Best Budget Gaming Keyboard Reviews (How To Buy 2020)

If ever you’re a hard-core gamer, most likely one of the most satisfying ways to level up your gaming experience is with a gaming keyboard.

If you’ve never used one before, then we highly recommend you to try one now. It is a big change from your traditional no-brand keyboards or classic low-profile that came with your systems. Among the long list of equipment required in gaming, you can’t simply overlook gaming keyboards since they are more than just a tool.

When playing for long-period of time, you absolutely need the additional level of comfort with the gaming keyboard. Exceptional and smooth gaming experience is ensured with it for you. Choosing the right keyboard is a crucial task. If you don’t do it right, then you’re most likely going to die in any of your favourite online multiplayer game.

Now if you have just some little knowledge about gaming, you must know the significance of a good keyboard, what’s latest in the market, and what differentiates one from another. With that said, we’ve summarized the 5 best gaming keyboards under 50 you can purchase, along with a detailed description to help you get the right gaming keyboard for your needs and budget.

Top 5 Best Gaming Keyboard Under 50 Dollars

1. Redragon K552 RED LED Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Redragon K552 is not your average mechanical gaming keyboard. It is not only over-designed and built to take a beating but it also comes with exceptional ergonomics and a space saving design providing a pure, fluid gaming experience. No matter how intense your gaming marathons are or how long you type, you’ll always be comfortable.

Moreover, this product features a crisp and bright adjustable RED LED backlighting, high-end switches with mechanical ultra-last springs, double-shot injection moulded keycaps, plate mounted keys, ABS construction, and Solid Aircraft-grade Aluminum. Additionally, it comes with a high-speed USB cable with gold-plated corrosion free USB connector for a good connection that can stand up to fast hard-core gaming.

Its plate mounted keys integrates a metal plate between the PCB and switches. This process makes for a sturdy and solid keyboard platform that is engineered to last. On the other hand, its custom mechanical switches are engineered for longevity with exceptional responsiveness and durability. Its mechanical keys provide medium resistance, crisp, precise tactile feedback, and audible click sound for ultimate gaming experience.

Video Overview – Source

See more information on Redragon K552 RED LED Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard.

• Compact
• Great design
• Very durable
• Comes with anti-ghosting technology
• Windows key lock
• Can dim or turn off the LEDs
• Comes with multimedia keys
• Can lock all keys
• Solid build quality
• Ergonomics

2. HAVIT Rainbow Backlit Wired Gaming Keyboard Mouse Combo

Havit Rainbow Blacklit Wired gaming keyboard is associated with membrane keyboard where all keys are same backlit and membrane is like a central light shared by all. The letters on the keypads are not backlit. But the bold and bright characters make the keys easier to read even if you don’t have a perfect vision.

One verified purchaser emphasized his experience on using HAVIT Rainbow gaming keyboard. According to him, this was purchased as an early Christmas gift. The space bar and enter key design make for a very comfortable gaming keyboard. The keyboard itself comes with a matte finish over the keys, making them extra comfortable and very easy to use.

He added that the extra keys are super nice as well, in fact one of them along the top can open your My Computer folder with just a touch of a button. Its function keys are similar to almost having a laptop keyboard for your desktop, letting for easy access to things just from your keyboard instead of having to constantly adjust your speakers to your computer.

Another verified user stated that its LED are a nice touch for gaming in particular, especially for playing games in the dark. Its response time is also really good. He also mentioned that the texture and shape of the mouse fits nicely into his hands. The built in wrist angle and support of the keyboard let for comfortable use during gaming.

Video Overview – Source

See more information on HAVIT Rainbow Backlit Wired Gaming Keyboard Mouse Combo.

• Great DPI control on the mouse
• Nice LEDs on the keyboard
• Soothing backlight
• Natural feel when typing
• Vibrant colors
• Very worth the price
• Mouse and keyboard combo
• Works well with Windows 10
• Great contour
• Quiet keys

3. Razer DeathStalker Expert Fully Programmable Gaming Keyboard

The Rzer DeathStalker gaming keyboard features a 10-key rollover. In other words, no matter the difficulty of your commands, your keyboard will never get in between your game and you. Its slim 2 mm Chiclet keycaps ensures less time is necessary to actuate each key so users can react faster to enemies and situations on their screen.

Moreover, this product comes with a built-in wrist rest along with its ergonomic design which is optimized for optimum comfort no matter how long you play. Additionally, it is integrated with a Razer Synapse 2.0 which is a cutting-edge software that functions as the Razer DeathStalker’s brain. It helps automatically sync the gaming keyboard to a cloud server while saving your individual settings.

This keyboard is ideal for people who need a reliable gaming keyboard but aren’t ready to make the leap on mechanical keyboards. It is smooth and silent when users are typing. Like all Chroma products, its lights are entirely customizable and come with set options, and can also be sync with any other Chroma products you have.

Video Overview – Source

See more information on Razer DeathStalker Expert Fully Programmable Gaming Keyboard.

• The light sequences are so unique
• Smooth pressing
• Very adjustable green backlighting
• The keys are quiet and feel great on fingers
• The wrist rest is at a slight angle
• Very comfortable
• Easy to clean
• Comes with convenient ghost settings
• Very responsive
• Lit well
• Good layout for gaming
• Comfortable button shape
• Easy to tell when buttons have been pressed
• Sturdy construction
• Easy setup
• Ergonomic design

4. Eagletec KG010 Mechanical Keyboard

The industrial design of this gaming keyboard is not just nice to look at but it also comes with great ergonomics. No matter how intense your gaming is or how long you type, you’ll always found yourself comfortable. The EagleTec KG010 is over-designed and made to last. Its plate-mounted mechanical keys and the Aircraft-grade Aluminum material can stand up to tough conditions.

Moreover its custom mechanical switches are engineered for exceptional durability and responsiveness. It comes with tactile bump feedback, audible click sound, and fast mechanical keys with medium resistance, and precise actuation. This high-quality construction technique integrates a metal plate between the PCB and its switches. This process makes for a sturdy and solid keyboard platform that is sure to last.

In addition to that, this gaming keyboard comes with BLUE LED backlighting for all 10 user and 104 keys adjustable brightness levels. Its double-shot injection molded keycaps give crystal clear uniform backlighting and lettering that doesn’t wear off.

Aside from all of these, Eagletec KG010 is not only good for gaming because it has been engineered to be an excellent typing tool for office work as well. Future users will certainly love the feel and keystroke precision, which can lead to fewer typos and errors.

Video Overview – Source

See more information on Eagletec KG010 Mechanical Keyboard.

• Worth the price
• Very consistent actuation points and weight
• Comes with a lot of features considering the price
• High-end feel and weight
• Key caps look and feel great
• USB cable is very long
• Easy to clean
• Solid construction and durability
• Comes with adjustable backlighting
• Great price for a mechanical keyboard with solid performance

5. CORSAIR K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard

CORSAIR K55 RGB gaming keyboard is your first step towards exceptional gaming experience. Stay one step ahead with its 6 dedicated on-the-fly programmable macro keys. Its Multi-key anti-ghosting guarantees your simultaneous key press combos are executed the way you wanted it to be.

Moreover, its dedicated media playback and volumes buttons allow you to control all of your media without disrupting your game. Additionally, its intuitive lighting and RGB backlighting modes give expressive lighting options, all under the user’s control. Its responsive and quiet keys offer a satisfying feel. It also comes with a detachable soft rubber wrist rest to make sure you get extra comfort during your gaming sessions.

For just 50 dollars you can’t beat this keyboard according to a verified user. He stated that its RGB is very nice, you can setup the lights to scroll, cou can make it all one color, you can set the colors in 3 different areas individually, or you can set how fast they scroll. He added that the keys are not mechanical so don’t expect that sharp click produced by a mechanical keyboard but they don’t feel cheap either. In fact, he like it better this way since a mechanical keyboard is quite noise and he find that annoying. Overall, he said that it is a great value for your money.

Video Overview – Source

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Girji2rqu_w

See more information on CORSAIR K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard.

• Comes with RGB lighting
• Comes with dedicated media keys
• Comes with Macros
• Decent sized cables
• Very tactile
• Quiet high profile keys
• Comes with wrist rest
• No software needed for RBG lighting
• Programmable keys
• Comfortable and durable

Mechanical Keyboards Vs Membrane Keyboards

There are a number of gaming keyboards from different makers out there, most of whom are either mechanical keyboards or membrane keyboards. Some will feel good on your hands, and some won’t.

When you do a whole ton of work or gaming, you’d want something that can perform well with your fingers. Nonetheless, not all gaming keyboards are manufactured the same granted that some are made better compared to others even if they look similar. Thus, we will compare the mechanical keyboard and membrane keyboard, and give recommendations about who should use mechanical keyboard, and who must use membrane keyboard.

Mechanical Keyboards

Mechanical keyboard uses switches to deliver typing signal. There are more than one type of switches out there, each one is generally performing in different ways. Each key has its own switch that comes with a stem, spring, and a base. The most typical switches are black, brown, red, and blue. Some need a particular amount of force in order to be press. Mechanical keyboards usually provide exchangeable keycaps that let users to DIY this kind of keyboard.

PROS of Mechanical Keyboards:

1. Easier to clean
2. Cons of mechanical keyboards
3. Comes with key rollover
4. Heavy
5. Comes with different typing style
6. Excellent tactility
7. Durable
8. Comes with removable keycaps

CONS of Mechanical Keyboards

1. DIY skills may needed
2. Heavy
3. Tend to generate loud sound
4. A bit pricier

Membrane Keyboards

Membrane keyboards use 3 different layers in its construction, which are very versatile. The first layer is known as the top membrane layer, and under that is called a conductive trace. When the key is pressed, it moves through the second layer that is made up of holes, letting the pressure pads that are located under each key to get through, and make contact with the conductive traces above of the lower membrane layer.

There are two kinds of designs that are used for membrane keyboards. One is the dome-switch keyboard that uses a dome with printed letters on top. In some cases, they are laser stretched or printed on. This kind of membrane keyboard uses a silicone or a rubber keypad that comes with domes as the top membrane layer. When these domes are pressed down, they collapse, and the graphite under the dome will complete the circuitry underneath the membrane pad, thus sending the signal of the key that is being pressed.

The other type is called the flat-key design that is normally used on microwave ovens. The keys in this kind of membrane keyboard are printed on the same pad. It still utilizes a pressure pad, which typist or gamers rely on physical feedbacks to blink type.

PROS of Membrane Keyboards:

1. Inexpensive
2. More portable
3. Significantly quiet
4. Similar typing experience with mechanical keyboards

CONS of Membrane Keyboards:

1. A bit harder to clean
2. Wear out quicker
3. Key rollover is not that great
4. Require more effort to type
5. Not really suitable for fast typer

Which Type Is The Right One For You?

For the most part, both kinds of keyboards come with their pros and cons, and each one meets the different needs of different consumers.

Not one kind of gaming keyboard is for everyone. If you’re on a budget and doesn’t really care about how the keyboard will perform, then a less-noisy membrane keyboard is the ideal choice for you since you won’t really need to worry about the weight and size of the keyboard. Additionally, students can benefit from the versatility of a high-quality membrane keyboard since it can also be used to write assignment or just by playing your favourite games. Ultimately, it is more affordable.

On the other hand, if you happen to be a heavy user who uses his keyboard all the time, doing some coding, writing articles or stories, or just a fast typist, then mechanical keyboards can be a very good choice for you. Of course, even gamers can benefit from using one with their gaming because of the swiftness that is needed at times. However, it tends to generate more noise. Fortunately there are ways to make the mechanical keyboard quieter by utilizing O-rings.

Ultimately, the best thing you can do is seek a place that can let you try out these two kinds of keyboards and decide which really the best one for your fingers is.

Things To Look For When Choosing A Gaming Keyboard

Whether you’re after a premium peripheral that can serve you well for both gaming and working or looking for a keyboard that provides you that extra edge, gaming keyboards have come a long way.

Now, what exactly can you get with a gaming keyboard that a typical keyboard doesn’t provide? For the most part, a keyboard for gamers should be durable and feel different. It must look different and customizable. The gaming keyboard you select will most likely depend on your needs and budget.

And after deciding to throw out your normal keyboard for a gaming and ready to get a gaming keyboard, we highly recommend you to consider a few vital features that can improve your gaming experience. We must restate again that there are personal preferences and what’s good for a particular gamer might not work for the other.

The following crucial features are:

1. Anti-ghosting technolog
2. Design
3. Wired or wireless
4. Extra keys

Anti-Ghosting Technology

This technology lets you press more than one key at a time and make your keyboard actually register each key press that you’re unable to do on normal keyboards. Additionally, Anti-ghosting technology was introduced due to the number of games occurring, particularly FPS that requires pressing two or more keys at a time to pull off some pretty nice moved.

Most gaming keyboards have this technology but what differs from one gaming keyboard to the other is just how many keys you can press at a certain time. High-quality gaming keyboards can take 19 keys at the same time while your budget might only take four or five.

The takeaway here is that, if you’re going to play a game that needs multiple key presses and fast reflex them make sure that your keyboard comes with an Anti-ghosting technology. On the other hand, if you know that the games you’ll be playing doesn’t need for numerous pressing then save some cash and get the appropriate gaming keyboard.

Ultimately, it is important that you understand that cheaper gaming keyboards doesn’t mean that they’re inferior compared to high-end keyboards. Sometimes, it just means fewer whistles and bells.

Design

If you are an avid gamer who constantly pulls all-nighters then gaming keyboards with ergonomics design is going to be ideal if you want to prevent hand and wrist injuries. Primarily, gaming keyboards have added safety features such as palm or wrist rests and raised keys. In addition, there are also some that offer adjustable height and tilt controls, letting you to place your gaming keyboard in a position that is comfortable to your wrists.

If you’re aware that you spend long-period hours during playing, then we highly suggest that you select a keyboard that comes with an ergonomic design instead of extra keys and buttons only.

Wired Vs. Wireless

There are normally two kinds of people in the world, those who prefer wired peripherals and those who like wireless. Each comes with their own pros and cons, and it boils down to what you value more: Responsiveness or convenience.

Now let’s take a look at what a wireless keyboard can offer. Wireless gaming keyboards are perfect for people who want to be able to use their keyboard wherever they are. Since most gaming keyboards come with short cables, you don’t really need to worry about your proximity to your computer case. Additionally, you don’t need to worry about getting the cables tangled up.

On the other hand, wireless keyboards has a slower responsiveness. Professional gamers know that a split-second could be the difference between winning and losing. With a wired gaming keyboard, you won’t spend money on batteries and you’re not going to stress about losing a game due to you’re out of batter power.

Ultimately, it comes down to your needs. If you’re taking gaming seriously, then it’s obvious that responsiveness of the keyboard is the top priority. But if you think convenience beats everything else, then go wireless.

Extra Keys

Extra buttons is a typical feature on gaming keyboards. There are multimedia keys, programmable buttons, and possibly a volume dial.

Extra multimedia keys are common on gaming boards and it’s unusual to find one that doesn’t come with any of these. In general, the difference between cheap gaming and high-end gaming keyboards are the number of multimedia keys they have. For instance, a cheap gaming keyboard will have a single button to mute, decrease, or increase the volume, whereas a high-end option comes with buttons and keys to control a media player, and launch apps, as well as a separate knob to adjust the lighting and volume.

While having extra keys are nice to have, they are more suitable for the user’s convenience instead of improving their game. Here’s a tip: if you don’t want to spend that much, it’s better if you don’t mind the extra keys to save some money or instead put that cash towards a keyboard that offers something better.

Moreover, you might want to consider the games you enjoy playing. If you’re a MMORPG or MOBA gamer, you’ll probably appreciate a keyboard that has programmable keys that allow you map complex commands for you to activate them with a single push of a button. On the other hand, if you play a lot of RPG or FPS games, you won’t really need all these kinds of keys.

Conclusion

And that concludes our top 5 picks for gaming keyboards under 50. This list will certainly help you find the ideal equipment for your gaming purposes, without having the need to save up intensely. All the gaming keyboards listed here have all the features needed for continuous gaming on, and on.

One more thing, a gamer’s greatest tool in his possession is his gamepad. With a nice gaming keyboard not only can you gain an crucial edge over your opponent on the screen. But you’ll also end up becoming very popular around your gaming community. So what are you waiting for? Pick one of the items from the list and start enjoying yourself!

Please drop down your comment below if you have any feedback our topic today. See you!