7 best mechanical gaming keyboard under $100 - Review

It's quite affordable for a wireless keyboard. Especially given its excellent quality. Starting at around $69, you can buy a sizable gaming keyboard with excellent wireless capabilities and authentic mechanical Gate Ron switches. It has an elegantly straightforward design with grey ABS keycaps, a somewhat smaller 84-key layout that only omits the nomad, and a significantly condensed navigation cluster. If you're a space-conscious gamer, I may have previously suggested that 60% compact keyboards are the way to go, but the Keychron K2's 75% offering may cause me to reconsider. The construction is quite strong for more of a cheap board, with little deck flex and a respectable amount of mass. Of course, it's not a Model M, but for the price, I can't really complain.

As for switches, Gateron sent three Cherry MX Brown replicas for my test sample. Despite Gateron's claims to the contrary, I can't help but sense that they are significantly lighter than 55g and, when compared to the actual thing, also slightly hollow. Making matters worse, the sound of the metal stabilizer pinging underneath the Backspace and Enter keys gives off the impression that the Keychron K2 is a more cheap board, which is too close to home. Changing devices or locations throughout the workday is undoubtedly a breeze with the three device connectivity. On the left side of the K2, next to the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi button, there is a small switch that lets you select whether to use it in Windows or Mac mode. I tested it out on both my PC and MacBook Pro. All the adjustments are essentially instantaneous, and Bluetooth pairing couldn't have been any easier. With a 4000mAh capacity, the K2's battery life is likewise impressive, guaranteeing that it can last a long time with or without backlighting. There are 68 hours overall with full lights and 240 hours without it. In conclusion, this is a fantastic option if you're searching for an entry-level mechanical keyboard, especially if you work from home and use numerous devices.

The Razer Ornata adheres to Razer's design principles and offers superb aesthetics, brilliant RGB customization, and versatility. With a price of slightly around $100, it is Razer's average board. The Ornata offers excellent value for the money because to its abundance of high-end features. But first, let's take a quick glance at the design before moving on to the features.

This board looked pretty impressive right out of the box. The Ornata maintains the sleek black theme, just like the rest of the Razer line. The backboard's contrast with the RGB's intense color offers you a very cool final product. You'll adore this if you're into RGB. When switching from a regular, full-size keycap, I clearly noted how low profile the keys are. I needed some time to adjust to the change, but nothing too drastic. I can't really criticize this board from a design standpoint; it meets all the requirements. These features, which include macro keys, Mecha-Membrane switches, Razer's Chroma lighting, an ergonomic wrist rest, and more, make this device great for gamers.

The Cooler Master CK550 is our entry-level mechanical board, but don't let the low price fool you—it has all the features you'd find on a mechanical board costing more money. The design is quite understated and features high profile keycaps that are comfortable for typing and gaming. The aluminum back plate brushed texture gives the board a more opulent appearance, especially when combined with the subdued RGB.

One fantastic aspect of this board is that you may select the switches you want to utilize before making a purchase. You can personalize your board to meet your unique needs by selecting from Cherry MX Red, Blue, or Brown. With the CK550's USB pass through feature, more devices can be plugged into the board's back and charged without using up any PC spaces. The updated software from Cooler Master allows you to fine-tune macros, tweak lighting modes, and create on-the-fly bindings. The CK550 provides everything you might desire at a reasonable price if you're searching for a board that strikes the ideal mix between price and performance.

A compact but powerful wireless gaming keyboard under $100 is the Obinslab Anne Pro 2. Given that you can switch between wired and Bluetooth mode using a switch on the bottom and between four associated Bluetooth devices using the F1 to F4 function keys, it's a great keyboard to use with a multi-device streaming setup. Although its latency over Bluetooth is substantially higher, it is still not advised to use Bluetooth while gaming. In wired mode, its latency is quite low and on par with some premium gaming models.

Although its small size eliminates the dedicated arrow keys, you may still use them by pressing hotkeys that are mapped to the WASD keys. You can maintain your fingers on the home row and minimize time-consuming movement while gaming with this arrangement instead of having to get up and shift your complete hand. Additionally, the small size gives you more room for fluid mouse motions. However, we recognize that not everyone prefers a tiny board. So, if a full-size keyboard is what you like, the Logitech G613 LIGHTSPEED is what we suggest. It has reduced wireless latency and is equipped with a USB receiver. You should be aware that it doesn't have a rechargeable battery; instead, it runs on two AA batteries. If you play a lot of intense video games with lighting effects, you'll need to keep a lot of extra batteries on hand.

The Atom 60% mechanical gaming keyboard from Whirlwind FX is comparable to other alternatives of a similar size. The small size is convenient if you need more space for your mouse when gaming. Additionally, it will fit neatly into a backpack for trips. (To assist with that, it also contains a detachable braided USB-C cable.) The company offers three mechanical switches, each of which is beautifully illuminated by RGB LEDs. This little keyboard sticks out because of the Atom's backlighting, or more specifically because of the software that manages it. The problem is, the software may be used without even using a keyboard. With the help of the SignalRGB software, you can configure the keyboard's lighting so that it behaves differently both when it's being used normally and when media, such as games, are playing.

There is a selection of gaming integrations available in the app. When I tested the Battlefield V integration, for instance, it turned the keyboard lights red for low HP and green for healing. When you take damage or gain experience, the Fortnite integration will transform the keyboard to pink and red or purple. The company's open-platform lighting software allows you to build your own integrations if you really like to experiment. There are several games available. By extending the effects to your other RGB gaming peripherals, the Signal RGB programmer allows you to go one step further. More than 150 devices from manufacturers like Razer, Corsair, HyperX, Logitech, Steel Series, and others are supported. Additionally, you can ask for additional that aren't yet supported. Additionally, the company's second-generation Element keyboard, which has directional keys and a number pad but the same switch possibilities, is worth checking out if you want a full-size keyboard.

One of the best mechanical keyboards under $100 is the Corsair K68, which has Cherry MX Red keys and red LED illumination. The Cue Corsair application, which enables the customization of lighting effects and color, can be used to customize the lighting of the keyboard. Users of the Cue Corsair programmer can also create macros to improve their gaming comfort. The Corsair K68 is the second-best mechanical keyboard under $100 thanks to this command for quick movements' success.

Corsair's keyboard, like many others on the market, features a Windows key lock button to stop users from accidently opening the "Start" menu while playing a game. However, the IP32 standard compliance is what gives it its true value. The Corsair K68 keyboard is one of the best mechanical keyboards under $100 as a result of its resistance to dampness, grime, and even food crumbs. Because of this, the mechanical keyboard has keys with silicone rubber covers that shield the attachment's whole internal construction. The Corsair K68 mechanical keyboard is an affordable option for seasoned gamers and a mid-range device that is nearly equivalent to keyboards of higher quality.

Although Cherry has produced a number of iconic keyboards, the MX 3.0S is the greatest mechanical keyboard under $100 and the brand's first wireless model. This Cherry Advanced Wireless Technology-equipped three-mode mechanical gaming keyboard claims great energy efficiency and low latency. The Cherry MX 3.0S keyboard has a 109-key layout and measures around 430mm x 140mm x 36mm. It retains the distinctive bottom shell design. The side wings and bottom shell of the keyboard are made of different materials, with the side wings being made of decorative plastic plates. The top cable outlet, which is also made of plastic, reduces the quantity of metal bases that interfere with wireless signals. A power button and USB Type-C port are now located in the middle of the keyboard's top. There is a sizable flat area surrounding the interface, so any USB-C cable may be used to send signals to the keyboard in the event that the original connection is compromised, and compatibility is excellent. Another factor making the Cherry MX 3.0S the finest mechanical keyboard under $100 is its functionality.

 The keyboard uses a set of ABS keycaps that are the same height as the originals, and the front surfaces of the keycaps have been matte-coated to give them a pleasant feel. White keycaps must be regularly cleaned because they are more likely to become discolored with oil over time. The Cherry MX switch and RGB illumination are features of the Cherry MX 3.0S Wireless three-mode mechanical gaming keyboard. Since the switch body is directly coupled to the PCB and the design is continued without a steel plate, the feel feedback is less strong than with a steel plate. The keys have a softer feel without the steel plates, simulating the red switch.