Competitive PC gamers continually look for an edge on the competition. A zippy mouse is good, but a faster internet connection can be helpful and so can a beefier computer. At some point, gamers exhaust those avenues and look to the keyboard. Manufacturers have made interesting advances in recent years in a quest for the best RGB keyboard.
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Razer BlackWidow Chroma
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Corsair Vengeance K70 RGB
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Logitech G910 Orion Spark
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Tesoro Lobera Spectrum G5SFL
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Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E.TE Tournament Edition
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RGB Keyboard Buyer's Guide
Mechanical Switches
Cheap keyboards malfunction and die quickly with daily use. The most commonly used keys lose their letter in a short time. Mechanical keyboards are more expensive but have much higher quality and longevity.
Unlike hard drives, the word “mechanical” is a good thing when speaking about keyboards. Standard keyboards have keys that are mounted above a rubber dome. When a key is pressed, it comes into contact with the rubber dome which registers the command to the computer.
Mechanical keyboards use keys with individual key switches and metal springs. The mechanical keys deliver stronger feedback and can be louder. They also are more precise. Some types of mechanical key switches are faster for gaming than others because they do not have to be pressed down as far.
For a very detailed explanation of mechanical switches, see the article by Anson Wong of PC Gamer.
Cherry MX Switches
The industry standard for mechanical switches is Cherry MX. ZF Electronics had a patent on the Cherry MX switches from 1983 to 2007. With end of the patent, other companies started making keyboards with Cherry MX switches, but even more have perfected clones. There are many colors of Cherry MX switches, and each has different functional characteristics. The most common are red, back, blue and brown.
Actuation refers to the force required to activate the key switch. It is measured in centi-Newtons (cN) or grams (g). Linear key switches provide no additional feedback, tactile key switches provide a bump feeling when activated and clicky key switches provide a louder than normal audible click in addition to a tactile bump feeling when activated.
Back Lighting
Back lighting has become popular with gaming keyboards. That's how the colors red, green and blue come enter the discussion. In most cases, RGB keyboards have the effect of making a rainbow. Users can program patterns of colors across the keyboard or program colors for individual keys. Some RGB keyboard models are capable of producing millions of colors, which are just variations of red, green and blue. Most users say the colors just look cool.
There is some argument that a backlit keyboard can help users find keys in a dark room especially if they are not touch typists. With experimentation and programming, a gamer could conceivably find an advantage to using colors for groups of keys used during game play. This could improve a player's reaction time during a first person shooter.
Anti-ghosting
Keyboard ghosting occurs when users press a combination of keys and the computer does not recognize them. This can happen in a gaming situation in which a user needs to press a combination of keys to perform a move in the game such as jump-and-roll-left.
You can test your keyboard for ghosting and get more detail about ghosting by visiting this page of the Microsoft website.
Anti-ghosting is a selling point many gaming keyboard manufacturers use. N-key rollover is another spec gaming keyboard makers promote. It refers to how many keys can be press simultaneously and be recognized by the computer. The Razor BlackWidow Chroma has 10-key rollover. Users normally only have 10 fingers, so to push past this limit, two people would have to operate the same keyboard. Some keyboard manufacturers promote 100 percent key rollover.
Linus Sebastian made a video for Tech Quickie explaining n-key rollover and anti-ghosting:
Assign Actions (Macro keys)
The ability to program keys may be the most valuable but least exciting aspect of gaming keyboards. Gamers can use software included with a gaming keyboard to assign actions to keys they use not just in games but also for Windows applications. It also is possible to record macros with the software and set up keyboard profiles for different games and programs such as Photoshop.
Setting up actions with keyboard software generally is easier than with Windows applications or third party software. RGB keyboard software also can match color configurations with profiles.
Some of the RGB keyboard manuals out there are more than 100 pages long. Users normally have to download the manual as a PDF, nowadays. To get the most out of a keyboard, it's probably a good idea to at least skim through the manual. This also may help users avoid frustration.
Because RGB keyboards are programmable, manufacturers sometimes update firmware and software, so it's good to check the company's website periodically.
Keyboard Reviews
Below are five of the best and most popular mechanical gaming keyboards available today. They have been on the market awhile, so they are well tested by serious gamers. Most of the manufacturers offer many variations on their base model including type of Cherry MX key switches used.
Razer BlackWidow Chroma
Overall Rating:
Unless gamers are insistent about owning a certified Cherry MX keyboard, the Razer is a highly functional mechanical keyboard with plenty of RGB capabilities.
Razer says its propriety mechanical switches are the first in the world to be designed for gaming. There is a special Razer web page with more details. Razer and other keyboard makers that make Cherry MX clone switches are quick to point out how much better their versions are by promoting the keystroke rating. Razer switches are rated up to 80 million.
The BlackWidow has five dedicated macro switches. The Razer's green switches are labeled as clicky, which makes them comparable with the functionality of Cherry MX blue switches. In the Corsair review below, these two features are lacking. The Razer has one pass-through USB port, which can be used to charge a cellphone. The unit has a short palm rest.
The software allows for easy customization of colors and effects. It will not take hours to setup color profiles. There are pre-programmed patterns: breathing, spectrum, cycling, wave, static and reactive. Users can set colors for individual keys. The software includes color templates for several popular games. In comparison with the Corsair's software, the Razer offers fewer options but a much more intuitive interface.
At this price level, the Razer's plastic frame is disappointing. If a gamer's priority is macro programming instead of RGB customization, the Razer may be a better choice than the Corsair.
PROS:
4.5mm key travel
50g actuation force
10-key rollover
Audio/mic jacks
18.72 inches wide
PROS:
Razer switches
Less color customization than Corsair K70 RGB
Plastic frame
Expensive
Check Out Razer BlackWidow Chroma
Corsair Vengeance K70 RGB
Overall Rating:
This keyboard allows users to set a back light color or individual key colors to display in the background. Then users can set foreground colors with four different effects to activate when keys are pressed. The combinations possibilities are complex.
The software has a steep learning curve mostly because of the color control capabilities. Many gamers may give up on the color manipulation and effects.Users can save their color profiles and upload them to a Corsair forum to share. If users don't want to spend hours customizing a color profile, they can download someone else's.
The K70 is the only keyboard reviewed here with certified Cherry MX switches. It also has 104-key rollover and a solid palm rest. The keyboard is highly functional for competitive gaming, but the main reason people buy it is for the extensive RGB capabilities.
Gamers may be relieved to know programming macros, changing key assignments and linking programs is uncomplicated with the Corsair software. There are no dedicated macro buttons, which can be a hangup for some users. The aluminum frame helps users avoid the problems plastic frames have with scratches and cracks.
The unit costs about $170, which makes it even more expensive than the Logitech G910. The high price is for the RGB features not for the switches. Touch typists will have to get used to the fast action of the Cherry MX switches, but the key shapes are uniform unlike those on the Logitech model reviewed below.
PROS:
Dedicated media controls
4mm key travel
17.24 inches wide
Aluminum frame
PROS:
Software is complicated
Expensive
No Cherry MX blue available
Check Out Corsair Vengeance K70 RGB
Logitech G910 Orion Spark
Overall Rating:
The G910 claims to be the world's fastest RGB mechanical gaming keyboard. A unique feature of the unit is the cellphone dock on the top center to access in-game data without leaving the game. The dock does not charge the phone. There are nine dedicated macro keys.
There also are buttons just for media control. Two different size palm rests are included. Cherry MX fans will be disappointed because the G910 uses Romer-G switches, which are the secret to making actuation up to 25 percent faster than the competition. Logitech explains the proprietary key switch technology on the following page.
The G910 does not have USB ports or audio and mic jacks, which means it only needs one USB connection with the computer and has less cable clutter. There is a convenient macro record button on the keyboard. There also is a button to disable the Windows button, so gamers can't accidentally activate the Windows program menu during a game.
There are three profiles available and 27 programmable macro key functions. The keyboard is backlit, has individual key lighting and customizable colors. The key caps on the G910 are unique. They are concave and have a curved surface. This feature may be good for gaming, but it could be a downfall for non-game uses. The WASD controls are of different design to make it easier to find them by touch during game play.
The G910 definitely is meant for gaming. The uniquely shaped key caps are good or bad depending on users' primary needs. Touch typists may find it less productive.
PROS:
113-key anti-ghosting
19.8 inches wide
Key caps' shape helps with gaming
Software is easy to use
PROS:
Plastic frame
Keys odd for typists
Expensive
Check Out Logitech G910 Orion Spark
Tesoro Lobera Spectrum G5SFL
Overall Rating:
Not only does the Lobera Spectrum have 16.8 million colors, it can flash them to a beat. There are five profiles to store customized color setups. Pre-programmed lighting effects include trigger, ripple, firework, radiation, rainbow and wave. Users also can choose full zone back lighting and set dimming. There also is side edge lighting.
The USB 2.0 ports are not powerful enough to charge cellphones, so users probably only can plug in a mouse. There is a DC-in jack, which may be challenging to find useful, nowadays.
All the keys are programmable, so the Lobera Spectrum is not just for looks. The unit includes a palm rest with diamond plate texture design, which some users may find physically irritating. Without using the forward risers to elevate the keyboard, the unit is unbalanced and will bounce when users type on it.
Instant macro recording is available and there is an all-keys lock. Users can store up to 300 macros. Users can align the five available profile modes with customized color color configurations or just rely on the LED indicators to tell them apart. There are no dedicated macro buttons.
The Lobera Spectrum generally is a little less expensive than a Corsair or Razor RGB mechanical keyboard. Overall, this keyboard is more about looks than function compared with some of the other units reviewed here.
PROS:
Blue, red or brown switches
6-key rollover
Audio and mic jacks
19.6 inches wide
PROS:
Plastic frame is prone to scratches
Software is awkward to use
2 under-powered USB 2.0 ports
Kailh switches
Check Out Tesoro Lobera Spectrum G5SFL
Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E.TE Tournament Edition
Overall Rating:
Those macho gamers not interested in rainbow effects but who still want the functional advantages of back lighting, dimming capability and multi-zone illumination, the Mad Catz may be a good choice. For less than $100, gamers definitely will stand out from the Corsair, Logitech and Razor crowd at LAN parties.
Kailh switches are made in China unlike Cherry MX switches which are made in Germany. In practice, the Kailh switches on the Mad Catz are quite functional, and most people probably won't notice a difference in performance.
The Mad Catz offers a unique feature in a Windows lock slider, which prevents gamers from accidentally hitting the Windows button during game play. Users can adjust the brightness for groups of keys: the main keys, cursor keys and WASD. The detachable wrist rest attaches loosely.
The dedicated macro keys are small and may be oddly placed for some users. Unless gamers can adapt to the placement, the macro keys may be less than helpful. The software is uncomplicated and easy to navigate. The keyboard has a metal frame with a choice of red, matte black, gloss black or white.
The overall design of the keyboard is different from others in the category. The extra space between the main keys and arrow and number keys on the right is for looks. The keyboard does not physically separate as some ergonomic keyboards do. There also is a carrying handle on top of the keyboard similar to that of an M4 rifle, which might be useful or just look cool.
PROS:
Blue back lighting
45g actuation force
30-key rollover
19 inches wide
PROS:
Kailh brown switches
Small, tight macro keys
Limited color back lighting choices
Check Out Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E.TE Tournament Edition
Conclusion:
As pricey as these mechanical keyboards are, gamers will want to break bad habits such as eating and drinking directly over the board. A $20 Logitech is easy to hose off under a faucet and blow-dry. The G910 and other models reviewed here may not be so forgiving.
You'll Never Go Back
Competitive gamers and those just wishing to improve their productivity can benefit from a mechanical gaming keyboard. The right keyboard can be a practical and relatively inexpensive investment. Chances are those who learn the distinct feel of mechanical keyboards will not want to go back to using membrane models.
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