Best Mechanical Keyboard 2020 [ Budget Gaming Buyer's Guide ]

In this article, we're going to look at the top five mechanical keyboards available on the market today. We made this list based on our own opinion, research, and customer reviews. We've considered their quality, features, and values when narrowing down the best choices possible.

5.  Logitech G910 Orion Spark

With the Logitech G910 Orion Spark, you can choose your own backlighting color. It provides you with a plethora of color options to choose from. Whether you need to make your keyboard look all blue and luminous or have it look like a rainbow by turning each key to a different color, Orion Spark makes that possible. It is a full-color keyboard that is user-friendly, comfortable, and drop-dead gorgeous. One unique design feature of the Logitech G910 Orion Spark is its enormous keyboard that measures 19.9 X 8.3 inches. You can even make this keyboard bigger by going with the large armrest. Both armrests are pretty comfortable and worth it.

Apart from its size, the Orion Spark keys have an indentation design on each side. At first, they may look unusual, but with time, they will definitely grow on you. The Orion Spark has a nice aesthetic touch that brings a totally new kind of switch to the gameplay. It's Romer-G switches are faster and more durable than other mechanical keyboards. This makes Orion Spark more suitable for both typing and gaming. It is a perfectly comfortable peripheral but not ideal for gamers or individuals who crave noise resistance because of its low actuation and quiet switches.

Its pros are:

• It has an intuitive software
• It has a flawless macro-recording
• It is great for gaming purposes

However, the cons are, - Its keys are not very loud; and - Its lighting options could be more robust. Reviews on Orion Spark have been impressive. This peripheral is quite good. It works well for just about every game genre and is also suitable for daily typing tasks.

4. Corsair K55 RGB

Corsair K55 RGB boasts of a premium feature, which is the RGB lighting. It is a mechanical keyboard that is pretty, comfortable, and responsive with unique features. It is about 18.9 x 6.6 x 1.4 inches, designed with a black plastic chassis and a soft rubber detachable palm rest that helps reduce stress so that you can play your game for long. This is a pretty long keyboard with high flexibility while typing. It is a USB keyboard with three-zone backlighting and full customization of the colors and lighting effects.

With Corsair K55 RGB, you have dust and spill-resistant rated up to IP42 protection guard against accidents, so you never have to stop your gameplay. As far as battery life goes, the K55 can get you up to 35hours with standard lighting. K55 has quiet and responsive keys for comfortable typing. It also has six programmable macro keys in the extra row of keys that give you a high advantage while gaming. These keys are used for macro recording. It also has discrete media buttons that can mute, volume down, volume up, stop, skip back, and other media controls. This mechanical keyboard runs on a robust Corsair Utility Engine (iCUE) software. With this software, you can easily reassign keys, program macros, adjust the RGB lighting, and create individual games profiles.

Its pros are:

• It has a pretty RGB lighting
• Its extra keys are programmable and helpful
• 55 is compatible with any gaming system because of its USB connectivity

However, the cons are, - Its keyboard has a hard feel; and - The iCUE software is not-user friendly. If you are looking for an in-game and everyday productivity tool, Corsair K55 RGB is the perfect peripheral for you. Still haven't found a mechanical keyboard that meets your needs? Well, keep watching because we have more lined up for you. Meanwhile, if this is your first time visiting our channel, be sure to subscribe and hit the bell icon to receive notifications of our next videos.

3. Redragon K556

The Redragon K556 is a wonderful option for those who want a budget-friendly mechanical keyboard and those who are just starting using mechanical keyboards for the first time. Its sturdy and unique design is one of the reasons why this keyboard is suitable for first-timers. The K556 weighs about 3 pounds and does a great job of occupying very minimal space on your desk. It has no long bars at the top or bottom of the keyboard, thereby making it easy for you to place other items just above the keyboard if you want to. The Redragon K556 has a very satisfying audible clack every time a key is pressed. It's 87 double-shot injection molded rounded keys is a unique feature peculiar to just this keyboard.

The rounded keys will take some time to get used to, but you would definitely not want to return to the plastic keys once you do. Its custom mechanical switches on the keyboard can alter a specific key's experience, thereby making each key versatile. With Redragon K556, you can be certain of 100% conflict-free and anti-ghosting keys. This mechanical keyboard has brightness, breathing effect, and a red LED backlight that doesn't scratch off and can be adjusted. It also has RGB lighting, giving the keyboard an aesthetical look and locating certain keys when using the keyboard at night.

Its pros are:

• Its keystrokes are responsive and satisfying
• The K556 grips and locks firmly in place while in use
• It supports all windows operating system
• It has a solid build

However, the cons are, - Volume buttons have a minor issue; and - Its LED does not get very bright Overall, the Redragon K556 is a strong choice for any gamer looking for a budget-friendly mechanical keyboard with beautiful RGB backlighting.

2. SteelSeries Apex 5

This keyboard is unique and drastically different from other mechanical keyboards. It successfully combines a membrane design underneath the keyboard with springy mechanical switches. Apex 5 has a 3.1 detachable wrist rest and measures 17.5 x 5.5inches. The detachable wrist rest has a magnetic matte surface that provides excellent wrist support to make you feel comfortable while using the keyboard. It is easy to attach and detach. Another interesting design feature about Apex 5 is its small OLED screen that lets you create an animated icon for your multiple profiles. This black and white 128 x 40 screen is located at the upper right.

The second addition at the upper right corner is a small clickable volume dial called a multimedia button, which lets you play, pause, and skip tracks. This button is handy because it does so many functions that would have required several keys. The Apex 5 has hybrid mechanical gaming switches that have a loud sound and tactile feel. You will have to press the key half-way down before you hear the sound because of the electrical membranes underneath the mechanical switch. This keyboard has a big advantage over comparable keyboards because you can reprogram a single key and not just a row of function keys. You can also program macros on the Engine 3 software, create individual profiles for different games, and differentiate onboard profiles.

Its pros are:

• It has a smart multimedia key
• It allows good in-game performance
• You can easily reprogram a single key

However, the cons are, - The use of a membrane and mechanical hybrid doesn't add much to the keyboard; and - Its lighting is dull. But if you are looking for an admirably straightforward mechanical keyboard with relatively good typing and gaming features, then the SteelSeries Apex 5 is your go-to choice.

1. Razer Huntsman Elite

The Razer Huntsman Elite comes as no surprise as the first choice when it comes to mechanical keyboards. After all, it is the first-ever gaming keyboard that uses an optical switch. Razer's novel optomechanical switches give auspicious results and are very comfortable. Another unique thing about Razer is its wrist rest, which demonstrates that not every mechanical keyboard really needs RGB lighting. Its design looks a little futuristic and very distinct. It makes the keyboard more striking and attractive when compared to other Razer models. You can use this on an office desk, which is rare among mechanical keyboards.

A design feature that makes Razer Huntsman Elite a premium gaming keyboard is its discrete media controls. These controls are circular buttons that can play, pause, rewind, fast-forward, or control the volume. Instead of making use of the Fn-key shortcuts, this is a better alternative. This keyboard measures about 18 x 6 inches without the wrist rest attached and about 18 x 10 inches when it is. Its wrist rest has an underflow backlighting that can be synced with your keyboard, therefore creating a pretty effect. Instead of relying on a mechanical switch to make electrical contact, as a traditional mechanical keyboard would do, Huntsman Elites optical switches work through infrared light. This unusual mechanism makes the Huntsman Elite both fast and accurate. Meanwhile, Razer's Synapse 3 software makes it easy to do relatively simple things like reprogramming buttons or set up profiles for games.

Its pros are: - It performs greatly when in use

• Razer Huntsman Elite has a smart design
• It is built with novel hybrid switches
• You can choose from robust lighting options

However, the cons are, - The keyboard has inconsistent software. Razer Huntsman Elite delivers most of what it promises. It is an ambitious keyboard that is gorgeous and comfortable for gamers who want a little bit of everything.