The best budget gaming keyboards you can buy right now

Having a good keyboard can make or break your gaming experience. High-end gaming keyboards can run you anywhere between $150 and $200, or sometimes more. The good news is you don’t have to spend a ton of money to get a quality gaming keyboard. You can buy one of these best budget gaming keyboards and use the money you save for games instead.

For this post, we’ll be focusing on the best budget gaming keyboards under $100. Let’s show you our favorites.

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The best budget gaming keyboards

Editor’s note: We’ll regularly update this list of the best budget gaming keyboards as new ones launch.

Razer BlackWidow V3 Tenkeyless keyboard

Razer is an expensive brand, but they have a few keyboards under $100. The absolute cheapest one is the Razer Cynosa V2, but that one uses membrane key technology. The best Razer keyboard under $100 is the Razer BlackWidow V3 Tenkeyless, and it comes with mechanical keys.

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You won’t get all the bells and whistles that come with the more expensive keyboards, but the backlit keys have full RGB lighting. There’s no number pad if you care for that. Regardless, it’s still one of the best budget gaming keyboards you can find, and it’s definitely worth paying more over the Cynosa V2. Not to mention you can pick between green or yellow switches.

If you want an affordable Razer keyboard with a more traditional look, consider the Razer BlackWidow Lite.

Logitech G613 Wireless keyboard

The Logitech G613 Wireless is very special. For starters, it’s a genuine mechanical keyboard, which offers excellent performance and an improved typing experience. That’s hard to get at a low price point. A mechanical keyboard with wireless functionality is hard to get at a low price, and this one accomplishes that. Combining these two features makes this one of the best budget gaming keyboards around.

Logitech’s G613 keyboard has Romer G mechanical switches that are quiet and highly durable; they have a tested 70 million keystroke lifespan. There are also six programmable G keys for custom macro sequences. You can use Logitech Gaming Software to set everything up to your liking and even customize the G keys for each app on your computer. There’s also a palm rest built into the keyboard for extra comfort.

The only real downside is that the keyboard isn’t backlit, but that’s a sacrifice we’re willing to look over, given all the pros the Logitech G613 offers at such a low price. The keyboard’s launch MSRP goes over $100, but prices are much lower now.

Logitech G512 Carbon

Now, if you want some colors and a premium design, you should look at the Logitech G512 Carbon. This one isn’t wireless, but you get a much nicer budget gaming keyboard in return. It comes with a thinner brushed aluminum case that looks gorgeous.

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You can pick between GX Blue (Clicky), GX Brown (Tactile), GX Red (Linear) switches. The keys are also backlit with full, customizable RGB lighting. This is no different from the best high-end gaming keyboards out there, and you even get USB passthrough to charge and transfer data.

SteelSeries Apex 5

SteelSeries is another famous brand in the industry, and they make some of the best gaming keyboards around. They aren’t exactly cheap but have some options under the $100 threshold.

The SteelSeries Apex 5 costs under $100 and comes with all the bells and whistles gamers expect from a good gaming keyboard. It comes with hybrid blue switch mechanical keyboards. The frame is made of aluminum. Other nifty features include media controls (including a volume wheel), multiple-profile support, and dynamic RGB lighting.

Alienware AW310K

Dell’s Alienware brand has become a staple brand in the PC gaming industry, but it’s by no means synonymous with affordability. Alienware products are known for being expensive, but many gamers love their aesthetics and quality. We’re glad to inform you there is a keyboard under our $100 threshold, and it’s the Alienware AW310K.

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It doesn’t look as flashy as other Alienware keyboards, but it is still one of the best budget gaming keyboards. The full mechanical keyboard features Cherry MX Red switches, known for being fast and smooth. RGB backlighting is fully customizable per key. It also has an aluminum construction that makes it very sturdy and solid.

HAVIT HV-KB395L

If you’re looking for a mechanical keyboard that’s great for gaming, but also lightweight and portable, HAVIT’s keyboard is the one for you. It has the standard 104 keys, including the number keys, with Kailh Blue mechanical switches. So your keyboard will be thinner and lighter than traditional mechanical keyboards, but you’ll still have that satisfying feel while gaming and typing.

There are also multiple RGB lighting settings that you can customize. And another great highlight — it’s driver-free! So you won’t have to download any software before using the keyboard; you can plug it in, and you’re ready to go.

Corsair K60 Pro SE

If you’re looking for a mechanical keyboard that’s great for gaming but also lightweight and portable, the Corsair K60 Pro SE is definitely among the best gaming keyboards under $100. For starters, it’s one of the few wireless gaming keyboards under $100. Not only that, but it’s actually a competitive product.

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The wired unit’s keys rest on Cherry MX Viola mechanical switches. The only real downside is that the K60 Pro SE doesn’t have customizable RGB lighting. Instead, it features zoned lighting, which you can’t change. That may not be an issue considering all the value you get with this keyboard.

Redragon K622 Horus TKL keyboard

Just look at this thing! You would never imagine it’s one of the more affordable options on this list of the best budget gaming keyboards. It has a metal cover, so it’ll feel as premium as any high-end option. The super-thin profile will also look great over any desk.

The keys have a full RGB lighting array. While it’s wired, it uses a convenient USB-C connection you can use with any computer. The best part is that you have your choice in terms of keyboard sizing. We like the TKL version as a balanced alternative, but you can also go with a 100% version with 104 keys, or step things down to a 60% size.

As if all those features weren’t enough, you’ll also enjoy customizable buttons, media keys, and even a volume scroll. Not to mention the red switches. This is a great keyboard to get on a tight budget.

MSI Vigor GK50 Elite BW

We can’t forget about MSI, one of the biggest brands in PC computing. Their products are unique, too, and the MSI Vigor GK50 Elite BW is no exception. The brushed aluminum finish looks very interesting, not to mention that the metal construction also makes this a very sturdy product. It features white mechanical switches too.

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It has 104-keys and features all the bells and whistles you can expect from the best budget gaming keyboards. It’s probably one of the coolest-looking keyboards on this list.

HyperX Alloy Origins 65

Our last entry to the list of the best budget gaming keyboards is just a hair under $100, but it’s a worthy upgrade if you’re willing to pay that amount of cash. The HyperX Alloy Origins 65 is a great mechanical keyboard with red switches.

This is also one of the smallest keyboards on this list. AS the name entails, this is a 65% keyboard. It can seem cramped, but it’s one of the best options if you plan to take your gaming keyboard around. Of course, there’s RGB lighting. The aluminum body is also very premium.

Those are all the best budget gaming keyboards you can buy right now. If you’re in the market for a gaming keyboard, you can’t go wrong with these options. These brands are reputable, and I guarantee an excellent mechanical keyboard will enhance your gaming experience.

You should also look at our lists of the best mechanical keyboards and gaming keyboards if you want an upgrade. Additionally, we have a list of the best overall keyboards, just in case you need something that doesn’t look too gamey.