The Best Budget Gaming Keyboards Under $50 in 2023

For gamers considering switching from a console to a PC or upgrading their console game with something a little more precise than a controller, getting a keyboard on a budget is a great choice. The best keyboards can get expensive, so gamers buying one for the first time may want something a little easier on the wallet. Whether it’s a keyboard that’s jam-packed with RGB lighting, full customization, something within a specific brand, or just a keyboard that can handle gaming overall, there is a perfect budget keyboard out there for everyone.

Key Factors For Choosing A Budget Gaming Keyboard

Buyers should consider these factors when choosing a budget gaming keyboard: durability, size, and RGB lighting.

• Durability: How long will the keyboard last?
• Size: What form factor or size of a keyboard will work best?
• RGB: Does RGB lighting add or detract from the look of a keyboard?

The Best Budget Gaming Keyboards

Just because a keyboard is more affordable than the higher-end, more premium keyboards doesn’t mean that it should sacrifice creature comforts or fun features. The Razer Huntsman Mini is an excellent option for gamers willing to stretch their budget a bit more to get fantastic gaming performance and features like optical switches. Plus, this keyboard is regularly on sale, so prospective buyers should be sure to keep an eye out for deals on it.

Optical switches are not essential for a fantastic gaming experience, but they certainly help. Instead of relying on metal-to-metal contact to trigger a keypress, optical switches actuate when the switch disrupts a beam of light. This not only provides users with a very light actuation point, making executing quick moves in games very easy, but it also allows users to customize the travel distance before the key actuates. So, even though the switches are not hot-swappable like some keyboards in this guide, gamers can still get a good amount of customization with the Huntsman Mini.

The 60% layout is an excellent option for most gamers who primarily plan to game on their PC. The smaller form factor allows for much more desk space dedicated to mouse movement, essential for FPS gamers or low DPI users. However, the limited number of keys does prevent productivity for users to get the most out of their keyboard use.

The Logitech G213 is an excellent, wired gaming keyboard that comes out slightly better in key switch feel, RGB lighting, and onboard media controls, making it the best among wired budget gaming keyboards. Unlike the Ornata V3 X, the G213 has multiple zones of RGB lighting for only a couple of dollars more, all of which gamers can control with Logitech G Hub. The keycaps are full-sized, making it feel closer to an actual gaming keyboard rather than a compromise between office and gaming.

The Logitech G213 is perfect for any gamer wanting a full-size keyboard that doesn’t break the bank but still offers excellent gaming performance and an overall comfortable typing experience. In Game Rant’s Logitech G213 review, we found that one of the few issues that are preventing it from gaining the overall spot is the fact that the plastic wrist rest is not removable, taking up valuable desk real estate, which can be a big no-go for quite a few gamers with limited desk space.

If the G213 seemed like the perfect keyboard, except that it is wired, look no further than the Logitech G613. The G613 uses the Romer-G tactile switches, which provide a very short pre-travel distance, making them ideal for fast-paced gaming. However, it can be pretty easy to make a typo when typing. Using Logitech’s Lightspeed wireless technology, the G613 has incredibly low latency, especially for this price point.

The G613 has outstanding build quality. There is little to no deck flex when typing on this keyboard, even when heavily typing. The full-sized layout gives gamers a ton of options for macros and media control, but because the wrist rest is not detachable, the G613 has quite a large footprint. While the larger form factor might not be a problem for some gamers, people with smaller desks might find that the G613 will take up most of the space.

Coming from the same lineup as the SteelSeries Apex 3, the Apex 3 TKL is an excellent budget keyboard with fantastic RGB lighting, even without per-key lighting. This keyboard is perfect for gamers who like the look of the SteelSeries Apex 3 but want a smaller option with all the same outstanding performance and typing feel.

To keep the price down, SteelSeries opted to go with membrane switches instead of mechanical switches. For what it is worth, these are some of the best-feeling membrane switches on a gaming keyboard. The travel is responsive, and there is even a tactile bump at the bottom, which resembles a tactile mechanical switch. This keyboard is also incredibly quiet, so it won’t annoy any neighbors while typing or gaming.

Not only do the membrane switches allow for a quieter typing experience, but the stems are transparent, which allows for very cool RGB lighting, even without per-key controls. Plus, SteelSeries’ software is straightforward to navigate. After a couple of minutes, gamers can get some really stunning lighting looks with the Apex 3 TKL.

Desk real estate is valuable, and having a keyboard that is too large can make mouse movements awkward. This is where the RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 comes into play with its compact 60% layout. A tiny yet powerful gaming keyboard, it is the best compact budget gaming keyboard as it packs mechanical switches, RGB lighting, and hot-swappable switches, making this keyboard a good purchase for the long haul.

A 60% keyboard tends to forgo the numpad, arrow keys, extra function keys (think Delete or Page Up), and the FN row for all of one’s basic functions needed to play games. Gamers who are used to a full-sized keyboard and looking to make the switch to a 60% should be aware that there is quite a bit of a learning curve when making the switch. However, the customization of this keyboard may lead gamers down a rabbit hole of switching out key caps and key switches and eventually making their own keyboard.

Full-size keyboards typically take up a ton of desk space; look at the Logitech G213. While the Royal Kludge RK98 is not the smallest keyboard in this guide, for gamers who want a full-size keyboard experience but don’t necessarily have the space, the RK98 is the perfect option. Even for gamers with plenty of desk space, the RK98 is one of the best budget keyboards with a full-size layout.

Okay, the RK98 is not technically a full-size keyboard. It is missing six keys compared to a traditional full-size layout. But unless users need the page navigation keys, they are not really missed on this keyboard. The form factor is much more significant, allowing gamers to spread out and type comfortably, while the included wrist rest makes it easy to use the RK98 for hours at a time with minimal wrist strain. Plus, for gamers playing Helldivers 2, the numpad can be used to call in stratagems.

The RK98 comes with a selection of switches when purchasing, but just like the Royal Kludge RK61, the RK98 is fully customizable, with a hot-swappable PCB and a case that is easy to take apart for some modding. The base switches and stabilizers that come with this keyboard are pretty excellent and can totally be serviceable for gaming and office work. The spacebar is pretty pingy at times, but this can be fixed with some painter’s tape in the keycap to dampen the sound.

Typically, mechanical keyboards do not fall into the budget range. When they do, the performance and overall build quality are a bit questionable, but that is not the case with the MSI Vigor GK50 TKL. This is a compact and portable gaming keyboard with Kailh blue clicky mechanical switches for satisfying audible feedback, making it a perfect way for gamers to get into mechanical keyboards without having to spend an arm and a leg.

Built with portability in mind, this keyboard has a very low profile and compact build, making it easy to slip into a backpack and game on the go without using a laptop keyboard, especially because of the included travel bag. In Game Rant’s full review of the MSI Vigor GK50 TKL, we found that despite its thin profile, this keyboard has terrific build quality, with little to no deck flex when typing or gaming on it.

Whether for gaming or everyday use, the GK50 TKL is an absolute dream, regardless of what switch gamers decide to use. The 3.5mm actuation point makes it easy to make quick movements in games, but they’re not too short, where it is easy to make typos. Just be aware if gamers decide to go with the Kailh blue switches, this keyboard gets quite loud, which can annoy nearby neighbors.

While not the most exciting keyboard out there, the Roccat Magma Mini hits many key points to be a fantastic gaming keyboard, plus it is incredibly affordable. At $35, this keyboard is easily one of the most affordable keyboards in this guide, and yet it holds its own even compared to the more premium keyboards. Like the Roccat Magma, the Magma Mini also uses membrane switches, but they still offer a lovely typing experience.

The Magma Mini is perfect for gamers who want the fantastic RGB lighting of the Magma, but in a smaller form factor with the same excellent gaming performance. The sealed-off case adds a nice layer of diffusion to the lighting, so it’s not as harsh compared to some keyboards. Plus, it also makes the keyboard waterproof and dust-proof.

Ergonomic keyboards are not always the best for gaming, but with the time gamers spend at the computer, having a comfortable keyboard makes a world of difference in enjoying gaming. Unfortunately, many ergonomic products are priced too high to make them accessible to budget users. Luckily, the Logitech Wave Keys has excellent ergonomic support and a price that is easy on the wallet.

Instead of using a tilted design that some gamers might associate with an ergonomic keyboard, the Wave Keys takes a typical keyboard layout and shifts the keys to allow users to rest in a more natural position. This does add a bit of a learning curve to this keyboard, but nowhere near the learning curve of a keyboard like the Ergodox EZ. After getting used to the wonky layout, the Wave Keys keyboard is incredibly comfortable to type and game.

Like the Logitech G613, the Wave Keys has an exceptional wireless connection that is stable and pretty fast for a non-gaming product. This keyboard is powered by two AAA batteries and has an incredible three-year battery life. So, even though it’s not rechargeable, gamers will not need to worry about changing the batteries too often.

With mechanical keyboards getting more affordable, membrane keyboards are not even the go-to option for gamers on a tighter budget, but that doesn’t mean there still isn’t space for them in the gaming community. The Corsair K55 Core RGB offers a gentle and quiet typing experience that is easy on the fingers and for the ears of anyone nearby. This very affordable keyboard is perfect for gamers who don’t like the feeling of a mechanical keyboard or want a quieter option.

In Game Rant’s full review of the K55 Core RGB, we found that instead of the K55 trying to emulate the feeling of a mechanical switch, it embraced the membrane feel and made it feel excellent. The K55 Core’s speedy and light typing removes some of the mushiness of rubber dome switches, making for an overall comfortable gaming experience.

The K55 is not a low-profile keyboard, but with a much slimmer frame than most mechanical keyboards, it is very comfortable to type on for hours. Adding a wrist rest can undoubtedly improve the ergonomics, but it makes sense that Corsair chose to forgo that to keep costs and the overall footprint of the keyboard down. With the addition of a wrist rest, the K55 Core RGB and the Royal Kludge RK98 would take up a very similar amount of space.

How to Choose The Best Budget Gaming Keyboard

Deciding to get a budget gaming keyboard instead of just using a regular keyboard isn’t easy. Yet, snatching up a fairly-priced gaming keyboard can have a lot of advantages. Absentmindedly reach for a drink while absorbed in an immersive MMORPG, tap a drink, and get soda all over the keyboard? It’ll still be disappointing, sure, but it won’t be devastating.

To get the most out of a budget gaming keyboard purchase, pay attention to the durability of the keyboard, its size, and RGB features.

Durability

When purchasing tires for a car, it is common to provide an estimate of how long the tires will last on the road so that the customer can calculate an approximate dollar-per-mile cost of the tire. Keyboard users don’t have the same advantages but can utilize the same math.

While some keyboard manufacturers and mouse-makers will give estimated button pushes or clicks before failure, few gamers know how often they press any given key on their keyboard. Not all gamers are built the same, with those preferring games that reward button mashing racking up the taps much faster than those preferring turn-based strategy.

Looking for customer reviews of quickly ruined budget gaming keyboards will give gamers a good indication of their longevity. But don’t necessarily get turned off by a few reviews of a quickly short-circuiting keyboard if the price is right. These situations, unless reported by hundreds of angry customers, are nearly always the worst-case scenarios. Besides, a $12 keyboard that lasts six months is $2 a month for a worry-free keyboard that gamers can let their sticky-fingered children and siblings use.

Finally, check for reinforced WASD and space keys, as these keys tend to be the most used and abused by gamers. Mechanical keyboards are also likely to have replaceable parts.

Size

To make a budget product, manufacturers have to skimp somewhere. That’s just a fact of life. When size is the factor that is skimped on, manufacturers pull out words like “compact” or “mini” to make it seem like a feature. Of course, sometimes, it is a feature.

First, if the distance from ‘esc’ to ‘ctrl’ is closer to four inches than five, accept that this keyboard may be skirting the realm of disaster. Unless the keys are robust and specially designed for a small frame (or for gamers who have very small hands), a keyboard this small could become uncomfortable and cumbersome to use. There are good mini keyboards, but don’t necessarily expect to find them in the “budget” space unless they’re finely tuned for the experience.

Another pro tip is to check gaming keyboard deals each month. Buyers can see if a top-tier mini keyboard has been hit with a big savings potential recently.

RGB

There is a class of gamers who love the RGB aesthetic. Others simply don’t care. When it comes time to get a budget gaming keyboard, make a decisive decision about whether RGB lighting is a must or not. Doing so will help gamers narrow in on a budget keyboard worthy of their fingers and avoid picking up a cheap keyboard.

FAQ

Q: What are the price ranges for gaming keyboards?

If you’re looking for a budget gaming keyboard, the low-end price ranges from $30 to $60. If you want a higher-end keyboard, they may have price ranges anywhere from $70 to more than $100.

Q: What’s important to consider when buying a gaming keyboard?

There are many aspects to consider when buying a gaming keyboard for the first time. First, consider what kinds of games you’ll play, and what else you’ll do with that keyboard. Do you need a number pad? Do you need RGB lighting? Is quick media control a priority for you? Using some of those basic questions, you can learn what your preferences are and work from there to find the keyboard that fits your style and desk best.

Q: Should I get a wrist rest for my keyboard?

A wrist rest is a tool that can help take the pressure off of your arms and wrists while typing or playing video games with a keyboard. If you use your keyboard for work, having a wrist rest to rely on for long hours of work or study can help make those hours more comfortable.