Do you want to have a better gaming experience and want to buy more efficient equipment? If the gaming keyboard is one of the PC peripherals that you would like to buy, then you are in the right place!
Our top 5 of the best inexpensive keyboards for gamers
On Amazon, inexpensive gaming keyboards are widely available, which could reduce the range of possibilities. This is why we have made a selection of 5 effective and inexpensive models.
The 3 best gaming keyboards in our ranking!
What to know before buying your gaming keyboard
- Membrane, ratchet, mechanical… the gaming keyboard comes in 3 main variants.
- Membrane keyboards and click keyboards are less expensive , this is because they are most often used for office tasks ! In stores, you will find them at a lower price. However, this kind of desktop keyboard will not offer the performance matching gamers' requirements
- Whether it's MMO, FPS or a strategy game, there's nothing like a mechanical gaming keyboard ! It is clear that gaming keyboards are highly responsive, but you can also find some inexpensive and good quality models. Discover our comparison and buying guide on the best cheap gaming keyboards in 2020.
Discover now our comparison of the best cheap gaming keyboards of this year!
1. Logitech G213 Prodigy: the best keyboard under €70
Features and Reviews
If you are looking for an inexpensive gaming keyboard, you can opt for the G213 Prodigy from Logitech . Released in 2016, this keyboard, sold for less than 50 euros, provides advanced gaming performance. Although it is featured in entry-level keyboards, no need to let its price confuse you.
This is one of the brand's best-selling products. As a membrane gaming supported by RGB. The G213 keyboard won't let you take advantage of Cherry MX mechanical switches. But overall, we have almost nothing to complain about.
Its Logitech Mech-Dome switches and integrated media controls will give you a fantastic gaming experience. One of its main positive points is that it is perfectly resistant to splashes. The other thing that you will certainly appreciate about this Logitech G213 keyboard is its weight.
The keyboard is intended to be robust and in this area, we all know that heavy is a guarantee of reliability and durability. So, you want to buy a gaming keyboard, without emptying your wallet, the Logitech G213 is the best compromise. This is especially why we have positioned it for the task of this comparison of the best inexpensive gaming keyboards.
2. HyperX Alloy Core membrane gaming keyboard – style just a click away
Features and Reviews
This is a membrane keyboard with an Azerty configuration . This gaming keyboard is aimed at players who would like to benefit from most of the advantages of mechanical keyboards with a budget of less than 60 euros. Designed in a traditional design, this well-finished product benefits from a sober and elegant design. Even if it does not have a palm rest or additional connectors, it does feature RGB backlighting as well as dedicated multimedia keys.
Alloy offers this gaming keyboard in its entry-level models . And although this is so, its design is reminiscent of its high-end models with ribbed profiles as well as light strips. Unsurprisingly, the materials used to design the product in our test are of lower quality compared to those of the high-end models that the brand has designed so far. But overall, we're happy to know we're on a robust product.
There are no mechanical switches unlike Alloy Core RGB. But, we cannot expect more and this is because of its price. To put it simply, the HyperX Alloy Core RGB gaming keyboard has a sober and clean design . This keyboard comes with membrane keys of undeniable quality, but what is even more attractive is its aesthetic character.
3. Razer Cynosa Chroma – the best membrane gaming keyboard
Features and Reviews
In this comparison of the best cheap gaming keyboards, the Razer Cynosa Chroma occupies third position in our ranking. And if it is part of our list, it is because it is the most widespread membrane keyboard in the United States. You will certainly wonder why it is so popular with Americans. Well, that's because it's sold at a low price . The price is not the only reason for its success. It also has backlit keys supported by programmable Chroma RGB lighting. Its waterproof design makes it completely perfect following immersion.
While the Razer keyboard doesn't offer a neat design, it has plenty of features. It features Synapse technology , which will help you perform global customization of your RGB lighting performance, but also synchronize with Razer peripherals .
During our test, we were pleased to know that the Cynosa Chroma gaming keyboard is designed with 104 customizable keys and enhanced with RGB lighting . Thus, the inexpensive Razer Cynosa Chroma gaming keyboard is intended for gamers who do not want to break the bank on their peripherals. Available at around 60 euros, it has responsive keys, making it perfect for more hardcore gamers .
Corsair K55 Gaming Keyboard: you get what you pay for
Features and Reviews
Another choice you can make when you want to buy a cheap gaming keyboard is the Corsair K55. This gaming keyboard flaunts a cool design. Sold for less than 50 euros, the all-black keyboard offers completely unexpected features compared to its price. It sports membrane switches, but nothing surprising considering its price.
One of the advantages of this inexpensive gaming keyboard is its silent nature. Additionally, there are 3 RGB lighting zones under the hood. Although there is no key lighting, the technology available is decent.
The K55, although it is less expensive and designed with plastic materials, it does not come across as a low-end product. Its robustness as well as the presence of 6 Macro keys located on the left side make it completely versatile. During our test, we were also won over by the ease of use of this device. To use it, simply plug it in. No need to install drivers or any other software.
5. Steelseries APEX 150: Sober and economical overall
Features and Reviews
Although the Apex 150 can't compete with the bigger products in the $100+ range, it's a nice little keyboard for gamers on a budget . If you really care about fancy RGB lighting, macro keys, and mechanical switches, I recommend saving money for a more expensive keyboard. If cash is the deciding factor, however, you could do a lot worse than the Apex 150.
Its frame is plastic, but don't let that fool you; it's surprisingly durable and didn't give at all when we tried to bend it. The board itself is lightweight, yet sturdy, and won't move around on your desk.
RGB lighting is one of the first things you'd expect not to include on a budget keyboard, but SteelSeries still managed to include basic RGB lighting in the Apex 150. There are five zones lighting, each of which can be changed to the color of your choice.
Buying guide: how to choose the right gaming keyboard?
Now that you have had an idea of our selection of the best cheap gaming keyboards, it is time to explain to you how to choose such a product for yourself. In this guide, we will give you simple and useful advice as well as things to consider when you want to choose a gaming keyboard.
What type of player are you?
Am I a MOBA, MMORPG, RTS or FPS player? This is the first question to answer when you want to choose a gaming keyboard. You will have understood, each keyboard has its own particularities. Each keyboard corresponds to a particular type of player. However, you should keep in mind that MMORPG keyboards have ultra-complete features. With macro keys, the keyboard will allow the player to take advantage of numerous shortcuts during the game.
It is also important to point out that RTS or MOBA players will be more inclined to lean towards keyboards with quick keys in order to save the seconds linked to the casting of a spell. This element is, however, important if you are a high-ranking player. Mechanical keyboards, on the other hand, have the characteristic of being ultra-fast.
Ratchet, membrane or mechanical keyboard: which one to choose?
In stores, particularly on the Amazon online store, you will find several types of keyboards. As stated above, these are click keyboards , membrane keyboards and mechanical or switch keyboards. Brands continue to display their imagination in the design of hybrid keyboards such as mecha-membrane or membranical keyboards. It will be necessary to admit that this type of keyboard is most often a marketing trick rather than a technological advance. Because they have flat, spaced-out keys, ratchet keyboards are not very often used for gaming, unlike Logitech's K740. This keyboard is known for its quiet nature, even if it is not responsive enough.
The membrane keyboard is, however, very popular and is offered at a low price. Entry-level models are available for less than 50 euros. The mechanical keyboard, on the other hand, is a very popular tool for gamers . For now, it remains the most responsive keyboard on the market, and above all it is equipped with several keys and functions.
Full or TKL keyboard
Keyboards come in two main categories. There is the Full keyboard and the TKL keyboard. The Full keyboard lives up to its name. This is a complete keyboard incorporating classic keys. On the other hand, you will see that a TKL (Tenkeyless) keyboard is displayed in a clean and simplistic design. Its keys are not as complete as those of the Full keyboard. On TKL keyboards, we do not find the numeric keypad as well as the macros and the directional arrows, which allows a certain proximity of the keys. The Full keyboard has all the keys, and are therefore perfect for use not only for gaming, but also for office work.
Design and design
Between a desktop keyboard and a gaming keyboard, it's a roller coaster. For a gaming keyboard, we pay attention to comfort of use, but also we opt for a wrist rest as well as a minimum response time. Just like vertical mice for gaming , keyboards for video game fans are wired. This type of keyboard often has macro or programmable keys. A good tip would be to choose a keyboard with 6 keys that are easily accessible for both left-handed and right-handed people. They are called ambidextrous keyboards.
Backlight or not?
When it comes to gaming keyboards, backlighting is an essential accessory for gamers. In addition to contributing to the aesthetics of the product, it allows you to play in the dark without any problems. While allowing quick identification of the keys, it can also offer you the possibility of determining the temperature of the components. The backlighting offers several colors and gives you the possibility of lighting the keys in red, the letters in blue and even the macros in green.
Multimedia function
We generally find a multimedia panel on gaming keyboards, on which you will be able to adopt several shapes and functionalities. Using the touch or non-touch buttons, you will be able to play music, manage the backlighting or even adjust the computer volume.
Which connection to choose on a gaming keyboard?
Office or specialized gaming keyboards generally only have one key or one (or more) USB port(s) present on the computer. The market also offers increasingly sophisticated models with integrated connectors, thus offering better ergonomics to the user.
The most popular connectors available on the most innovative keyboards are USB ports. Their presence is useful and practical. A USB port connected to the gaming keyboard allows you to connect the mouse or another peripheral on the fly.
However, you should look for a device with the latest standard. This is for example the Usb 3.0 or Usb-C port . Other gaming keyboards feature two mini-jack sockets, very practical when you have the habit of switching between the headset and the PC speaker.
If you want to move away from wired keyboard models, there are also wireless keyboards! Interested ? Discover our comparison of the best Bluetooth keyboards for your PC.
Anti-ghosting
All gamers know this. Some games require several rapid and simultaneous actions. With some keyboards, it can be complex to achieve this and in this case, we will talk about Ghosting. If you find yourself, for example, in a game of the latest FPS, you will have to press certain keys at the same time.
For example, you may press the Z key to move forward, the D key to shift right or SHIFT to run. Choosing a keyboard that can activate several keys simultaneously would be ideal, and not all keyboards are equal. On some keyboards, you will not find it easy to activate the keys simultaneously. You may run into cases where the keys do not work or activate if not pressed.
This is how we will talk about the “Ghosting” effect. As the keyboards work in blocks, in rows or in columns, activating several keys at the same time can be a headache. This is why it is preferable to choose a gaming keyboard with ZQSD keys benefiting from anti-ghosting technology.
The best keyboard brands for gamers
There are several brands of Gaming keyboards on the market. Some are more popular than others. What justifies the popularity of certain brands is the fact that they offer quality products at unbeatable prices. However, just because a brand is less known or not known at all does not mean its products are not of good quality. Among the brands offering gaming keyboards on the market, we note:
- Cosair
- Logitecg
- Ducky
- Roccat
- Etc.
That's it, you now know which cheap gaming keyboard to choose and how to choose it. It's up to you to take the plunge for a more fun gaming experience.
