There is nothing better than the sound of a gaming keyboard. The feel and mechanical click of the keys beneath your fingers as you move through a game is unbeatable. Finding the right keyboard is essential to your gaming and professional life. The keyboard may be labeled a “gaming keyboard,” but you’ll likely also be using it when you’re not playing. So, let’s break down the best gaming keyboards for 2024 to help you determine which one is best for you.
Keyboard Recommendations
Logitech G G915 TKL LIGHTSPEED Wireless RGB Gaming Keyboard
Why We Chose this Keyboard: The Logitech G G915 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard follows the standard of gaming in 2024 with its Lightspeed tech, LIGHTSYNC RGB, and functionality.
The Logitech G G915 was introduced by Logitech with their LIGHTSPEED Wireless technology – the newest standard for high performance and low latency connectivity. It’s a great gaming keyboard for users who prefer low-profile mechanical gaming switches and fully customizable RGB lighting with LIGHTSYNC.
Logitech released their new GL switches along with the G G915. They come in clicky (blue), tactile (brown), and linear (red).
Key Features:
- Clicky, Tactile, or Linear GL switches
- Low-profile mechanical switches
- 30-hour battery life
- Bluetooth or wired
- Crafted from premium 5052 aluminum alloy and steel-reinforced base
- Seamless integration with Logitech G HUB software
HyperX Alloy Origins RGB Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Why We Chose this Keyboard: The HyperX Alloy Origins is all about affordability and reliability. With its aircraft-grade aluminum body and HyperX mechanical switches, this keyboard is long-lasting.
The HyperX Alloy Origins is a compact, sturdy keyboard with custom HyperX mechanical switches. This gives gamers the best blend of style, performance, and reliability. You have full RGB lighting with dynamic effects to brighten any space. With a full aluminum body, this keyboard is stable and sturdy. The HyperX mechanical switches are custom-designed with responsiveness and accuracy in mind. Each key is rated for 80 million keypresses with no loss of quality.
This keyboard is compact and portable with a detachable USB-C cable, so it’s easy to take it with you. You can create your own RGB light show and save up to three profiles directly to the keyboard. This keyboard does it all, and it won’t hurt the wallet!
Key Features:
- HyperX mechanical switches
- Aircraft-grade aluminum body
- Compact, portable design
- RGB lighting
- Customization with HyperX NGENUITY software
Lenovo Legion K500 Wired RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Why We Chose this Keyboard: The Lenovo Legion K500 has a fantastic price point with incredible responsiveness and a long lifecycle.
The Lenovo Legion K500 comes with heavy-duty red mechanical switches that have a 50 million click lifecycle. Each key lights up with a full 16.8 million RGB spectrum. With 100% anti-ghosting mechanical keys, each keystroke is accurate. With a built-in game mode button you can disable specific keys while gaming. The keyboard also comes with dedicated media keys, that makes multitasking a breeze. Also included is a premium-textured detachable palm rest.
Key Features:
- Heavy-duty mechanical switches
- 50 million click lifecycle
- 100% anti-ghosting
- Disable keys
- Dedicated media keys
- Palm rest
HyperX Alloy Origins RGB Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Why We Chose this Keyboard: The HyperX Alloy Core is a good balance between affordability, functionality, and aesthetics.
The Alloy Core RGB takes one’s visual experience with keyboards to the next level with their six distinctive lighting effects, including Color Cycle, Spectrum Wave, Breathing, Solid, 5 Zones, and Aurora. These lighting effects can be enjoyed in three different brightness levels, so that gamers can always match the lighting effect with the appropriate brightness for the situation.
Once accessing the Alloy Core RGB, gamers will notice its reinforced plastic frame that screams durability. Apart from its strong body, the Alloy Core RGB is also spill-resistant, so if you’ve accidentally spilled coffee on it – don’t sweat it!
Key Features:
- Durable wired gaming keyboard with reinforced plastic frame
- Signature HyperX light bar and RGB lighting effects
- Six adjustable lighting effects and three brightness levels for customizable ambiance
- Soft-touch quiet keys with gaming-grade anti-ghosting functionality
- Spill-resistant design
Mechanical or bust keyboard for gaming?
One of the biggest questions when it comes to keyboards is, “Is a mechanical keyboard necessary?” For me, personally, I absolutely love my mechanical keyboard and I only shop for mechanical keyboards. Nothing beats the sound and the feel of a mechanical keyboard. Most gamers would agree that mechanical is the way to go, but it all comes down to your personal preference. Mechanical keyboards offer a faster report rate, and accuracy. The bounce back of a key and weight needed to press a key down is also way more responsive than membrane keyboards.
Do you really need RGB?
To have RGB is to add flair. It’s hard to find a keyboard without RGB these days — so feel and weight of the keys over color. If you’re a streamer, having a backlit keyboard is fun for audiences, especially if you have a camera showing your movement. There are keyboards with per-key RGB that let you program each individual key. This could be helpful for gamers who like to map out their keyboard based on color patterns. Keyboards that utilize zone light don’t allow for specific key customization and change color based on zones.
The benefits of having a backlit keyboard really comes down to flair and night gaming. Do you want to have more color and add your own style to your keyboard?Then RGB would be the way!
Is Tenkeyless better than full-size keyboards for gaming?
When it comes to the size of the keyboard, knowing what you’ll use it for is the first step. Will you be using it for work as well as gaming? Is the numpad necessary for you? Do you want a detachable numpad? Keyboards come in all sizes, here are a few of them:
- Full-Size: This takes up more desk space, includes numpad, and maybe an OLED display.
- Tenkeyless: This is a smaller keyboard with the numpad removed. It gives you more desk space.
- 75% and Smaller: Keyboards can be as small as just the numpad. It really depends on what you’re using it for. 65% keyboards are really fun to use and are just the right amount of size.
The benefit of a smaller keyboard is more desk space, and speed of gaming/typing. The smaller the keyboard, the faster it is to hit the keys you need since there is less space in between each key. The smaller the keyboard, the easier it is to travel with too!
Find the Gaming Keyboard for You in 2024
Always keep in mind that the best gaming keyboard is the one that feels the best for you. Consider visiting stores like Adorama and try out keyboards there to find the perfect fit for your hands and gaming style. Whether it’s the satisfying click and clack of mechanical keys or the vibrant glow and movement of RGB lighting, prioritize the features that make your gamer self over the moon.