Best High-End Gaming Keyboard 2024

Many of the best gaming keyboards are pricey, but something like our favorite high-end option, the Corsair K100 RGB, or our other top-tier picks might be worth the splurge. Jump to a detailed look at the best high-end gaming keyboards, or check the list below:

TL;DR – These Are the Best High-End Gaming Keyboards:

When we talk about high-end gaming keyboards, we don’t just mean “expensive keyboards”. A high-end keyboard needs to built from high-quality materials, preferably aluminum or steel, and offer features like swappable keyswitches and USB passthrough. None of these things are really required to type on your gaming PC, but if you’re after a truly premium PC gaming experience, they’ll really improve your experience. So, whether you’re looking for a keyboard that’s great for controlling your media while you’re playing games, or you just want a premium keyboard that’ll last for years before you ever have to think about replacing it, we’ve picked out ten of our favorite high-end keyboards.

Best High-End Gaming Keyboard

1. Corsair K100 RGB

Best High-End Gaming Keyboard

Product Specifications

Interface

Wired

Key switch options

Cherry MX Speed RGB Silver, Corsair OPX Optical Mechanical

Features

4,000Hz polling rate, Media controls, Elgato Stream Deck integration, iCue control wheel, LightEdge bar, per-key RGB lighting, 8MB profile storage, Macro keys, USB passthrough, cushioned palm rest

Size

18.5″ x 6.5″ x 1.5″

Responsive 4,000Hz polling rate

Six dedicated macro keys

Extremely high price tag

Corsair knows how to make a high-performance gaming keyboard, and it continues to outdo itself. The Corsair K100 RGB keyboard doesn’t settle, bringing your the best performance available. For starts, rather than the typical 1,000Hz polling rate seen in most gaming keyboards, it has jumped up to a 4,000Hz polling rate for some insane responsiveness. The lightest of touches will register with no lag, giving you a big leg up in AAA games. The powerful onboard processor ensures it continues to stay responsive even when you go crazy with the extensive RGB lighting effects.

The Corsair K100 RGB has two switch options, so you can go for what feels best to you. A fully mechanical experience is available with the Cherry MX Speed RGB Silver switches. Corsair’s own OPX Optical Mechanical switches are also on offer, and in either case, you’re getting fast performance. This wired keyboard also supports macros with 6 dedicated keys on its left-hand side, plus a tactile wheel is on board for its Elgato Stream Deck integration. You even get 8MB of storage to save all your preferences and macros on the keyboard. And, don’t get us started about the cozy palm rest or the extra keycaps in the box.

2. HyperX Alloy Elite 2

Best High-End Gaming Keyboard On a Budget

Product Specifications

Interface

Wired

Key switch options

HyperX Red

Features

Media controls, Volume wheel, RGB light bar, per-key RGB lighting, Onboard profile storage, USB passthrough

Size

17.48″ x 6.85″ x 1.47″

Reliable mechanical switches

Stunning per-key RGB lighting

Lacks dedicated macro keys

Want all the high-end features for less? Check out the HyperX Alloy Elite 2. You’re getting a solidly constructed wired keyboard with a steel frame and reliable, responsive mechanical switches. Dedicated media controls, a USB pass-through, full N-key rollover, and compatibility with PS4 and Xbox One add to its functionality and value. You can even store three profiles onboard, making swapping between them a breeze. That’s a compelling package to start, but wait till we get to the RGB lighting.

The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 has all the RGB lighting effects you’d want, so this is perfect if you’re looking to show off your setup during a live stream. You get per-key customization and a light bar above the keys with plenty of dynamic lighting options. HyperX ensures those keys shine, too, as their Pudding Keycaps have a translucent bottom to let more light through. Best of all, though, is you can snag this keyboard for under $100.

3. Asus ROG Azoth

Best High-End Wireless Gaming Keyboard

Product Specifications

Interface

2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.1, wired USB | Key switch options: ROG NX mechanical blue, brown, red

Features

N-key rollover, macro keys, per-key RGB, OLED display

Battery Life

Up to 2,000 hours

Size

12.8″ x 5.4″ x 1.6″

Wealth of connectivity options

Hot-swappable pre-lubed mechanical ROG NX switches

Slight software limitations

The Asus ROG Azoth is a gaming keyboard with all the functionality and features you could want that lets you remain untethered from your PC. On board is ROG’s SpeedNova wireless connectivity, so after slotting in the USB dongle, the keyboard should feel as responsive and lag-free as its wired counterparts. You also get multi-host Bluetooth, making it simple to switch between gaming on your phone, tablet, or computer, while a wired USB connection is also available. And 2,000 hours of battery life with RGB and the OLED screen disabled ensure you can game for a long time before charging up.

With a frame made from aluminum and steel alongside PBT keycaps, the Asus ROG Azoth is a premium, durable wireless keyboard. Pre-lubed mechanical ROG NX switches are under those keycaps for smooth actuation and satisfying sound, while keyboard enthusiasts will especially appreciate the lube kit it comes with. Those switches are also hot-swappable, and you can record and assign macros to any of the keys using Asus’ software. It’s also possible to play around with lighting effects and adjust the settings of the handy OLED screen.

4. Roccat Vulcan II Max

Best High-End Wired Gaming Keyboard

Product Specifications

Interface

Wired

Key switch options

Titan Switch Optical

Features

Per-key RGB lighting, media controls, detachable palm rest

Size

19.8″ x 8.8″ x 2.3″

Speedy and durable optical mechanical switches

24 dual-functional keys

Keycaps could be better

If you’re okay with being tethered to your computer, the reliable and responsive Roccat Vulcan II Max is worth the extra cable running across your desk. This mechanical gaming keyboard has Titan II Optical Mechanical switches for long-lasting durability and incredibly-fast actuation, giving you a leg up on opponents. You can remap and make custom macros for those keys, while a button duplicator technology called Easy-Shift+ makes it simple to swap their functions.

The Roccat Vulcan II Max offers quite the light show with per-key RGB lighting that really shines thanks to clear key switch housings and keycaps that give the illusion they’re floating—and are easily swappable with many third-party keycaps. It doesn’t stop there, as the detachable translucent wrist rest further illuminates the keyboard while improving the ergonomics of your setup. There are even dedicated media controls and 24 dual-functional keys with LEDs to specify when using the secondary function.

5. Razer Huntsman V2

Best High-End Optical Gaming Keyboard

Product Specifications

Interface

Wired

Key switch options

Razer Linear Optical switch

Features

8,000Hz polling rate, Per-key RGB lighting, plush wrist rest, media controls

Size

17.6″ x 9.2″ x 1.4″

Speedy 8,000Hz polling rate

Consistent and responsive linear optical switches

No programmable macros

Most keyboards tote the classic mechanical switches, but if you’re into competitive gaming, where winning or losing comes down to milliseconds, optical may be the way to go. These switches offer up an even quicker actuation and don’t suffer from the same debounce electrical interference that can add input delay to mechanical keyboards. The Razer Huntsman V2 offers up solid linear optical switches that are both consistent and responsive, making it one of the best optical gaming keyboards. And with a polling rate of 8,000Hz to register inputs even faster, this keyboard is all about clicking first to win the game

At $200, the Razer Huntsman isn’t cheap, but it offers impressive value considering its performance and features. Naturally, you’re getting some slick visuals with Razer’s RGB lighting. You can also set up five profiles to save on the keyboard itself, and a dial along with media buttons add to the convenience. As far as ergonomics go, there’s a large, plush wrist rest that attaches with magnets. The keyboard also doesn’t take up more space on your desk than it needs to.

6. Logitech G915 TKL

Best High-End Tenkeyless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Product Specifications

Interface

Wireless

Key switch options

GL Clicky, GL Linear, GL Tactile

Features

Per-key RGB lighting, onboard profiles, dedicated media controls, Bluetooth

Size

15.2″ x 5.9″ x 0.9″

Low profile switches

Compact TKL design

Charges via micro USB

The Logitech G915 is pretty great, so if you want a slightly more compact keyboard, you’re in luck. The Logitech G915 TKL takes what was already a winning keyboard, and trims it down, making for one of the best TKL mechanical gaming keyboards. You, of course, lose out on that num pad, but do you even need it? Keeping it even sleeker is the slim design afforded by its use of low-profile GL switches. These mechanical switches are still speedy and tactile, but half the size of your average mechanical switches. It’s truly impressive that even at its reduced size, this keyboard manages to include dedicated media controls and a volume wheel.

And did we mention it’s wireless? That’s right, the Logitech G915 TKL also uses the company’s gaming-grade Lightspeed Wireless to offer 1ms response times. You can enjoy a top-notch gaming experience without turning your desk space into a jungle of wires. All you need to do is plug in the USB dongle and get gaming. When you want to use the keyboard with other devices, it can even connect over Bluetooth.

7. Das Keyboard 6 Professional

Best High-End Gaming Keyboard for Work

Product Specifications

Interface

Wired

Key switch options

Cherry MX Brown, Cherry MX Blue

Features

USB-C passthrough, media controls, white LED backlighting

Size

17.5″ x 5.31″ x 1.17″

Sturdy, reliable build

Two USB pass-throughs

Can’t remap keys or create custom macros

The Das Keyboard 6 Professional is geared toward people who want a keyboard for work and occasionally like to dabble in some gaming. You won’t be able to remap keys or create custom macros with this wired mechanical option, but it’s well-made, offers full n-key rollover to ensure every press is registered and features Cherry MX Brown switches. These switches are tactile and clicky, making for a great experience whether you’re annihilating opponents on the battlefield or typing up a report.

The focus of the Das Keyboard 6 Professional is productivity, so there isn’t any colorful RGB lighting like you often find on gaming keyboards, but rather a simple white glow to make viewing in the dark easier. However, you get two handy USB-C pass-throughs which are perfect for charging up your peripherals or transferring data. Another convenient inclusion is the dedicated media controls above the number pad, including a massive volume knob.

8. Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro

Best High-End Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Product Specifications

Interface

Wired

Key switch options

Razer Green, Yellow

Features

RGB lighting, 5 onboard profiles, dedicated media buttons, 8 macro buttons, detachable wrist rest, doubleshot ABS keycaps

Size

18.25″ x 6″ x 1″

Reliable and responsive 8,000Hz polling rate

Ample customizability

Lacks hot-swappable switches

Razer’s BlackWidow V3 Pro was an outstanding keyboard, and the newest model, the BlackWidow V4 Pro, only improves upon its greatness. There are two mechanical switch options, so you can go for either a tactile feel and satisfying clicky sound with green switches or speed and a smooth typing experience with yellow. Whichever you choose, they hold up great and offer reliable, responsive gameplay, while an 8,000Hz polling rate can give you a slight edge over opponents. The full-height, doubleshot ABS keycaps that cover those switches are attractive and feel great, though PBT would’ve been nice to combat inevitable wear.

This wired mechanical keyboard is slightly larger than most full-size keyboards, leaving room for a volume roller, four media keys, eight dedicated macro controls, and a handy “Razer Command Dial” with eight default modes and 100 custom modes. All the keys are also programmable, so you can customize settings to your gaming preferences and save up to five profiles onboard. And Razer didn’t forget about comfort as you frantically hit keys by including two incline settings and a well-padded wrist rest.

9. Mountain Everest Max

Best High-End Modular Gaming Keyboard

Product Specifications

Interface

Wired

Key switch options

Cherry MX Red, Blue, Brown, Speed Silver, Silent Red

Features

1,000Hz polling rate, hot-swappable switches, modular accessories, dedicated media controls, RGB media dock, per-key RGB lighting, onboard profile storage, macro keys, cushioned palm rest

Size

18.15″ x 10.43″ x 1.69″

Includes attachable number pad, wrist rest, and media dock

Hot-swappable switches

Major case ping

All the other keyboards on this list are cool and all, but what if you want something different? The Mountain Everest Max is exactly that. This keyboard is modular in more than a few ways. While plenty of keyboards will let you swap keycaps or even switches, the Mountain Everest Max supports hot-swappable key switches, so you can make your changes on the fly.

That’s just the start. The Mountain Everest Max comes with a few attachable accessories, including a media dock that can control a variety of settings and a number pad with four customizable shortcut keys. Those accessories are attachable at multiple points on the keyboard, or you can put them away for a more compact footprint. There’s also a magnetic wrist rest. Basically, you can turn this keyboard into a very different device whenever you want.

10. Asus ROG Falchion

Best High-End Compact Gaming Keyboard

Product Specifications

Interface

Wired/Wireless

Key switch options

Cherry MX RGB Red, Cherry MX Blue, Cherry MX Brown

Features

2.4GHz wireless, Side touch panel, Keyboard cover, Per-key RGB lighting

Size

12″ x 3.98″ x 1.5″

Ultra-portable 60% frame

Offers reliable Cherry MX switches

Must sacrifice some keys

Asus has taken a high-end keyboard and distilled it into an incredibly compact form factor. The Asus ROG Falchion is a 68-key keyboard with a 65% layout packed into a 60% keyboard frame. From a practical standpoint, that means you’re getting a high-performance mechanical keyboard ready to razzle-dazzle while only taking up a foot of horizontal space on your desk. And, yes, that also means the ROG Falchion is quite portable, so it’s thoughtful of Asus to have included a keyboard cover for all your on-the-go needs.

Despite its small size, the Asus ROG Falchion is surprisingly ripe with features. It boasts Cherry MX key switches that come backed with RGB lighting. It’ll let you run in a wired mode, but it also offers 2.4GHz wireless for a 1ms response time that’s game-ready. It even has enough battery to run for up to 450 hours on a charge. Though the form factor has to sacrifice some keys, Asus snuck a touch panel onto the side of the keyboard that can handle volume controls, switch apps, or serve up macros.

How to Choose a High-End Gaming Keyboard

Anyone with access to a big box store like Best Buy knows there are a ton of cheap keyboards out there that’ll break after a couple of months. But if you want to go all-in on a high-end keyboard, you should probably know what exactly that means. You see, a high-end keyboard is more than just a high price tag: these premium boards feature metal builds, mechanical keys and macro keys that you can program to do whatever you need them to do.

You need to keep an eye on how the keyboard is built. There are a lot of mainstream keyboards out there that are made primarily of plastic, and while that’s fine for most people, plastic has a tendency to get stained or even warp over time. Instead, consider a keyboard that has a frame made of aluminum or even steel: It’ll last longer, and it’ll even feel better to type on, because they won’t move around on your desk as you type.

If you really want a keyboard that’ll last years without dying on you, find a high-end keyboard with swappable keyswitches. Most keyboards you’ll find on store shelves have one set of switches and if they start sticking or stop responding all together, you’re screwed and will have to buy a new keyboard. On the other hand, there are keyboards like the Asus ROG Azoth, that’ll let you swap out every switch on the board, so you don’t have to worry if one of your keys stops working one day.

There are a lot of high-end keyboards that will offer USB passthrough, too. This is an awesome feature if you have a ton of USB accessories that you like to swap in and out of your setup, but you don’t always want to be fiddling around with your PC’s PC ports. Keyboards with this feature will typically need two USB ports on your PC, but you get one of them back in a way that’s much more accessible on the fly.

High-End Gaming Keyboard FAQ

Is an expensive gaming keyboard worth it?

Whether or not you splurge on a gaming keyboard really depends on how often you play and if you do it competitively. For those who just occasionally game after school or work, you’ll get by just fine with a more basic budget gaming keyboard. But those who kick it up a notch by playing lots of different games or are pro-level will find a high-end keyboard can make a world of difference.

Pricier keyboards often offer higher-quality mechanical switches and more durable keycaps to increase the longevity of the board. It’s usually easier to swap out these switches, making them highly customizable, and you can sometimes set the actuation distance of the keys, which can be a real boon in certain games. Beyond that, you’ll find macro controls and media keys, while many options are fully programmable with extra storage space to save profiles on board.

That’s just touching the surface, as the polling rates are higher for quicker, more responsive gameplay, and RGB effects are usually taken to the extreme with these top-tier boards. Many of these features can give you an edge over opponents, but if you don’t think you’ll use most of them, then you might as well save some bucks and spend on other peripherals, like a gaming mouse or headset.

Are high-end wireless keyboards good for gaming?

Yes. The best wireless keyboards can be just as good as their wired counterparts for gaming, especially options in the higher price range, as you’ll more than likely get a 2.4GHz dongle for a dedicated link between your keyboard and gaming PC. This USB dongle delivers similar latency to a wired connection and is far superior to Bluetooth. However, there is always the possibility of signal interference.

Should I use a high-end keyboard and mouse or PC controller for gaming?

Loyalists to the church of keyboard and mouse will stick their noses up at those who reach for the best PC controllers when PC gaming, but the gaming accessories you choose to use are a matter of personal preference. High-end keyboards deliver precision and responsiveness with their often super reliable mechanical switches. You also can’t ignore the excess of possible key inputs, which are more than likely remappable and customizable. Controllers will rest comfortably in hand with all the controls within easy reach and include a handy analog stick that can be a boon in racing games. However, the number of inputs is limited.

Kevin Lee is IGN’s Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam

Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.

This post was originally published on IGN