Gaming Keyboards

Gaming Keyboards

Gaming keyboards are an essential part of any setup. PC gamers prefer playing with a mouse and keyboard because this combination allows for extremely rapid movements and precise aiming. This unique feeling of speed and precision defines the gaming experience on a gaming PC. However, not every keyboard is suitable for gamers, especially when it comes to fast-paced multiplayer action where speed is crucial. Gaming keyboards are designed to provide you with lightning-fast reactions and precise movements.

Apart from performance, everyone has their own idea of what their gaming keyboard should look like. That's why we offer a particularly large selection of keyboards for PC gamers.

We Offer Gaming Keyboards from These Brands:

• Gaming keyboards from Ducky
• Glorious gaming keyboards
• Gaming keyboards from Logitech
• SteelSeries gaming keyboards
• Gaming keyboards from Razer
• ASUS gaming keyboards
• Gaming keyboards from Cooler Master
• Corsair gaming keyboards
• Gaming keyboards from Xtrfy
• Gaming keyboards from Das Keyboard
• Gaming keyboards from Trust

What to Consider When Buying a Gaming Keyboard?

Gaming keyboards are as diverse as their users. There are various technical features that are particularly sought after by most PC gamers. Therefore, when looking for your new gaming keyboard, you should consider the following features.

NKRO: What Do N-Key Rollover and Anti-Ghosting Offer?

To avoid disrupting gameplay, it is important that a gaming keyboard accurately registers every key press, even if multiple keys are pressed simultaneously. N-Key Rollover ensures that any number of keys (or a number far greater than your fingers) can be pressed simultaneously, and each key press is registered. Anti-Ghosting ensures that multiple adjacent keys can be pressed because the gaming keyboard is wired differently here. Unlike text work, gamers often press adjacent keys simultaneously or in rapid succession to move smoothly across the game field.

Polling Rate: The Query Rate of Your Gaming Keyboard

The more frequently the query occurs, the faster your key presses are processed. A high polling rate allows you to react more quickly to the game's events, which can make the difference between winning and losing. Your gaming keyboard should have a high polling rate. Via USB cable and 2.4 GHz wireless, 1,000 Hz polling rate, i.e., 1 ms response time, is possible and has established itself as a good standard.

Switches: Key Switches for PC Gamers

There are many different key switches (known as switches) that offer different actuation points. Rubber dome keyboards are often mushy, especially the spacebar, while mechanical switches offer a varied typing experience depending on the type.
Especially gamers use their keyboard very intensively and quickly reach many keystrokes. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the long lifespan of the switches.

The Build Quality of a Gaming Keyboard

When buying a keyboard, you should not forget the overall build quality. The keys need to have a certain quality, as does the keyboard's housing. Some keyboards are significantly more durable thanks to the use of metal. There are differences in keycaps in terms of material and print. On cheaper keyboards, the lettering is often just printed and wears off quickly. Some materials also discolor over time.

Features: What Does a Gamer Need?

Gamers should also look at the features, additional keys, and driver software, as there are significant differences. You should consider in advance whether, for example, macros or RGB lighting should be integrated.

Rubber Dome: What Is a Membrane Keyboard?

First, it must be clarified: Rubber dome and membrane are often used synonymously, but they are actually different technologies. Most modern keyboards use both and place the rubber domes (rubber cups) over the membrane layer. This is the case with all keyboards with scissor switches. Rubber dome keyboards are much flatter than mechanical keyboards.

In this type of keyboard, the keys must be pressed all the way down to trigger an input. This is called "bottoming out," which can be very tiring for the fingers. There is no actuation point before reaching the end of the travel distance. Audible feedback is also omitted. With scissor switches, the actuation travel is usually shorter than with simple rubber dome keys, but this cannot be stated universally, especially as it can change slightly over time.

Due to the use of rubber domes that are stressed with each keystroke, the lifespan of rubber dome or membrane keyboards is only 5 to 10 million keystrokes, significantly less than that of mechanical keyboards. The rubber wears out with each keystroke and becomes brittle.

Gamers will also miss NKRO (N-Key Rollover) and Anti-Ghosting in most models. In fast-paced games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, important keystrokes are lost as a result.

Is a Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Worth It?

Mechanical switches are significantly more robust and durable. However, there are significant differences, as there are many different mechanical switches. Most switches guarantee over 50 million keystrokes, sometimes even over 100 million, making their lifespan about five times higher than that of rubber dome switches. The most well-known and popular manufacturer is the German company Cherry, whose most important switches we will discuss separately.

 

Mechanical keyboards are generally much better made than rubber dome keyboards. The higher selling price not only funds better switches but also a higher-quality keyboard housing. This can include better-made keycaps, which are labeled using the double-shot method, ensuring long durability.

Mechanical gaming keyboards offer many features important to gamers. For example, it is rare to find a mechanical keyboard without N-Key Rollover or Anti-Ghosting. As the keyboards are specifically aimed at gamers, the driver software is usually well-developed and supports macros, for example.

Stunning Custom Keyboards

• Looking for the coolest keyboard looks for your custom keyboard? Here are our design suggestions for DIY builds.

Why Do Gamers Need Anti-Ghosting?

Ghosting occurs when key combinations are not clearly or correctly recognized if multiple adjacent keys are pressed simultaneously. Since not every key has its own line but is recognized by a combination of column and row, a logical problem arises in the column-row matrix with certain key combinations. A "ghost" is a reported key that was not pressed.

Ghosting is primarily a problem for gamers because if, for example, the keys "A" and "W" are used for movement while "Q" is pressed to change weapons, the input may not be recognized on keyboards without Anti-Ghosting, or an "S" is recognized as a ghost.

Many gaming keyboards are now equipped with Anti-Ghosting, although full Anti-Ghosting is not always offered. This is usually only noticed if you do not use the WASD and arrow keys for control in games but have reassigned them.

Rubber dome keyboards are often not equipped with Anti-Ghosting, while you can generally expect it with mechanical keyboards. Rubber dome keyboards also support Anti-Ghosting. If you have experienced "ghosts," you should switch to a mechanical gaming keyboard.

If three adjacent keys are pressed simultaneously, a clear key assignment cannot be made. Two columns and rows are short-circuited, recognizing a total of four keys on the matrix. The pattern is no longer clear, and not all keys are recognized, or an additional one is. A keyboard without Anti-Ghosting would not recognize a difference between the five inputs shown in the graphic.

How Many Keys Does a Gamer Need?

With the vast selection of gaming keyboards, it is difficult to choose, and you should think about which keys you actually need on your keyboard beforehand. Renowned manufacturers like Ducky, who specialize in keyboards, offer an extremely large selection of gaming keyboards in different form factors. There is something for everyone.

In addition to the widespread "standard layout" with international ISO layout and QWERTZ key assignment, there are many keyboards that offer more or fewer keys. TKL (Tenkeyless) keyboards, which omit the number pad and are therefore significantly smaller, are now popular. They are lighter and can be conveniently carried without the keyboard sticking out of the backpack during transport.

If you need more keys, you can also be satisfied. Additional multimedia keys are now found on almost every keyboard. Many gaming keyboards also offer special keys that can be assigned macros. Sometimes these are only accessible with FN assignment, while in other cases, the macro keys are dedicated, for example, to the left of the normal key layout. Hardcore gamers can even disable the Windows key on some gaming keyboards.

Are There Ergonomic Gaming Keyboards?

Especially gamers rely on an ergonomic keyboard because many hours are often spent in front of the PC. Therefore, a wrist rest is increasingly included with a gaming keyboard. Some wrist rests are magnetic and can be easily removed. Other keyboards have the wrist rest permanently built-in or use clips for attachment.

Wrist Rests for Your Gaming Keyboard

Of course, there are wrist rests for gaming keyboards that do not come with one. We offer a large selection of non-slip supports for your wrists. You should primarily pay attention to the size, as wrist rests are available in the right width for your gaming keyboard, whether full-size, TKL, or 60% form factor. Whether padded wrist rest with leather or fabric cover or a wrist rest made of wood, we offer you a large selection.

Other ergonomic aspects to consider when buying a gaming keyboard are the height of the keyboard and the keycaps. There are now significant differences, even among mechanical keyboards. Rubber dome or scissor keyboards are usually flatter because they do not have complex mechanics built in. However, those who like flat keyboards can now also find them among mechanical gaming keyboards.

What Material Is a Gaming Keyboard Made Of?

Not only the switches used say a lot about the quality of a gaming keyboard. While gaming keyboards with plastic housings were predominant in the past, there are now many keyboards with parts or entirely made of aluminum. These look much more high-quality and are also more durable. Visually, a gaming keyboard made of aluminum also looks better than a plastic PC keyboard. The weight of the keyboard increases due to the use of aluminum, so no additional weights are needed to keep the keyboard in place on the desk. Rubber feet provide the rest of the stability.

Increasingly, you see fabric sheaths on the cables of gaming peripherals. These are more durable than a simple rubber coating of the cable and perfectly match the longevity of high-quality mechanical switches. Some cables are already equipped with a micro-USB connection and can be easily replaced in case of cable breakage.

What Differences Are There in the Keycaps of a Gaming Keyboard?

Not only do the switches determine the lifespan of your gaming keyboard, but also the keycaps, also known as keytops. This refers to the labeled plastic covers that sit on the key switches. Here, both the material and its processing, as well as the application of the labeling, can differ. Some materials and labels are more durable than others, and there are also differences in feel, i.e., how the keys feel.

What Are the Keycaps of Gaming Keyboards Made Of?

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

Most keyboards use ABS as the material for their keycaps. The material is cheap to produce, and the prices are passed on to gamers. Unfortunately, the quality also suffers from the price, as ABS keycaps start to shine after a few months. They wear out and no longer have a rough surface but are polished smooth. Then only buying new keycaps helps.

PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate)

With PBT keycaps, gamers get significantly higher-quality keycaps that can withstand longer use. Signs of wear appear much later on PBT. Additionally, PBT is a bit rougher than ABS and is therefore preferred by many gamers. They simply feel more pleasant. Unfortunately, PBT keycaps are significantly more expensive than ABS, which is why manufacturers often do without them. The manufacturer Ducky has some PBT keyboards in its range and even offers a keycap set to retrofit existing mechanical keyboards with Cherry MX switches.

The Labeling of Keycaps for Gamers

Pad Printing / Pad Printing

The most common, because the cheapest labeling of keycaps is pad printing, also known as pad printing. Here, the color is not incorporated directly into the keycaps but only applied to the surface. Some manufacturers add an additional coating to the label to increase durability. Nevertheless, labels applied in this way are not as durable as other labeling methods and wear out relatively quickly.

Laser Etching / Laser Engraving

In laser etching or laser engraving, the labeling of the keys is done with a laser beam. The material of the keycaps is changed in the process. As a result, you get water- and smudge-resistant labels that only wear out very slowly. In laser engraving, the plastic of the keycap is merely discolored, while in laser etching, the laser cuts into the plastic and then fills it with differently colored material. In laser etching, the filling usually stands out slightly and can be felt, but it also discolors over time.

Double-Shot Molding

If you want really durable keycaps, you can't go past double-shot molding. Keycaps made with this process are the ultimate in keycaps. They consist of two different colored plastics that are combined in the injection molding process. The label thus becomes a permanent part of the keycap and lasts practically forever. Only when a key is completely worn out, which is unlikely to happen in a lifetime, will the label be unreadable. The process is complex and therefore quite expensive. That's why keycaps with double-shot molding are very rare. Ducky offers a keycap set for Cherry MX keyboards.

Profile Management On-The-Fly or Via Driver Software?

For management, manufacturers always rely on their software solutions, which vary in quality. Sometimes it is possible to program the keyboard on-the-fly, i.e., without additional software, directly on the keyboard. It is also possible to create macros and even control the possibly available lighting.

However, driver software is often necessary, but significantly more functions can be used with it. Razer's Synapse software, for example, has a cloud connection, which allows settings to be conveniently synchronized across multiple devices and retrieved at any time. Additionally, events can be set depending on the current game, which can, for example, influence the lighting. If you have multiple products from the same manufacturer, cool lighting effects can be connected across devices. The macro management in software is usually much more extensive and can be edited afterward or include mouse movements.

It is always advantageous if the profiles created via driver software are stored directly on the keyboard and are thus directly available on any PC without having to reinstall the driver software.

How Should a Gaming Keyboard Be Connected?

More and more keyboards are using Bluetooth or wireless connections instead of a cable. However, wireless connections between input devices and computers are still not very popular with gaming keyboards. Although more and more manufacturers promise a delay-free transmission, wireless connections are much more susceptible to environmental influences than their wired counterparts. If you want to play professionally, you should use a wired gaming keyboard to eliminate any unnecessary delay.

What Other Features Can a Gaming Keyboard Offer?

More and more manufacturers are adding additional useful features to their gaming keyboards. While RGB lighting, USB hubs, and headset jacks are becoming more common, there are also more unusual ideas. Logitech was a pioneer here with integrated displays for displaying additional information. There are also keyboards with Bluetooth to connect to a smartphone and switch the sound output between the computer and smartphone at the touch of a button. This allows you to make calls with a headset without interrupting your current game.

What Accessories Are Available for Gaming Keyboards?

A gaming keyboard doesn't need much in the way of accessories, but some manufacturers provide more than just the keyboard. This includes a removable wrist rest, as well as a replaceable connection cable or a keycap remover. If you want to customize your gaming keyboard, you can replace your keycaps with King Mod keycaps made of metal or use noise dampeners for soundproofing.

How Should a Gaming Keyboard Be Maintained?

There are many reasons to clean your gaming keyboard regularly:

On the one hand, viruses, bacteria, and germs on the surface are eliminated, which is especially important when different people use a PC keyboard together. Especially during cold season, the keyboard should be cleaned regularly with a soft cloth and some disinfectant. However, aggressive cleaning agents should be avoided primarily with cheap keyboards with pad printing, otherwise there is a risk of washing off the print.

On the other hand, dust, hair, and crumbs should be removed from the inside of the keyboard to guarantee the keyboard's longevity. For quick cleaning, it's enough to turn the keyboard over and tap it gently. But if you want to remove more crumbs, you can use a vacuum cleaner, or better yet, a compressed air cleaner to blow out the dirt. For intensive cleaning, you should remove all keycaps with a keycap remover beforehand. This is easy and quick to do with mechanical keyboards, but with rubber dome keyboards there is a risk of key breakage, so you have to be very careful. In addition to compressed air, cotton swabs can also be used to clean the PCB. To put the keycaps back in the correct position after cleaning, it is recommended to take a photo of the gaming keyboard before removing it.

If liquid has entered the computer keyboard, it often helps to turn the keyboard over and place it in the sun. With liquids containing sugar, the situation is often hopeless; the only option here is the bathtub. Soaking the keyboard in water dissolves the sugar and removes the stickiness. After an appropriate soaking time, the keyboard should be left upside down to dry for several hours. It is important that there is no liquid in the device before reconnecting the keyboard. This type of cleaning should only be used if you have already said goodbye to the keyboard and the next step would be a new purchase, as the keyboard may be completely destroyed after soaking, and the warranty will be void. While mechanical keyboards can still be disassembled and cleaned, this option is not available with many rubber dome keyboards.