If I am an FPS gamer, which gaming keyboards should I choose? Or I am an RTS player, how do I choose? For a gamer, choosing the right game keyboard is the most important.
Whether it’s reaction speed or gaming experience, the gaming keyboard is great.
Today we will use this list to show you the performance, advantages and disadvantages of each keyboard and which game they are best suited for.
Best gaming keyboards: What to look for
The best portable keyboard for iPad that we've tested is the Logitech K380. This wireless model is ideal for carrying around, as it's quite lightweight and compact in size. It can pair with your iPad and up to two other mobile devices over a Bluetooth connection, and switching between them is easy thanks to hotkeys. The keypad is backlit to assist you in finding the right buttons even after dark. The lock is wireless and runs on four AA batteries. Some users found the capacitive touch buttons to be a little unreliable, but overall this is the best keyless entry system available for an RV.
Unless money is extremely tight, the most important feature in a gaming keyboard is a set of mechanical switches. Most membrane models simply don’t measure up, due to shallow key travel and a lack of tactile feedback. RGB lighting is a common feature, but also one that can add dozens of dollars to a keyboard’s price tag.
Look for it if you want your keyboard to match the rest of your gaming setup. Extra macro keys are useful for gamers who play a lot of MMOs or competitive shooters. Tom’s Guide also has a comprehensive primer on how to find the best gaming keyboard for your setup.
On the other end of the spectrum, if budgeting is your primary concern, we’ve also rounded up the Best and Worst Cheap Keyboards you can buy.
None of them can match a dedicated gaming keyboard, but some are better than others if you just need to play a few casual titles now and then. And make sure to follow our best gaming deals for the latest gaming sales and discounts.
How we test gaming keyboards
When we recommend a gaming keyboard, it’s because we enjoyed using it ourselves. Our reviewers also test products thoroughly to make sure they surpasses a certain threshold of excellence – we like to spend at least a few days with every keyboard as the full-time replacement for our current decks.
10 Best Gaming Keyboards of 2021:
Name | Dimensions | Weight |
---|---|---|
Corsair Vengeance K70 RGB | 17.2 x 6.5 x 1.5 in | 2.76 pounds |
Logitech G910 Orion Spark | 19.8 x 8.2 x 1.4 in | 4.35 pounds |
Coolermaster Storm Quickfire TK | 15 x 5.7 x 1.7 in | 4.5 ounces |
Razer BlackWidow Chroma | 6.5 x 17.7 x 1.6 in | 2.75 pounds |
Tesoro Excalibur G7NL | 17.7 x 5.7 x 0.9 in | 3.17 pounds |
CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i | 14.02 x 5.31 x 1.3 in | 2.16 pounds |
SteelSeries Apex M800 | 6.8 x 20.1 x 1.6 in | 3.06 pounds |
Razer DeathStalker Ultimate | 18.4 x 8.4 x 1.1 in | 1.95 pounds |
Mad Catz STRIKE TE | 20 x 2.8 x 7.9 in | 2.65 pounds |
ROCCAT RYOS MK Pro | 20 x 9.2 x 1.5 in | 2 pounds |
1. Corsair Vengeance K70 RGB
The K70’s previous series of selling points lies in its simplicity, while the latest products have more features and better quality. This keyboard is equipped with more novel LED lights, but also has a more aesthetic design.
A four-way input switch is placed on the back side of the keyboard. The cleverness of this setup is the ability to reduce the polling rate to 50%. From 1000Hz to 500Hz, even stripping the main BIOS mode, every momentary transition is possible.
80-90% of it is made of plastic, which makes it more efficient in the game. The full-button design of the button allows the sweat-loving player to get a better gaming experience.
The K70 successfully combines many small details that are often overlooked by the manufacturer but are worth mentioning, but in general, the K70 does not give us a more revolutionary design.
- Dazzling color keyboard backlight
- Round and minimal design
- Perfect texture
- Relax wrist design
2. Logitech G910 Orion Spark
Mechanized buttons plus private custom macros allow Orion Spark to debut on such keyboards. While keeping its keyboard consistently high, Logitech is still stunning to Logitech.
Like most other gaming keyboards, it’s more common. From the button layout to the personalized macro button, the G910 has it all.
Logitech‘s game software is the default driver for the keyboard, in addition to providing a variety of settings. In the G910, it is also a fully customizable software that can be used to adjust color, light and mode.
This well-designed keyboard is more suitable for games than typing. For those who use it to type, they may not like the extra button design on the side of the keyboard.
- Provides macro keys
- Unique keycap design
- Powerful software support
- Design for wrist comfort
- No sound (maybe advantages)
- Expensive price
- Asymmetric keyboard design is not good for non-gamers
3. Coolermaster Storm Quickfire TK
Cooler Master sells mice and keyboards in sets, and they can benefit from each other. At first glance, the design of this keyboard is very simple and authentic.
Storm Quickfire TK is one of the coolest mechanical keyboards available. You can choose to partially activate or fully activate the keyboard backlight. Its delay is as low as one millisecond or less. This keyboard offers 3 kinds of shafts for you to choose: Cherry MX Blue, Brown and Red.
The keyboard is about 34.8 x 14.5 x 3.2 centimeters in size, and the external wires are long enough to allow you to move easily. It also comes with a bigger, brighter LED light source that makes the visual experience more impactful.
FPS players will love this keyboard very much. The compact design also brings great stability, which is a great choice for real-time strategy games.
- Keyboard lock function
- Compact design
- Numerous buttons
- Three backlight modes
- The global feature button board takes some time to adapt
- Not equipped with macro keys is indeed a big adventure
4. Razer BlackWidow Chroma
If you look at the material alone, the keyboard is not so good because it is an all-plastic structure. After all, any product has a slight flaw.
Having said that, apart from manufacturing materials, it is indeed a good product with many excellent features and setting options.
This game keyboard has one of the biggest features, that is, the backlight can be set according to your preferences. In addition, this keyboard is also equipped with macro keys, USB interface and audio interface.
Compared with other products with relatively normal production quality, it is more expensive, and it is more suitable for those who prefer personalization when playing games.
Razer BlackWidow Chroma is undoubtedly one of the best gaming keyboards. This keyboard is equipped with macro keys, comfortable and programmable keys. Like Corsair K70 RGB, the matching software is very easy to use.
- Comfortable, programmable keys
- Simple, clear and highly personalized software
- Color backlight
- Simple and comfortable typing experience
- The production quality is slightly inferior
- Missing key response time setting
- Expensive
5. Tesoro Excalibur G7NL
The G7NL is equipped with a full-key, non-flush function that allows all buttons to be recognized without landing. The button has a click life of 60 million times. The rubberized button gives you a great anti-slip guarantee for your gaming experience.
Three kinds of shafts can greatly improve your efficiency in the game. Three LED backlight modes are available to meet your needs, and switching between modes is very fast.
If you only value the gaming experience, G7NL may be a little better. This keyboard provides a mode that is ideal for hitting the keyboard quickly. The game mode and macro keys are worthy of the name, and switching between modes is also very easy.
The only regret is that the keyboard support frame is designed to be very small in order to make the keyboard more convenient.
- Supports macro keys
- Affordable
- Cool backlight
- Relatively small keyboard size, design standards
6. CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i
Best Keypad For Ipad Air
If you are a beginner, then it will be very suitable for you, the keyboard operation is very simple, it is very convenient to use.
This is a keyboard with a Cherry MX mechanical switch. The Cherry MX shaft offers a variety of options: red, tea, green, and more.
On this keyboard, Cooler Master tries to give players more free settings, you can set the direction of the arrow keys and WASD keys. In addition, you can configure the function of each button.
However, it does not provide setup software. This factor does not affect the settings of the archive. The 32-bit ARM processor that comes with the keyboard can save this data for you.
The performance of the CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i is very strong, and the small body has a lot of interesting settings. Most importantly, unlike other keyboards in the evaluation, this keyboard does not require additional software.
- Efficiency-oriented design
- Smooth input experience
- No need to install software
- Multiple backlight modes
- Lack of many buttons
- No macro key provided
- Unable to set backlight
7. SteelSeries Apex M800
SteelSeries offers a number of personalized options. The design of this keyboard is very scientific and aesthetically pleasing.
The ergonomic design of this keyboard is excellent, but this is not the first factor you buy it. In fact, its lighting system is the biggest selling point. It offers up to 16.8 million color gamuts to bring you a rich palette of colors.
It has a dual-core processor that provides compression sensitivity for your keyboard to avoid false touches. In addition, up to 256 button customizations and full-key collision-free can be achieved with SteelSeries Engine 3 software.
SteelSeries has developed the perfect QS1 linear shaft with experts in the shaft. The QS1 shaft adds an additional 25% more responsiveness to give you a more enjoyable gaming experience.
- USB interface
- Easy to use software
- Beautiful backlight
- Poor quality (all plastics)
- very expensive
- Larger size than other keyboards
- Not suitable for non-gamers
8. Razer DeathStalker Ultimate
LCD digital keyboard instead of the traditional digital keyboard, is the biggest highlight of this game keyboard. However, the biggest pit is that it is too expensive.
This keyboard is only suitable for gamers, and using it to do other things would be very inappropriate. There is no doubt that the award-winning Switchblade user interface is an outstanding feature of this keyboard.
Automatically save all your settings to the cloud server Synapse, you only need one account, you can automatically synchronize all settings anytime, anywhere.
The 4-inch LCD screen makes the recording board look very clear, but for amateur players, facing the high-end LCD panels may be overwhelmed.
Ten programmable LED buttons and a tall LCD screen are the coolest places, but the Switchblade interface is too small to disappoint many players in actual use.
- Switchblade
- Adjustable colorful backlight
- Razer Synapse 2.0
- Personalized design
- Only for gamers (not friendly to non-gamers)
- Uncomfortable typing
- Expensive
9. Mad Catz STRIKE TE
This is the first mechanical keyboard in the Mad Catz, where the competitive version is using the Kailh Shaw, not the Cherry MX. This keyboard provides faster response and better percussion.
What fascinates the fans of the Mad Catz is its sturdy construction. When you pick up the keyboard, you can feel the solid texture it emits. Our test results also show that its quality is very reliable and will not be easily bent.
Heavy plastic material allows it to maintain a strong sense of technology while maintaining a solid appearance. After passing our violent test, it did not even have a trace of scratching and tearing.
This is a great keyboard for games, and playing with it will not give you a bad game experience. When typing, it may be slightly delayed, but at the same time it can reduce the wrong input rate by 25%.
- Programmable macro key
- Strong quality
- Multipurpose keyboard
- Macro key design is too compact
- Limited personalization software
10. ROCCAT RYOS MK Pro
If you need an affordable keyboard, RYOS MK Pro is one of the best choices.
Its four-button switching mode is great for playing games, and the separate backlight buttons are cool. There are also a lot of programmable options. The built-in USB and audio interface make this product even more brilliant.
Perhaps the best thing about this keyboard is that it offers a lot of programmable buttons that are easy to use, making it easy to win in the game.
Its design is consistent with the style of the ice leopard. The biggest feature is the option of its dozens of macro keys. There are 8 default macro keys. During the game, the keyboard is very smooth to use, and the mechanical axis buttons react very sensitively.
- Audio and USB interfaces
- Numerous programmable options
- Personalized backlight
- Backlights do not have multiple colors (only blue)
- Hand care can not be disassembled
Conclusion
These are all the best gaming keyboards we have reviewed. It is not an easy task to conduct a meticulous evaluation of a large number of gaming keyboards. We try to be fair and impartial and hope to help you in the selection process.
Technology in the technology industry is growing very fast, especially in the gaming industry. As time passes, the gaming keyboard on our list may slowly enter the dust of history, but these classic products will become a common memory.
In order to keep this article up to date, we will try to update the list of keyboard products regularly. Finally, I hope this article can help you. If you have questions, you can contact us or leave a message behind the article.
Posted On by Hugo Reed
Keypad door locks have been steadily growing in popularity for quite some time. A huge part of this can be attributed to the success of recent smart locks that also make use of keypads. With so many different options on the market today, it can become quite difficult for homeowners, businesses and institutions to figure out which option is best for them. Hopefully this list of some of the best keypad door locks helps you make a great selection.
8. Kwikset SmartCode 916 Electronic Keypad Deadbolt
One of the reasons why the Kwikset Smartcode 916 is so popular among homeowners, is because it can be integrated with other home automation devices. This simple action helps to extend its range of abilities, but this is not the only reason why this lock was able to work it’s way onto the best keypad door locks list. In order to be considered one of the best keypad door locks, the lock actually has to be passable at its basic functions, and the Kwikset Smartcode 916 Keypad deadbolt does well in that regard.
This lock is capable of programming up to 30 user codes, which helps homeowners customize the type of access that they can grant to their homes. It also has a master code feature that helps increase security. The lock has a host of major additions geared towards making it a much more secure household addition. It also has an automated locking feature ensuring you never leave your door unlocked.
However, the automated locking feature relies on the lock being properly installed so that the bolt fits perfectly in the strike. Also, the Kwikset SmartCode includes patented side bar technology that is meant to prevent lock bumping, lock picking, and other lock bypass methods. In addition to this patented side bar bolt, the lock also boasts of the smart key feature which helps homeowners rekey locks in simple steps.
Although kwikset did implement some steps to increase security, and try and make one of the best keypad door locks, the lock tends to fall short in some aspects. This is why it is at the tail end of this list. The fact that the lock still requires a key, makes it vulnerable. Also, the locking mechanism itself is a ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 lock, which is not the most secure deadbolt you can find.
On the other hand, Kwikset did institute measures to reduce the chances of cyber bypass. The lock uses 128-bit encryption as well as a secure screen feature. The secure screen feature is meant to reduce the chances of anyone guessing a user’s code based on their fingerprint patterns. It achieves this by always prompting the user to press two randomly generated numbers before they enter their access code.
7. Schlage Touch Keyless Touchscreen BE 375 -V
Next up on the list of best keypad door locks is the Schlage Touch Keyless Touchscreen BE 375-V. The Schlage Touch Keyless Touchscreen BE 375-V was in close competition for the number 7 spot with another Schlage lock, which happened to be the BE 469 model. However, the BE 375-V was able to improve upon some of the problems that the earlier model faced and this is the reason why it is a far better option.
The first thing that stands out about this lock is the fact that it does not have a lock cylinder, which means that it is pick proof and bump proof, and this is already a welcome security upgrade for many. I will point out that this lock will not be suited for everybody, but it is best for those who do not always want to use their keys and are welcome to the idea of keyless locks.
Many of the homeowners who utilise keypad door locks have the fear that their lock batteries will die leaving them stranded outside their homes. The Schlage keypad door lock aims to quell these fears with a twofold solution. The first step they took was to ensure that the lock itself consumes very little power. This was accomplished by eliminating the need for a motorized locking mechanism and replacing it with thumb turn operated bolt.
This bolt requires that the user turn the lock to open and to lock the door. Also, if the lock does happen to lose power, homeowners can still use their lock by jump starting it with a 9V battery. The temporary power source will allow you to quickly enter your access code.
I am sure that this lock probably sounds amazing, so you must be wondering why it is all the way down here. Well, the lock has an ANSI Grade 2 security rating, which means that there is some room for improvement. However, if you are a homeowner on a budget, then this lock will be a very suitable option for you.
6. Baldwin Boulder 8252 AC1 Keyless Entry Single Cylinder Deadbolt
I would like to start this section by stating that I personally believe that Baldwin should change the name of this lock. There is nothing wrong with Boulder, that aspect of it is fine, but passing the key off as a keyless entry lock? A keyless entry lock won’t have a keyway right under the keypad. The baldwin lock should be praised for its sturdy hardware and body that are a consistent with the baldwin brand.
A great deal of the homeowners who have reviewed this lock are most impressed with how it looks and feels. The bolt is made of brass and the cylinder is a 5-pin C-keyway, which together offer an average amount of resistance to lock picking, bumping, and even to drilling. If this was a truly keyless deadbolt lock, then we wouldn’t have to worry about many of these bypass methods.
The Baldwin Boulder 8252 made improvements upon its predecessors, one of which was the earlier version of the SoHo 8285. One of the major complaints that users had with this lock was the fact that you could only program 2 access codes, which greatly limited the way people could use the lock. Essentially, there were no real added benefits to using the keypad door lock. (Unless you took into account the fact that you now had another way to avoid a lockout.) The Boulder 8352 caters to homeowners and gives them access to up to 30 codes that help you customize the layout of your access control.
5. Yale Real Living Assure Lock YRD446
The Yale Real Living Assure Lock YRD 446 is very similar to the schlage lock that I discussed earlier. The key thing that they have in common is the fact that they are both, in fact, keyless locks (see what I did there?). As I mentioned earlier, a keyless lock will almost always increase security because it does away with the vulnerabilities of lock picking, lock bumping, and other lock bypass measures.
This does not mean that the lock will now be invulnerable, because these kinds of locks tend to have their own sets of vulnerabilities, like cyber security vulnerabilities (but we can get into semantics about smart locks and traditional locks later). Although these locks bear some resemblance to one another, the Yale YRD 446 has a bit of an edge, which makes it higher ranked on the best keypad door locks list.
This keypad door lock works with an existing deadbolt, which basically means that homeowners have the ability to upgrade their deadbolt and build around it. Most of the keypad door locks (and smart locks for that matter) on the market come with their own deadbolts that are integral to the regular operation of the lock, so homeowners are limited to what they are given.
Best Keypad Mmo
This lock also comes with a weather protection gasket and a tamper resistant battery cover that will ensure that no one is able to short the power to your lock and use this as a method to gain entry. There is also a lot to be said for the physical appearance of the lock and the manner in which it interacts with homeowners. The lock is compatible with other smart home devices and it comes with its own software application that helps homeowners monitor the way the lock is functioning.
4. Corbin Russwin Access 700 PAC1
The Corbin Russwin Access locks are used on a wide number of college campuses, and they are some of the most dependable keypad door locks available. The 700 PAC1 lock is a Grade 1 lockset that gives users multiple options to fit their needs. This lock is available with a keypad and magnetic strike or with just the magnetic stripe. Corbin Russwin is very well known for the care they put into crafting their high-security locks, and this product is no different.
The 700 PAC1 can support up to 1,200 users and has an audit trail of up to 700 transactions and events. Furthermore, the high coercivity of the magnetic stripe coupled with the security of the ANSI Grade 1 lockset, gives the lock a high security rating. It also has a 3 hour UL fire rating which makes it much more resistant and secure.
3. Mul-T-Lock ENTR Touchpad Reader
The name Mul-T-Lock is a staple in the security community and it is one of the most trusted lock brands out there. So it really comes as not surprise that they are so high up on the list of best keypad door locks. The Mul-T-Lock ENTR series of locks presents homeowners with an array of new options, and they improve upon many of the ideas that some other keypad door locks have tried to explore. The ENTR lock series utilises fingerprints, keypads and key fobs to operate these locks, but I will be focusing on the touchpad version of the lock. After all, this is a list about best keypad door locks. Let me stop myself before I digress.
The Mul-T-Lock ENTR Touchpad lock boasts the use of the high security lock cylinders that the brand has become known for. However, the thing that makes this lock great isn’t the fact that it continues to use a tried and true method, but the fact that it pairs this method with some digital ingenuity. The ENTR lock understands that even the best keypad door locks can be vulnerable when it comes to cyber security.
This lock is able to support up to 20 different access codes which makes it much easier for homeowners to manage who comes into their house at any given time. As much as I like to cater to homeowners, it is important to remember that this lock can also be used in commercial settings, so don’t shy away from it when it comes time for commercial lock installations. Not to mention, the ENTR lock is completely keyless, which in itself adds to how secure this lock is.
This lock also elevates access control management and helps users keep track of who has access to their home or office. This fact, coupled with the locks ability to integrate with other home automation devices and smart home hubs, makes it a worthwhile addition and makes it one of the best keypad door locks available.
2. Kaba E-Plex 1500 Series
The Kaba E-Plex 1500 series is mostly geared towards commercial buildings, but it is still one of the most secure keypad door locks that you you should be aware of. Similar to the Mul-T-Lock that was just discussed, Kaba has a longstanding reputation for providing quality high-security locks that do not disappoint. The E-Plex 1500 series locks are made of a heavy duty Grade 2 lockset, but this doesn’t prove to be a liability because of the other security features that the lock is paired with. Keep in mind that Grade 2 locks are not a bad option, but always choose secure Grade 1 if it is available and applicable.
The Kaba E-Plex 1500 locks can store up to a 100 codes, which makes it ideal for businesses that have numerous employees. In addition to this, the lock has an audit trail of the last 1,000 interactions. Essentially, it is able to record the time and authority level of whoever accessed the lock. This lock makes access control management a breeze, even for companies that have very large workforces. Each lock has 5 different authority levels that can be set to it and this allows for specific lock operations. For instance, an employee who has an authority level of ‘access user’ will not have the same privileges as an employee with the authority level of ‘master’.
Aside from the physical hardware and additional security features, the Kaba lock has some other traits that contribute to making it one of the best keypad door locks. The lock employs anti-tamper lockout protocols that effectively locks out users after a certain number of failed attempts. This security measure makes it increasingly difficult for anyone to guess the right combination (which could be anywhere between 4 to 9 digits). The lock also has an automatic re-lock function that can be set between 3 to 20 seconds. Furthermore, the Kaba E-Plex series locks have 3 Hours UL Fire Rated deadbolts, which takes another potential vulnerability of the list.
1. Sargent Keypad Cylindrical Lock
If you are still reading this, then you should give yourself a pat on the back for making it all the way to number 1. There are a lot of positive things going on for the Sargent keypad lock, which is why it is in the top spot, but before we dive into all the good things, let’s get the bad out of the way. Don’t be alarmed, because there aren’t a lot of negative things to say about this lock.
The biggest flaw that this keypad door lock has is the fact that it is not a keyless lock. For the most part, as long as there is a keyway, a lock can be bypassed given enough time. This holds true for even the most secure locks. If a criminal is given enough time (this could be minutes or hours), there is always a possibility that they could bypass a lock. Now that that is out of the way, let’s focus on the positive aspects of this lock.
The Sargent keypad cylindrical lock is comprised of a certified ANSI Grade 1 deadbolt and body, which is the highest grade security that you can get for your lock. In addition to this, the Sargent keypad has a 10 line cylindrical lock that exceeds the ANSI Grade 1 ratings in two categories. First, the lock exceeds the cycle test 5 times over.
The cycle test is essentially testing how many cycles the lock can go through before it starts to show signs of wear and tear. A regular ANSI Grade 1 lock is 500,000 cycles, and the Sargent lock exceeds that 5 times over. Furthermore, the lock also exceeds the abusive locked lever torque. These simple statistics show that these locks from Sargent are in a league of their own.
These locks are able to store up to 100 user codes and they also make provisions for authority level codes. These authority level codes range between master codes, emergency codes and supervisory codes. It is important to note that the emergency code can be used to gain entry even when the deadbolt is thrown, and even if the battery is operating at very low power. This simple measures handles two separate situations deftly. For instance, imagine that emergency personnel needed to open your lock, your Sargent lock would not bar them. Also the lock makes it nearly impossible to ever be locked out due to low battery power, because the emergency code will always work.
In terms of additional security, the lock also provides safeguards against unauthorized entry. If three wrong entry codes are entered in succession, then all codes are disabled for a brief period of time. It also allows you to view an audit trail of the access that people have to the lock, which is an effective tool for access management.
Conclusion
Choosing a lock isn’t always about selecting the most secure option and tacking it onto your front door. There are many other factors that have to be considered, like the price of the lock and the way you interact with it. However, when all of these factors are being considered, make sure that you adequately weigh the safety and security of your home. This will help you choose the best keypad door lock for your needs, without sacrificing your security.
Category: Buying Guides, Commercial, Lock Types, Residential