Having a good keyboard is the pinnacle for any gaming setup. Gaming keyboards are likely to be better than most non-gaming keyboards. You can get a good gaming keyboard that is under $100 if you do the research. That is where I come in. Let’s go!
Best Gaming Keyboards Under 100 (Updated List)
| # | Preview | Product | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid | Top Recommendation |
| 2 |  | Corsair K60 RGB Pro SE | Runner Up |
| 3 |  | Razer Cynosa Chroma | Budget Friendly |
Why You Should Get A Gaming Keyboard
A good gaming keyboard could mean the difference between winning or losing while playing your favorite PC game. Most gaming keyboards feature mechanical keys. You can type much faster on these keyboards compared to other keyboards. In games, milliseconds matter, and you can easily gain a few milliseconds if you use a mechanical keyboard.
A gaming keyboard usually features well-spaced keys that are easy to use for longer periods of time. Another thing that you need to consider is that a gaming keyboard has other keys needed for gaming.
Gaming keyboards often come with a row or more of keys that you can customize to do almost anything in your favorite game.
If you enjoy playing video games in the dark, having a keyboard with backlighting is rather useful. You can customize the lighting to your own personal tastes, using RGB colors.
What to Look for When Buying a Gaming Keyboard Under $100
Everyone has different preferences on what is important or not when deciding on a gaming keyboard, but I want to offer my opinion on the most important things that a gaming keyboard under $100 should have.
N-Key Rollover
With N-Key rollover support each key is scanned completely independently by the keyboard hardware so that each keypress is correctly detected regardless of how many other keys are being pressed or held down at the time.
Rubber Dome vs Mechanical Keyboard
These are the two main options when buying a gaming keyboard. The rubber dome keyboards consist primarily of plastic and rubber components. Mechanical keyboards are made out of metal plates, providing a much faster response time. But you will need to spend more money on a mechanical keyboard compared to a rubber dome one. Also, a mechanical keyboard it’s a better option in terms of longevity since rubber dome keys can lose flexibility when you use them a lot. Mechanical keyboards have removable keycaps, which makes cleaning them that much easier.
Macros and Customization
It’s important to ensure that your keyboard has macro and customization options. These are ideal for gaming, as they can give you easy shortcuts that you can use. The greatest advantage is that you can automate the tasks you have to perform in your game. Instead of manually typing a command in a game, all you need to do is to click the macro and the task will be executed.
Gaming Keyboard – Product Reviews
Here are the reviews of the best gaming keyboards under 100:
1. SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid (Recommended)
For a keyboard that is under $100, this SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid is rock solid that offers some wicked gameplay. Every key is programmable, but the absence of dedicated macro keys may be disappointing for some MMO players.
I totally recommend this keyboard if you are wanting to get more involved with your gaming and/or want specific configurations.
Pros
- Solid design with a great spacing for the keys
- Cool color combinations with the LEDs
- Outstanding software support.
- Comes with a wrist guard – good for long gaming
Cons
- Customer service is known to be lacking
- Come buyers call it loud and clunky
- High latency
2. Corsair K60 RGB Pro SE (Runner Up)
It’s a full-size keyboard with great build quality and a low-profile design that’s comfortable to use for long periods. It features Cherry’s Viola mechanical key switches. The Corsair K60 RGB Pro has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys. Corsair’s iCUE software lets you customize the RGB backlighting, reassign keys, and program macros. It offers virtually limitless customizations and exclusive game integrations.
Pros
- Comfortable to use
- Great built quality
- Solid software
Cons
- No dedicated multimedia and macro keys
- No onboard memory for profile storage
- No wrist rest
3. Razer Cynosa Chroma (Budget Friendly)
The Razer Cynosa Chroma is an entry-level membrane keys keyboard with a decent-looking design, fully programmable keys, and an array of cool RGB options. What you do get with this Cynosa, over a cheaper mechanical keyboard is stacks of features thanks to the Synapse companion software.
Pros
- Good value for money if you like RGB
- Gaming mode
- Soft, responsive keys
Cons
- Not angled enough when feet are fully extended
- Keys have a slightly mushy response with virtually no haptic feedback
- No wrist rest
FAQ’s
Here are some commonly asked questions about gaming keyboards in general. These FAQs are not specific to my chosen keyboards, but more mechanical or hybrid keyboards in general.
Are mechanical keyboards better for gaming?
Mechanical keyboards are better for gaming because they offer faster response times, better durability, programmable Keys, and RGB lighting. Overall, mechanical keyboards definitely improve your gaming experience.
Do wrist guards help with long-term gaming play?
Yes. There are wrist guards developed specifically for gamers. They aim to prevent some of the most common gaming hand injuries that we can get while gaming: carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive wrist strain injury (RSI), gamer wrist, and De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
What to do if a key pops off?
One option is to buy or if it is under warranty, request new keycaps for the ones popping off. The replacements can have much tighter fitting than the initial keys.
Conclusion
Getting the right gaming keyboard has a lot to do with personal preference. Are you looking for something more for aesthetics or better functionality to improve your performance? The Steel Series Apex 5 offers the best of both worlds, and at a reasonable price. Razer Cynosa Chroma is a keyboard that is great for first-time gamers. It comes to the table at a price point that is very affordable, whilst offering excellent aesthetics and some cool features. At less than $100, Corsair K60 RGB Pro is a basic but solid keyboard. However, f you’re looking for more features or bleeding-edge performance, I’d recommend looking at something a little more high-end.