Technology

5 Best Gaming Keyboards of 2022

Published

2 years ago

April 13, 2022

Escape to Tarkov folks may not get along with Minecraft fanatics. But they will agree upon one thing – a gaming keyboard should have that perfect, satisfying click. A keyboard is one of the most vital, and yet, often the underrated component in your gaming arsenal.

Over the last few years, Razer has rolled out some of the best gaming keyboards in the market. To begin with, they have multiple ranges to suit every kind of gamer and budget. For those hardcore PC builders, the brand offers extensive customizations and programming. And not to mention, the attractive RGB lighting.

But what makes a Razer gaming keyboard unique?

Unlike other brands that have standard designs, Razer does its own thing. They offer very flexible and extensive customizations. For instance, you can program every key on the board and even its RGB lighting. Their build is quite durable as it’s made from hard plastic topped with metal. For keys, Razer offers a wide variety of switches. You can pick your favorite keyboard with mechanical, analog, optical, and even hybrid switches.

What to look for in a gaming keyboard

Of course, the click-click and RGB lights aren't enough

Full size vs TKL

A full size gaming keyboard is the one that has all the arrow keys, macro keys, dedicated media keys, number pad, and more. These are the most convenient keyboards if you have space on your desk.

TKL or Ten Keys Less boards are compact but the compactness is achieved by chopping off a few keys. Percentages like ‘TKL 60%’ denote the size of your shortened keyboard. For instance, an 80% will have the number pad cut off. Meanwhile, a 60% will have no num pad and arrow keys. The TKL keyboards are easier to carry around than full-sized ones.

Wired vs Wireless

A lot of gamers might prefer wired keyboards as they respond quickly. However, there are wireless options available. Some keyboards come with multiple connectivity options like low latency dongle and Bluetooth.

Mechanical vs Membrane:

Gamers will tell you that mechanical switches are the best. They’re loud, clicky, and most people love them. Mechanical keys are responsive, tactile, and accurate which makes them a favorite with gamers. You can also replace the keycaps of a mechanical board for exciting themes.

Meanwhile, the membrane switches feel soft and spongy. Unlike mechanical switches, membranes don’t make clacky noises. If you’ll be using your keyboard for other purposes, then you might consider getting a quieter set of switches.

Extras

After you get the basics decided, you might opt for some extra features like RGB backlights, macro keys, media keys, multiple connectivity options, and more.

Top 5 Gaming Keyboards by Razer for 2022

Go get those perfect click-clacks!

1. Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro

Razer's BlackWidow keyboard range is all about providing that premium, comfortable, and flexible gaming experience. We'll start with the BlackWidow V3 Pro's performance. V3 Pro is one of the most responsive keyboards that you can get in the market. The wireless board has one of the lowest latencies which gives you a seamless experience.

BlackWidow V3 Pro gives you three ways to connect it. You can use a low latency dongle, Bluetooth, or even use it wired. With Bluetooth, you can connect the keyboard to 3 different devices at once. Even though Razer Synapse 3 is not compatible with macOS and Linux, the onboard memory can save up to 5 customized settings.

With Razer Green switches, you get a fast response and satisfying clicks. The high-performance keyboard doesn't compromise on appearance at all. Powered by Razer Chroma RBG lights, you can customize it in multi-million ways (quite literally).

Pros

Wireless with low latency and Bluetooth
Dedicated media keys
Onboard memory to save settings
Programmable control knob

Cons

No software customization for macOS and Linux

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2. Razer Huntsman V2 Analog

Razer Huntsman V2 Analog gaming keyboard is a rather unique product. Unlike mechanical or membrane boards, analog boards run on optical light sensors. With these optical switches, you’ll experience a whole new level of actuation.

Depending on your playstyle, you can deepen the actuation. For fast-paced games, you can set the actuation at 1.5mm. For deeper strokes, you can go down to 3.6mm. You can easily connect this keyboard via a USB cable.

Razer Chroma backlights give you illuminating RGB lights as well as an underglow. Along with this, you get a multi-function dial, 4 dedicated media keys, and a magnetic wrist rest.

Pros

Smooth 360-degree analog input
Adjustable actuation
Multi-function dial and media keys
Magnetic wrist rest

Cons

Slightly expensive

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3. Razer BlackWidow Elite

Razer BlackWidow Elite claims to be a tournament-grade mechanical keyboard. And sure enough, it is an improvement over the previous BlackWidow keyboards. To begin with, the Elite version has a multi-function digital dial.

Further, it features Razer Hypershift so you can allocate a secondary set of functions beneath the primary ones. The onboard cloud memory complements the Hypershift and makes it a seamless experience. You can turn every key into a macro key.

As BlackWidow Elite was designed for gamers, it has an optimal actuation point. It has those popular Razer Mechanical Switches which are a delight to click.

Pros

Multi-function digital dial
Optimal actuation for gaming
Razer Hypershift and onboard cloud memory
Comfortable, ergonomic wrist rest

Cons

Lack of dedicated macro keys

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4. Razer Turret for Xbox One

For this one-of-a-kind gaming keyboard, Razer partnered with Microsoft. The wireless Turret comes with a wireless mouse and both are compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X. To deliver an immersive experience, the keyboard comes loaded with some Xbox-specific features.

To begin with, the gaming keyboard has a dedicated Xbox key. Hitting this key will take you to Xbox One dashboard so you can quickly start gaming or streaming. Next, you have a single USB dongle for the keyboard and the mouse that gives you a seamless 2.4GHz frequency. With 40 hours of battery life, you can carry on with your long gaming sessions.

The keyboard also has a retractable mouse pad for the mouse. When not needed, you can slide it back in. To reduce your wrist fatigue, you get an ergonomic wrist rest with the keyboard.

Pros

Specially crafted for Xbox One and Series X
One unified dongle for keyboard and mouse
40 hours of battery life
Comes with an ergonomic wrist rest

Cons

Not compatible with PCs

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5. Razer Cynosa V2

If you're in the market for a budget gaming keyboard, then Razer Cynosa V2 might end your keyboard hunt. The full-size membrane keyboard will not burn a hole through your pocket and comes with a bunch of useful features. Cynosa V2 comes with rubber dome keys topped with ABS plastic keycaps which deliver a noiseless typing experience.

By no means does Cynosa V2 look 50-something-dollar keyboard. Each key is individually backlit and fully programmable. The keyboard itself is lit with Razer Chroma RGB and you can customize the colors as per your theme. With Razer Synapse 3, you can customize each key as per your playstyle.

On top of it, you get dedicated media keys and 3 cable routing options. Razer's Cynosa V2 is quite durable and resistant to water splashes. This automatically translates into long, long gaming sessions.

Pros