Buying Guide
The Best Cheap Gaming Keyboards
Five boards under $40 at the time of writing, from $16 membrane to hot-swap mechanical.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
The cheapest gaming keyboards use membrane keys, while mechanical boards start near $20. These five cover both.
Prices are tiers at the time of writing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Hot-Swap Pick
Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard3-pin and 5-pin sockets.
Best for: Upgradable boards.
Check price for Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price
Redragon K521 Gaming KeyboardA membrane board near $16.
Best for: The smallest budgets.
Check price for Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Membrane TKL
Corsair K55 CORE TKL Gaming KeyboardA TKL membrane board with 1000Hz polling.
Best for: Mouse room on a budget.
Check price for Corsair K55 CORE TKL Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Clicky
FANTECH Maxfit61Blue clicky switches.
Best for: Clicky fans.
Check price for FANTECH Maxfit61 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Compact Membrane
GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming KeyboardSeparate arrows in 68 keys.
Best for: Small desks.
Check price for GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-pin and 5-pin sockets. | Upgradable boards. | Check price for Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A membrane board near $16. | The smallest budgets. | Check price for Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A TKL membrane board with 1000Hz polling. | Mouse room on a budget. | Check price for Corsair K55 CORE TKL Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Blue clicky switches. | Clicky fans. | Check price for FANTECH Maxfit61 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Separate arrows in 68 keys. | Small desks. | Check price for GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Hot-Swap Pick1 of 5
Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard
Redragon's K617 Fizz is a wired 60% board with red linear switches and hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Best for
- Upgradable boards.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
Why we like it
It is one of the lowest-priced hot-swap boards here. Its 60% layout frees desk space for wide mouse swipes, and 20 lighting presets adjust in brightness and speed. The software programs macros.
Its switches are rated for 50 million presses, in a white and grey colourway. Like the Maxfit61, it has a 60% layout, while the GEODMAER 65% uses a 65% (68 keys) layout. No other pick in this guide offers red linear switches; compare the Maxfit61, which has blue clicky switches.
The K617 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. Its price falls between the Maxfit61 and the K55 CORE TKL, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Layout
- 60%
- Switches
- Red linear
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Compact 60% layout
- Red linear switches
- Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
- Switches rated for 50 million keypresses
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K521 at the time of writing
Lowest Price2 of 5
Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard
Redragon's K521 is a full-size membrane board with multimedia keys and no driver needed.
Best for
- The smallest budgets.
Skip if
- Pass on it if full-size board takes more desk width rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
The maker specifies PS4, PS5, Xbox and macOS support. A one-touch light button and breathing modes adjust the rainbow backlight, and the keys give a mechanical-like feel. No other pick in this guide offers a full-size (104 keys) layout; compare the Maxfit61, which has a 60% layout.
Like the K55 CORE TKL and GEODMAER 65%, it has membrane switches, while the K617 uses red linear switches. The K521 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. You also get this: dedicated multimedia keys. It undercut the GEODMAER 65% and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Layout
- Full-size (104 keys)
- Switches
- Membrane
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Dedicated multimedia keys
- Listed support for PS4, PS5, Xbox and macOS
- Plug and play with no driver
- Full-size (104 keys) layout, the only one here
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Membrane switches, not mechanical
- Wired only
Best Membrane TKL3 of 5
Corsair K55 CORE TKL Gaming Keyboard
The K55 CORE TKL is a membrane board, not mechanical, but it is quiet, cheap and has dedicated media keys.
Best for
- Mouse room on a budget.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: membrane switches, not mechanical.
Why we like it
It resists spills of up to 300ml, and four media buttons sit above the keys. Eight RGB zones light the board. You get a TKL layout here, which sets it apart from the GEODMAER 65% and its a 65% (68 keys) layout.
It shares membrane switches with the K521 and GEODMAER 65%; the Maxfit61 goes with blue clicky switches. It also comes with 12-key rollover. The K55 CORE TKL needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Another plus: tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the K521 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Layout
- TKL
- Switches
- Membrane
- Connection
- Wired
- Polling rate
- 1,000Hz
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- Dedicated media keys
- 12-key rollover
- A TKL membrane board with 1000Hz polling
Cons
- Membrane switches, not mechanical
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K521 at the time of writing
Best Clicky4 of 5
FANTECH Maxfit61
FANTECH's Maxfit61 is a wired 60% board with blue clicky switches and hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Best for
- Clicky fans.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
Why we like it
Pullers ship in the box. Pre-lubed stabilizers smooth the Enter, Backspace and Shift keys, which often rattle on budget 60% boards. It shares a 60% layout with the K617; the K55 CORE TKL goes with a TKL layout.
You get blue clicky switches here, which sets it apart from the GEODMAER 65% and its membrane switches. It also comes with switch and keycap pullers in the box and a detachable USB-C cable. The Maxfit61 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. It was priced above the GEODMAER 65% and below the K617 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Layout
- 60%
- Switches
- Blue clicky
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Compact 60% layout
- Blue clicky switches
- Hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches from any brand
- Switch and keycap pullers in the box
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K521 at the time of writing
Best Compact Membrane5 of 5
GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard
GEODMAER's 65% board uses membrane keys with separate arrows and 26-key rollover.
Best for
- Small desks.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: membrane switches, not mechanical.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest keyboard here. Its 65% layout keeps separate arrow keys, and a detachable USB-C cable gives a steady wired connection. It saves desk space for wide mouse movements.
You get a 65% (68 keys) layout here, which sets it apart from the Maxfit61 and its a 60% layout. It shares membrane switches with the K521 and K55 CORE TKL; the Maxfit61 goes with blue clicky switches. It also comes with a lockable Windows key.
The GEODMAER 65% needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. When we checked, only the K521 cost less, and the Maxfit61 cost more.
Key specs
- Layout
- 65% (68 keys)
- Switches
- Membrane
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Compact 65% (68 keys) layout
- Separate arrow keys
- 26-key rollover
- Lockable Windows key
Cons
- Membrane switches, not mechanical
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K521 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Cheap Gaming Keyboards
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five keyboards on layout, switches and connection, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and all 3 compared fields are stated for every pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the K617 to the GEODMAER 65%, state layout, switches and connection and share Wired connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The K617 for 3-pin and 5-pin sockets; the K521 for a membrane board near $16; the K55 CORE TKL for a TKL membrane board with 1000Hz polling.
- Price range
- From the K521 to the K55 CORE TKL, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Cheap Gaming Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Switches
The K617 lists Red linear; the K521, the K55 CORE TKL and the GEODMAER 65% list membrane; the Maxfit61 lists blue clicky. Sort out switches before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 3, 1 and 1.
What to check at home
The K617 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
A compact keyboard and mouse in front of an ultrawide monitor Extras that separate them
The K55 CORE TKL: 12-key rollover. The Maxfit61: switch and keycap pullers in the box. The GEODMAER 65%: 26-key rollover.
Budget
All 5 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the K521 at the low end to the K55 CORE TKL at the top, so decide on features first.
A close-up of a full-size keyboard with grey keycaps Start from what matters most
Upgradable boards: the K617. The smallest budgets: the K521. Mouse room on a budget: the K55 CORE TKL.
How to Choose a Cheap Gaming Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Upgradable boards | K617 | 3-pin and 5-pin sockets |
| The smallest budgets | K521 | A membrane board near $16 |
| Mouse room on a budget | K55 CORE TKL | A TKL membrane board with 1000Hz polling |
| Clicky fans | Maxfit61 | Blue clicky switches |
| Small desks | GEODMAER 65% | Separate arrows in 68 keys |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The K617, the K521 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| K617 | 60% | Red linear | Wired |
| K521 | Full-size (104 keys) | Membrane | Wired |
| K55 CORE TKL | TKL | Membrane | Wired |
| Maxfit61 | 60% | Blue clicky | Wired |
| GEODMAER 65% | 65% (68 keys) | Membrane | Wired |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the K521 our Lowest Price pick?
The label rests on a membrane board near $16. It makes sense for the smallest budgets.
Do the K617 and the K521 differ on layout?
The K617 and the Maxfit61 use 60%; the K521 uses full-size (104 keys); the K55 CORE TKL uses TKL; the GEODMAER 65% uses 65% (68 keys).
Will the GEODMAER 65% work with my setup?
The GEODMAER 65% needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Best Compact Membrane pick.
What extras do the K617 and the K521 include?
The K617: hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The K521: dedicated multimedia keys. The K55 CORE TKL: dedicated media keys.
Who should choose the K617?
The K617 carries our Best Hot-Swap Pick label for 3-pin and 5-pin sockets. It ranks first of 5 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits upgradable boards.
Bottom Line
Redragon's K617 is the pick for hot-swap sockets at a low price. The K521 is the cheapest, and Corsair's K55 CORE TKL is the membrane TKL choice.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Budget Mechanical Keyboards
- Related guideThe Best Keyboards for PC
- Related guideThe Best TKL Keyboards
- Without a budget limitThe Best Gaming Keyboards Right Now
- Similar guideThe Best Keyboard for Gaming
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mechanical Keyboard
- ExplainerKeyboard layouts compared: full-size, TKL, 75%, 65% and 60%
- Also see: miceWired, 2.4 GHz dongle or Bluetooth: which connection for a mouse or keyboard?
- Similar guideThe Best 60% Gaming Keyboards
- Topic hubAll keyboards guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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