The Best Gaming Keyboards Under $100

The 68-key layout keeps arrows while dropping the function row. It is the only pick here with a 68-key compact layout; the C1 Pro has a TKL (80%) layout instead. No other pick in this guide offers hall effect magnetic switches; compare the Alloy Origins Core, which has HyperX tactile switches.

It also comes with a Hall effect board at a membrane-keyboard price. The WIN68 HE 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.

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. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Alloy Origins Core was the next step up.

Double-shot PBT keycaps and QMK/VIA support are rare at this price, and the tactile brown switches suit mixed work and play. Full QMK and VIA support lets you remap every key. Its pre-lubed K Pro brown tactile switches need about 50gf to press, and it polls at 1000Hz.

No other pick in this guide offers a TKL (80%) layout; compare the K686 PRO, which has a 98-key layout. It is the only pick here with brown tactile switches; the WIN68 HE has hall effect magnetic switches instead. No other pick in this guide offers double-shot PBT keycaps; compare the TUF K3 Gen II, which has PBT keycaps.

The C1 Pro needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper Alloy Origins Core and the pricier K686 PRO, at the time of writing.

A gasket mount and foam are unusual at its price. A 97-key compact layout is unique to it among these picks, while the C1 Pro uses a TKL (80%) layout. You get optical-mechanical switches here, which sets it apart from the G413 SE and its tactile mechanical switches.

It shares PBT keycaps with the G413 SE; the C1 Pro goes with double-shot PBT keycaps. You also get a detachable top plate. The TUF K3 Gen II needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.

It was priced above the K686 PRO and below the G413 SE at the time of writing. There is no published polling rate figure, whereas the WIN68 HE offers 8,000Hz.

The gasket mount and knob are touches usually found on pricier boards. One knob controls volume and lighting, and it switches between USB-C, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz without re-pairing. The gasket mount and dampening layers soften each keystroke.

It comes in a blue and white colourway, and the software handles lighting effects and macros. The gasket mount gives a soft, quiet bounce. It suits a desk where a blue and white colour scheme sets it apart from typical black boards.

A single knob handles backlight brightness and media playback. The gasket mount and five layers of dampening give it a soft, quiet bounce, and the sockets accept swapped switches. No other pick in this guide offers a 98-key layout; compare the WIN68 HE, which has a 68-key compact layout. Use the K686 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.

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. No other pick in this guide offers a TKL layout; compare the C1 Pro, which has a TKL (80%) layout. It is the only pick here with HyperX tactile switches; the WIN68 HE has hall effect magnetic switches instead.

The Alloy Origins Core needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper WIN68 HE and the pricier C1 Pro, at the time of writing.

PBT keycaps and an aluminum top case lift it above typical budget boards. A full-size layout is unique to it among these picks, while the C1 Pro uses a TKL (80%) layout. You get tactile mechanical switches here, which sets it apart from the Alloy Origins Core and its HyperX tactile switches.

It shares PBT keycaps with the TUF K3 Gen II; the C1 Pro goes with double-shot PBT keycaps. You also get anti-ghosting for gaming key combinations. The G413 SE needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Only the TUF K3 Gen II came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks.