Best Gaming Keyboard and Mouse
Best gaming keyboard and mouse or not weren't an important factor 10 years ago. When people were still playing single player games, a simple functional keyboard would do the tricks. All those classic computer games just need a handful of keys to control the characters and finish the game. But things are different right now; the entire gaming industry is leaning towards online gaming experience. It's all about interaction between players around the world.
| Image | Gaming Keyboard | Switches | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Corsair Vengeance K95 Gaming Keyboard | Cherry MX Red Switches | 4.2 / 5.0 |
 | Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2014 Elite Gaming Keyboard | Razer Mechanical Switches | 4.2 / 5.0 |
 | CM Storm Quickfire TK Gaming Keyboard | Cherry MX Blue Switches | 4.2 / 5.0 |
 | Corsair Vengeance K70 Gaming Keyboard | Cherry MX Blue Switches | 4.6 / 5.0 |
 | Logitech G710+ Mechanical Gaming Keyboard | Cherry MX Brown Switches | 4.4 / 5.0 |
Are you a fan of World of Warcraft, Starcraft II or Half Life II? Look around and see how many people are playing games online, almost every single game in the market has online combat feature. It's fun to play games online with friends or other people from different places, especially when you are competing with them. You feel some sort of achievement when you proved yourself to be better than another real life player, just like a sport. The experience is totally different from the single-player game, which you will be competing against AI player only. No more game pausing or using a cheat code and you will have to adapt to the pace of the game.
In order to play really well in online games, aside from the actual skill, you need to master in the game itself, there is one more important factor that would affect your gaming experience, which is by getting the Best gaming keyboard and mouse in your gaming arsenal.
Choosing the Best Gaming Keyboards And Mouse
Why exactly is the reason that you need to get the Best gaming keyboard and mouse instead of a normal keyboard and how does it affect you in-game? The reason is simple - it could win or lose you a game with one or two-second difference, especially in a tournament match. To control and play better than another player, you would need a lot of programmable key bindings. Sometimes the normal keyboards just don't have enough keys for you to macro your in-game spell, skill or command. It is extremely uncomfortable when you have to mouse over the skill and click it.
It has been widely discussed that if two players were competing against each other, the loser would usually be the one who clicked with a mouse instead of using programmable macro keys. Imagine while you have to actually look at the screen and find the keys to click, the other player can easily press the macro keys without searching for it, who has the advantage? I think you know the answer.
Of course, you do not want a bad online gaming experience simply because of a keyboard that doesn't provide the proper functions you need, right? So it is really important when you are choosing one for yourself. There are several things to take note while picking the Best gaming keyboard and mouse available in the market:
- Programmable Keys - Check if it has enough programmable keys for you to bind and use as single keypresses or complex macros.
- Keys Placement - You have to make sure the keyboard is suitable for right-handed or left-handed people and placement of the programmable keys so you could always reach the keys easily without having to actually look at the keyboard and slow down your response time in-game.
- Backlit - Some gaming keyboard and mouse have color backlighting for you to easily locate the keys in the dark. This would come in handy for all-nighters.
- Wired or Wireless? - Never go for a wireless gaming keyboard and mouse if you are competing online. You could lose your game with slight delayed in response time that could cause by interference from other devices such as cordless phone, mobile phone or wireless router.
- Anti-Ghosting - One of the important factors in winning games. Some keyboards with extreme anti-ghosting features will be able to process simultaneous key presses, hence advantage to the gamers.
- Ergonomics - It is very important to make sure that the keyboard has a proper ergonomic design to prevent repetitive strain injuries. A comfortable wrist pad will help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome especially when you play games for long hours. Do not take this lightly as it could lead to long-term disability.
- Warranty - Make sure you check the warranty duration, which should vary from 1 to 5 years. Keep your receipt or any proof of purchase, just in case something goes wrong with the keyboard you could ask for a refund or replacement for free within the time frame.
- Other Functions - Check if it has other useful functions such as LCD panel (display gaming stats, VOIP communication data or system information), headphone jacks, USB 2.0/3.0 etc. It is not necessary but it could come in handy at times.
It seems like a lot of stuff to look out for when choosing one, but it is not. You can always find out different gaming keyboard reviews on the internet. Find out what the buyers have to say about the product they bought and used, if 9 out of 10 people saying that the product is good, the chances are it is good, they can't be all wrong, can they?
Once you have chosen a proper gaming keyboard and mouse, I assure you, your gaming experience will totally be different and I am sure that your in-game performance would improve greatly if you were not using one before.
As a matter of fact, you can't control the quality of your broadband service, but you can choose the Best gaming keyboard and mouse to increase your winning edge. Half of the battle is won if you equipped yourself with the right gear. Remember, a gladiator can't win in an arena without a proper weapon. So I urge you, get the best, beat the best and be the best!
How To Shop For The Best Gaming keyboard And Mouse
Gamers often subject their computers to the worst conditions which necessitate the use of the best gaming keyboards, the best gaming keyboard and mouse, and the best monitors they can buy. Hours of continuously pounding on the keyboards and brutal clicking on the mouse can take its toll on even the most rugged of computer peripherals. It's a good thing that there are peripherals made specifically for the harsh conditions gamers often expose their gadgets too.
The first step in choosing the best gaming keyboard and mouse would be to limit choices to devices made especially for gaming. This way one eliminates having to wade through hundreds of options that include non-gaming equipment which may not be as sturdy as those made especially for gamers. A good gaming keyboard and mouse is ergonomic, which means that it fits comfortably in the hand. Stores allow customers to try out the mouse in their hands before making a purchase ensure that the mouse is easy to hold and grip. This is provided by mice that are coated with rubberized exteriors. How the gamer grips the mouse is also a consideration when shopping for a gaming keyboard and mouse. There is the mouse that is designed for gamers that like to grip the mouse with the entire hand, while there are designs for gamers who like to grip the mouse using just the fingers.
Sensitivity is also another important issue. The best gaming keyboard and mouse should have a range of 5600 - 5700 DPI for the best sensitivity. Another factor is the presence of wires. Wired mice were preferred in the past since they did not run out of power and reaction time was far quicker compared to wireless mice. However, new technologies are being put into newer gaming mice that allow it to respond as quick as its wired counterparts, as well as provided the mouse with enough power to be able to go through long periods of playing.
The customization may be a factor for some players. There are mice customized for use with specific games. A prime example is the Razer Naga, which is designed with extra buttons on the side used to control certain features of the game.
Shopping for the best gaming keyboard and mouse is fairly easy as long as one knows what kind of mouse to look for and what his or her preferences are. Most gaming mice produced now offer a good mix of durability and functionality that gamers need. Customization, ergonomics, and reliability are other features that gamers should look for in their gaming mice.
Keyboards And Mouse Guide 2016 Top Gaming Keyboards
You take your gaming seriously, and you're good at it. But is your keyboard giving you an advantage, or is it holding you back? Make no mistake about it, competitive gamers risk being under-equipped using something that shipped with your desktop, and even casual gamers have a chance to massively upgrade their overall gaming experience by choosing the proper keyboard.
So whether you are using it as a weapon, a tool, or as a smack talker, if you want to take full advantage of today's gaming world you need to find the best keyboard for your style. We've listed our top picks below, but before we get to that please please please get familiar with the current crop of features available to today's gamers. Once you see what current tech is offering it'll make your decision informed and much, much easier:
All of our top-rated keyboards are going to have mechanical key switches. Why? Superior responsiveness, top notch reliability, and even more importantly they feel better. There's a good reason that most people never look back after switching to a mechanical keyboard, and it's usually because of the key switches.
In contrast, manufacturers looking to save money use rubber dome switches that require greater effort in each keystroke and even worse, they deteriorate over time and slowly get harder to actuate. So no keyboards like this in our gaming recommendations. And yes, we know there are a couple popular options out there that use rubber blubber, but these keyboards have become popular because, hmm, they cost less to buy.
What to Look For in the Best Gaming Keyboard And Mouse
Many of today's games require quick combos of keystrokes. Top gamers use macros to execute these combos. Instead of pressing individual keys to crouch, then jump, then throw, you can program a macro key to doing it all at once. Top keyboards have dedicated macro keys built into the keyboard casing. And don't forget that macros can be used to speed up everyday comp use too.
Try opening a Word or text document and pressing ten keys all at once. Did they all register? Or did your comp say no bleeping way? Now try pressing 20 keys, or all of them. Companies that target gamers are producing keyboards with infinity key rollover to accommodate ever increasing needs for complex key combos. This basically means that no matter how many keys you press at once, they are all going to register. Much easier to accomplish this using mechanical key switches and a PS/2 connection. Today's USB connections will probably limit you to 6-key rollover.
Backlighting. It ain't just so you can play games in the dark anymore. Companies have evolved and many now offer the option of key-by-key backlighting. Yup, you tell the comp which keys you want to backlight and bink! there they are. Many also offer the option of saving these lighting layouts to manageable profiles.
The Best Gaming Keyboards And Mouse on the Market
Textured, swappable keycaps. Wait, what?! Some of the top manufacturers are including textured keycaps on the most used gaming keys, I.e. w-as-d, numbers, arrow keys. This will accelerate muscle memory and keep your eyes off the keyboard. But don't worry, swapping out keycaps isn't hard if you want normal ones.
Ghosting isn't a major problem when using mechanical key switches, but we mention it because so many companies are blaring about it. Imagine pressing a bunch of keys on a cheap keyboard that uses a single rubber membrane beneath the keys: sometimes a 'ghost' key will register when all the circuits surrounding it are activated simultaneously. Annoying if typing an email, deadly if gaming. Not to worry, though, our recommendations are all mechanical by nature, making it kinda redundant to mention anti-ghosting.
Corsair Vengeance K95
Rating: 4.2 / 5.0
Really tough to beat this keyboard, that's why it's at the top of our list. Fully mechanical keyboard using Cherry Red key switches. Cherry Reds have linear travel and low operating force, I.e. it doesn't take much pressure to actuate them and they are easy to double and triple tap.
Coming in at 4.5 pounds the K95 ain't no lightweight, with the brushed aluminum chassis giving it a stable, sturdy feel.
18 G-keys on the left side can program up to 54 individual macros. Onboard memory lets you take the keyboard anywhere and it'll remember your setup.
Backlit with white LEDs and also features key-by-key backlighting with the option to save lighting maps to profiles. Does not have textured keycaps but you can get them from Corsair if you want.
Corsair Vengeance K95 Video Review
Razer Blackwidow Ultimate (2014 Elite)
Rating: 4.2 / 5.0
Probably the most visually appealing keyboard on our list. Green backlit keys, sleek design, eye-catching. Razer has a devoted following and the Blackwidow Ultimate is one of the big reasons for that loyalty.
Fully mechanical using Razer's proprietary key switches. The Blackwidow Ultimate model has Razer Green clicky switches, 50g actuation force. The Blackwidow Stealth model has Razer Orange quieter switches, 45g actuation force.
There are five G keys on the left side of the keyboard with on-the-fly recording for macros.
Backlit? Yes, sir. Key-by-key backlighting? Nope.
Razer Blackwidow Ultimate (2014 Elite) Video Review
CM Storm Quickfire TK
Rating: 4.2 / 5.0
Cooler Master (CM) has lots of permutations of this keyboard, varying by switch type and layout, so use caution when ordering on Amazon because the listings get a little clumped together.
The Quickfire TK ships with your choice of Cherry Blues, Browns, Reds, or Greens. Yup, you heard right, Cherry Greens! The Greens are rare, similar to the Blues (tactile and audio feedback), but with an actuation force of 80g!
This model is fully backlit with white LEDS and multiple lighting modes.
This is an excellent mid-range priced option.
CM Storm Quickfire TK Video Review
Corsair Vengeance K70
Rating: 4.6 / 5.0
The little brother of the Corsair Vengeance K95. Fully mechanical keyboard that comes with three key switch options: Cherry Red, Cherry Brown, Cherry Blue.
The K70 also comes with the w-a-s-d and 1-6 keys textured for accelerated access. But it also includes standard keycaps and a keycap replacement tool if you don't like the textured ones and want to swap them out.
The main difference, when compared to the K95, is that the K70 does NOT have programmable G-keys, I.e. no macros. But that's also why this keyboard makes both our gaming list and our top mechanical keyboard list. It's a top option for some gamers (the ones who don't need macros), and its also good for coders/writers who want a solid mechanical keyboard from a top company.
Note that the LEDs are red on the K70 and can be programmed key by key, with onboard memory to save the light maps. Also has USB passthrough and multimedia controls.
Corsair Vengeance K70 Video Review
Logitech G710+
Rating: 4.4 / 5.0
Hard to go wrong with a brand like Logitech. This is their most popular gaming keyboard and feedback are overwhelmingly positive. It's also worth noting that the G710 comes with a 3-year warranty, it's the only keyboard we recommend that has a warranty that long.
Logitech G710+ Gaming Keyboard Video Review
Best Gaming Keyboard for The Super Gamer
- Fully mechanical keyboard with Cherry Brown switches. Cherry Browns have the same actuation forces as the Cherry Reds, but in addition, the Browns have soft tactile feedback. It also comes with O-rings pre-installed to dampen the keyclick further. Check here if you want more info on O-rings
- The G710 has four backlighting levels, all using white LEDs. There's a dedicated pair of keys used to adjust the 'zones'. The first zone is the w-a-s-d and arrow keys, the second zone is the rest of the keyboard.
- Hardcore gamers love the dedicated game mode key to switch off the Windows key during gameplay.
- 6 programmable G-keys that can configure up to 18 distinct macros. Also includes USB passthrough, media controls, and a detachable palm rest.
