We've compiled our list of recommendations to help you find the best gaming keyboard under $100, and although some won't have extra features like more premium models, they're reliable for playing all your favorite games. When looking for a gaming keyboard, it's important to consider which types of switches you're most comfortable with, as some come in a range of mechanical switches, while others have rubber dome switches.
Should you trust us? We test each keyboard in the same way, on the same standardized test bench, to produce fair, comparable reviews. We also buy each one ourselves, ensuring complete independence from manufacturers. See just how we test keyboards and judge for yourself.
We've tested over 250 keyboards, and below are our recommendations for the best budget gaming keyboards available. All of these picks are suited for gaming, so if you're looking for budget keyboards that aren't gaming-focused, you can check out our picks for the best budget and cheap keyboards. Although many of these picks are mechanical, you might find something better suited to your needs in our recommendations for the best budget mechanical keyboards. Otherwise, feel free to check out the best keyboards for gaming or the best RGB keyboards.
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Best Budget Gaming Keyboard
Gaming9.5Mobile/Tablet5.2Office7.6Programming8.0Entertainment / HTPC5.0The best budget gaming keyboard we've tested is the Razer Huntsman Mini. This board uses optical switches, available in linear or clicky varieties. These switches feel like standard mechanical switches but use a beam of light to register keystrokes. Combined with how lightweight these switches are, the result is an extremely fluid and responsive-feeling gaming experience. Like other options on this list, this keyboard offers all the standard customization features with Razer's Synapse 3 software, including macro programming, per-key RGB backlighting effects, and onboard storage for custom profiles.
The build quality on this keyboard is also excellent, and it feels very sturdy even compared to more premium options in Razer's catalog. Another major selling point for this keyboard is its compact size, which takes up very little room on your desk, giving your setup a minimal look and leaving plenty of room for dynamic mouse movements. Unfortunately, this board has a fairly tall profile and doesn't include a wrist rest, so you may consider buying one separately for the most comfortable gaming experience.
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Best Budget Wireless Gaming Keyboard
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Design Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/53aJ58bV/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/design-tiny.jpg?format=auto)
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] In-Test Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/ps9JIlID/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/in-test-tiny.jpg?format=auto)
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Build Quality Close Up](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/fVO2adFn/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/build-quality-tiny.jpg?format=auto)
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Extra Features](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/oE4TBn5G/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/features-tiny.jpg?format=auto)
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Key Switch Actuation Graph](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/yU7tzPWI/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/feel-graph-tiny.jpg?format=auto)
SEE PRICEAmazon.comSEE PRICEAmazon.comSEARCHAmazon.comSEARCHAmazon.comSEARCHAmazon.comSEARCHAmazon.comSEE PRICEBestBuy.comSEE PRICEBestBuy.comSEE PRICEWalmart.comSEE PRICEWalmart.comSEARCHB&HSEARCHB&HSEARCHB&HSEARCHB&HSEARCHB&HSEARCHB&HSEARCHBestBuy.comSEARCHBestBuy.comSEARCHBestBuy.comSEARCHBestBuy.comSEARCHWalmart.comSEARCHWalmart.comSEARCHWalmart.comSEARCHWalmart.comGaming8.4Office8.1Mobile/Tablet6.8Programming7.9Entertainment / HTPC6.0Raw Performance8.6SizeCompact (96%)Hot-Swappable SwitchesYesConnectivity WirelessSwitch TypeMechanicalN-Key Rollover (NKRO)YesThe Keychron V5 Max isn't specifically marketed as a gaming keyboard above all else, but there are a few reasons why we're recommending it here. First off, its raw gaming performance puts many more dedicated gaming keyboards to shame. Second, it incorporates many quality-of-life features often found on more expensive custom keyboards. Some of these features include high-quality PBT keycaps, a gasket mount system that makes typing feel softer, and multiple layers of acoustic foam inside the keyboard that round out the sound profile. There's even an included toolkit, so you can completely disassemble your board to swap out pieces, and the hot-swappable PCB means you can quickly pop out the stock switches for those of your choosing.
One of its only downsides is that while it has full RGB lighting, it has south-facing LEDs, and the keycaps don't have shine-through legends. This means you won't be able to read the legends on your keyboard as easily. If that isn't a dealbreaker for you, then this is a highly versatile, high-performing option that really stands out. It's also worth noting that this keyboard is part of the wider V Max lineup. The only major difference between these variants is their size and key layout. You can browse the models in this lineup on Keychron's website to find a model that fits your needs and setup.
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Best Non-Mechanical Budget Gaming Keyboard
Gaming8.3Office6.1Mobile/Tablet1.1Programming6.6Entertainment / HTPC3.5Raw Performance8.7SizeFull-size (100%)Hot-Swappable SwitchesNoConnectivity WiredSwitch TypeRubber DomeN-Key Rollover (NKRO)NoMechanical options often hog the spotlight, but non-mechanical gaming keyboards have advantages. Take the Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT, the best non-mechanical budget gaming board we've tested. It uses membrane switches hidden under a piece of solid frosted plastic, which is a bonus for the folks who like to eat and drink by their keyboard as it's more resistant to spills and crumbs since there aren't any exposed moving parts. These switches are nearly silent during use, making it a great choice for people who game late into the night or have to game in tight, shared spaces.
In terms of its performance and features, it has almost every feature a gamer could want. It includes RGB backlighting that's customizable on a per-key basis, dedicated macro keys for easy access, extremely low latency, and a detachable wrist rest for ergonomic support during those marathon sessions.
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Best Non-Mechanical Cheap Gaming Keyboard
Gaming7.2Mobile/Tablet4.0Office7.2Programming6.8Entertainment / HTPC4.7If you're looking for a cheaper, non-mechanical option, we recommend the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL. Its compact TenKeyLess form factor leaves you with more space on your desk for dynamic mouse movements, and its rubber dome switches are fairly light to press and very quiet compared to most mechanical switches. However, they have a longer pre-travel distance and feel a bit mushier compared to more expensive options.
This keyboard also doesn't offer the same level of raw gaming performance compared to the other options on this list, so we don't recommend it for competitive play. However, it's an impressive pick for casual gaming in any genre. It also has some extra features that are rare around this price, like the ability to set macros to any key, dedicated media keys, and a volume wheel. It has RGB lighting, too. However, the keys aren't individually lit, so you only have eight zones you can customize in the software.
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Design Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/53aJ58bV/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/design-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] In-Test Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/ps9JIlID/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/in-test-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Build Quality Close Up](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/fVO2adFn/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/build-quality-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Extra Features](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/oE4TBn5G/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/features-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Key Switch Actuation Graph](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/yU7tzPWI/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/feel-graph-small.jpg?format=auto)
Notable Mentions
- 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard: The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is an excellent, slightly larger alternative to the Razer Huntsman Mini with a distinct vintage look. Its performance makes it particularly well-suited for playing arcade, retro, and rhythm games, and its clicky switches emulate the tactility of old-school game controllers. However, these switches are also significantly louder and heavier-feeling than the fast, lightweight linear switches on the Razer and most other gaming keyboards. See our review
- ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini: The ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini is a compact (60%) model similar to the Razer Huntsman Mini but with more of a focus on its RGB backlighting. It has low-profile keycaps that allow more light to shine out from the switch housings, and many of its keys have a secondary dedicated LED that lights up when secondary functions are active. However, it's typically more expensive than the Razer. See our review
- Razer Cynosa V2: The Razer Cynosa V2 is a budget membrane keyboard with great RGB lighting features. However, its latency isn't as low as the Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT, and its software isn't available for macOS. See our review
- Razer Huntsman Mini Analog: The Razer Huntsman Mini Analog is closely related to our top pick, the Razer Huntsman Mini. However, its analog switches allow you to adjust the pre-travel distance on individual keys. It also supports rapid trigger, a software feature that can help you register repeated keystrokes faster. It doesn't make it onto this list because it's usually way beyond a budget price range. See our review
- Logitech G213 Prodigy: The Logitech G213 Prodigy is an older keyboard, but it remains an impressive non-mechanical option typically available for around $50. This full-size model offers significantly better raw gaming performance than the cheaper SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL. However, its backlighting is zone-lit, so you can't individually customize the RGB on a per-key basis as you can on the more expensive Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT. See our review
Recent Updates
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We've made sure all our picks are in stock at the correct price points, but we haven't made any changes to our lineup of recommendations with this update.
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We've revisited this article to verify our picks' continued relevance, pricing, and availability, but no changes have been made to the lineup in this update.
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Jul 19, 2024: We've confirmed that all current recommendations are the best picks for their respective categories; no changes to our picks.
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Apr 23, 2024: We've overhauled this article with some new picks and a new category. The Keychron V5 Max is our new wireless pick, and we've added the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL as our pick in the new 'Best Non-Mechanical Cheap Gaming Keyboard' category. We've also added the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog and the Logitech G213 Prodigy to our list of Notable Mentions.
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Feb 07, 2024: We've audited this article and confirmed the current relevance, price, and availability of each of our picks; our lineup has no changes.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are the best gaming keyboards under $100 for most people. We factor in the price (a cheaper product wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no keyboard that is difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all keyboards we've tested under $100. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no product is perfect for every use, most keyboards are great enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them. Be sure to know your key switch preferences before choosing.
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Comments
Best Budget Gaming Keyboards: Main Discussion
What do you think of our picks? Let us know below.
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- 32120
Thanks Adam! Does RTINGS have ranking for people that watch A LOT of older programing, non 4k, HD? We want an LED that does really well upscaling I guess because we stream (via USB stick) tons of old TV
Processing is a tricky thing to objectively measure, so we don’t have a proper ranking yet, but you can look at the Upscaling: Sharpness Processing and Low Quality Content Smoothing tests. Sony TVs are widely praised as having the best processing, but there’s only so much they can do. The quality of your content will make a huge difference here, so shows that have been rereleased on Blu ray will look significantly better than VHS transfers or DVDs.
- 21010
Yes, running at max brightness will impact longevity. This will degrade the LEDs quicker but it’ll also generate more heat, which can lead to premature failure of other components as well. LED or QLED doesn’t really make a difference here, as both types of display still use LEDs to light up the image. The specific type of LED matters. Avoid TVs with edge-lit backlights, as these are more likely to fail early.
Thanks Adam! Does RTINGS have ranking for people that watch A LOT of older programing, non 4k, HD? We want an LED that does really well upscaling I guess because we stream (via USB stick) tons of old TV
Edited 19 days ago: add - 32120
Our LG 55" LED just got black screen at the 6 year mark. Back Light was always 93-95/100, does having the back light that high cut life span down a lot? We are in the market for new TV and on the fence with basis LED or QLED but longevity is a big thing for us
Yes, running at max brightness will impact longevity. This will degrade the LEDs quicker but it’ll also generate more heat, which can lead to premature failure of other components as well. LED or QLED doesn’t really make a difference here, as both types of display still use LEDs to light up the image. The specific type of LED matters. Avoid TVs with edge-lit backlights, as these are more likely to fail early.
- 21010
Our LG 55" LED just got black screen at the 6 year mark. Back Light was always 93-95/100, does having the back light that high cut life span down a lot?
We are in the market for new TV and on the fence with basis LED or QLED but longevity is a big thing for us
- 21010
Dear RTINGS.com Thank you for this incredible study. Please let me make a proposal. As heat is the most important factor leading to burn-in in OLED TVs, and burn-in pattern is not heterogenous, but it frequently impacts most on the lower third of the TV screen. Have you done an experiment with one of your new OLED TVs but including an active cooling system (like in a PC: fans, Liquid-cooling) in order to verify whether or not an active cooling system might improve the lifetime of the proper, perfect OLED TV image. If not, could you please consider such an option in your ongoing study? The result of this experiment would indicate whether a regular user (who could pay 2000 EUR for a perfect image on an OLED TV) could combat overheating in OLED TVs and extend the lifetime of the OLED TV image. Thank you
Hi tetshuo,
Thank you for your suggestion and for taking the time to share such an interesting idea with us!
You’re absolutely right that heat is a critical factor in OLED burn-in, and the idea of testing the impact of an active cooling system is intriguing. While we haven’t conducted such an experiment as part of our ongoing studies, we agree that it could provide valuable insights into how one could extend the longevity of OLED TVs and keep their performance more stable over time.
While we can’t make any promises, your suggestion is now on our radar, and we’ll definitely keep it in mind as we continue to refine and expand our testing. Exploring unconventional solutions like active cooling could open up new possibilities for our testing and help consumers make more informed decisions.
Thanks again for your thoughtful proposal! If you have any further ideas or feedback, feel free to reach out :)
Cheers,
- 21010
Dear RTINGS.com Thank you for this incredible study. Please let me make a proposal. As heat is the most important factor leading to burn-in in OLED TVs, and burn-in pattern is not heterogenous, but it frequently impacts most on the lower third of the TV screen. Have you done an experiment with one of your new OLED TVs but including an active cooling system (like in a PC: fans, Liquid-cooling) in order to verify whether or not an active cooling system might improve the lifetime of the proper, perfect OLED TV image. If not, could you please consider such an option in your ongoing study? The result of this experiment would indicate whether a regular user (who could pay 2000 EUR for a perfect image on an OLED TV) could combat overheating in OLED TVs and extend the lifetime of the OLED TV image. Thank you
- 21010
In its most recent text update in July, the S95c was noted as the most resilient OLED to burn-in. When looking at the photos, however, I do notice that the over-brightening from the compensation algorithm mentioned in last year’s 10-month update video has gotten significantly worse. Is this brightening not considered burn-in to the team, is it actually just image retention, or is that just considered less burn-in than any of the other OLEDs? Thanks!
It’s definitely burn-in, and the S95C is showing a roughly 20% decrease in brightness since the beginning, so I don’t think we can say it’s the most resilient, either. Samsung’s compensation algorithms are clearly dealing with it differently than the other TVs on this test, but it’s still permanent burn-in.
- 21010
In its most recent text update in July, the S95c was noted as the most resilient OLED to burn-in. When looking at the photos, however, I do notice that the over-brightening from the compensation algorithm mentioned in last year’s 10-month update video has gotten significantly worse. Is this brightening not considered burn-in to the team, is it actually just image retention, or is that just considered less burn-in than any of the other OLEDs? Thanks!