9 Best Mechanical Gaming Keyboards (Review) In 2021

Every element that marks a quality gaming PC keyboard is here: the benefits of mechanical over membrane, discussing ergonomics, talking about add-on bonuses and more. You’re finally taking the time to get the best mechanical keyboard for your setup, so let’s go through every detail you’ll need to xcover in order to get the best playability for your gaming style. Got a question about mechanical gaming keyboards? We’re willing to bet we’ve already covered the answers below.

Features To Look For In A Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Layout - This is most notably described as the total number of keys when you’re looking at the product sales page. There’s a massive difference in layout from 87-key to 104-key pro gaming keyboards, which affects its weight, the key spacing, and how many programmable macro keys you’re going to have. Aesthetically, you’ll also notice layout changes with highlighted WASD keys, different light zones, and multiple additional, non orthodox keys, which we’ll cover in a moment.

Keycap Material - If you’re getting this to game on, you’re chatting with buds, pressing crazy commands, and in no time, you’re going to notice your keycaps get that oily, run-down look. Nobody wants that. While it’s often unavoidable, it’s why mechanical keyboards are preferred among gamers: you can literally just buy new keycaps and replace them. You’re going to see ABS plastic keycaps in most keyboards, some of which have textured tops. You’ll also find some with metal keycaps, which can still look worn down over time from the oil on your fingers, but it

Programmability - Macro keys that you can program for individual games: this is the stuff that gaming Gods use to really pick up the pace in their gaming. The important thing is that your programmable keys, no matter how many you have, include anti-ghosting features. You’re using these as hotkeys, so long as you have a high amount of anti-ghosting (basically how many keys you can press at a time without input lag), you’ll be good to go. Programmable keys usually come in short supply, but can be programmed individually per video game so you’re not constantly messing with settings.

Connectivity - For most mechanical keyboards, you’re going to find wired USB 2.0 connections. Mechanical keyboards operate in a bit more of a complex way than standard membrane keyboards, so having a wired connection promises virtually zero lag (from your keyboard at least), and a more seamless reaction during gaming. If you’re playing hitscan games, USB is superior. However, you’ll also find Bluetooth connections and wireless adapters. During a 10-hour game marathon, the last thing you want is a wireless keyboard to fail on you.

Illumination - The bread and butter of a good mechanical keyboard. On a higher quality model, you’ll see the WASD keys will be highlighted, but you’ll also find unique color combinations, mood settings, and more. On average, top brands include a variation of 15.8+ million color combinations available in each customizable mechanical keyboard. The only issue you run into with this is installing additional, updated drivers, and spending a bit of time configuring the setting for yourself.

Switches - The switches are basically what make this whole thing move along. You’ll find most brands come with different colored switches, which they use to define function. For instance, the best switches on the market are Cherry MX switches, but they come in different colors. The brand itself usually has gold-plated contacts on the internal switch mechanisms, which promote a long lifespan, such as 50-60 million keystrokes per individual key. Different switches have different sound effects, but if you’re like us, a loud mechanical keyboard helps keep you in a rhythm when you’re in the heat of the game.

Noise - Speaking of switches, noise is a big dividing factor for many gamers using mechanical keyboards. The noise comes down to the switch, and rarely the keycaps (unless you have aluminum or steel caps). You’re usually on one side of the fence: loud, tactile sounds that provide feedback and validation of your input, or quiet keys that don’t mess with your train of thought. This is complete preference, and for most models, going with a quieter set of switches doesn’t impact performance or lifespan.

Ergonomics - Your hands are molded a certain way, which is what an ergonomic keyboard focuses on. Even if you’re used to a rectangular, straight-and-narrow keyboard style, you could benefit in multiple ways from an ergonomic keyboard. They’re the ones you see with a curvy design in the center that require less radical movement from your hands to strike the keys, and they’re designed to put less strain on your joints. They’re also pretty good for increasing your reaction time in your games.

Extra Keys/Components - Extra keys fall outside the realm of a standard 104-key keyboard. They’re not as necessary as they once were, since we have drop-down displays and further intricacies for on-screen applications, but they used to be used to assign specific commands to certain programs and applications. Now, you can just use them as secondary buttons for most in-game commands, and if you do, you can usually master multitasking in a single game to cut down on time. This is especially useful in MMORPGs.

Membrane vs. Dome vs. Mechanical

Let’s run down the list of what these three things are, and we believe you’ll see why mechanical keyboards are superior.

Membrane keyboards are those $10.00 off-the-rack keyboards you see in mega stores, the ones that are just meant to be a temporary replacement because your high-end one died unexpectedly. Membrane use a small plastic and rubber plug that depresses when you push on the wafer-thin keycap. These are extremely easy to damage if you’re an aggressive typer, and generally last for about 3-5 million keystrokes per key. When the plate underneath the membrane keyboard is damaged, it can cause the entire thing to stop working, whereas with mechanical you can switch out the individual switches. For some context, the keys on your microwave use a membrane plate.

Dome keyboards sit somewhere in between. They’re rounded keycaps that depress a small rubber piece, which inputs your letter selection when you touch the keyboard. Consider this the most basic attempt at a mechanical keyboard, with the keyword being attempt.

Mechanical keyboards use steel springs loaded in each key. When you depress the key enough (which will depend on the switch type, which we’ll get into in a minute), the spring tells the system that it’s been pushed and sends the signal to your computer. Individual keys can be replaced instead of having to replace the entire unit, and can usually be purchased for a low cost for a batch of a dozen-or-so keys.

Some Of The Most Common Mechanical Switches

Cherry MX Black - These were the first keyboard switches ever made by Cherry, and basically acts as the most intermediate switch you can get. It’s great for typing, gaming, and has a minute contact sound for those of you who like a bit more of a quiet typing experience.

Cherry MX Red - Red Cherry switches are more tactile, meaning they produce relatively no noise, and don’t have an impactful clicking sound when you depress the keys. This usually means you need less grams of pressure to effectively activate your keys, which helps with your WPM.

Cherry MX Brown - These are a slight step-up from the standard, though versatile blacks switches. They provide a medium level of noise when depressed, and require the mid to high range of pressure to be activated. Brown switches are good for gaming, though usually not for fast typing speeds.

Cherry MX Blue - The main reason someone would get Cherry blue switches is the loud clicking sound. They offer the same typing/gaming feeling as black switches, but are far more audible. They’re usually the least expensive to replace as well.

Cherry MX Clear - Think of these as having the same qualities as a brown switch, but requiring much more pressure to activate. With a higher resistance, clear switches are best designed for typers, specifically the seek-and-press type. These aren’t considered that great for gaming.

Mechanical Gaming Keyboard FAQ

Q: What is a mechanical gaming keyboard?

A: A mechanical keyboard uses, as you might imagine, mechanical switches to provide input to your computer. When you look at the top gaming keyboards on the market, you’ll see different switch types, extremely long lifespans on each individual key (50-60 million keystrokes on average), and solid steel frames. Mechanical keyboards are designed for serious typists/gamers who want a quality, durable and long-lasting piece of equipment.

Mechanical keyboards are usually USb wired to provide instant feedback from the moment you activate the key. Mechanical keys use steel springs that activate your input request, rather than nubby little sheets of thin rubber under most inexpensive membrane keyboards. Most light up gaming keyboards already have a lot going on (backlighting, anti-ghosting, etc.,) so having mechanical switches to individually carry out each input is a major bonus. Last but not least, they allow you to switch out individual keys instead of replacing the entire keyboard.

Q: What’s the advantage of a mechanical keyboard?

A: It all comes down to precision, and speed. While a mechanical keyboard doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be a silent gaming keyboard, it will provide the best response and input when you play. No two keyboards are the same, though: there’s a lot that goes into them, whereas when you buy that $10 off-the-shelf model, it serves its basic functions and nothing else.

The best RGB keyboard with mechanical switches allows you to utilize millions of colors in your lights, program certain keys and enable macros, while providing real-time feedback based on your input with zero lag. Even though mechanical keyboards are known for being lag-free, some companies still put additional plug-and-play software on their keyboards to monitor and maintain your input speed. Mechanical keyboards are also durable: one switch breaks, you replace that one switch, and nothing else. Even if you were to drop your keyboard, nearly every brand makes the frames out of solid steel or aircraft grade aluminum, so we dare you to try and break it to bits.

Q: Is a mechanical keyboard good for typing?

A: I’m currently typing this buying guide on a mechanical keyboard. They are absolutely excellent for typing, though the common misconception is that even with ergonomic gaming keyboard models, that the keys are too big/require too much pressure to offer a viable typing platform. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mechanical keyboards give you much better accuracy, and it’s extremely rare for you to mash two keys at one time. After you get used to typing on one, you won’t be able to go back to a membrane keyboard or a built-in laptop keyboard. In my experience, even if you don’t have the best mechanical keyboard, you can still increase your accuracy and WPM in a short amount of time.

Q: What is hysteresis?

A: Hysteresis and actuation force are closely related. Actuation force is essentially how much pressure you apply to the key in order for the input to activate, but hysteresis is when the release point is actually higher than the actuation point. In laymens, if you depress the key 100% of the way down with actuation force, that doesn’t mean it will immediately recognize your input if your keyboard has a high degree of hysteresis. Hysteresis defines at what release point, or what percentage that the key returns to the upright position, that your input is accepted. If you’re an extremely fast typer, hysteresis isn’t good. For gaming, it’s not ideal either, especially if you have to hold down a key for a while during a sprint.

Q: What is anti-ghost?

A: Anti-ghosting is essentially when a keyboard identifies every single input you request, all at the exact same time, and applies those inputs into your computer in the exact order that you requested them. If you press down on five keys at once, all the inputs will be recognized. If you’re reading this on a membrane keyboard, open up a blank text or word document, and try to hit ten letter keys at once. In most models, you’ll maybe see four or five, and the others won’t be recognized. Anti-ghosting is a requirement for gaming, especially in FPS games where movement and reaction time are everything.

Q: Which switch is the best for gaming?

A: Cherry MX reds are considered the best for gaming by a large group of people. It all comes down to personal preference, but when you’re talking about performance, reds require less actuation in order to activate and send the input to your computer, allowing for more movements/reactions in a shorter amount of time. In competitive gaming, this is a must. If you’re not playing competitive FPS games, you can do with any other switch type.

Q: How do I clean my mechanical keyboard properly?

A: It’s a bit more involved than a standard keyboard. Follow these steps once a month to keep them as lint-free and grease-free as possible, which will also preserve your keycaps for as long as possible.

1. Use a keycap puller and remove each key. If you’re uncertain of their location, bring up the online sale page or take a photo of your keyboard with your phone.
2. Pop a denture cleaning tablet into some warm water. The water should be between 110 F and 135 F, nd no higher than that.
3. Gently wipe off your keycaps, then soak them in that solution for about one hour.
4. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the base board. If you have them handy, use a fabric softener sheet for dryers and wipe down your keyboard after it’s lint-free. This helps prevent lint from sticking to it.
5. Dry off your keycaps and replace them; you’re good to go.

It’s Time to Master the Game

Between our gaming keyboard reviews and information, you’re on your way to mastering every FPS game that you still haven’t downloaded from Steam (don’t worry, you’re not the only one; those sales get us, too). Grab the best PC gaming keyboard, fire up the RGB light show, and get ready to slay the competition. Whatever your game preference is, having the best gear is a fundamental aspect of your skill. Don’t settle for less if you want to roll with the best.