Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Keyboards
Five keyboards compared, from the Falchion Ace HFX to the Galleon 100 SD, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Gaming keyboards now range from magnetic-switch boards with rapid trigger to budget mechanical ones. This set runs from the premium end down.
We sorted these picks by layout, switches and connection, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips switches, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Premium Pick
Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming Keyboard
The top of this price range, adding built-in Stream Deck keys with a display.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3
Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap.
Best for: Buyers who want Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap.
Our take Check price for SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless
A silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam.
Best for: Buyers who want silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard
An aluminum top plate.
Best for: Buyers who want aluminum top plate.
Our take Check price for Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX
The cheapest way into this group, below the G915 X TKL.
Best for: Getting actuation adjustable from 0.1 to 4.0mm with Rapid Trigger for the least money.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Galleon 100 SD is an expensive full-size board with Stream Deck keys built in.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when full-size board takes more desk widt is a problem.
Why we like it
It only makes sense if you would otherwise buy a separate Stream Deck. No other pick in this guide offers a full-size layout; compare the Falchion Ace HFX, which has a 65% layout. It also offers FlashTap SOCD handling.
The Galleon 100 SD needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. High polling rates use more CPU time; drop to 1,000Hz if an older system stutters. 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 Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Full-size
- Connection: Wired
- Polling rate: 8,000Hz
Pros
- 8,000Hz polling
- Built-in Stream Deck keys with a display
- FlashTap SOCD handling
- Full-size layout, the only one here
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Wired only
- Costs more than the Falchion Ace HFX at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
SteelSeries's Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 uses OmniPoint 3.0 Hall effect switches with Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap.
Best for
- Buyers who want Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
Why we like it
A Protection Mode guards against accidental presses. You get a 60% layout here, which sets it apart from the Falchion Ace HFX and its a 65% layout. OmniPoint 3.0 Hall effect switches is unique to it among these picks, while the Falchion Ace HFX uses ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic switches.
The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 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. Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows.
When we checked, only the ROG Azoth and cheaper picks cost less, and the Galleon 100 SD cost more. If you want a confirmed polling rate, look to the Galleon 100 SD instead: it offers 8,000Hz, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 60%
- Switches: OmniPoint 3.0 Hall effect
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Compact 60% layout
- Magnetic Hall effect switches
- Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap
- Protection Mode against accidental presses
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the Falchion Ace HFX at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ROG Azoth is ASUS's enthusiast 75% board: gasket-mounted with three layers of foam, hot-swappable, and wireless over 2.4GHz or Bluetooth.
Best for
- Buyers who want silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Falchion Ace HFX cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
A small OLED display shows settings and battery. A 75% layout is unique to it among these picks, while the Falchion Ace HFX uses a 65% layout. It shares double-shot PBT keycaps with the G915 X TKL; the Falchion Ace HFX goes with PBT keycaps.
It also comes with a hot-swap PCB with a switch and keycap kit. Use the ROG Azoth's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. It was priced above the G915 X TKL and below the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 at the time of writing. There is no published polling rate figure, whereas the Galleon 100 SD offers 8,000Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 75%
- Switches: ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Battery life: 2000 hours
- Keycaps: Double-shot PBT
Pros
- Compact 75% layout
- ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Up to 2000 hours per charge
Cons
- Costs more than the Falchion Ace HFX at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The G915 X TKL adds an aluminum top, a volume roller and media keys to the low-profile layout, at a premium price.
Best for
- Buyers who want aluminum top plate.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Falchion Ace HFX, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It switches between LIGHTSPEED wireless, Bluetooth and wired USB-C with a key press. KEYCONTROL lets you assign up to 15 functions per key. Low-profile GL switches with 1.3mm actuation speed up key presses, and LIGHTSYNC RGB syncs with other Logitech G gear.
Like the ROG Azoth, it has double-shot PBT keycaps, while the Falchion Ace HFX uses PBT keycaps. Use the G915 X TKL's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Falchion Ace HFX and the pricier ROG Azoth, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its polling rate; if that figure matters, the Galleon 100 SD offers 8,000Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: TKL, low-profile
- Connection: Lightspeed, Bluetooth, wired
- Keycaps: Double-shot PBT
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- Aluminum top plate
Cons
- Costs more than the Falchion Ace HFX at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Falchion Ace HFX uses Hall effect switches with actuation adjustable from 0.1 to 4.0mm and Rapid Trigger, in a 65% layout.
Best for
- Getting actuation adjustable from 0.1 to 4.0mm with Rapid Trigger for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wired only.
Why we like it
Two USB-C ports let it switch between two PCs. A 65% layout is unique to it among these picks, while the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 uses a 60% layout. You get ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic switches here, which sets it apart from the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 and its OmniPoint 3.0 Hall effect switches.
You get PBT keycaps here, which sets it apart from the G915 X TKL and its double-shot PBT keycaps. It also offers a protective cover for travel. The Falchion Ace HFX needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
High polling rates use more CPU time; drop to 1,000Hz if an older system stutters. Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the G915 X TKL the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 65%
- Switches: ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic
- Connection: Wired
- Polling rate: 8,000Hz
- Keycaps: PBT
Pros
- Compact 65% layout
- Magnetic Hall effect switches
- 8,000Hz polling
- PBT keycaps resist shine
Cons
- Wired only
How We Chose These Gaming Keyboards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- 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.
- Build
- We noted keycap material, frame material and extra controls such as knobs or screens.
- Polling rate
- We recorded polling rates where listings state them.
What to Look for in a Gaming Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
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.
Keycap material lasts longer than lighting
PBT keycaps resist the shine that ABS caps develop. Double-shot legends do not wear off.
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.
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.
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.
How to Choose a Gaming Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Galleon 100 SD | The top of this price range, adding built-in Stream Deck keys with a display |
| Buyers who want Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap | Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 | Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap |
| Buyers who want silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam | ROG Azoth | A silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam |
| Buyers who want aluminum top plate | G915 X TKL | An aluminum top plate |
| Getting actuation adjustable from 0.1 to 4.0mm with Rapid Trigger for the least money | Falchion Ace HFX | The cheapest way into this group, below the G915 X TKL |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection | Polling rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galleon 100 SD | Full-size | Not listed | Wired | 8,000Hz |
| Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 | 60% | OmniPoint 3.0 Hall effect | Wired | Not listed |
| ROG Azoth | 75% | ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | Not listed |
| G915 X TKL | TKL, low-profile | Not listed | Lightspeed, Bluetooth, wired | Not listed |
| Falchion Ace HFX | 65% | ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic | Wired | 8,000Hz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Falchion Ace HFX |
| About $150 to $250 | G915 X TKL, ROG Azoth, Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 |
| About $250 to $500 | Galleon 100 SD |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pick costs the least here?
The Falchion Ace HFX. It undercut the G915 X TKL when we checked, while the Galleon 100 SD cost the most of the group.
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.
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.
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.
Do these keyboards need software?
They work without it, but lighting, macros and actuation settings usually need the maker's app.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Galleon 100 SD, chosen for the top of this price range, adding built-in Stream Deck keys with a display. Look at the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 for Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap, the ROG Azoth for a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam and the G915 X TKL for an aluminum top plate if those matter more to you.
Pick the layout first; switch type second.