Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Keyboards for PS5 and Xbox Series X
Three boards with listed PlayStation and Xbox support. Individual games decide whether keys work.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
Consoles accept USB keyboards, but each game decides whether keyboard input works. Only three boards in our pool name both PlayStation and Xbox support.
Check your game's input settings before buying.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Listed Console Support
SteelSeries Apex 3 RGBListed Xbox Series X|S, PS4 and PS5 support.
Best for: Couch and desk.
Check price for SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Mechanical
AULA F75 Pro WirelessHot-swap switches with PlayStation and Xbox support.
Best for: Console and PC.
Check price for AULA F75 Pro Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price
Redragon K521 Gaming KeyboardListed PS4, PS5 and Xbox support near $16.
Best for: Tight budgets.
Check price for Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed Xbox Series X|S, PS4 and PS5 support. | Couch and desk. | Check price for SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Hot-swap switches with PlayStation and Xbox support. | Console and PC. | Check price for AULA F75 Pro Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Listed PS4, PS5 and Xbox support near $16. | Tight budgets. | Check price for Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Listed Console Support1 of 3
SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB
SteelSeries's Apex 3 uses whisper-quiet membrane switches with IP32 water resistance and a magnetic wrist rest.
Best for
- Couch and desk.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
The maker specifies Xbox Series X|S, PS4 and PS5 support. Its whisper-quiet switches are rated for 20 million presses, and 10-zone RGB and dedicated media controls sit on the board. It is IP32 water resistant against accidental spills.
You get a full-size layout here, which sets it apart from the K521 and its a full-size (104 keys) layout. The Apex 3 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. When we checked, only the K521 cost less, and the F75 Pro cost more.
Key specs
- Layout
- Full-size
- Switches
- Whisper-quiet membrane
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- IP32 water resistance
- Magnetic wrist rest
- Listed support for Xbox Series X|S, PS4 and PS5
- Full-size layout, the only one here
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Membrane switches, not mechanical
- Wired only
Best Mechanical2 of 3
AULA F75 Pro Wireless
AULA's F75 Pro is a tri-mode 75% board with pre-lubed switches, a 4000mAh battery and hot-swap sockets.
Best for
- Console and PC.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the K521 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The maker specifies PlayStation and Xbox support. It connects over Bluetooth, 2.4GHz or USB to up to five devices, and hot-swap sockets take 3-pin or 5-pin switches. Beginners can change switches without soldering.
Its side-printed PBT keycaps use double-shot moulding, and 16 lighting presets cover most looks. No other pick in this guide offers a 75% layout; compare the Apex 3, which has a full-size layout. It is the only pick here with LEOBOG Reaper pre-lubed switches; the Apex 3 has whisper-quiet membrane switches instead.
Use the F75 Pro's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Apex 3 and the rest.
Key specs
- Layout
- 75%
- Switches
- LEOBOG Reaper pre-lubed
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
Pros
- Compact 75% layout
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- 4000mAh battery
- Hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
Cons
- Costs more than the K521 at the time of writing
Lowest Price3 of 3
Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard
Redragon's K521 is a full-size membrane board with multimedia keys and no driver needed.
Best for
- Tight budgets.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: full-size board takes more desk width.
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. A full-size (104 keys) layout is unique to it among these picks, while the F75 Pro uses a 75% layout.
You get membrane switches here, which sets it apart from the F75 Pro and its LEOBOG Reaper pre-lubed switches. The K521 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the Apex 3 the next step up.
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
How We Chose These Gaming Keyboards for PS5 and Xbox
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 compared three keyboards on layout, switches and connection as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 3 fields compared are stated for every pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Apex 3 to the K521, state layout, switches and connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The Apex 3 for listed Xbox Series X|S, PS4 and PS5 support; the F75 Pro for hot-swap switches with PlayStation and Xbox support; the K521 for listed PS4, PS5 and Xbox support near $16.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the K521 (under $50) to the F75 Pro ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Gaming Keyboard for PS5 and Xbox
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Switches
The Apex 3 lists whisper-quiet membrane; the F75 Pro lists LEOBOG Reaper pre-lubed; the K521 lists membrane. Sort out switches before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 1, 1 and 1.
Fit and compatibility
The Apex 3 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Use the F75 Pro's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
A close-up of a full-size keyboard with grey keycaps Features beyond the spec table
The Apex 3: a magnetic wrist rest. The F75 Pro: hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The K521: listed support for PS4, PS5, Xbox and macOS.
Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the K521 and the Apex 3; $50 to $100 buys the F75 Pro at our last check.
A grey mechanical keyboard beside a mouse on a wooden desk Match the pick to your priority
Couch and desk: the Apex 3. Console and PC: the F75 Pro. Tight budgets: the K521.
How to Choose a Gaming Keyboard for PS5 and Xbox
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Couch and desk | Apex 3 | Listed Xbox Series X|S, PS4 and PS5 support |
| Console and PC | F75 Pro | Hot-swap switches with PlayStation and Xbox support |
| Tight budgets | K521 | Listed PS4, PS5 and Xbox support near $16 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Apex 3, the F75 Pro and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apex 3 | Full-size | Whisper-quiet membrane | Wired |
| F75 Pro | 75% | LEOBOG Reaper pre-lubed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired |
| K521 | Full-size (104 keys) | Membrane | Wired |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the K521, sat in the under $50 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the F75 Pro at $50 to $100; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | K521, Apex 3 |
| About $50 to $100 | F75 Pro |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the K521 the Lowest Price?
It carries the badge for listed PS4, PS5 and Xbox support near $16. It makes sense for tight budgets.
Do the Apex 3 and the F75 Pro differ on layout?
The Apex 3 uses full-size; the F75 Pro uses 75%; the K521 uses full-size (104 keys).
What should I check before buying the F75 Pro?
Use the F75 Pro's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. In this guide it ranks second of 3, as our Best Mechanical pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Apex 3 and the F75 Pro apart?
The Apex 3: IP32 water resistance. The F75 Pro: a 4000mAh battery. The K521: dedicated multimedia keys.
Who should choose the Apex 3?
The Apex 3 carries our Best Listed Console Support label for listed Xbox Series X|S, PS4 and PS5 support. It ranks first of 3 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits couch and desk.
Bottom Line
SteelSeries's Apex 3 is the pick for its PS5 and Xbox Series support and water resistance. AULA's F75 Pro is the mechanical choice, and Redragon's K521 is the cheapest.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Keyboards for PC
- Related guideThe Best Budget Mechanical Keyboards
- Related guideThe Best TKL Keyboards
- Lower budgetThe Best Gaming Keyboards Under $25
- Similar guideThe Best Gaming Keyboards
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mechanical Keyboard
- ExplainerKeyboard layouts compared: full-size, TKL, 75%, 65% and 60%
- Also see: miceGaming Mouse Features Explained: What Is Worth Paying For?
- Similar guideThe Best RGB TKL 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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