20 Best Gaming Keypad For Pc (2023 Updated)

Overall, I’m pretty happy with this keyboard. It seems pretty easy to type on, but I haven’t made a lot of changes from the default settings. I really like the clarity of the lettering on the keycaps compared to other stylized options.

A couple of minor things have popped up in the weeks since I started using it full-time. First, when coming out of sleep, sometimes the keyboard doesn’t light up with the profile I selected and everything is just dark.

Sometimes when the PC is sleeping, if I (or my cat) touches the keyboard, then it lights up and doesn’t seem to shut back off. Through the software to customize, I’ve setup the OLED display on the keyboard to cycle through system information.

However, I have an AMD CPU, so apparently it can’t gather info and those related displays like CPU Temp are just blank. Lastly, it feels like I’m always trying to brush dust off the rest. I like having the wrist rest but this hard yet tacky surface seems like it would be one of the worst choices.

The keyboard does what is advertised (Has lots of blinky colors). The video and advertising, seem to focus more on the keyboard color effect, than anything else. I just wanted a keyboard that was back lit, and allowed me to change key colors.

I am not interested in the effects. The color of the keys, are affected by the adjacent keys. Colors bleeds over in to the adjacent keys. The application to program the keyboard, is not very intuitive.

It was not clear how to save multiple profiles. When I saved a profile, the profile button, did not switch between profiles anymore. I seems to only have one profile, and it is suppose to allow you to switch between three.

Every time I save a profile, to a different slot, it seemed to just replace the old one with the new one. The program does not seem to have any instruction manual, and the one for the keyboard is practically useless.

The program is also a Beta version, and you must download it from the Microsoft Store. There is no program support for any other operating system. The keys are a bit mushy. If you are looking for clicky keys, with a crisp action, this is not the keyboard for you.

The keyboard seem to be very well constructed. It has some weight to it, and does not feel flimsy. I like the extra media keys. I don’t think the extra USB plug, really adds any value to the keyboard.

All it does is reroute the USB port to the back of the keyboard.

Overall decent for the price (and very good for the $90 i spent for it) with some minor gripes Pros: -good hyperx switches and pleasant quiet typing -quite responsive and light presses register just fine -minimal ping noise, 10x better than the corsair k70 RGB Pro which had metal ping on every keystroke, horrifying -sturdy body and well built -media keys are convenient -font on keys is not embarrassing but respectable -epic lights (idc about RGB but i can recognize when something is pretty) -software is simple to use with 1 major flaw (see cons) Cons: -the cord is very thick, personally not a fan -pass through USB port is pointless since you have to plug in 2 USBs to the PC for the pass through to work.

i don’t do this so there is a useless USB cord just hanging there while the main one for the keyboard is plugged in -the software for lighting preset is pure suffering. you have to close the program completely to use the dedicated button to switch between presets.

so to change colors you can either choose it within the program OR close it completely via task manager and use the physical button. if you are confused right now so am i -less built-in patterns than others -keys attract oil so don’t be filthy.

It’s built to be the last keyboard you’ll ever buy. Time will tell. It weighs about 10 lbs. it’s a beast. The cable requires 2 USB ports to power the thing. The single cable spreads to two for input, so have some USB ports ready.

Out of the box the volume roller and mute key work with my video player, the other media buttons don’t, but I suspect that’s a settings issue. The RGB’s are bright as heck with the pudding keycaps, but what is even better is that there’s dedicated buttons to control the lighting.

You don’t have to use weird key combinations and/or external software to make changes – that feature got it it a full star on my review right there ! The RGB is blasting, but you can dim it down with a simple press of a button.

There’s about 5 brightness settings for that. as well as keys to modify how it behaves. The top plate is metal, and the rest is a robust plastic. But believe me, there is no flex of any kind. the thing is a total heavy beast.

I love it. It’s not cheap, but I will get another if it goes on sale again.

Over the years, I have had hands-on experience with a plethora of keyboards spanning various form-factors, switch-types, and configurations. That said, the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is the one of the most compact, customizable, and powerful keyboards I’ve ever used.

After opening the packaging, the keyboard’s size is its most noticeable aspect. Featuring a compact 60% size (i. e. , no dedicated arrow keys, ten-key pad, media function keys, function keys, or navigation keys), this keyboard sports only the keys you absolutely need while maintaining all the functionality of said removed keys.

The keyboard provides these functionalities via a responsive and robust “SteelSeries Key” located between the Right Windows Key and the Right Control Key operating much like the “Fn Key” found on many laptops.

While holding the SteelSeries Key, the user can access the secondary functions of each key which are clearly labeled on the front of each keycap. This sort of interface may be a dealbreaker for some, but I found it was rather easy to get acclimated to.

I spend a lot of time in productivity applications and, while a full-size keyboard can be easily operated out of the box with no extra thinking involved, I found I was able to achieve a comparable performance level with this keyboard after a short learning curve.

Another immediately noticeable aspect of this keyboard is its utilization of SteelSeries proprietary OmniPoint Adjustable Actuation Switches. Typically, I immediately take pause when a manufacturer touts its proprietary switches as superior to traditional mechanical switches; however, I was happily proven wrong on this one.

The actuation point of the switches is customizable via SteelSeries GG, a software typically bundled with any SteelSeries product, and offers settings ranging from an unbelievably sensitive hair trigger to requiring the key to be fully depressed for actuation.

This allows for a degree of customization that would have previously required you to buy a whole new keyboard with different switches. It is important to note, however, that modifying the actuation point of the switches DOES NOT modify the tactile or audible responses of the keyboard.

If I were to compare the feel of these switches to a traditional mechanical switch, I would say they are most similar to Cherry MX Reds where there is no tactile actuation feedback, and the keys need not be bottomed out for actuation.

Personally, I find that an actuation point of 1. 6 in SteelSeries GG offers the quickest and most sensitive response for my typing style while avoiding unintended keypresses. You may notice that the majority of the keyboard is constructed out of plastic; however, I would not consider this to be a downfall as I would with many other keyboards.

Whatever kind of space-age plastic they used in constructing this keyboard feels astoundingly rigid, premium, and hefty — there is ZERO flex to this keyboard whatsoever. The keys also have a grin-inducing texture to them highly reminiscent of the classic beige keyboards with purple PS/2 connectors.

Another aspect of the keyboard I would like to touch on is the customizability of each key’s individual function. Via use of the SteelSeries GG software, the user can reprogram any key to perform nearly any function including straight-up rebinds, execution of user-generated macros, and even dual-press keys.

I don’t typically make much use of features like this, however, I found that rebinding the Right Windows Key to function as a Second “SteelSeries Key” eliminated the few inadvertent keystrokes I was performing when initially getting my feet wet with the keyboard (and I never really use the Right Windows Key anyhow).

SteelSeries GG also allows users to customize the per-key RGB backlighting to their heart’s content. One potential downside to this keyboard is its lack of ergonomic considerations; however, I feel it should be evident that ergonomics will take a hit when dealing with 60% keyboards, especially considering the omission of a wrist pad.

If you think this may be a dealbreaker for you, I found that the dedicated wrist pad from my Logitech G513 provided some support, but a more ergonomics-centric keyboard may be a better option for you.

Overall, I would highly recommend this keyboard to anyone looking for an extremely compact platform ideal for travelling with all the functionality and customization options that a full-size keyboard typically offers.

The quality of the keyboard itself as well as the software bundled with it make this an exceptionally user-friendly product to set up, use, and customize to your exact liking.

This is my first time using a mechanical keyboard since before membrane keyboards were the norm. I quite like the nostalgia of a mechanical keyboard and the satisfaction of the clicks. I am not ready to mod or build my own mechanical keyboard, so I like that this has adjustable switches.

I like that this has two wireless options ((2. 4GHz and Bluetooth) and wired connectivity. I didn’t think I needed wireless but I am enjoying being able to put it anywhere I want. The included USB-C to USB-A cable is one of the best quality I have ever received included with a product (it is exciting when a cable is included these days).

It is 8 feet long and wrapped in nylon. I like that the keyboard looks clean and minimalistic. There is branding but not too much. The black sleek design allows the different lights to be the main focus of the keyboard.

The small size doesn’t take too much room on the desk and allows plenty of room for a mouse to be comfortably used next to it. It does take some getting used to not having certain buttons but you can customize the keyboard to your needs.

The casing and keycaps feel well made and I am not scared that I have to be gentle on the keys. You have to download the Steelseries GG software to make adjustments and configurations to the keyboard.

What is annoying though is that GG is not just software for the keyboard settings but also includes a whole bunch of other functions that I don’t want or need. I wish there was an option to only download the Engine application.

The software interface could be improved upon. I found that it’s not entirely intuitive and difficult to use. There are also not as many preset illumination settings as I would have liked. As fun as it is to make your own combinations up, it does take a lot of time and there is a learning curve to the software that not everyone will want to spend time doing just to have different colors.

I thought set-up was a bit of a pain because I had to do a software update on top of downloading the GG software, which involved plugging in the dongle and the keyboard. There is also not a lot of overall instruction or guidance on the site or included with the keyboard.

I couldn’t even find information on how to factory reset the keyboard when I thought I had made a mistake in one of the settings. The sound could be a bit more clicky but it is enough to be satisfying.

It is still plenty loud enough for someone who is not used to using a mechanical keyboard. The response times do seem indeed fast. The keys are smooth and consistent. I like the texture of the keycaps and hope that they don’t get smoothed out with repeated use.

A wrist support would have been nice to have been included but is not a deal breaker. Overall, it is an excellent keyboard but the downside of having difficult to use software.

When our last keyboard quit working I knew finding a suitible replacement for my avid gamer family wasn’t going to be easy. As all of us game but on different games. My husbands go to game is World Of Tanks & World Of Warcraft though not as much Warcraft since their most recent expansions.

Anyway my daughter and son play on Ark and while I do tend to find myself writing more than gaming I also play online games using the desktop. That said I knew I wanted to elimimate having to charge the next keyboard because to be honest charging a wireless keyboard constantly became more of a pain than being wired.

Then came the time to look at other features such as lighting even though that isnt nearly as important as other factors such as optipoint switches and doubleshot pbt keys both of which the Apex 9 tkl have.

The optipoint switches are engineered for speed so theres zero debounce and they provide virtually instant response time. The doubleshot pbt gives you tournment ready keycaps that are designed for competition.

Resistent to wearing down and durable so they will stand up to the regular and heavy use. The keyboard also has 2 point adjustable actuation so you can adjust the height at which your keystrokes activate.

You can play in two modes ultralight for quick action gaming and deeper presses for everyday typing. Speaking of which the keyboard makes the most satisfying sound when in use but isnt overly loud or obnoxious like some overly pronounced mechanical keyboards.

It comes with a key remover so you can easily remove or replace keys if desired. The lighting features are honestly a wonderful fun feature theres different settings but our favorite is the wave / breath setting where it looks like a wave of changing colored lights across the keys.

This is customizeable via a button on the keyboard. Theres also a scroll wheel in the upper right hand side that controls your computers volume. Theres also a high and low ergonomic setting for how high you set it.

Overall id say my mission while not easy was accomplished and we are a happy family of gamers and so thankful the our Apex 9 TKL to of joined our gaming family.

Any keyboard enthusiast that isn’t 18 years old will tell you about how amazing this keyboard is for the value, and they are absolutely right! This keyboard feels beyond premium when compared to other 60% keyboards made by razer, Corsair, and Ducky.

Their red switches feel very smooth and the PBT caps have a soft touch to them compared to a gritty texture of other keyboards. Hyper X is the same company that teamed up with a ducky for their special edition 60% keyboard and included a lot of features from the mecha mini on this 140$ model.

Now despite all the pro’s to this keyboard there are some things that you should keep in mind. It is not hot swappable, the switched and soldered to the mother board so they aren’t the easier to swap.

Another con is that the stabilizers are rattley which is apparent when playing. However, all in all this is a fantastic keyboard with excellent form fact for gaming with maximize desk/mouse space. It is aesthetically pleasing and has performance on par with keyboards twice it’s price.

Avoids listening to people saying that the red switches were “crappy” as they are still to this date one of the most sold switches out there! Cheers!.

Build quality is on par with the Origins Alloy RGB full size keyboard that HyperX released and with the inclusion of doubleshot PBT keycaps on this, I personally find this sounds and types better than Razer’s Huntsman Mini range of 60% keyboards.

The placement of the second layer arrow keys is also way more ergonomic compared to where most 60% keyboards place them (usually I, J, K, L). HyperX also appear to have fixed the issues with rattle-y stabilisers on the spacebar for currently sold models compared with when this product was first released.

RGB lighting on this is nice and strong with excellent saturation. This 60% keyboard gives you all the benefits of a full size keyboard in a much more compact package and it makes my work from home setup that much more ergonomic than using a full-size keyboard (or even a mini-TKL/TKL keyboard).

The only compelling reason I would have to choose Razer’s Huntsman Mini lineup over this are the optical switches used in that model. But honestly, these HyperX Red switches are on par with them.

Bought this for myself as a birthday present. Pretty alright keyboard but not exactly a 5 star. Some pros and cons- Pros- – Affordable – 60% layout – Solid aluminum frame – PBT keycaps and it also comes with cool accessory keys and a keycap puller.

– Switches are smooth and don’t feel scratchy like cherry mx reds. – Braided USB-C cable – The Hyper-X NGENUITY software is alright for changing the RGB settings. Cons- – Switches are soldered and NOT hotswappable – Stabilizers make the larger keys (shift, spacebar, enter and backspace) feel a bit wobbly – Switches could use more lube – The user experience of the NGENUITY software could be better.

– The USB-C port is deep set on the keyboard. So some third party cables don’t fit unless they’re pretty narrow Overall a pretty good keyboard. Would recommend if you don’t need a lot of customization and if you could get it around 90$.

I bought the huntsman elite while it was 159. 99 in-store and so far I am really liking it. I first considered trying a hot-swappable keyboard but could not let the $40 sale price go. about 3 weeks later and I love using this keyboard and it works perfectly for not just gaming, but for my school work as well.

The RBG and control from Razer Synapse are fairly easy to learn and look good. The media and volume control in the top right corner is a huge plus for me as I listen to music often while working and gaming.

The purple opto-mecha switches feel crisp and feel very satisfying to type on (do note I am coming from a laptop membrane keyboard). The wrist rest is also very plush and a lot better than the Blackwidow plastic wrist rest.

The wrist rest also has RGB lights and syncs to the keyboard via the magnetic connection point. I recommend this to anyone who isn’t too into the “build your own keyboard” trend, is looking for a good-looking sturdy keyboard, and is willing to spend a couple of extra dollars for quality.

I have enjoyed my time with this keyboard so far and have enjoyed the rich feature set of this board. Razer nailed the looks. It can be loud if you want that or quiet if you adjust how far you push the keys down without any performance hit.

The only downside I could forsee is that it needs two available USB ports. One for the keyboard and one for the underglow. Not necessary to function but be advised. The palm rest attaches via magnet on the front making it extremely modular to give a user options.

The palm ready also has underglow as a nice bonus.

This is my first mechanical or gaming keyboard. I’ve been using my laptop keyboard or, when I use my desk top set up, I use a regular keyboard. This keyboard has made gaming (and typing in general) more enjoyable than ever before.

It looks incredibly sleek on its own, but when you add the wrist rest and the RGB lights it looks phenomenal. I really love the Chroma lighting on the keys, and especially how it goes all the way around the keyboard as well as the wrist rest when you have that attached.

I have an entertainment area set up with my Philips Hue light bulbs and the Huntsman Elite works perfectly with the Hue bulbs for totally immersive gaming, and when I’m not gaming, just chilling, it makes my room look really cool.

Installing the Synapse software and setting up the keyboard was super easy. With the Synapse software you can completely customize your keyboard – reprogram keys, customize your lighting and lighting zones.

The dedicated digital dial and media keys are a fantastic addition, I wish all keyboards had these. I especially love how the dial sticks out over the side just a bit, it’s easy to find by touch instead of having to look away from your screen to find it when you want to adjust the volume.

The keyboard itself is outstanding – the keys are delightfully clicky and only a very light key press is needed. The clicking is a little loud but I don’t mind it, I find the sound to be soothing. The keys are extremely fast and responsive, typing is flawless whether gaming or using for everyday internet browsing, school, or work.

I haven’t noticed any input lag at all. There are feet on the keyboard bottom that allow you to adjust the height – you have 2 height options to choose from with the feet. It’s got a little wright to it, and there are rubber bumpers on the bottom to keep it from easily sliding around on your desk.

The USB cables are thick and braided, which seems to add to the durability as well as making them look nice. There are 2 USB cables – 1 for the keyboard and 1 for the wrist rest, so that means using 2 of your computer’s USB ports, unless you choose not to use the wrist rest, or to use the wrist rest without plugging it in.

There’s no USB port on the keyboard itself, but that’s not a dealbreaker for me, I have a USB hub that I’d use instead anyway. The wrist rest is plush and comfortable, and it looks great with the Chroma lighting running around it.

It’s magnetic so connecting it and removing it is quick and easy. It’s genuinely hard to find anything that I DON’T like about this keyboard, but if I have to find something to pick on it’s that the keys are so easily smudged with oils from my fingers.

I’m a bit obsessive about fingerprints and smudges on my electronics so I find myself wiping the keys off with a sanitizing wipe once a day at least. I might be the only person that notices this kind of thing though! It’s not a huge deal and certainly doesn’t change my opinion of how NICE this keyboard is.

It’s honestly a well thought out, extremely well made keyboard. I’m tremendously proud to own it and to show it off to all of my friends.

Fantastic keyboard with linear red switches which are super smooth. Solid metal frame which looks and feels amazing. RGB lighting is bright and easily programmed using the downloadable ngenuity software.

I had a clash with the software when MSI afterburner was running so turn that when modifying keyboard settings. Keycaps are a little bit slick (smooth not matte finish) and can easily pick up fingerprints and oil.

However, small things aside, I really like this keyboard and recommend it to anyone looking for linear switches an RGB lighting.

The on-the-fly capability of adjusting the actuation point of the switches was the selling point of this particular keyboard. It is enjoyable to be able to set different keys for different games and programs.

Some keys in some keys a shorter or longer stroke to activate the key, while general productivity may benefit from a longer actuation to try to prevent some typos. It is rather pricey compared to the few other keyboards available with the same type of switch, just not adjustable.

Would be nice to get the better keycaps included for the price. The original keycaps started to shine in light usage within two hours before going to a different store the next morning for the PBT Doubleshot keycaps.

Sometimes the full size keyboard has shown up at a substantial discount. If one does not mind a full size keyboard it would certainly be worth a look if it is on sale. Needed to go into Windows settings to disable some USB sleep settings to be able to more consistently have the keyboard working when waking the computer from sleep.

Had not had to do that on previous keyboards. There are two larger cons with this keyboard. First, Steelseries Engine is becoming as bloated as some other company’s software. Years ago used a Steelseries Sensei and very much liked the simplicity of Engine.

This new Steelseries GG adds features that will not be used for sakes of being able to claim to offer them. Second, the OmniPoint switches are not used on every key giving some keys a very different feel.

Would prefer even a slightly higher price and have the same switch for every key even the ones Steelseries must deem not used as much.

I am Full-time Engineering college student who likes to play games on my free time or days off. I mostly use my computer for everything such as writing essays/reports, complex math homework all the way to playing Ranked on Apex Legends.

I had the issue of wanting a fast keyboard for gaming but then having a good in between for typing. I originally bought the Razer Huntsman TE as it was $70 on sale. I used tactile switches before but started to outgrow that style of switches.

Once I tried the linear on the Huntsman TE, I fell in love with linear. The issue was with that keyboard, it sucked for typing, I wrote a whole essay with that keyboard, and it was like driving a sport bike on a road full of ice.

I looked at BestBuy’s Website and saw this one but $150 on sale had me on edge as that was a lot of money for a keyboard. After multiple reviews and YouTube Videos I decided to pull the trigger and buy it.

I do not have any buyer’s remorse after doing so. The ability to set the Actuation to anything between 0. 4 to 3. 6 is incredible. You can do it from the mini-OLED screen on the board, so no software is required.

Now I can go all the way to the lowest level and play games and be super-fast with movements (Even faster than the Huntsman line of keyboard from Razer) or increase the Actuation distance for when I’m typing so I don’t have any mistypes.

The included Wrist Rest is okay but not razer quality. The Cable is not braided which Razer spoiled me where everything they sell with a cable is braided. The size of this board is however very reasonable and not huge.

My wrist does not get uncomfortable typing on this. The above-board key design or style helps with easier cleaning. Hopefully my scenario and experience help most of you make a choice. I am basing my value score on the price that I paid.

I really recommend buying it on a sale!.

The HyperX Alloy Origins Core is a fantastic keyboard at a reasonable price point. Build Quality Overall the build quality is top notch. The board feels very solidly constructed and has a nice weight to it.

It doesn’t move around when in use thanks to the rubber on the bottom and adjustable flip out feet. The detachable USB-C cable is also nice and adds convenience. Switches I find the aqua switches fit the bill for something between a red and brown.

They’re tactile with a nice bump, not overly loud and don’t resonate with any metallic noise as I’ve heard on a few other boards. The switches really feel like a sweet spot. RGB The RGB is nice and vibrant and can be turned down or off on the keyboard.

There are also a few on board color profiles preloaded on the board. The NGENUITY software to control the RGB is fairly simple and you can save profiles to the board which is a perk. Keycaps The keycaps are ABS and very smooth.

I would prefer to have PBT caps but these perform well and do not feel cheap. The font used is refined and subtle which helps the board keep a lower profile if you wanted to use it in an office environment.

Overall This board is a solid performer. I found it really had everything to fit my needs and was a well rounded, quality option that should last for a good while.

So I have used this keyboard as my daily driver for the past 2 years. I bought my first one two years ago for work. I bought my second one to be used at home. I am a programmer who is constantly coding.

I really like the feel and the sound of these switches. The removeable usb cable is really nice and allows to cool custom cable options. I use a Mac at home and a Linux machine for work. The software only works for windows, last I checked.

So my RGB modes are not fully customizable without the software. I think it only comes with three modes by default. But I just turn off the lights for work and I leave the RGB lights on at home. And this works for me.

But honestly this is a very nice board and it is so far the one that I can code the fastest in. But I’d recommend you walk into a Microcenter and see if they have display model you can play with and get a feel for it and see if you like it.

I wanted a high quality keyboard to replace a very old keyboard. I bought for my other desktop a corsair keyboard that was quite expensive – about $130 or $140 This keyboard was under $100 and I tested in the store that showed it was quiet.

I really like it. The software to control the LED lighting is HyperX NGENUITY which you get from the Microsoft Store for Windows 10 and 11. I am using this on a Windows 11 custom PC I built. I prefer this software over Corsairs iCue software that corsair keyboard The only feature this keyboard does not have the the Corsair has is volume control for your speakers, but other than that the keyboard works great.

Beware of most of the “hybrid” keyboards out there. many of them are straight up cheap membrane keyboards with a noisemaker built into the key to make the “clicky” noise. That’s not what the Apex 5 does.

The switches are legit spring loaded mechanicals on the top end and they have that satisfying “blue” click and feel at first. but they don’t bottom out hard like true mechanicals. They have a nice soft finish due to the membrane on the bottom end.

I’m a bit of a keyboard gypsy, never staying with one model for long. I bought an Apex 5 about a year ago, used it for 6-7 months and then built my own custom board with Panda switches. The Apex 5 went to my son.

About 5 months after I gave it to my son, his PC had some issues. so I was working on it for an hour or two one night. and I realized how much I missed the truly unique typing feel of the Steelseries hybrid blue configuration.

I went to Microcenter the next day I bought myself another Apex 5. The Panda switches were great, but they bottom out hard and loud. This one has a certain smoothness in long typing sessions that I haven’t found in a true mechanical.

So this Apex 5 hybrid is a perfect balance for me, obviously your mileage may vary. Pros: – I personally love what Steelseries did with the hybrid approach – lots of customization and effects options with the RGB lighting out of the box, even more with the Steelseries software (but the software is also a con, see below) – rigid metal chassis, just feels quality / well built – keycaps are removable / replaceable for further customization Cons: – Steelseries software doesn’t * require * a unique account as of now, but they seem to be heading that direction.

it’s approaching bloatware. – The magnetic wrist rest has a matte finish that shows every bit of schmutz and the surface wears rather quickly – The OLED screen is a bit gimmicky, would like to see a cheaper version without this teeny screen.

Overall, this is the best keyboard I’ve ever owned for under $100. and I’ve owned it twice. I’ve built custom keyboards that cost twice as much and I still find the Apex 5 to be the most satisfying for regular typing work.

This is the budget level keyboard that has many of the features that higher priced gaming keyboards provide. With the SteelSeries Engine software installed you can customize the 10 RGB zones for your illumination desire.

The lights are bright, but kind of broad, so you can’t make individual keys light up like the SteelSeries Apex 5 or Apex 7, but can create shifting, steady, breathing or even audio visualizer color patterns.

Just a word of advice, I didn’t realize it at first, but you have to select the zones you want to change for them to take effect, then save it to keep it that way. The keys are soft and quiet and since it uses a rubber membrane it gains water resistance.

With the Steelseries Engine software you can also configure each key to be a different key, function or macro. With the Profile key combo you would think you can easily switch between the different configurations you design, but you can’t, not yet at least.

You can however use the SteeleSeries icon in the tray tool and select the various configs that you set in the Engine software so that you can have a different color background that coordinates with your programmed key functions that might have macros assigned or such.

The macro record and brightness keys work as described though. Just make sure to go in and give the macro a new name in the macro editor as you won’t be able to assign it with the generic name it creates.

The added media button is a simple way to play/pause any media player as well as to quickly adjust the main system volume. The ability to route the cable through three different areas is something I forgot keyboards used to have as most of them now just have a static cable out the back.

This is nice for anyone that wants to keep cables neatly to one side of the desk. The magnetic wrist rest appears to be made of the same material as the body of the keyboard. I wouldn’t say it is soft, like I think of a gel wrist rest, but it is helpful to give that added edge.

Overall, if you desire an illuminated gaming keyboard without paying the premium, this is a nice one to have.

The Steelseries Apex 3 has the bells and whistles to look like a modern gaming keyboard but not all the underlying feel. I think its great for younger non hardcore audiences where the visual features are what matters.

I would say it’s a wonderful keyboard to give to younger teens who want to capture the looks and feel of the twitch streamer they idolize. But as someone who has been gaming for a few decades, it falls short on the expectations many older games have of a gaming keyboard.

What it lacks is the feel of a spring-loaded switch that use to define what made gaming keyboards stand out from a standard office keyboard. It however does feel much more tactile than the standard generic dell rubber dome switch keyboard.

On the flip side it keeps the benefits of being a non mechanical keyboard, which means the rubber dome switches are super quiet. If your kids share their room this keyboard allows one to type or game without annoying the living daylights of everyone else.

The biggest thing most casual gamers expect out of a gaming keyboard these days is the RGB led options and this keyboard does deliver on that front. It has the ability to adjust brightness and set the entire keyboard to 1 solid color or even switch to a rainbow spectrum.

You need to download the SteelSeries Engine software from their website to configure or make customizations to the lighting. The user can feel like he has the same type of lights as the pros you can see used at a pro gaming competition.

I would say it is a great entry keyboard for someone who wants to say they have a gaming keyboard but isn’t a keyboard enthusiast.

My PC in my home office is located on a large corner desk. The electric lighting in the room is from a fan on the ceiling and a lamp by a reading chair. There is no good place for a lamp on the desk.

I’ve been using the keyboard that came with my Dell PC. That keyboard suits my needs when working at my desk in the daytime since I can see the keyboard adequately with daylight from the windows. But in the evening and at night it is very difficult to see the keys.

This backlit keyboard provided me with the perfect solution. Also during the day, I can see the keys better than before. I set the lighting to “solid” and set the color to white (for me white gives the best visibility among the 9 colors offered).

The keyboard has a key to turn the backlighting on with medium brightness, full brightness, and to turn the lights off when not in use. For me, medium is just right whereas my wife prefers the brighter setting.

The visibility of the lighted keys is great day or night. The keys have a very nice feel and are quiet. I’m using a UBS2 connection and have no whining noise as some who used UBS3 have reported. The keyboard is substantial, sturdy, and well made.

I could not be more pleased. There are many backlit keyboards out there, but after researching the capabilities and reading reviews, the HyperX (owned by HP) was my overwhelming favorite choice. Many of the competitors — most from companies that I’ve never heard of — seemed to have flimsy builds, keys that stuck, keys that stopped working, keys where the coating wore off, lighting that was uneven and diminished over time, and other flaws.

I highly recommend the HyperX. Since I am not a gamer, I cannot comment on its suitability for gaming, although the vast majority of reviewers give it five stars.

For years I always wanted a mechanical keyboard with those clacking key noises, but having tested some of them out a few years ago, I ultimately found some of them too loud. This was a while ago, but recently my interest in mech keys were renewed and were satisfied by this HyperX Alloy Origins keyboard.

The Aqua switches (it’s the company’s color code for tactile switches) have a satisfying press and sound that isn’t too overwhelmingly loud and obnoxious. And it feels great; I actually changed the keys themselves to the pudding cap ones, which makes the keyboard look really pretty.

Unfortunately, the new pudding keys are not labeled with volume+/- or color switch key labels, so using hotkeys take some getting used to, but now it’s pretty much second nature to me. I recommend this set of keyboards for anyone who wants to get into the world of mechanical keyboard customization, as there are plenty of compatible options that are available online.

Do your research first! There’s a lot of keyboard styles for you to get comfortable with, so try them out before buying it.

***Please note that the photos are not indicative of the out-of-box product. I installed new keycaps and am using the Glorious wooden wrist rest, neither of which are included in the box. When this product is at 72% of its MSRP, it is a no-brainer to get for a budget mechanical TKL (tenkeyless) keyboard.

The aluminum case is solidly built and has a nice heft. The HyperX red switches feel excellent and is on par with Cherry MX Reds, and can feel even better once lubricated with Superlube or proper switch lubricant like Krytox.

Mods I have done and would recommend: 1. Lubricated every switch with superlube. 2. Replaced keycaps with shine-through PBT keycaps. 3. Tape mod (cover the back of the PCB with scotch tape) 4. Foam mod (added a thin layer of foam behind the PCB) For 3 and 4, the case can be removed by removing the screws hidden behind the rubber feet, which can then be re-attached even without glue.

Overall, with a little work, this keyboard can look and sound like something much more expensive.

I really like this keyboard. I’ve never cared for the full-sized 104-key keyboards, I always smack my mouse into the side of the numpad. When my favorite keyboard started showing signs of giving up the ghost (Qisan MagicForce 68 — I still love it but it has some issues that were increasingly frustrating), I knew that I wanted a replacement board that’s tenkeyless with mechanical linear switches that don’t wobble, and ideally connects via USB-C with assignable per-key RGB that doesn’t have a bloated nightmare for a software controller.

I also preferred to pay less than a hundred dollars. When I was researching reviews on YouTube and reddit, I saw that the Alloy Origins Core was getting consistent mentions about quality and value. This board could cost twice the price and people would probably buy it, especially with aqua switches.

Admittedly, I’ve never tried the aqua switches, but from the reviews I’ve read, people seem to really like them. The red switches, which are closest to my preferred black switches, feel great, and the RGB shines really nicely through the keys.

The caps bottom out really nicely with a solid ‘thonk,’ and it’s not unbearably loud or rattly. I added my rubber textured WASD keycaps, and I was able to find a color scheme that doesn’t clash too much.

I always flip my spacebar because I find it to be more comfortable, so that might look odd in the picture. The backplate is aluminum, and it has a nice heft to it. I wasn’t planning on using the angled feet, but the shorter legs ended up feeling quite comfortable for my posture.

Lastly, the HyperX Ngenuity software just got an update, and it’s delivered thru the Windows Store rather than a sketchy download. It’s responsive and intuitive, and it looks like new features are being added all the time.

It was trivially easy to add colors to each key. The community manager seems to be active on reddit and responsive to feedback too, so that’s a bonus. You can have a bunch of software profiles, and then map three profiles to the presets on the function row for easy switching.

Figuring out how to remap keys took a bit of trial and error, but I found a workaround for some issues I encountered. (If you need to swap functionality of two keys — for example, I swapped Escape and backtick/tilde because I’m used to 60% boards — I had to map Key 1 to a random key, map Key 2 to Key 1, and finally use the random key to enter the key in the remap function for Key 2, and then delete the random key remap to reset to default) HyperX was just acquired by HP, so I’m hoping that they continue to make solid, high quality products.