Table of Contents
We’ll talk about the Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100, which are an important part of any game setup. Learn about some of these great keyboard options that will save you money without affecting how well they work for games.A keyboard can make or break your PC game setup. Don’t let a bad one ruin your fun when you play. Getting a new keyboard is a simple way to improve your computer, especially since there are so many great ones for less than $100.
We tried out a lot of cheap keyboards to help you figure out which one will give you the most for your money.The keyboards on the list are not in order of when they were made. Overall, these are the best mechanical keyboards you can get for under $100. Each one has its own pros and cons, which is why we recommend reading our guide on what to look for and the descriptions of each mechanical keyboard on our list.
Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100 Comparison Table
| Keyboard Model | Keyboard Type | Switches | RGB Lighting | Connectivity | Programmable Keys | Key Rollover | Multimedia Keys | Wrist Rest | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CORSAIR Gaming K70 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard | Mechanical | Cherry MX (Various options available) | Customizable RGB backlighting | Wired | Yes | Full-key rollover | Dedicated multimedia controls | Detachable wrist rest | Windows, macOS |
| Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition Optical Keyboard | Mechanical | Razer Optical Switches (Linear or Clicky options) | Customizable RGB backlighting | Wired | Yes | 10-key rollover | No | No | Windows, macOS |
| Razer Cynosa V2 Gaming Keyboard | Membrane | N/A | Customizable RGB backlighting | Wired | Yes | 10-key rollover | Dedicated media keys | No | Windows, macOS |
| Whirlwind FX Atom | Mechanical | Customizable optical switches | Dynamic per-key RGB backlighting | Wired | Yes | Full-key rollover | No | No | Windows |
| Keychron K3 Version 2 | Mechanical | Gateron or LK Optical switches (Various options available) | Customizable RGB backlighting | Wireless or Wired | Yes | N-key rollover | Dedicated media keys | No | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition | Mechanical | Razer Optical Switches (Linear or Clicky options) | Customizable RGB backlighting | Wired | Yes | 10-key rollover | No | No | Windows, macOS |
| Logitech G613 | Mechanical (Wireless) | Logitech Romer-G | No | Wireless (Bluetooth or USB dongle) | Yes | N-key rollover | Dedicated media keys | Detachable wrist rest | Windows, macOS |
| Anne Pro 2 | Mechanical | Gateron, Kailh, or Cherry MX switches | Customizable RGB backlighting | Wired or Wireless | Yes | N-key rollover | No | No |
CORSAIR Gaming K70 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Keyboard Type | Mechanical |
| Switches | Cherry MX (Various options available) |
| RGB Lighting | Customizable RGB backlighting |
| Connectivity | Wired |
| Programmable Keys | Yes |
| Key Rollover | Full-key rollover |
| Multimedia Keys | Dedicated multimedia controls |
| Wrist Rest | Detachable wrist rest |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS |
The Corsair K70 Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100 comes in at number 10 on our list. The K70 is a well-known mechanical keyboard that gamers mostly use. It has a full-sized layout that is extra-large because the keyboard’s wide frame goes beyond the keys, making it an absolute unit.
The top of the keyboard is made of metal, while the rest of the case is made of plastic. Corsair keyboards always have smooth spacebars, and this one does too. The K70 also has a USB pass-through and power cords that can’t be taken off. This means that you’ll need two open USB ports on your computer to use this keyboard.
The Good
- Strong and well-made construction
- RGB lighting options that can be changed.
The Bad
- Compared to other gaming keyboards, it can be pretty pricey.
Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition Optical Keyboard
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Keyboard Type | Mechanical |
| Switches | Razer Optical Switches (Linear or Clicky options) |
| RGB Lighting | Customizable RGB backlighting |
| Connectivity | Wired |
| Programmable Keys | Yes |
| Key Rollover | 10-key rollover |
| Multimedia Keys | No |
| Wrist Rest | No |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS |
The Razer Huntsman Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100 is one of Razer’s most popular keyboards. Most gamers and people who are new to mechanical keyboards use this type. You can read all about the Razer Huntsman TE in our full review. This particular computer has no number pad and only ten keys. The case is made of plastic and has a thin metal plate on top. It feels very light and is easy to take with you.
On the other hand, the keyboard’s light weight makes it feel cheap and like it would be easy to break by accident. We chose the Red linear optical buttons for our Huntsman when we ordered it. The response time of optical switches is a little bit faster, which can be helpful for people who play competitive games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, League of Legends, etc.
The Good
- With ultra-fast optical switches, the computer can respond in a flash.
- For tournament play, the design is small and easy to carry.
The Bad
- Not enough keys for media
Razer Cynosa V2 Gaming Keyboard
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Keyboard Type | Membrane |
| Switches | N/A |
| RGB Lighting | Customizable RGB backlighting |
| Connectivity | Wired |
| Programmable Keys | Yes |
| Key Rollover | 10-key rollover |
| Multimedia Keys | Dedicated media keys |
| Wrist Rest | No |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS |
The Cynosa could be the Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100 for you if you do your office work best on a membrane keyboard. It’s a membrane keyboard, not a mechanical one, so the keys are quiet and definitely feel softer than the others here, and some people might find them floppy. Still, for $60, this is a good solution if you want to use one keyboard for both work and play.
Many of the original Cynosa’s features are still there, like per-key RGB lights, which is rare at this end of the market, and a design that can handle spills. In the top right corner, there is now a set of media keys. Razer also put a way for the cables to go under the keyboard so that you can keep your desk a little cleaner.
The Good
- Affordable price for gamers on a tight budget
- Per-key RGB backlighting lets you change the way it looks.
The Bad
- Mechanical switches may give more tactile feedback than membrane switches.
Whirlwind FX Atom
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Keyboard Type | Mechanical |
| Switches | Customizable optical switches |
| RGB Lighting | Dynamic per-key RGB backlighting |
| Connectivity | Wired |
| Programmable Keys | Yes |
| Key Rollover | Full-key rollover |
| Multimedia Keys | No |
| Wrist Rest | No |
| Compatibility | Windows |
The Atom 60% Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100 from Whirlwind FX is not too different from other choices of the same size. The small size saves space and is great if you need more room for your mouse while you game. It’s also easy to put into a bag for traveling. (It also has a braided USB-C cord that you can remove to help with this.)
The company has three mechanical switches to choose from, and they are all lit up beautifully with RGB LEDs. This little keyboard stands out because of the backlighting, or more accurately, the software that controls it. You don’t even need a keyboard to use the program, though.
The Good
- Lighting that changes in response to games and other media
- Small and easy to carry
The Bad
- Brand is hard to find and not very popular
Keychron K3 Version 2
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Keyboard Type | Mechanical |
| Switches | Gateron or LK Optical switches (Various options available) |
| RGB Lighting | Customizable RGB backlighting |
| Connectivity | Wireless or Wired (Bluetooth and USB-C) |
| Programmable Keys | Yes |
| Key Rollover | N-key rollover |
| Multimedia Keys | Dedicated media keys |
| Wrist Rest | No |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux |
The Ultra Slim Keychron K3 Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100 is only 22 mm thick, and the low-profile Gateron mechanical switches are 35% thinner. This 75% layout keyboard is great for multitasking because it can connect to 3 devices at once and you can quickly change the OS compatibility (Win/Android/Mac/iOS) with a toggle switch.
The Gateron switches on the Keychron K3 have been redesigned to have a lower profile so that the keyboard can be thin without losing any usefulness or performance. The keyboard is made of strong metal that has been reinforced, and it has a plastic base. It also has two rubber feet that can be moved to change the angle and height of the keyboard.
The Good
- It is small and thin, making it perfect for use on the go.
- Wireless connections make it easy to avoid cables.
The Bad
- Not many RGB lighting choices
Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Keyboard Type | Mechanical |
| Switches | Razer Optical Switches (Linear or Clicky options) |
| RGB Lighting | Customizable RGB backlighting |
| Connectivity | Wired |
| Programmable Keys | Yes |
| Key Rollover | 10-key rollover |
| Multimedia Keys | No |
| Wrist Rest | No |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS |
The company that makes the Razer Huntsman Tournament version says that it has the fastest keyboard switches. We found this to be true after using it for a long time. With a 1mm actuation, which is 15–30% shorter than other linear switches, and a 40 mg actuation force, the switches are lightning fast. We used this keyboard a lot with Alexa, and it worked great.
You can make it easy to do complicated things by remapping the keys with Razer Hypershift. We also found that the keycaps are top-notch, with smooth Doubleshot PBT keycaps that don’t get oily. There are 5 small LED lights that show when locks like Caps Lock, Scroll Lock, etc. are on.
The Good
- For tournament play, the design is portable and small.
- Keys that can be programmed to do your own macros and commands
The Bad
- Not enough keys for media
Logitech G613
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Keyboard Type | Mechanical (Wireless) |
| Switches | Logitech Romer-G |
| RGB Lighting | No |
| Connectivity | Wireless (Bluetooth or USB dongle) |
| Programmable Keys | Yes |
| Key Rollover | N-key rollover |
| Multimedia Keys | Dedicated media keys |
| Wrist Rest | Detachable wrist rest |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS |
This full-size wireless unit has incredibly low latency, which makes it great for games. It has Romer-G Tactile switches, which give a nice key press with a smooth tactile bump that feels very responsive while gaming.
With a point of activation of just 1.55mm, Romer-G is 25% faster and 40% more durable than normal mechanical switches. The pre-travel distance of these mechanical switches is very short, which is great for games but might not be the best for typing if you tend to make mistakes.
The Good
- Wireless connectivity lets you set up with less stuff.
- Long battery life to play games for longer periods of time
The Bad
- Not able to be taken off
Anne Pro 2
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Keyboard Type | Mechanical |
| Switches | Gateron, Kailh, or Cherry MX switches |
| RGB Lighting | Customizable RGB backlighting |
| Connectivity | Wired or Wireless (Bluetooth and USB-C) |
| Programmable Keys | Yes |
| Key Rollover | N-key rollover |
| Multimedia Keys | No |
| Wrist Rest | No |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS |
The Obinslab Anne Pro 2 is a great 60% smaller gaming keyboard that feels very sturdy and looks sleek in most computer sets. It’s also talked about in this guide to the best wireless keyboards for 2022, which you can find here.
It has a very low wired delay, full RGB backlighting with individually lit keys, and all keys can be programmed to do macros using the software that comes with it. This keyboard has a lot of switch choices, but the height, lack of incline settings or a wrist rest, and lack of arrow keys may make some people tired after long typing sessions.
The Good
- Small and easy to carry
- There are both Bluetooth and wired ways to connect.
The Bad
- Non-detachable USB-C cable
FAQs
A: Mechanical keyboards can have different switch options based on the model and the company that made it. Cherry MX switches (like Cherry MX Red, Brown, Blue, or Black), Gateron switches, Kailh switches, and more are all common types of switches. Each type of switch has different qualities, such as the amount of force needed to make it work, the input it gives, and how loud it is. It’s best to do some study and choose a type of switch that fits your typing or gaming needs.
A: Yes, you can use the mechanical keyboards listed above for games. Mechanical keyboards are popular with gamers because they feel good, respond quickly, and last a long time. These keyboards are great for games because they have features like anti-ghosting, N-key rollover, and programmable macros. Also, many models have RGB lighting that can be changed to make the game experience better.
A: Most of the mechanical keyboards listed above can be changed through special software or programming on the board itself. Different brands and types can have different kinds of software and different kinds of features. Some keyboards come with software that lets you change the RGB lighting effects, remap keys, make macros, and change other settings. On the other hand, some keyboards have on-board programming, which lets you change settings right on the keyboard itself without the need for extra software.