Summary

• Right now, the best gaming keyboard we've tested is the HyperX Alloy Elite RGB. It scores highly with our reviewers for covering the essentials without sacrificing comfort.

Why it's our choice:

• Good mechanical switches, customisable RGB lighting and durable design
• Comfortable enough to make a huge difference during competitive gaming

The $10 USB-connected keyboard that came with your computer might be bearable for boring office work, but when it's time to play, you really should have the right tool for the job. That means investing in a durable, reliable, fast gaming keyboard, preferably with a little RGB-backed swagger built in to show your opponents who the real winner is.

• HyperX Alloy Elite RGB

• HyperX Alloy Core RGB

• Razer Huntsman Elite

• HyperX Alloy Origins

• Logitech Pro X

• GAMDIAS Hermes P2 RGB mechanical keyboard

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How we pick the best gaming keyboards (and what you should be looking for)

• Keys are absolutely key: The heart of any gaming keyboard are the keys and switches that lie beneath them. At the cheaper end of the spectrum you're more likely to hit membrane-based keyboards that work by running a current between plastic membranes under each key. They're cheap to produce, which means that they're cheap to buy, but durability and speed aren't their strong suit. Switching up – pun intended – you get to mechanical switches of varying quality and speed. There's also a range of hybrid approaches that use a mix of mechanical mechanisms and optical sensors to determine the difference between a mis-tap and a proper thumping keystroke.
• Switches are a matter of taste: There's no "wrong" or "right" answer to whether you prefer the quieter and lower profile linear type or the more tactile clicky type switch underneath your fingers. For some gamers, there's nothing like the machine-gun noise that you get from a clicky switch, and these are usually the switches that afford the longest individual key travel. Others will prefer a quieter keyboard with lower key travel for faster actuation.
• Size matters: Again this is a personal preference matter and may well depend on the kinds of games you play. At one end you've got the tenkeyless compact approach, which is great if you travel with your keyboard because it'll take up much less travel space – or less space on your desk. At the other end you can go all out with keyboards that not only include the number pad but any number of additional gaming functions, media keys and control features.
• Subtle lighting? Never heard of it: There's little doubt that most gaming keyboards stand out due to the inclusion of sometimes-garish RGB lighting. There's an immense quantity of variance here, not just in colours but also customisation options, whether you do prefer an all-out approach that looks like a lost night in Las Vegas or something distinctly more subtle that conveys your own individual brand.
• Wired or wireless? You'll always pay more for a wireless option, and you've got to keep it charged, but most good gaming keyboards manage many hours of usage before requiring more juice. If your PC streams up to a TV, having a keyboard you can use on the sofa is a lot of fun, but some gamers are more in the camp of sitting at a desk where wireless is less vital.
• Price versus performance: The reality if you just want a mechanical keyboard is that you can score that for under $100 pretty easily. Justifying any price above that means that a gaming keyboard has to go above and beyond in some way, whether that's with better RGB lighting, key switch or cap options or other additional features.

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