gaming keyboard with lcd panel manufacturer

Kwumsy has now introduced the world’s first mechanical keyboard with a built-in touchscreen display. Dubbed the “K2,” the new keyboard is constructed around a 12.6-inch touchscreen display capable of supporting up to 10 touchpoints. The entire device connects to your laptop or desktop via an HDMI or USB-C cable which conveniently gives you a multi-display setup, with the built-in screen supporting a 1920 x 515P resolution at 60Hz. When you’re on the go, you’ll even be able to connect the K2 to your smartphone or tablet, effectively turning it into a mini-computer.

As for the keyboard portion itself, the 71-key setup gives you plenty of customization options through its easily removable keycaps and fully hot-swappable switches. You’ll also have 15 different RGB backlight settings to choose from, and a bracket or external keyboard stand to give you a more aggressive typing angle. With full plug and play, you won’t need separate software for the K2 either.

Boutique gaming mouse manufacturer Finalmouse has big plans for its first foray into the mechanical keyboard market. Its Finalmouse Centerpiece is an eye-catching $349 keyboard that has a screen embedded underneath its transparent keycaps and switches. The effect is that it looks like you’re typing on the screen directly, while (hopefully) maintaining the feel and tactility of traditional mechanical switches.

There’s been at least one similar attempt at this idea made in the past: the Optimus Popularis. But while the Popularis used its screen (which was only visible through its individual transparent keys) to display useful information like keyboard shortcuts, Finalmouse’s seems to be far more cosmetic.

In the trailer, we see the keyboard showing a number of different visualizations, including Matrix-style green scrolling text and nature videos. Sometimes they’re interactive — like a pool of water that dynamically splashes when you touch a corresponding key — and in one case, the keyboard is even shown running a simple interactive game. The company is calling the technology behind this combination display and mechanical switch its “DisplayCircuit Glass Stack.”

Finalmouse says the keyboard is capable of storing three skins at a time, which can be switched on the keyboard itself. Additional skins will be downloadable from an app it’s calling “The Freethinker Portal” (seriously), and it says creators will be able to upload and charge for skins they’ve created. Each skin runs on the keyboard’s built-in CPU and GPU, and Finalmouse says they’re powered by Unreal Engine 5.

My big question is what this keyboard actually feels like to type on because the Optimus Popularis was basically unusable as a regular keyboard. Reassuringly, the Finalmouse Centerpiece uses standard Cherry MX-style switches, which should guarantee a certain level of quality. It’s collaborated with switch manufacturer Gateron to develop what it’s calling a “custom autolubed linear mechanical switch” based on Gateron’s existing and generally well-liked Black Ink linear switch.

As well as the Gateron switch, Finalmouse is also advertising that the Centerpiece will be available with a Hall Effect switch option — like those used on the Wooting Two HE — a design that uses magnets for actuation rather than standard metal contacts. Hall Effect switches can register analog inputs or let the user customize their exact actuation point (ie., how far you have to press a switch before it registers a press). This version is advertised as having an 8kHz polling rate, which should minimize input latency.

The overall layout is compact and roughly 65 percent, which means you get an arrow key cluster but no function row. It’s a little hard to get a good view of the Centerpiece’s keycaps from Finalmouse’s trailer, but they appear to be low in profile and relatively flat in contrast to the scooped keycaps found on most mechanical keyboards.

There’s also no mention of more typical enthusiast mechanical keyboard features like support for remappable keys or hot-swappable switches — which let you replace a keyboard’s switches without desoldering. The trailer is also light on other technical specs, like the resolution of its built-in display or the specifics of its switches. Finalmouse does say it connects to a computer using a single USB-C cable.

It’s an ambitious design, and Finalmouse has its work cut out if it wants to make its display legible while keeping its switches usable. We won’t have a long wait to see if it’s succeeded, however, with Finalmouse promising that the Centerpiece is due to ship early next year.

You’ve tried RGB keyboards, but how about a keyboard with a built-in screen? Finalmouse just teased the Centerpiece, a mechanical monster that hides a screen behind its transparent keys. The screen is powered by a dedicated CPU and GPU, and it plays custom animations through Unreal Engine 5.

This is, frankly speaking, one of the most ridiculous ideas we’ve ever seen. But at just $350, the Centerpiece is sure to attain some level of popularity. Plus, it seems like a pretty effective keyboard, packing custom “autolubed linear” switches made in collaboration with Gateron. (These switches are based on Gateron’s Black Ink linear switch. The typing sound is similar to “soft marble raindrops,” whatever that means.)

It’s hard to see the keycaps in Finalmouse’s teaser video. But from what we can tell, this keyboard uses a 65% layout—it appears to lack a function row and numpad. The keycaps appear to be a bit flat, with legends printed on the shaft of each key, facing the user. If you can’t type without looking at your keyboard, you should probably skip this product.

Anyway, we’re not sure what kind of screen is beneath this keyboard (maybe it’s LCD, maybe it’s OLED). But Finalmouse says that it can save up to three video skins at a time. Each skin is processed locally, without using your computer’s resources (and the whole thing runs on a single USB-C cable). Interestingly, some skins are interactive—pressing on a certain key may trigger an animation, such as a wave of water or an explosion.

New video skins are available on “The Freethinker Portal,” which is a really awkward name for a mechanical keyboard app. Most of the skins appear to cost money, and interestingly, creators can sell their custom skins through the “Freethinker Portal.”

Because this keyboard uses transparent keys (which are backed by a bright screen), I assume that any dust, crumbs, or grease will stick out like a sore thumb. I’m also worried about repairability; how are you supposed to fix a keyboard that contains a display, a CPU, and a GPU?

The Centerpiece launches in early 2023 for $350. Customers also have the option to order this keyboard with Hall Effect switches, which provide an analog input method with customizable actuation. If you want a taste of Finalmouse today, check out the company’s boutique gaming mice.

Mechanical-Keyboard.org was created with the goal, to offer the most comprehensive list of mechanical keyboards in the web. For an easy comparison, a ranking is calculated based on collected reviews and opinions from tech experts. Additionally, there are various guides to answer frequently asked questions about mechanical keyboards.

Sometimes I come across some unique products on the internet that really get me worked up and excited. However, many times those products get my money but I don’t get the product. You know how crowd funding works! So when a mechanical keyboard with a computer display built into it came to my attention, this definitely fits that profile. The Ficihp K2 mechanical keyboard was a long-running Kickstarter concept that was successfully funded and essentially vaporware with little to no updates to backers. I found a new listing on Amazon recently and picked one up for $450 almost instantly. I was a bit skeptical about something so unique in form factor and it seemed like many backers of the product were shocked to receive their keyboards in the mail at around the same time I purchased mine.

Within 2 days of my late night Amazon impulse purchase, I got the package and ripped that box open to find a truly bizarre yet exciting prospect. This literally is an 71key, RGB keyboard with a 12.6 inch 1920 x 515 p touch screen display spread over it. With a 60 hz refresh rate and a wide color gamut that gets relatively bright, we’re literally reviewing a keyboard and a computer monitor at the same time. In terms of build quality, for a Chinese branded tech product not from one of the bigger names, I’m shockingly satisfied with what I received. There are however some minor quality control issues I noticed immediately like a protruding display that wasn’t evenly sealed within the body frame. The aluminum frame is a bit less solid feeling than I was hoping for in a keyboard of this price tag. We’ll see how the keyboard holds up after some intensive time with the product in the full review.

The K2 keyboard has a USB connector for data and power alongside two USB-A ports on the top of the frame. They’re accompanied by a power button and a + and - combination for brightness control of the screen. Using one of the two supplied cables that come included will allow you to plug the keyboard with a computing device. That device could be a USB-C laptop, tablet or phone using a single USB-C to USB-C cable. The other cable is a USB-C to HDMI/dual USB-A connector that plugs into a PC tower. The HDMI port needs to draw power and data just as your monitor does. This essentially means you need to operate your setup as a dual monitor setup which requires the corresponding pieces required to operate this with your rig.

Once you have everything plugged in, the display lights up and the OS you’re plugged into just magically appears on the narrow slab in front of you. It’s quite jaw-dropping the very first time it hits the screen as it isn’t normal to see a full blown display on your keyboard. After configuring the settings on my Windows 10 PC, I experimented with both using the second display as a mirrored monitor and as an extended monitor. I’ve found myself leaning towards using it as an extended monitor as there are added benefits with the extra real estate. One fun way to utilize the display is with Wallpaper Engine. Seeing my wallpaper flow from my main monitor down to my keyboard just adds that extra over the top flare I love with technology.

Just from the first few initial uses, I can list a handful of beneficial things I see this on-keyboard display actually improving with certain workflows. If you work with a timeline in an editing suite, you can move the timeline to occupy the entire display on the Ficihp while your viewer occupies the majority, if not all, of your main display. I’ve also found that having a messaging app open on the keyboard seems to be the most optimal location for something like that. I loved having Microsoft Teams open at all times on my keyboard (wow so weird to say), while I have my documents open on my main display.

I’m always on the lookout for products that move the needle. So often do “new” tech products rehash designs of functions that have been around for ages. I’m really in awe of this form factor and to say that this is something I have never seen or used before would be an understatement. It actually seems to be implemented relatively well. There’s no additional software needed to get this running off the ground. While it isn’t the cleanest setup with cable management due to the Ficihp needing to occupy three ports, if you have a USB-C compatible device, that alleviates the issue. I’ll give credit where credit is due. Ficihp may have taken a while to get the K2 out after a successful Kickstarter campaign, but so far it seems to be worth the wait.

Caught in between the conundrum of his fascination with retro and the future, Alex has a very unique taste in technology. Never one to follow trends like his millennial peers yet constantly desiring to get ahead of the curve, he sees technology like he does his other love: comic books. Always looking for the best value or a hidden gem, his collector mindset reflects on some of his favorite gadgets: the Moto X (2015), HTC U11 and the Google Pixelbook. If there’s a good tech deal out there, Alex is on the hunt!

Being a Polestar 2 owner is a mixture of gratifying pride and resounding regret. Mind you the car itself, in a vacuum, is an absolutely terrific vehicle worthy of consideration for just about any type of driver, but it just isn’t that straightforward to evaluate this product. It’s been half a year for us with our Dual Motor 2022 Polestar 2 in the Midnight color and I still find myself staring back at this wonderfully industrial design.

I pulled up into my garage last weekend and noticed a software update available on our Polestar 2. I installed it and was pleasantly surprised to see the Apple CarPlay icon on the home screen. It’s been so long since we learned that CarPlay was coming to the Polestar 2 that with each update that came without it, the less likely it seemed that it would actually come. Now that it’s actually on the car, I sure think it was worth the wait.

Electric bikes come in all shapes and forms. Some of them imitate the body of a motorcycle, while others look like speed bicycles. Then there are the mini-folding bikes that exist for urban commuters. A few years ago we took the Swagtron Swagcycleout for a spin and were very impressed with how much fun that little e-bike was. With so much improvement in not only battery, but technology as a whole, we were so excited to receive the DYU D3F Electric Mini Bike from the Chinese company. On paper, there’s a lot of similarities in form factor, but on closer inspection, these new bikes are on a whole new level. Here’s my full review of this 14 inch folding e-bike!

Last week, I drove my Tesla Model 3 Mid-Range from Los Angeles, California to Phoenix, Arizona in order to attend my sister’s wedding. As is customary in any wedding event, when you start small talk with family and friends, the conversation always trends to how you got there and how long you were staying. Whenever I would mention that I drove an electric car from California into Arizona, the other person’s eyes would widen with curiosity and the response would always be “You drove your Tesla? How did you make it here? You must have made so many stops!”

Earlier this month, Tesla pushed out an app update with a feature that I low-key wanted, but never really felt like I needed enough to pursue other means of obtaining that data. The electric car specialists have been continuously tinkering with their app UI and I’ve actually enjoyed many of their updates recently. It’s morphed into a very intuitive and well designed user experience which ironically, many people can’t say the same about the actual UI of the carnowadays.

Prior to this past decade, whatever the infotainment system and capabilities that were in the car when it left the lot was what you would live with for the entirety of the car’s life. Legacy car manufacturers are only beginning to play catch up with this industry change. So how does Polestar handle OTA updates? Straggling the line between a legacy car maker and a new wave tech company, Polestar is in a unique position. With Google’s Android Automotive powering their infotainment system, one might expect an experience similar to that on the Pixel phones.

I’ve had Tesla’s newest software version on my 2019 Mid-Range Model 3 for enough time now to have a good grasp of what it’s like living with this vision of a car driving experience. With a good amount of miles under my belt in good ole’ Southern California freeways, I’ve come to the conclusion that the V11 update is complicated to judge due to its oversimplification of aesthetics. Confusing right?

In the March of 2019, Lida and I took the dive into the electric vehicle world with our purchase of a 2019 Tesla Model 3. Our car was actually one of the first batches of the brand new 2019 model year and that was significant as Tesla had really only started to get the production line off the ground with 2018 cars going to the long list of pre-order holders. Unsurprisingly, our delivery experience was anything but smooth as we had literal setbacks on our way to picking up the car. Almost three years later, we once again had a delivery for an electric car from a company just shipping out cars in their second full calendar year. This time around we took delivery of a 2022 Polestar 2 straight into our driveway. And once again as if history were repeating itself, getting the car was anything but a smooth ride.

For the last fifteen years or so, custom mechanical keyboards have been getting more and more wild. From artisan keycaps to super-specific switches to 3D-printed cases, we’ve seen it all. Well, we thought we had, until we saw this. The Finalmouse Centerpiece Keyboard features completely transparent mechanical keycaps and switches, resting on top of a fully-functional LCD screen. Why? Why the hell not?

The keyboard’s pre-loaded video skins react to the user’s typing, very much like a gaming keyboard, but the CG videos underneath can dynamically shift in real-time as they’re built in the Unreal game engine. New skins (free and paid) will be made available via a Steam app. The screen and video run on a CPU and GPU internal to the keyboard itself, with no resources taken from the attached PC. Up to three videos can be loaded and selected on the hardware.

How does it work? Finalmouse says that the screen uses a “Laminated DisplayCircuit Glass Stack.” What it looks like is a super-thin, transparent membrane beneath the switches that house hair-like electrical wiring, establishing the matrix circuit required for the keypresses to register. It’s a remarkable redesign of some fairly basic keyboard components, all sitting on top of the LCD screen.

The 65-percent board is housed in a customized CNC-milled case, with controls for the screen embedded in the side. The keys and screen itself are gasket-mounted, with linear switches based on the BlackInk design. Finalmouse says the board is “completely gamer-proof and able to withstand intense abuse,” though exactly what that means isn’t mentioned.

Shockingly, Finalmouse’s video says the keyboard will cost $349 when it goes on sale early next year. That’s a lot for a standard mechanical keyboard, but it’s less than the price of a lot of custom, boutique builds — a GMMK Pro with all the trimmings comes in at the same price, for example. Note that in order to get that mesmerizing screen, you’ll have to give up a few of the premiums associated with high-end boards, like a dedicated knob, wireless options, and swappable switches.

But who cares? If you want to get those upvotes on /r/battlestations, you’ll need the coolest, most ridiculous keyboard around. And as of 2023, that’ll be the Centerpiece. Until someone finds a way to let you literally type on water, I suppose.

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

The Varmilo VA87M and VA87M Mac are available with a variety of Cherry switches; if you don’t already know what kind of switches you like, we recommend Cherry MX Brown switches because they offer a satisfying tactile bump without making too much noise for a shared space. Our pick comes with a removable Mini-USB cable that’s easy to replace and a wire keycap puller for replacing or cleaning keys. These Varmilo keyboards aren’t fully programmable, but they have clearly labeled media keys, and you can customize a couple of functions.

We recommend tenkeyless keyboards—that is, models without a built-in number pad—because they’re more ergonomic and because most people don’t use a number pad frequently enough to justify the desk space it occupies. If you do need a number pad, you can get a separate numpad, such as the Leopold FC210TP, which you can move out of the way when you’re not using it.

If the Varmilo VA87M is unavailable when you’re shopping, we recommend the Leopold FC750R. It has equally excellent build quality, and its minimalist tenkeyless design is similarly compact. It’s also available with all the most popular switch types. Leopold offers a few different tasteful, high-quality keycap sets, though it doesn’t provide as much variety as Varmilo does and has no backlight options. Like the VA87M, the FC750R has a removable Mini-USB cable and works on both Windows and Mac. But the FC750R’s media controls aren’t labeled on the keycaps (or explained in the manual), so you’ll have to memorize them.

The Leopold FC900R is almost identical to the FC750R, and we recommend it if you need a full-size keyboard with a built-in number pad.Dimensions:17.32 by 5.51 by 1.3 inchesConnection:Removable Mini-USB

If you do need a built-in number pad, the Leopold FC900R is the best option. It’s nearly identical to our runner-up, the Leopold FC750R, as it offers equally excellent build quality, it’s available with all the most popular switch types, and you can choose from a few different PBT keycap sets. Like the tenkeyless model, this keyboard has a removable Mini-USB cable and works on both Windows and Mac, but—also like the tenkeyless model—it has no labels on its media controls. (We don’t recommend the Varmilo VA108M, the full-size version of our top pick, because its case is significantly different and not as good as that of its tenkeyless sibling.)

The tenkeyless Keychron C1 is an excellent value, with solid build quality and a satisfying typing experience. Its keycaps feel cheaper and will wear out sooner than those of our top picks, but you can’t beat the price.

If I were getting into mechanical keyboards for the first time today, I’d buy the tenkeyless Keychron C1 or the full-size Keychron C2. Both models offer surprisingly good build quality, provide an enjoyable typing experience, and have an attractive minimalist design—all uncommon features in this price range. Their lower-quality ABS keycaps feel thinner and more brittle to type on and are likely to wear out faster than the thicker PBT keycaps on our top picks, but keycaps are easy to replace if you want to do so. Both models are compatible with Windows and Mac, and they come with replacement keycaps for both operating systems. Another benefit: Swapping out switches on most mechanical keyboards requires equipment, expertise, and time to desolder all the old switches and solder in new ones, but if you want to try new switch types without soldering, Keychron will upgrade the standard circuit board in the C1 or the C2 to a hot-swappable version for $10. With a hot-swappable board, you can simply pull the switches out and snap new ones into place. At this writing, shipping from Keychron’s website starts at $20, but even with that added cost, the C1 and C2 are better than any similarly priced keyboards. (Certain models are also available from Amazon with Prime shipping.)

Unfortunately, availability is an issue with most great mechanical keyboards. Most are made in Taiwan or China and shipped to the United States in batches to be sold by specialty retailers. If our picks aren’t available with the switches or keycaps you want, you can preorder at MechanicalKeyboards.com, keep an eye on that seller’s incoming-shipments page, or set availability alerts on Amazon using a price tracker such as CamelCamelCamel or Keepa. We tested our picks against more readily available options and found that these models were of significantly higher quality and worth the effort to track down, but if you can’t wait that long, the other good keyboards we found during testing may be more readily available.

The right gaming keyboard can mean the difference between winning and losing your favorite game. When combined with the specs of your gaming PC, it can give you an important edge over the other players you encounter. Plus, it will make your gaming experience more fun. The gaming keyboard that suits your style of play can enhance both your comfort and your performance. Whether you are a novice or a professional gamer, there are a variety of options available, including mechanical keyboards, small keyboards for gaming, models with RGB and much more.

Most gaming keyboards come with mechanical keys that are easier to press, and often do not require as much force as other options that are available. This allows you to type very quickly on them, which can give you an edge in many games. During your playing session, you"ll be able to move your characters with ease. And because the keys respond faster to touch, you won"t suffer fatigue during play, so you can keep going until you win or accomplish your quests and goals. When combined with gaming mice, mechanical keyboards can give you a decided advantage.

Macros are an important aspect of online gaming and can streamline your actions. The typical gaming keyboard comes with a row or more of keys that you can customize to perform almost any command during your gaming session. A simple model might start at six additional keys, while some have as many as 18 for those who want to truly take charge of every aspect of the game. Macros allow you to set multiple profiles to perform one-button actions. This ensures that these keys are operating independently in every game you are participating in. In addition, customizing the macros allows you to automate the most critical, and sometimes, tedious tasks you need to perform during play. These tasks can also give you an advantage when you are playing against other gamers.

On the other end of the spectrum are the small keyboards for gaming. If you are simply looking for an option for laptop gaming, or if you find yourself often out on the road for tournaments, this is an option that is well worth considering. These keyboards are usually light enough to carry around easily, so you can take them with you when you. Some even come with carrying cases and removable cables for added convenience.

Backlights in gaming keyboards provide a range of benefits. They are often multi-colored, and you can even customize them for a fun gaming experience. When it comes to backlighting, gamers can opt for three choices: non-illuminated, single-color illuminated or RGB. Besides being fun and adding style to your computer area, backlights also allow you to game in low lighting. This will especially enrich your experience when playing horror games in a dimly lit room.