Buying Guide
The Best Keyboards With a Built-In Screen
Four keyboards ranked on polling rate and layout; the K724 PRO is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
A small built-in screen can show battery, connection or custom images without opening software. Every pick has a screen on the keyboard, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh layout, switches and connection as the makers state them; if a maker skips switches, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Redragon K724 PRO WirelessThe lowest price among these keyboards at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $100.
Check price for Redragon K724 PRO Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Corsair Vanguard 96 Gaming KeyboardA built-in display.
Best for: Buyers who want built-in display.
Check price for Corsair Vanguard 96 Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS ROG Azoth WirelessA silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam.
Best for: Buyers who want silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam.
Check price for ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming KeyboardThe top of this price range, adding built-in Stream Deck keys with a display.
Best for: Spending more than the ROG Azoth costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these keyboards at the time of writing. | Keeping the cost under $100. | Check price for Redragon K724 PRO Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A built-in display. | Buyers who want built-in display. | Check price for Corsair Vanguard 96 Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam. | Buyers who want silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam. | Check price for ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding built-in Stream Deck keys with a display. | Spending more than the ROG Azoth costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
Redragon K724 PRO Wireless
Redragon's K724 PRO adds a built-in screen and knob to a gasket-mounted 75% board.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $100.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its polling rate before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
The maker specifies five layers of noise dampening. A TFT screen shows battery and connection status and can run custom GIFs, next to a control knob. It switches between three connection modes without re-pairing.
You get a 75% (81 keys) layout here, which sets it apart from the Vanguard 96 and its a 96% layout. Use the K724 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Worth noting: lubed linear switches.
It makes the most sense for keeping the cost under $100, since it offers the lowest price among these keyboards at the time of writing. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Vanguard 96 was closest.
Key specs
- Layout
- 75% (81 keys)
- Switches
- Lubed linear
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
Pros
- Compact 75% (81 keys) layout
- Lubed linear switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Built-in screen and knob
Cons
- No published polling rate
The catch
If you want a confirmed polling rate, look to the Vanguard 96 instead: it offers 8,000Hz, while this one gives no figure.
Also Consider2 of 4
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
- Buyers who want built-in display.
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. You get a 96% layout here, which sets it apart from the K724 PRO and its a 75% (81 keys) 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. It makes the most sense for buyers who want built-in display, since it offers a built-in display. When we checked, only the K724 PRO cost less, and the ROG Azoth cost more.
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
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K724 PRO at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless
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 silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam.
Skip if
- The maker gives no polling rate, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
A small OLED display shows settings and battery. It is the only pick here with a 75% layout; the Galleon 100 SD has a full-size layout instead. You also get 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: up to 2000 hours per charge. Its price falls between the Vanguard 96 and the Galleon 100 SD, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed polling rate should compare it with the Vanguard 96, which offers 8,000Hz.
Key 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
- No published polling rate
- Costs more than the K724 PRO at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming Keyboard
The Galleon 100 SD is an expensive full-size board with Stream Deck keys built in.
Best for
- Spending more than the ROG Azoth costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
It only makes sense if you would otherwise buy a separate Stream Deck. You get a full-size layout here, which sets it apart from the ROG Azoth and its a 75% layout. It also comes with FlashTap SOCD handling.
The Galleon 100 SD 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. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the K724 PRO at the time of writing. At our last price check it topped the group, with the ROG Azoth the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Layout
- Full-size
- Connection
- Wired
- Polling rate
- 8,000Hz
Pros
- 8,000Hz polling
- Built-in Stream Deck keys with a display
- FlashTap SOCD handling
- Full-size layout, the only one here
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K724 PRO at the time of writing
How We Chose These Keyboards With a Built-In Screen
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 set side by side four keyboards on layout, switches, connection and polling rate from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 2 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick, while switches and polling rate have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the K724 PRO to the Galleon 100 SD, state layout and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Vanguard 96 and the Galleon 100 SD give no switches; the K724 PRO and the ROG Azoth give no polling rate.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the K724 PRO ($50 to $100) to the Galleon 100 SD ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Keyboard With a Built-In Screen
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Fit and compatibility
Use the K724 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. The Vanguard 96 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Extras that separate them
The Vanguard 96: a 96% layout that keeps the number pad in a smaller frame. The ROG Azoth: a small OLED display. The Galleon 100 SD: FlashTap SOCD handling.
A mechanical keyboard with white keycaps in front of an ultrawide monitor How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the K724 PRO; $100 to $150 buys the Vanguard 96; $150 to $250 buys the ROG Azoth; $250 to $500 buys the Galleon 100 SD at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Keeping the cost under $100: the K724 PRO. Spending more than the ROG Azoth costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the Galleon 100 SD.
A compact keyboard and mouse in front of an ultrawide monitor 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.
How to Choose a Keyboard With a Built-In Screen
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $100 | K724 PRO | The lowest price among these keyboards at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want built-in display | Vanguard 96 | A built-in display |
| Buyers who want silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam | ROG Azoth | A silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam |
| Spending more than the ROG Azoth costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Galleon 100 SD | The top of this price range, adding built-in Stream Deck keys with a display |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The K724 PRO, the Vanguard 96 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection | Polling rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K724 PRO | 75% (81 keys) | Lubed linear | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | Not listed |
| Vanguard 96 | 96% | Not listed | Wired | 8,000Hz |
| ROG Azoth | 75% | ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | Not listed |
| Galleon 100 SD | Full-size | Not listed | Wired | 8,000Hz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The K724 PRO was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the Galleon 100 SD the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | K724 PRO |
| About $100 to $150 | Vanguard 96 |
| About $150 to $250 | ROG Azoth |
| About $250 to $500 | Galleon 100 SD |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Galleon 100 SD our Premium Pick?
It earns the label for the top of this price range, adding built-in Stream Deck keys with a display. The K724 PRO, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits spending more than the ROG Azoth costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Do the K724 PRO and the Vanguard 96 differ on layout?
The K724 PRO uses 75% (81 keys); the Vanguard 96 uses 96%; the ROG Azoth uses 75%; the Galleon 100 SD uses full-size.
Will the K724 PRO work with my setup?
Use the K724 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. In this guide it ranks first of 4, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
What extras do the K724 PRO and the Vanguard 96 include?
The K724 PRO: a built-in screen and knob. The Vanguard 96: a built-in display. The ROG Azoth: a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam.
Who should choose the K724 PRO?
The K724 PRO carries our Lowest Price Here label for the lowest price among these keyboards at the time of writing. It ranks first of 4 here and sat in the $50 to $100 tier at our last price check; it suits keeping the cost under $100.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the K724 PRO, chosen for the lowest price among these keyboards at the time of writing. Look at the Vanguard 96 for a built-in display, the ROG Azoth for a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam and the Galleon 100 SD for the top of this price range, adding built-in Stream Deck keys with a display if those matter more to you.
Custom images usually need the maker's app; check it runs on your OS.
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 Keyboards for PC
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mechanical Keyboard
- ExplainerKeyboard layouts compared: full-size, TKL, 75%, 65% and 60%
- Also see: miceWired, 2.4 GHz dongle or Bluetooth: which connection for a mouse or keyboard?
- Similar guideThe Best RGB Keyboards
- 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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