Buying Guide
The Best Keyboard for Gaming
We weighed five keyboards on polling rate and layout, and the EK60 HE costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
For gaming, switch type, layout and connection matter more than extra lighting. This set is ordered by listed polling rate.
We ranked these keyboards on layout, switches and connection using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these keyboards ourselves, and where a maker leaves out switches, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
DAREU EK60 HE Magnetic Keyboard
Undercutting the K617 HE on price when we checked.
Best for: Getting adjustable rapid trigger for the least money.
Our take Check price for DAREU EK60 HE Magnetic Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard
Rapid trigger.
Best for: Buyers who want rapid trigger.
Our take Check price for Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Attack Shark X68 HE
Dynamic keystrokes with up to 4 actions per key.
Best for: Buyers who want dynamic keystrokes with up to 4 actions per key.
Our take Check price for Attack Shark X68 HE (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Keychron K10 Ultra 8K
8000Hz polling in both wired and 2.4GHz modes.
Best for: Buyers who want 8000Hz polling in both wired and 2.4GHz modes.
Our take Check price for Keychron K10 Ultra 8K (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Razer Huntsman V3 HE Mini 65%
Rapid trigger and Snap Tap at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Razer Huntsman V3 HE Mini 65% (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
DAREU EK60 HE Magnetic Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
DAREU's EK60 HE pairs Hall effect switches with 8000Hz polling and a web driver that supports macOS.
Best for
- Getting adjustable rapid trigger for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
Why we like it
It is priced near $35 at the time of writing. Like the K617 HE, it has a 60% layout, while the Huntsman V3 HE Mini uses a 65% layout. It also comes with adjustable rapid trigger.
The EK60 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 undercut the K617 HE and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 60%
- Switches: Hall effect magnetic
- Connection: Wired
- Polling rate: 8,000Hz
Pros
- Compact 60% layout
- Magnetic Hall effect switches
- 8,000Hz polling
- Adjustable rapid trigger
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
Also Consider2 of 5
Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The K617 HE brings Hall effect switches, rapid trigger and 8000Hz polling to Redragon's 60% frame.
Best for
- Buyers who want rapid trigger.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
Why we like it
Calibration runs in a desktop or web app. Like the EK60 HE, it has a 60% layout, while the Huntsman V3 HE Mini uses a 65% layout. It also offers the lowest price among the 8000Hz boards here.
The K617 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. Its price falls between the EK60 HE and the X68 HE, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 60%
- Switches: Hall effect magnetic
- Connection: Wired
- Polling rate: 8,000Hz
Pros
- Compact 60% layout
- Magnetic Hall effect switches
- 8,000Hz polling
- Rapid trigger
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the EK60 HE at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Attack Shark X68 HE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Attack Shark's X68 HE adds dynamic keystrokes, up to four actions per key, to rapid trigger in a 68-key frame.
Best for
- Buyers who want dynamic keystrokes with up to 4 actions per key.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wired only.
Why we like it
It sits near $40 at the time of writing. It is the only pick here with a 65% (68 keys) layout; the EK60 HE has a 60% layout instead. It also comes with an adjustable actuation point.
The X68 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. Its price falls between the K617 HE and the K10 Ultra 8K, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 65% (68 keys)
- Switches: Hall effect magnetic
- Connection: Wired
- Polling rate: 8,000Hz
Pros
- Compact 65% (68 keys) layout
- Magnetic Hall effect switches
- 8,000Hz polling
- Dynamic keystrokes with up to 4 actions per key
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the EK60 HE at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Keychron K10 Ultra 8K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Keychron K10 Ultra 8K is a full-size wireless board that offers 8000Hz polling over both cable and 2.4GHz.
Best for
- Buyers who want 8000Hz polling in both wired and 2.4GHz modes.
Skip if
- Pass on it if full-size board takes more desk widt rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Keychron quotes up to 760 hours of battery with the backlight off. It is the only pick here with a full-size (100%) layout; the EK60 HE has a 60% layout instead. It also offers ZMK firmware for remapping and Bluetooth pairing with three devices.
Use the K10 Ultra 8K's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. High polling rates use more CPU time; drop to 1,000Hz if an older system stutters. Worth noting too: up to 760 hours per charge. Its price falls between the X68 HE and the Huntsman V3 HE Mini, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Full-size (100%)
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Polling rate: 8,000Hz
- Battery life: 760 hours
Pros
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- 8,000Hz polling
- Up to 760 hours per charge
- 8000Hz polling in both wired and 2.4GHz modes
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Costs more than the EK60 HE at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Razer Huntsman V3 HE Mini 65% on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Razer's Huntsman V3 HE Mini is a 65% Hall effect board with rapid trigger, Snap Tap and 8000Hz HyperPolling.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wired only.
Why we like it
Per-key tuning runs in Synapse Web. No other pick in this guide offers a 65% layout; compare the X68 HE, which has a 65% (68 keys) layout. The Huntsman V3 HE Mini 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 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 K10 Ultra 8K and the rest. The trade-off is polling rate; for more, the EK60 HE offers 8,000Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 65%
- Switches: Hall effect magnetic
- Connection: Wired
- Polling rate: 8,000Hz
- Keycaps: Doubleshot PBT
Pros
- Compact 65% layout
- Magnetic Hall effect switches
- 8,000Hz polling
- PBT keycaps resist shine
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the EK60 HE at the time of writing
How We Chose
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.
- Polling rate
- We recorded polling rates where listings state them.
- Build
- We noted keycap material, frame material and extra controls such as knobs or screens.
What to Look for in a Keyboard for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
Keycap material lasts longer than lighting
PBT keycaps resist the shine that ABS caps develop. Double-shot legends do not wear off.
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.
How to Choose a Keyboard for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting adjustable rapid trigger for the least money | EK60 HE | Undercutting the K617 HE on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want rapid trigger | K617 HE | Rapid trigger |
| Buyers who want dynamic keystrokes with up to 4 actions per key | X68 HE | Dynamic keystrokes with up to 4 actions per key |
| Buyers who want 8000Hz polling in both wired and 2.4GHz modes | K10 Ultra 8K | 8000Hz polling in both wired and 2.4GHz modes |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | Huntsman V3 HE Mini | Rapid trigger and Snap Tap at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection | Polling rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EK60 HE | 60% | Hall effect magnetic | Wired | 8,000Hz |
| K617 HE | 60% | Hall effect magnetic | Wired | 8,000Hz |
| X68 HE | 65% (68 keys) | Hall effect magnetic | Wired | 8,000Hz |
| K10 Ultra 8K | Full-size (100%) | Not listed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | 8,000Hz |
| Huntsman V3 HE Mini | 65% | 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 |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | EK60 HE, K617 HE, X68 HE |
| About $100 to $150 | K10 Ultra 8K, Huntsman V3 HE Mini |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the least I can spend on one of these keyboards?
That was the EK60 HE at our last check; if you can stretch, the K617 HE is the next step up and the Huntsman V3 HE Mini the priciest.
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 these keyboards need software?
They work without it, but lighting, macros and actuation settings usually need the maker's app.
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.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the EK60 HE, chosen for undercutting the K617 HE on price when we checked. Look at the K617 HE for rapid trigger, the X68 HE for dynamic keystrokes with up to 4 actions per key and the K10 Ultra 8K for 8000Hz polling in both wired and 2.4GHz modes if those matter more to you.
Hall effect boards with rapid trigger help most in competitive shooters.