Best gaming keyboard 2022

For the absolute best overall gaming keyboard we’ve tested, look no further than the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog.

There’s a major reason why we rate the Huntsman V2 Analog so highly, which comes in the form of its clever analog switches. They essentially bring the powers of progressive inputs and controller-like accuracy to a keyboard. We found them to offer some incredible accuracy when playing a range of different games from racers to shooters. While they do offer unparalleled accuracy compared to more standard switches, they can be quite loud, especially if you’re heavy with your keypresses, so if you’re going to be using your keyboard with other people around, you may want to go for an option with dampened switches. Do beware though, there is a line at which dampened switches can feel a little mushy, so make sure you’re certain you want something with them before you take the plunge.

The Huntsman V2 Analog looks superb with a sturdy and thick plastic frame that we found to offer no flex whatsoever. It feels like a premium product, with every element of it considered, ranging from the plastic housing right down to the keycaps, made of textured PBT plastic. They feel fantastic under finger, and are also sure to be mighty durable given the high quality plastics used. More and more premium keyboards are beginning to use PBT for their keycaps, as opposed to the more standard-issue ABS, and the ones present on the Huntsman V2 Analog feel great.

We also found the software experience here to be second-to-none with practically infinite levels of customisation thanks to the analog switches on offer. There’s the clever ability to remap any key to any controller function contained within the Synapse software, as well as Razer’s usual trimmings when it comes to multiple function layers and convenient integration with the Chroma RGB lighting engine. On the point of lighting, the Huntsman V2 Analog looks fantastic, with bright and vibrant lighting helping to prove Razer’s continues to be the best out there.

Do note though, the Huntsman V2 Analog is an expensive keyboard, with its retail price being the same as an Xbox Series S, even though it does go on sale at various points of the year. If money is no object and you’re looking for the ultimate gaming keyboard, this is an amazing choice.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Razer Huntsman V2 Analog review

The Roccat Pyro is an excellent value gaming keyboard, especially considering it does the basics incredibly well.

It’s well built, with its sturdy plastic frame ensuring no noticeable flex in the chassis. We also found its metal top plate to feel fantastic and offer a more premium look than the price of the Pyro suggests. The keycaps on offer may not be PBT, but their smooth ABS plastic felt good under finger for both typing and gaming. The fact the keycaps were also double-shot moulded also allow the vibrant RGB lighting to shine through with ease. It also comes with a plastic wrist rest for added comfort which we thought was a nice touch, although it is made of scratchy plastics, which feel a little jagged on our wrists with extended use.

Inside, there are some TTC Red Switches, which we found to be great for general gaming, given their light actuation force and snappy linear keypress. They’re also some of the more substantial feeling Cherry MX clones out there, with a consistent force and tone. Some other clones we’ve tested can feel scratchy and offer an inconsistent sound and feeling between two keys, but these TTC Reds didn’t fall into that camp at all. Alongside this comes handy creature comforts for a gaming keyboard in the form of anti-ghosting and full NKRO which make keypresses as precise and accurate as they can be through ensuring no inputs are missed.

We also found the accompanying software, Roccat Swarm, to offer fantastic functionality with loads of customisation on offer, ranging from configuring the Pyro’s RGB lighting to programming macros and mapping keys. On the point of convenience, the Pyro is a wired keyboard and connects up via a standard USB-A connector, which is handy.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Roccat Pyro review

The Corsair K100 is an incredible gaming keyboard for those who want the fastest switches possible.

A lot of its speed comes from the fact it features opto-mechanical switches, which work by interrupting a laser beam to register a keypress, as opposed to a more traditional mechanism. This helps to make the K100 an ideal keyboard for FPS games and high-intensity titles where speed is everything. In testing, we found this to be true with a snappy performance thanks to a practically instantaneous keystroke. If you’re a competitive player craving the powers of an instant keypress, then  the K100’s optical switches are definitely a key option to consider.

Its RGB lighting is also vibrant, and can be controlled via Corsair’s superb iCUE software. We found it to be one of the most versatile and feature-packed software packages out there for peripherals with lots of functionality to get stuck into. These can range from recording complex macros and saving game profiles using the keyboard’s on-board memory to creating clever lighting effects.

The K100 is an expensive keyboard, but you get some great design and excellent build quality for the money. It is a full-size board, so you aren’t missing out on any functions, and the K100 also looks fantastic with Corsair’s signature open housed frame, but at 1.35kg, it is quite a hefty beast. There is also a swathe of other creature comforts such as programmable macro keys and a clever wheel in the top-left corner of the ‘board which can be used for controlling everything from scrolling through web pages or changing the volume of your music.

Reviewer: Mike Jennings
Full review: Corsair K100 review

The Corsair K100 Air Wireless is an Ultra Low Profile gaming keyboard, with a skinny frame and slender keys resulting in a wonderfully sleek design that takes up very little desk space.

Low-profile switches can sometimes feel a little too shallow and uncomfortable, but that’s not the case here. The Cherry switches provide a satisfying tactile bump, with the high actuation force requiring firm presses as to avoid accidental keystrokes. The short travel distance also ensures a speedy performance, so there’s little delay between key presses and the resulting on-screen action.

It also has onboard macro keys and multimedia buttons, while offering both Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz support for wireless connectivity. Our tests also show the quoted 50-hour battery life to be accurate.

The biggest issue? This gaming keyboard is very expensive at £279.99/$279.99/€299.99, which is likely too pricey for the vast majority of gamers. But our reviewer called it one of the best gaming keyboards he’s ever used, so we still think it’s worth the investment.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Corsair K100 Air Wireless review

If it’s a small form factor keyboard with plenty of power you’re after, then the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 should serve you well.

We found it to have stellar build quality, with a metal frame offering no deck flex at all and one of the best built keyboards we’ve tested in a long time. Combined with this, its textured PBT keycaps felt amazing under finger, and exuded the same premium feel as the main chassis, too. Alongside this, the 65% layout is functional, giving you the keys you need, complete with additional comforts such as arrow keys and some functions that a smaller 60% like the Razer Huntsman Mini miss out on.

There are some great Red switches inside the HyperX Alloy Origins 65, which felt snappy and responsive when we put them through their paces in a few rounds of CS:GO and Apex Legends. For functional switches, the Reds on offer here are pretty good, although they aren’t analog like they are with the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog.

The only real limitation of the Alloy Origins 65 is with its software. Sure, it works, but there isn’t all too much in the way of customisation on offer, apart from basic lighting controls and key remapping. The RGB lighting on the other hand, is pretty, with bright colours all-around giving keyboards twice the price a good run for their money.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: HyperX Alloy Origins 65 review

The Asus ROG Claymore II is a modular keyboard, meaning that you can rearrange the layout. The main frame is a tenkeyless keyboard with a detachable number pad, so you can chop and change its placement whether you want to put it on the left, right, or not use it at all. We found the attachment mechanism to be secure and simple, with the Claymore II itself feeling incredibly sturdy, complete with a metal top plate.

Inside, you’ll get access to a choice of Asus’ own RX switches. These can either be the linear RX Reds or the clicky and tactile RX Blues, which we had in our sample. The Blues themselves felt good, with a substantial keypress thanks to its 65cN actuation force. These switches are also optical, which makes them faster than normal mechanical switches and more ideal for gaming. Do note though that these Blue switches are pretty loud, given their audible click, so it may not be the best choice if you’ve got other people in close proximity.

The battery life on offer is also good with a quoted 40 hours of playtime before you’ll need to charge it up, and that’s with the Aura RGB lighting cranked to the max. Compared to other premium wireless keyboards we’ve tested, it beats off the competition comfortably, such as the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro, which lasted a quarter of the time the Claymore II did. The lighting is sharp and bright, and looks smart. Combined with this, the accompanying software provides a good level of customisation; you can fiddle with the lighting, or program macros, and remap keys if you so wish.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Asus ROG Claymore II review