Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Keyboards Under $150
Six gaming keyboards between about $100 and $150 at the time of writing, with Hall effect, wireless and hot-swap options.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
Between $100 and $150 at the time of writing, gaming keyboards add Hall effect switches, wireless and hot-swap sockets. The choice is mostly about layout and connection.
We compared layout, switches, connection and keycaps from each maker's listing; we did not test these keyboards.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Hall Effect TKL
Corsair K70 PRO TKL Wired KeyboardMGX Hall effect switches with double-shot PBT keycaps.
Best for: Competitive play.
Check price for Corsair K70 PRO TKL Wired Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Compact
ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFXA 65% Hall effect board with 8000Hz polling.
Best for: Small desks and low mouse sensitivity.
Check price for ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Wireless With Numpad
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 WirelessA 96% layout with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth.
Best for: Work and games on one board.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Low-Profile
Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL Wireless KeyboardA low-profile TKL with Lightspeed wireless.
Best for: Laptop-style key travel.
Check price for Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL Wireless Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best With a Display
Corsair Vanguard 96 Gaming KeyboardA built-in display with 8000Hz polling.
Best for: Quick settings changes.
Check price for Corsair Vanguard 96 Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Wired Full-Size
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II XA hot-swappable 100% layout.
Best for: Customising switches later.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix Scope II X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Hall Effect TKL1 of 6
Corsair K70 PRO TKL Wired Keyboard
The K70 PRO TKL is Corsair's magnetic tenkeyless board.
Best for
- Competitive play.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wired only.
Why we like it
MGX switches with rapid trigger and double-shot PBT keycaps suit competitive play. It is the only pick here with a TKL layout; the Falchion Ace HFX has a 65% layout instead. No other pick in this guide offers MGX Hall effect magnetic switches; compare the Falchion Ace HFX, which has ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic switches.
Like the G515 TKL and Scope II X, it has double-shot PBT keycaps, while the Falchion Ace HFX uses PBT keycaps. The K70 PRO TKL needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows. Its price falls between the Scope II 96 Wireless and the Vanguard 96, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Layout
- TKL
- Switches
- MGX Hall effect magnetic
- Connection
- Wired
- Keycaps
- Double-shot PBT
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- Magnetic Hall effect switches
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- Rapid trigger support
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the Scope II X at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed polling rate should compare it with the Falchion Ace HFX, which offers 8,000Hz.
Best Compact2 of 6
ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX
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
- Small desks and low mouse sensitivity.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers 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 Scope II 96 Wireless uses a 96% layout. You get ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic switches here, which sets it apart from the G515 TKL and its tactile switches.
It shares PBT keycaps with the Scope II 96 Wireless; the G515 TKL goes with double-shot PBT keycaps. You also get 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. Only the Vanguard 96 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks.
Key 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
- Costs more than the Scope II X at the time of writing
The catch
There is no published battery life figure, whereas the Scope II 96 Wireless runs for 1500 hours.
Best Wireless With Numpad3 of 6
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless
The ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless keeps a number pad in a frame ASUS lists as only 1cm wider than an 80% board.
Best for
- Work and games on one board.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Scope II X, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It connects over 2.4GHz, Bluetooth or cable, with a 1,500 hours of battery on 2.4GHz. Like the Vanguard 96, it has a 96% layout, while the Scope II X uses a full-size (100%) layout. Like the Falchion Ace HFX, it has PBT keycaps, while the G515 TKL uses double-shot PBT keycaps.
You also get hot-swappable pre-lubed switches and sound-dampening foam. Use the Scope II 96 Wireless's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Its price falls between the G515 TKL and the K70 PRO TKL, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed polling rate should compare it with the Falchion Ace HFX, which offers 8,000Hz.
Key specs
- Layout
- 96%
- Switches
- ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Battery life
- 1500 hours
- Keycaps
- PBT
Pros
- ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Up to 1500 hours per charge
- PBT keycaps resist shine
Cons
- Costs more than the Scope II X at the time of writing
Best Low-Profile4 of 6
Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL Wireless Keyboard
The G515 TKL is Logitech's most flexible board for its price: three connection modes, PBT keycaps and a slim profile.
Best for
- Laptop-style key travel.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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. You get tactile switches here, which sets it apart from the Falchion Ace HFX and its ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic switches.
It shares double-shot PBT keycaps with the K70 PRO TKL and Scope II X; the Scope II 96 Wireless goes with PBT keycaps. Use the G515 TKL's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. It was priced above the Scope II X and below the Scope II 96 Wireless at the time of writing.
Key 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 Scope II X at the time of writing
The catch
There is no published polling rate figure, whereas the Falchion Ace HFX offers 8,000Hz.
Best With a Display5 of 6
Corsair Vanguard 96 Gaming Keyboard
The Vanguard 96 keeps a number pad in a compressed layout and adds a small display and 8,000Hz polling.
Best for
- Quick settings changes.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: wired only.
Why we like it
It maps Stream Deck functions to programmable G-keys, polls at 8,000Hz, and FlashTap SOCD resolves opposing key presses. A 1.9-inch LCD shows custom images or system info. Like the Scope II 96 Wireless, it has a 96% layout, while the Falchion Ace HFX uses a 65% layout.
The Vanguard 96 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. The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the Scope II 96 Wireless runs for 1500 hours.
Key specs
- Layout
- 96%
- Connection
- Wired
- Polling rate
- 8,000Hz
Pros
- 8,000Hz polling
- Built-in display
- 96% layout that keeps the number pad in a smaller frame
- A built-in display with 8000Hz polling
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the Scope II X at the time of writing
Best Wired Full-Size6 of 6
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II X
ASUS's Scope II X is a wired 100% board with hot-swappable, pre-lubed NX V2 switches and double-shot PBT keycaps.
Best for
- Customising switches later.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
An aluminium top plate and a multi-function wheel round it out. It is a 100% layout with a number pad, an aluminum top plate and PBT double-shot keycaps over wired USB-C. The pre-lubed ROG NX V2 switches are hot-swappable and add an LED lens for brighter RGB.
No other pick in this guide offers a full-size (100%) layout; compare the Scope II 96 Wireless, which has a 96% layout. Like the K70 PRO TKL and G515 TKL, it has double-shot PBT keycaps, while the Falchion Ace HFX uses PBT keycaps. The Scope II X needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. It undercut the G515 TKL and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Layout
- Full-size (100%)
- Switches
- ROG NX Snow V2 linear or NX Storm V2 clicky
- Connection
- Wired
- Keycaps
- Double-shot PBT
Pros
- ROG NX Snow V2 linear or NX Storm V2 clicky switches
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- Hot-swappable pre-lubed switches
- Aluminium top plate
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Wired only
The catch
The maker doesn't give its polling rate; if that figure matters, the Falchion Ace HFX offers 8,000Hz.
How We Chose These Gaming Keyboards Under $150
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.
- What we compared
- We compared six keyboards on layout, switches, connection and polling rate as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 2 of the 6 fields compared are stated for every pick, while switches and polling rate have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 6, from the K70 PRO TKL to the Scope II X, state layout and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Vanguard 96 gives no switches; the K70 PRO TKL, the Scope II 96 Wireless, the G515 TKL and the Scope II X give no polling rate.
- Price range
- From the Scope II X to the Falchion Ace HFX, all sat in the $100 to $150 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Gaming Keyboard Under $150
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much battery life you need
The Scope II 96 Wireless tops battery life at 1500 hours and the G515 TKL sits lowest at 36 hours. The Scope II 96 Wireless is the pick for battery life. The K70 PRO TKL, the Falchion Ace HFX, the Vanguard 96 and the Scope II X give no battery life figure, so 2 of 6 picks are compared here.
What to check at home
The K70 PRO TKL needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Use the Scope II 96 Wireless's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
A compact keyboard and mouse in front of an ultrawide monitor Features beyond the spec table
The G515 TKL: a slim low-profile build. The Vanguard 96: a 96% layout that keeps the number pad in a smaller frame. The Scope II X: an aluminium top plate.
Budget
Price does little to separate these 6: the Scope II X through the Falchion Ace HFX all landed in the $100 to $150 tier, which leaves battery life to decide it.
A close-up of a full-size keyboard with grey keycaps Match the pick to your priority
Competitive play: the K70 PRO TKL. Small desks and low mouse sensitivity: the Falchion Ace HFX. Work and games on one board: the Scope II 96 Wireless.
How to Choose a Gaming Keyboard Under $150
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Competitive play | K70 PRO TKL | MGX Hall effect switches with double-shot PBT keycaps |
| Small desks and low mouse sensitivity | Falchion Ace HFX | A 65% Hall effect board with 8000Hz polling |
| Work and games on one board | Scope II 96 Wireless | A 96% layout with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth |
| Laptop-style key travel | G515 TKL | A low-profile TKL with Lightspeed wireless |
| Quick settings changes | Vanguard 96 | A built-in display with 8000Hz polling |
| Customising switches later | Scope II X | A hot-swappable 100% layout |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Scope II 96 Wireless leads on battery life at 1500 hours, ahead of the G515 TKL at 36 hours. "Not listed" marks switches where the Vanguard 96 leaves the figure out.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection | Polling rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K70 PRO TKL | TKL | MGX Hall effect magnetic | Wired | Not listed |
| Falchion Ace HFX | 65% | ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic | Wired | 8,000Hz |
| Scope II 96 Wireless | 96% | ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | Not listed |
| G515 TKL | TKL, low-profile | Tactile | Lightspeed, Bluetooth, wired | Not listed |
| Vanguard 96 | 96% | Not listed | Wired | 8,000Hz |
| Scope II X | Full-size (100%) | ROG NX Snow V2 linear or NX Storm V2 clicky | Wired | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the G515 TKL compare with the Scope II 96 Wireless on battery life?
The Scope II 96 Wireless leads at 1500 hours, with the G515 TKL at 36 hours. The K70 PRO TKL, the Falchion Ace HFX, the Vanguard 96 and the Scope II X don't state a battery life figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 6 picks are ranked.
What makes the Vanguard 96 the Best With a Display?
It earns the label for a built-in display with 8000Hz polling. It suits quick settings changes.
Do the K70 PRO TKL and the Falchion Ace HFX differ on keycaps?
The K70 PRO TKL, the G515 TKL and the Scope II X use Double-shot PBT; the Falchion Ace HFX and the Scope II 96 Wireless use PBT. The maker of the Vanguard 96 doesn't state keycaps, so 5 of 6 picks are covered here.
What should I check before buying the Scope II X?
The Scope II X needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks sixth of 6, as our Best Wired Full-Size pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the K70 PRO TKL and the Falchion Ace HFX apart?
The K70 PRO TKL: rapid trigger support. The Falchion Ace HFX: actuation adjustable from 0.1 to 4.0mm with Rapid Trigger. The Scope II 96 Wireless: hot-swappable pre-lubed switches.
Bottom Line
Corsair's K70 PRO TKL is the Hall effect pick, and the Falchion Ace HFX suits small desks. The Scope II 96 Wireless keeps a number pad without a cable, and the G515 TKL suits low-profile typists.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Keyboards Under $100
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Keyboards Under $200
- Related guideThe Best Corsair Gaming Keyboards
- Lower budgetThe Best Gaming Keyboards Under $120
- Similar guideThe Best Keyboards Under $150
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mechanical Keyboard
- ExplainerKeyboard layouts compared: full-size, TKL, 75%, 65% and 60%
- Also see: miceMouse polling rate and DPI: what each number changes
- Similar guideThe Best Gaming Keyboards Under $25
- 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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