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 The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Redragon K724 PRO Wireless
The lowest price among these keyboards at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Redragon K724 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Corsair Vanguard 96 Gaming Keyboard
A built-in display.
Best for: Buyers who want built-in display.
Our take Check price for Corsair Vanguard 96 Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Double-shot PBT Keycaps
ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless
Double-shot PBT keycaps.
Best for: Buyers who want double-shot PBT keycaps.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming Keyboard
The top of this price range, adding built-in Stream Deck keys with a display.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these keyboards at the time of writing. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Redragon K724 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
| A built-in display. | Buyers who want built-in display. | Check price for Corsair Vanguard 96 Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| Double-shot PBT keycaps. | Buyers who want double-shot PBT keycaps. | Check price for ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding built-in Stream Deck keys with a display. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
Redragon K724 PRO Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K724 PRO adds a built-in screen and knob to a gasket-mounted 75% board.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Vanguard 96 was closest. If you want a confirmed polling rate, look to the Vanguard 96 instead: it offers 8,000Hz, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & 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
Also Consider2 of 4
Corsair Vanguard 96 Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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
Double-shot PBT Keycaps3 of 4
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 double-shot PBT keycaps.
Skip if
- The maker gives no polling rate, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
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 too: ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky switches. 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 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
- 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Galleon 100 SD is an expensive full-size board with Stream Deck keys built in.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
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 dimensions & 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
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.
- 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.
- Connection
- We checked wired, dongle and Bluetooth options and rated battery life.
What to Look for in a Keyboard With a Built-In Screen
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.
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.
Keycap material lasts longer than lighting
PBT keycaps resist the shine that ABS caps develop. Double-shot legends do not wear off.
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 With a Built-In Screen
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | 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 double-shot PBT keycaps | ROG Azoth | Double-shot PBT keycaps |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | 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
Figures as each maker states 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
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| 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
What is the least I can spend on one of these keyboards?
At our last price check the K724 PRO was the cheapest pick and the Galleon 100 SD the most expensive; the Vanguard 96 was the next step up from the K724 PRO.
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.
Do these keyboards need software?
They work without it, but lighting, macros and actuation settings usually need the maker's app.
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.
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 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 double-shot PBT keycaps 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.