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You don’t have to spend a fortune on click-clacking and button-mashing.

It doesn’t matter if you’re playing a MOBA, MMORPG, FPS, or some other acronym of a video game genre: if you’re playing on a PC, you’re going to need a good keyboard. Just like the best gaming chairs, keyboards can come with several special features that’ll drive up cost. But, like any gaming product, budget-friendly alternatives exist. You don’t have to buy the brightest, most button-heavy keyboard to get the most out of your gaming sessions. You can easily find a cheap gaming keyboard with a handful of premium features from reliable brands like Logitech and SteelSeries. The best budget gaming keyboards are responsive, durable, and, thankfully, under $100.

When searching for budget-friendly gaming keyboards, look for those made by trusted brands like Logitech, SteelSeries and Redragon to ensure you're grabbing something reliable and durable. These companies also sometimes offer limited warranties, protecting against potential hardware failures and key damage.

Gaming keyboards are often mechanical, using spring-loaded switches underneath their keycaps. These are the classic-looking, generic keyboards we often envision and the opposite of the pillowy soft, rubberized membrane keyboard.

Switches fit underneath keycaps, and the type of switch a keyboard uses relates to the noise it will make in action and a key’s response. Most brands have proprietary or markety-sounding names for their keyboard’s switch type, but three main categories exist: linear, tactile, and clicks. Every switch type also has a corresponding color to show which category it belongs to, which can be viewed after lifting a keycap from its place.

If you’re looking for a keyboard to customize an individual keycap’s switch type, look for one deemed “hot-swappable.” It’s tough to find a reliable gaming keyboard with hot swap switches under $150, but we have a single nominee on this list, just in case you’d like a custom keyed experience.

Keyboards come in various sizes, but we’re sticking to the three most common for gaming keyboards: full-sized, tenkeyless (or TKL), and 60%. Their differences will inform which type is best for you and your gaming style.

Although wireless keyboards may seem convenient for travel and getting rid of wire clutter, they present a latency issue. Because wireless keyboards connect to laptops, mobile devices, and desktops using Bluetooth, users often experience input delays and lag between keystrokes. Wired is the best option when choosing a gaming keyboard to prevent that lag from happening, especially when hitting more than one button at once.

To find the best cheap gaming keyboards, we consulted video game publications IGN, Games Radar, and PC Gamer. We also asked our technology test editor, Hunter Fenollol, what he recommends for sub-$100 keyboards. We also scoured through hundreds of products at retailers like Amazon, Newegg, and Best Buy, checking out bestselling and highly rated products based on users. This list presents a balance of budget gaming keyboards based on a variety of play styles, budgets, and features.

Looking for more PC gaming goods? Check out our picks for the best gaming mouse, best webcams for streaming, and best gaming chairs according to Reddit.

Our Best Overall pick is Redragon’s K596 Vishnu, a surprisingly durable, component, and feature-heavy keyboard at a wallet-friendly price. A critical hit, the K596 Vishnu features TGB lighting, a terrific battery, and even a plastic wrist rest. Its tenkeyless design makes for a compact device, while the addition of 10 macro buttons allows for mappable custom keys.

User reviews note that this keyboard is heavy enough to stay put during a heavy gaming session and that wireless latency was surprisingly minimal. Many also point out that the highly customizable lighting is superb, and the Kp596 Vishnu is a solid pick for its price.

Our tech editor, Hunter Fenollol, highly recommends this keyboard for its plethora of features at an excellent price. Though he isn’t a fan of the keyboard’s red switches, he notes that these keys are hot-swappable, and the Vishnu comes with a plastic keycap puller to customize switches as needed.

Surprisingly affordable, SteelSeries’ Apex 3 TKL is a loaded with many features you’d expect to find in higher-end models for a much cheaper price.

The Apex 3 features RGB illumination with eight customizable zones, fully macro programable keys, and silent key switches for quiet gaming. It also has water- and dust-resistance for some protection against spills and dirt.

The Apex 3 TK also features three-way built-in cable management for tidying up your desk, plus anti-ghosting to register when you’re pressing multiple keys at once accurately. A media control roller helps adjust the volume and settings on the fly.

This is a solid gaming keyboard for under $50, though if you’re looking for louder key sounds, the Apex 3 may not be for you.

If you need a full-sized keyboard to use for work and play, the K55 from Corsair is a great value. This wired keyboard has wrist support, six macro keys, and a dedicated Windows key lock button to prevent accidental menu presses. It also has five RGB lighting zones to program light effects across your keys.

Several user reviews say this keyboard is excellent for its price and feels just as good as a higher-end model. Fans also love that it’s water-resistant. However, a noted negative is the keyboard’s lack of hot-swappable key switches because it is a membrane device.

The RK61 is compact, attractive, and highly versatile. Hot-swappable and available in black and white color schemes, the RK61 is sold in all three switch types: red, brown, and blue. That hot-swappable component means you won’t have to commit to one key switch type and be locked into a sole preference of clacking noise.

There are also 18 RGB backlight modes and eight monochrome modes to toggle through when you're gaming, furthering adding styling choices for the user. This inexpensive mechanical keyboard supports macros that you can program via software, though it doesn't have any dedicated buttons. Still, user reviews praise this device for its durable build and reliable coiled wire connection. Its wireless battery life isn't very good, though.

You don’t need extra flair to game. Logitech’s K845 mechanical keyboard is the keyboard for those who need something barebones and straightforward, with a classic all-black colorway, red, blue or brown switches, and backlighting that is white pure rather than RGB. This wired, full-sized aluminum keyboard is durable and responsive for a cheaper price. And it's heavy enough to stay put during any gaming session.

Since this is a full-sized keyboard, it doubles as a reliable and clacky workplace tool. For gaming, though, you may miss the omission of macros and hot-swappable keys. Its permanent wire also annoys some users who wish they could remove it for easy storage and a cozier space.

Great for both working and gaming, the Magma is a squishy soft and silent keyboard for those who can’t stand the clacks of intense use. The keys are reliable and responsive, with five configurable lighting zones to illuminate the entire device. There’s also a detachable palm rest and anti-ghosting technology, which are nice bonuses for a budget keyboard.

Although the Magma doesn’t have dedicated macros, its software allows users to configure a secondary key function for most of its buttons. Users say this membrane keyboard is quiet and very responsive, and is perfect for programming, gaming, and working. They also say this is surprisingly durable for its price.

If you’re looking for a basic 60% keyboard with a bit of added flair, the XVX M61 comes in a few Japanese-inspired themes to make those keys pop. Choose between a red food-and-drink or teal sea theme and further customize your look with programmable RGB backlights. Available in brown, yellow, and red key switches, this compact cheap keyboard looks as great as it performs.

User reviews say this keyboard is super responsive and aesthetically pleasing, and many love the array of colors it presents in conjunction with RGB lighting options. The switches sound great and many comment on how durable each key cap feels. Apple users should beware, though: the included software isn’t Mac-friendly.

Kevin Cortez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, Bicycling, and Runner’s World. A culture and product journalist for over nine years, he’s covered everything from men’s fashion and sneakers to e-bikes and video games. He was most recently the style editor for a leading product-recommendation site, and previously covered the music and podcasting industries at Mass Appeal and The A.V. Club. In his spare time, he walks his perfect little dog, Cash, and reads graphic novels. He has also written for Leafly, Input, Vulture and Genius.

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