gaming keyboard with lcd panel supplier

Your keyboard is your primary connection to your PC: it"s the part you touch the most. This means that getting a better keyboard can yield a more immediately-noticeable difference than just about any other upgrade — including upgrading your CPU(opens in new tab).

A gamer"s keyboard is even more critical. Gamers need something with instant response time and tactile feedback, but they also need it to be comfortable and easy to type on for long gaming and chatting sessions. And an attractive design with per-key RGB that can be customized to accompany your rig doesn"t hurt, either.

Whether you"re ducking and diving and sniping your way through a first-person shooter, wearing out your W-key exploring a vast open world, or chatting furiously on Discord and Twitch, your keyboard is going to be your main sidekick. You don"t want to make that choice lightly — here are the best gaming keyboards we"ve tested, that deliver an exemplary combination of low-latency responsiveness, gamer-friendly features, and attractive, customizable style.

Quick Shopping TipsMechanical or bust? Most gamers probably aren"t even considering a non-mechanical keyboard — for good reason. Only mechanical keyboard switches offer the tactile feedback, precision, and accuracy most gamers need, and membrane switches feel gummy and unresponsive by comparison. Recently we"ve been seeing more and more optical keyboards, which are technically mechanical, but use light instead of force to actuate. Optical switches still feel a little unsatisfying to type on but offer speedy actuation (often adjustable) that many gamers may appreciate.

RGB or not? All RGB lighting is not equal. Per-key RGB lets you program each key"s color individually, while zone lighting limits your customization to just a few areas o the board. You can save a little money by getting a keyboard with a single-color backlight, but you’ll miss out on a spectacular light show. If you opt for something with no backlight at all, make sure you"ll be gaming in a well-lit area or are a touch typist.

Full-size, tenkeyless, or smaller? Tenkeyless boards drop the numpad, 65 percent boards eliminate navigation keys, and 60 percent boards also cut the arrow keys. Some users, such as MMO players, want every possible key (and more), while others prefer a smaller keyboard to clear up desk space.

The best gaming keyboards use a number of different mechanical switch types that determine the feel and sound of each key press. There are even new ones coming out all the time, such as the Cherry Viola switch. The type of switch you choose depends on your personal preferences for typing and gaming.

Don"t want to commit? Check out our article on how to change mechanical keyboard switches easily. Our feature onmechanical switch spec ranges also explains how to read switch specs.

The HyperX Alloy Origins" compact and quality build makes it the best gaming keyboard for mainstream gamers who just want to get down to gaming. It’s comfortable, with a premium look and feel from its keys to its frame and vibrant RGB lighting. If you"re familiar with linear switches, which are quick but offer little feedback, you"ll feel right at home with this keyboard"s red switches. We"ve also tested the clickier version with HyperX aqua switches, which are available on Amazon(opens in new tab)and HyperX"s store(opens in new tab).

For over $100, you can find gaming keyboards with more luxuries, such as media control buttons, a USB pass-through port (for easily plugging in another accessory, like your best gaming mouse(opens in new tab)), and more advanced software. But what the Alloy Origins does offer, it executes excellently.

Patriot Memory is better known for its RAM(opens in new tab)and storage than its peripherals, but the Viper V765 provides a key feel that’s second to none — in an attractive, affordable package. It"s been a while, but the Patriot Viper V765 is still a good budget option with plenty of functionality. It"s one of the rare keyboards to come with Kailh Box White switches, which actuate faster than regular Blue or Green switches thanks to their slightly reduced travel (3.6mm versus 4mm). The keys are the most responsive we’ve tested and make one of the most pleasant click sounds you"ll find anywhere.

If Kailh Box White switches aren"t enough to convince you the Viper V765 is worth buying, it"s got plenty more going for it. This full-sized keyboard has an aluminum surface with tapered edges that give it a futuristic look. The vibrant RGB keys offer dozens of different light combinations — and you don"t even need to install the software to access most of the RGB effects. The keyboard also features media keys, which are more often seen on pricier boards, as well as IP56 water and dust resistance.

The Roccat Vulcan II Max is designed to dazzle you: This full-size wired keyboard not only features bright, per-key RGB lighting, which is on maximum display thanks to the keyboard’s flat, shallow keycaps; 24 of its switches also have dual-LEDs. The Vulcan II Max comes with a detachable silicone wrist rest that serves as a conduit for the keyboard’s lighting (it’s beautiful), and features dedicated media keys and a clickable volume knob.

This is an attractive, unique-looking keyboard even without lighting — it has a slim, lightweight chassis with an aluminum alloy top plate, and flat, chiclet-y keycaps that leave the switches entirely exposed. The keyboard has 24 pre-programmed multi-function “smart” dual-LED keys, which light up to indicate secondary keybinds and can also change colors to display real-time info, such as headset or mouse battery life. The keyboard features Roccat’s Aimo lighting experience, which is an “intelligent” lighting system that interacts with, and reacts to, the user (and adapts over time). It’s definitely a dazzling alternative to the typical spectrum cycling, and it’s even more dazzling when paired with the Vulcan II Max’s translucent wrist rest.

The Corsair K70 RGB TKL is expensive but worth it. Its TKL build saves space but feels strong and resistant to damage. Corsair decks out the K70 RGB TKL with dedicated media keys and the ability to change RGB effects without having to download software (though you will need Corsair"s iCue app for deeper customization).

The K70 RGB TKL features doubleshot PBT keycaps that fight off smudges andsweat, so you"ll never miss a beat in-game, and that are enjoyable for both gaming and typing. The board also comes with bonus cheaper ABS keycaps in the box for more style and fun. One caveat: Typing on this board may require an adjustment period for how close the keys are to each other.

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless gives you back some desk space as well as wireless freedom, thanks to built-in dual wireless (low-latency 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.0). The 2022 redesign of the Apex Pro TKL features a simple, elegant chassis with an aluminum alloy top plate, double-shot PBT keycaps, and SteelSeries newest OmniPoint 2.0 linear optical switches.

If you want the same experience as your typical full-sized mechanical gaming keyboard but without wires, the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro is the best wireless gaming keyboard we"ve tested. While many wireless keyboards are built for traveling, the BlackWidow V3 Pro maintains all the size, bulk, and functionality of a full-sized mechanical keyboard — including a premium tactile volume dial, media keys, an aluminum top plate, and doubleshot ABS plastic keycaps.

Razer doesn"t skimp on the BlackWidow V3 Pro: It"s packed with up to four profiles of onboard memory and vibrant per-key RGB lighting. However, RGB doesn"t stick to profiles — advanced RGB fanatics will have to rely on software for pairing RGB, including custom effects, to profiles.

The BlackWidow V3 Pro connects to your computer via 2.4 GHz dongle (which we had no issues with during testing) or Bluetooth (up to three computers simultaneously). With RGB at max settings and no dimming effects, our test unit averaged about 14 hours of battery life — but you"ll get up to 25 hours with RGB using power saving settings. You"ll want to plug in before the battery hits 3%, as power saving settings kick in at that point and the keyboard starts acting a little wonky.

If you’re looking for a more portable full-sized wireless gaming keyboard, the Logitech G915 Lightspeed is fantastic and reliable with low-profile switches that some will enjoy for gaming and others will enjoy for travel. But for a full-sized mechanical gaming keyboard experience, the BlackWidow V3 Pro is the premium choice.

The Corsair K100 RGB packs more features than most need, including some you’ve probably never even fathomed a keyboard could have. There’s an SoC with multi-threading, a 4,000 Hz polling rate (instead of the usual 1,000 Hz), the debut of Corsair’s homegrown optical-mechanical switches, and an RGB-clad media wheel that’s as fun to use as it is to look at.

The wheel was extra helpful for productivity tasks, such as zooming in and out of Photoshop. It proved less useful for gaming, however, as did some of the other features that make this keyboard so expensive.

The K100 RGB still makes for one of the best gaming keyboards. We could actually tell the difference offered by the optical mechanical switches’ shorter travel and actuation point. Of course, if you’re not into the optical mechanical trend, you can also get this board with Cherry’s Speed Silver switches.

It’s not a perfect gaming keyboard, but the Hexgears Impulse is the best gaming keyboard if typing performance is your main priority. In fact, using this keyboard with the Kailh Box White switches resulted in our best typing performance yet — surpassing even old-school IBM-style keyboards and others we"ve used with Cherry MX Blue or Razer Green switches.

Hexgears made the bold choice of putting a Blue-style switch under the spacebar only, arguing that the largest key (which most people hit with their thumbs) should be a bit stiffer. At first, we thought that having a different switch under just one key was a weird choice but eventually we found the added resistance helpful. As a result, we enjoyed typing on the Impulse even more than we liked typing on the Viper V765, which has Box White switches under every key, including the spacebar.

You can also grab the Impulse with Kailh Box Brown tactile switches. Better yet — the updated version of this keyboard adds hot swap capability, which means you can easily swap in whatever switches you like without breaking out a soldering iron. The Impulse"s $100price tag isn"t bad, especially for such an excellent typing experience and extra functionality.

While theRazer Huntsman V2 Analog is one of Razer’s more advanced optical mechanical gaming keyboards, the Huntsman V2 is the best fit for most. It’s expensive, but in addition to premium switches, it’s packed with features, including nice media keys, keys that can be programmed with up to two functions by holding down a designated Razer HyperShift key and 4 onboard profiles that can launch automatically with specified apps.

Its optical mechanical switches actuate by sending a stem through a light beam, rather than via physical contact. These switches have grown more popular for smooth actuation and because they should degrade at a slower rate than standard mechanical switches. We tested the Huntsman V2 with Razer’s 2nd Gen Optical Linear switches, which use sound dampeners. Additionally, there’s sound dampening foam in the keyboard that makes for a very quiet experience with these smooth-traveling switches. The clicky options are also delightfully light (1.5mm actuation point and 45g of force to actuate), making them more appropriate for gaming than other clicky switches.

The SteelSeries Apex Pro is the best gaming keyboard for RGB, boasting some of the most brilliant per-key RGB lighting we"ve ever seen. The colors pop against the keyboard"s dark gray frame and light up the rest of the chassis. Raised keycaps heighten the experience even more. Plus, software and on-the-fly controls make the possibilities feel endless.

This keyboard also has the innovative ability to set the actuation point for individual keys for a highly custom feel. This is a rare trick and one that the Apex Pro delivers in an effective fashion. There"s also the popular OLED(opens in new tab) screen, where you can display a small image or uploaded GIF. Not only is the Apex Pro highly customizable, it makes doing so easier than even a hot-swappable keyboard.

Those who like clicky, tactile typing should consider something else, because the Apex Pro"s switches definitely have a linear feel. (Though you"ll still hear plenty of noise from banging on the aluminum frame.) If you want a keyboard you can easily put your mark on — literally — look no further.

If you want the speed and slimness afforded by low-profile mechanical switches, the Logitech G915 Lightspeed is the best gaming keyboard you can buy. This is a premium gaming experience through and through. That means a row of G macro keys for leveraging during battle, dedicated media controls, including an epic volume wheel roller, and even multiple connectivity options. You can go tried-and-true wired, use Logitech’s reliable dongle connection, or store the dongle in the keyboard’s built-in compartment and use Bluetooth. This makes connecting to multiple devices a little easier too.

The G915 Lightspeed has earned a popular reputation but comes at a price. Despite its $250 MSRP, there’s no wrist rest, USB passthrough or premium keycaps resistant to smudging. As mentioned in our Logitech G915 TKL review, the smaller version of this keyboard is more affordable(opens in new tab) but foregoes even more luxuries, most noticeably G keys.

Ultra-compact keyboards aren’t for everyone, but if you have limited desk space or you’re looking for a gaming keyboard that’s travel-friendly, a 60 percent keyboard can be a godsend. You’ll have to give up a lot — number pad, navigation keys, function keys, and even arrow keys — but you’ll barely notice these sacrifices with the right keyboard.

The Apex Pro Mini Wireless is a sleek, sturdily-built 60 percent keyboard featuring SteelSeries OmniPoint 2.0 switches, which feature both adjustable actuation and dual actuation (much like the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog). Because it’s so small, the Apex Pro Mini Wireless has a slew of default secondary keybinds, which are printed on the sides of the keycaps and activated using SteelSeries SS function key. These secondary keybinds are so intuitive (and can also be remapped, if you want) that you won’t feel limited by the 60 percent layout. The keyboard is highly customizable: Almost every key can be remapped (first and secondary keybinds), have its actuation point adjusted, and have its RGB set – individually.

It’s hard to find an ergonomic gaming keyboard that’s split, and still has all the gaming features you need (or want). And it"s even harder if you want mechanical switches (let alone quality ones). That"s what makes the Cloud Nine C989 ErgoFS excellent.

Aside from nonstandard Windows key replacement, which you can reprogram, this keyboard sports a standard key layout — making it much easier to adjust to the C989 ErgoFS"s wide, split design. The keyboard comes with your choice of clicky, linear, or tactile mechanical switches from Cherry, as well as dedicated macro keys, a handy control wheels, and programmable RGB. It"s a split keyboard, but the C989 ErgoFS boasts the most sought-after features of the best gaming keyboards.

There are a few caveats: It"s huge, so make sure you have enough room for this large peripheral before you invest. The keyboard only allows for one tenting angle — the default 7-degree slope — and doesn"t have legs. Also, the backlighting is almost mandatory because the keys" legends are otherwise difficult to read.

Whether you"re shopping for one of the best gaming keyboards we listed above or a different model, you may find some discounts by checking out our list of Corsair coupon codes, Newegg promo codes or Razer coupon codes.Round up of today"s best deals

At an upper mid-range price point, we recommend the SteelSeries Apex Pro. This gaming-oriented model only has one switch type available, but they aren"t your run-of-the-mill mechanical switches. This keyboard uses OmniPoint switches which rely on magnets to register keypresses rather than a fixed physical mechanism. This technology allows you to precisely adjust the actuation point, or sensitivity, of every single one of your keys.

In practice, this means if you want super sensitive A and D keys for movements while gaming, you can set the actuation point for 1.5mm into the keypress. Or, if you"d prefer a deeper actuation point for typing, you can change that too. While the actuation point is one of the—no pun intended—key features of this keyboard, there"s a whole host of other features, like incredibly low latency, USB passthrough to plug in a headset or mouse dongle, a nice wrist rest, volume knob, and even an OLED screen in the top right corner to display gifs, system or keyboard settings, or even a picture of your mother if that"s what you want.

If you aren"t as interested in gaming and are looking for a more straightforward keyboard at a similar price point, check out the Razer Pro Type Ultra, which connects wirelessly and supports multi-device pairing. It also includes a wrist rest and has a subdued white aesthetic, but it doesn"t offer the same customizability as the SteelSeries and is only available with linear switches.

If you think RGB LEDs dancing upon your keyboard"s keys is distracting, you might want to look away from Finalmouse"s upcoming mechanical keyboard. The Finalmouse Centerpiece announced Saturday is a mechanical keyboard that has its own display showing animated visuals through the keyboard"s transparent keycaps and switches for a look that seems as dazzling as it is distracting.

Finalmouse is known for making PC mice with detailed designs and, often, limited availability. It typically goes after PC gamers looking for something unique and exclusive-feeling for their setup. Now, Finalmouse is announcing its first keyboard, which takes detailed design to a new level.

Finalmouse hasn"t shared many details on the display running underneath the Centerpiece"s switches. We don"t know its exact size, brightness, resolution, or refresh rate, for example. However, the screen is said to be powered by "interactive skins" using Unreal Engine 5. It"s unclear how many skins the Centerpiece will launch with, but in its video, Finalmouse showed a variety of possibilities, from swimming koi fish that scurry away when you press a key, to a rippling water effect, a lion grazing, and 3D animations.

Mechanical keyboards are some of the most customizable peripherals you can find, but Finalmouse"s Centerpiece is way flashier than most, even Asus" ROG Strix Flare II Animate, which boasts 312 customizable Mini LEDs.

We"ve seen mechanicalkeyboards with a display near the keys before, but the Centerpiece"s display is front and center. As such, we can see the animations being exceedingly distracting, especially for non-touch typists and people playing competitive games. Wisely, a brightness knob on the side of the keyboard lets you turn off the display. Advertisement

Finalmouse claimed artists can submit skins to play on the Centerpiece"s display and have the option to monetize them. More details weren"t provided, however. Finalmouse"s announcement said people would be able to submit different skins for the Centerpiece to use via a Finalmouse Steam app called The Freethinker Portal, allowing Centerpiece users to download designs and toggle across up to three via a dedicated switch on the side of the keyboard.

The Centerpiece is said to rely on what Finalmouse is calling its Laminated DisplayCircuit Glass Stack. As you might imagine, glass isn"t a material often used in mechanical keyboards. Inside an aluminum chassis, it should be decently protected; although there are still plenty of questions around durability and how this all works. Finalmouse, of course, claims the keyboard is tough enough to withstand extreme use.

Further, the company claims that the glass stack is sandwiched by gaskets making for "typing acoustics and feel unlike any other." Finalmouse"s announcement said the keyboard"s sound profile has been described (it didn"t say by whom) as "soft marble raindrops," but we"ll just need to hear it for ourselves to know for sure that"s a good thing.

Beyond its wild display, the keyboard also uses mechanical switches based off Gateron"s linear Black Ink switches. Gateron"s switch has 4 mm of travel and actuates with 60 g of force. The switches in the Centerpiece keyboard are supposed to actuate more quickly and have "slightly" different travel specs, Finalmouse said. The company will also sell a version of the keyboard analog switches using Hall-effect sensors, so users can select the switches" actuation point (somewhere within the switch"s total travel) themselves.

The Centerpiece, with its truncated layout, outlandish design (including keycaps with only side-printed legends), and high price, will be limited to those seeking a bold PC accessory to transform and dominate their setup and keep themselves or, perhaps online viewers, wowed. Finalmouse said the keyboard will be available early next year for $349.

Do you detest gaming keyboards that give you everything you could possibly want in a computer peripheral? Do you absolutely despise having incredibly cool visuals and easy access to all your favorite keys and commands? Well, man, you"re really going to hate the Logitech G19 LCD Gaming Keyboard!

Offering an absolutely beautiful layout that features a tiltable, full-color GamePanel� LCD, selectable backlit characters, multi-key access, and over 12 programmable G-keys (with 3 macros a piece), the Logitech G19 LCD Gaming Keyboard is here to provide you with the ultimate online gaming experience.

The tiltable LCD screen boasts an awesome full-color 320x240 display that allows you to view all your most important in-game stats, as well as system information, VOIP data, picture slideshows, and even video playback. The 12 programmable G-Keys, allows the user to program up to 36 single keypresses or complex macros, and even features an MR key to record new macros on-the-fly. For some sweet key-mashing action, the Logitech G19 even features multi-key input, which allows you to perform multiple complex actions by using up to five keys at once.

Offering further assistance, the G19 also features a game/desktop mode, which keeps your game from being disrupted by disabling the Windows/Context Menu. For even more convenience, the keyboard also includes an intelligent cable management, instant access to your volume and media controls, and two high-powered USB ports equipped to transfer important data to and from your peripherals.

The best gaming keyboard does more than produce satisfying clickety-clacks. The right keyboard can supercharge your fingertips as you type out your next great Tweet or that sassy email to your colleague that probably should have stayed in drafts. What makes the best gaming keyboard special is its response, features, and price.

Not all gaming keyboards are created equal and there are tons of different features you need to consider when shopping for one. Do you want media controls or volume wheels? What kind of keycaps do you like? Oh, and we haven"t even gotten to keyboard switches yet. Thankfully, we have a handle glossary at the bottom of the page that"ll explain the most common keyboard terms. However, you should read up on the best mechanical keyboard switches(opens in new tab) if you"re feeling like a deep dive, but it basically boils down to three types: linear, clicky, and tactile.

The other thing to consider is the keyboard size. The option of a 60% gaming keyboard or going tenkeyless (TKL) will give you more room for larger mouse swipes if you play competitive games online while also clearing up some desk real estate as well. A full-sized keyboard is more likely to come packed with more bells and whistles like media controls and cool little LED displays.

Below we put together a list of the best gaming keyboards for every kind of PC gamer. We have tested them vigorously in our home and work life; our Alan"s key presses alone are tough enough to check a board"s integrity. And we"ve also tested out the best cheap gaming keyboards(opens in new tab) for anyone on a budget looking for further options than those budget boards listed below.

The Wooting Two HE looks decent, but it doesn"t appear all too different from the mechanical gaming keyboards we"ve come to know. In fact, it"s a little more boring than most in appearance, with some nowadays taking "extra" to a whole new level.

Wooting helped usher in the analog age of gaming keyboards, and it"s still ruling the roost with every new keyboard it designs. The latest, the Wooting Two HE, uses magnets and the Hall effect to achieve what is an incredibly accurate analog movement across every key on the keyboard. And because every key is analog, you can use the analog functionality to your advantage in heaps of interesting ways.

The Wooting Two HE differs from the Wooting One and Wooting Two in how it measures analogue input, however. Where the older Wooting boards relied on optical Flaretech switches, the newer HE board uses the Lekker switch, made by Wooting with popular switch maker Gateron, and relies on the Hall effect (hence Wooting Two "HE") to achieve analogue input.

Of all the peripheral-specific applications out there, and boy are there a lot of them, I don"t mind the Wootility one bit, either. It"s simple, well put together, and has only improved since I last used it. It puts some other larger manufacturers to shame with how easy and smart-looking it is, in fact.If you want heaps of customisability, this is the gaming keyboard for you.

The keyboard is solid, well-built, and comes with a two-year warranty. If a switch breaks, you can swap it out, as the board itself is hot-swappable. That"s one benefit of there not really being all that many mechanical moving parts with a magnetic Lekker switch, and another is that there"s less to break in the first place.

The Wooting Two HE is analog at its very best, and if you want heaps of customisability, this is the gaming keyboard for you. There"s also the superb Wooting HE60(opens in new tab), which we"re big fans of but it is admittedly not for everyone due to its compact size.

I don"t like 60% keyboards. That"s the sort of admission so early in a review of a new 60% keyboard that might have you questioning my suitability for said review. Plus I"m aware you will have already seen the high score, the award badge, and may now be finding this whole opening spiel somewhat ludicrous. But while every other 60% keyboard I"ve ever used has been admittedly adorable, they"ve been utterly unsuitable for actual day-to-day use.

The Mountain Everest 60(opens in new tab), however, is just as ickle as the competition, just as cute, and has all the enthusiast keyboard extras you could want, but crucially has the total utility to be your daily driver of a keeb.

Mountain isn"t the first to create modular keyboards—Asus even made its own years back—but it"s the first to get it right. Offering a solid, secure fit for the modular components, as well as multiple mounting options, makes the whole setup actually useful and not just some marketing gimmick. On its own, though, the Everest 60 isn"t modular, but there is a dedicated numpad that can be purchased separately, and it"s hot-swappable. Crucially, for me, it will also attach to either side of the board.

If you"re still rocking a numpad on the right-hand side of your gaming keyboard then you"re just plain doing it wrong. The key benefit of a smaller keeb is that your mouse and WSAD hands are closer together, and switching the numpad to the left means you still get to use the extra buttons and the extra desktop real estate for your gaming rodent.

The tiny right shift key does take some getting used to, but the addition of the cursor keys makes a huge difference to the overall utility of the Everest 60. But that"s not the only reason I"ve fallen in love with the board, however: this thing just oozes quality.If you"re still rocking a numpad on the right-hand side of your gaming keyboard then you"re just plain doing it wrong.

The base of the keyboard has a layer of silicone inside it, to add weight and dampen the sound, but then there are also two layers of foam, on either side of the PCB, to again improve the aural experience. Mountain has used genuine Cherry stabilisers on the board, too, but has made sure they"re fitted and lubed properly for the Everest 60 to ensure there"s no rattle on even the broad spacebar.

And I"m impressed with the Mountain mechanical keyboard switches the company is shipping inside the Everest 60 for the first time. Mountain is also selling them separately, in Tactile 55 (denoting the 55cN force needed for actuation), Linear 45, and Linear 45 Speed (which have a shorter travel and actuation point). I"ve been using the Tactile 55 in my sample, and they feel great. Really stable, responsive, and factory lubed so there"s none of the grittiness you can sometimes get from a tactile switch.

The Everest 60 package isn"t completely perfect, however. The main thing that lets it down is—as always seems to be the case with peripherals—the software. It"s mostly fine. Mostly. But there are quirks, and the odd little bug I"ve experienced both in early review testing of the Everest 60, and in my time using the Base Camp software day-to-day with the Everest Max.

I guess that"s enthusiast keyboards right now, and honestly, there is a feeling of quality to the design and manufacturing of every part of this package—the base, the switches, the numpad, the connections, the keycaps—that makes the pricing almost understandable.

I"ve had not a single issue with the Everest software either, not in use anyway, and I"ve been messing around with it a whole lot, from adding in new images and program-launching buttons, to customising the media dock with my own gurning DOOM face.

That said, updating the app and the Everest"s firmware fills me with dread. The last Base Camp update failed for no given reason, and the latest firmware update has been sat at 100 percent for the past two hours. That"s been ironed out now for the most part, and I"m still using my sample on a day-to-day basis as it totally suits how I game and work on my PC.

While you might not have heard of Mountain(opens in new tab), a fresh-faced upstart in the cutthroat world of PC peripherals—it"s maybe not the most memorable of names for a keyboard and mouse manufacturer—we"ve been impressed with the products it"s produced so far. The Everest Max is just as excellent, too.

If you can"t cope without your gaming board being lit up like a rainbow then you may be disappointed with the single-colour option, but damn, the white LEDs on this G.Skill board are the brightest I"ve ever seen. Normally I like to keep at max brightness all day long, but the KM360 would burn out my retina if I did.

If you"ve got your heart set on a wireless keyboard, then the Logitech G915 is a great example of the genre. It"s not a peripheral we believe requires wireless functionality; we much prefer a wireless gaming mouse(opens in new tab) or wireless gaming headset(opens in new tab). But there are a few moments when a wireless keyboard is helpful, like gaming on the couch or if you regularly move your keyboard between devices and locations.There"s a reason that I use this keyboard most days when I"m working from home.

You"ll be required to spend that little bit more for wireless functionality than what we tend to see for wired mechanical keyboards with similar features—the Logitech G915 is $250 (£210). There"s a slightly cheaper TKL version, but not so much so that we"d instantly recommend it over the full-size model.

What you get for that significant cash investment is a sleek and sturdy board plated in brushed aluminum. There are some smart media controls in the upper right-hand corner of the board, including a volume wheel that feels great to twizzle, and there"s a handful of macro keys down the left side of the keyboard. These can be programmed to whatever you see fit on a per-app or per-game basis within the Logitech G software.

Macro functionality has been shifted to a secondary program of the Function keys, can be flipped via the Logitech G gaming software in order to prioritise macro functionality in which case the Fn key will revert F1-12 back to the original input.

It packs in all this without a massive overall footprint, too, coming in as one of the sleeker boards of the lot today. The wired Cherry MX 10.0 has it beat there, though, for better or worse.

Yet there"s a reason that I use this keyboard most days when I"m working from home. It feels great to type on over the course of an entire day, and its low-profile standing takes some of the strain off my wrists. I don"t feel the need for a wristrest when I"m leaning my wrists on the desk, either.

The Keychron K2 redefines affordability for wireless gaming keyboards. It"s marked itself out, in the eyes of generalists, as a marvelous entry-level keyboard that can act as a gateway into the wider world of mechanicals. Starting out at just $69, you get a decent-sized gaming keyboard with great wireless functionality and Gateron mechanical switches for your money.

Its design is simple with grey ABS keycaps and a slightly more compact 84 key layout that only skimps out on the numpad and offers a slightly squashed nav cluster. Whilst I’ve previously argued that 60% compact keyboards may be the way to go if you’re a space-savin" gamer, the Keychron K2’s 75% offering may just make me rethink that decision.The Keychron K2 redefines affordability for wireless gaming keyboards.

You"re also looking at decent overall build quality, and the triple device connectivity definitely makes short work of switching devices or locations through the working day. With that said though, sometimes it can feel like a cheap keyboard—the switches aren"t the best around, but they"re pretty impressive nonetheless at this price.

And with the battery at a 4000mAh capacity, the K2 can go the distance with or without backlighting. You’ll get 68 hours with full lighting and 240 hours without, meaning you can go weeks without touching the charging cable—that"s USB Type-C in case you were wondering.

All in all though, if you’re looking for an entry-level mechanical keyboard, this is a good choice, especially if you’re working from home and using multiple devices. That"s not even considering its wireless capability, which really feels like the icing on the cake of the already impressive Keychron K2.

Ducky has one helluva reputation in the mechanical gaming keyboard world. Even in an age of dazzling keyboards plastered in flashing lights, it"s kept up its no nonsense design philosophy (which it calls "Quack Mechanics"—no joke). But even dear ol" Ducky is also leaning into the weird and wonderful a little more; the Ducky One 3 Fuji is prime example of a more stylised and vibrant Ducky at its best.

Look no further than the One 3"s wonderfully colourful design for proof. This is Ducky"s latest flagship keyboard and it comes in many different colours and styles, but this one is called Fuji. Every key you see in my images of the One 3 is included in the standard Fuji design, which makes it feel like I"ve received a keyboard with a custom keycap set pre-installed.

There are also four DIP switches that offer a couple of hard-coded shortcuts for various keyboard modes, however, I couldn"t get them to work. I tried unplugging and waiting a little while before trying again, but couldn"t get them to do anything at all.

That aside, the One 3 is build like a tank and there"s absolutely no flex to it whatsoever. Perhaps it wouldn"t love a drop from a high place, but I don"t dare to try it with this gorgeous review unit.

You have a wide choice of Cherry MX switches to choose from with the Ducky, depending on where you buy it from. I opted for Cherry MX Speed Silver switches, which are some of Cherry"s finest for gaming. They offer a smooth press with only 1.2mm of travel before actuation and a total distance of 3.4mm. The swift actuation helps with the sort of snappy response I want while gaming, while the linear press without a tactile bump or click makes for moderately low-noise operation.

Plenty of gaming keyboards are hot-swappable nowadays, but this particular inclusion with the Ducky One 3 really feels like a win overall. You do have to forgo RGB lighting, or backlighting of any sort, with the Ducky. But honestly I don"t mind that. The One 3 looks absolutely stunning and it"s a dream to type on. Plus it"s a bit cheaper than some other flagship boards of this high standard today.

The Asus ROG Azoth is the Taiwanese tech giant"s first real enthusiast gaming keyboard. And, honestly, it"s a doozy. That"s a technical term which translates as a quality keeb that ticks all the boxes, then draws in some more at the bottom of the list and ticks those off, too.

Asus is no stranger to mechanical keyboards. I"ve tested a bunch of its previous ROG mech boards, even its almost smart hybrid Claymore board which got ahead of Mountain in the detachable numpad game, but failed to make it stick. I mean, literally. The floppy attachment of the extra keypad was one of the reasons I hated it so much.

But it"s only really ever just dipped its toes into the enthusiast keyboard market. Well, the ROG Azoth(opens in new tab) is Asus going in with both feet, which is no real surprise given the burgeoning market for high-end custom keyboards.Offering everything you could possibly want from an enthusiast keeb.

It is though offering everything you could possibly want from an enthusiast keeb. The build quality is absolutely exceptional and the weight of the Azoth is extreme. And I love it for that. It"s also been built with all the pre-lubed, gasketed, dampened trimmings you"ll want for that premium typing experience.

And premium it is. The Azoth is a delight to tap away on, even more so now that I"ve completely replaced all of the supplied ROG NX switches the board shipped with. Not that they"re bad at all, the custom linear mechanical switches are Cherry MX Red analogues, but do have a nice feel. No, it"s just that I"ve got a bunch of delightful Halo True switches that I bought to go into my Mountain Everest Max(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) board. That board"s been retired in favour of the Everest 60, and I"ve left the Mountain Tactile switches in place.

That"s one of the must haves for any keyboard with enthusiast pretentions—hot swappable switches. Us keyboard nerds love needlessly replacing switches for an infinitesimal difference in feel that even the princess of pea fame would struggle to notice. And the Azoth happily caters for that, and with what I will say is my absolute favourite switch puller bundled into the package. Yes, I actually now have a favourite.

You also get a two-tone OLED display in the top right hand corner, with a three-way switch that can be customised via the weakest part of the whole kit.

The frustrating thing is that once you"re in there it does actually offer some pretty handy knobs to tweak regarding the controls or the display. Aside from the requisite LED backlighting controls you"re also able to adjust the control knob to deliver exactly what you want it to do. As standard the control has five discrete modes, which you can cycle through via a button on the end of it, but in the app you can add a customisable sixth and that can be for practically anything. There are three "buttons" on the switch (up, down, and a click) and each can open a website, an application, further multimedia, keyboard or mouse functions, or even some preset input text.

The ROG Azoth is absolutely the best gaming keyboard Asus has ever released, and the best enthusiast keyboard I"ve ever seen from a proper established brand that doesn"t focus on the segment. The utility of the Everest 60 and its detachable numpad still gets my personal vote, but this is a very close second in terms of its day-to-day use. And it"s certainly going to be my new office board... though only if I can swing it with Asus to leave the expensive Azoth with us. Because the real sticking point is that price.

If even mecha-membrane keys don"t suit you, and you demand a full membrane typing/gaming experience for whatever reason (no judgement here), the Razer Cynosa is the deck for you. I know there are people out there who prefer the soft embrace of a pure membrane switch, and that"s fine—each to their own.The Cynosa has some of the best feeling, low profile membrane keys I"ve ever tested.

The Cynosa has some of the best feeling, low profile membrane keys I"ve ever tested, and at a retail price of $60, it is one of the most affordable gaming keyboards out there (well, past a certain threshold of quality). While it may lack some of the features several gaming boards pack in, stuff like a dedicated wrist rest or media controls, it does boast Razer"s extensive RGB lighting, which can be programmed on a per-key basis or applied by zones.

It"s a solid, no-frills, nice-looking keyboard that"s the best membrane option of a huge range that I"ve tested. There is a step-up version of the Cynosa available. Still, for $20 extra, the only real addition is under-glow RGB, so unless that kind of "ground effects" package is massively appealing to you, I recommend you save your cash and invest in the base model.

Why you can trust PC GamerOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.What is the big deal with mechanical switches?We can talk for hours about the feel of mechanical switches versus membrane switches, but ultimately that"s a personal choice. What makes mechanical switches objectively superior, however, is their far extended life span. They can take far more punishment and keep responding long after a membrane switch has collapsed in on itself.Why do gamers use 60% keyboards?The main reason gamers will use compact 60% keyboards is because the smaller form factor allows for more space for your gaming mouse. That means you can have to DPI levels in your mouse lower, offering greater accuracy but also necessitating wider sweeping movements.

It also means that your hands resting on the WSAD keys and the mouse are closer together, which in turn improves the ergonomic posture, either when gaming or simply using your computer.What is the most important thing to look for in a mechanical gaming keyboard?The switch type(opens in new tab) is arguably the most important choice to make when picking your new gaming keyboard. Cherry mechanical switches are the most common and most recognizable, but there are a host of alternatives on offer, as well a bunch of upmarket, specialist switches to choose from.Are dedicated media controls a deal-breaker?Only you can make that call, but we would suggest that at least having the option to toggle the top row between function and media controls would be our choice. Having a discrete volume wheel can be super useful, however.What size of keyboard do I need?Keyboard size(opens in new tab) is absolutely a defining factor. Full-sized keyboards tend to offer the most features and a Numpad, but if you don"t have space, then all of those extras you paid for will be useless. Tenkeyless boards (the ones with no number pad) and compact keyboards can be a great option, too, if you don"t care about all the extra bells and whistles or you don"t have any use for alt codes (how barbaric!).

Membrane KeyboardA keyboard on which all the keycaps are mounted on a membrane sheath; when a key is pressed, a rubber dome depresses and pushes against the sheath and PCB beneath, actuating the key.

SwitchThe physical component of a mechanical keyboard beneath the keycaps on a mechanical keyboard. The switch determines how a key is actuated, whether or not it provides audible or tactile feedback with each press, and more.