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What’s the most important part of your PC? Is it the processor? The videocard? The motherboard? How about the keyboard?
Don’t scoff—your keyboard is the part of your computer that you get up close and personal with. It’s the conduit between you and the PC, and having the right one can make you faster, more comfortable, and give you an edge in games.
Because of that, we want to help you pick the plank that’s just right for you. There are a lot of contenders out there, but we’ve narrowed the field to eight boards that we think offer a solid cross-section of the options available in high-end keyboards, whether they focus on gaming, comfort, or speed. There are some boards that we’ve reviewed before in this list (and they’ll keep their original verdict—it’s only fair) and some that are a year or two old, but that’s what it takes to give you a look at the best of what’s available to you today.
We know that everyone is looking for something different in their keyboard, so don’t think of this roundup as a winner-takes-all contest—we’re judging every keyboard on its individual merits, including comfort, build quality, and the unique features that it brings to the table, er, desktop. So keep reading—you owe it to your hands.
Gaming keyboards typically fall into one of two categories. You have those that cram in as many gaming-specific features as possible, including extra buttons, remappable keys, on-the-fly macro recording, and backlit keys. And then there are the mechanical keyboards that tout hyper-responsive key action above all else. These latter boards tend to feel great, but generally share a very similar, very austere design, with almost no features that you wouldn’t find on an IBM model M.
The BlackWidow is the first keyboard we’ve reviewed that gives you the best of both worlds—a whole bevy of gaming features coupled with a top-notch mechanical keyboard. It isn’t perfect (it’s made of fingerprint-exhibiting glossy-black plastic, and is very loud) but it’s definitely the best we’ve tested. We hope more companies will follow Razer’s lead and get more creative with their mechanical boards.
For the budget gamer, Razer offers a non-Ultimate version of the BlackWidow that’s $50 cheaper and only missing the USB pass-throughs and light-up keys.
Read the original review here.
Great key mechanisms, strong build, just the right number of features.
Attracts fingerprints, noisy, doesn’t offer many more features than $50-cheaper basic model.
$130, www.razerzone.com
The Anansi is Razer’s MMO keyboard, a companion to the company’s Naga MMO gaming mouse. Functionally, it’s very similar to the BlackWidow Ultimate—both have fully rebindable keys, with five additional macro keys along the left, backlighting, and on-the-fly macro recording. Unlike the BlackWidow, the Anansi does not have mechanical keys, instead opting for more traditional dome-style keys. They’re not as responsive as mechanical keys, but are definitely at the high end of the dome-spectrum, with a satisfying amount of resistance and travel.
The main selling point of the Anansi (and what makes it an MMO keyboard) is the broad panel of flat buttons right below the space bar. These seven keys act as modifiers, septupling your total number of available key combinations. Makes sense in theory, but hitting the top five (smaller) modifiers along with a number key, single-handedly, while playing a game is very challenging. Moreover, for an MMO, we really would have preferred a larger selection of dedicated macro keys, such as the 12 keys found on the Logitech G11 or G19. The Anansi has a thin profile but is long enough (including two seemingly unnecessary wings) that it could accommodate a few more keys.
Seven modifiers, backlighting, macro recording
Could have used additional macro keys. Would have preferred mechanical keys.
$100, www.razerzone.com
The Challenger (ThermalTake’s entry into the gaming keyboard market) is the kind of keyboard that’s looking to set itself apart. It does this most noticeably with a tiny fan that can be plugged in on either side of the keyboard to blow cool air across your hard-working hands and a set of custom, red keycaps that can be swapped in for the WASD and arrow keys. Do either of those features sound like something you can’t live without?
Gimmicks aside, the challenger has a decent-but-not-fabulous set of features, including custom profiles, macro keys (but no on-the-fly recording), and some pretty slick red backlighting. Unfortunately, the one place the Challenger really falls flat is in the quality of its keyboard. Low-profile keys make it feel like a laptop keyboard, and the dome switches provide very little travel. As the cheapest gaming keyboard in this roundup by far (it’s available online for $60), the Challenger is a good value proposition, but we wouldn’t recommend it for power gamers.
Decent set of features, neat red backlighting
Quality isn't quite up to snuff, some features (hand cooling fan) are more gimmicky than useful
$80, www.ttesports.com
The 7G was the first of the current crop of heavy-duty, mechanical keyboards to hit the market, and in our opinion is still one of the best. With clickless Cherry MX Black switches that combine responsiveness and a long, satisfying travel and construction quality that’s absolutely second to none, the 7G is still very easy to recommend more than two and a half years after its release.
Our only problem with the 7G has always been that it has very few gaming-specific features (especially for a keyboard that can run $150, if you’re able to find one). There’s no customizable keys, no profiles, no nothin'. It does have two USB pass-throughs, and a headphone and microphone jack. The keyboard uses a PS/2 connector, though it does come with a USB adaptor. The ancient connector is quaint, but it does allow for N-key rollover, making the 7G one of two keyboards in this roundup with no limit to the number of keys that can be pressed at once.
Read the original review here.
We couldn’t lock this keyboard up. Great action on a classic keyboard layout.
Barebones. Very loud. Extremely expensive. USB ports only support 1.1 speeds.
$150, www.steelseries.com
The G19 is the oldest keyboard in this roundup, but it didn’t seem right to leave Logitech’s ludicrously feature-packed board out of contention. And it's still available. In brief, here’s what makes the G19 awesome: 12 macro keys, on-the-fly programmability, custom backlighting, USB pass-throughs, media controls, and—of course—a built-in 320x240 color display.
Suffice to say, it’s an amazing feature set, and one we especially like for MMOs (those 12 extra keys are a godsend!), but the keyboard’s keys feel decidedly mushy compared to some of the more recent models.
It's worth considering that since the original release the selection of games with support for the G19’s auxiliary screen has increased dramatically, and you can now find this luxury board for closer to $150 (though the MSRP is still $200), making it a tempting buy.
Read the original review here.
Tough, comfy keyboard with a fine aux display.
No headphone/mic jacks; costs crazy bucks.
$200, www.logitech.com
Comments are closed on this article
CalDrumr
July 28, 2011 at 6:53pm
I have a Razer Lycosa, and it has served me well so far. I have never had any issues with it, and it has worked perferctly since I got it. It is a solid middle road between a gaming keyboard (software customization, LED backlighting, touch-sensitive controls) and a simple keyboard (no extra macro buttons or screens). The only thing I really dislike about it is that it has a bit of a cheap, plasticky feel. I wish it were a bit more solid. However, it hasn't broken or caused me any issues thus far.
I like mechanical switches, but I really, really hate loud key noises, and I have yet to see a mechanical keyboard that doesn't sound just like the old IBM keyboard of old: loud. The Razer Black Widow is very appealing, but I just can't do with the loud noise. If I could get a solid keyboard with quieter mechanical switching, gaming features, and just a little bit of bling, I'd be quite the happy camper. This keyboard is only 60-70 bucks, but I don't mind paying 100+ for solid gaming hardware that will last me years.
samuelw
July 04, 2011 at 4:07pm
Filco is a well established name. The supplies and distribution of high-end keyboard is not so readily available in America as it is in Asia or western Europe which is unfortunate as many of us have disposable income to indulge in tactile feedback sensation.
Ghok
March 07, 2011 at 10:33pm
All I want:
1) A screen. A tiny extra screen is so useful. I'd never buy a keyboard without one.
2) Media Keys. Same deal.
3) Mechanical keys.
4) USB ports are always nice.
5) The more macro keys the better. I love the extra 18 on my old G15.
Shouldn't be too hard...
routine
March 07, 2011 at 7:16pm
I like the SteelSeries but a couple of things turn me off:
1. Why is the ENTER key so big?
2. Why are the keys not standard? Small left SHIFT. What are those other keys between L and ENTER, etc?
3. I would have rather they replaced the Windows key on the right not the one on the left. I use the one on the left, a lot.
If not for those few things, I would have bought it... now thinking about the Das Keyboard instead.
Eoraptor
March 07, 2011 at 7:27pm
Dunno about 1 and 3, but 2; those are the semicolon and the apostrophe just like any US English standard layout. (Yeah, I thought the Enter key was a bit huge as well)
Ampere
March 07, 2011 at 4:17pm
I'm pretty sure the Das uses the MX Cherry Blue switches, which is why it would have a different feel than the the Steelseries 7G. Unless, of course, you were using the silent version, which I belive has the MX Browns.
EvilGenius
March 08, 2011 at 7:43pm
you can actually get the Das Keyboards with Cherry blues or the browns
SShadow
March 07, 2011 at 3:48pm
Why did they not include the Logitech G510? It is pretty much a better version of the G19, with all the -'s corrected...
HeartBurnKid
March 07, 2011 at 1:48pm
So, were the positives and negatives for Das Keyboard left blank on purpose?
Tenhawk
March 07, 2011 at 2:19pm
You know, I don't think the DasKeyboard HAS any real positives or negatives... I own one, and I can tell you, it's exactly what it claims to be. Not one thing more, not one thing less.
At it's core, it's a very basic, but very well executed, plank. That's it. You can wax philosophic over the quality of the typing experience, but for most people? Meh. Not going to notice.
The things that make it stand out other than the mechanical switches are all very straightforward and subjective. It looks awesome, it feels great, and it WILL draw comments from anyone who sees it. But are any of these really positives or negatives? not really, because of how subjective they are. Some people will love the feel, others will hate the sound... some will love the look, others will hate the fact that they can't hunt and peck on the keys.
The DasKeyboard is very upfront about all of these things, however, and it's pretty clear that it's not a keyboard for everyone... But one look is more than likely all it will take for you to know if it's for you. There are no hidden factors to worry about, it is what it is.
Positives and Negatives are for when you want to point out something people might have missed about a product, or warn them about something they may not see coming.
Eoraptor
March 07, 2011 at 6:45pm
that's a great review!
I worked with a couple of guys in a call center who had the v1 of Das Keyboard in place of the standard issue dell crapware at our stations. (the v1 had dome switches instead of mechanical) and even that was a great build quality. if I was a touch typist instead of a three-fingered wonder, I would definitely have made the move.
Eoraptor
March 07, 2011 at 1:09pm
It definitely says something that the G-19 is still not only on the list, but a genuine competitor (which might be why it is still in production) At least it bests the old Linksys wrt600N in that respect, which was still a list topper years after it went out of production. (then again, how many people still swear by their old IBM model M's?) And personally, I like the key travel on my Logitech keboards.
tharamanthar
April 21, 2011 at 7:10am
No - By all accounts it is terrible to type on and a keyboard that fails at typing is a EPIC FAIL of a keyboard, get your bread and butter sorted - THEN start thinking of adding fancy gimmicks
