The best gaming keyboard is the key to playing video games smoothly. A budget-friendly keyboard is the best; you can spend the remaining money on other components like the best graphic card. The low-cost keyboards sacrifice media controls, LED displays, or mechanical switches to keep costs low. Here we share the lowest-cost keyboards detail, so if you are looking forward to a low-cost keyboard, you can consider the following details.
1. G. Skill KM360
Recently, a trend is going on in the $200+ gaming keyboards market. It does not mean that it does not contain a qualitative mechanical switchboard available at a more reasonable price. Generally, you will find more budget-friendly options that offer cheap switches from other manufacturers, but the G Skill KM360 features the classic Cherry MX Red linear switch out of the gate.
It is a simple slab of keys. While these functions to its advantage. The fact it offers so little extra beyond the basics is how it can distribute genuine Cherry mechanical key switches at an affordable price. It stands for a specific, consistent, and remarkably smooth actuation for gaming and typing.
If you cannot manage with your gamin board not lit up like a rainbow, you may be let down with the single-color option, but these white LEDs on this G Skill board are the brightest. This TKL board is basic, but what it does is solid, well-organized, and reliable, and looks pretty decent too.
G.Skill KM360 Specifications
| Switch | Cherry MX Red |
| Size | Tenkeyless |
| Backlights | White |
| Passthroughs | None |
| Media Controls | Integrated |
| Wrist rest | None |
Reasons to Buy
- Affordable
- Reliable Cherry MX switches
- Bright white LED
Reasons not to Buy
- No Numpad limits its potential for work
2. Keychron K2 (Version 2)
K2 is the cheapest wireless keyboard. Even it contains high-quality features. It starts from just $69, and for that, you get a decent-sized gaming keyboard with great wireless functionality and genuinely mechanical Gateron switches.
Its structure is quite decent, and the triple device connectivity makes short work of switching devices or locations by the working day. You think it is a low=cost keyboard, so it does not contain the best switches, but they are pretty impressive at this cost. As per Gateron, it has 55 gm weight within it. Maybe you are expecting a much lighter keyboard.
Moreover, the jam-packed design of the Keychron makes up for some of that. It is simple with grey ABS keycaps and a slightly more dense 84key layout that only skimps out on the num pad and provides a little solid nav bunch.
It contains special features because it has the power to link up to three devices at a time. There are a couple of different switches on the keyboard’s left side that permit you to choose whether you want it to work via Bluetooth or the added cable or use it in Windows or Mac mode. All the conversions are almost instant, and as for the pairing process via Bluetooth, it could not have been simpler. If you are looking forward to an entry-level mechanical keyboard, it’s a good choice, especially if you are working from home and using multiple choice devices. That’s not even considering its wireless capability, which feels like the icing on the cake of the already impressive Keychron K2.
Keychron K2 (Version 2) Specifications
| Switch | Gateron |
| Size | 84-key |
| Backlights | White LED |
| Passthroughs | None |
| Media Controls | Function shortcuts |
| Wrist rest | None |
| Keycaps | ABS |
Reasons to Buy
- Well-priced
- Great overall build quality
- Seamless connectivity
Reasons not to Buy
- Somewhat scratchy switches
3. E-Element Z-88 Mechanical Keyboard
This keyboard is available in either black or white and provides a variety of Outemu switches, meaning it’s great for the cheap connoisseur who likes to pick and choose everything about their setup. Those Outemu switches don’t feel as high-grade as the Cherry ones listed above, but they are genuinely mechanical. It shows there is no need to worry about the spongey feeling of a membrane no more.
The keycaps look and feel a bit cheaper than you might expect of a well-known brand, but they are easy to read on the E-Element. Keycaps are made up of ABS plastic, which is the slightest resistant to wear of the two usually found keycap materials, but ABS plastic is often found on more expensive keyboards. It’s a low-cost board, but you’re taking mechanical for under $50 here. Plus, it’s frequently low-priced for even less. But this year its prices go to slow down around $30 so get knowledge about the offers. Although you can see the difference in quality between this and a pricier gaming keyboard, at least you are not settling for anything less than mechanical.
E-Element Z-88 Mechanical Keyboard Specifications
| Switch | Outemu Blue, Brown, Red |
| Size | 81-Key |
| Backlights | Preset RGB |
| Passthroughs | None |
| Media Controls | Function Key |
| Wrist rest | None |
Reasons to Buy
- Variety of Outemu switches
- Aluminum backplate
- Available in black or white
Reasons not to Buy
- No wrist rest
- On the expensive side
4. Havit Mechanical Keyboard and Mouse Combo
It comes with clicky proprietary blue switches, and this model comes in wrap-up with a wired, optical gaming mouse. That’s the big advantage of this two-in-one Havit package. You don’t need to toss even more money at a gaming mouse. You are ready to game with this one amazingly reasonable package.
The uncovered hardware and aluminum backplate give this version of the Havit mechanical keyboard a strong, industrial look. It can be said that it is quite strong if a little plasticky sense. The keycaps are quite easy to find the way, and there’s even a wrist rest included. It also offers wrist support, but we cannot say it is worth buying it because of only this feature.
Besides, it lacks inclusive customization software or devoted media controls; this package of Havit peripherals leaves little to be desired. You are getting a combo of keyboard and mouse at a low cost.
Havit Mechanical Keyboard and Mouse Combo Specifications
| Switch | Cherry MX Red |
| Size | Tenkeyless |
| Backlights | White |
| Passthroughs | None |
| Media Controls | Integrated |
| Wrist rest | None |
Reasons to Buy
- Affordable
- Reliable Cherry MX switches
- Bright white LED
Reasons not to Buy
- No Numpad limits its potential for work
5. HyperX Alloy Core RGB
HyperX is the most trustable name among minor manufacturers. While it typically provides a more premium brand, the Alloy Core RGB brings extensive features and authentic performance at a competitive price. The cost can avoid the theory of a budget keyboard, but the dedicated media controls and customization software help justify the MSRP.
It contains membrane switches for this particular device model, but that has the further effect of making the Alloy Core spill-resistant. We prefer mechanical keys, but a quality membrane is better than some old office boards. With the Alloy Core, it’s a decision of what you are after in a gaming keyboard. If you’re after a full-size keyboard with extra features and solid RGB lighting effects, something like the Alloy Core or the Roccat Magma is more your speed. You will not find many mechanical keyboards going for very cheap with a full-size layout, as every switch is an added cost. Though you don’t necessarily want a full-size board, we still recommend a mechanical keyboard first and foremost, like those above.
It is a useless mechanical board that can sense worse under a finger than a much better-made membrane one, so we wanted to throw in a couple of options for the mechanical switches if, for whatever reason, those are not your thing.
HyperX Alloy Core RGB Specifications
| Switch | Membrane |
| Size | Full Size |
| Backlights | 16.8 Million Color RGB |
| Passthroughs | None |
| Media Controls | Dedicated |
| Wrist rest | None |
Reasons to Buy
- Dedicated media keys
- Dedicated software
- Trusted brand
- Spill-resistant
Reasons not to Buy
- Plastic body
- Membrane switches
