eSports competitions have grown to astronomical levels in recent years with prize pools spilling over into the millions, so it comes as no surprise that there is a small set of the best gaming keyboards used by professional gamers to exploit their enemies’ weaknesses, and, after the success and popularity of our last article, we thought we would do the same research for gaming keyboards too.
Unlike gaming mice which are designed for a specific genre of game or usage most of the time, keyboards or gaming keyboards are generally much more flexible in their application and use in the real world. For example, a red switch mechanical keyboard could easily function as the perfect gaming keyboard but also work for programming, office and even typing if you needed too.
You may also like: Best Gaming Mouse: 8 FPS Mice used by eSports Players
The Best Keyboards for All Gaming Genres
The goal of this article was to analyse eSports data available online to determine what gaming keyboards are the most popular with eSports professionals. Every gaming keyboard here has been used at some point by a professional gamer in a tournament at one point of another.
Logitech G915
Logitech’s G915 keyboard has been around for a while, but that doesn’t surprise me. Logitech has been known for making killer PC peripherals for gamers for many years. The Logitech G915 TKL was the most popular keyboard used and endorsed by eSports players making this the best gaming keyboard for gamers. Featuring Lightsync RGB lighting, lightspeed wireless connectivity and the backing of a large number of pro gamers, you can be certain that this keyboard will up your game.
| Logitech G915 specifications | ||||||||||
| Switches | Low-profile GL Switches | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch Variants | Linear, Clicky, Tactile | |||||||||
| Switch Actuation | 1.5mm actuation | |||||||||
| Form Factor | Full-size | |||||||||
| Lighting | Lightsync RGB Lighting | |||||||||
| Connectivity | Lightspeed Wireless, Cable | |||||||||
Roccat Vulcan TKL Pro
In our review of the Roccat Vulcan TKL Pro it scored high for usability, gaming, responsiveness and build quality making this a solid contender for Logitechs G915 which currently holds the crown. Equipped with Titan Optical Switches and coming in a similar aesthetic style to the G915 but with, in our opinion, nicer keycaps and richer RGB lighting, the Roccat Vulcan TKL pro is a worthwhile consideration.
| Roccat Vulcan TKL Pro specifications | ||||||||||
| Switches | Titan Optical Switches | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch Variants | Linear | |||||||||
| Switch Actuation | 1.4mm actuation | |||||||||
| Form Factor | Ten Keyless (TKL) | |||||||||
| Lighting | AIIMO RGB Backlighting | |||||||||
| Connectivity | Wired | |||||||||
Xtrfy K4 RGB
I won’t beat around the bush, I had never heard of Xtrfy until I started to pull together the data for this best gaming keyboards article, but, while doing my research it seems like these guys have been around for a while having been founded in 2013 and doing all of their design in Sweden. The Xtrfy K4 mechanical keyboard is available in a TKL and NON-TKL version and comes with RGB lighting to boot.
| Xtrfy K4 RGB specifications | ||||||||||
| Switches | Mechanical Kailh Red RGB | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch Variants | Linear | |||||||||
| Switch Actuation | 2.0mm | |||||||||
| Form Factor | Full-size | |||||||||
| Lighting | RGB Backlit, 16.8 Million Colours | |||||||||
| Connectivity | Wired | |||||||||
SteelSeries APEX TKL Pro
When we reviewed the SteelSeries Apex TKL Pro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, we loved it. The Omnipoint switches were a dream to use and the TKL format was a space-saving delight. What was a lovely addition was the OLED screen that can either be programmed to show a custom image of your choosing, but, it can also be extended with plugins such as showing your current KDR in CS:GO amongst a variety of other games and applications.
| SteelSeries APEX TKL Pro specifications | ||||||||||
| Switches | OmniPoint Adjustable Mechanical Switches and Gateron Reds | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch Variants | Linear | |||||||||
| Switch Actuation | Adjustable Actuation between 0.4mm and 3.6mm | |||||||||
| Form Factor | Ten Keyless (TKL) | |||||||||
| Lighting | RGB Backlit | |||||||||
| Connectivity | Wired | |||||||||
Xtrfy K5 Compact RGB
The Xtrfy K5 Compact RGB is a 65% mechanical keyboard that showed up a lot on the list and is also endorsed and used by Tyson “TenZ” Ngo who is a Valorant champion. The Xtrfy K5 also features hot-swappable mechanical keys, superscan technology, ABS keycaps and availability in 11 different language layouts.
| Xtrfy K5 Compact RGB specifications | ||||||||||
| Switches | Xtrfy K5 Compact RGB specifications | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch Variants | Linear | |||||||||
| Switch Actuation | 1.9mm | |||||||||
| Form Factor | 65% Keyboard | |||||||||
| Lighting | RGB Backlit | |||||||||
| Connectivity | Wired | |||||||||
Logitech G Pro X Keyboard
Logitech’s G Pro X Keyboard is very similar in design and style to the G915 but it seems to be a more gaming-orientated keyboard that lacks the shortcut keys and ‘bulk’ that the G915 carries. Despite that, the G Pro X features lightsync RGB lighting, a detachable cable for ultimate portability, a 1ms report rate and programmable F-keys via their software.
| Logitech G Pro X Keyboard specifications | ||||||||||
| Switches | Logitech GX mechanical | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch Variants | Red, Brown, Blue ( Linear, Clicky, Tactile ) | |||||||||
| Switch Actuation | 1.9mm – 2.0mm depending on switch | |||||||||
| Form Factor | Ten keyless (TKL) | |||||||||
| Lighting | Lightsync RGB | |||||||||
| Connectivity | Wired – Detachable | |||||||||
Razer BlackWidow V3
The Razer BlackWidow V3 is a full-size gaming keyboard with RGB lighting (like most on this list) available with Razer Green Switches or Razer Yellow Switches and double-shot ABS keycaps so they don’t wear down as fast as regular ones. Being a Razer product, it is fully compatible with Razer Central software meaning you get full control over the RGB lighting and effects.
| Razer BlackWidow V3 specifications | ||||||||||
| Switches | Razer™ Green Mechanical Switch | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch Variants | Green, Yellow (Tactile, Clicky) | |||||||||
| Switch Actuation | 1.9mm | |||||||||
| Form Factor | Full-size | |||||||||
| Lighting | Razer Central | |||||||||
| Connectivity | Wired | |||||||||
Logitech G513
Not quite as popular as the other keyboards endorsed by eSports players but still used enough to deserve a spot on our list of best gaming keyboards. The Logitech G513 is a full-sized, wired backlit mechanical keyboard that comes with a cushioned, detachable, memory-foam palm rest. Overall, it looks very similar to the G Pro X but the added comfort of the wrist support would make it a better option if you prefer typing more or suffer from RSI.
| Logitech G513 specifications | ||||||||||
| Switches | Logitech GX mechanical | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch Variants | Blue | |||||||||
| Switch Actuation | 1.9mm | |||||||||
| Form Factor | Full-size | |||||||||
| Lighting | Lightsync RGB Lighting | |||||||||
| Connectivity | Wired | |||||||||
