If you are looking for a gaming keyboard and are confused by the thousands of options available, or you have no idea where to start and what you need to pay attention to, then you are in the right place. Don’t worry if you are a beginner in the gaming community and cannot spot the differences from a simple keyboard. 

Let’s take a detailed look at the features and individual capabilities of the various keyboards available on the market, so you can understand, compare, and end up with the ideal one for you.

1. Type

Let’s start with the type of keyboard and the features offered by each option. Gaming keyboards are divided into 4 types:

Mechanical

Mechanical gaming keyboards make up the majority and are the most common choice for gamers, as they stand out for their durability and performance. In fact, each key can withstand up to 50 million presses. They provide tactile feedback to the user, offering confidence and precision as to whether a key has been pressed or not. This type of keyboard is ideal for RPG games, strategy games, as well as tasks involving heavy typing. 

Optical

Optical gaming keyboards use infrared light beams to register the movement of a key, which makes their response time even faster. They are keyboards with great durability, very smooth keypresses, and minimal resistance. Thus, they offer a more immediate and precise response, which is required in FPS games and MOBA games. They are premium keyboards in most cases.

Membrane

Membrane gaming keyboards consist of a printed electronic circuit on which an elastic membrane rests. With each key press, the membrane presses the appropriate point on the electronic circuit and sends the command to print the character corresponding to the key. Then, it returns the key to its original position. These are keyboards with an affordable price and quiet operation. However, they provide feedback while typing, especially over time, as the membrane wears out.

Hall effect

Hall effect gaming keyboards are rarer and also the most expensive. They feature magnetic sensor technology, which makes them extremely durable, easy to use, and accurate, while many of them often have keys that can be programmed according to the user's needs. These are keyboards ideal for those who want devices with the latest functions and features.

2. Connectivity

A gaming keyboard can be either wired or wireless, depending on how it connects to the response device (pc, monitor, etc.):

Wired gaming keyboards

• Wired keyboards have a better response time and are suitable for fast-paced games, such as competitive FPS games (e.g.: Call of Duty, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, etc.).
• They are devices that offer connection stability, and there is no concern about battery life, meaning whether they are charged or if the battery needs to be replaced. This makes them suitable for extended use and uninterrupted gaming. An ideal choice for MOBA games (e.g.: League of Legends and Dota 2) and RTS games (e.g.: StarCraft II and Company of Heroes).
• Most wired keyboards are also distinguished for their good build quality, they are durable and offer extra features, making them the perfect choice for RPG games (like The Witcher 3).
• Finally, they are more affordable keyboards that fit every budget.

However, due to the cable, you may encounter organization issues, and you will have limitations regarding the space for using the keyboard.

Wireless gaming keyboards

• Wireless keyboards, on the other hand, offer freedom of movement and are more user-friendly, without the restriction of cables, making them ideal for casual games (like Hollow Knight and Celeste) and MMORPG games (like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV).
• They contribute to creating and organizing a clean and tidy space.
• They are easy to transport, so you can take them with you on a trip or to a friend's house for group gaming, playing Overcooked and Mario Kart. They are also suitable for simulation games, such as The Sims and Cities: Skylines.
• They are often more premium products, allowing you to connect them to more than one device and switch between them according to your needs.

Nevertheless, they may experience response time issues more easily and the battery may run out or the connection may drop during a game.

Connection method

Keyboards designed for gaming can be connected to the computer either via cable with USB or PS/2, or wirelessly via Bluetooth. You can also find gaming keyboards with a detachable cable.

3. Size

Gaming keyboards come in various sizes, catering to different needs and uses. The size of a keyboard has to do with the number and type of keys it has, as well as the overall structure and appearance of the keyboard. Let’s see what types there are:

Full Size (100%)

This type of keyboard has all the essential keys, which are about 100 and include keys such as alphanumeric characters (letters & numbers), the function keys (F1-F12), the arrow keys, the navigation keys (e.g.: home button), as well as the classic numeric keypad on the side.

It is ideal for use by gamers who need a complete keyboard with the essential keys and functions, so they are easily accessible.

Tenkeyless (TKL)

This is the full-size keyboard version without the numeric keypad on the side, so the number of keys is around 90.

They are ideal for those who play games, need the keys for the basic functions, but are willing to sacrifice some keys for more desk space and a greater range of mouse movement.

Keypad

This type of keyboard is specially designed for gaming. It features 15-30 keys that can be programmed for different functions and actions, depending on the game. For example, it may include shortcuts for specific actions, more keys for navigation, or even a small screen. It is smaller in size than regular keyboards, features an ergonomic design for comfortable gaming, and can work as a complementary device.

It is ideal for improving the gaming experience with personalized keys tailored to each user's and game's needs.

More options

Depending on the games you play, as well as your needs - for example, if you want more free space on your desk or if you prefer a more compact device - there are different keyboard sizes.

You can find everything from 60% keyboards and 65% keyboards, which are quite compact, with a minimal design and portability, to 75% keyboards and 80% keyboards, which are more functional, yet compact options with around 75-80 keys, retaining most essential functions.

4. Switches

The switches in a gaming keyboard play a very important role when choosing one, as they affect the key press, response time, and the sound the keys make.

• There are Linear switches, which are characterized by maximum stability and are smooth when pressed, without you really noticing that you have pressed them. Also, they do not make any click when pressed, which makes them quiet. They are ideal for games that require fast typing or double tapping, such as FPS games (Call of Duty, Valorant or Counter-Strike) and action games (Assassin's Creed or The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt).

Examples of such switches include Cherry MX Red, Cherry MX Speed Silver, Razer Yellow and Gateron Red.

• You can also find Cross Linear switches, which are hybrid or modified switches that retain the characteristics of Linear switches, such as smooth typing, while offering greater durability and a shorter key travel distance.

Such switches are Cherry Viola, Logitech Romer-G and Razer Optical.

• Tactile switches, on the other hand, maintain typing without the audible click, providing a noticeable press and giving appropriate feedback to the user. They are suitable for gaming that requires precision, such as MOBA games (League of Legends or Dota 2) and MMORPG games (World of Warcraft or Guild Wars 2).

Cherry MX Brown, Gateron Brown and Logitech Romer-G Tactile switches are examples of tactile switches.

• For even quieter typing, you can choose a keyboard with Tactile and Quiet switches, which are noticeably quieter while retaining the other characteristics of standard tactile switches.

Examples include Scissor and Razer Orange.

• Finally, you can find keyboards with Tactile and Clicky switches, which, as their name suggests, are switches that make the characteristic click when pressed, which is also noticeable to the touch. These are keyboards suitable for use by gamers who are not bothered by the extra noise and mainly play RPG games (Final Fantasy XIV or Cyberpunk 2077) and strategy games (Civilization VI or Crusader Kings III).

Such switches are Cherry MX Blue, Gateron Blue, Kailh Blue, Razer Green and Logitech GX Blue.

5. Keys

When it comes to the keys of a gaming keyboard, most of the time they can be customized to the user's preferences in various ways and serve different needs. For example, there are keyboards with:

• Programmable keys: These are empty macro keys, to which you can assign a function for specific actions you want to perform faster, usually in MMO games (such as World of Warcraft) or MOBA games (such as League of Legends).
• Hot-swappable keys: This type of keys gives you the ability to change them at any time, with whichever ones you want, and customize the keyboard to your needs. Thus, you can have different types of switches on one keyboard (linear, tactile and clicky), switch between them whenever you want, and in case of wear, replace individual keys rather than the entire keyboard. Ideal for use by gamers who often play FPS (Call of Duty: Warzone) and RPG (Final Fantasy XIV) games.

6. Lighting

Another feature that makes gaming keyboards stand out is their aesthetics, as most of them feature backlit keys. 

• There are keyboards with backlight illumination, which have a single, soft light under the keys, so they are visible even in complete darkness. The keys are lit in the same color, and you can usually increase or decrease the brightness. 

• In addition, there are also keyboards with RGB lighting, where you can choose different lighting effects, as well as more advanced keyboards, where you can select a different color for each key or group of keys. This is a feature that gives you the ability to adjust the lighting of each key separately, with a variety of color combinations and special effects. The more complex settings are usually achieved through software, where you can customize the lighting according to your needs.

7. Extra Features

• Gaming keyboard & mouse set: If you need a keyboard and mouse for gaming and don’t want to search around, there are sets that include both peripherals.
• Fan: On some premium keyboards you may find a fan function. The fan is useful during long gaming sessions, helping the keyboard itself not to overheat, while also helping reduce sweat, which can be fatal to the progress of the game.
• USB Hub: These are extra USB ports, built into the keyboard, for connecting other devices.
• Headphone jack: Some keyboards offer direct connection of headphones to the keyboard.
• Sound and multimedia controls: Many keyboards feature special multimedia keys and volume wheel or volume keys for adjusting sound, play/pause, etc.
• Display: A display on a keyboard can improve the gaming experience by providing important information about the game itself, giving access to important data and settings, as well as the ability for the user to customize keys easily and quickly.
• Mobile/Tablet dock: This is a slot on the keyboard that allows you, while playing, to watch something on your phone or tablet, or to have immediate access in case of a call.

Don't forget! Taking into account the above individual characteristics and combining those that fit your needs and the use you want to make on your gaming keyboard, you can come to the ideal choice for you. Before you decide, you can also take a look at the reviews of other users, in order to see their opinion and experience, which can help you reach a much easier final decision.

You can also take a look at the guide to the best gaming keyboards, where you’ll find the best options based on user feedback.

If you’re also interested in a computer keyboard, you can take a look at the detailed buying guide for keyboards.