ever since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the gaming industry has skyrocketed like never before. Online gaming competitions are experiencing a booming surge in popularity, captivating players around the globe. According to Statista, In 2022, there were around 1.75 billion mobile gamers worldwide.  If you are new to the gaming world, words like Anti-Ghosting and N-Key Rollover may seem peculiar to you, so how do you fit in? Fortunately, you have landed on an excellent article as we have compiled a perfect guide to help you choose the best gaming keyboard and the top 3 affordable gaming keyboards you can consider in 2023 to boost your gaming experience.

What Is The Best Feature Of A Gaming Keyboard?

You might have seen several keyboards and thought to yourself, what’s so different about them besides them being membrane or mechanical (more on that later)? Well, it is something that makes gaming keyboards “gaming” keyboards. You see, keyboards may suffer from ghosting – which is when only a few keys are registered at a time, instead of all. This would mean you might not be able to perfectly time your jump-slide combo or meteor-blast invokes, just because a few of your pressed keys didn’t register. This is one feature that makes gaming keyboards truly stand out and ensure you’re getting what you’re putting into gaming.

What Are The Conditions Of A High-Quality Gaming Keyboard?

1. Key Technology

 Let's look into two common types of switches most keyboards offer – mechanical and membrane. Gamers prefer to use mechanical keys considering their high durability and speed. Mechanical keyboards use individual mechanical switches for each key, providing tactile feedback and a satisfying click with each press, reducing the chance of accidental key presses. If you are into the habit of pressing your keys to death, we suggest you invest in mechanical gaming keyboards if you don't want a gaming ban imposed on you by your parents.

2. Anti-Ghosting and N-Key Rollover

 Ensure your keyboard has anti-ghosting features, as ghosting can immensely downgrade your gaming experience. Simply put, Anti-ghosting is a feature that prevents the keyboard from registering incorrect or missed inputs when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously. Standard keyboards offer a maximum 1 or 2 key rollover, which means if you press more than 2 switches at a time, it may end up registering wrong nearby keys that you may have slightly touched. N-Key Rollover (NKRO) takes things a step further by enabling each key to be pressed and registered independently, even if multiple keys are being pushed simultaneously. Games that call for intricate key combinations or quick key presses must consider this.

3. Keyboard Quality

Never dare to mess up with two people in your lives – your wife and a gamer. Both may end up throwing things at you. Rip to all those standard keyboards that became the victim of a gamer’s rage during their adrenaline-fueled gaming moments. Therefore, gaming keyboards are made to last and are very durable. Their metal backplates prevent breakage and bending, while high-quality ABS or PBT plastic encasing protects the switches and circuitry. Thanks to their oil-resistance feature, you can say no more to those tough oil stains you leave on your keyboards while munching.

4. Programmable Keys and Macros

You can link complex sequences of actions, custom commands, or macros to a single keypress using programmable or special macro keys. Games that involve repetitive tasks or call for the swift execution of numerous commands will benefit from this feature. Using programmable keys, you can streamline your gameplay and gain an advantage over opponents.

5. Backlighting and Customization 

Backlighting is a common feature of gaming keyboards, usually in RGB (Red-Green-Blue) lighting. You can create a visually appealing gaming setup by customizing the colors and effects of individual keys using RGB lighting. Immersion and atmosphere can be improved by having the option to personalize lighting profiles and synchronize them with other RGB peripherals or in-game events.

Top 3 Gaming Keyboards You Can Buy For A Thrilling Gaming Experience

Either membrane or mechanical, you need a gaming keyboard that has high-quality manufacturing. The reason is these keyboards have numerous tiny components that need precision engineering, which is a tough feat that can only be mastered by manufacturers with tons of industry experience. Keyceo has over 20 years of industry experience and produces components such as keyboards, mice, headphones, and other wireless components. You know they got rigorous quality checks when you find out that they have an annual output of over 12 million units!

Couple that with their swift customer support and variety of warranty support options, and you are bound to receive a 100% working gaming keyboard. Either that or you get an immediate replacement. Visit this link to learn more.

1. SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL

Rating: 4.7

Price: $189

Introducing the World's Fastest Keyboard, the ultimate gaming accessory that will allow you to customize and play at previously unheard-of speeds. This keyboard blows away traditional mechanical gaming keyboards with its ground-breaking OmniPoint 2.0 technology, delivering an astounding 11 times faster response and a mind-boggling 10 times faster actuation. Customize each keystroke with unmatched accuracy. You have total control over your typing and gaming experience thanks to the ability to fine-tune the registration depth of each key to the nearest 0.1mm. Switch between deliberate 3.8mm presses for critical actions and lightning-fast 0.2mm touches for quick-fire commands to ensure that every input is carried out with the utmost accuracy. Crafted with long-lasting, fadeproof double-shot PBT keycaps; it offers a premium typing experience and improved accuracy. The high-quality texture provides a satisfying feel with every keystroke, while the fade-resistant material ensures your keyboard maintains its pristine appearance even after countless hours of intense gaming.

2. Wooting Two HE

Rating: 4.5

Price: $191

Unveiling the Wooting Two HE, a keyboard with unmatched precision and adaptability, will revolutionize your typing and gaming experiences. With its cutting-edge technology and careful engineering, this keyboard raises the bar for what keyboards can provide. Say goodbye to adjustments and hello to the keyboard of the future. The Wooting two HE has complete switch motion detection, which boasts a remarkable 0.1mm accuracy from beginning to end. This keyboard's analog signal output from each key offers countless opportunities to improve your typing and gaming experiences. As you play your favorite games or type with extraordinary accuracy, feel the utmost control and fluidity. It is one of the best gaming keyboards that are available at cheap rates.

3. Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro

Rating:  4.4

Price: $229

 Immerse yourself in vibrant colors and striking visuals with the immersive underflow and per-key lighting. Each key comes to life with its lighting, allowing you to customize your keyboard to match your battle station and create a unique gaming environment. Never worry about essential labeling fading away or keycaps wearing down with their double-shot ABS keycaps. Through a meticulous double-shot molding process, the labels on the keycaps are permanent and will never fade, ensuring durability and longevity.  Utilize the flexible command dial and the 8 dedicated macro keys to control your gameplay. You can assign custom functions to the programmable dial to quickly access important commands and shortcuts. By assigning complex key binds to specific keys using the dedicated macro keys, you can streamline your gameplay, gain a competitive edge, and enable quick command execution.

Why should you use a mechanical keyboard for gaming? 

There are several advantages to using a mechanical keyboard for gaming, Mechanical keyboards offer advantages such as durability, feedback and tactile feel, quick actuation, N-Key Rollover, and customizability, making them a preferred choice for many gamers.

1. Durability: Mechanical keyboards use individual mechanical switches for each key, making them more durable than traditional membrane keyboards. They can withstand more key presses and have a longer lifespan.

2. Feedback and tactile feel: Mechanical keyboards offer more noticeable feedback and tactile feel when pressed. This reduces accidental presses and increases your awareness of each key. This is especially important for games that require precise inputs, such as fast-paced shooter games.

3. Quick actuation: Compared to membrane keyboards, mechanical keyboards have an earlier actuation point and require less force. This means you can trigger keys faster, improving your response time and gaming performance.

4. N-Key Rollover: Mechanical keyboards support N-Key Rollover, allowing multiple keys to be pressed simultaneously without losing any inputs. This is useful for games that require complex maneuvers and quick switching.

5. Customizability: Many mechanical keyboards come with programmable keys, allowing you to customize the function and macros for each key using keyboard software. This will enable you to personalize and optimize your keyboard settings according to your gaming needs.

How Do We Choose And Test The Best Gaming Keyboards?

Choosing the best gaming keyboards certainly comes down to personal preferences. For example, do you prefer mechanical or membrane keyboards? Keyboard size – full-size, tenkeyless (TKL), or compact – can also impact a user's personal choice of keyboards.

For our testing, we chose keyboards that have a durable design. As keyboards must withstand intense gaming sessions, they should have a sturdy build that can withstand their demanding task. Additionally, tactile feedback played an important role in us choosing a gaming keyboard. This is because, in gaming, split-second timing and responsiveness are critical. Tactical feedback allows for a better sense of the moment a key-press actuates – which is crucial for executing precise movements and abilities with the perfect combos.

Final Thoughts

Choose the gaming keyboard that suits your needs and preferences, and elevate your gaming experience. Whether you're a casual gamer or a competitive esports enthusiast, the right keyboard can significantly impact your gameplay performance and enjoyment. Keyceo has got you covered with their superior at competitive pricing, so you can enjoy high-quality gaming without breaking the bank. This article discussed the top 3 gaming keyboards you could consider buying. The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL offers unparalleled speed and customization thanks to its groundbreaking OmniPoint 2.0 technology.  The Wooting Two HE provides unmatched precision and adaptability, making it a top choice for gamers looking for cheap yet high-quality options. The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro impresses with its immersive underflow and per-key lighting, durable double-shot ABS keycaps, and versatile command dial with dedicated macro keys.