Best Gaming Keyboard Under 100 Dollars

By Mike Jones
Last Updated August 13, 2020
Keyboards & Keypads

Nowadays, gaming keyboards come with all kinds of lighting effects, and there are different designs and layouts that you can choose. If you are in the market for a new gaming keyboard, then you have come to the right place. Here we are going to tell you about the best gaming keyboard under 100 dollars.

Best Gaming Keyboard Under 100 Dollars - Quick Look

Best Overall

CORSAIR K55 RGB

Premium Pick

Logitech G610

Budget Pick

Redragon K552-RGB

The Best Gaming Keyboard Under 100 Dollars – Top 10

1. CORSAIR K55 RGB – Best Gaming Keyboard Under 100 Dollars

Corsair is a well-known brand for gaming products, and the K55 gaming keyboard is no exception. Surprisingly, there is a Corsair branded keyboard in this price range and our top pick for the best gaming keyboard under 100 dollars.

The K55 is a full keyboard and comes with RGB lighting. It’s a cheaper version from the K70 LUX or K70 versions. There are more than ten lighting modes that you can choose from to customize your keyboard. While this is not a mechanical keyboard, the keys are silent and work well. Other than that, you also get six programmable micro keys which you can map according to your needs. The keyboard also comes with volume and multimedia keys that help you control volume and other functions without leaving the game.

The keyboard is made of plastic and is light but has little to no flex even when typing. Do not believe that it feels like a mechanical keyboard because this is a membrane keyboard, and there is a clear difference. There is a definite clicky feel when pressing a key, and while the feeling is hard to describe in words, it is unusual for a membrane keyboard.

Overall the design is clean, and the RGB lighting can add a personal touch to your setup. The keys are responsive and great to type on.

Pros

Cons

2. Logitech G610 Orion

Logitech makes all kinds of gaming accessories, and the products are known to have superior build quality and functionality. The G610 Orion mechanical keyboard is no exception.

The keyboard uses Cherry MX Brown switches, which have a very tactile feel and do not produce a lot of noise. The switches are perfect for both typing and gaming. It is a full-sized keyboard, so not only do you get the arrow keys but also the number pad.

While the keyboard does not come with RGB lighting, the keys are backlit, so you will be able to work and game properly in the dark. The keyboard also comes with dedicated media buttons to control settings like volume without having to leave the game.

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3. Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

The Redragon K552 RGB is the next keyboard on our list and a top choice for the best gaming keyboard under 100 dollars. Redragon is a company that has been introducing great products for budget gamers.

It is a tenkeyless keyboard that does not have the number pad but does come with the arrow keys, unlike other smaller keyboards. The keyboard has a metallic finish, which gives it a premium and durable feel. Other than that, the keys are mechanical and use custom switches that the company claims to be similar to Cherry MX Blue switches.

You also get RGB lighting and can choose from a couple of effects as well. For the price, this keyboard is excellent for the money and comes with all kinds of features. Overall, the keyboard has a clean and functional design that looks good and feels great.

Pros

Splash-proof
Mechanical keys
Red LEDs
Multiple multimedia keys
Robust and clean design
RGB lights

Cons

4. HyperX Alloy FPS Pro

The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a tenkeyless keyboard that does not come with the number pad but has arrow keys, making it very compact. The design is minimal and straightforward, which can be perfect for a gaming keyboard.

The keyboard has a solid metal frame and feels premium and durable. It uses authentic Cherry MX Red switches, which are great for typing and gaming. While the Alloy FPS Pro does not come with RGB lighting, it has Red LEDs that can be turned on or off.

HyperX is a pretty well-known company in the gaming space and has made a name for itself over the years. It is known for products that provide exceptional performance, and this keyboard is no exception.

Read also: Best Gaming Keyboards Under $50

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5. Razer Cynosa Chroma Gaming Keyboard

The Razer Cynosa Chroma Gaming Keyboard has individually backlit keys. It comes with RGB lighting, so there are loads of customization options for you to test out. The keys are soft and silent. You don’t need to apply a lot of force to activate the keys.

It is a membrane keyboard and the #1 best selling gaming membrane keyboard in the US between January 2018 and March 2020. You can press ten keys at the same time without worrying about ghosting. The Razer Cynosa Chroma uses Razer Hypershift, which allows for all keys to be remapped to whatever you desire.

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6. HyperX Alloy FPS RGB

Made with a beautiful matte-black finish and durable materials, the HyperX Alloy FPS RBG Mechanical Keyboard is truly a gamer’s dream. This high-performance gaming keyboard provides a customizable, unique gaming experience that will make you wonder why you haven’t tried it sooner.

The HyperX Alloy keyboard features an array of vibrant, colorful, backlit keys with impressive lighting effects that can be customized using its HyperX Ingenuity Software. You can save up to three different lighting profiles, and using the F1, F2, and F3 keys, you can easily switch between settings. You can even customize the brightness of your lights and the effects themselves. The Ingenuity Software also allows users to create and store macros, adjust audio, monitor battery life, set up lighting ad effects, customize game mode, and adjust your DPI and mouse settings.

This keyboard’s frame, made of solid steel, is extremely solid and heavy-duty. Along with an above-average build, it also features a lovely and conveniently braided mini USB cable, and its compactness makes gaming on the go smooth as can be. There is also a featured USB port that will only work for your mobile device so that you never have to worry about your phone dying while you are gaming. The HyperX Alloy keyboard also has silver speed mechanical key switches for your gaming convenience.

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Cons

7. Razer Ornata Chroma

Here we have another keyboard from Razer, but this one has membrane keys with a mechanical feel, known as mecha-membrane keys. These keys are supposed to be the best of both worlds and are supposed to be soft like membrane keys but clicky like mechanical keys.

The Ornata Chroma comes with mid-height keys, which are neither too low nor too high. The mid-height keys are to help when typing and prevents you from missing a key. You do get the Razer RB Chroma lighting, which you can customize to your liking.

The keyboard also comes with a magnetic wrist rest that snaps into place. Wrist rests comfort your wrists and allows you type or game for more extended periods. You may not realize the importance of a wrist rest until you start feeling discomfort without using one.

Here is what you need to know about the Razer Ornata Chroma gaming keyboard:

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Cons

8. GIGABYTE Mechanical Keyboard

The Gigabyte mechanical keyboard is a straightforward one. It does not come with flashy RGB lighting, but I know that there are people who are not into that sort of thing and want something simple and traditional to get the job done. If that is what you are looking for, take a closer look at the GIGABYTE Mechanical Keyboard.

The keyboard is well made and features Cherry MX Red mechanical switches. The keyboard is an excellent value for money, considering that you get Cherry MX Red switches and a premium looking metallic finish.

You might miss some keys like additional media keys for adjusting volume and other settings when in-game. Some keyboard shortcuts can help you, but having dedicated media keys is always a plus.

If you are looking for a basic and straightforward keyboard, this will work for you. The design is sturdy and will last a long time if you take proper care of it. I know that there is a market for this product, and that is why people are buying it and giving it such great reviews. Even though it is 2020 and RGB has taken over the gaming space, some people still like to keep things simple. Here is what you need to know about the Gigabyte mechanical keyboard.

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9. ET Robot Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

ETROBOT is a company you might not have heard of before, but this keyboard has received a lot of praise and great reviews because it functions well but looks great. The keyboard has a unique design, and the RGB kind of leaks out of the sides, creating a fascinating effect and something that you might like if you are into RGB lighting.

The keyboard is made from brushed aluminum, and the keys use Cherry MX Blue switches, which are great for gaming and typing. The design is unique and unlike any other keyboard that you will find on the market on this list. 64 LED RGB lights around the keyboard give that bleed out effect, and there are 36 lighting modes to choose from, so you will find something that you like.

The keyboard does have some weight to it, and it feels premium and durable to touch. It feels like it will last a long time provided that you take proper care of the product. Something to keep in mind is that the RGB strip is away from you, so you won’t be able to see it in proper lighting or when you are away from the keyboard. It would have been better if the lights were all around the keyboard. Here is what you need to know about the ET Robot mechanical gaming keyboard:

Pros

Cons

10. Havit Rainbow Gaming Keyboard & Mouse Combo

Havit is not a company that most people will have heard of, but the keyboard is an excellent value for the price. The keyboard comes with RGB lighting. Not only can you select different lighting modes, but you can also choose the intensity of the lights. This is an exciting feature and not something that you get in this price range. If RGB is not your thing, then these effects can also be turned off. You can also set a single color such as Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Purple, Cyan, Pink.

You get 19 conflict-free keys and eight multimedia keys as well. The keys have a very premium feel, and the keyboard has a metallic finish, which makes it feel like a $100 even though it is not. The keys do not make a lot of noise, which is another exciting factor that you should keep in mind if you are in the market for a new gaming keyboard.

The Havit keyboard also comes packaged with a mouse. The mouse has an impressive design and comes with LED lights as well. Two buttons on the side can be mapped according to your preferences. There is a DPI button on top which can be used to adjust the DPI between 800,1200, 2400, and 3200.

I like the Space bar, which is ideally shaped for gaming and typing, and the mouse cable is braided and does not tangle easily. The braid ensures that the mouse will stand the test of time even when used daily. While this combo is inexpensive, it should last you a long time, provided that you take proper care of the peripherals. Here is what you need to know about the HAVIT keyboard and mouse combo:

Pros

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Conclusion

These were all the major keyboards that we can recommend if you are looking for the best gaming keyboard under 100 dollars. These are some of the best options on the market right now and offer the best value for money when it comes to the features and build quality. If you are still not sure which one you should get then you can go with the Gigabyte mechanical keyboard is you do not like RGB lighting.

On the other hand, if you need RGB lighting, you should go for the HyperX Alloy Pro. If you are on a budget and need something entry-level and do not want to spend money on a mechanical keyboard, then the Corsair K55 will do the job just fine.

Which Gaming Keyboard Should You Get?

If you are on a budget and need a gaming keyboard that will get the job done, then a membrane keyboard should be excellent. Keep in mind that the membrane will wear off over time and that you will need to replace it. Membrane keyboards do not come with removable keys, so cleaning the keyboard will be a bit tricky.

Suppose money is no object, and you need proper peripherals for gaming. In that case, you can go with a mechanical keyboard that will allow you to press multiple keys simultaneously. You will also not need to press a key entirely down for it to register. Mechanical keyboards come with removable keycaps, and that is a useful feature to have when cleaning the peripheral. Removable keycaps also allow you to personalize your keyboard to a certain degree, which can be fun.

Keyboard Size

Keyboards come in all kinds of designs and layouts, but there are generally three different sizes that you can choose. Here we are going to look into these different sizes and tell you about the differences.

Full-Size Keyboards

A full-size keyboard has all the buttons, including the arrow keys and the number pad.

Tenkeyless Keyboards

A tenkeyless keyboard will have the arrow keys but does not come with the number pad. This is the type that I prefer because I do not deal with a lot of numbers. I usually type words or play games, so the lack of a number pad does not bother me. You will like tenkeyless keyboards if you like minimal design keyboards that are simple and unique.

Compact Keyboards

The compact keyboard is the smallest of the three because it does not have arrow keys or the number pad. If you are short on space or like things simple and compact, you should consider a compact keyboard.

Wrist Rests

A wrist rest might be the last thing that comes to a gamer’s mind when setting up a gaming system. These do not seem as crucial as other gaming accessories. Wrist rests comfort your wrists and lets you type or game for more extended periods. You may not realize the importance of a wrists rest until you start feeling discomfort or start using one. In some cases, the wrist rest is integrated into the keyboard, and you are getting it for free. At times the keyboard does not have such an option, and you need to get one separately.

Media Keys

Dedicated media keys are always appreciated as they can help you adjust the volume settings without leaving the game. While there are shortcut keys that can be used instead of the dedicated keys, but they are still appreciated.

Weight

Weight is another factor that you need to keep in mind when getting a keyboard. If you are on the move and need to keep your keyboard with you, then you should opt to go with a membrane keyboard as it is the lighter option. Mechanical switches and premium materials make mechanical keyboards more cumbersome, which decreases portability.

Compatibility

Keyboards are usually plug-and-play and do not need any additional drivers. The operating system can limit some features. Most keyboards will work fine with Windows, but you will need to check compatibility with Mac OS and Linux. If you use Windows, then you should be fine, but you should check compatibility if you are going to use the keyboard with Mac OS or Linux.

Cable Length

While this is not a significant factor to consider when buying a gaming keyboard, having a longer cable will make it easy to manage cables. Hiding cables out of sight is something that gamers like to do to make a clean setup. If you are concerned about cable management, then you should consider getting a keyboard with a longer cable. If you have already made up your mind and the cable is not long enough, you need to worry as there are third-party cables that can help you get the job done.

Final Words

We have discussed the different types of keyboards on the market right now and the ones that we can recommend. I hope that all this information will be enough to make an informed decision regarding the best gaming keyboard under 100 dollars that works for you. No option suits everyone, and you should select the option that checks all the boxes for you.

Remember that a mechanical keyboard is better for gaming and typing. It is also more durable than membrane keyboards. Still, you should go for a membrane keyboard if you are on a budget. You do get what you paid for, so expect to get features and quality accordingly.

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