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The best Cheap keyboards do not mean sacrificing pleasing high-end models. While some features may be cut back, you can avoid the financial onslaught that often accompanies keyboard purchases. PC peripherals are becoming more expensive, and keyboards are no exception. With top models costing upwards of $200, we thought it best to rule out keyboards with only basic features.
There are plenty of affordable gaming keyboards out there, so we reviewed and tested them so that we could spend our money on something worthwhile. Rest assured, “cheap” does not equal “bad.” There is a lot of fake economy crap on the market, but this list presents the best cheap keyboards we found for under $100 and even under $30 in some cases.
The best gaming keyboards may have extra features than those listed here. Inexpensive keyboards may omit things like media controls, LED displays, and mechanical switches to keep costs down, and it can be difficult to determine what is worth the sacrifice. So we tested many inexpensive keyboards and selected those that were worth it without those features. Below, we have mentioned Best Cheap Keyboards.
Here is the list of Best Cheap Keyboards
Logitech K380
We’ve tested quite a few keyboards, and only the Logitech K380 strikes the perfect balance between low price and high functionality. This compact model is popular with students for its portability, wireless versatility, and ease of use. Companion software is only available for Windows and macOS, but the keyboard itself is fully compatible with all major operating systems. As a wireless unit, you can connect with up to 3 devices at once using Bluetooth. Overall, this is one of the best Cheap keyboards that you can buy right now.
This means you can use your keyboard on your PC and your Android tablet or iPad at the same time and switch between them at the touch of a button without losing functionality. It also comes with two AAA batteries for power, and Logitech advertises up to 24 months of battery life on a new pair of batteries. There are many, but if you need a Numpad for data entry tasks or math, check out the Logitech K360.
Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard
Easily one of the best Cheap keyboards, the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard works seamlessly with the operating system and Microsoft Office suite. It is loaded with Microsoft 365-specific and Windows-related shortcuts, including media controls, search keys, emoji keys, and a new snipping key for quick screen captures. These new features also help ensure that emails are not lost during migration.
The Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard is a full-sized keyboard that also features a numeric keypad. It also has a clean, slim shape for a more minimalist look. It also provides comfortable typing for long hours of work and has a long battery life of up to two years.
Corsair K55 RGB Pro
Corsair’s line of premium gaming keyboards is spectacular to say the least, but its inexpensive offerings also have a lot to offer, and the Corsair K55 RGB Pro is one of the best inexpensive gaming keyboards, with most keyboards (including expensive ones ) touting the standard 1,000Hz polling rate, onboard memory, and IP42 protection against spills. Unfortunately, it is not fully programmable, but there are six dedicated keys for macro recording, allowing for faster and more efficient operation during intense battles.
If you are a game streamer, you can also assign streaming commands to these keys using the Elgato Stream Deck software. Like the keys, this RGB lighting cannot be programmed on a per-key basis. However, there are five RGB lighting zones that can be customized with different lighting and lighting effects. The best part is that you are getting all of this for less than $50, which is a fraction of the cost of most top gaming keyboards out there.
EVGA Z12 RGB Gaming Keyboard
Many gaming keyboards are expensive, but there are also inexpensive ones, such as the EVGA Z12, which is the least expensive gaming keyboard we have tested, but lacks the RGB backlighting, braided cables, row of five macro keys on the left side, and other features that more expensive boards lack It has many features. Additionally, there are dedicated media keys at the top and a “game mode” toggle that can be enabled to prevent accidentally minimizing your game.
In terms of actual in-game performance, latency is not as low as on higher-end models, but it is adequate for playing casual or slow-paced games. It uses rubber dome switches, which feel less snappy and satisfying than mechanical switches. However, the rubber dome is surprisingly light, comfortable to hit, and very quiet. All in all, this is an excellent entry-level device for beginners and young gamers, giving them a taste of common gaming features without the hefty price tag. Thus, this product is one of the best Cheap keyboards available right now.
Keychron K10 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Easily one of the best Cheap keyboards, the Keychron K10 connects to up to three devices via Bluetooth for a complete wireless experience. Plus, with an excellent battery life of over 240 hours, you don’t have to worry about frequent recharging; the K10 provides a pleasant typing experience right out of the box. To that end, you can customize the switches by purchasing a variant with a hot-swappable circuit board, but the stock Gateron G Pro switches feel good enough as is. The keycaps are made of ABS, but they feel good on the fingertips and the keys themselves are very stable.
Also, as with all K series boards, there is a compatibility toggle for switching operating systems, and extra system-specific keycaps are included so you can use the board regardless of your setup. While we recommend the full-size K10 here, Keychron’s K series consists of wireless keyboards in a variety of sizes and configurations, and all of these boards are in affordable price ranges, so it’s worth checking out the company’s website to see which configuration interests you the most.
KLIM Chroma Rechargeable Wireless Gaming Keyboard
Klim proves that low-cost wireless gaming keyboards actually exist, and can boast the same quality as other RGB-enabled membrane keyboards without raising the price. It is also lightweight and sturdy, so it can be placed in a backpack without fear of abrasion or damage.
The company claims that the keyboard takes about four hours to reach full charge, meaning there is enough power to last until your next gaming session. The quiet, soft-touch behavior of the keys themselves is also worth remembering. However, the lack of mechanical tactile feedback or clicks should be kept in mind if that is a key selling point for a product in this price range.
Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition
Easily one of the best Cheap keyboards, the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is our definite recommendation, thanks to its very low latency and highly sensitive optical linear switches – both features usually found on more expensive boards with much more expensive tags. This is a feature typically found on more expensive boards. This unit is simply an older model in Razer’s flagship Huntsman lineup, so it has since been priced down, but certainly not in quality.
In addition to the high-performance gaming features, this keyboard has high build quality, with a hard plastic frame, metal top plate, and durable double-shot PBT keycaps that will not fade or slip over time. It also has a removable cable that can be easily replaced if damaged. It should be noted, however, that this keyboard is best suited for gaming use only, as the high sensitivity of the optical switches may lead to more typos in normal use.
G.Skill KM360
The KM360 offers many benefits beyond the basics of Cherry mechanical key switches at an affordable price. It comes with a detachable USB Type-C cable, and its tenkey less layout takes up more desk space and is highly portable. Accurate and reliable, it provides smooth operation for gaming and typing.
It has wear-resistant keys that won’t wear out like printed or laser-etched keycaps, and the G.Skill board has bright LED lights that address your gaming board in multiple color options. It is budget friendly, solid, well made, and aesthetic. The only downside is the lack of a wrist rest, pass-through, or media controls.
Cooler Master CK552
Easily one of the best Cheap keyboards, the Cooler Master CK552 is the best budget mechanical keyboard for most users: a full-size gaming keyboard with RGB backlighting, aluminum top plate, and a 5.9-foot (1.8m) USB 2.0 cable. It comes with three colors of Gateron switches: red (linear), blue (clicky), and brown (tactile).
Our review unit was equipped with Gateron Red switches, which we found to be responsive during gaming. It also stumbled a bit during heavy typing sessions. Selecting another switch type might help, but other switch options are hard to find online at this time.
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL
The SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL proves that gaming keyboards don’t have to be expensive. This $45 option already has many features, including water and dust resistance, quiet switches for late-night gaming, and an adjustable foot to make gaming even more comfortable. It is also fully macro-programmable, aside from dedicated media keys, making it an excellent budget option for RPG, MMO, and MOBA gamers.
And that’s not all. This feature-rich keyboard boasts gaming-grade anti-ghosting for the most commonly used game keys, built-in 3-way cable management, and eight customizable RGB lighting zones, making it hard to believe this is a sub-$50 keyboard. The SteelSeries Apex 3 also offers nearly the same features in a full-size version.
Final Words
The recommended keyboards above are what we believe are currently the best Cheap keyboards for most people. We have taken into account price, user feedback, and availability. If you prefer to choose your own, here is a full list of our mechanical keyboard reviews. Be careful not to get too hung up on the details. No keyboard is perfect for every application, but most keyboards are good enough to satisfy most people, and you often can’t tell the difference unless you really look for it.