Buying Guide
The Best Keyboards for Esports
Three keyboards ranked on polling rate and layout; the EK60 HE is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Esports boards pair rapid-trigger magnetic switches with compact layouts for mouse room. Every pick is magnetic and 75% or smaller, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects layout, switches and connection from maker specifications; a missing polling rate is flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 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)
Premium Pick
Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard
The top of this price range, adding rapid trigger with adjustable actuation.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the K617 HE on price when we checked. | Getting adjustable rapid trigger for the least money. | Check price for DAREU EK60 HE Magnetic Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| Rapid trigger. | Buyers who want rapid trigger. | Check price for Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding rapid trigger with adjustable actuation. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
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
- Pass on it if no dedicated arrow keys or function ro rules it out for your setup.
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 PRO X TKL Rapid uses a TKL 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 was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the K617 HE was the next step up.
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 3
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 PRO X TKL Rapid uses a TKL layout. It also comes with 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. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper EK60 HE and the pricier PRO X TKL Rapid, 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
- Rapid trigger
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the EK60 HE at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The PRO X TKL Rapid is Logitech's magnetic-switch board.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wired only.
Why we like it
Rapid trigger and adjustable actuation matter most in shooters where keys reset constantly. A TKL layout is unique to it among these picks, while the K617 HE uses a 60% layout. The PRO X TKL Rapid 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. It also brings tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse. Only the K617 HE came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 3 picks. There is no published polling rate figure, whereas the EK60 HE offers 8,000Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: TKL
- Switches: Hall effect magnetic
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- Magnetic Hall effect switches
- Rapid trigger with adjustable actuation
- The top of this price range, adding rapid trigger with adjustable actuation
Cons
- Wired only
- No published polling rate
- Costs more than the EK60 HE at the time of writing
How We Chose These Keyboards for Esports
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up three keyboards on layout, switches, connection and polling rate, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the EK60 HE to the PRO X TKL Rapid, state layout, switches and connection and share Hall effect magnetic switches and Wired connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The PRO X TKL Rapid gives no polling rate.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the EK60 HE (under $50) to the PRO X TKL Rapid ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Keyboard for Esports
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Fit and compatibility
The EK60 HE needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Extras that separate them
The EK60 HE: a web driver that supports macOS. The K617 HE: desktop and web-based calibration. The PRO X TKL Rapid: rapid trigger with adjustable actuation.
How much to spend
Under $50 buys the EK60 HE and the K617 HE; $100 to $150 buys the PRO X TKL Rapid at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Getting adjustable rapid trigger for the least money: the EK60 HE. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the PRO X TKL Rapid.
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.
How to Choose a Keyboard for Esports
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 |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | PRO X TKL Rapid | The top of this price range, adding rapid trigger with adjustable actuation |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The EK60 HE, the K617 HE and the rest, as their makers list 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 |
| PRO X TKL Rapid | TKL | Hall effect magnetic | Wired | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The EK60 HE was the lowest-priced pick and the PRO X TKL Rapid the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | EK60 HE, K617 HE |
| About $100 to $150 | PRO X TKL Rapid |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the PRO X TKL Rapid our Premium Pick pick?
It earns the label for the top of this price range, adding rapid trigger with adjustable actuation. It suits spending more for the fullest feature set.
Do the EK60 HE and the PRO X TKL Rapid differ on layout?
The EK60 HE and the K617 HE use 60%; the PRO X TKL Rapid uses TKL.
Will the K617 HE work with my setup?
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. In this guide it ranks second of 3.
What extras do the EK60 HE and the K617 HE include?
The EK60 HE: adjustable rapid trigger. The K617 HE: rapid trigger. The PRO X TKL Rapid: rapid trigger with adjustable actuation.
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.
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 and the PRO X TKL Rapid for the top of this price range, adding rapid trigger with adjustable actuation if those matter more to you.
Tune actuation per key: lighter for movement, deeper for abilities.