Best PC gaming keyboards for 2020

At the surface, a keyboard might not seem like a, ahem, key purchase for your gaming PC rig. However, when you take a deeper look, you’ll see that the best keyboard can make all the difference in not only your play, but your comfort level too. Some may prefer the clicking of mechanical switches, while others want the soft response of membrane-backed keys. What about extra keys? Do you need all the programmable keys you can have, or are you okay with just the basics? These are all questions that we’ll help you answer with our list of the best gaming keyboards for 2020.

Before getting into the choices, one thing you’ll notice is that none of our picks are wireless. While improvements in wireless keyboards have come a long way in the last five-plus years, they still don’t give you the best response times and can become a bit unstable for serious gaming. That said, if we were to recommend a wireless keyboard, you can’t do much better right now than the Corsair K63 Wireless.

For more help with your PC build, be sure to check out the best CPUs, motherboards, graphics cards, and monitors available for gaming right now. 

All keyboard prices are listed in USD.

Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT

(Credit: Corsair)

Product Specs:

Switch: Cherry MX| Backlight: RGB | Passthrough: USB 2.0 Type-A | Media Controls: Dedicated Keys

Average Price: $179.99

Rundown: Despite its price tag, the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT is the best keyboard you can buy for your PC right now. A full-size keyboard, the latest K95 iteration is one of the most comfortable keyboards I’ve ever used thanks to the overall layout of the board, the quality of the double shot keycaps, and the higher-quality wrist rest. As far as switches are concerned, you can get the Cherry MX switches that best suit your style and preference, be it the MX Blue (tactile and clicky), MX Brown (tactile and quiet), or Silver Speed (fast and quiet).

The board even offers support for the Elgato Stream Deck with the six macro keys on the side, adding even more customization to an already deep offering. Lastly, 8 MB of onboard profile storage allows up to five custom keyboard profiles.

SteelSeries Apex Pro

(Credit: SteelSeries)

Product Specs:

Switch: OmniPoint Adjustable Mechanical Switch | Backlight: Dynamic Per Key RGB Illumination | Passthrough: USB 2.0 Type-A | Media Controls: OLED screen with scroll wheel

Average Price: $199.99

Rundown: With a minimalist look and incredibly responsive switches, it’s hard to find anything bad to say about the SteelSeries Apex Pro aside from its $200 price tag. What sets this keyboard apart from all the other options on this list is its ability to have the actuation point — the height a key has to be pressed before a signal is sent to the PC — set at an individual key level. The feature makes it perfect for MOBA and RTS players that need to spam the same keys multiple times. A higher actuation point will allow more to get done in a game.

On top of that, the Apex Pro has an OLED screen in the upper right that can act as your media controls, display information from various games, and more.

Logitech Pro X

(Credit: Logitech)

Product Specs:

Switch: User-Swappable Mechanical Switches | Backlight: Lightsync RGB | Passthrough: No | Media Controls: Programmable F-keys

Average Price: $149.99

Rundown: The only tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard on this list, the Logitech G Pro X packs quite a bit in a tiny package. This board allows for the swapping of switches on a per-key basis, making it one of the most customizable options you’ll find. Its compact design also makes it the perfect choice for those with limited desk space.

If you’re looking for features like dedicated media controls, macro keys, or USB passthrough, this isn’t going to be the board for you. The Logitech G Pro X is designed strictly for better response time, feel, and overall performance.

The one main complaint I have is the restrictive profile storage that limits users to just one onboard profile.

HyperX Alloy Elite RGB

(Credit: HyperX)

Product Specs:

Switch: Cherry MX | Backlight: RGB LED | Passthrough: USB 2.0 Type-A | Media Controls: Dedicated Keys & Volume Wheel

Average Price: $139.99

Rundown: At (just) $140, the HyperX Alloy Elite RGB keyboard is one of the more affordable feature-rich boards available. The keyboard comes with a choice of Cherry MX Blue, Brown, or Red keys depending on your preference.

Despite its lack of macro keys, the Alloy Elite RGB features everything else you could want: a USB passthrough, dedicated media keys, and full RGB backlighting that can be customized for your style. From a response time standpoint, there’s no way to individually set actuation points, but most won’t find any problems with press-to-input time.

The board also comes with extra silver keycaps for WSAD and the first four number keys in order to give players quicker reference to location if needed.

Corsair K70 Mk.2

(Credit: Corsair)

Product Specs:

Switch: Cherry MX | Backlight: RGB | Passthrough: USB 2.0 Type-A | Media Controls: Dedicated Keys & Volume Wheel

Average Price: $159.99

Rundown: Corsair finds itself on the list once again with the K70 MK.2 keyboard. The board comes with your choice of any Cherry MX switches (Brown, Speed, Red, Blue, Silent), making it the only board on this list to offer five options.

Whether typing or gaming, every key press on the board feels satisfying with no press leaving you frustrated on response time.

Full RGB lighting allows for near-endless customization for those who love every color on the spectrum. The keyboard is a comfortable design that looks good in any setting, and the detachable wrist rest is one of the more comfortable packaged additions on any board. It also includes keycaps designed specifically for MOBAs and FPS.

Razer Cynosa Chroma

(Credit: Razer)

Product Specs:

Switch: Membrane | Backlight: Chroma RGB | Passthrough: No | Media Controls: No

Average Price: $59.99

Rundown: Whether you’re a gamer on a budget or you just prefer the feeling of membrane keys, the Razer Cynosa Chroma is, without question, one of the best gaming keyboard options on the market. It doesn’t have many features at a $60 price point, but it does offer per-key RGB lighting and a comfortable feel when both typing and gaming.