Are you looking for a budget gaming keyboard under $100? You have just landed in the right place. We are going to introduce you to the best in this price range.
A conventional keyboard is not bad for playing video games, but if you are a serious gamer, a gaming keyboard can give you an immense advantage.
Gaming keyboards have numerous advantages over their conventional counterparts. Perhaps the most striking are additional buttons, backlit, and wrist resting option.
However, there are more advantages under the hood like Cherry MX switches and Mechanical Switches.
After the boom of gaming products in recent years, you can find several keyboards designed to meet the needs of all types of players.
You do not need to spend money on the most expensive, large, and illuminated keyboard. You just have to look for a keyboard with our 3 criteria in mind.
We reviewed 10 of the best gaming keyboards under 100$ available in the market according to these 3 criteria.
We do not wanted anyone to be left without at least one option. So the keyboards we reviewed are perfectly valid for any type of player.
How to choose your gaming keyboard?
If you do some research to buy a gaming keyboard you will soon realize that there are many options. That is why we are going to give you a series of tips to choose the perfect keyboard to play. Do not miss them!
1. What type of keyboard do you want?
This may sound ridiculous, but many people don’t know the types of keyboards that exist in the market. It is obvious that, when choosing a keyboard you should know what you are looking for. A laptop keyboard is not the same as for a desktop computer (or at least it shouldn’t be).
Scissor keyboard: These types of keyboards are the most used in laptops. They work with two small pieces of plastic that do the action of a scissor when we press it. They are the type of keyboard with a fairly short lifespan, in addition to accumulating a lot of dirt.
Membrane keyboard: The vast majority of keyboards sold are of this type. They have a plastic part below the entire set of keys that presses the corresponding key circuit. They are the most economical option and do not make much noise. However, their response time is not the most optimal.
Mechanical keyboards: The keyboards gaming par excellence. Under each key, there is a switch, which is responsible for pressing the circuit. They have a great response time, the lifespan is longer than the other two. Only one draw back is they make loud noise while using them.
As you can read above, if you want a real gaming keyboard, get a mechanical keyboard.
2. Do you want it backlit?
If you want your keyboard to light up, its price will increase. If you also want to have LED lights that changes color, then we recommend that you think about a mechanical keyboard first.
Normally, you can find good mechanical keyboard from $70 to above.
3. Do you use the macro keys?
The macro keys are used in some games to save combinations of buttons. In this way, you can perform chained skills and combos much more easily. The vast majority of gaming keyboards come with some macro, although the most modest might not have one.
4. Cable or wireless?
Although cables are a nuisance, batteries can be even more cumbersome. It depends on each person, of course. But, if you have space or the opportunity to have a peripheral with cable, we recommend that you opt for that.
The wireless devices (other than the higher end) often bring problems to your battery and response time during gaming.
The Best Gaming Keyboards under 100$
Peripheral companies often exaggerate the usefulness of the components or avoid technical details.
We don’t want you to waste money, so we focus on three fundamental aspects of choosing a good gaming keyboard: switches, the number of programmable buttons, and the type of transmission.
We know that design is also important. However, it is difficult to categorize this section, since each design appeals to different users. Only you can say which one is best for you.
The type of transmission refers to whether the keyboard is membrane or mechanical. In some cases, it is a matter of preference. But mechanical keyboards are, objectively, more durable, more precise, expensive, and easy to repair or customize, compared to membrane ones.
To repair a membrane keyboard, you must replace the membrane (which is expensive) or buy another keyboard. To repair a mechanical keyboard, you just have to replace the switches on the damaged key.
If you choose a mechanical keyboard, you will most likely have Cherry MX switches, the leaders in the switch department. They are categorized by color (red, blue, brown, gray, etc.) and this refers to their qualities. Such as sensation, distance traveled, and the sound they make when pressing.
Our general recommendation is the Cherry MX brown switches, as they are perfect for both gaming and writing.
01. HyperX Alloy Origins Core
- HyperX Mechanical Switches rated for 80 million keystrokes
- Full aircraft-grade aluminum body
- Ultra-compact, portable design with detachable cable
HyperX is not as popular or known as Razer, Corsair, or Logitech. However, they have an interesting collection of gaming devices. The Alloy FPS Pro is one of its most compact products and is optimized for FPS (First Person Shooter) games.
Design
The keyboard design is compact, with a length of 15.4 inches. How do they achieve this? The model is TKL – Tenkeyless, or rather, without a numeric pad. This could be a problem for some, but the truth is that not everyone uses it.
Besides, the cable can be removed to facilitate the transport of the keyboard in a bag.
Despite its small size, the Alloy Origin Core keys have some separation. The small space leftover allows you to avoid accidentally pressing keys, something very common in compact keyboards.
Functionality
The keyboard is mechanical and uses red Cherry MX switches. These are the favorites of the FPS players since they are fast, do not make much noise, and the time between each press is almost imperceptible.
Is it lit? Yes. But you cannot change the default red tone. You can change the effects, but up there. Fortunately, the design and location of the backlight is low profile.
Being a mechanical keyboard, its cost is a bit higher despite being relatively simple. Either way, it is not that expensive, and its mechanical precision is very good.
Things we like
- Mechanical and with red Cherry MX switches.
- Compact design.
Things we don’t like
- No numeric pad.
- It has no macros.
02. Corsair K55 RGB
- Your Winning Streak Starts Now: Everything you need to start your winning streak is here. Enjoy quiet, responsive keypre…
- Ten-Zone RGB Backlighting: Ten zones of fully customizable RGB illuminate your desktop with mesmerizing lighting effects…
- Convenient Media Controls: Four dedicated media buttons give you the ability to control volume and playback with ease, a…
Corsair entered the gaming peripherals market recently, but their commitment to quality has raised them to a certain prestige. They have an extensive line of keyboards, and the K55 RGB is one of their cheap options (but good enough to be placed at the top of our list).
Functionality
It has 6 programmable macros, where you can “record” from a single key-press to complex multi-key combinations. All without using additional software, as it is recorded by pressing the “MR” (“ Macro Record ”, or “macro recording”) button.
In addition to this, it has buttons to manage multimedia, such as volume up and down, pause, forward, return and stop. The keyboard gives you the option of blocking the Windows key, preventing accidental deployment of the startup during an intense moment.
Despite being membrane, the keyboard is multi-touch. This gives you greater precision and ensures that the keys you press will be interpreted.
It uses dynamic RGB back-lighting in three different zones. You can choose more than 10 lighting modes with different effects, from static to surround.
The product is very affordable. It can be an option for a multitude of users, and its cost-value is favorable.
Things we like
- Excellent price.
- Multi-touch.
- Macro recording without software.
Things we don’t like
- It’s a membrane multi-touch.
- The top band gets dirty easily.
03. Razer Ornata V3
- LOW-PROFILE KEYS — With slimmer keycaps and shorter switches, enjoy natural hand positioning that allows for long hours …
- MECHA-MEMBRANE SWITCHES — Fusing the snappy, clicky feedback of a mechanical switch with the familiar feel of a conventi…
- UV-COATED KEYCAPS — More durable than regular keycaps, the UV coating ensures more fade-resistant legends and greater pr…
It may come as a surprise to some, but Razer has some affordable products. The Razer Ornata V3 is an excellent membrane keyboard and can compete with mechanical keyboards whose prices are higher than this..
Aesthetically, the product is low profile, without striking shapes or lights. In our opinion, that is the best way to approach the design.
Functionality
Although the transmission is by a membrane, the keys are quite precise, and its touch is padded for more comfort. Its mechanical precision is well enough since it has an anti-ghosting of up to 10 keys.
The keyboard does not have additional buttons, but using the device configuration program, you can change the linkage of the buttons and assign macros with multi-key combinations.
This keyboard uses Chroma for feedback. You can choose from millions of colors, and assign a multitude of very pleasant effects to personalize the aesthetic.
It is not the cheapest, but it is very affordable and has functions of a higher-end keyboard for a lower price. The cost-value ratio is excellent.
Things we like
- Affordable.
- The lighting effects are great.
Things we don’t like
- Uses membrane.
- It has no additional buttons.
04. Logitech G910 Orion Spark
- Anti-ghosting Capability – Enjoy the freedom to simultaneously use 113 keys, including function and number keys, without…
- Multi-Key RGB Lighting – Make your keyboard truly yours. Create your own vibrant palette of colors and lighting effects,…
- Romer-G Switches – Romer-G switches are designed for performance and speed. With a lifespan of 70 million keystrokes, yo…
Logitech has an almost immaculate reputation in the computer peripherals industry. The G910 Orion Spark is one of the many high-quality devices manufactured by the company. It offers high functionality and mechanical precision.
Design
The Orion Spark is somewhat large, with a length of 50.5 cm. The wrist rest is angled and in our opinion, it does nothing good. However, the unit has a box to park your smartphone, which is very convenient and facilitates the use of the Arx Control system.
Functionality
It is a mechanical keyboard but does not use Cherry MX switches, but its patented Romer-G switches. They are of comparable quality to the Cherry MX concerning precision, but they travel less distance, which makes them more responsive and durable.
The Arx Control allows the user to monitor system statistics or video game (if it has compatibility) using an iOS or Android device.
It has 9 programmable buttons, and 3 macro buttons, next to the record button. This and more can be configured in the system suite.
It uses dynamic RGB by key, which opens up very interesting opportunities, such as cataloging the skill buttons of a MOBA (“multiplayer online battle arena”) of one color, or the weapons change buttons of another.
It already enters another price category, so it is a bit more expensive than what we have reviewed so far. However, it is still reasonable for its operation.
Things we like
- Robust lighting system.
- The Arx Control is very useful.
- A lot of macro customization.
Things we don’t like
- The design is somewhat awkward.
- Romer-G switches may not be as good for writing as Cherry MX for some people.
05. Corsair K55 RGB PRO
- Dynamic RGB Backlighting: Light up your desktop with six onboard lighting effects, assign a color to each lighting zone,…
- Six Dedicated Macro Keys: Activate functions, shortcuts, or keypresses in just one stroke with six dedicated macro keys,…
- Dust and Spill-Resistant Design: IP42-rated protection guards against accidents so your gameplay never has to stop.
Again with Corsair, this time with a wired model. The K55 RGB offers unprecedented comfort, all without abandoning precision.
Functionality
The keyboard is not mechanical, with touch textured keys. Use red Cherry MX switches to improve performance in games that require pressing keys quickly, such as FPS.
Uses a blue LED back-light on the keys, but you can’t change the color, just some effects like intensity.
For what it is, the cost is very good. It is not expensive, and could even be considered affordable if we compare it with products of similar functionality.
Things we like
- Compact and portable.
- Comfortable design with Dust and Spill-Resistant Design.
Things we don’t like
- Almost no backlit options.
- The wrist rest leaves a lot to be desired.
06. Razer BlackWidow V4 X
- YELLOW MECHANICAL LINEAR SWITCHES: With zero distance between actuation and reset points at 1.2mm and only 45g of force …
- 6 DEDICATED MACRO KEYS: Expand the arsenal of commands with a set of easy-access macro keys that can be programmed to pe…
- MULTI-FUNCTION ROLLER and SECONDARY MEDIA KEYS: Pause, play, skip, and tweak everything from brightness to volume for ul…
- CHROMA RGB PER-KEY LIGHTING: With a switch construction that promotes brighter, even lighting, customize each key from o…
- DOUBLESHOT ABS KEYCAPS: Using a doubleshot molding process to ensure the labeling never wears off while having extra-thi…
- IMPROVED KEYBOARD ACOUSTICS: With a layer of special foam under the circuit board and lubricated stabilizers to minimize…
We already take a look at what a Razer membrane keyboard can do. The Razer BlackWidow V4 X shows us the mechanical excellence. It is an elegant, condensed, and very functional keyboard.
Things we like
- Modern and minimalist design.
- High mechanical precision.
- It has a USB port.
Things we don’t like
- Expensive.
- Switches not as tactile as the Cherry MX.
07. Redragon – K679 RGB Gaming Keyboard
- Self-design & Removable Keycaps: The Redragon K679 features a custom designed keycap that has been made shorter to reduc…
- N-key Rollover, Ergonomic And Durable Design
- 18 Backlit Modes: Press FN + INS-PgDn to enter Pro-gamer mode. RGB LED adjustable lighting with 6-themed backlights -18 …
- Wide Compatibility: Support computer system including Windows10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Mac OS X, Windows XP, Windows VIS…
Things we like
- The cost is very favorable.
- Competitive accuracy.
Things we don’t like
- It has no additional buttons, so making macros can be more difficult.
08. SteelSeries USB Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
- Hybrid blue mechanical gaming switches – The tactile click of a blue mechanical switch plus a smooth membrane – guarante…
- OLED smart display – Customize with gifs, game info, discord messages, and more.
- Aircraft-grade aluminum alloy frame – Manufactured for unbreakable durability and sturdiness
- Dynamic per-key RGB illumination – Gorgeous color schemes and reactive effects for every key
- Premium magnetic wrist rest – Provides full palm support and comfort
- 900 x 300 x 4 millimeter / 35.43 inches x 11.81 inches
SteelSeries does things big … literally.
Things we like
- Robust lighting.
- Very durable design and materials
Things we don’t like
- Expensive.
- Touch switches are missed.
- Multi-Device Connection: AULA F99 Pro wireless mechanical keyboard provides three connection methods, including BT5.0, 2…
- Multi-function Control Knob: This AULA 96% wireless gaming keyboard is equipped with functional knob to switch backlit m…
- Hot-swappable Custom Keyboard: The switches and keycaps can be freely replaced(keycap/switch puller are included in the …
- Smart Display & Multi-Function Knob: This gaming keyboard puts connection mode, battery level, and system status on the …
- Tri-Mode Wireless Connection for Multiple Devices: Use Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, or USB-C wired mode to match your setup. This …
- Compact 98% Layout with Full Functionality: The 98% keyboard keeps the number pad, arrow keys, and essential shortcuts i…
- Wired gaming keyboard with robust aluminum housing: Thanks to the dampening keyboard structure for effective noise reduc…
- CHERRY MX2A SILENT RED switches: Smooth and quiet typing feel with linear switching characteristics (no click) and more …
- Vivid RGB backlighting with over 16 million colors: Numerous integrated color games and lighting effects (individually c…
Buyer’s Guide
Expensive gaming keyboards, they will not make you a professional player, but depending on the keyboard, and the use you give it, you can position yourself over other players.
If we go a little further, keyboards have uses outside of gaming. Whether you write, programs, design, or get accounts, you use a keyboard in your everyday life. So acquiring one that does your job and your simplest hobbies are the most sensible.
We hope we have helped you! Follow these tips to improve your purchase:
Do you need the number pad and multimedia keys?
We recommend that you analyze your situation. A number pad not only lengthens the keyboard, but the price also goes up . Unless you have a specific use that you can benefit from with one, you should ignore the number pad, and along with that idea, we add the multimedia keys.
Do you have a Corsair mouse?
Gaming peripherals, especially those with lighting or macros, require a configuration suite.
Each brand has its own for its product line, but if you use peripherals from different manufacturers you will end up with a multitude of programs on your computer.
Are your walls thin or do your family hate noise?
Beware of blue Cherry MX switches or their derivatives.
The sound of each type of switch is different, but blue is the loudest of all. This makes him very dear to full-time writers and certain players, but remember the problems they can generate with others.
It is never too much to check which switch the keyboard you want has and how it sounds.
Best of luck in buying your next Gaming Keyboard. Let us know in the comment which one you are using and why it is your favorite.
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