Image Credits: hyperxgaming
Many gamers don’t concentrate on expensive boards. They are not that mad about gaming, but they only like to have it. So, they prefer to buy cheap panels that may only fulfill the need to play. They don’t have to participate in long-night gaming sessions.
It’s not cheap boards that have a terrible playing experience. But they have a short life span. And, the number of features is also less. Mainly, PC gamers buy these boards. Other genres prefer console gaming. And, consoles are not on the cheap board rate list.
They could be wireless and wired. In some models, the latency rate is high, but that is highly faced in wired ones also.
Best Affordable Gaming Keyboards
AUKEY KMG14 TKL Mechanical Keyboard
Best for N-Key Rollover keys
Image Credits: walmart
Clicky keys with Loud voice
Specifications
Dimension | 17.1 x 5 x 1.5 inches |
Weight | 2.2 lbs |
Keycaps | ABS Plastic |
Software | Aukey G-Aim |
Cable | 1.6 m |
AUKEY KMG14 is a TKL board without a number pad. For night gaming sessions, manufacturers have provided the RGB backlit. With the help of RGB, there are 18-present lighting effects.
The company’s software helps in key mapping, assigning work to macro keys. There are in total 87-key rollovers with anti-ghosting features.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
RGB | Sometimes slide light turns automatically |
Motor to vibrate | Software lags |
Affordable | Very loud |
Build is commendable |
Steelseries Apex 5
Best for Per-Key RGB spectrum
Image Credits: steelseries
It allows macro keys customization having a sweet tactile bump.
Specifications
Height | 40.5 mm |
Width | 442.8 mm |
Weight | 2.04 lbs |
Depth | 139.2 mm |
N-key rollover | 24-Key |
Steelseries Apex 5 comprises an OLED brilliant display which helps in elaborating current features. It also features 16.8 million RGB colors, which help in various color combinations. The build material is of Aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, which provides more durability.
The wrist rest for support is magnetically connected. It has blue mechanical keyboard switches with 20 million keypresses.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Tactile buttons used | Being tactile, it’s loud |
Matte keycaps | The OLED display is not much processed |
Accurate software |
Redragon K556
Best for Price
Image Credits: amazon
Provides better performance, RGB lighting, and allows all over programmability.
Specifications
Dimension | 17.13 x 4.88 x 1.59 inches |
Weight | 1.3 lbs |
Multimedia keys | 12 |
Material | ABS |
Connector | Gold-plated USB |
Redragon K556 gives the feature that the keycaps are removable. Which offers the benefit that they can be cleaned anytime. Also, when in need to change, they can be. The aluminum frame used is appropriately brushed. Specific software is used for mapping or setting macro keys.
It is compatible with MAC OS, Windows 7, 8, 10, XP, and Vista. Also, it has multiple RGB lights. They have 6 themed backlights and 18 lighting models.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Compatible with Windows, and MAC OS | Switches are loud |
Build is great | Not compatible with mobiles |
RGB |
HyperX Alloy FPS Pro
Best bench for Cherry MX has iDoubleshot keycap
Image Credits: amazon
Keeps minimum voice with great typing experience. Feels lightweight and impressive too.
Specifications
Length | 127.60 mm |
Height | 41.90 mm |
Width | 71.10 mm |
Weight | 130 g |
Cable length | 1.8 m |
HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is an 87-keyboard, but there is no Numpad. Hence, its TKL is accurate. It also supports 100% anti-ghosting, which prevents unnecessary typing. They use Cherry MX switches. The board has a solid steel frame. And, it comes with detachable cables.
Also, this board is best for FPS gaming.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Build is rigid | It can’t be customized |
The typing experience is good | No programmable keys |
Corsair STRAFE
Best for Good quality hardware.
Image Credits: amazon
Easy to switch profiles between the gaming sessions.
Specifications
Dimension | 448 x 170 x 40 mm |
Weight | 1.352 g |
Key Rollover | NKRO |
Media Keys | Yes |
USB Passthrough | Yes |
Corsair STRAFE uses the Per-Key backlit, which makes the view clear for each key. The type of connectivity used is USB. It uses Cherry MX switches. They provide media volume which has customization with dedicated media controls.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Macro programming | No wrist rest |
USB passthrough | Backlit is of only red light |
RGB | |
Customized video effect |
Corsair K63 Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Best for Low latency rate being a wired board
Image Credits: Amazon
Also, has a wireless connection. Cherry MX Red switches feel light.
Specifications
Wired connectivity | USB 3.0 or 3.1 Type-A |
Wireless connectivity | 1 ms 2.4 GHz wireless, 4.2 Bluetooth |
Form factor | TenKeyLess |
Keyboard rollover | Full-key (NKRO) with 100% ghosting |
Weight | 1.09 kg |
Corsair K63 can be connected in wireless and wired mode. The RGB backlit lights in this ultimate wireless gaming keyboard can be controlled . Like, in terms of brightness. Board’s keycaps are big enough for the gamer. An additional feature of 128-bit AES encryption is the personal data from wireless eavesdropping.
The battery quality is commendable. It comprises multi-media controls that help in multi-processing.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Media controls | Heavy-sized |
Multi-device pairing | No board memory |
The typing experience is great | Backlit is fixed |
Latency is low |
Anne Pro 2
Best for Excellent 60% compact gaming keyboard
Image Credits: amazon
It has low wired latency with full RGB lighting. Its keys are re-programmable.
Specifications
Dimension | 97 x 284 x 40 mm |
Weight | 635 g |
Wired connection | USB (Windows 7, 8, 10, Linux, Mac) |
Wireless connection | Bluetooth LE 5.0 (Windows 7, 8, 10, Linux, Mac) |
USB | Type-C |
Anne Pro 2 has the double magic Fn keys. Connectivity is possible through both ways, wired and wireless. The charging connector is Type-C, and also it is a fast charger. The onboard chip also plays a vital role in boards.
The keycaps are of Doubleshot PBT, which has a 2-material coating.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Dual Fn keys | Individual key |
RGB mapping | Bluetooth is a bit slow |
Space-saving | The number pad is not there |
Bluetooth and cable with 1900 mAh battery |
Razer Ornata Chroma
Best for Office-work keyboard
Image Credits: amazon
It provides wrist rest and makes a very good typing experience with low-profile keys.
Specifications
Dimensions | 57.5 x 31.5 x 46.25 inches |
Weight | 11.05 Kilograms |
Weight Capacity | 400lbs |
Degree range | Seven bench positions |
Padding | 1.8 inch |
Assembly Requirement | Yes |
Price | $137 |
Razer Ornata Chroma is a mecha-membrane keyboard. Considered to be the best product under mecha-membrane type. Keycaps are of medium height, which is useful in typing and gaming. The RGB feature comes with 16.8 million color options.
Software Razor Synapse 3 is used for customizing the board. It has a 10-key rollover. The lighting effect is different from other boards.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
In-game performance is good | No benefits of having hybrid keys |
A bit pricey for average gamers | Fewer features |
RGB lighting |
How to Choose an Affordable Gaming Keyboard For Yourself?
Image Credits: amazon
Factors that need to be looked at before buying a budget gaming board:
- Media Controls:
After all, they are cheap boards, so there will be fewer media controls. Like, fewer TKL features or some also don’t have macro keys. They are small in size and easy to roam around with. They are perfect for occasional gamers. They don’t need much control or precision either.
- RGB Lights:
They also have RGB lighting but the variations are fewer. Sometimes they lag a bit and can’t be changed instantly. Other than variations, color options are also less. Like, there are limited colors which help in lighting.
- Price:
That’s the best part of a budget board. Almost every gamer can afford it. And, for occasional gamers also, they are perfect.
FAQ's
Can I use a cheap keyboard for gaming?
When $200 keyboards are considered for gaming. Then it’s obvious that they would perform well. Also, they are compatible with many gadgets. But, when it comes to $50 gaming boards. Then, it’s a doubt. Some features will be omitted from products. But, still, they are considered for gaming.
Which cheap keyboard is best for gaming?
Corsair K55 Pro is the best pick for a cheap gaming keyboard. As it fulfills the need totally after being a cheap gaming keyboard.
How Reddragon is so cheap?
While manufacturing, they cut the cost of clone switches. So, if the requirement is of the mechanical board. Then that’s the right pick to proceed with your gaming.
Are expensive gaming keyboards worth it?
They are worth buying as they need to have proper specs and features. Like, they should have mechanical switches, N-Key Rollover, and a wired connection. Other features are not of much use as their absence also won’t make a big difference.