Best Gaming Keyboards in India 2020 Reviews & Buying Guide

For most of the work, a normal keyboard work just fine. But only a true gamer can understand the importance of a good gaming keyboard as these use mechanical switches instead of a basic membrane. It improves the gaming experience with precise clicks and without ghosting.

If you look for a gaming keyboard online, you will see that there are thousands of options available for you. So, to help you choose a good one for yourself, we are listing some of the best gaming keyboards in India. But, one must look for some essential aspects before buying:

Membrane or Mechanical: It is all your choice whether to choose a mechanical keyboard or a membrane one. Membrane keyboards are generally quiet, and the key travel is less as compared to mechanical keyboards. However, mechanical keyboards are clicky and provide a great gaming experience.

Macro Keys: Most gaming keyboards come with a number of macro keys that are remappable. It means you can set them to performs some specific functions while in-game, which can save you a lot of time and game better.

Build Quality: As we all know, how much stress a keyboard takes no matter in which field it is being used. Hence, the build quality of the keyboard must be solid enough to withstand the aggression of an angry gamer.

In case you want to have a look at the complete Buying Guide for gaming keyboards, it is given below in this article. You can scroll down to that and read it.

Best Gaming Keyboards in India

Gaming KeyboardsTypeKeysWarrantyBuy Now
Redgear Gaming Keyboard MechanicalCherry MX Red1 YearCHECK ON AMAZON
HyperX Gaming KeyboardMechanicalCherry MX Red2 YearsCHECK ON AMAZON
Cosmic Byte CB-GK-12 KeyboardMechanicalCherry MX Red1 YearCHECK ON AMAZON
Ant Esports Gaming KeyboardMechanicalCherry MX Red1 YearCHECK ON AMAZON
Zebronics KeyboardMembraneCherry MX 1 YearCHECK ON AMAZON
CORSAIR K95 Gaming KeyboardMechanicalCherry MX Speed2 YearsCHECK ON AMAZON
CORSAIR K70 Gaming KeyboardMechanicalCherry MX Speed2 YearsCHECK ON AMAZON
Cosmic Byte CB-GK-11 KeyboardMechanicalCherry MX Brown1 YearCHECK ON AMAZON
RedragonGaming KeyboardMechanical----1 YearCHECK ON AMAZON
Night Hawk Gaming KeyboardMechanical----1 YearCHECK ON AMAZON
Razer Cynosa Gaming Keyboard MechanicalIn-house1 YearCHECK ON AMAZON

11 Best Gaming Keyboards in India: Reviews

1.Redgear Blaze 3 Color Backlit Gaming Keyboard 

Redgear as a brand has grown quite a reputation in the gaming peripherals market and for all the right reasons. They provide aesthetics, features and usability in a beautiful mixture and that too at an affordable price tag.

The Redgear Blaze 3 is a proper gaming keyboard with backlit keys, ergonomic design and useful all-round features.

This is the cheapest keyboard on our list! And that’s the main USP of this keyboard. With floating type key caps, anti-ghost technology, 3 color backlighting, Cherry MX red key types-specially marketed for gaming, this one is an absolute value for money option and the best budget-friendly gaming keyboard in our opinion.

Keyboard Type: Mechanical

Interface: It is a wired USB keyboard.

Switch: Cherry MX red

The keyboard is entirely built of aluminium. Being a gaming keyboard, you should expect it to be durable and should withstand wear and tear. There is no significant typing noise, and there is good typing feedback, as well.

Top Features:

  • Anti-Ghost Keys: Yes! 19 keys
  • Actuation Force: 45g trigger pressure
  • Actuation: 2mm
  • 3 LED color backlight
  • Integrated wrist support
  • Floating key caps
  • Windows key lock
  • 10 million keystrokes life-span

Warranty and Customer Support: 1-year warranty on the product from the manufacturer.

Redgear is a well-known brand now. Going by their portfolio, people have mixed opinions. The overall reviews and ratings are on the positive side. They have a dedicated website with customer support. For any queries, you can call here +91 22 49461882.

Pros

  • Very well priced
  • Feature-packed
  • 19 anti-ghost keys
  • Aluminium structure
  • LED backlighting

Cons

  • No dedicated multimedia buttons
  • Keypad prints tend to wipe out with time
  • Build quality has room for some improvements

Verdict

Overall, this is a feature-packed keyboard at a very affordable price. It is ideal for beginners who don’t want to spend a bomb on a gaming keyboard but still wants a proper keyboard with decent feedback and performance. It can easily suffice light to moderate gaming! Apart from a few shortcomings, the Blaze 3 can be a great option as it is an all-round package.

Buy Now at Amazon

2. HyperX Alloy FPS Pro Tenkeyless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

HyperX is mainly a product division of the famous memory technology giant Kingston. HyperX mainly deals with high-performance and gaming equipment, and it is quite a renowned name among professional gamers and tech enthusiasts.

The Alloy FPS Pro is a solid gaming keyboard with red backlighting, compact design and premium features.

This is our second best keyboard on our list! Being a 87-key mechanical Tenkeyless keyboard, it comes with a complete set of anti-ghost keys (which is very rare at this price), internal steel frame, genuine Cherry MX Red keys, attractive single color LED, removable USB etc. It can easily give competition to other super-premium keyboards which are priced double than this one.

Keyboard Type: Mechanical

Interface: It is a wired USB keyboard (Removable).

Switch: Cherry MX Red

The keyboard is made up of aluminium with a steel frame inside. Being a Tenkeyless keyboard, it is very portable and comes with a removable USB which further improves portability. But keep in mind, this doesn’t have a Numpad. Generally, gaming-oriented keyboards don’t come up with that option.

Top Features:

  • Anti-Ghost Keys: Yes! Full layout
  • Actuation Force: 45g trigger pressure
  • Actuation: 2mm
  • Gaming Mode
  • Single LED color backlight with dynamic lighting effects (Blue and Red)
  • Multimedia hotkeys
  • Removable USB
  • N-Key rollover
  • 87-keys without Numpad

Warranty and Customer Support: 2-years warranty on the product from the manufacturer.

HyperX is a well-established brand and being a part of Kingston; you can expect excellent customer service and after-sales support. The product has good rating and reviews as well. They have a dedicated website from which you can avail information and support. For customer support, you can call at 1860-233-4515. For technical support-1860-233-4515

Pros

  • 100% anti-ghost technology
  • 2 years warranty
  • Ultra-portable
  • Removable USB
  • N-key rollover
  • Good key feedback

Cons

  • No Numpad
  • No dedicated software for advanced mapping and changing settings.

Verdict

The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a premium offering at a budget-friendly price. It is purely designed for gaming and thus comes with a Tenkeyless layout and removable USB. It is ideal for gamers who are always on the go and needs something that offers portability and features without compromising on build quality.

Buy Now at Amazon

3. Cosmic Byte CB-GK-12 Neon Rainbow Backlit Mechanical Keyboard

Another new contender in the computer gaming world is Cosmic Byte. They are known for their aesthetic devices with quirky little features and affordable price tags.

Cosmic Byte CB-GK-12 is a purely mechanical keyboard with rainbow backlighting and decent performance.

Priced quite competitively, this keyboard boasts all key anti-ghosting along with Cherry MX Blue keys. The USP of the product is the full 104 key setup along with rainbow-colored backlighting with 10 Backlight Effects, 3 step Brightness Adjustment, and a 3 step Backlight Speed Adjustment. It rightfully deserves the fourth spot.

Keyboard Type: Mechanical

Interface: It is a wired USB keyboard

Switch: Cherry MX Blue

When it comes to build quality, it is relatively decent. It is made up of aluminium and comes with Anti Fanding Double Shot Keycaps which promises to provide 50 million keystrokes life-span. The USB cable is braided for better durability.

Top Features:

  • Anti-Ghost Keys: Yes! Full layout
  • Actuation Force: 60g trigger pressure
  • Actuation: 2mm
  • Cherry MX Blue keys
  • Dedicated gaming mode
  • Multimedia hotkeys
  • Full rainbow lighting with Backlight Effects, Brightness Adjustment, Backlight Speed Adjustment
  • Anti Fanding Double Shot Keycaps
  • Windows Lock Key

Warranty and Customer Support:

1-year warranty cover on the product.

Cosmic Byte has a good reputation among gamers and enthusiasts. The products they sell on Amazon are well built and gets the job done quite well. Almost all of the products have good ratings and positive reviews. Going by that, you can expect good after-sales. They have a full-fledged website with everything from a product portfolio to a proper support page. You can call:  1800 31300 7700 or +91 7875600597

Pros

  • Well priced
  • All-key anti-ghosting
  • Rainbow lighting with dynamic effects and control
  • Good tactile feel on the keypad thanks to Cherry MX Blue keys
  • Braided cable

Cons

  • No memory function for lights. Resets after every restart
  • A bit heavy

Verdict

This one is ideal for gamers who want good feedback and decent performance out of their keyboards. As this has MX Blue keys, it provides just that! Apart from the various lighting effects and anti-ghost keys, the keyboard should last long as it has a braided cable and a sturdy aluminium structure. Well built and priced even better!

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4. Ant Esports MK1000 Multicolour LED Backlit Wired TKL Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Ant Esports is one of the few manufacturers who specialise in gaming equipment. It is a very new company but has gained popularity due to its value for money offerings.

The Ant Esports MK1000 is a sturdy mechanical keyboard with multicolor backlighting and 87-keys rollover layout.

This particular model MK1000 is Tenkeyless; thus, it doesn’t come with a Numpad. It is an 87-key anti-ghosting enabled keyboard with one of the most dynamic and customizable lighting effects in-built. It has 6-color backlight with each row having its own specific color. 9 lighting effects and 2 dedicated slots for assignable lighting effects.

Keyboard Type: Mechanical

Interface: It is a wired USB keyboard

Switch: Cherry MX Blue

MX Blue keys are known for their tactile feedback, and this one lives up to the reputation. It is a well-designed keyboard which is sturdy enough for gaming as well as for day to day typing.  It is made up of ABS and comes with water-resistance. It promises 50 million keystrokes life-span.

Top Features:

  • Anti-Ghost Keys: Yes! 87-keys
  • Actuation Force: 60g trigger pressure
  • Actuation: 2mm
  • Cherry MX Blue keys
  • Dedicated gaming mode
  • 87- N-key rollover
  • Easy Access Controls for controlling lighting effects, Windows Key Lock, presents, gaming mode etc.
  • 6-colour individual row backlighting with dedicated lighting effects.

Warranty and Customer Support:

1-year warranty cover on the product.

The MK1000 has good ratings and reviews. Users are mostly impressed by its build quality, million feedback and lighting options. So, you can expect the product to be genuine and should offer durability and performance. They also have a website where you can find customer support and service. You can reach out to them via call: 9316648059 and email: support@antesports.com

Pros

  • Well priced
  • Well designed and built
  • 87 key anti-ghosting
  • Dynamic effects and controlling options
  • Good tactile feedback

Cons

  • No Numpad. There is a same model with a Numpad as well. Priced slightly higher.

Verdict

Ant Esports has made gaming equipment quite accessible for regular gamers. This particular model is proof of that! It is well-built, has all the essential characteristics of a gaming keyboard which includes anti-ghosting, MX Blue keys, dedicated gaming mode and most importantly dynamic lighting effects. All these at an affordable price!

Buy Now at Amazon

5. Zebronics Transformer Gaming Multimedia USB Keyboard

Zebronics is quite a known name in the computing world. It has always produced budget-friendly products for all types of users. This is a low-end membrane keyboard which is featured-loaded to give you the best gaming experience.

When you are thinking of a budget-friendly keyboard and get an LED breathing mouse along with it, the fun doubles up. The keyboard has multicolor Led backlighting per key with 4 lighting modes. It has lighting ON-OFF feature. There are 3 color modes and 1 off mode. It can stand on two steps and provide a comfortable gaming experience.

Keyboard Type: Membrane

Interface: Wired USB

Switch: Cherry MX

The keyboard has an aluminium body which gives it high durability and resistant property. The mouse also has metal plates. It has a decent rubber pad, and the lights are controllable.

Top Features:

  • Anti-Ghost Keys: No
  • Actuation Force: –
  • Actuation:-
  • Multicolour LED backlight
  • Comes bundled with a Gaming mouse-LED 7 colors, extra button, high-quality mouse
  • Media control is integrated
  • 2-steps stand
  • Braided cable
  • Backlight LED has ON-OFF feature
  • 4 lighting mode

Warranty and Customer Support:

This product has 1 year warranty.

Zebronics is well known for all kinds of computing peripherals. It is gaining popularity due to its reliable services. For any help, you can contact them at 044 – 4000 0004.

Pros (Keyboard)

  • Minimum deck flex
  • A strong USB connector with long cable
  • Descent rubber pad
  • Controllable windows lock and RGB light brightness
  • Interchangeable WASD and Arrow key

Cons (Keyboard)

  • Input gets stuck sometimes
  • No effect
  • No software synchronisation

Pros (Mouse)

  • Grippy structure
  • Smooth movement
  • Long cable
  • Strong USB connector

Cons (Mouse)

  • Non-removable metal plates making it heavy
  • Only RGB breathing effects
  • Input is sometimes not registered.

Verdict

If you want a budget-friendly keyboard with an extra mouse to give you support to your gaming experience, then surely go for this one. Zebronics has once more amazed us with its handy features and an extra component at a moderate price.

Buy Now at Amazon

6. CORSAIR K95 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Corsair came up in 1994 and has slowly started gaining popularity in the computer world. It is highly featured and priced because of its brand value.

This is a 110-key high-end mechanical keyboard with RGB. It has multi-color backlight features and premium design.

It is a gaming and typing laptop for Pro level gamers. It has a Cherry MX speed switch and six programming keys. The Actuation is 1.2 mm, and the Actuation force is 45 g. It has a report rate of 1000 Hz and 8mb profile storage. This will surely give you high-level gaming experience with its ergonomic design and performance.

Keyboard Type: Mechanical

Interface: Wired USB

Switch: Cherry MX Speed (These are faster! Actuation point is shorter than Cherry MX Red)

This product has an aircraft-grade anodised aluminium frame. This keyboard has a design that will surely captivate your eyes and will satisfy you the most with its purpose.

Top Features:

  • Anti-Ghost Keys: Yes! Full layout
  • Actuation Force: 45g trigger pressure
  • Actuation: 1.2mm only
  • 6 programmable g-keys for in-game macros
  • Report rate of HID keyboard is 1000 Hz
  • Multicolor backlight with dynamic per-key backlighting
  • 8mb profile storage
  • Macro hardware
  • Light payback

Warranty and Customer Support:

2 years warranty is available with this product.

Whenever you are talking about gaming components, Corsair will be definitely on the list. They provide reliable customer service and after-sales support. Therefore, you can easily reach them for help at 1800- 4255- 464.

Pros

  • Awesome RGB effect 19-zone LED
  • Re-programmable keys
  • On-board profile
  • Smooth typing
  • Minimum noise

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Volume stroller sometimes make sound
  • Keycaps sometimes fall over.

Verdict:

This product by Corsair is costly but worth its price. It has a two-year warranty, so it gives you extra reliability. To have a super typing and gaming experience, you can rely on this one for sure.

Buy Now at Amazon

7. CORSAIR K70 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Another Corsair product and this one is a slightly lower version of the above. The CORSAIR K70 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is meant for pro-gamers.

This is also a high-end mechanical keyboard. Since it is a gaming keyboard, it occupies the position with its fantastic gaming quality. Apart from that, it is also famous for its incredibly smooth typing reliability.

It has a single Red LED backlight with Cherry MX switch, which gives you extra reliability on this device. It has a total of 104 keys among which 6 are programmable. It will provide you with superb gaming experience and changeable audio features with game interruptions.

Keyboard Type: Mechanical

Interface: wired USB

Switch: Cherry MX Speed

The body is made up of aluminium which increases durability. Similarly, it boasts an Aircraft-grade anodised brushed aluminium frame. The keycaps are removable and have a wrist rest facility.

Top Features:

  • Anti-Ghost Keys: Yes! Full layout
  • Actuation Force: 45g trigger pressure
  • Actuation: 1.2mm only
  • Report rate of HID keyboard is 1000 Hz
  • Single color backlight with dynamic per-key backlighting
  • Corsair utility engine is powerful
  • USB pass-through port
  • Detachable Soft-touch wrist rest
  • Dedicated multimedia controls
  • Adjustable audio without gaming interruption

Warranty and Customer Support:

This product also has 2 years warranty.

For any technical issues related to the product, you can call them at 1800- 4255- 464 for help.

Pros

  • Lower actuation point
  • Built for gaming
  • Textured and contoured keycaps
  • Well built and designed
  • Removable keycaps
  • Full key rollover on USB

Cons

  • No multicolour lighting
  • Expensive

Verdict

It is an expensive purchase, but you can easily rely on Corsair. It has never failed to amaze its user and is extremely user-friendly. If you don’t have any budget issues, you can go for this. This is priced lower than the other superior Corsair on this list, but the former miss out on multiple lighting modes and programmable keys.

Buy Now at Amazon

8. Cosmic Byte CB-GK-11 Black Eye Wired Aluminium Mechanical Keyboard

Cosmic byte has always been a significant contribution to the life of a gamer.  Cosmic byte CB-GK-11 is a proper gaming keyboard which offers RBG Backlight, MX Brown switches and a hard aluminium frame.

This keyboard can be used as a general one for typing and also for moderate gaming as well. With gaming pedigree, MX Brown switches, anti-ghosting and competitive price tag,  it takes the 9th spot in our list and in our opinion the best multi-purpose gaming keyboard here.

Keyboard Type: Mechanical

Interface: It is a wired gold plated USB keyboard.

Switch: Cherry MX Brown

The keyboard is entirely built of aluminium. It is durable and feels sturdy. There is no such typing noise, and there is good typing feedback.  It has an extra option of Windows lock switch which can help you to have an uninterrupted gaming experience

Top Features:

  • Anti-Ghost Keys: Yes! All
  • Actuation Force: 45g trigger pressure
  • Actuation: 2mm
  • 13 LED color backlight, 3 level brightness adjustment, 4 level backlight speed adjustment
  • N-Key Rollover
  • Multi-Function Hotkeys and 8 Multimedia keys
  • Windows, iOS and Android compatibility

Warranty and Customer Support:

1-year warranty on the product from the manufacturer.

You can look at the Cosmic Byte website for any queries, or you can call:  1800 31300 7700 or +91 7875600597

Pros

  • Very well priced
  • Feature-packed
  • MX Brown switches
  • 100% Anti-ghost keys
  • LED backlighting with dynamic control
  • Comfortable design

Cons

  • Build quality has room for some improvements

Verdict

It is ideal for the general users who are into daily typing, along with all the facilities of a gaming keyboard. It gives you a decent formal look while providing a gaming experience with intelligent light functions, anti-ghosting, and multimedia keys. It can easily be the best package for those

Buy Now at Amazon

9. Redragon Karura K502 USB Gaming Keyboard

The Redragon Karura  K502 is one of the most preferred gaming keyboards. This is quite popular among beginners. It will help you improve your skills. It is a membrane keyboard with RGB lighting along with decent features and a compact design.

This Redragon keyboard is a moderately priced membrane keyboard for learners. It has moderate pricing with low-key gaming features. It has an ergonomic design with splash-proof technology. It has 4 different lighting modes and different RGB colors. The lighting features are adjustable. It has looked after the comfort zone of the users by providing wider Wrist-rest area.

Keyboard Type: Membrane

Interface: wired USB

Switch: Not cherry MX

The body is made up of metal with 8 programmable keys and 19 anti-ghosting keys. Very rare feature at this price point and segment! It supports Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and limited MAC OS keyboard.

Top Features:

  • Anti-Ghost Keys: Yes! 19 keys
  • Actuation Force: –
  • Actuation:
  • 8 programmable keys
  • Silent gaming condition
  • Controllable 7 RGB backlight with 4 lighting modes
  • Adjustable backlight brightness and Breathing speed
  • Splash-proof
  • 12 Multimedia keys in-built
  • Perfect typing angle with non-slip adjustable rear feet and extra-large wrist rest

Warranty and Customer Support:

This product has a 1-year warranty.

Redragon is a high profiled company that supplies gaming peripherals globally. They are incredibly responsive to their customers. You can contact them through their website Contact us

Pros

  • LED backlight
  • Changeable backlight and color intensity
  • Good quality cable
  • WASD, FN, Arrow keys are handy
  • Moderate pricing
  • Multimedia keys available

Cons

  • Some keys are not entirely lit
  • No scroll lock indicator

Verdict

To make beginners more interested, Redragon has made this very versatile. The main USP of this keyboard is its useful components. This gaming keyboard will give you quality features with moderate pricing. If you want to improve your gaming experience on a budget, go for this.

Buy Now at Amazon

10. Night Hawk Nk101 FPS Gaming Keyboard

Night Hawk has brought an impressive collection for the beginners in the gaming world. The features available in this product are extremely user-friendly and will surely make a beginner more interested in gaming.

This is a membrane keyboard with 3 colors LED backlight. It can be used both for typing and for gaming purposes.

This one has got the ninth position due to its excellent ergonomic design and usefulness. The USP of the product lies on the 19 anti-ghosting keys for the beginners. The keyboard is responsive with 3 colors LED backlight feature. It is the cheapest membrane keyboard of our list.

Keyboard Type: Membrane

Interface: wired USB

Switch: Cherry MX white

A full metal body gives it high durability. It has flexible keys with removable keycaps. The braided cable also increases the longevity period.

Top Features:

  • Anti-Ghost Keys: 19 keys
  • Actuation Force:
  • Actuation:
  • 3 colors LED backlit keys
  • Metal plates
  • Windows Lock key
  • Scroll lock indicator

Warranty and Customer Support:

It has a 1-year warranty.

Night hawk is an extremely reliable company which has not left any aspect of reaching their customer. You can contact them at 972-717-5555 or reach them via CustomerService@nighthawkcotrol.com

Pros

  • Awesome ergonomic design
  • Braided cable
  • WASD change key
  • Flexible keys
  • Removable keycaps
  • LED lighting with 3 in-built patterns

Cons

  • No gold plated USB
  • Braided wire is hard and not flexible
  • Scroll lock does not work sometimes

Verdict

This membrane keyboard is priced according to its moderate and useful features. It has better durability due to its braided cable structure. If the above features satisfy you then definitely give this a try.

Buy Now at Amazon

11. Razer Cynosa Chroma Gaming Keyboard 

To give beginners a taste of satisfying gaming experience, the Razer Cynosa Chroma is also on the list. This keyboard is extremely reliable with aesthetics and useful features.

This is a membrane keyboard for general users. It can be used for both gaming and typing. It has customizable backlight colors.

Being one of the most expensive all-purpose keyboards on the list, it has decent features. It has on-the-fly macro reading with razor synapse. It has a fully customizable RGB lighting with controllable lighting features. It has anti-ghost keys. It definitely deserves a spot on the list but hits the final spot due to its extreme pricing.

Keyboard Type: Membrane

Interface: wired USB

Switch: – In-house Razer keys

This keyboard has a plastic body with an anti-slip rubberized key. The keycaps are not removable but quoted with excellent fonts.  It has fully functional Pro keys with chroma game integration.

Top Features:

  • Anti-Ghost Keys: Yes! Full layout
  • Actuation Force:
  • Actuation:
  • Razor synapse
  • Customizable backlit keys
  • Programmable On-the-fly macro recording
  • Spill-resistant
  • 8 million lighting combinations
  • Under glow lighting effect

Warranty and Customer Support:

There is a 1-year warranty on this product.

Razer is a global gaming manufacturer with excellent products. The products are a bit expensive but come with superior features. They are reliable with satisfactory reviews. You can contact them at 00 1760-448-8997 for any kind of technical support

Pros

  • Adjustable backlight: brightness
  • Works silently
  • Chroma game integration
  • Anti-slip rubberized keys
  • Anti-ghosting available
  • Dynamic lighting

Cons

  • Expensive compared to others
  • No Hue lights
  • Keycaps are not removable

Verdict

If you do not have a budget issue and want to have a wonderful experience as a learner, then you can definitely go for this one. This has excellent features and is also useful for regular typing purposes. Allrounder!

Buy Now at Amazon

Gaming Keyboard Buying Guide

A gaming keyboard is not your run-of-the-mill office keyboard. It’s not like you order the first keyboard you saw online. A good gaming keyboard comes with a bigger price tag. There are also other aspects like quality, illumination, layout, etc. You need to check all these things before looking at your wallet.

But to a prospective buyer, it won’t be easy. So, going through this buying guide will be a great help for them.

Types of keyboards- What games do you play?

If we come to build quality, keyboards can be further divided into 3 categories. There are all-purpose keyboards, MMO keyboards and lastly the Tenkeyless keyboards.

  • All-purpose keyboards

All the low-end gaming keyboards can be considered an all-purpose keyboard. These are the standard office keyboards that are good for Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), First Person Shooter (FPS), and Real-Time Strategy (RTS) etc.

These are mainly membrane keyboards, sometimes come with a few sets of mechanical keys. Macro buttons may or may not be available. They are less reliable for competitive gaming.

  • MMO keyboards

These keyboards are meant for gaming. If you are a professional gamer who swears by winning a game—you must have an MMO keyboard. Traditional MMO keyboards have 6 macro keys where more advanced models can have as much as 18 macro keys to give you full control over the character. Such control obviously comes with a hefty price tag. Moreover, MMO keyboards are often heavier and larger in size.

  • Tenkeyless keyboards

These keyboards are also designed for gamers, but they are portable. They don’t have the numeric keys, so they tend to be lighter and smaller in size. It takes only a little space and can be carried around very easily.

Membrane Keyboard or Mechanical Keyboard?

If considered the built structure of the keys, there are three variations of gaming keyboards– Membrane-based Keyboards, Mechanical-Keyboards and Scissor keyboards.

  • Membrane-based keyboards:

Membrane-based keys lie on rubber or silicon made pad, i.e. a membrane. You need to press the key all the way down to register a keystroke. They lack the sound of a “click” which often makes it hard to be sure if you have pressed the key entirely.

These keyboards are cheaper because they are easier to manufacture. The design is very thin and also quieter. But for hard-core gaming, these squishy and mushy keypads with smaller key travel don’t perform well enough.

  • Mechanical Keyboard:

A mechanical keyboard is a lot like the old day’s typewriters. Under each key, there is a mechanical switch. These are more intricate switches with their own housing, spring, and shaft. They are highly tactile and spring back with a clicking sound.

The keys are much taller and heavier. They provide faster feedbacks and are a lot more precise. They are durable too. Each key can take 40-50 million clicks on average. And for obvious reasons they are a lot more expensive.

So, what do you think you need?

For a gamer, there is no reason for you to choose a membrane keyboard over a mechanical one unless you have a tight budget. Some say gaming keyboards are “clicky”. This means they are very loud which is often not suitable for office or other workplaces where there are people around you.

Durability of the keyboard

There is one aspect overlooked by most of the gamers while picking the best gaming keyboard. It is the plastic material used for the keys.

Quite recently, the internet was flooded with complaints about the use of low-grade plastic on branded keyboards. So, you need to be careful as low-grade plastic will be subjected to wear and tear sooner than it should. The tags will be rubbed off, and the ugly inner material will show.

There are basically 2 types of plastic materials used for the switches;

1.ABS-Plastic (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

This material is expensive, and it will not rub off after prolonged use. It is a very strong material that can resist up to 300 degrees F.

ABS plastic keyboards generally cost higher. And are found in top models. If you have decided to invest in a quality keyboard, keep this aspect in mind.

2. PBT-Plastic (Polybutylene Terephthalate)

This material is cheaper and very light. The labels on the keys can get erased easily. And the plastic melts after a few hours in the sun.

PBT plastic is used in average quality keyboards. There are both pros and cons of having these keyboards. They are affordable, and the labels are likely to come off. But you can renew the keys with newly printed stickers if you don’t mind it that way.

You can tell the difference between the plastic by the stiffness. If you feel the key is stiff heavy or big, then it is ABS. Brands like Razer, Corsair, Logitech use ABS plastic keys.

Keyboard Switches-Decoding the colors

The most confusing thing about a gaming keyboard is the color-coded keys. Mechanical switches come in dozens of colors, and each color characterises a different feel and sound profile.

For years, MX keys manufactured by Cherry was the highest standard mechanical key setup in the market. Manufactures used to outsource parts from them. Now some brands like Logitech, Razer etc have started manufacturing their own mechanical switches.

If we describe these switches, they can be-

  • Quiet or Clicky: Some keys make that loud clicking sound upon the actuation force while some keys keep it quiet or make very little noise after reaching the actuation point.
  • Linear or Tactile: Previous was the aural feedback, and this is about the tactile feedback. When you press a tactile mechanical switch, you can feel a bump indicating that it has registered the keystroke. In case of a linear switch, no such feedback is received.

Note: Switches also differ in terms of required force to register a keystroke or Actuation Force, Travel distance (Actuation force/ length) and durability (number of highest keystrokes).

Feel Cherry Logitech Razer
Linear-Quiet Cherry Red, Black, Silver and white Romer-G Linear Yellow
Tactile-Quiet Brown Romer-G Tactile Orange
Tactile-Clicky Blue Green GX-Blue Green

So, what you think? What do you need?

Let’s make it easier for you.

Tip 1: Both Razer and Logitech key quality can be compared to that of the Cherry Keys. Just the feel is different. Some people love that clicky sound, oddly satisfying whereas some people find that distracting.

Tip 2: Another thing to remember is the durability. 50 million keystrokes is the standard life of a key switch. It means, if you press it 10 thousand times a day it will still be working fine for the next 10 years!

Tip 3: Actuation force and travel distance don’t really matter unless you are comparing two keyboards side-by-side. Still, lower is usually better. But that shouldn’t be a deciding factor.

Appearance

The appearance aspect is quite a sensitive part. Some of the gamers only care about performance. So, for them, the looks don’t matter. But the majority of the users truly focus on the appearance part as they are getting an expensive keyboard.

Most of the gaming keyboards are bulky. Well, if you are using it at home, then it shouldn’t matter, but at the office, it would draw quite an attention.

  • The lights!

There is also the matter of RGB lights. These days all the gaming keyboards are equipped with lights, but colour customisation is not possible with all of them. Nowadays, cheaper gaming keyboard comes with dynamic lighting effects, brightness adjustment, breathing control etc. Just don’t get any keyboard that doesn’t let you adjust or completely turn off the lights.

  • A Hand Rest?

Lastly, there is also the matter of the hand rest. Some keyboards are equipped with one, and some aren’t. If you have any wrist issues, then these had rests will be very helpful. Just don’t decide to get an expensive keyboard because it includes a hand rest. These rests are also removable but if your favourite keyboard doesn’t have one, then don’t worry. Rests can be purchased online. You can even select its color and style.

  • The Layout

Picking out the best gaming keyboard is not only about its RGB lighting or the mechanism used underneath. The versatility and the number of keys always matter. A gaming keyboard holds between 88 and 101 keys. And these 13 keys can make a big difference.

The increasing number of keys means the keyboard comes with a numeric pad or macro keys. But gamers don’t really need a numeric pad; they have no use for it. It only makes the keyboard unnecessarily big and shortens the space between the key.

How vital are Macro Keys? Some gaming keyboards include a set of buttons—usually on the left side —that you can use as a shortcut of many keystrokes. These are called macro keys.

Gamers who play advanced games like World of Warcraft; you usually type a command or take your mouse on the specific icon. If you have macro keys, you can record these key sequences. This is a huge convenience when you need to make fast actions.

Hysteresis/Actuation Point

So, what is Hysteresis? It is also known as the actuation point. It is the point where the computer recognises the hit of the keys. There is also the reset point. At this point, the key comes back to its regular position.

If the actuation point is too far, it means if the gap is too big; gaming will be difficult.

Basically, these are bad keyboards or simply not meant for gaming. After hitting the key, you have to wait for a long time for the response, which could kill your character in the middle of gaming.

Whereas the keys without hysteresis will stop you from tapping the keys rapidly. Double-tap is just impossible. This helps while performing quick-time events on games.

Ghosting

Another thing you need to be careful about is ‘Ghosting’. There are many keyboards that suffer from ghosting. This happens when you press a particular key continuously. If the keyboard is of poor quality, then the press will be registered for the adjacent keys as well, which you didn’t want to press.

Well, this may not sound like a big issue. And it isn’t if you are only tying with it, but in gaming, it is life and death situation for your character.

So, a good gaming keyboard will be equipped with anti-ghosting features.  Both partial and full layout!

Budget

It is obvious that your budget is going to play a significant role in the final decision. If you look at the price range, you will be surprised how expensive then can be. There are gaming keyboards manufactured by cheaper and smaller brands. You can get these keyboards just under 4,000 INR. But with more prominent brands, the price can cross even 15,000 INR to 20,000INR.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between Cherry Mechanical Switches?

These days most of the gaming keyboards use Cherry MX keys. These are manufactured by ZF Electronics or formerly known as Cherry Corporation. What you need to realise is that different switches provide different feel and feedbacks. They also require a different amount of pressure to be activated.
In the case of Cherry MX keys, they are colour-coded. When you press the Cherry MX Blue keys, you will feel a small bump and clicking sound that is high pitched. Cherry MX Brown switches are stealthy. It makes less noise. But the Cherry MX Black keys are entirely different. There is no tactile and audio feedback. They are totally linear.

2. Are mechanical keyboards loud?

Using a mechanical keyboard is excellent. You will feel and hear every clicking sound. But if you are using them inside an office, then it might be a little bit noisy for your colleagues.

3. Are gaming keyboards portable?

Generally, gaming keyboards are pretty big. But there are portable ones available too. These gaming keyboards are small and usually come without the numerical pad.

4. Are gaming keyboards expensive?

Of course, they are going to cost. But there are also budget-friendly options available if you are in a budget.

5. Should I go for mechanical keyboards?

It depends on your purpose. If you are going to be typing in an office, but you always wanted a gaming keyboard, then it is not necessary to go for the mechanical ones. Yes, they will last a long time for sure, but they are also too clicky. So, it is better to not get the mechanical one for an office.
But if the sole purpose is gaming, then we would recommend you to get a good mechanical keyboard. They are good looking, have good travel and feel really good. But on top of that, they will last for a long time.

Conclusion

As you can see, gaming keyboards are quite different from normal regular keyboards. There are so many factors that enhance the gaming experience which no other regular keyboard can provide. But with time, manufacturers have evolved! They are now giving all-round options that can not only be used for gaming but also for typing as well. Our list consists of everything. From low-end/high-end mechanical keyboards to all-round general-purpose keyboards.

Our recommendations:

If you want the best gaming keyboard within a tight budget, Redgear Blaze 3 Color Backlit Gaming Keyboard should be your choice. This low-end mechanical option comes with 19 anti-ghost keys, Windows lock key, dedicated gaming mode, MX Red keys, and so on!

If you are a pro-gamer, and you are looking for a high-end gaming keyboard with all the bells and whistles, CORSAIR K95 RGB and CORSAIR K70 (lower model), should be your choice.

Looking for an all-round typing plus gaming option? Cosmic Byte CB-GK-11 Black Eye Wired Mechanical Keyboard is your best bet. It comes with MX Brown keys, 100% anti-ghosting, multimedia key integration etc.

If you have any queries, you can comment down below! We will be eagerly waiting for your response!

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