Buying Guide
The Best Keyboards Under $200
From the K65 Plus Wireless to the ROG Azoth: three keyboards ranked on battery life and layout, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 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
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Corsair K65 Plus Wireless 75% Keyboard
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Corsair K65 Plus Wireless 75% Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard
An aluminum top plate.
Best for: Buyers who want aluminum top plate.
Our take Check price for Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Corsair K65 Plus Wireless 75% Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| An aluminum top plate. | Buyers who want aluminum top plate. | Check price for Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Corsair K65 Plus Wireless 75% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 budget tight.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when battery life of 266 hours, behind the ROG Azoth (2000 hours is a problem.
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 PBT keycaps; compare the G915 X TKL, which has double-shot PBT 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 G915 X TKL and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: battery life of 266 hours, behind the ROG Azoth (2000 hours). If that matters, the ROG Azoth runs for 2000 hours.
Key dimensions & 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
Cons
- Battery life of 266 hours, behind the ROG Azoth (2000 hours)
Also Consider2 of 3
Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- Its battery life is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
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.
Like the ROG Azoth, it has double-shot PBT keycaps, while the K65 Plus Wireless uses PBT keycaps. Use the G915 X TKL's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper K65 Plus Wireless and the pricier ROG Azoth, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the ROG Azoth runs for 2000 hours.
Key dimensions & 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
- No published battery life
- Costs more than the K65 Plus Wireless at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ROG Azoth is ASUS's enthusiast 75% board: gasket-mounted with three layers of foam, hot-swappable, and wireless over 2.4GHz or Bluetooth.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the K65 Plus Wireless cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
A small OLED display shows settings and battery. It shares double-shot PBT keycaps with the G915 X TKL; the K65 Plus Wireless goes with PBT keycaps. It also comes with a hot-swap PCB with a switch and keycap kit.
Use the ROG Azoth's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Worth noting too: compact 75% layout. It also brings ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky switches.
Another plus is up to 2000 hours per charge. Only the G915 X TKL came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 3 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 75%
- Switches: ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Battery life: 2000 hours
- Keycaps: Double-shot PBT
Pros
- Compact 75% layout
- ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Up to 2000 hours per charge
Cons
- Costs more than the K65 Plus Wireless at the time of writing
How We Chose These Keyboards Under $200
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side three keyboards on layout, switches, connection and battery life from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the K65 Plus Wireless to the ROG Azoth, state layout, connection and keycaps.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The G915 X TKL gives no switches; the G915 X TKL gives no battery life.
- Price range
- From the K65 Plus Wireless to the ROG Azoth, 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.
How much battery life you need
Here battery life runs from 266 hours on the K65 Plus Wireless to 2000 hours on the ROG Azoth. The ROG Azoth is the pick for battery life. No figure for the G915 X TKL.
Fit and compatibility
Use the K65 Plus Wireless's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
Features beyond the spec table
The K65 Plus Wireless: a gasket-mounted design. The G915 X TKL: dedicated media keys and a volume roller. The ROG Azoth: a small OLED display.
How much to spend
All 3 sat in one tier when we checked, from the K65 Plus Wireless at the low end to the ROG Azoth at the top, so decide on features first.
Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the budget tight: the K65 Plus Wireless. Buyers who want the most complete package: the ROG Azoth.
Keycap material lasts longer than lighting
PBT keycaps resist the shine that ABS caps develop. Double-shot legends do not wear off.
How to Choose a Keyboard Under $200
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | K65 Plus Wireless | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want aluminum top plate | G915 X TKL | An aluminum top plate |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | ROG Azoth | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ROG Azoth leads on battery life at 2000 hours, ahead of the K65 Plus Wireless at 266 hours. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection | Battery life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K65 Plus Wireless | 75% | MLX Red linear | Slipstream 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | 266 hours |
| G915 X TKL | TKL, low-profile | Not listed | Lightspeed, Bluetooth, wired | Not listed |
| ROG Azoth | 75% | ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | 2000 hours |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the K65 Plus Wireless compare with the ROG Azoth on battery life?
The ROG Azoth leads at 2000 hours, with the K65 Plus Wireless at 266 hours. The G915 X TKL doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
Is the ROG Azoth worth paying more than the K65 Plus Wireless?
On paper it adds battery life (2000 hours against 266 hours). The K65 Plus Wireless was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the K65 Plus Wireless the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the lowest price of the group at our last check. It suits keeping the budget tight.
Do the K65 Plus Wireless and the G915 X TKL differ on keycaps?
The K65 Plus Wireless uses PBT; the G915 X TKL and the ROG Azoth use Double-shot PBT.
What should I check before buying the K65 Plus Wireless?
Use the K65 Plus Wireless's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. In this guide it ranks first of 3, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the K65 Plus Wireless and the G915 X TKL apart?
The K65 Plus Wireless: a gasket-mounted design. The G915 X TKL: an aluminum top plate. The ROG Azoth: a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam.
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 G915 X TKL for an aluminum top plate and the ROG Azoth for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam if those matter more to you.
Check keycap material; PBT lasts longer.