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 The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Listed Console Support
SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB
Listed Xbox Series X|S, PS4 and PS5 support.
Best for: Couch and desk.
Our take Check price for SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB (opens in a new tab)
Best Mechanical
AULA F75 Pro Wireless
Hot-swap switches with PlayStation and Xbox support.
Best for: Console and PC.
Our take Check price for AULA F75 Pro Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price
Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard
Listed PS4, PS5 and Xbox support near $16.
Best for: Tight budgets.
Our take Check price for Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed Xbox Series X|S, PS4 and PS5 support. | Couch and desk. | Check price for SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB (opens in a new tab) |
| Hot-swap switches with PlayStation and Xbox support. | Console and PC. | Check price for AULA F75 Pro Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
| Listed PS4, PS5 and Xbox support near $16. | Tight budgets. | Check price for Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Listed Console Support1 of 3
SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 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
- 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 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
How We Chose These Gaming Keyboards for PS5 and Xbox
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Connection
- We checked wired, dongle and Bluetooth options and rated battery life.
- Polling rate
- We recorded polling rates where listings state them.
- Layout and switches
- We recorded the layout, the switch type and whether the switches are mechanical, magnetic or membrane.
- Build
- We noted keycap material, frame material and extra controls such as knobs or screens.
What to Look for in a Gaming Keyboard for PS5 and Xbox
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Keycap material lasts longer than lighting
PBT keycaps resist the shine that ABS caps develop. Double-shot legends do not wear off.
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
Figures as each maker states 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
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | K521, Apex 3 |
| About $50 to $100 | F75 Pro |
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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 I need 8,000Hz polling?
No. It is a marginal gain on top of 1,000Hz and can cost battery life and CPU time.
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.
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.