We tested a wide range of keyboards across categories to find the best keyboards for gaming, office work, ergonomics, programming, mobile use and budget builds. Here’s our full rundown, updated for 2020, with a real pick for each use case.
Best Keyboards 2020: Quick Picks by Category
Best Keyboard For Gaming: SteelSeries Apex Pro
The best keyboard for gaming that we’ve tested is the SteelSeries Apex Pro. This full-sized keyboard has an aluminum body that makes it feel very well-built and durable. It has good ergonomics thanks to the detachable wrist rest, and it should feel comfortable enough for long gaming sessions. It also comes with full RGB backlighting.
BEST WIRELESS: RAZER BLACKWIDOW V3 PRO
If you prefer a wireless gaming keyboard, check out the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro. You can’t set your own pre-travel distance like with the SteelSeries Apex Pro, and it’s not fully compatible with macOS, but you can connect it via Bluetooth or with its USB receiver, and pair it with three devices at the same time. It’s outstanding for gaming with full RGB backlighting, macro-programmable keys, and amazing built quality. It’s also comfortable and shouldn’t cause any fatigue, even during long gaming sessions. We tested the variant with clicky Razer Green switches, which provide a light and responsive gaming experience, though they can be quite loud. If you need something quieter, it’s also available with linear Razer Yellow switches.
Best Work Keyboard: Logitech MX Keys
The best office keyboard that we’ve tested is the Logitech MX Keys. This full-sized keyboard is fairly small and extremely thin, with a sleek and premium design that fits well in most office environments. It feels well-built and quite sturdy thanks to its metal frame, though it has some flex to it. It also has white backlighting that allows you to work in the dark.
BETTER ERGONOMICS: LOGITECH ERGO K860 WIRELESS SPLIT KEYBOARD
If you prefer a keyboard with better ergonomics, consider the Logitech ERGO K860 Wireless Split Keyboard. It’s not as versatile and as well-built as the Logitech MX Keys, but the ergonomics are better thanks to the curved design and split key layout, which should reduce wrist strain, though this isn’t something we test for. It also has two different incline settings, which create a negative angle, and comes with a well-padded wrist rest. It’s wireless-only, and you can connect it with up to three devices, either with Bluetooth or the USB receiver, and it’s easy to switch between each device. The typing quality is also great, but it may take you some time to get used to the curved design. The tactile scissor switches have a noticeable bump and require a bit of force to actuate, but they’re still light to type on. It’s very quiet and shouldn’t bother people around you.
For Programming: Razer BlackWidow Elite
The best keyboard for programming that we’ve tested is the Razer BlackWidow Elite. This keyboard has a sturdy design that feels durable. It comes with two adjustable incline settings and a detachable wrist rest for better ergonomics. It also features full RGB backlighting, which is great if you work in the dark.
Mobile Keyboard: Logitech K380
The best mobile keyboard we’ve tested is the Logitech K380. This light and small model is perfect to slide into your bag along with your tablet or phone. It feels decently built and exhibits a bit of flex, but it should be sturdy enough to stay intact while traveling with you. You can pair up to three devices simultaneously over a Bluetooth connection, and you can easily switch between them via the F1-F3 hotkeys.
Best Budget Keyboard: Redragon K552-RGB
The best cheap keyboard that we’ve tested is the Redragon K552-RGB. This wired-only mechanical model has a compact TenKeyLess design that’s simple but functional. It feels surprisingly well-built for its price and also comes with full RGB backlighting that you can customize directly on the keyboard itself.
Where to Buy These Keyboards
If you’d rather look at a smaller, more portable mechanical option than these best keyboards picks above, our Royal Kludge RK61 review covers a 60% mechanical keyboard that’s worth considering if desk space is tight. For all the picks above, here’s where to find current pricing:
- SteelSeries Apex Pro
- Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro
- Logitech MX Keys
- Logitech ERGO K860
- Razer BlackWidow Elite
- Logitech K380
- Redragon K552-RGB
Mechanical vs Membrane: Which Should You Get?
Most of the picks above are mechanical, and for good reason – mechanical switches give more consistent, tactile feedback and generally last far longer than membrane keyboards before keys start feeling mushy. The tradeoff is noise: clicky switches like Razer Green are genuinely loud, which matters if you share a room or take video calls near your keyboard. If quiet matters more to you than tactile feel, look for linear switches (like Razer Yellow) or stick with the scissor-switch Logitech options above, which are nearly silent.
Wired vs Wireless for Gaming
Wireless keyboards have closed the input-lag gap with wired ones enough that it’s a non-issue for the vast majority of players – the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro above is proof of that, and it’s a legitimate competitive-gaming option despite being wireless. The real tradeoff with wireless is battery management: you’ll want to get in the habit of charging overnight rather than discovering a dead keyboard mid-match. If you genuinely can’t tolerate ever worrying about battery, the wired Redragon K552-RGB removes that concern entirely, at the cost of one more cable on your desk.
Best Keyboards FAQ
Do I need a mechanical keyboard for gaming, or is membrane fine?
Membrane keyboards work fine for casual gaming, but competitive players tend to prefer mechanical switches for the more consistent actuation point and faster response. If you’re not chasing every millisecond of input consistency, don’t feel pressured into spending extra on mechanical just because it’s the “gamer” choice.
Is RGB backlighting worth paying extra for?
Purely cosmetic, but several of the best keyboards on this list include it anyway since it’s become close to standard at this price point. If you genuinely don’t care about lighting, you can usually save a little by picking a non-RGB variant of the same model.
How long should a good keyboard last?
Mechanical switches are typically rated for 50-100 million keystrokes per key, which in practice means years of daily use before you’d notice any degradation. Membrane and scissor-switch keyboards (like the Logitech picks above) have a shorter practical lifespan, but still commonly last several years of regular office use.
Wireless dongle, Bluetooth, or both?
Several of the best keyboards here support both. A USB receiver/dongle connection is generally more reliable and lower-latency than Bluetooth, which matters most for gaming. Bluetooth is more convenient for switching between multiple paired devices (like a laptop and a tablet) without carrying a separate dongle. If a model offers both, use the dongle for gaming and Bluetooth for everything else.
We’ll keep updating this best keyboards list as newer models come out and prices shift, so check back before making a final decision if it’s been a while since this was last reviewed.
Whichever of these best keyboards you end up choosing, give yourself at least a week of regular use before judging the switches or layout – it takes a little time to adjust to a new typing feel, especially if you’re moving between switch types or from a full-sized layout to something more compact.
Have a keyboard you think deserves a spot on this list? Let us know in the comments below.
