Buying Guide
The Best Cheap Gaming Keyboards
Five boards under $40 at the time of writing, from $16 membrane to hot-swap mechanical.
By The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Hot-Swap Pick
Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard
3-pin and 5-pin sockets.
Best for: Upgradable boards.
Our take Check price for Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price
Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard
A membrane board near $16.
Best for: The smallest budgets.
Our take Check price for Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Best Membrane TKL
Corsair K55 CORE TKL Gaming Keyboard
A TKL membrane board with 1000Hz polling.
Best for: Mouse room on a budget.
Our take Check price for Corsair K55 CORE TKL Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Best Clicky
FANTECH Maxfit61
Blue clicky switches.
Best for: Clicky fans.
Our take Check price for FANTECH Maxfit61 (opens in a new tab)
Best Compact Membrane
GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard
Separate arrows in 68 keys.
Best for: Small desks.
Our take Check price for GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-pin and 5-pin sockets. | Upgradable boards. | Check price for Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| A membrane board near $16. | The smallest budgets. | Check price for Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard (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 (opens in a new tab) |
| Blue clicky switches. | Clicky fans. | Check price for FANTECH Maxfit61 (opens in a new tab) |
| Separate arrows in 68 keys. | Small desks. | Check price for GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Hot-Swap Pick1 of 5
Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 widt 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. It makes the most sense for the smallest budgets, since it offers a membrane board near $16. It undercut the GEODMAER 65% and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 is tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the K521 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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. 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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Polling rate
- We recorded polling rates where listings state them.
- Build
- We noted keycap material, frame material and extra controls such as knobs or screens.
- Layout and switches
- We recorded the layout, the switch type and whether the switches are mechanical, magnetic or membrane.
- Connection
- We checked wired, dongle and Bluetooth options and rated battery life.
What to Look for in a Cheap Gaming Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Linear, tactile or magnetic
Linear switches travel smoothly, tactile switches have a bump, and clicky switches add a click. Hall effect switches read a magnet, so actuation can be adjusted and rapid trigger resets a key as soon as it rises.
Choose the layout before the switch
Full-size boards keep the number pad; tenkeyless drops it and gives the mouse more room. 75% and 65% boards keep arrows in a tighter frame, while 60% boards move arrows and F-keys to a function layer.
Hot-swap sockets allow switch changes
Hot-swappable boards let you pull and replace switches without soldering. Check whether the sockets take 3-pin or 5-pin switches.
Keycap material lasts longer than lighting
PBT keycaps resist the shine that ABS caps develop. Double-shot legends do not wear off.
Polling rate is a small factor
1,000Hz is enough for most players. 8,000Hz cuts reporting delay further, but the gain is small and uses more CPU time.
Wired, dongle or Bluetooth
A 2.4GHz dongle is fine for games; Bluetooth adds latency and suits typing on other devices. Wired boards never need charging.
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
Figures as each maker states 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
Do I need 8,000Hz polling?
No. It is a marginal gain on top of 1,000Hz and can cost battery life and CPU time.
Should I pick tenkeyless or full-size?
Tenkeyless if you want more mouse room and rarely type numbers; full-size if you enter numbers often.
Do Hall effect switches help in games?
Adjustable actuation and rapid trigger help most in fast strafing games. In slower games the difference is small.
Do these keyboards need software?
They work without it, but lighting, macros and actuation settings usually need the maker's app.
Is a wireless keyboard slower?
Not over a 2.4GHz dongle for most players. Bluetooth adds more latency and is better kept for other devices.
Is a membrane keyboard bad for gaming?
No. It is quieter and cheaper, but it feels softer and usually lacks per-key rollover guarantees beyond what the listing states.
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.