Best gaming keyboard 2023: Full size, TKL or mini?

2. Mountain Everest Max

The best modular gaming keyboard, starting at $150 (£150).

Mountain Everest Max specs:

Pros

• Modular
• Hot-swappable switches
• LCD macro buttons

Cons

• Wrist rest is a bit thin
• Collectively pricey, but you can buy part-by-part

We’re a big fan of modularity, and the Moutain Everest Max fully embraces the idea of hot-swappable addons. While many other gaming keyboards out there feature removable switches, the Everest Max supports an additional numpad and media bar, both of which elevate its functionality beyond what you’d expect from standard PC peripherals.

If you’re a streamer, you’re going to dig the optional Mountain Everest Max Displaypad, as it essentially functions like a Stream Deck replacement. Equipped with LCD keys, we reckon the addon’s macro abilities could give Elgato a run for its money, all while taking up less precious surface space by being effectively part of the keyboard’s footprint.

A complete setup will set you back a hefty amount, but the core keyboard comes in at $150. Not unreasonable considering it packs Cherry MX switches and great build quality to boot, and it certainly makes more of a statement than most of its premium rivals on the market.

Read our Mountain Everest Max review.

3. Epomaker SK61

The best cheap mechanical gaming keyboard. Expect to pay around $65 (£65).

Epomaker SK61 specs:

Pros

• Gateron Optical
• Value-driven price point
• Detachable cable

Cons

• Software is iffy
• Temperamental function key

You don’t have to pay top dollar for decent gaming keyboard specs, as the Epomaker SK61 is a budget champion that offers incredible bang for your buck. It’s not the cheapest option out there, but for $65 USD, you’ll get a board with hot-swappable switches, PBT keycaps, and respectable RGB backlighting. It’s water-resistant, so it’ll potentially survive any unfortunate incidents at your desk.

As the name implies, the Epomaker SK61 features a 60% layout with a grand total of 61 keys. The keyboard’s dinky design isn’t going to appeal to everyone, but its size and striking white, red, and grey color pallet absolutely looks the part. It’s one of the prettiest keyboards we’ve used, and the fact boasts style and substance means it holds up as a daily driver. It’s also equipped with a detachable USB-C cable, which admittedly puts our favorite Razer keyboard to shame.

It’s worth noting that if you’re looking to cut the cord, there’s a wireless version that only costs around $10 dollars more. The creators of the Epomaker keyboard, Skyloon, like to switch out their product names for whatever reason, but the model is available on Amazon as the Yunzii SK61S.

4. Corsair K70 TKL

The best TKL gaming keyboard. Expect to pay around $150 (£150).

Corsair K70 TKL specs:

Pros

• Compact TKL design
• Fully-featured
• Well-built

Cons

• No wrist rest
• Expensive when not on sale

Not everyone needs a numpad, and the Corsair K70 TKL ditches its right-hand keys while retaining everything that makes the original model so great. It wears the same aluminum shell as its full-sized sibling, wields Cherry MX switches, and offers an 8,000Hz polling rate – a combo that helps the tenkeyless K70 trade blows with keyboard rivals big and small.

The K70 TKL avoids cluttering its surface with fancy bells and whistles, but it does offer a nice set of media keys and a nifty volume roller. That’s not to say it completely forgoes flamboyancy, as its impressive RGB backlighting adds a stunning splash of color, and it’ll sync up with your Corsair PC case and other peripherals using iCue. However, showboating isn’t this board’s priority, with most of its features (quite rightly) catering to esports performance and functionality.

Read our Corsair K70 TKL review.

5. Mountain Everest 60

The best compact gaming keyboard. Expect to pay around $150 (£120).

Mountain Everest 60 specs:

Pros

• The smallest keyboard with arrow keys
• Quiet but satisfying typing experience
• Mountain mechanical switches are satisfying

Cons

Mountain saves the day yet again with its modular design, as the Everest 60 is a 60% gaming keyboard with an optional numpad. Naturally, that means if you ever regret investing in a board without number keys, you can remedy the issue by picking up a nifty attachment, rather than having to pick up a replacement.

The Everest 60 follows in the premium footsteps of the Max, with fantastic build quality helping to justify its price tag. We think your fingers will agree, as its proprietary switches and silicone layer provide each key with a satisfying sound and feel. Just keep in mind that the modular numpad will set you back an additional $50, and it’s not compatible with Max model modules.

Read the Mountain Everest 60 review.

6. Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini Hyperspeed

The best wireless gaming keyboard. Expect to pay $230 (£230).

Razer Blackwidow V3 Mini Hyperspeed specs:

Pros

• Choice of 2.4GHz Razer Hyperspeed or Bluetooth wireless
• High-quality Doubleshot keycaps
• One of the most comfortable wrists rests

Cons

The Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed is a mouthful to say, but this dinky keyboard is one of our wireless favorites. Armed with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity, the board embodies the company’s dedication to quality and aesthetics, all while taking up less room on your desk.

That last point is more important than you think, especially when it comes to the best wireless options. After all, part of the appeal is being able to easily pick up your board and yet it away without dealing with cords, something that makes it easier to use elsewhere.

Whether you’re looking for a board that’ll also pair with the best Steam Deck dock in your living room, or a cordless companion to stick in your backpack, the BlackWidow V3 Mini understands the assignment. With a flick of a switch, you’ll be able to pair up with Bluetooth devices or embrace the benefits of ‘Hypersense’ low latency while using a conventional PC. If you’re in a pinch, you can even add a USB C wire back into the mix, but its 200-hour battery life may prevent that scenario entirely.

Read Razer Blackwidow V3 Mini review.

7. Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro

The best low-profile gaming keyboard, it’s roughly $250 (£230).

Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro specs:

Pros

• Low-profile
• Great RGB
• Wireless

Cons

• Very expensive
• Keys may feel slightly rattly

Gaming keyboards are usually fairly chunky, but the Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro packs tons of features into a pleasantly flat package. While the original model uses membranes, its successor is kitted out with optical switches and ABS keycaps that somehow manage to avoid standing too tall. The result? A gorgeous low-profile keyboard that avoids the usual compromises.

The Deathstalker V2 Pro is admittedly pricey, but that doesn’t keep it from being one of the best low-profile gaming keyboards we’ve used. Dwelling within its 19.9cm aluminum shell there are familiar features like Hypersense wireless connectivity and the aforementioned optical switches, meaning it shares DNA with the likes of the Huntsman and Deathstalker series. It also looks stunning, as it makes room for dazzling Chroma RGB backlighting under its short caps.

The Deathstalker V2 Pro might be a gaming keyboard, but it pulls a low-profile aesthetic that’ll blend in anywhere. We’re not necessarily saying you should take this expensive peripheral to work, but if you did, it won’t stick out like a sore thumb. The same goes for if you have a desk in your living room, and its nifty volume wheel serves a practical purpose for those with a PC media center providing their TV with entertainment.

Read our Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro review.

8. HyperX Alloy Core RGB

The best membrane keyboard, at around $39 (£45).

HyperX Alloy Core RGB specs:

Pros

• Feature-packed for a membrane keyboard
• Affordable and customizable

Cons

• Mostly plastic
• Software is clunky

We love the clatter of switches, but if you’re playing PC games in the presence of others, you might want to opt for a membrane solution like the HyperX Alloy Core RGB. It’s still a gaming keyboard through and through, and trading away clicky-clacky innards actually comes with a few unexpected benefits.

Naturally, membrane keyboards make less noise, and the Alloy Core RGB is quiet and responsive. On top of that, it’s also exceptionally durable, and its design gives it a natural resistance to spills. Yet, it looks like other gaming keyboards on the outside, equipped with impressive RGB that embraces HyperX’s usual vibe.

How we chose the best gaming keyboards

This list wasn’t put together arbitrarily. There are many criteria that we consider carefully before deciding to include a keyboard in this list, for example:

• Pricing: High-end gaming keyboards can be extremely expensive. We wanted to ensure that we have options to accommodate all budgets.
• Media keys: Some gamers will prefer to have buttons for media control that are dedicated and unchanging, while others will prefer having the option to toggle keys that are already there. We included both types because each has its strengths and weaknesses.
• Sizing: Every game space is different, and though a bigger keyboard might have certain benefits for some, it also might not fit. We’ve included a range of sizes that should cover most gaming spaces.
• RGB lighting: Is it an essential addition, or simply a flashy extravagance? We can certainly understand wanting to have RGB lights on your keyboard, but we can also understand not wanting the extra expense.

To find out more about how we put these lists together, read our how we test page. If you’re still left with questions, we’ve answered a few keyboard-related FAQs below:

Do I need a gaming keyboard?

Unlike conventional peripherals, gaming keyboards offer a variety of features that will help improve your performance in-game. From mechanical switches that improve responsiveness to programmable macro buttons, keyboards designed for gaming can give you the edge in a variety of PC genres, like MMOs and competitive shooters.

What are mechanical switches?

PCGamesN has a comprehensive guide on mechanical keyboard switches, which will quickly make you an expert on all things clicky, linear, and tactile.

In a nutshell, there are two main types of keyboard switches: mechanical and membrane. The latter has some value in typing if you like the squishy rubber dome feel, but you’ll definitely want the faster response times of mechanical switches when trying to get one up on your enemies in-game.

If you want more help in building the perfect gaming set-up, read our article on the best gaming PC. Even an amazing keyboard won’t make a difference if you’re using it on a potato that hasn’t even been baked.