Buying Guide
The Best Keyboards Under $200
From the K65 Plus Wireless to the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3: four keyboards ranked on layout and switches, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
Between $150 and $200 you reach premium gaming boards and custom-style builds. Every pick sits in that range, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for layout, switches and connection; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out switches, we say so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Corsair K65 Plus Wireless 75% KeyboardThe lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $250.
Check price for Corsair K65 Plus Wireless 75% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
TKL Layout
Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed (Linear)A TKL layout.
Best for: Buyers who want a TKL layout.
Check price for Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed (Linear) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL KeyboardAn aluminum top plate.
Best for: Buyers who want aluminum top plate.
Check price for Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the K65 Plus Wireless costs less.
Check price for SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Keeping the cost under $250. | Check price for Corsair K65 Plus Wireless 75% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A TKL layout. | Buyers who want a TKL layout. | Check price for Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed (Linear) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| An aluminum top plate. | Buyers who want aluminum top plate. | Check price for Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the K65 Plus Wireless costs less. | Check price for SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
Corsair K65 Plus Wireless 75% Keyboard
The K65 Plus Wireless is the long-distance runner: a 75% layout, MLX Red switches and a 266 hours per charge.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $250.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
Its pre-lubricated MLX Red linear switches feel smooth, and it runs up to 266 hours per charge with RGB off. Connections over 2.4GHz, Bluetooth or USB use AES encryption. No other pick in this guide offers a 75% layout; compare the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed, which has a TKL layout.
No other pick in this guide offers PBT keycaps; compare the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed, which has double-shot keycaps. It also comes with a gasket-mounted design. Use the K65 Plus Wireless's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. It undercut the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Layout
- 75%
- Switches
- MLX Red linear
- Connection
- Slipstream 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Battery life
- 266 hours
- Keycaps
- PBT
Pros
- Compact 75% layout
- MLX Red linear switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Up to 266 hours per charge
TKL Layout2 of 4
Logitech G Pro X TKL Lightspeed (Linear)
What the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed brings to the table is a tenkeyless body built for esports.
Best for
- Buyers who want a TKL layout.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the K65 Plus Wireless, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
No other pick in this guide offers a TKL layout; compare the K65 Plus Wireless, which has a 75% layout. It is the only pick here with GX linear switches; the K65 Plus Wireless has MLX Red linear switches instead. No other pick in this guide offers double-shot keycaps; compare the K65 Plus Wireless, which has PBT keycaps.
Use the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper K65 Plus Wireless and the pricier G915 X TKL, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Layout
- TKL
- Switches
- GX linear
- Connection
- Lightspeed, Bluetooth, wired
- Keycaps
- Double-shot
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- GX linear switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Tenkeyless body built for esports
Cons
- Costs more than the K65 Plus Wireless at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 4
Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard
The G915 X TKL adds an aluminum top, a volume roller and media keys to the low-profile layout, at a premium price.
Best for
- Buyers who want aluminum top plate.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the K65 Plus Wireless was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It switches between LIGHTSPEED wireless, Bluetooth and wired USB-C with a key press. KEYCONTROL lets you assign up to 15 functions per key. Low-profile GL switches with 1.3mm actuation speed up key presses, and LIGHTSYNC RGB syncs with other Logitech G gear.
No other pick in this guide offers double-shot PBT keycaps; compare the K65 Plus Wireless, which has PBT keycaps. Use the G915 X TKL's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper G Pro X TKL Lightspeed and the pricier Apex Pro Mini Gen 3, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Layout
- TKL, low-profile
- Connection
- Lightspeed, Bluetooth, wired
- Keycaps
- Double-shot PBT
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- Aluminum top plate
Cons
- Costs more than the K65 Plus Wireless at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3
SteelSeries's Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 uses OmniPoint 3.0 Hall effect switches with Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the K65 Plus Wireless costs less.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no dedicated arrow keys or function row rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
A Protection Mode guards against accidental presses. You get a 60% layout here, which sets it apart from the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed and its a TKL layout. OmniPoint 3.0 Hall effect switches is unique to it among these picks, while the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed uses GX linear switches.
The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the G915 X TKL the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Layout
- 60%
- Switches
- OmniPoint 3.0 Hall effect
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Compact 60% layout
- Magnetic Hall effect switches
- Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap
- Protection Mode against accidental presses
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K65 Plus Wireless at the time of writing
How We Chose These Keyboards Under $200
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.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side four keyboards on layout, switches, connection and keycaps from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and switches and keycaps are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the K65 Plus Wireless to the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3, state layout and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The G915 X TKL gives no switches; the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 gives no keycaps.
- Price range
- From the K65 Plus Wireless to the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Keyboard Under $200
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Keycaps
The K65 Plus Wireless lists PBT; the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed lists double-shot; the G915 X TKL lists Double-shot PBT. Settling keycaps first narrows 3 picks to 1 or 1 or 1.
Fit and compatibility
Use the K65 Plus Wireless's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
A mechanical keyboard with RGB-lit keycaps Features beyond the spec table
The G Pro X TKL Lightspeed: a tenkeyless body built for esports. The G915 X TKL: dedicated media keys and a volume roller. The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3: a Protection Mode against accidental presses.
How much to spend
Price does little to separate these 4: the K65 Plus Wireless through the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 all landed in the $150 to $250 tier, which leaves features to decide it.
A mechanical keyboard with white keycaps in front of an ultrawide monitor Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the cost under $250: the K65 Plus Wireless. Buyers who want a TKL layout: the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the K65 Plus Wireless costs less: the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3.
How to Choose a Keyboard Under $200
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $250 | K65 Plus Wireless | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want a TKL layout | G Pro X TKL Lightspeed | A TKL layout |
| Buyers who want aluminum top plate | G915 X TKL | An aluminum top plate |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the K65 Plus Wireless costs less | Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 | Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The K65 Plus Wireless, the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection | Keycaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K65 Plus Wireless | 75% | MLX Red linear | Slipstream 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | PBT |
| G Pro X TKL Lightspeed | TKL | GX linear | Lightspeed, Bluetooth, wired | Double-shot |
| G915 X TKL | TKL, low-profile | Not listed | Lightspeed, Bluetooth, wired | Double-shot PBT |
| Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 | 60% | OmniPoint 3.0 Hall effect | Wired | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed the TKL Layout?
It earns the label for a TKL layout. It suits anyone who wants a TKL layout.
Do the K65 Plus Wireless and the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed differ on switches?
The K65 Plus Wireless uses MLX Red linear; the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed uses GX linear; the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 uses OmniPoint 3.0 Hall effect. The maker of the G915 X TKL doesn't state switches, so 3 of 4 picks are covered here.
What should I check before buying the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3?
The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks fourth of 4, as our Premium Pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the K65 Plus Wireless and the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed apart?
The K65 Plus Wireless: a gasket-mounted design. The G Pro X TKL Lightspeed: a tenkeyless body built for esports. The G915 X TKL: an aluminum top plate.
Should I pick the K65 Plus Wireless or the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3?
The K65 Plus Wireless suits keeping the cost under $250; the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the K65 Plus Wireless costs less.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the K65 Plus Wireless, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed for a TKL layout, the G915 X TKL for an aluminum top plate and the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 for Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Check keycap material; PBT lasts longer.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Keyboards Right Now
- Related guideThe Best Quiet Gaming Keyboards
- Related guideThe Best TKL Keyboards
- Lower budgetThe Best Keyboards Under $150
- Similar guideThe Best Gaming Keyboards Under $200
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mechanical Keyboard
- ExplainerKeyboard layouts compared: full-size, TKL, 75%, 65% and 60%
- Also see: miceGaming Mouse Features Explained: What Is Worth Paying For?
- 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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