The Best Budget Keyboards

The computer is such a mesmerizing part of the modern world that no field can nowadays run without it. It is an incredible addition to this modern era that advances with time and knows no limits to perfection. But have you ever wondered how it works and how it manages to handle all the hectic tasks with sheer efficiency? Several components make that possible, and each of them holds utmost importance. If you are a top-level gamer or a professional but do not want to spend too many bucks on your keyboard, then you might require the best budget keyboard for your computer. The good thing is that you do not have to spend a fortune to get the right thing since you can now choose the best budget mechanical keyboard for your system. A keyboard is an input device that was devised by the idea of a typewriter and worked pretty much the same way. This peripheral has several buttons that the manufacturer arranges in a specific order to make the task you perform easier for you.

You might wonder why a keyboard is that important, even if you are not a gamer or a typist. A computer user who does not do much with his system requires the keyboard for many tasks. Although this input peripheral is mainly designed for typing, it also provides many other input commands and functions. The number and types of keys determine what kind of functions the board offers. The gaming community would need the best gaming keyboard, while those after the perfection will want the best wireless keyboard not to have to deal with messy cables. So no matter what sort of use you are, you will need the correct type of keyboard for the tasks your rig performs. We came up with the idea of discussing the best budget gaming keyboard for you to find the right item. That way, you would not have to waste bucks on worthless products.

Our top picks

Quick Shopping Tips:

Let’s have a look at the shopping tips that our experts have shortlisted so that you can have a successful purchase. If you keep these tips in mind, you can certainly avoid a remorseful purchase. These essential factors will come in handy while you feel indecisive among many options.

Form Factor: Most PC users first notice that a keyboard is its form factor. The form factor refers to the item’s size, and in terms of a keyboard, it decides how much desk space the object will occupy. Moreover, the form factor shows the number of keys that the product has, and in that way, boards come in various types. You can choose a full-sized item or a tenkeyless one; 60% of boards are great options too.

Switches: The type of switches your keyboard has matters a lot since they determine the travel distances and the actuation points, different for different items. Some switches on budget-oriented options may feel flimsy and not very desirable, while some come with high-quality modern switches. Depending on your preference, you can opt for linear, clicky, or tactile switches. Each type has various subtypes and is color-coded too.

Design & Compatibility: The keyboard that you choose for your gaming rig must be compatible with the significant interfaces and PC components. Most people prefer compact and sleek items with plenty of features compatible with their systems and provide an excellent typing experience. Keep this point in mind so that your newly bought item does not waste. Be sure to avoid an item that is likely to be phased out by the manufacturers due to its drawbacks and choose a future-proof one.

Additional Features: Even if you have decided to go for a low-priced product, you should not miss out on any of the essential features and a few add-on features as well. Modern boards come with fantastic looks due to RGB illumination and have tons of connectivity options. It would be best if you kept an eye out for an item that allows complete programmability and user-friendly software that will enable you to customize the system.

Build Quality: The item’s quality is essential, especially if an enthusiastic gamer plays with all his zest and goes pretty harsh on the board while gaming in the spur-of-the-moment. A gamer must choose a panel with durable build quality and check if the manufacturer has provided a warranty or not. The keycaps should not give a cheap feel so that they last long.

The Best Budget Keyboards: First look

The Best Budget Keyboards: In-depth Review

First up, we have the king of mid-tier options, the Cooler Master CK552, an outclass item with a bit of every desirable specification. This product comes at a price that is not too low but not way too high either and has maintained a spot amongst the top items in the peripheral market. This keyboard’s admirable features and over-the-top looks make it an attractive hardware piece. The minimalist design makes this item elegant and straightforward, and the RGB illumination enhances the look. The management of this peripheral via user-friendly software is pretty easy. The exposed brushed metal backplate makes the build quality impressive. However, the cord attachment does not give the same satisfaction.

The cable feels far less sturdy than that of the competitors of this keyboard. The manufacturers do not even provide an out-of-the-box wrist rest. There are a few frills that this item lacks, but that is understandable since this item lies in the budget-friendly category. You can certainly trust this product if you are looking for the best cheap keyboard that performs well too. So while considering all the pros and cons of this item, it would not be wrong to call it the best budget keyboard. But even in that case, the company does not make you sacrifice any significant features. You can say they have done cost-cutting the right way, and they certainly have succeeded in making the users happy with this item.

MSI is not a name that PC users are not familiar with as it has been manufacturing high-end PC components for quite a while now. Each of the products this company has manufactured until now is in a class of its own and has never failed to impress us. MSI Vigor GK50 Elite is the product that provides everything you expect from the best cheap keyboard, as it is one of those top-tier items and has quite a lot to offer. Some people may find it hard to justify its price as mediocre-ranged; however, the feature set and the aesthetic looks satisfy them to too much extent. Opting for this mechanical board would be a no-brainer when considering the super-efficient software. Let’s get deeper into this item and find its drawbacks.

Although this item is a mid-tier option, it lacks some features that we were looking forward to, especially from such a well-acclaimed company. There is no onboard storage in this item and no additional ports, which means you will not get any extras. The cord is not as strong as we expected it to be, but the overall quality of this item covers that tiny flaw. The manufacturers have made its metal top and the plastic body with pretty durable materials. This keyboard is unquestionably the best budget keyboard for typing the way it is, even without any add-on features and flares. The users need to understand their requirements before opting for this board, as the clicky keys might not be the best choice for the gamers but would still appease the typists.

Next up, we have the Redragon Dragonborn K630 RGB, which is not as fancy as it sounds but still is a capable performer that works well. It comes with excelling quality switches that give a smooth bump with no noise and provide a noiseless operation. So this board is no doubt the best cheap keyboard for those who do not like the clicky sound while working on their computers. This board is a wired-only item, but you can enjoy it the other way as it comes with Bluetooth support. It takes connectivity to new levels and for a wallet-friendly thing. The RGB feature is too, but it is not as aesthetic as the rivals. It comes with a Windows key lock which is a useful feature indeed.

Unlike many of its competitors, this item does not have any media keys right out of the box, making us wonder why the manufacturers decided not to add them. It has some other setbacks, and this lack of a wrist rest is at the top of them. This board is a high-profile thing, and the absence of wrist rest is not favorable since the user may bend up, tiring his muscles earlier than he expected. We call the best budget Compact keyboard a unique minimal design. The keys wobble a bit which might be bothersome for the user until he gets used to his board, but the noiselessness is still there. The keys are all macro-programmable and help the board deliver relatively low latency.

If you search for an item that goes easy in your pocket, you do not have to sacrifice every feature you desire, and the EVGA Z12 proves that point. If you are in the market for a low-profile non-mechanical keyboard, this item is undoubtedly the right choice for you. This item is considered the best budget non-mechanical keyboard with add-on features and keys. Speaking of keys, did we mention that all the keys are macro-programmable? This product costs you the lowest any keyboard would ever do, but it still has some bells and whistles. Read on to find a little more about this non-mechanical yet impressive thing.

This board has perfect ergonomics with two incline settings. Even if it does not come with a wrist rest, it still provides comfortable usage with the incline settings, which is a great reason to select it. With its light operating force, this board is the best cheap gaming keyboard for beginners and those with low-tier systems. The RGB backlighting by zones makes it attractive even with its timid style. You can use the EVGA Unleash RGB software to customize the illumination. You can also program the keys with this excellent software. The latency is a bit higher, and it is not the most modern item out there, but these things are not much of an issue keeping the price point in mind.

We have another item from the class-leading company MSI which has always kept the promise of manufacturing top-shelf items intact. The MSI Vigor GK50 Low Profile keyboard is one of the best items in the tech market that come in a few bucks but are meant to perform recklessly well. This board did not disappoint us for the most part, and that is why it made it to the list of the products that PC users demand the most these days. So if you are up to getting the best cheap gaming keyboard for your rig, this item will be a great pick. Even if it is a wired item, its intelligent and portable design makes it excellent for office setups and personal usage.

Nevertheless, there are some points that we would mention even if they sound like deal-breakers to you. The first thing that we do not appreciate about this item is the software which is not so reliable. But then again, it surely helps in key mapping, macro assignment, and LED control. The keys are not made of excellent quality plastic thus are a bit tacky and may wear out too. But to cope with that issue, the company has provided this best low-profile budget keyboard with a one-year warranty so the user can use his board well without worrying about wear and tear. There are great pre-programmed controls and shortcuts which will lessen your effort and come in handy.

Sometimes you might be so done with the old item you own that you want to go all out even while purchasing a pocket-friendly item. That is where the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro steps in and slays all of its rivals' performances. With its humongous feature set, this board is invincible and too hard to defeat. It comes with majestic Cherry MX switches, which stir up competition among the top-notch items in the tech market. The manufacturers kept the requirements of pro gamers in mind and made this item precisely for excellent performance in esports. Due to its TKL design, we label it the best budget TKL mechanical keyboard making it hard to accept that such a compact thing delivers rugged and high-class performance.

The solid build quality allows you to keep it with you during traveling without any signs of wearing. So we are here with the best cheap gaming keyboard, and you should gear up to perform to the greatest extent and win esports titles. But keep nitpicking it on this high-end board since it is not ideal in all areas. It lacks any programmable keys and has only a red backlight. Plus, you do not even get pre-installed software to customize things according to your taste. Even with these minor issues, this product is still the most praiseworthy one in the mainstream consumer market. This item is very responsive to the touches; this is an excellent pick for people who type at a fast rate.

We will move towards our following recommendation, the Logitech K845, which has received a massive response since the manufacturers released it. Who wouldn’t be aware of the industry-leading company Logitech? The brand has been around for ages, and the peripherals it has been manufacturing are always at the top of the line. The company targeted budget-conscious PC users while manufacturing this keyboard and teemed it with best-in-town features. Although it doesn’t shout the credibility of its quality out loud, it still manages to stand tall amongst other products in the less pricey range. This item is on the verge of mid to high-end entries in the market, especially considering the switches it features.

Although it does not have any RGB-like flare, it offers you with white backlight, and to our surprise, it allows you to control the brightness. The manufacturers designed this tailor-made item mainly for the typists. The smooth touch and feedback give them sheer confidence; thus, they call it the best budget keyboard for productivity. It lacks any dedicated macro or media keys but still is the best cheap keyboard since the body is not too hefty nor light in weight but is quite reliable. For a gamer who uses his rig a lot and games for consecutive hours, there is nothing better than this item which comes at a fraction of the price of its rivals. So considering all the good and wrong sides of this product that the manufacturers have whipped in at an affordable price, we strongly recommend it.

Let’s conclude today’s worthwhile discussion with the final suggestion, Havit KB487L, which is a treat for the crowds. This board is a captivating product that comes in unmatched aesthetics. If you need a small item that leaves space on your desk for other peripherals, this item with a tenkeyless design is the right choice. This product single-handedly wins the title of the best cheap gaming keyboard with its distinctive looks, and particular layout stands between tenkeyless and full-sized items. It comes with PBT keycaps which is a weird rarity these days; thus, seeing them on this low-tier item was a pleasant surprise. The braided cable serves well when managing the mess, and the unique layout appeals to the higher-end masses.

But this entry-level board comes with a few drawbacks, which are eminent at this price point. The overall build quality is not much impressive; especially the switches did not satisfy us. If you are an avid typist, you need to consider this item’s flimsy feel before opting for it. Nevertheless, this product with no bells and whistles is still the top item for a restricted budget, and it is pretty desirable with its original design. The responsive linear switches of this thing make it the best budget keyboard for work and play. Multiple keys and vast compatibility fulfill the requirements of most gamers who prefer a low-cost board. So opting for it in most cases should be a great deal, thus a no-brainer too.

Final Words

A computer is a flawless thing that has been bewitching the world with the wonders it does. Everything that a computer performs radiates excellence and perfection, and a part of the credit goes to the peripherals, which work harmoniously to deliver such performance. As we all know, a keyboard is a crucial element of the computer system and performs essential tasks. It helps the user insert the data by typing on it; it lets him make commands through specific keys and shortcuts. A typist adds all the letters, characters, and numbers to the screen through a keyboard. But that is not all that a keyboard does since it plays a role in other tasks like gaming and programming. We discussed the best budget keyboard for you today so that you do not have to go all out while purchasing a mere keyboard. Even though they are simple peripherals, keyboards often may cost quite a lot.

Without the right keyboard, the gamer in you might not deliver excellent performance. You do know that this input device is a must-have for a PC user, so you must be up to finding one now. However, finding the right thing for your computer is not always a successful mission. You may often come across several faulty and good-looking yet low-performing items while you are in a quest for the top-tier item. So to help you avoid purchasing an item that may leave you in dismay, we decided to find the right things for you. We tested the top-shelf items and jotted down a list of the most suitable ones. Each keyboard of this list is in a class of its own, so you can now simply choose an item or compare the specifications if you are confused between the two. So get your favorite item with a single click and get the product at your doorstep.

Frequently Asked Questions