The Best Gaming Keyboards to Buy in 2014

When it comes to kitting out your pc choosing the right gaming keyboard for the job is the normally the last thing on your mind. The truth of the matter is your keyboard is just as important as any other gaming pc component in your computer – after all your didn’t build your gaming computer to write documents in office now did you?

I thought I would put out a review on a couple of the best gaming keyboards I have used over the past 6 months ranging from the mid-end to the high-end of the pricing scale.

What Makes a Good PC Keyboard?

It’s all to easy to buy a keyboard that is apparently engineered for gamers, but many companies don’t test their keyboards among real gamers. The end result is a keyboard that is just not up to the task in hand.

You end up going to press one key and you press another due to poor key spacing, the key sticks or just feels cheap under the fingers regardless of the inflated cost because it has some snazzy packaging.

Roccat Isku PC Keyboard

The Roccat Isku is decently priced in the mid range level, has very solid reviews and for good reason, while it’s not outrageously priced the key spacing if absolutely perfect so you are not hitting other keys and messing up those vital turns as well as coming with adjustable key illumination for those late night gaming sessions.

This keyboard is very comfortable to use for extended periods with the keys extremely easy to press with little resistance and an extra-large rest for your wrists to reduce the risk of gaming related repetitive strain injuries, my only issue with this keyboard was its a little on the light side meaning I needed a non slip matte underneath it

- 6 Illumination Brightness Levels
- 36 programmable macro keys
- Medium height keys
- 1000Hz Polling Rating
- Wrist rest

The best part of all is this amazing keyboard is current on sale via Amazon with a whopping saving of 38% and it comes with free delivery.

Corsair Vengeance K95 Gaming Keyboard

Going for the high-priced end of the scale brings me to this little mechanical beauty fabricated with plastic and aluminum, the Corsair Vengeance K95 Gaming Keyboard is an amazing piece of kit.

I found manufacturers moving away from mechanical keyboards for a while and moving towards low height / soft touch keys but soon realized that many gamers and coders alike prefer the clunky feeling under their fingers, not only that they really do survive constant bashing received on a daily basis.

Key Points

- Outstanding build quality, you really do get what you pay for
- MX Cherry Reds
- Backlit keys with 3 adjustable brightness settings
- Programmable macro keys perfect for MMO players as well as graphic designers with the ability to macro Photoshop shortcuts
- FULL mechanical layout, unlike the K90 and the K60.
- Keys are perfectly spaced once again, easy to remove and easy to clean
- Perfectly weighted so it does not move around in the heat of intense game fights
- The wrist support is one of the most comfortable I have ever personally used.

While the Roccat Isku above is a very solid keyboard as with all things in this world you really do get what you pay for. The additional touch of the the full mechanical keys coupled with generous weighting and amazing response times means the Corsair Vengeance K95 wins hands down (if your budget can stretch that far).

That does not go to say that the Roccat is not up to the task, It all depends on your budget. While anything over $200 can seem like a high price tag especially for a keyboard, mechanical keyboards are well-known for standing the test of time. I have a 20 year Microsoft keyboard sitting next to me of which is still works perfectly (regardless of its yellow plastic), I personally use the K95 and have no down points about it at all.

The down low

If you are on a budget go for the Roccat Isku, while it is not mechanical it is a very decent keyboard with decent response times and decent key spacing. However if you have some cash to burn, want a keyboard that will stand the test of time, is easy to clean and has top-notch build quality then go for the Corsair Vengeance K95, No matter which gaming keyboard your choose you will no regret either purchase at all.