Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Keyboards for Typing
Four keyboards ranked on layout and switches; the K552 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Tactile switches give a bump on each press, which many people prefer for long typing sessions over smooth linears. Every pick uses tactile switches, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects layout, switches and connection from maker specifications; a missing keycaps is flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical Keyboard
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
TKL Layout
HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard
A TKL layout.
Best for: Buyers who want a TKL layout.
Our take Check price for HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Full-size Layout
Logitech G413 SE
A full-size layout.
Best for: Buyers who want a full-size layout.
Our take Check price for Logitech G413 SE (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL Wireless Keyboard
A slim low-profile build at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL Wireless Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| A TKL layout. | Buyers who want a TKL layout. | Check price for HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| A full-size layout. | Buyers who want a full-size layout. | Check price for Logitech G413 SE (opens in a new tab) |
| A slim low-profile build at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL Wireless Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The K552 has been a starter mechanical board for years.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: wired only.
Why we like it
It is simple, wired and tenkeyless, with a choice of linear or tactile switches. You get a TKL (87 keys) layout here, which sets it apart from the G413 SE and its a full-size layout. Red linear or brown tactile switches is unique to it among these picks, while the G515 TKL uses tactile switches.
It also comes with anti-ghosting across all keys. The K552 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Worth noting too: tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Alloy Origins Core was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: TKL (87 keys)
- Switches: Red linear or brown tactile
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- Red linear or brown tactile switches
- Anti-ghosting across all keys
- Choice of red or brown switches
Cons
- Wired only
TKL Layout2 of 4
HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
HyperX puts the Alloy Origins Core in an aluminum body, which makes it the sturdiest board in this list.
Best for
- Buyers who want a TKL layout.
Skip if
- Pass on it if wired onl rules it out for your setup.
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. It is the only pick here with a TKL layout; the K552 has a TKL (87 keys) layout instead. No other pick in this guide offers HyperX tactile switches; compare the G413 SE, which has tactile mechanical switches.
The Alloy Origins Core needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Its price falls between the K552 and the G413 SE, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & 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
- Costs more than the K552 at the time of writing
Full-size Layout3 of 4
Logitech G413 SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The G413 SE is the only full-size Logitech here.
Best for
- Buyers who want a full-size layout.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when full-size board takes more desk widt is a problem.
Why we like it
PBT keycaps and an aluminum top case lift it above typical budget boards. You get a full-size layout here, which sets it apart from the Alloy Origins Core and its a TKL layout. Tactile mechanical switches is unique to it among these picks, while the G515 TKL uses tactile switches.
It also comes with 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. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the K552 at the time of writing. When we checked, only the Alloy Origins Core and cheaper picks cost less, and the G515 TKL cost more.
Key dimensions & 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 K552 at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL Wireless Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The G515 TKL is Logitech's most flexible board for its price: three connection modes, PBT keycaps and a slim profile.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: shorter 36-hour battery.
Why we like it
Its 36-hour battery is the trade. Its low-profile GL Brown switches are factory-lubed for a smoother tactile press, and it connects over LIGHTSPEED, Bluetooth or USB. The slim tenkeyless body frees mouse space.
It is rated for up to 36 hours on a charge, and double-shot PBT keycaps resist shine. KEYCONTROL assigns up to 15 functions per key. No other pick in this guide offers tactile switches; compare the K552, which has red linear or brown tactile switches.
Use the G515 TKL's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the G413 SE.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: TKL, low-profile
- Switches: Tactile
- Connection: Lightspeed, Bluetooth, wired
- Battery life: 36 hours
- Keycaps: Double-shot PBT
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- Tactile switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- PBT keycaps resist shine
Cons
- Shorter 36-hour battery
- Costs more than the K552 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Keyboards for Typing
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side four keyboards on layout, switches, connection and keycaps from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the K552 to the G515 TKL, state layout, switches and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The K552 and the Alloy Origins Core give no keycaps.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the K552 (under $50) to the G515 TKL ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Gaming Keyboard for Typing
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Keycaps
The G413 SE lists PBT; the G515 TKL lists Double-shot PBT.
Fit and compatibility
The K552 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Use the G515 TKL's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
Extras that separate them
The Alloy Origins Core: a detachable USB-C cable. The G413 SE: anti-ghosting on gaming keys. The G515 TKL: a slim low-profile build.
Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the K552 and the Alloy Origins Core; $50 to $100 buys the G413 SE; $100 to $150 buys the G515 TKL at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible: the K552. Buyers who want a TKL layout: the Alloy Origins Core. Buyers who want a full-size layout: the G413 SE.
How to Choose a Gaming Keyboard for Typing
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | K552 | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want a TKL layout | Alloy Origins Core | A TKL layout |
| Buyers who want a full-size layout | G413 SE | A full-size layout |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | G515 TKL | A slim low-profile build at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The K552, the Alloy Origins Core and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection | Keycaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K552 | TKL (87 keys) | Red linear or brown tactile | Wired | Not listed |
| Alloy Origins Core | TKL | HyperX tactile | Wired | Not listed |
| G413 SE | Full-size | Tactile mechanical | Wired | PBT |
| G515 TKL | TKL, low-profile | Tactile | Lightspeed, Bluetooth, wired | Double-shot PBT |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The K552 was the lowest-priced pick and the G515 TKL the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | K552, Alloy Origins Core |
| About $50 to $100 | G413 SE |
| About $100 to $150 | G515 TKL |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the G413 SE our Full-size Layout pick?
It earns the label for a full-size layout. It suits anyone who wants a full-size layout.
Do the K552 and the Alloy Origins Core differ on switches?
The K552 uses Red linear or brown tactile; the Alloy Origins Core uses HyperX tactile; the G413 SE uses tactile mechanical; the G515 TKL uses tactile.
Will the K552 work with my setup?
The K552 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks first of 4, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
What extras do the K552 and the Alloy Origins Core include?
The K552: anti-ghosting across all keys. The Alloy Origins Core: an aircraft-grade aluminum body. The G413 SE: an aluminum top case.
Who should choose the Alloy Origins Core?
The Alloy Origins Core carries our TKL Layout label for a TKL layout. It ranks second of 4 here.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the K552, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Alloy Origins Core for a TKL layout, the G413 SE for a full-size layout and the G515 TKL for a slim low-profile build at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Try a keyboard with a wrist rest if you type for hours.