ERA's thoughts: Best RGB Gaming Mechanical Keyboard.

[Josh378]

Been thinking about buying a new RGB Mechanical Keyboard. I was about to purchase the CORSAIR K95 RGB PLATINUM Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, but then I saw that this keyboard was releasing next month:

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

And so, it has left me with a hard decision since since I have been with Razer for 8+ years and I am not a fan of their application (time to move on). What is ERA's thoughts on the Mechanical keyboard gaming? Should I go with the Corsair K95 or jump on the SteelSeries Keyboard?

 

[TheInfinityGauntlet]

Can't go wrong with the Corsair line K70 or 95 are both perfectly fine

 

[Komo]

I have a GMMK with caps and switches i bought from drop/massdrop.

 

[Dest]

K95 at work and a K70 at home. I love these things.

 

[dock]

What exactly is the point of RGB keyboards? Do they have some feedback function or are they just like lightstrip case mods?

 

[RandomDazed]

I have the Logitech G pro. I came from a Razer Blackwidow so the custom switches, which are quieter and more squishy took some getting use too.

Its also ten keyless, which i like.

(and it goes with my G PRO Mouse and Powerplay mouse pad.)

 

[Deleted member 10629]

I have a K95 at home, almost 4 years, 0 complaints.

 

[Haze]

I have a Razer blackwidow chroma x. I love it but I really want the Massdrop CTRL TKL keyboard. Looks extremely nice.

 

[Trace]

I have a Logitech G513, no complaints here except the keys are a bit smaller than I'm used to. The armrest is comfy as hell though.

 

[Kamisori]

The one i fall in love is the Massdrop CTRL, like Clusterdreams (TKL, USB-C, completely customizable (swtich, macro, rgb, without a software needed), great look).

 

[Haze]

The one i fall in love is the Massdrop CTRL, like Clusterdreams (TKL, USB-C, completely customizable (swtich, macro, rgb, without a software needed), great look).

Click to shrink...

I will have it soon....

 

[Deleted member 46821]

Can't go wrong with a Ducky.
Ducky Shine 7 PBT.

 

[Kamisori]

I will have it soon....

Click to shrink...

You won't regret it ;)

 

[Haze]

You won't regret it ;)

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It's a shame there aren't many good TKLs anymore. They seem so few and far between but the way I play, a number pad gets in the way of my mouse.

 

[Ayirek]

I just got a K95 recently and I absolutely adore it. Best keyboard I've ever had.

 

[CthulhuSars]

What exactly is the point of RGB keyboards? Do they have some feedback function or are they just like lightstrip case mods?

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People seem to really like all the lights. I had to go out of my way when I replaced my keyboard last because very few companies offer simple mechanical keyboards anymore.

 

[Deleted member 37233]

I love my Razer Blackwidow Chroma keyboard. It's really good and still works like on day one after 5 years.

 

[Chiramii]

I was close to purchasing the original K70 (non-RGB) right before the first RGB version was announced but got scared away by the amount of people suffering from dead LEDs. Decided to wait it out because it was said that the manufacturing of the RGB switches was less prone to the LED issue but my K70 RGB have had a dead one for a year now. Even my Corsair CPU cooler LEDs have died so I don't know what they're doing over at Corsair.

With that said, it is a very durable keyboard, especially for being marketed as a gaming keyboard. There has been some revisions of their K series since the first one launched so I would definitely recommend it. The only downside is Corsair don't use a standard bottom row of keys if you ever want to swap out the keycaps for something like the PBT milk pudding caps.

Corsair's software (iCUE) is the most customizable of all the different keyboard manufacturers afaik, so your imagination will be your limit for what you want to do with the lighting. I have CM and ASUS keyboards as well and found their software to be very limiting and less stable than Corsair's.

 

[Conkerkid11]

What exactly is the point of RGB keyboards? Do they have some feedback function or are they just like lightstrip case mods?

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They look cool. I dunno.

I have software for my K70 that basically treats the RGB as an audio visualizer for my computer's audio, so it moves to the music I'm listening to.

 

[DJ_Lae]

I have a Coolermaster MK750 keyboard that I really like, although I'm sure there are cheaper keyboards that are good too.

I like whatever setting it is to have the key (and surrounding keys) briefly flash a colour before fading back to preset. The other colour options seem to be even more of a novelty than anything.

 

[Duxxy3]

I really like my Tecware Phantom.

Cheap. The brown switches feel great. They switches are replaceable. The RGB lighting is nice enough.

 

[Deleted member 4208]

I have a Corsair K70 and a Logitech G513. The Cherry MX Brown switches are better for typing but the tactile Romer g switches on the G513 are good too. The RGB lighting on the G513 is brilliant and doesn't leak between keys making the lighting on the K70 dull by comparison.

That said I can't recommend any Logitech RGB keyboard now. Lately my keyboard and many others' have had issues with blue LEDs going dim so any color assignment that needs the blue light will be discolored. This seems to run throughout the G line including the Pro and G512. I'm in the middle of an RMA with my G513 but others have said their replacement boards developed the same issues. It's a shame because when it works it's beautiful.

 

[Shifty Capone]

The Kinesis Gaming Freestyle Split keyboard is seriously amazing. I was hesitant, but it makes games, typing, everything just a lot better. It's exoensice, but absolutely worth it.
I think Jeff Gerstmann from GB uses it too. I think I remember hearing him talk about in the bombcast. It's great

https://gaming.kinesis-ergo.com/product/freestyle-edge/

 

[Deleted member 49535]

It really depends on what switches you prefer. For me Kaihl low profile blue switches are the best by far so the Havik or Sharkoon low profile keyboards are the best by far for me, wouldn't use anything else.

 

[Xiaomi]

I have a Ducky One 2 in white with brown switches. Not RGB because the rainbow thing just doesn't go with my setup, but I've heard the Ducky Shine 7 is likewise good.

 

[Kamisori]

People seem to really like all the lights. I had to go out of my way when I replaced my keyboard last because very few companies offer simple mechanical keyboards anymore.

Click to shrink...

Personally i have two uses for the RGB: being able to see which i stroke in the dark (i need it sometimes) and to know on which profile i am (between windows/gaming/dev).

 

[CyborgNumberBlue]

I own the Massdrop CTRL, ALT, the Vortek Race 3, a Keycool, and a Durgod Taurus, and I have to say that for just gaming, the Durgod Taurus is probably the best bet. It's 100 bucks, a little more if you really need the RGB.

 

[Ziocyte]

Honestly, I stay away from the big extreme "gamer" keyboards with their bloated software and gaudy aesthetics. There is a whole world of custom and designer mechanical keyboards that awaits. Ducky has on board macro and LED programming (no client software required, you just issue commands on the keyboard to create custom macros / keybinds / color profiles at the hardware level).

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=1

If you want to go deeper down the rabbit hole crafting your own custom mechanic keyboard is all the rage. You order the case, the PCB, the switches and the caps and start soldering. This guy does full custom builds on stream as a reference.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMHXMAeKkI6HXlPfLiYvo9g

 

[Cipherr]

Can I hijack your thread to ask you which mech key switches are the ones that closely resemble rubberized membranes on cheaper boards?

I don't like the hard click for gaming and Im looking to switch to a low profile mech keyboard if I can find one without the clicky switches that require that tiny bit more pressure to get them to register.

 

[Broadbandit]

fnatic streak

 

[Josh378]

Massdrop TKL keyboard seems like a dream and all I hear is praise when speaking about the Corsair K95 Keyboard. Such a hard decision. Leaning towards the K95 Platinum Cherry MX Speeds.

 

[dark494]

Still swear by razer's blackwidow chroma. Has worked great for many years, mechanical, great N-key rollover, awesome light effects, integration with games and 3rd party software/plugins, programmable macros, everything I need.

 

[Wetwork]

I like my Vortex Pok3r with Blue Cherry switches. Was going to post a photo but my desk is covered in dog hair lmao.

Waiting on my Glorious GMMK with Kailh Red Switches though.

 

[Josh378]

Can I hijack your thread to ask you which mech key switches are the ones that closely resemble rubberized membranes on cheaper boards?

I don't like the hard click for gaming and Im looking to switch to a low profile mech keyboard if I can find one without the clicky switches that require that tiny bit more pressure to get them to register.

Click to shrink...

Yep, go for it.

 

[Euman]

I have a g.skill km570 with brown switches and it's pretty great. Nice, heavy build quality, each key is addressable, and i get to annoy my neighbors with bright lights AND loud satisfying clickity clacks.

 

[Deleted member 2809]

What exactly is the point of RGB keyboards? Do they have some feedback function or are they just like lightstrip case mods?

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It's like gaming chairs, they actually improve your KDA, it's scientifically proven.

 

[Brauni]

I have a Logitech G513, no complaints here except the keys are a bit smaller than I'm used to. The armrest is comfy as hell though.

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Yeah the G513 armrest/palmrest is the GOAT.

I also really appreciate the USB Slot on the keyboard

 

[Xiaomi]

Can I hijack your thread to ask you which mech key switches are the ones that closely resemble rubberized membranes on cheaper boards?

Click to shrink...

Try out cherry browns and clears and see which you prefer. The clears have a bit more resistance but neither of them click.

 

[Josh378]

So those with the Corsair K95, is the armrest comfortable? I know Logitech keyboard armrest are very comfortable, and I LOVE my Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2013 armrest. Should I buy a separate arm rest?

(after looking at the Corsair 95k and noticed that there is a USB pass-thru but no headset pass-through like my Razer BlackWidow...I am kinda sad about that.)

 

[Deleted member 4262]

Ducky or Vortex if quality matters.

I'm currently using a limited edition Vortex Pok3r RGB with MX Silver (aka Speed) switches and I love it. But that's a 60% board which is not for everyone. I've also had a Ducky Mini, Ducky Shine 5 and Ducky One RGB which were all fantastic.

Always go with RGB because it allows you to pick any color you want, and not just rainbow nonsense. You can set the backlight to a dim white color if you like. Or just turn it off. There's no downside to having it.

Mainstream brands are totally okay nowadays, but the build quality isn't on par with the enthusiast boards. As for gaming switches, I'd go with brown or red. Silver is good but prolly too light for some people.

Here's mine:

 

[ScreamingTrees]

I have a Razer Blackwidow ultimate 2016, not a big fan of it. It's ok but I've had better keyboards before.

Been looking at the K70 but not sure which switches to pick

 

[Zafir]

I have a Razer blackwidow chroma x. I love it but I really want the Massdrop CTRL TKL keyboard. Looks extremely nice.

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I've been interested in some of the Massdrop keyboards but the lack of ISO layout support kind of just kills it for me.

I've used a US layout keyboard before and while I could put up with it, it's far from ideal. I'd rather just get something else that does support it, especially if I'm paying that much.

 

[Vexed]

Love my Romer G Tactile G513. The USB slot is really useful.

I also like Logitech's RGB presets for various games (especially like that my red-lit keys "beep" with the bomb countdown in CS:GO). Not a huge deal, but still neat function for the RGB.

 

[Robin]

I personally love my K95.

 

[sKell-10]

My IKBC F87 has lasted me longer than my corsair k70 and is my second mechanical keyboard after using membrane keyboards forever. Couldn't be happier-colour options are extensive, feels good for shooters and has all the features I need. I guess the only downside would be no numpad if you're into that but I like the shorter length.

 

[dunkzilla]

Build your own. Corsair's are awful.

 

[DJ_Lae]

Can I hijack your thread to ask you which mech key switches are the ones that closely resemble rubberized membranes on cheaper boards?

I don't like the hard click for gaming and Im looking to switch to a low profile mech keyboard if I can find one without the clicky switches that require that tiny bit more pressure to get them to register.

Click to shrink...

I brought my old CM Storm to work - it has cherry browns and I put in some o-ring dampeners to help reduce noise. It's had the side effect of making it feel like a less mushy membrane keyboard (outside of the larger keys with the levers or whatever they're called).

 

[opticalmace]

I use a Logitech G910 and love it. Had a K70 (browns) before, wasn't a fan. Wife uses a Razer Blackwidow Ultimate. Nice keyboard but too clacky for me.

 

[Nostremitus]

What exactly is the point of RGB keyboards? Do they have some feedback function or are they just like lightstrip case mods?

Click to shrink...

I wish my keyboard was backlit, I'd have an easier time making out the keys in low light...

 

[Polyh3dron]

Das Keyboard makes the best ones IMO. They even offer key caps for macOS.