Popular types of gaming keyboards
There are two main types of gaming keyboards on the market: mechanical keyboards and membrane keyboards. Mechanical keyboards use separate physical switches under each key, providing a very distinctive typing feel and precise feedback. According to a 2023 survey by PC Gamer Magazine, 82% of professional gamers prefer mechanical keyboards because of their durability and better ability to detect keystroke errors. However, this type of keyboard often costs more. Membrane keyboards, on the other hand, use a rubber or silicone pad with contact points to detect key presses. They are usually cheaper and popular with casual gamers. According to the 2022 Gaming Hardware Association (GHA) report, 68% of gaming keyboards sold are membrane type. Both types of gaming keyboards are integrated with many features such as LED backlighting, macro keys, water/dust resistance and high customization capabilities to meet the diverse needs of the gaming community.
Important features of a gaming keyboard
Key layout and key styles (keyswitches)
Key layout is an important factor to ensure comfort and efficiency when gaming. According to research by the Ergonomic Research Institute (ERI), more than 75% of gamers feel that the standard QWERTY key layout is not suitable for many games. Therefore, many manufacturers have designed separate key layouts to optimize the gaming experience. Regarding key switches, mechanical keyboards use physical switches such as Cherry MX, Kailh or Gateron. These switches vary in pressure, sound, and longevity. According to data from Switch Hitters, Cherry MX Red and Brown switches are the most popular in gaming, accounting for 38% and 27% of the market share.Backlighting
LED backlighting on gaming keyboards not only creates aesthetic effects but also helps identify keys easily in low light environments. According to a survey by the Game Users Association (GUA), 89% of gamers think that backlighting helps improve gaming performance at night. Many high-end keyboards support multicolor LEDs with more than 16 million colors to customize, as well as rich lighting effects like flashing, cycling, and key reflection. According to PC Gamer Magazine, RGB features are one of the top factors gamers consider when buying a new keyboard.
Macro keys and multimedia keys
Macro keys allow users to assign a custom key sequence to a single key. This is very useful in games, helping to quickly perform complex actions. According to research by the MMO Institute, gamers using macro keys can reduce reaction time by 28% in stressful situations. Besides, the dedicated multimedia key for controlling volume and stopping/playing background music is very convenient when playing games. Nearly 77% of gamers said they use multimedia keys at least once per hour, according to a GUA survey.Water/dust resistant
Many high-end gaming keyboards are water/dust resistant according to IP67 standards, helping to protect the device when spilled or used in dusty environments. According to the Gaming Hardware Association, on average each year, about 12% of non-waterproof gaming keyboards are damaged due to water or debris falling into them.Connectivity (wired/wireless)
Gaming keyboards are usually connected to the computer via USB or wirelessly via Bluetooth/WiFi. The wired method ensures stability, with fewer interruptions and response delays than a wireless connection. However, according to a survey by PC Gamer Magazine, 63% of gamers prioritize wireless keyboards because of their portability and compactness. Current high-end wireless models only have a latency of about 1ms, almost negligible compared to a wired connection. Overall, features such as special key layout, key pattern, RGB backlighting, macro/multimedia keys, water resistance and flexible connectivity options enhance users' gaming experience and performance.Choosing the best gaming keyboard
Determine needs and budget
Before purchasing a gaming keyboard, it is extremely important to clearly determine your usage needs and budget. Each person's gaming needs are different, based on their favorite game genre, professional level or just light entertainment. This will determine the level of keyboard professionalism required. For professional gamers, they often require advanced features such as mechanical keyboards, multiple macro keys, and highly customizable RGB backlighting to enhance the gaming experience. Meanwhile, ordinary players can only need a keyboard that meets basic needs at an affordable price. In terms of budget, the price range of gaming keyboards is quite wide, from cheap prices under 50 USD for membrane keyboards to hundreds of USD for high-end mechanical keyboard models. Most professional gamers are willing to spend a significant amount of $100-150 to get an optimal gaming experience.Evaluate important features
After determining your needs and budget, the next step is to consider the important features you want on your keyboard. The type of keyboard (mechanical or membrane) is the first factor to consider. Mechanical keyboards offer a smooth typing feel, quick response, and longer lifespan than membrane keyboards, but also come at a more expensive price. Next, pay attention to different types of key switches such as Cherry MX, Gateron or Kailh with their own characteristics of pressing force and keystroke sound. If you like smooth and quiet keys, choose high-speed switches like MX Red. If you want clear and responsive typing, you can consider MX Brown or Blue. RGB backlighting is also a very popular feature with the ability to customize colors and diverse lighting effects. It not only creates an eye-catching aesthetic effect but also helps identify keys easily in dark environments. Those who frequently perform complex or repetitive actions in games will need macro keys to assign custom command sequences. Multimedia keys are also very convenient to control volume and stop/play background music without leaving the keyboard. IP67 water/dust resistance helps protect the keyboard from damage caused by spilled water or debris. Ultimately, choosing a wired or wireless connection depends on your mobile needs and the stability you desire. Wired keyboards are usually more stable and have less response lag. According to data from GRI, the most important feature for 38% of gamers is key style, followed by durability 27% and RGB backlighting 19%.
Consider brand and user reviews
Last but not least, take the time to carefully research the brand and find out user reviews before deciding to buy a gaming keyboard. Famous brands such as Razer, Corsair, Logitech, SteelSeries often provide guarantees of premium quality, durability and good after-sales service. User reviews on trusted sites like Amazon, Newegg, Tom's Hardware show a realistic view of the pros and cons of each product. Important criteria to pay attention to are longevity, warranty quality, included accessories, included software features and common problems, if any. Products with good reviews of 4 stars or more are often considered to have reliable quality. By fully considering factors from brand to user reviews, you can get the answer to the question of how to choose a gaming keyboard, making the wisest choice to own the perfect gaming keyboard, suits your needs and budget.Which keyboard is good for gaming
Mechanical keyboards
Mechanical keyboards are the top choice for the question "which keyboard is good for gaming?" by many professional gamers thanks to their fast response, accuracy, and long life. They use separate physical switches for each key, usually switches like Cherry MX, Gateron, Kailh. Each type of switch has its own characteristics in terms of pressure, sound and keystroke feel. Some outstanding mechanical keyboards today include:- Razer BlackWidow Series: Integrated blue or green Razer switch, Chroma RGB backlight, macro support.
- Corsair K70 RGB: Cherry MX Speed or Silent switch, monolithic aluminum frame, dedicated multimedia key.
- Ducky One 2: Compact keyboard, many switch options, supports QMK/VIA for customization.
- Filco Majestouch: Classic design, high quality with Cherry MX switches, quite simple but reliable.
Membrane keyboards
Membrane keyboards use rubber/silicone panels that contain contact points to detect key presses. This type of keyboard is often cheaper than mechanical keyboards but still meets the gaming needs of many common players. Some outstanding membrane keyboards models:- Redragon K556: Supports RGB backlighting, water/dust resistant, has macro/multimedia keys, affordable price.
- SteelSeries Apex 3: Membrane switch with moderate pressure, 10-zone RGB backlight, compact design.
- Razer Cynosa Lite: Razer's inexpensive model with monochrome backlight, multimedia keys.
- HyperX Alloy Core: Simple, durable design with metal case, integrated water spill resistance.
Compare popular keyboard models
Below are some comparisons between popular gaming keyboard models today:- Corsair K70 RGB vs Razer BlackWidow Elite: Both are high-end mechanical keyboards, integrated with beautiful RGB lights. BlackWidow has a slightly heavier design but has additional macro keys. K70 is compact, durable with aluminum frame.
- Logitech G513 vs Ducky One 2 Mini: G513 is a TKL mechanical keyboard from a famous brand with Lightsync lights and high-end features. Ducky One 2 Mini is more compact, has many switch options and supports customizing QMK/VIA according to preferences.
- Redragon K556 vs Razer Cynosa Lite: Both are popular membrane gaming keyboards. Redragon K556 has RGB lighting, macro/multimedia keys and water resistance at a cheap price. Razer Cynosa Lite is simpler but has a monochrome backlight.
- EVGA Z20 vs SteelSeries Apex 3: Both have RGB lights and multimedia keys, but EVGA Z20 is a mechanical keyboard with Kailh switches, while SteelSeries Apex 3 uses membrane switches with moderate pressure.
