Buying Guide
The Best Aluminum Gaming Keyboards
From the Alloy Origins Core to the MX 3.0S Silent Red: five keyboards ranked on layout and switches, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
An aluminum plate or case adds stiffness and weight so the board does not slide. Every pick lists aluminum in its build, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for layout, switches and connection; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out layout, we say so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical KeyboardA lower price than the K556 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Getting aircraft-grade aluminum body for the least money.
Check price for HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Redragon K556 DevarajasAn aluminum top plate.
Best for: Buyers who want aluminum top plate.
Check price for Redragon K556 Devarajas on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Redragon K556 PRO WirelessAn aluminium top frame.
Best for: Buyers who want aluminium top frame.
Check price for Redragon K556 PRO Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Full-size Layout
Logitech G413 SEA full-size layout.
Best for: Buyers who want a full-size layout.
Check price for Logitech G413 SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Cherry MX 3.0S Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (MX2A Silent Red)The top of this price range, adding Cherry MX2A Silent Red switches rated for more than 50 million actuations.
Best for: Spending more than the G413 SE costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for Cherry MX 3.0S Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (MX2A Silent Red) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard
HyperX puts the Alloy Origins Core in an aluminum body, which makes it the sturdiest board in this list.
Best for
- Getting aircraft-grade aluminum body for the least money.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wired only is a problem.
Why we like it
It is wired only, but the cable detaches for transport. Its tenkeyless layout frees mouse space, and the aluminium body resists flex. It is a wired tenkeyless board with low-profile HyperX Aqua switches and customizable RGB lighting.
Dropping the number pad leaves more room for mouse movement. A TKL layout is unique to it among these picks, while the K556 PRO uses a full-size (104 keys) layout. You get HyperX tactile switches here, which sets it apart from the K556 and its brown tactile switches.
The Alloy Origins Core needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the K556 the next step up.
Key specs
- Layout
- TKL
- Switches
- HyperX tactile
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- HyperX tactile switches
- Aircraft-grade aluminum body
- Detachable USB-C cable
Cons
- Wired only
Also Consider2 of 5
Redragon K556 Devarajas
Redragon's K556 uses an aluminum top plate and brown tactile switches in hot-swap sockets.
Best for
- Buyers who want aluminum top plate.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
It works plug and play on Windows and Mac. Its brushed aluminium frame does not flex, and 20 lighting presets adjust in brightness and speed. Like the K556 PRO, it has a full-size (104 keys) layout, while the Alloy Origins Core uses a TKL layout.
No other pick in this guide offers brown tactile switches; compare the Alloy Origins Core, which has HyperX tactile switches. The K556 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. You also get this: hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. Its price falls between the Alloy Origins Core and the K556 PRO, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Layout
- Full-size (104 keys)
- Switches
- Brown tactile
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Brown tactile switches
- Aluminum top plate
- Hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
- Plug and play on Windows and Mac
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Wired only
- Costs more than the Alloy Origins Core at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Redragon K556 PRO Wireless
Redragon's K556 PRO is a 104-key aluminium-framed board with quiet linear switches and hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Best for
- Buyers who want aluminium top frame.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
It adds 2.4GHz and Bluetooth to the wired K556. It shares a full-size (104 keys) layout with the K556; the G413 SE goes with a full-size layout. Quiet linear switches is unique to it among these picks, while the K556 uses brown tactile switches.
It also offers macro software. Use the K556 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Another plus: aluminium top frame.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Alloy Origins Core at the time of writing. When we checked, only the K556 and cheaper picks cost less, and the G413 SE cost more.
Key specs
- Layout
- Full-size (104 keys)
- Switches
- Quiet linear
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
Pros
- Quiet linear switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Aluminium top frame
- Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Costs more than the Alloy Origins Core at the time of writing
Full-size Layout4 of 5
Logitech G413 SE
The G413 SE is the only full-size Logitech here.
Best for
- Buyers who want a full-size layout.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
PBT keycaps and an aluminum top case lift it above typical budget boards. No other pick in this guide offers a full-size layout; compare the K556, which has a full-size (104 keys) layout. It is the only pick here with tactile mechanical switches; the K556 has brown tactile switches instead.
It also offers anti-ghosting on gaming keys and white LED backlighting. The G413 SE needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper K556 PRO and the pricier MX 3.0S Silent Red, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Layout
- Full-size
- Switches
- Tactile mechanical
- Connection
- Wired
- Keycaps
- PBT
Pros
- Tactile mechanical switches
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- Aluminum top case
- Anti-ghosting on gaming keys
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Wired only
- Costs more than the Alloy Origins Core at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Cherry MX 3.0S Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (MX2A Silent Red)
Cherry's MX 3.0S uses Cherry's own MX2A Silent Red switches, linear switches with no click that Cherry describes as quiet.
Best for
- Spending more than the G413 SE costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Alloy Origins Core, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The housing is extruded aluminium and each switch is rated for more than 50 million actuations. Its extruded aluminium case is screw-free, and per-key RGB is programmable in CHERRY UTILITY. A detachable cable and rubber feet keep it stable.
Full N-key rollover and a Windows key lock suit gaming. The extruded aluminum housing is completely screw-free. Full N-key rollover and a Windows-key lock keep game inputs clean, and RGB is programmed in the Cherry Utility. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the G413 SE and the rest.
Key specs
- Switches
- Cherry MX2A Silent Red (linear)
- Connection
- Wired, detachable micro-USB
Pros
- Cherry MX2A Silent Red (linear) switches
- Cherry MX2A Silent Red switches rated for more than 50 million actuations
- Extruded aluminium housing
- Full N-key rollover and a Windows-key lock
Cons
- Costs more than the Alloy Origins Core at the time of writing
How We Chose These Aluminum 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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up five keyboards on layout, switches and connection, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out layout.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Alloy Origins Core to the MX 3.0S Silent Red, state switches and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MX 3.0S Silent Red gives no layout.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Alloy Origins Core (under $50) to the MX 3.0S Silent Red ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in an Aluminum Gaming Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Setup checks
The Alloy Origins Core needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Use the K556 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
Features beyond the spec table
The K556 PRO: hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The G413 SE: anti-ghosting on gaming keys. The MX 3.0S Silent Red: an extruded aluminium housing.
A grey mechanical keyboard beside a mouse on a wooden desk Budget
Under $50 buys the Alloy Origins Core; $50 to $100 buys the K556, the K556 PRO, the G413 SE and the MX 3.0S Silent Red at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Getting aircraft-grade aluminum body for the least money: the Alloy Origins Core. Buyers who want a full-size layout: the G413 SE. Spending more than the G413 SE costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the MX 3.0S Silent Red.
A mechanical keyboard with RGB-lit keycaps 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.
How to Choose an Aluminum Gaming Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting aircraft-grade aluminum body for the least money | Alloy Origins Core | A lower price than the K556 and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want aluminum top plate | K556 | An aluminum top plate |
| Buyers who want aluminium top frame | K556 PRO | An aluminium top frame |
| Buyers who want a full-size layout | G413 SE | A full-size layout |
| Spending more than the G413 SE costs for the fullest feature set in this group | MX 3.0S Silent Red | The top of this price range, adding Cherry MX2A Silent Red switches rated for more than 50 million actuations |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Alloy Origins Core, the K556 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alloy Origins Core | TKL | HyperX tactile | Wired |
| K556 | Full-size (104 keys) | Brown tactile | Wired |
| K556 PRO | Full-size (104 keys) | Quiet linear | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired |
| G413 SE | Full-size | Tactile mechanical | Wired |
| MX 3.0S Silent Red | Not listed | Cherry MX2A Silent Red (linear) | Wired, detachable micro-USB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Alloy Origins Core, sat in the under $50 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the MX 3.0S Silent Red at $50 to $100; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Alloy Origins Core |
| About $50 to $100 | K556, K556 PRO, G413 SE, MX 3.0S Silent Red |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the G413 SE the Full-size Layout?
The label rests on a full-size layout. The Alloy Origins Core, the cheapest pick, sat in the under $50 tier against $50 to $100 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who wants a full-size layout.
Do the Alloy Origins Core and the K556 differ on layout?
The Alloy Origins Core uses TKL; the K556 and the K556 PRO use full-size (104 keys); the G413 SE uses full-size. The maker of the MX 3.0S Silent Red doesn't state layout, so 4 of 5 picks are covered here.
What should I check before buying the G413 SE?
The G413 SE needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, as our Full-size Layout pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Alloy Origins Core and the K556 apart?
The Alloy Origins Core: an aircraft-grade aluminum body. The K556: an aluminum top plate. The K556 PRO: an aluminium top frame.
Should I pick the Alloy Origins Core or the MX 3.0S Silent Red?
The Alloy Origins Core suits getting aircraft-grade aluminum body for the least money; the MX 3.0S Silent Red suits spending more than the G413 SE costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Alloy Origins Core, chosen for a lower price than the K556 and the rest when we checked. Look at the K556 for an aluminum top plate, the K556 PRO for an aluminium top frame and the G413 SE for a full-size layout if those matter more to you.
Aluminum boards are heavy; fine for a desk, less for travel.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Keyboards Right Now
- Related guideThe Best Quiet Gaming Keyboards
- Related guideThe Best TKL Keyboards
- Lower budgetThe Best Cheap Gaming Keyboards
- Similar guideThe Best Keyboard for Gaming
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mechanical Keyboard
- ExplainerKeyboard layouts compared: full-size, TKL, 75%, 65% and 60%
- Also see: miceMouse polling rate and DPI: what each number changes
- 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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