Best keyboards 2022: Top gaming, mechanical, wireless, and more
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Clickety ClackBest keyboards 2022: Top gaming, mechanical, wireless, and more than
No affair how powerful or stylish, tranquility or compact, your PC is, without a good keyboard you only won't enjoy using information technology. As one of the pieces of hardware you spend the almost time interacting with, it is admittedly crucial to become a keyboard that matches your requirements.
And everyone is different in that regard. Merely the keyboard makers are equal to this, and there is a mind-extraordinary option out in that location today. Whatever your budget, whether it's for office work or gaming, packing in a purse to use with a laptop or coding, whatever your reasons to blazon on a keyboard there is something out there for you.
All-time keyboards at a glance
- Logitech K860 — The all-time keyboard: Ergonomically designed, exceptionally well built, affordable and with terrific battery life.
- Razer Huntsman V2 Analog — The best mechanical keyboard: Aimed at gamers, but this keyboard is truly breathtaking with adjustable actuation, optical switches, low dissonance and so much more
- Microsoft Designer Compact Keyboard — Best Bluetooth keyboard: Minimalist blueprint, superb quality and multi-device support
- Razer Pro Blazon — All-time keyboard for the office: A blend of gaming and ergonomics has resulted in a truly spectacular professional keyboard
- Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard — All-time ergonomic keyboard: Comfortable, affordable and volition expect after your wrists while you blazon
- SteelSeries Apex Pro — All-time keyboard for heavy gaming: Customizable actuation on every fundamental, a slap-up build and stellar performance
- Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini — Best compact keyboard: A 65% design, exquisite construction, and a selection of Razer mechanical keys
- KLIM Lightning — All-time upkeep keyboard: A semi-mechanical keyboard with absurdly good build quality and an almost unbelievable price
What is the all-time keyboard?
PC builders especially can become easily carried abroad with the bits that get inside their rig, but as much focus should be spent on what you're using outside information technology. Whether you're working or playing, you'll spend nearly of your time typing something and a bad keyboard will ruin your feel.
Equally, choosing a keyboard isn't the easiest thing to do. At that place are so many different types to consider, where practice yous begin? In that location are a few areas that you lot can narrow downward before you lot start shopping. Consider your budget first and foremost, and then what it is you're mainly looking to do. Gaming keyboards are going to exist very different from a slim, Bluetooth keyboard you can popular in your laptop bag, for example.
The all-time of the best is Razer'south new Huntsman V2 Analog, with a list of features as long equally your arm, and it's non just a good gaming keyboard. Alternatively, the Razer Pro Blazon uses some of the same ideas but refocuses on the office and ergonomics. Microsoft is a big player, also, with both a fantastic Bluetooth and ergonomic keyboard.
Nosotros spend a lot of time testing keyboards so y'all don't take to, and this is the best you tin buy right now.
Source: Logitech
i. Logitech K860: The best keyboard for near PC users
Bottom line: Offering amazing comfort and back up while typing, the Logitech Ergo K860 is a fantastic choice for combating pain in your hands and artillery.
| Manufacturer | Version | Vendor |
|---|---|---|
| Logitech | K860 | $130 at Amazon |
| Logitech | K860 | $130 at All-time Purchase |
Pros
- Amazing comfort and support
- Durable design
- Farthermost battery life
- Flexibility of wireless connectedness
- Attractive price
Cons
- No backlighting
- Wrist rest tin can't be removed
The bulk of people buying a keyboard for their PC don't want some flashy, ultra-expensive, feature-packed box of tricks. Instead, they're looking for a good, comfy typing experience and a quality product that will stand up the test of fourth dimension. That is exactly what you find with the Logitech K860 ergonomic keyboard.
If you run downwardly a list of things that make a skillful home or part keyboard, you'll find them all hither. Information technology'south well built and extremely durable, information technology has no wires, you go a congenital-in wrist remainder, slap-up typing experience and, importantly, an attractive toll. It isn't perfect, for case, at that place'southward no backlighting and the wrist rest tin can't exist removed, simply the good far outweighs the bad.
Ergonomic keyboards are inappreciably a new idea, just the K860 expands upon the thought with a radical design that raises the whole keyboard in the middle. In turn, this odd position does bring with it a bit of a learning curve, but once you lot become the hang of it, yous'll exist all the better off. Your wrists and hands will be more than comfortable, and fatigue volition be kept at bay.
Wireless keyboards brand for a tidy environment, merely there'south always the thought at the dorsum of the mind about bombardment life. That isn't an issue with the K860, with truly outstanding longevity. This is a keyboard that isn't fancy or flashy, simply it does what a keyboard needs to do meliorate than the contest.
Logitech K860
Not flashy or packing a stacked characteristic list, the K860 instead concentrates on existence a cracking keyboard that'southward comfortable to type on and that will help you await after your wrists. And information technology achieves that in spades.
Getting the correct keyboard could exist the difference between loving and antisocial using your PC. Along with the monitor, information technology'southward the thing you spend the most time interacting with. A bad typing experience makes for a bad day. But everyone is different, too, and has different preferences and, importantly, budget.
Spending a lot doesn't guarantee you lot'll enjoy using it.
Spending a lot on a keyboard doesn't automatically guarantee you'll enjoy using it. Likewise, if you lot never game, exercise y'all need to jump for a flashy mechanical keyboard with RGB and adjustable actuation? Probably not. This is why you should always know exactly what you're looking for earlier making your determination.
One part of ownership a keyboard for a PC is like shooting fish in a barrel, though. The overwhelming majority out there will be non simply compatible simply designed for Windows. Dedicated keys to access Windows features are mutual, including media, app shortcuts, fifty-fifty emoji, now.
The hardest function is narrowing it down. In that location are so many keyboards to choose from that information technology's hard to know where to showtime. That'due south why we've tested a whole lot of today's options to assistance you choose the best of the best.
Source: Razer
2. Razer Huntsman V2 Analog: The pinnacle mechanical keyboard you tin buy right at present
Bottom line: It's pricey, merely worth every penny. The Huntsman V2 Analog is an extraordinary thing, ticking more boxes for a keyboard than anything else we've ever tested.
| Manufacturer | Version | Vendor |
|---|---|---|
| Razer | Huntsman V2 Analog | $250 at Razer |
Pros:
- Adjustable actuation points on per-key basis
- Analog optical switches are light and repose
- USB-C connectedness
- Much improved wrist rest included
- Controller-like role for keys
- USB 3.0 pass-through
Cons:
- Pricey
- Quite chunky and heavy
If you're shopping on a tight upkeep, the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is not going to be your option. It'southward expensive. It's also one of the most technologically advanced keyboards on the market today, so at that place'south no brand taxation being practical. In fact, there's so much going on with the Huntsman V2 Analog it'south hard to know where to begin. This is a keyboard unapologetically targeted at gamers, simply they are far from the only people who will enjoy it.
The heart of this keyboard is Razer'southward newest switch. It's an optical, as on the previous generation Huntsman, but that's where the similarities terminate. The Analog Optical switch is linear, so information technology'southward smoothen and has no bump action, and has adjustable actuation. Each cardinal tin exist altered to a value between 1.5mm and 3.6mm. The lower y'all go the faster the keys. Not that y'all feel anything dissimilar, since there's no physical change to the keys.
The other big deal with the switches is the scaling input. For gaming, this is designed to offer an analog-experience that you might normally associate with a gamepad. You won't exist using this for typing, but it could transform your gaming. Again, information technology's customizable on a key-by-key ground and since y'all can lock profiles into the onboard retentivity, you tin apply them on whatsoever PC, too.
The Huntsman V2 Analog is just a overnice thing to alive with, likewise. It hooks upwards over USB-C, has a USB-3.0 pass-through port and dedicated media keys forth with a volume punch. The newly redesigned wrist remainder is incredibly comfortable, and Razer made sure there'south no frame on it anymore, only plush, soft padding and since it's attached with magnetic pins, it won't slide well-nigh either. Razer has been a pioneer in the keyboard industry for many years now, and to recollect nosotros're now looking at something as remarkable as the Huntsman V2 Analog blows the mind.
Razer Huntsman V2 Analog
Razer's most ambitious keyboard to date is also its best by a clear margin. From the switches to the build quality and everything in between this is a just staggering keyboard.
$250 at Razer
Source: Microsoft
three. Microsoft Designer Compact Keyboard: The all-time Bluetooth keyboard for desktops and laptops
Lesser line: The Microsoft Designer Compact Keyboard is an excellent Bluetooth keyboard for minimalists, featuring a small footprint, a great typing experience and the ability to connect to multiple devices at once.
| Manufacturer | Version | Vendor |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Designer Compact Keyboard | $61 at Microsoft |
| Microsoft | Designer Compact Keyboard | $56 at Amazon |
Pros:
- Cute blueprint
- Customizable with the Keyboard and Mouse Center
- Emoji key included
- Multi-device support
- Superb battery life
Cons:
- No backlight
- Plastic instead of metallic
- Only two colors
Large, chunky keyboards aren't for everyone, but slimming down doesn't have to hateful compromising. That's exactly the example with the Microsoft Designer Compact Keyboard, which brand wait a footling deadening at starting time glance, but is anything only. For one, the styling is beautifully minimal, making information technology lucifer perfectly with whatever setup on whatever desk. It would be prissy to have a choice of more than than just blackness or white, just the glamour hither is in the simplicity.
The keys are chiclet style and have the sort of central travel you lot would expect to find on a laptop. As a result information technology's also extremely quiet and remarkably thin. It doesn't have a built-in battery or take regular batteries, instead using CR2032 for ability to keep that profile and then slim. Despite using watch-style batteries, you should be able to get upwardly to three years before needing to bandy. That alone is reason to buy.
Microsoft has also added some neat touches to the Designer Compact Keyboard despite its small size. At that place'due south no number pad, merely you do get a screenshot key which will launch the built in Windows snipping tool, as well equally a dedicated emoji key. But you don't have to keep it equally a key for piffling smiley faces or poops; with Microsoft Keyboard and Mouse Heart yous can remap the function of keys to something you find more useful.
The terminal party piece of this keyboard is multi-device support. Most of the time with Bluetooth accessories you're express to a single active connection at a fourth dimension, but this ane lets yous have three. With a dedicated push on the keyboard y'all can switch between them, which makes this truly a keyboard yous can utilise in your dwelling function, your work office and with your laptop without the demand to spend time disconnecting and re-pairing. Score ane for convenience!
Microsoft Designer Meaty Keyboard
Minimalist fashion, multiple device support and a bunch of useful features including fundamental remapping makes this the finest Bluetooth keyboard coin tin can buy.
Source: Razer
iv. Razer Pro Type: The best keyboard for the part
Bottom line: Razer and Humanscale come up together to alloy ergonomic, professional pattern with gaming applied science to produce a keyboard that will look and experience good in any office. Beingness wireless is but the icing on the cake.
| Manufacturer | Version | Vendor |
|---|---|---|
| Razer | Pro Type | $140 at Razer |
Pros:
- Orange mechanical keys
- Stunning design
- Brilliant white backlight
- Wireless or USB-C
- Programmable keys
Cons:
- No wrist residual
- Lack of media keys
Razer is known for gaming, only the Razer Pro Type keyboard is not for gamers. That'due south not to say yous couldn't use it to play games with, because you could, and you'd take a great fourth dimension, just that isn't why it exists. In contempo times Razer has begun to consider the professional space as well as its traditional cadre audience, and the Pro Type keyboard is one of the first products with this in listen.
It both does and doesn't look like a traditional Razer keyboard. Information technology'southward mechanical, with Razer Orange switches, a full-sized layout and a striking white and silver pattern. It has a fantastic tactile feel while remaining quiet, so your office colleagues won't be irritated by non-cease clacking. Information technology also has a soft-impact finish, further differentiating it as a product designed for comfort and prolonged use through the workday.
Despite the refocused audition, Razer has still managed to bring in some of its gaming-focused features with the Pro Type for the benefit of everyone. The keys are programmable through Razer Synapse 3, just as they are on a gaming keyboard, and you can assign macros, too. Information technology'southward also one of the best backlit keyboards you will ever see, though limited to white and not RGB.
Over both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth you can connect to as many as four devices, and without the backlight on you tin can stretch battery life to 84 hours on Bluetooth. Turn the lights on and that goes down. A lot. But you can also just hook up the USB-C cable and employ it wired or to top upwards the battery while you piece of work.
Razer Pro Blazon
Razer's new Pro Type keyboard brings 2.4GHz or Bluetooth wireless to your PC with a gorgeous white blueprint. Only it's those LED backlit keys that really brand information technology catch your centre.
$140 at Razer
Source: Microsoft
5. Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard: The best ergonomic keyboard for wrist support and condolement
Lesser line: Microsoft has been making ergonomic keyboards for many years and has perfected the arts and crafts with its latest model. With large keys, a fixed space bar and an attractive price, it's easily the 1 to go for if you're hunting this type of keyboard.
| Manufacturer | Version | Vendor |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Ergonomic Keyboard | $50 at Microsoft |
| Microsoft | Ergonomic Keyboard | $75 at Best Buy |
Pros:
- Larger keys, more consistent travel
- Improved layout and modernistic pattern
- Great ergonomics
- Affordable
- Plug and play
Cons:
- No backlit keys
- Learning curve
The new Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard (2019) is a natural upgrade to those rocking older models from the visitor. The full-blooded is similar, but information technology's articulate Microsoft has dramatically improved and updated some of the core features of this series. Typing is more comfortable, and the keyboard looks more modern with a cleaner, more straightforward design.
If you already have the Sculpt or Surface ergonomic keyboards, which are also featured in this collection, these keyboards are all a little different. This keyboard is wired and has deeper key travel than both the Sculpt and Surface ergonomic typing platforms. Microsoft nailed it with the ergonomics here, hence the proper name, and if you frequently find yourself pain a little later on work, this volition surely be of some assistance.
For those who never tried an ergonomic keyboard, the new Microsoft Ergonomic may be worth a shot. The price is one of the lowest of this series, making it quite accessible. In that location is a learning curve, though, and it will have at to the lowest degree a few days of do to get used to the design. Notwithstanding, as people in comments here will attest, one time you lot go ergonomic, it'due south tough to go back.
Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard
Microsoft's Ergonomic Keyboard rocks large keys, ameliorate key actuation, stock-still spacebar, and dedicated keys for other features.
Source: SteelSeries
6. SteelSeries Apex Pro: The best keyboard for heavy gaming
Bottom line: Changeable actuation on a primal-past-key basis makes the Apex Pro 1 of the few genuinely customizable gaming keyboards on the marketplace today and sets a new standard. The flexibility information technology affords you makes information technology not only a great keyboard to game on, but besides i y'all can use all day for work, as well.
| Manufacturer | Version | Vendor |
|---|---|---|
| SteelSeries | Apex Pro | $200 at All-time Buy |
| SteelSeries | Noon Pro | $200 at Dell |
Pros
- Changeable actuation points
- Onboard storage
- Useful OLED display
- Included wrist rest
The SteelSeries Apex Pro is just dissimilar any other gaming keyboard you tin purchase correct at present. Some get the mechanical route, others take started building optical switches based on breaking light beams. SteelSeries has gone for a magnetic actuation that you, the gamer, can change on a key-by-key footing to truly customize your experience to how yous like to play games.
The Apex Pro makes it possible to accommodate the actuation bespeak between 0.4mm and 3.6mm using the on-lath control cycle and OLED display or SteelSeries Engine. The software interacts with the magnetic Omni signal switches to adapt how each fundamental performs, and you tin set keys to dissimilar values that can and then exist saved to profiles.
This means you can have different profiles for dissimilar games, and a mix of instant actuation and, as an case, a heavier actuation on something like a special power or a grenade to prevent accidental misfires. It's quite pricey, but in that location'southward admittedly null else on the marketplace like it right now.
SteelSeries Apex Pro
As far as keyboards get there's little out at that place to compete with the SteelSeries Apex Pro, a truly outstanding gaming keyboard with unparalleled customization.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental
7. Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini: The all-time compact keyboard
Lesser line: The Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini is simply staggering, non considering of flashy features, but because it'due south but an exceptionally good, well-put-together keyboard that's a joy to employ.
| Manufacturer | Version | Vendor |
|---|---|---|
| Razer | BlackWidow V3 Mini | $180 at Razer |
Pros:
- Choice of Razer Light-green or Yellow switches
- Compact and make clean blueprint
- Razer Chroma integration
- Excellent build quality
- HyperSpeed wireless
Cons:
- Pricey
- RGB lighting decimates battery life
In our review of the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini, we gave this mechanical keyboard our total five-star rating, besides as a must-purchase recommendation. That isn't a statement made lightly, but few keyboards are worthy of such high praise. Razer as a brand has been around for decades and has an about fanatical following, but y'all really exercise go what you pay for. The BlackWidow V3 Mini is a 65% keyboard, and then information technology'due south super compact, and while gamers are the kickoff idea, in certain configurations this is as well the perfect mechanical keyboard for the role.
Razer uses its own Light-green or Yellow switches in the BlackWidow V3 Mini, depending on whether you prefer tactile feedback or silent actuation. Lots of mechanical switches claim to be silent, but few deliver on the level that the Razer Yellow switches do. The soft, cushioned action and lack of sound get in a dream to spend a day typing on. The keycaps are all of the highest quality, too, and the lack of wobble in any, including the space bar, is reassuring of its quality.
The BlackWidow V3 Mini is mostly plastic, only it's durable feeling with a trivial weight to information technology, and certainly doesn't feel cheap or similar it might break in any fashion. It hooks upwards over USB-C for charging (yeah, information technology'due south wireless!), and like all good gaming keyboards, has total RGB lighting throughout. Razer Synapse is a brilliant fleck of kit for managing the keyboard too, allowing y'all to set macros, reprogram keys, create profiles, and sync lighting effects.
Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini
Razer but made the best gaming mechanical keyboard. HyperSpeed wireless, reliable Razer switches, 65% percentage design to cut bloat, and excellent ergonomics.
$180 at Razer
Source: KLIM
eight. KLIM Lightning: The best budget keyboard for piece of work and play
Lesser line: This is a vivid gaming keyboard with exceptional build quality and a crazy depression price. What you get far exceeds the toll you pay and while it's aimed at gamers, if you lot get past the styling this is an epic keyboard to utilise for piece of work, too.
| Manufacturer | Version | Vendor |
|---|---|---|
| KLIM | Lightning | $thirty at Amazon |
Pros:
- Amazing build quality
- Good central travel and feel
- Individually lit keys
- No drivers or companion software required
- Fantastic price
Cons:
- Styling will split opinions
- Fans of macro keys tin can await elsewhere
- Cablevision placement with no built-in channeling
It's rare to come beyond a keyboard that'southward almost too good to be true, but this i from a make you've probably never heard of definitely fits the bill. The KLIM Lightning has been around for a couple of years but information technology'south still unbeatable for anyone shopping on a tight budget who wants a great keyboard. The build quality alone of the Lightning makes its asking price seem too low.
As with many of the best keyboards out there today, the principal target is gamers, and the ambitious styling of the KLIM Lightning makes no apologies for that. You lot may love it, you may hate information technology, but however you lean, information technology'southward synthetic similar a tank. The frame is entirely metal, and the larger cutout at the top is actually big enough to stand up your smartphone while y'all work.
This isn't a full mechanical keyboard, instead billing itself as a hybrid. You get skillful key travel and experience similar on a mechanical keyboard without whatsoever of the squishy feeling you can get from membrane keys. What you don't go is the loud clacking ofttimes associated with mechanical keyboards, and as such, it's a perfect companion for work and play.
You don't need any software to go with it, either, and all of the keys are individually lit. Information technology'southward not the fancy RGB you lot might find on something more expensive, but it'south subtle and stylish looking, and vivid enough to illuminate those late nights working. Or gaming.
KLIM Lightning
This keyboard is as well built as it is wild looking and comes with a quality and feel you just don't ordinarily get in a keyboard this affordable.
$30 at Amazon
What about all the other keyboards?
Even though these are the keyboards we recommend as the all-time of the all-time, they're merely a snapshot of what's on offer. As yous start to drill down and wait at more specific use cases and even specific manufacturers, at that place's a lot out in that location to consider.
If you're a keen gamer, for instance, it'due south worth looking at all the best gaming keyboards to make sure you're making the right choice for the gaming you want to practice. Likewise, if you know you want an ergonomic keyboard that's going to assistance you await afterward your wrists, considering all the best ergonomic keyboards is a smart call.
How to choose the right keyboard for your PC
Choosing a new keyboard can exist a daunting prospect, afterwards all, at that place's so much pick. It's difficult to know where to kickoff, and while we can recommend what the all-time out at that place are, these aren't automatically the all-time for you. You should first brand sure yous know what yous're looking for in a keyboard before you commit to buying.
As with nearly things, consider your budget first. At that place's no bespeak going into keyboard shopping without a price range in mind, because as y'all tin can run across here, prices vary wildly from under $50 to well over $200. Nailing down a upkeep volition make information technology easier to dismiss keyboards that aren't right for you before getting to into the weeds with specs and features.
The other primary consideration needs to be what you're going to use it for virtually. Mechanical keyboards are easily the best feeling, just if yous're never going to game is the increased toll and the additional noise worth it? Also, if you lot program to game, you lot're not going to take a expert fourth dimension with a Bluetooth keyboard with chiclet keys.
From there y'all tin can offset to consider a few more options. Always think that the correct keyboard for yous is out there, waiting for you to find it.
What to look for in a new keyboard
Use this handy checklist to cover the key features yous should consider when y'all're shopping for a new keyboard.
- Budget
- Gaming, work or both?
- Desktop or laptop?
- Wired or wireless
- Mechanical or not?
- Included wrist rest?
- Battery life on wireless keyboards
- Do y'all want media keys?
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Richard Devine Richard Devine is an Editor at Windows Primal. A former Project Manager and long-term tech addict, he joined Mobile Nations in 2022 and has been establish on Android Central and iMore as well as Windows Fundamental. Currently, you'll find him covering all manner of PC hardware and gaming.
Rich Edmonds is a staff reviewer at Windows Central, which means he tests out more software and hardware than he cares to remember. Joining Mobile Nations in 2022, you can usually find him within a PC example tinkering around when not at a screen fighting with Grammarly to use British words. Hit him up on Twitter: @RichEdmonds.
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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/best-keyboards
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