Why your gaming keyboard actually matters
If you are playing on PC, your keyboard is half of your main weapon. A good gaming board is not just about rainbow lights and edgy fonts. It affects how fast you react, how accurate your inputs are, and even how much noise you make when you rage type in voice chat.
The cool part is that modern gaming keyboards come in a massive range of shapes, sizes, and vibes. From tiny 60 percent speed boards to full sized sound dampened tanks, there is something for every budget and setup. The roundup below pulls together some of the highest scoring keyboards tested in 2025, all rated 80 percent or higher by PC Gamer’s hardware team.
To keep things beginner friendly, we will hit the key highlights of each board and who it is best for, rather than drowning you in spec tables.
Top boards for performance and feel
Be Quiet Light Mount
This full size mechanical board is built for people who want a premium feel without sounding like a typewriter. It uses Be Quiet’s own silent switches and layers of sound dampening so your clacks are satisfying but not obnoxious.
The Light Mount still goes full gamer with per key RGB, a media knob, and quality PBT keycaps. The software is simple to use, and you get a comfy wrist rest in the box. It is not cheap, but it feels like a serious upgrade from mid range boards.
- Great for: quiet rigs, late night gaming, full size layouts
- Why it stands out: genuinely dampened sound and rich RGB without complicated software
NuPhy Air60 HE
If you want raw speed in a compact package, the NuPhy Air60 HE is a low profile 60 percent board with magnetic Hall effect switches. In normal human language, that means your keypresses register insanely fast and you can tune actuation in software.
The design is funky and slim, and the RGB is clean, but this one is wired only. For players who mainly sit at a desk and care about latency more than couch comfort, that is not a big deal.
- Great for: competitive players, tiny desks, minimalist setups
- Why it stands out: super fast low profile Hall effect switches at a reasonable price
Be Quiet Dark Mount
The Dark Mount takes the quiet, dampened feel of the Light Mount and goes modular with it. You can attach or detach a number pad and a media dock and place them on either side of the main board. That is handy if you want more mouse space or a custom layout.
The RGB is a showpiece here, with per key lighting and a glowing edge light bar. The main keys feel excellent, though the extra buttons on the modular parts are not as nice.
- Great for: tinkerers, mixed work and play, flashy setups
- Why it stands out: modular layout and gorgeous lighting with a quiet typing experience
Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid
This tenkeyless board is Logitech’s entry into rapid trigger style keyboards, where keys can activate and reset at different points in the travel. That lets you spam movement and strafes with less effort which is huge for some shooters.
It keeps a clean, sturdy design with dedicated media buttons and a volume wheel. It is wired, a bit loud, and aimed at a niche of try hard players, but as a first rapid trigger attempt it is solid.
- Great for: FPS mains, esports style setups, players experimenting with rapid trigger
- Why it stands out: accessible price for a rapid trigger board with a professional look
Corsair K70 Pro TKL
This is the premium tenkeyless option in the list. The K70 Pro TKL packs Hall effect keys, a high polling rate, dual actuation options, and a chunky control dial. If you like tweaking your keys to activate exactly how you want, this keyboard lets you go wild.
It is not the slimmest TKL, and the RGB could be brighter, but the typing feel is smooth and quieter than Corsair’s older loud clackers. A cushy wrist rest and strong build help justify the price.
- Great for: enthusiasts, players who love fine tuning, long sessions
- Why it stands out: top tier feature set and Hall effect switches in a compact layout
Style, budget picks, and comfort heroes
Razer Ornata V3 Tenkeyless Kuromi Edition
This one is for the style points crowd. It is a mecha membrane board, so it blends membrane and mechanical traits for a softer feel than full mechanical. The Kuromi themed black and lilac design looks great and still works even if you do not know the character.
You get a wrist rest and 8 zone RGB, plus dedicated media keys. It costs more than the plain version, so you are paying a clear tax for the custom look.
- Great for: fans of themed setups, softer key feel, budget conscious Razer lovers
- Why it stands out: one of Razer’s best value lines dressed up in a fun collab skin
Lofree Flow 2
The Lofree Flow 2 oozes build quality. It is available in multiple compact sizes and uses premium materials and switches that feel fantastic to type on. White backlighting keeps it more studio than disco, and there is wired plus wireless connectivity.
The typing sound is not perfectly consistent and the touch based volume strip is a bit gimmicky, but overall this is a refined mechanical board that works just as well for gaming as for writing.
- Great for: mixed work and play, clean aesthetics, wireless flexibility
- Why it stands out: premium build and feel in a compact footprint
Gamakay x NaughShark NS68
If your budget is tight but you still want serious performance, the NS68 is the bargain monster of the group. It is a tiny 68 percent board with Hall effect switches, per key RGB, and PBT keycaps at a price that undercuts many basic keyboards.
The case plastics feel cheap and the software looks clunky, but in terms of raw gaming performance, it embarrasses more expensive rivals.
- Great for: budget builds, first mechanical keyboard, portable setups
- Why it stands out: powerful Hall effect switches and quality keycaps for very little cash
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard C64 Edition
This board is pure retro charm. It mimics the Commodore 64 aesthetic but hides a very capable modern mechanical keyboard under the nostalgic shell. Loud clicky switches, a volume dial, and quirky Super Buttons give it character.
The keys are noisy and the software is only okay, but if you want your desk to look like an upgraded eighties lab, this is the one.
- Great for: retro fans, desk showpieces, casual gaming and typing
- Why it stands out: iconic look with surprisingly serious hardware
Kinesis mWave
For players who spend all day at a keyboard and care about comfort, the Kinesis mWave is an ergonomic option that still works well for gaming. It has a broad split design, an integrated wrist rest, and good mechanical switches.
You can use it wired or over Bluetooth, though the lighting only works when wired. The plastics pick up grease easily and there is a learning curve if you have never used an ergo board, but it is a strong entry point into more comfortable layouts.
- Great for: long work plus gaming sessions, wrist pain sufferers, ergonomic experiments
- Why it stands out: an affordable step into mechanical ergonomic boards that does not feel like a niche science project
Whether you want silence, speed, style, or comfort, at least one of these 2025 keyboards will fit your setup. Decide what matters most to you size, noise, budget, and features then pick the board that matches your playstyle and your desk aesthetic.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/gaming-keyboards/the-best-gaming-keyboards-weve-reviewed-in-2025-so-far/
