When you are shopping for PC gaming equipment or building your own PC gaming unit, the chances are that you will spend a great deal of time choosing the best PC card, motherboard, and processor for your machine. Personally, I have spent a lot of time selecting the perfect equipment to help in my gaming endeavors. Rarely have I ever given much thought to my keyboard. In just a few years, mechanical keyboards have gone from niche accessories only known to retro enthusiasts to an integral part of the multi-million dollar Esports industry.
Over the years, one thing I have come to learn is that a good gaming keyboard, if used properly, can mean the difference between losing and winning a game. By taking a closer look, I got a better idea of what attracts most gamers to these keyboards in the first place and also got to know the quantifiable advantages they offer.
Gaming keyboards feature full-sized and well-spaced mechanical keys that make gaming comfortable over long periods of time. Gaming keyboards have effortless keystrokes, which are much faster, so if you need to type while playing a game, you’ll notice your speed will be enhanced. The response of gaming keyboard keys is much greater and faster, and you don’t require much pressure to use them. Gaming computers are much more durable than membrane keyboards that are less resistant and will last less long. Gaming keyboards also enhance a more efficient User-PC interaction. Gaming keyboards are easy to clean and repair. These keyboards are made for gamers since the actuation of pressing keys on the keyboard is faster than conventional keyboards.
For many gamers, gaming keyboards are considered a “secret weapon” that gives them a real gaming advantage. Compared to other components and peripherals, gaming keyboards are downright affordable.
I would totally recommend them for your gaming experiences, and in this article, I will strive to show you just how much of an edge these keyboards can give you when playing competitively. So sit back, relax, and read on to find out more. This will certainly be an insightful read for you.
What are the best types of gaming keyboards?
There are two main types of gaming keyboards you can choose between. These are keyboards with rubber dome switches and keyboards with mechanical switches. This terminology refers to the technology that’s used to detect when you press down on a key. Both of these types of gaming keyboards have their Pros and Cons.
Rubber Dome Keyboards
Some of the pros include:
- They are quieter. This is because they have no mechanical moving parts.
- While other keyboards may degrade over time, these keyboards have a long lifespan and will last for millions of cycles.
- They have strong, crisp, and tactile feedback, making gaming seamless and giving you a fast response.
- These keyboards offer ease of use which comes in handy for most gamers.
- They also have consistent functionality.
Some of the cons of these keyboards include:
- They don’t provide the same level of tactile feedback as mechanical keyboards.
- Cleaning these keyboards is hard since the keycaps are normally not removable, so you can really only clean the tops of the keys.
- Compared to mechanical keyboards, they also have a shorter life span because when the rubber dome is compressed, it loses some of its flexibility.
Mechanical Keyboards
Some of the pros include:
- They have outstanding tactile feedback compared to rubber dome keyboards, and they provide smooth movement before activating.
- The response is much greater and faster.
- They have full-sized and well-spaced mechanical keys that make gaming comfortable over long periods of time.
- Mechanical keyboards have a longer lifespan because they wear out more evenly.
- They enhance a more efficient User-PC interaction.
- The actuation of pressing keys on the keyboard is faster than conventional keyboards.
- They are inexpensive for most people.
- You can remove the keycaps on most mechanical keyboards so you can clean the whole keyboard.
Some of the cons include:
- They sometimes have inconsistent functionality and responsiveness.
- They are noisy.
Important Note:* Mechanical gaming keyboards are often best paired with gaming mice. Don’t skimp out on getting a good one and read this article to find out why gaming mice are worth every penny.
What gaming keyboards do famous pro gamers use?
Logitech G Pro Mechanical Keyboard
A member from my gaming community on Facebook mentioned the reason Shroud uses this keyboard.
This keyboard is aimed at serious competitive gamers. It features a button to activate gaming mode that turns off the Windows key and other annoying features that impede performance. It has a tactile bump with a unique feeling switch. It doesn’t require a lot of force to press. It has a detachable cable which makes it portable, and it’s also pretty sturdy, which makes it a reliable gaming keyboard.
Razer Huntsman v2 Analog
Combining the latest optical technology and Razer’s analog mechanical key switches, this keyboard delivers the best gaming experience you could ever hope for. It has extremely satisfying tactile feedback and a wrist rest designed to allow you to play longer. It also has a fully customizable key actuation.
SteelSeries Apex Pro
“Apex Pro is super nice, but save yourself some money and just get the 7 on Amazon. I used it for a few months” – Jesse, avid gamer in PC Gaming Enthusiasts Group
It has a svelte aesthetic and a clever OLED display. It has a stunning solid build, features custom actuation, and is comfortable to game with. It is also noticeably quiet with magnetic switches. It goes for $199, and its top-of-the-line performance enhancement backs this price for any gamer.
Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition
“Man, for a fast typer, the razer huntsman tournament edition absolutely SUCKS for typing but it is AMAZING for gaming.” –Jesse
If you’re even slightly serious about your gaming performance, then shelling out more than $100 for this keyboard shouldn’t bother you. The beauty of this keyboard is that it manages to deliver fast performance thanks to its fast switches, which make it suitable for fast play. It is small and has a removable cable making it a portable choice for on-the-go gaming.
Roccat Vulcan TKL Pro
Who needs a full-sized keyboard when TKL gaming keyboards such as the Roccat Vulcan TKL Pro exist? This compact gaming keyboard is rated among the best in performance, comfort, and looks. Its Titan optical switches are not only fast but also accurate, satisfying, quiet, and robust.
But how do pros decide on gaming mice? If you need a full setup, you might find that a gaming mouse is also something on your radar. Pros ask these five big questions when they’re deciding on which one to buy next. When I conducted my research on this topic, I was surprised to find out how in-depth they look at each element of the mouse. Thinking like a pro is just as important as buying the ones they use.
Corsair K65 Mini
If you have a smaller gaming desk or just want a more compact setup, then you’ll find this compact gaming keyboard among the best. It has incredibly satisfying presses, an impressive polling rate of 8000Hz, and highly customizable keys. The only downside is that this keyboard doesn’t have arrow keys, so it may take a while to get used to.
What’s the best beginner keyboard for gaming?
If you have any questions about whether a gaming keyboard is actually worth it, here’s a great answer to a simple question that will truly help you make the decision. This link will take you to another article I wrote after talking to several of my avid gamer friends whom I’ve featured in my articles. You’ll have a lot of the same beginner questions answered in that short read-through.
This is a great video review of the Hyper X Alloy Elite. There’s a few great reasons why this keyboard is great for beginners:
- Affordable: Beginner gamers can’t truly appreciate the micro-fine tunes that a high-end gaming keyboard provides. The high end gaming keyboards come with programmable features that are also utilized for professional Twitch streaming that isn’t necessary for most people.
- It’s still just as responsive as high-end gaming keyboards. Every gaming keyboard will be designed to respond to each keystroke, without having any delay trying to respond to the previous button press. Normal keyboards don’t deliberately come with this feature because the user can’t tell the difference in delay. During heated matches, this adds up to make all the difference.
For the most part, gaming keyboards are mechanical keyboards. They are similar to conventional keyboards, but the fact is that they have a slightly different operation principle. Gaming keyboards have several dedicated switches instead of rubber membranes. You can feel how deeply you press a key, how far away your fingers are from it, and how hard you press. Basically, with gaming keyboards, you just “feel” your keyboard. This makes them the perfect keyboard for gamers.