Your Guide to the Best RGB Keyboards in 2023

RGB keyboards have become both cheaper and more powerful in recent years. It’s led to much competition in budget price ranges for RGB keyboards. This list walks you through the best RGB keyboard options on the market in 2023.

Good to know: you can sync your RGB keyboard to other components of your PC build with RGB sync software.

1. Best Overall: SteelSeries Apex Pro

Price: $199.99

The SteelSeries Apex Pro is one of the best RGB 104-key keyboards with all the keys you need for productivity and gaming. The full-size keyboard ships with a magnetic wrist rest, which makes it ideal for long sessions of keyboard activity. If you’re specific with your typing preferences, you can adjust the actuation point of the SteelSeries Apex Pro’s OmniPoint switches.

Pros

• Built with an OLED smart display
• Full-size format
• Available in 9 language layouts
• Includes magnetic wrist rest
• Tenkeyless (TKL) variant also available

Cons

• Wired connection only

Tip: want to type in another language? Learn how to add a new keyboard language in Windows.

2. Best Budget: Cooler Master CK552

Price: $79.99

The Cooler Master CK552 is a budget RGB keyboard with a full-size, 104-key form factor. Its clean design makes it a good pick for an office and gaming setup. It also comes with Gateron Red switches, perfect for a quiet typing experience. However, the Cooler Master CK552 isn’t hot-swappable, so you’ll be stuck with the Gateron Red switches. The only way to change them is to desolder them and solder in a new set.

Pros

• Curved top plate provides incline
• Full-size keyboard
• Built with Gateron Red switches

Cons

• Not hot-swappable
• No included wrist rest
• No wireless connection
• No TKL variant
• Plastic case

Tip: swap out your keycaps to customize your RGB mechanical keyboard.

3. Best Wired: Corsair K70 RGB Pro

Price: $179.99

The Corsair K70 RGB Pro boasts a polling rate of up to 8,000Hz, so your keystrokes register eight times faster than the usual keyboards (1,000Hz) at this price point. However, this feature isn’t a unique selling point outside the gaming community. If you’re looking for a wired RGB keyboard with a full-size form factor, there are cheaper options.

Pros

• Six switch options
• Dedicated media keys and a volume roller
• Hot-swappable sockets
• Includes PBT keycaps
• Impressive polling rate of 8,000Hz

Cons

• High price point for wired keyboard
• No wireless option

Good to know: there are a wide variety of wireless mechanical keyboards available.

4. Best Wireless: Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro

Price: $223.93

If you’re looking for a reliable wireless RGB keyboard for your setup, the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro is your best bet. It offers multiple connectivity options, media control buttons, and a comfortable wrist rest. Since the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro isn’t hot-swappable, you must decide between Razer’s green and yellow switches for this keyboard.

Pros

• Supports wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity
• Includes media control buttons
• Clear design boosts lighting
• Includes wrist rest
• Durable design with metal top plate

Cons

• Has ABS keycaps
• Limited switch options

5. Best TKL: Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard TKL

Price: $79.99

Are you looking for an RGB keyboard with a smaller form factor than a full-size keyboard, but one that has dedicated arrow keys? The Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard (GMMK) TKL is an excellent pick. It offers good customization options, letting you switch between different mechanical switches until you find the one that suits your typing preferences.

Pros

• Hot-swappable sockets
• Sleek design
• Available in full-size (104 key) or compact (60%) design
• Built-in stand for ergonomic purposes

Cons

• Only offers wired connectivity

Tip: you can enable RGB mode on your Windows 11 machine to make gaming more fun.

6. Best 60% Board: Razer Huntsman Mini

Price: $129.99

When your desk space is limited, or you want to try a keyboard with a smaller form factor, the Razer Huntsman Mini introduces you to a world of smaller keyboards. It has 61 keys, no dedicated arrow keys, and a much smaller frame than the 104-key options. You can also make the most of this RGB keyboard with Razer Chroma, which supports up to 16.8 million colors per key.

Pros

• Smaller board takes up less space
• PBT keycaps that won’t fade
• Three optical switch options
• Hot-swappable with optical switches
• Offers an analog switch option
• Razer Chroma allows for great RGB syncing
• Quality aluminum construction

Cons

• No wrist rest included
• No wireless connectivity

7. Best Ergonomic: Keychron Q8

Price: $195

The Alice layout is one of the most popular ergonomic layouts on the market. While it’s rare to see RGB keyboards with this layout in mainstream setups, the Keychron Q8 is a pleasant introduction to unique keyboard layouts. The way its keys are positioned prevents wrist and arm strain – a clear benefit if you would be using the keyboard for long periods.

Pros

• Built with PBT keycaps
• Highly customizable top frame, keycaps, and switches

Cons

• No wrist rest included
• No software support
• Layout will take some getting used to

Also helpful: if you use your keyboard for many hours at a time, you may want to invest in a quality ergonomic mechanical keyboard.

8. Best for Serious Gaming: Roccat Vulcan II Max

Price: $223.13

Gamers dedicated to getting better and climbing up the ranks of their favorite games appreciate peripherals that improve their experience. The Roccat Vulcan II Max is an RGB keyboard that can do that for you. It has a detachable palm rest, Roccat Swarm software support, and optical switches for the fastest keystroke response times.

Pros

• Includes palm rest
• Dedicated media keys
• Minimalist and low-profile design

Cons

• No wireless connectivity support

Good to know: if you like the look of low-profile keyboards, look through this list of the best low-profile mechanical keyboards that you can get your hands on.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best keyboard switch type?

There are three main types of switches: linear, tactile, and clicky. Linear switches come with no bumps or clicks with each keystroke. Tactile switches have a noticeable bump when you reach a certain point during a keystroke. Clicky switches produce a clicking sound and feel with each keystroke. The best keyboard switch type depends on your preferences.

Why are PBT keycaps better than ABS keycaps?

PBT keycaps are better than ABS in terms of durability. ABS keycaps are smooth and develop a greasy shine, and legends fade due to wear. PBT keycaps feel textured, and it’ll take longer for its legends to fade.

Do these keyboards work with macOS?

All RGB keyboards on this list and their software work with macOS. However, most keyboards on the list don’t come with dedicated macOS keys, except for the Keychron Q8, which has a macOS layout out of the box.

Image credit: Pixabay