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If you're a PC gamer, you probably take your choice of keyboard very seriously. And you should! When your keyboard doubles as your game controller, it's more than just a tool for typing—it's your direct connection to the game world, where key feel and input speed are a matter of life or death. As a result, it pays to know what makes a keyboard great. Here at PCMag, we've been reviewing PC keyboards for decades, testing dozens each year and evaluating them based on factors such as design, key feel, ease of use, software, and value. The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 is our current favorite gaming keyboard for most people, but we've also recommended the best gaming keyboards for various narrower use cases. Read on: Those picks are followed by detailed shopping advice to get you up to speed on the state of keys today.
Our Top Tested Picks
Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless takes a spot among today's top-tier enthusiast gaming keyboards. It offers an excellent build, plenty of customization options, and a stellar typing feel.
Pros
- Compact frame for a full-size keyboard
- Hot-swappable key switches
- Excellent battery life
- Asus key switches feel great
Cons
- RGB lighting could be brighter
- Software can be complicated to navigate
Be Quiet Light Mount
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
For gamers and typists alike, Be Quiet's Light Mount blends hushed keystrokes, finger comfort, and smart design into a standout wired mechanical keyboard.
Pros
- Impressively quiet and responsive key switches
- Easy-to-manipulate software
- Programmable macro keys
- Accessible and intuitive volume control
Cons
- Hardwired connection only
Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Our new favorite high-end gaming keyboard, Corsair's Vanguard Air 99 Wireless offers plenty for content creators and gamers of all skill levels to enjoy: optical switches, Stream Deck functionality, and much more.
Pros
- Gorgeous design, with lighting highlights and chrome knob
- Satisfying typing feel
- Elgato Stream Deck support built-in
- Compatible with consoles and Macs, as well as Windows PCs
Cons
- Pricey
- Ho-hum battery life
NZXT Function 2 Mini
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The NZXT Function 2 Mini TKL is as small as a feature-packed tenkeyless keyboard can be, and sure to please discerning on-the-go gamers.
Pros
- Hot-swappable key switches
- Highly legible font on shine-through keycaps
- Efficient key layout
- Well-designed software utility
- Volume roller
- 8,000Hz polling rate
Cons
- No USB pass-through port
- No wrist rest
- Key switches have slight pinging noise from the springs
Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Keyboard
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Its name may be plain, but the compact, attractive Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Keyboard is far from dull. Gorgeous RGB lighting and hot-swappable switches top off an excellent choice for serious gamers.
Pros
- Sublime typing feel
- Hot-swappable key switches
- Best-in-class RGB lighting
- Lightweight and compact
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- No wrist rest
- Peak polling rate can't top that of Razer competitor
Corsair K70 RGB Pro Mini Wireless
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The feature-rich Corsair K70 RGB Pro Mini Wireless is a stunner and one of the finest 60% keyboards we've seen.
Pros
- Excellent RGB implementation
- Hot-swappable key switches
- Included key cap and key switch puller
- Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connection options
- Compact and lightweight
- Can create up to 50 user profiles via Corsair iCue app
Cons
- Expensive
- 8,000Hz polling maximum may be overkill
Sony Inzone KBD-H75
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
True competitive gamers will appreciate nearly everything about Sony's Inzone KBD-H75 esports keyboard, even if only a fraction of them will be able to afford it.
Pros
- Compact 75% form factor
- Precise, comfortable magnetic key switches
- Adjustable actuation points
- Immaculate build quality
- 8,000Hz maximum polling rate
Cons
- Expensive
- Glitchy software on Windows 10
Asus ROG Falcata
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Asus ROG Falcata is a supremely comfortable, extensively adjustable ergonomic split keyboard. It will please gamers in particular, as well as anyone seeking typing comfort and willing to invest in it.
Pros
- Ergonomic split design, with halves that can be used separately or combined
- Generous complement of included accessories
- Per-key RGB backlighting
- Hot-swappable key switches
Cons
- Expensive
- Halves must be connected with a USB cable, not wirelessly
- Large desktop footprint when wrist rests are attached
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%
Bottom Line
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Razer's standout BlackWidow V4 gets an impressive Pro upgrade that adds even more functionality to an excellent foundation. Whether you're a PC gaming enthusiast or a keyboard customizer, the V4 Pro 75% will dazzle.
Pros
- Immaculate typing feel
- Hot-swappable key switches
- Easy to pop open and tinker
- Plush wrist rest
- Gorgeous RGB lighting
Cons
- Expensive
- OLED display is monochrome, not color
- Polling rate caps at 4,000Hz
The Best Keyboard Deals This Week*
- Redragon K556 Pro Wireless RGB Mechanical Keyboard... — $56 ($79) Save $23.00
- Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed Wireless Mechanical Keyboard — $153 ($219) Save $66.29
- SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 HyperMagnetic Switch Keyboard — $173 ($239) Save $66.28
- Corsair K100 Air Ultra-Thin Wireless RGB Mechanical Keyboard — $169 ($329) Save $160.00
- Razer BlackWidow V4 X Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (... — $99 ($129) Save $30.00
- Get the Best Prices On Keyboards — Download Our Free Price Comparison Tool $0
- RELATED:
- Best Keyboards
- Best RGB Keyboards
- Best Mechanical Keyboards
- Best Wireless Keyboards
- Best 60 Percent Keyboards
EDITORS' NOTE
May 18, 2026: With this update, we added the Asus ROG Falcata, Sony Inzone, Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless, Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, and Be Quiet Light Mount. We also removed the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 and Logitech G Pro X TKL. The rest of our picks have been reviewed for currency and availability. Since our last update, we tested and evaluated eight new keyboards for potential inclusion in this guide and our other keyboard roundups.
- Compact frame for a full-size keyboard
- Hot-swappable key switches
- Excellent battery life
- Asus key switches feel great
- RGB lighting could be brighter
- Software can be complicated to navigate
Full-size gaming keyboards are becoming a rarer sight as the market moves to smaller 65% models that drop the keypad to give you extra mouse space. The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 keeps the keys of a full-size keyboard while maintaining the bare minimum footprint on a desktop. You also get hot-swappable key switches (though the stock switches are pre-lubed and very high quality), a volume roller, and premium materials. You obviously lose some desk space, but it's hard to pass up a board that lets you switch swiftly between work and game mode.
Purists: The Strix Scope II keeps its keypad, a feature lacking in most gaming keyboard releases. This is how keyboards looked at the beginning, and many purists prefer them this way.
Multitaskers: If you use your gaming keyboard as your work keyboard, the Strix Scope II has everything you need for both roles: a number pad for data entry and precise mechanical switches for gaming accuracy.
- Impressively quiet and responsive key switches
- Easy-to-manipulate software
- Programmable macro keys
- Accessible and intuitive volume control
- Hardwired connection only
Be Quiet's Light Mount blends hushed keystrokes, finger comfort, and smart design into a standout wired mechanical keyboard. This peripheral features silent key switches with additional sound-damping material in the chassis, as well as dedicated shortcut keys and a volume knob. The device has only a wired connection, which is fine for lots of gamers—it's reliable, and you don’t need to stow away the cable and unearth it every time you need to recharge the keyboard.
Gamers looking for a nearly silent keyboard: To bolster noise damping, the Light Mount backs up its switches with three layers of foam and silicone to absorb vibrations and fill any echo-y empty space inside the keyboard's chassis. The keys are satisfying to type on and impressively hushed without feeling mushy. If you type in a room or apartment with a light sleeper or an infant, this keyboard is absolutely for you.
Gamers who want a full-size board: This keyboard has a full-width layout with 110 keys. On the right side of the layout, you'll find a number pad, while the dedicated shortcut keys are on the left. This is a welcome option in today's gaming-keyboard market, which increasingly focuses on smaller boards that lack number pads.
- Hot-swappable key switches
- Highly legible font on shine-through keycaps
- Efficient key layout
- Well-designed software utility
- Volume roller
- 8,000Hz polling rate
- No USB pass-through port
- No wrist rest
- Key switches have slight pinging noise from the springs
The NZXT Function 2 Mini is a 65% keyboard, which means it's got a compact key layout ideal for cramped desks. The all-black color scheme will look good with most desk setups, and the small footprint gives you more mouse space for excelling at your favorite games. Plus, it's a clear upgrade over the original Function Mini, adding optical switches that allow variable inputs per key and shine-through keycaps for better legibility in low-light conditions.
Value seekers: The Function 2 Mini is not a cheap keyboard, but compared with other mechanical models, it offers the best value for the price.
Esports competitors: The optical switches on the Function 2 Mini support variable key presses for faster in-game reactions.
- Sublime typing feel
- Hot-swappable key switches
- Best-in-class RGB lighting
- Lightweight and compact
- Excellent battery life
- No wrist rest
- Peak polling rate can't top that of Razer competitor
The Alienware Pro Wireless is part of a new line of Alienware products that aim for a minimalist feel despite packing in plenty of high-end features. The Pro Wireless keeps a clean aesthetic with an all-white color scheme that looks great on a compact 65% keyboard; it's also lighter than other gaming keyboards without feeling flimsy.
Alienware loyalists: Alienware products follow a very specific aesthetic. They also look and work best with the Alienware Control Center utility, which supports lots of settings adjustments and RGB synchronization.
Newbies: The Pro Wireless balances plenty of high-end features with ease of use for new keyboard enthusiasts.
- Excellent RGB implementation
- Hot-swappable key switches
- Included key cap and key switch puller
- Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connection options
- Compact and lightweight
- Can create up to 50 user profiles via Corsair iCue app
- Expensive
- 8,000Hz polling maximum may be overkill
The Corsair K70 RGB Pro does everything you've come to expect out of a $200-plus gaming peripheral. Not only is it a compact keyboard, but it's also an art piece, with stunningly clear RGB effects and an eye-catching geometric pattern on its space bar. And the K70 RGB Pro maintains a competitive edge with an 8,000Hz polling rate and enough internal memory to store 50 keyboard profiles for whatever application you may need.
Corsair loyalists: The iCUE control utility works well with multiple Corsair peripherals, syncing their RGB effects and letting you fine-tune oodles of settings.
RGB maniacs: Corsair keyboards are known for bright RGB lighting, and the K70 RGB Pro Mini packs a lot of it in its small frame.
- Compact 75% form factor
- Precise, comfortable magnetic key switches
- Adjustable actuation points
- Immaculate build quality
- 8,000Hz maximum polling rate
- Expensive
- Glitchy software on Windows 10
While it isn’t the fanciest keyboard on the market, the Sony Inzone KBD-H75 has all the necessary features for competitive gaming. For anyone who gets distracted by flashy patterns or extra buttons, the Inzone KBD stays hyper-focused on getting you immersed in the game, while staying competitive with magnetic hot-swappable switches and a high polling rate.
Sony loyalists: If you have other Inzone products or own a PlayStation 5, the Inzone KBD should fit in aesthetically with your setup.
"Form over function” gamers: This keyboard’s all-black aesthetic should resonate with gamers and competitive pros alike who are tired of unnecessary flair.
- Ergonomic split design, with halves that can be used separately or combined
- Generous complement of included accessories
- Per-key RGB backlighting
- Hot-swappable key switches
- Expensive
- Halves must be connected with a USB cable, not wirelessly
- Large desktop footprint when wrist rests are attached
The Asus ROG Falcata is exceptionally ergonomic. You can use its two halves apart or together to get the most comfortable position for your hands. While it doesn't "latch" together, the Falcata makes it very easy to transition to the split format once you've grown accustomed to the layout. The Falcata also comes with multiple screw-on angled feet to ensure a comfortable typing angle, whether or not you use the included wrist rest.
Gamers who appreciate ergonomics: Dealing with some wrist pain while strafing in your favorite FPS? The Falcata can help you find your preferred typing angle.
Broad-shouldered gamers: The split design of the Falcata allows you to stretch your shoulders out and help relieve shoulder pain. All you have to do is move the halves of the keyboard apart until it's comfortable to type on.
- Immaculate typing feel
- Hot-swappable key switches
- Easy to pop open and tinker
- Plush wrist rest
- Gorgeous RGB lighting
- Expensive
- OLED display is monochrome, not color
- Polling rate caps at 4,000Hz
Hot-swappable key switches, a plush wrist rest, and tons of functionality are just some of the reasons why the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% courts the hardest of hard-core keyboard junkies among us. The keyboard is pure gaming luxury; you may not want to change a thing about it. What sets it apart from other keyboards is how easy it is to customize to your liking, both inside and out. And it obliges your tastes in trademark Razer style.
The per-key RGB lighting and OLED control panel sweeten the deal. Considering the superb build quality and ease of customization, it’s a no-brainer for those looking both for top-shelf components and an on-ramp to the growing keyboard-DIY world.
Users new to keyboard customization: The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is pricey, but we're convinced it's well worth the price if you've ever been interested in the world of keyboard customization. The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is an excellent buy and a great place to start your journey.
Enthusiasts: The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is an expensive keyboard, but enthusiasts looking to tweak each button press to exactly what they need will find a lot to love here.
The Best Gaming Keyboards for 2026 Compare Specs
Do You Need a Gaming Keyboard With Mechanical Switches?
You'll find two broad classes of gaming keyboards today, mechanical and non-mechanical. The difference between them comes down to "key switches"—the mechanisms under each key.
Most higher-end gaming keyboards these days use mechanical key switches, which pair each key to its own discrete, spring-loaded mechanism to provide superior tactile feedback and distinct typing sounds. Many of these switches use so-called "MX" mechanisms from a company called Cherry, and are identified by color (MX Black, MX Brown, MX Blue, MX Red, and so on). Each has a slightly different design, tweaked to provide a specific feel and sound while typing.
Which switch you want depends on what types of games you play and what else you do with your computer. Cherry MX Black switches have the highest activation force, which makes them ideal for games where you don't want to worry about accidentally hitting a key twice. But this design can give the keys a stiff feel that's not well suited for games that require nimbler response; for those types of titles, you may prefer hair-trigger Cherry MX Red switches. If either is too extreme for you, Cherry MX Brown switches are a possible compromise: They have the same actuation force as the Red variety, but add a tactile bump to aid with typing. If you need a keyboard that can switch back and forth between hard-core gaming and traditional work tasks, this is the kind to look for.
Cherry isn't the only switch maker in town, though. You can find budget mechanical keyboards with decent Cherry MX imitations from makers such as Kaihua. Many of these companies even use the same Cherry "color" designations to describe their switches. (For example, "Blue" switches from a given maker tend to be ultra-clicky-sounding, like the classic clicky Cherry MX Blue key switches.)
Also, some mass-market keyboard manufacturers have developed their own mechanical switches as an alternative to Cherry's. Logitech's Romer-G switches—available on many of the company's gaming keyboards—promise a longer lifespan (up to 70 million keystrokes) and a shorter travel distance than Cherry switches. Razer, too, has made a name for itself with its Green (tactile and clicky), Orange (tactile and silent), and Yellow (linear and silent) key switches. What's more, the company now has an optical ("Opto-Mechanical") key switch that uses a light beam to detect a keypress rather than a standard metal contact point. (For lots more about mechanicals, see our picks for our favorite mechanical keyboards.)
At the lower end of the gaming keyboard market, you will find non-mechanical boards that mostly make use of "rubber dome" switches, which employ little bubbles in a silicone membrane to give the switch its bounce. The result feels mushy and requires a full press with each keystroke, slowing down the speed at which you can enter commands. A slight variation on this is the scissor switch, which also uses a silicone membrane for springback but has a slimmer profile and adds a stabilizing "X"-shaped mechanism beneath each key. Scissor switches are most often found on laptops, but a few low-profile gaming keyboards use them, too.
Trick It Out: Keyboard Backlighting and Customization
Gaming keyboards prioritize features that aren't really a big deal on regular models. Backlighting, for example, is not merely a way to illuminate keys in a dark room. For gamers, newer twists on the old backlight include adjustable colors and multiple lighting zones with separate backlight areas for arrow and WASD keys (the most frequently used control keys). Some gaming keyboards even have individual-key backlighting, which lets you personalize the color of each key, one by one, as you see fit. (This is often referred to as per-key RGB, as opposed to zone-based RGB, in which you can assign colors to key clusters or areas.)
Another customizable feature is the swappable keycap. Because mechanical switches are physically separate from the keycap itself, with some designs you can remove and swap out the keys' tops for others that feature molded sculpting, texturing for better tactile control, or differently colored plastic. Some keyboards, for example, come with extra WASD keycaps in a contrasting color.
A gaming keyboard may have more to offer than exceptionally well-made keys, adding features like macro-command customization and dedicated shortcut keys. Some even include features such as in-game statistics tracking, text communication to the keyboard, or built-in touch-screen displays. Other possible enhancements include rows of dedicated media keys (for adjusting volume, playing and skipping music, and the like) and profile keys (for toggling on game-specific sets of keyboard functions). Some gaming keyboards also have USB pass-through, letting you connect other USB peripherals directly to the keyboard, freeing up an extra port or two on your PC.
Most gaming models offer a 10-key numeric pad, which laptops frequently lack, and is a necessity for anyone who needs to tally numbers or enter data into a spreadsheet. But smaller "tenkeyless" models are getting more common. These designs remove the numeric pad to save space and keep your typing and mousing hands closer together. If you want to go even smaller, 60% keyboards eliminate even more keys. Check out our 60% keyboard guide for everything you need to know about the category.
What Interface Should Your Gaming Keyboard Have: USB Wired, or Wireless?
Though you may prefer a wireless keyboard for everyday use, most gaming models are wired for a reason: you don't get the potential input latency that you do with wireless. With a run-of-the-mill wireless board, you might experience a delay between pressing a key and your computer registering it. When you're playing games, especially in competitive multiplayer titles, it's critical to keep lag to a minimum.
But even though many competitive gamers and esports hounds swear by wired only, many big manufacturers offer a few avowed low-latency wireless designs. (See our picks for our favorite wireless keyboards.)
Gaming-Keyboard Software: What to Look For
Software goes hand-in-hand with gaming keyboards, and one of the key selling points for these peripherals is that you can tweak the way they look and perform to suit your preferred games, genres, and play style. Competent software helps you make better use of your gear; that's why the best gaming keyboard manufacturers pour so many resources into developing software and drivers. Look to our reviews for details on the software.
Corsair keyboards, for instance, use a utility called Corsair Utility Engine (iCUE, formerly just CUE). One of the best-regarded examples of keyboard software, iCUE boasts a simple interface with a vast assortment of options for personalizing your board. You can, for example, record your own custom macros or assign new functions to existing keys. For Corsair keyboards that support RGB, you can even use the software to stack various effects, with the option to preview combinations before applying them.
The latest Logitech keyboards, on the other hand, are compatible with two programs: G Hub and Logitech Gaming Software (LGS). G Hub is the newer interface for Logitech gear, and it offers a more digestible way to set up game profiles, customize and synchronize lighting zones, and assign a second layer of functions to your keys, activated by pressing an assignable G Shift command.
Meanwhile, all Razer keyboards use an application called Synapse for personalization. Up until G Hub was released, Synapse had one of the cleanest interfaces of all the keyboard utilities we've tested. Easy to learn, Synapse employs menus with options to modify lighting, create profiles, record and assign macro functions, and integrate your Razer hardware with Philips Hue lights for the ultimate coordinated RGB (or "Chroma," as Razer calls it) experience.
And that's just the beginning. You'll find lots of other software for gaming keyboards out there, such as Roccat's Swarm, SteelSeries' Engine, and Cougar's UIX; their looks vary, but their purpose and functionality stay largely the same.
Gaming on a Mac? You're not alone, and you have more options than you used to. Many mouse and keyboard manufacturers now produce Mac versions of their configuration apps, so you can enjoy all the advantages of customizing your inputs. Our roundups of the best keyboards for Macs and the best gaming mice for Macs will help you find peripherals that help you step up your game.
Ready to Buy the Right Gaming Keyboard for You?
If you're looking to fully deck out a gaming system, you'll also want to check out our top-rated gaming mice, monitors, and gaming headsets. Some of these models can work in sync with the keyboard, in terms of lighting and commands, so it's worth reading reviews of these as well. Sometimes, the same software can control RGB effects or macros on a keyboard and a mouse from the same manufacturer, letting you avoid maintaining and understanding two or more utilities.
Most are our picks are classic mechanical-switch models, but a few use alternative key types, so check the reviews for the details. And if you're in the market for a whole new gaming rig, don't miss the best gaming desktops and gaming laptops we've tested.
