Gaming keyboards can quickly get expensive, with some of the best gaming keyboards costing more than $200. But that doesn't mean keyboards under $100 can't offer an excellent gaming experience. Whether wired or wireless, full-size or mini, plenty of keyboards under $100 feel fantastic to type and game on.

  • best gaming keyboard deals
    HyperX Alloy Origins Core Gaming Keyboard
    Best Overall Keyboard Under $100
    $70 at HyperX
  • SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Gaming Keyboard
    SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Gaming Keyboard
    Best Wired Keyboard Under $100
    $43 at Best Buy
  • best gaming keyboard deals
    Logitech G613 Gaming Keyboard
    Best Wireless Keyboard Under $100
    $74 at Walmart
  • MSI VIGOR GK50 ELITE TKL GAMING KEYBOARD
    MSI VIGOR GK50 ELITE TKL Gaming Keyboard
    Best TKL Keyboard Under $100
    $35 at Newegg
  • Keychron K12 60% Wireless Keyboard
    Keychron K12
    Best 60% Keyboard Under $100
    $69 at Keychron
  • best gaming keyboard deals
    Logitech G413 Gaming Keyboard
    Best Full-Size Keyboard Under $100
    See at Amazon
  • Corsair K55 Core
    Corsair K55 Core RGB Gaming Keyboard
    Best Membrane Keyboard Under $100
    See at Amazon
  • Logitech Wave Keys
    Logitech Wave Keys
    Best Ergonomic Keyboard Under $100
    $60 at Logitech
5 Best Gaming Keyboards
Related
The Best Gaming Keyboards in 2024

The best gaming keyboard can change your entire gaming experience. These are the top keyboards you can buy to amplify gaming thrills.

Choosing the Best Gaming Keyboard

There are several factors to consider when buying a gaming keyboard for under $100. These include form factor, connectivity, and switch type.

  • Form Factor: The form factor or size of the keyboard is a great way to narrow down the results when searching through pages of keyboards. Gamers will come across four main form factors: full-size, TKL, 75%, and 60%. Of course, there are more options, but they tend to be more niche and expensive.
  • Connectivity: In this price range, wired and wireless keyboards offer similar performance, so this choice will typically come down to personal preference rather than performance boost.
  • Switch Type: The switch type is essential to having an excellent experience. For gaming, switches with shallow actuation points allow quicker movements and button presses, but these shorter actuation switches can lead to more typos. So, the best switch for every gamer will depend on what they intend to use the keyboard for.

Game ZXC's Picks for the Best Gaming Keyboards Under $100

Despite having less-than-ideal keycaps, the HyperX Alloy Origins Core is one of the best gaming keyboards for under $100. At this price point, most keyboards use a plastic case to cut down on costs, but the Alloy Origins Core has an aluminum case, making it feel very premium and sturdy. This keyboard is perfect for any gamer wanting a gaming keyboard that feels both excellent to type and game with.

The excellent HyperX Aqua switches continue the keyboard's premium feeling. These tactile switches feel similar to Cherry MX Browns with a bump halfway through the key press. The light actuation point makes it easy to make quick movements in games and type for long periods without a ton of fatigue, and the tactile bump in the middle provides enough feedback that it is easy to avoid typos.

Now for the only really disappointing part of this keyboard: the keycaps. The keycaps have a shiny finish that quickly picks up stains. Compared to other keyboards at this price point, like the Logitech G613, these keycaps feel like they belong on a much more budget keyboard. Thankfully, keycaps are the easiest thing to replace on a mechanical keyboard, so this is not too big of a drawback.

Proving that even keyboards under $50 can be a fantastic option for gaming, the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL offers excellent gaming performance, whisper-quiet switches that won't annoy neighbors, and it is even waterproof. This keyboard is perfect for gamers who want an incredibly affordable option that performs well above its price.

To get that whisper-quiet typing and gaming experience, SteelSeries opted to use membrane switches instead of mechanical ones. Before gamers start scrolling away, these are some of the best-feeling membrane switches on a keyboard. While they don't have the same satisfying click of a mechanical switch, they have a surprisingly tactile bump at the end of their travel. Typing with these switches feels responsive. When it comes to gaming, the Apex 3 TKL offers performance similar to that of much higher-priced keyboards.

Unlike the HyperX Alloy Origins, the Apex 3 TKL has an almost entirely plastic build, making it much more affordable, but the lighter weight means it can move around a bit when typing. For the most part, it's not that big of a deal if gamers use a desk pad, but if gamers like to have their keyboard sit directly on the table, they might want to put a block behind it to keep it from slipping away.

Regardless of the peripheral, Logitech has some of the best wireless performance currently available. Not only does the Logitech G613 have an impressively fast latency, but it also has an incredibly long battery life of 18 months. That is comparable to office keyboards, but office keyboards don't offer as excellent gaming performance as the G613. This keyboard is perfect for gamers who want a wireless keyboard they can consistently rely on for an amazing gaming experience.

This full-size keyboard is unapologetically large. Even compared to other full-size keyboards, like the SteelSeries Apex Pro, the G613 is larger. So, this is not the right keyboard for gamers with a smaller desk or who prefer a more compact form factor. But for those gamers who have room and like to spread out when typing, the G613 is incredibly comfortable to type and game on for hours.

While not quite at the level of the new mechanical switches from Logitech, the Romer G switches on this keyboard still feel tactile and responsive without being overly heavy. Plus, this keyboard can easily be taken into the office without looking out of place because there is no RGB lighting.

At the opposite end of the size spectrum to the Logitech G613 is the compact and portable MSI Vigor GK50 Elite TKL. Despite its affordable price and thin profile, this keyboard feels incredibly sturdy. Plus, the TKL form factor makes it easy to take this keyboard anywhere and everywhere. The GK50 Elite TKL is an excellent option for any gamer who wants a keyboard that does not compromise performance or typing experience.

In Game ZXC's full review of the MSI GK50 Elite TKL, we found that this keyboard is an absolute joy to game with. The Kailh Blue switches are responsive and precise, although because they are clicky, sometimes typing sounds like Fran Drescher from TheNanny.

While not the most ergonomic keyboard, the GK50 Elite TKL offers an extraordinarily comfortable typing experience for a compact keyboard, especially compared to keyboards like the Razer Huntsman Mini. The TKL form factor is an excellent option for gamers looking for a more compact option who don't want to jump down to a 60% keyboard. This keyboard still has room to spread out without taking up the whole desk, like the Logitech G613.

Keychron has quickly established itself as a reliable source of mechanical keyboards that are reasonably priced but also have a ton of customization options. The Keychron K12 is an excellent example of why Keychron is a fan favorite, with fantastic customization options and an incredible typing experience; this keyboard is perfect for anyone looking for a hot-swappable 60% keyboard.

Like all Keychron keyboards, the K12 is entirely hot-swappable and easily customizable. All of the switches offered on Keychron's website are a great place to start looking for alternatives to the ones that come with this keyboard, since they all offer a pretty excellent typing experience out of the box. The Gateron Brown switches, in particular, are fantastic for users who want a tactile option.

While the K12 doesn't have the same "gamer aesthetic" as the MSI GK50 TKL, it is no slouch when it comes to gaming performance. When connected via wired, this keyboard is just as responsive and fast as dedicated gaming keyboards. However, when connected via Bluetooth, there are some latency issues, but unless gamers play competitively, the latency is not entirely detrimental to gameplay.

While some gaming keyboards focus on fancy features and intricate RGB lighting, the Logitech G413 Carbon takes a much simpler approach that focuses more on an excellent typing and gaming experience over everything else. Because of this, the G413 can keep a very affordable price point for a full-size mechanical keyboard. This keyboard is perfect for gamers looking for a budget way to get a full-size keyboard that does not compromise when it comes to performance.

Of course, other full-size keyboards under $100 are pretty excellent in their own respects, but many of these use membrane or mechanical-like switches, which don't always yield the best results. On the other hand, the G413 Carbon uses Romer-G switches, which provide a much more responsive and tactile typing experience that are also rated to last much longer than membrane switches. Romer-G switches deliver a relatively quiet typing experience that won't annoy anyone nearby and feels similar to Cherry MX Browns.

The lack of hardware customization is one of the hardest sacrifices the G413 makes. Unlike most mechanical keyboards, which offer hot-swappable PCBs for easy repair when a switch fails or the option to use other switches, the G413 has the Romer-G switches soldered to the PCB. This is more easily repairable than a membrane keyboard, but swapping out all the switches will require much effort. While the keycaps are technically replaceable, they use a proprietary mounting post, so gamers need to pick up keys from Logitech, which are pretty hard to find at the time of writing.

While mechanical keyboards are all the rage in the gaming community, some fantastic membrane keyboards are still being made. Membrane keyboards offer a gentle and quiet typing experience, are great for people in shared spaces, and are typically much more affordable. The Corsair K55 Core RGB is one of the newest membrane keyboards from Corsair, and it is making some waves with its release.

In Game ZXC's full review of the K55 Core RGB, we found that instead of a budget mechanical keyboard with compromises, the Corsair K55 Core maximizes the potential of being a membrane keyboard. The K55 Core's speedy and light typing removes some of the mushiness of rubber dome switches, making for an overall comfortable gaming experience. The switches have a reasonably light actuation point, making it easy to execute quick moves, but not so light where unintended inputs become an issue.

The K55 is not exactly a low-profile keyboard, but with a much slimmer frame than most mechanical keyboards, it is very comfortable to type on for hours. Adding a wrist rest can undoubtedly improve the ergonomics, but it makes sense that Corsair chose to forgo that to keep costs and the overall footprint of the keyboard down. That being said, for a full-size keyboard, the K55 fits pretty well on any desk, unlike the Logitech G613, which is a giant comparatively.

Ergonomic keyboards tend to be even more expensive than gaming keyboards, so it's nice to see that Logitech is offering an excellent option that is both affordable and incredibly comfortable. The Logitech Wave Keys is perfect for gamers who want an ergonomic keyboard that is easy to transition from a traditional keyboard and can even be used for gaming.

The combination of the wave design and the padded wrist rest puts less pressure on the user's hands and puts them in a more natural position. Unlike some ergonomic keyboards that use a split design, the unibody design of the Wave Keys makes it reasonably easy to switch over without too much of a learning curve. Still, some users might have trouble with the oddly shaped arrow keys.

While this keyboard doesn't use the same Lightspeed technology as the Logitech G613, it still has pretty fantastic wireless performance. Game ZXC wouldn't recommend using this keyboard for competitive gaming, but the Wave Keys performs quite well for casual use.

$100 Can Go A Long Way

HyperX Alloy Origins Core keyboard

Many keyboards that get the spotlight are pretty expensive, and the more budget options don't receive the love they deserve. Luckily, with more and more companies in the gaming keyboard space, many options offer excellent gaming performance and fantastic typing experiences for under $100. However, that does mean searching for the best gaming keyboard for under $100 is a bit more complicated now. But when gamers are looking for their perfect keyboard, remember the three key factors and the search will be much more straightforward.

  • Form Factor: Gamers will come across four main form factors: full-size, TKL, 75%, and 60%.
  • Connectivity: In this price range, wired and wireless keyboards offer similar performance, so this choice will typically come down to personal preference rather than performance boost.
  • Switch Type: For gaming, switches with shallow actuation points allow quicker movements and button presses, but these shorter actuation switches can lead to more typos.

NEXT: The Best Ergonomic Keyboards

FAQ

Q: How much is a good gaming keyboard?

There is not one answer to the best price for a gaming keyboard. It varies a bit for every gamer. However, for the most part, gamers looking for a blend of premium features and a reasonable price for their keyboard can expect to pay between $50 and $100.

Q: What size keyboard is best for gaming?

There is not one size of keyboard that is best for gaming, but for those gamers who want a keyboard that will mainly be used for gaming, a 60% keyboard is a great option. However, full-size and TKL keyboards will be a bit nicer for working and gaming.