Best Gaming Keyboard on a Budget

If you’re in the market for the best gaming keyboard on a budget, the choices can be dizzying. If you don’t have $100+ to spend on your dream gaming keyboard, fear not—there are plenty of great options out there that won’t break the bank. Whether you want to game casually or competitively, whether you want flashy lights or none at all, these five keyboards will fit your budget and fulfill your gaming needs.

Which Kind of Gamer Are You?

Most gamers want to play their favorite games, whether it’s Starcraft, Call of Duty, or League of Legends. However, playing games is not just about what kind of software you have at your disposal; it’s also about having appropriate hardware. If you’re serious about gaming, there are certain things that will help make your experience more enjoyable. But with so many different options available and several retailers to choose from, how do you decide which items are best for you? When choosing a keyboard specifically for gaming purposes (as opposed to an everyday keyboard), it’s important to consider both features and price points. For example, Cherry MX switches can produce almost no noise when typing in order to prevent distractions from other players.

Mechanical, Membrane, or Rubber Dome?

If you’re planning to spend less than $100 on your gaming keyboard, you’ll want to look for one with a membrane or rubber dome. These types of keyboards still provide decent tactile feedback, but they cost much less than mechanical switches. Membrane switches are found in almost every budget keyboard because they’re relatively cheap and easy to manufacture—they also don’t involve any complicated wiring, which is ideal if you plan to build your own customized keyboard.

Do You Want Backlighting?

Backlighting is great for a late-night gaming keyboard, but not everyone wants to pay for it. If you’re looking for the best gaming keyboard on a budget with backlighting, check out the models as we listed.

How Much Money Are You Willing to Spend?

If you’re new to PC gaming, then you probably don’t have a lot of money set aside for peripherals. Luckily, there is plenty of best gaming keyboard on budget options out there that won’t break your bank. This guide will cover some high-quality gaming keyboards under $100 and $200 that offer premium features like detachable wrist rests backlighting and advanced macro keys. No matter what your budget is, I think you’ll find something in here that fits your needs. So without further ado...here are my top picks for gaming keyboards under $100.

1. SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB Gaming Keyboard

• Ip32 water resistant – Prevents accidental damage from liquid spills

• 10-zone RGB illumination – Gorgeous color schemes and reactive effects

• Whisper quiet gaming switches – Nearly silent use for 20 million low friction keypresses

• Premium magnetic wrist rest – Provides full palm support and comfort

• Dedicated multimedia controls – Adjust volume and settings on the fly

2. Mechanical PC Tactile Gaming Keyboard

• TENKEYLESS FORM FACTOR - This smaller factor allows for a larger pad and a bigger range of mouse movements, improving your aiming accuracy
• ADVANCED ANTI-GHOSTING - Technology optimized for gamers to ensure every key stroke of the most-used keys is registered – no matter how frantic the action gets
• CUSTOMIZED YOUR WAY - ROCCAT’s Easy-Shift[plus] technology adds a secondary function to compatible keys; Just hold down the designated modifier key for double the command power in an instant
• MIXER-STYLE MEDIA CONTROLS - The tactile volume dial and mute button allow you to adjust volume and mute/unmute on the fly; Instant Control at your fingertips
• AIMO ILLUMINATION - ROCCAT’s proprietary lighting eco-system connects compatible devices present vivid lighting scenarios right out of the box, without the need for extensive configuration; With full backlighting in 16.8 million colors

3. V2 Gaming Keypad

• High-Performance Mecha-Membrane Switches: Provides the tactile feedback of mechanical key press on a comfortable, soft-cushioned, membrane, rubber dome switch suitable for gaming
• 32 Mecha-Membrane Keys for More Hotkeys and Actions: Perfect for gaming or integrating into creative workflows with fully programmable keys
• Thumbpad for Improved Movement Controls: The 8-way directional thumbpad allows for more natural controls for console-oriented players and a more ergonomic experience

4. RGB LED Lighting Keyboard

• Signature Light Bar and dynamic RGB lighting effects so you can personalize your battle station and bring it to life with 6 preset LED lighting effects
• Durable solid Frame for long lasting durability and stability
• Quiet and Responsive Keys with Anti-Ghosting: Key rollover lets you press keys simultaneously and every keystroke will register and be perfectly executed in the order pressed as quickly as it was input. No lost keystrokes from simultaneous signals

5. Software-Controlled Light

• Signature light bar & dynamic RGB lighting effects: The signature HyperX light bar and vibrant lighting effects form a truly dazzling display.
• Dedicated media keys and large volume wheel: Have control at your fingertips with a prominent volume wheel and dedicated keys for media, profiles, and Game Mode.
• Solid steel frame: The solid steel frame provides durability and the sturdy weight of the keyboard helps prevent slippage when the action heats up.

Conclusion

Not every gamer has $100+ to spend on a gaming keyboard. Fortunately, there are some keyboards out there that offer gamers much of what pricier models do for a fraction of their cost. Of course, no product is perfect; these budget-friendly keyboards still have their fair share of flaws.