Top 5: Best Gaming Keyboards under $100

When you’re picking out a new gaming keyboard it can be hard to find the best options. It can be even harder if you’re trying to spend under $100 but want features like mechanical switches and RGB lighting.

There are just so many options available that it’s easy to become overwhelmed and simply give up – or even worse, buying a bad keyboard. So, let’s avoid that by looking at 5 of the absolute best gaming keyboards under $100. 

There are no bad options on this list, the number 5 pick is still leagues better than many of the other options out there. Basically, this Top 5 list is a bundle of good options with different features. 

What is a gaming keyboard?

A good gaming keyboard is slightly different than your typical general use keyboard for a few key reasons. Primarily, addressable RGB lighting and typically a higher quality build meant for extended use including quality mechanical switches – usually CherryMX, Kalih, or various other top-tier companies. 

Why do mechanical switches matter, I hear you asking? For two simple reasons. One, they (often) click and that’s awesome. Two, mechanical keys have a higher durability rating, better response, and a significantly longer lifespan than membrane keyboards do. If a switch breaks, you can replace it for a lot cheaper than the price of a whole new keyboard. You can even customize mechanical keyboards with your own custom keys or use different strength switches for different keys.

Most gaming keyboards will come with additional features not found on basic keyboards – other than RGB lighting. One of the most useful to gamers are extra programmable keys and multimedia controls. 

Beyond those points, there aren’t many differences between your typical keyboard and a gaming keyboard.

Specs:

• Keys: 104
• Switches: “Hybrid Blue” (rubber dome)
• Lighting: Fully addressable RGB
• Connectivity: USB 
• Extras: Customizable OLED Display | Dedicated volume controls | Detachable wrist rest
• Dimensions: 17.5 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches
• Weight: 3lbs

SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid

Of all the options on deck today, the SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid is the only one not using true mechanical switches. The switches found in the Apex 5 Hybrid are similar to a blue mechanical switch, while actually being rubber dome. A couple of years ago this wouldn’t have been ideal, but in 2021 we’ve come a long way and rubber dome keyboards have too. 

The features found on the Apex 5 Hybrid are the biggest driving factor behind its placement on this list. Not only does it come with fully addressible RGBs like any other SteelSeries keyboard, but it also features dedicated volume controls (a roller, not buttons) and an awesome customizable OLED display. Not to mention a pretty decent detachable wrist rest. 

Being a full-size keyboard with 104 keys, you’ll need at least 18-inches of clearance on your desk to fit it. Without the wrist wrist it comes in at just under 6-inches wide, but with it’s just over 9. 

Overall, the Apex 5 Hybrid is a great gaming keyboard for under $100 if you can look past the rubber dome, mechanical-like switches. 

Specs:

• Keys: 88
• Switches: Razer Green (mechanical)
• Lighting: Fully addressable RGB
• Connectivity: USB 
• Extras: Detachable wrist rest
• Dimensions: 14.5 x 6 x 1.5 inches
• Weight: 3lbs

Razer BlackWidow Chroma TE V2

Razer has always been at the top of the pile when it comes to practically all computer peripherals. Their BlackWidow Chroma TE V2 is easily one of the best tenkeyless keyboards you could get – especially if you’re looking for an exceptionally comfortable wrist rest.

While you won’t find many additional features like dedicated volume controls or OLED screens on this board, what you get is a high build quality and some of the best RGB lighting on this list. This keyboard also comes with a braided cable, just in case cable durability was a worry you had. Razer’s proprietary Green mechanical switches feel great to type on, but they’re loud as all green switches are. 

Due to its tenkeyless design (no numpad), the BlackWidow Chroma V2 is great if you have limited desk space. At just under 15-inches long, this keyboard will have no problem fitting on your lap or on a smaller desk. Without its wrist rest it comes in at just over 6 inches and with the rest it’s about 9-inches wide. 

If you’re looking for a great tenkeyless option with awesome RGB lighting, high-quality green switches, and a comfortable wrist rest, look no further. Razer’s BlackWidow TE Chroma V2 is exactly what you’re looking for. 

Specs:

• Keys: 104
• Switches: Cherry VIOLA (mechanical)
• Lighting: Fully addressable RGB
• Connectivity: USB 
• Extras: Quality, tons of quality
• Dimensions: 18 x 5.5 x 2 inches
• Weight: 2.5lbs

Corsair K60 RGB Pro

One of the best priced options on the list today, Corsair’s K60 RGB Pro features a minimalist design highlighting Cherry’s incredible VIOLA switches and a vivid RGB profile. 

You won’t find many additional features on this board, similar to the BlackWidow TE Chroma V2, what you’re getting here is a high-quality build using nothing but the best materials. The one major difference between this board and the previous board, is the size, number of keys, and wrist rest or lack thereof. 

 As a full-size keyboard, you’ll need no less than 18-inches of free space to accomodate this board. However, at only 5.5-inches wide with no wrist rest, this is a board than can fit on the thinnest or most jampacked desk. 

If you’re looking for a high-quality keyboard with high-quality mechanical switches that doesn’t come with a bunch of extra features you won’t use, the K60 RGB Pro is a top-level choice. 

Specs:

• Keys: 104
• Switches: Cherry MX Red (mechanical)
• Lighting: Fully addressable RGB
• Connectivity: USB
• Extras: Dedicated multimedia controls | Detachable wrist rest
• Dimensions: 18 x 6.7 x 1.6 inches
• Weight: 3lbs

Corsair K68 (Cherry MX Red)

The Corsair K68 is an all-around great keyboard. It features high-quality Cherry MX Red switches, a sturdy design, dedicated multimedia controls, and fully addressable per-key RGB backlighting. 

Coming packed with a fairly standard array of features for a gaming keyboard, the one thing that makes the K68 stand out is its overall build quality. In typical Corsair fashion, only the best materials have been used in this board and you can easily tell the second you start using it. At a little over 3lbs, you can feel the quality of this keyboard before you’ve even plugged it in.

It’s fairly average-sized for a full-size keyboard with a length right around 18-inches. Including the wrist rest, this board is just a little over 9-inches wide and only 6.7-inches wide without the rest. 

Overall, Corsair’s K68 checks all the boxes… Except it’s still using buttons for its volume control and no one likes buttons for volume control. Were this board equipped with a roller, it might have beaten out the Logitech G910 and its proprietary G-Romer switches.  

Specs:

• Keys: 104
• Switches: Romer-G Tactile (mechanical)
• Lighting: Fully addressable RGB
• Connectivity: USB 
• Extras: Dedicated media controls | 9 macro keys | Attached palm wrest
• Dimensions: 19.8 x 8.2 x 1.4 inches
• Weight: 3.3lbs

Logitech G910 Orion Spectrum RGB

The G910 Orion Spectrum RGB is based on a tried and true platform that’s been used by Logitech to make some of the best gaming keyboards for a long time now. This iteration is a major improvement over the previous Spark primarily due to it’s more user-friendly key shape.

Logitech really knows how to pack features into a keyboard and this iteration of the G910 is further proof of that. Not only does this board have a total of 9 fully programmable macro keys, but it also has dedicated media controls including a volume roller. If you’ve never had a volume roller vs volume keys, you’ve been missing out! The Orion Spectrum RGB also has fully addressable, per-key RGB lighting. Which means you can go to town customizing each key individually. 

Being a full-size keyboard with a column of extra keys, you’re going to need around 20-inches of space on your desk for this beast. At only 8.2 inches wide, the G910 Orion Spectrum RGB is one of the thinner boards to feature a rest, be it wrist or palm. 

If you need programmable macro keys, this board has all of them. If you want dedicated multimedia controls, they’re here in the best way. If you want fully addressable per-key RGB backlighting, this is it. When it comes to a great gaming keyboard under $100, the G910 Orion Spectrum RGB is a surefire bet. 

Conclusion

With the absolutely MASSIVE array of options available, I hope this list of the top 5 gaming keyboards under $100 makes your search a little less stressful so you can get back to gaming!

We’re always happy to take new options into consideration, so if you’ve found a keyboard for less than $100 but more than $50 that you absolutely love, let us know! We’ll test it out and if it makes the cut it’ll bump one of the existing options off! 

That concludes this roundup of the top 5 best gaming keyboards for under $100. If you have any questions or comments about any of the keyboards on this, please leave them below as we’d love to hear your opinion!