Why a Good Budget Gaming Keyboard Matters
A gaming keyboard is more than just a tool for typing—it can significantly improve your reaction time, comfort, and gaming experience. But with so many options available, choosing the right one without breaking the bank can be tricky.
Fortunately, budget-friendly gaming keyboards have improved dramatically in recent years. Even at under $100, you can find high-quality models with mechanical switches, customizable RGB lighting, anti-ghosting, and dedicated macro keys.
Why You Should Invest in a Good Gaming Keyboard
- Faster Response Time – A dedicated gaming keyboard ensures low latency and precise keystrokes, which is crucial for fast-paced games like FPS or MOBA titles.
- Durability – Unlike standard office keyboards, gaming models are built to withstand millions of key presses, making them last longer.
- Customization & Macros – Many gaming keyboards allow custom macros, key remapping, and RGB lighting customization for a more personalized experience.
- Comfort for Long Gaming Sessions – Features like ergonomic wrist rests, adjustable key heights, and responsive switches help reduce fatigue.
Even if you’re on a tight budget, you don’t have to settle for a basic keyboard. Below are some of the best budget gaming keyboards under $100, offering a balance of performance, comfort, and value.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
🔥 Top 5 Best Budget Gaming Keyboards Under $100
1. SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL – Best Overall Budget Keyboard
🎮 Switch Type: Whisper-Quiet Membrane
🌈 RGB Lighting: 10-zone customizable RGB
💦 Water Resistance: Yes
Why It Stands Out:
✅ Ultra-quiet typing with next-gen membrane switches
✅ Spill-resistant design—perfect for gamers prone to accidental spills
✅ Compact TKL form factor for FPS & competitive gaming setups
✅ Comfortable key spacing and durable build
❌ Downsides:
🚫 Not a mechanical keyboard
🚫 Limited per-key RGB customization
- The compact tenkeyless design is the most popular form factor used by the pros, allowing you to position the keyboard fo…
- Our whisper quiet gaming switches with anti-ghosting technology for keystroke accuracy are made from durable low frictio…
- Designed with IP32 Water & Dust Resistant for extra durability to prevent damage from liquids and dust particles, so you…
2. EVGA Z15 RGB – Best Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Under $100
🎮 Switch Type: Hot-Swappable Kailh Speed Silver (Linear) or Kailh Speed Bronze (Clicky) Mechanical Switches
🌈 RGB Lighting: Per-Key Customizable RGB
🔗 Connectivity: Wired USB
Why It Stands Out:
✅ Real mechanical switches with hot-swappable sockets for customization
✅ Per-key RGB lighting with EVGA Unleash software customization
✅ Fast polling rate (4000Hz) for ultra-responsive keystrokes
✅ Durable aluminum top plate for long-lasting build quality
❌ Downsides:
🚫 Software customization isn’t as intuitive as competitors
🚫 Slightly heavier than some budget keyboards
- Hot swap sockets allow you to customize the feel of your Z15 RGB keyboard with Kailh’s 3pin mechanical switches. Featuri…
- Powered by a 32-bit Arm Cortex-M33 core USB microprocessor supporting 4,000Hz polling rate. Offering the most advanced g…
- Per key RGB lighting with 14 pre set lighting effects, customizable via the UNLEASH RGB software
3. Redragon K617 Fizz – Best Mechanical Keyboard Under $50
🎮 Switch Type: Linear Red Mechanical Switches
🌈 RGB Lighting: Yes (Multiple Modes)
🔗 Connectivity: Wired USB-C
Why It Stands Out:
✅ Real mechanical switches for a budget price
✅ Compact 60% layout for minimalist setups
✅ Durable keycaps & hot-swappable switches
❌ Downsides:
🚫 No function row (F1-F12 keys)
🚫 No dedicated media controls
- Slim Fresh K617: Redragon’s new 60% layout wired keyboard in a refreshing style with a no-brainer affordable budget. Com…
- Hot-Swappable Socket: With the quiet mechanical stock red switch, linear and soft key travel makes every click easy to r…
- Vibrant RGB: Up to 20 presets backlighting modes are free to choose by the keyboard itself. Brightness and flowing speed…
4. HyperX Alloy Core RGB – Best for Quiet Gaming
🎮 Switch Type: Quiet Membrane
🌈 RGB Lighting: Yes (6 Preset Modes)
🎧 Spill-Resistant: Yes
Why It Stands Out:
✅ Ultra-quiet & comfortable keystrokes – perfect for shared spaces
✅ Durable spill-resistant design
✅ Dedicated media controls & shortcut keys
❌ Downsides:
🚫 No mechanical switches
🚫 RGB customization is limited
- Signature Light Bar and dynamic RGB lighting effects so you can personalize your battle station and bring it to life wit…
- Durable solid Frame for long lasting durability and stability
- Quiet and Responsive Keys with Anti-Ghosting: Key rollover lets you press keys simultaneously and every keystroke will r…
5. Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT – Best for Macros & Streaming
🎮 Switch Type: Quiet Membrane
🌈 RGB Lighting: Dynamic 5-Zone RGB
🎮 Extra Features: 6 Programmable Macro Keys
Why It Stands Out:
✅ Dedicated macro keys—perfect for streamers & MMO players
✅ Detachable wrist rest for comfort
✅ Corsair iCUE software allows for deep customization
❌ Downsides:
🚫 Membrane keys, not mechanical
🚫 Bulkier than some other budget keyboards
- Dynamic Per-Key RGB Backlighting: Light up your desktop with ten onboard lighting effects or customize your own vibrant …
- Six Dedicated Macro Keys: Activate functions, shortcuts, or keypresses in just one stroke with six dedicated macro keys,…
- Dust and Spill-Resistant Design: IP42-rated protection guards against accidents so your gameplay never has to stop.
Which Budget Gaming Keyboard Should You Choose?
✔️ Best Overall – SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL (Balanced features & affordability)
✔️ Best RGB Customization – Razer Cynosa V3 (Chroma RGB & sleek design)
✔️ Best Mechanical Under $50 – Redragon K617 Fizz (Compact & mechanical)
✔️ Best Quiet Option – HyperX Alloy Core RGB (Soft keystrokes for quiet gaming)
✔️ Best for Macros – Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT (Extra keys for customization)
All of these keyboards deliver high performance under $100 and are great for gamers looking for affordable, feature-packed options.
Best Budget Gaming Keyboards
Finding a budget-friendly gaming keyboard doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. Whether you need mechanical switches for responsiveness, RGB lighting for aesthetics, or quiet keys for a shared space, there’s a perfect keyboard for your setup.
🔥 Which gaming keyboard are you using? Let us know in the comments!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.