There is a wide variation of gaming keyboards under 50$. However, not all these keyboards offer great value for the price they cost. That’s why you need to choose a board very carefully, by paying attention to some crucial factors which we are going to dive into.
Most beginners choose a keyboard based on its outside look, which is entirely wrong. The RGB and the aesthetics are here only to improve the look of your system. Though, when it comes to gaming performance, it is the feature of the keyboard that is either going to enhance or ruin your gaming experience.
What you should look for when choosing a keyboard is the:
1-Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (Best Affordable)
Going with a mechanical keyboard has its own taste, especially when it comes to gaming. However, most of these gaming keyboards are expensive. That’s why today, we are going to introduce you to the Redragon K552. This gaming keyboard isn’t only budget-friendly, but it also offers impressive features along with excellent build quality.
First and foremost, the Redragon K552 is made from metal, which will allow you to have a high-quality, durable and robust keyboard. Also, the bottom of this keyboard is made from high-quality plastic, and it has 4 rubber feet, 2 at the front that help elevate the keyboard and 2 at the back that prevents you from scratching the surface.
Moreover, the Redragon K552 is a compact gaming keyboard. It’s equipped with Outemu Blue mechanical switches, while it’s a tenkeyless keyboard. Also, its compact design will allow it to fit perfectly in limited spaces such as little desks. Plus, the Redragon K552 has a clean design along with customizable RGB backlighting, and it’s available in 2 different models (Black & White).
As mentioned above, the Redragon K552 is a tenkeyless keyboard, which means that you will have to use numbers above the letters. Otherwise, there are no additional cons to mention.
Overall, Redragon K552 is an excellent mechanical gaming keyboard. It comes with unique features, a stunning look, and a very affordable price. Therefore, if you want a great gaming keyboard without breaking the bank or compromising on the build quality, this keyboard is the best option.
Check it Out Here on Amazon.
2-Corsair K55 (Best Membrane)
Corsair is one of the companies that used to provide us with premium products only. However, with the Corsair K55, things have changed. This gaming keyboard is stuffed with amazing features at a reasonable price.
First of all, the Corsair K55 is a great gaming keyboard that comes with 6 dedicated macros keys on the left side. These macros don’t require any software and can be recorded with a button located at the mid-top of the keyboard.
It also comes with dedicated media keys (3 for volume and 4 for playback) as well as 3 RGB backlighting zones along with 12 pre-configured lightings mode.
In terms of build quality, the Corsair K55 is made from high-quality plastic, it has lightweight, and it comes with 4 rubber pads. Plus, this keyboard is equipped with membrane switches and a detachable wrist-rest.
With all the features mentioned above, I’m sure you wonder what the cons of this fantastic keyboard are. And yes, like every product on the market, nothing is perfect, and the same here applies to the Corsair K55.
This keyboard comes with a hard wrist-rest that feels uncomfortable, especially after a long period of utilization. Also, when you put the RGB on rainbow wave settings, the lighting effects stutter a bit when changing the colors.
Therefore, Corsair K55 is an excellent option for gamers that don’t have a lot of money on their wallet to spend on a gaming keyboard, or they are merely new to gaming PCs, and they are looking to have a great gaming experience.
Check it Out Here on Amazon.
3-Tecware Phantom 87 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (Runner-Up)
As you have already noticed, finding a tremendous mechanical gaming keyboard at this price range is a bit difficult. But, it’s clearly not the case with the Tecware Phantom 87. If we look at the market, other companies that offer the same features charge at least double the price of the Tecware Phantom 87. So, let’s dive into what makes this keyboard an exceptional one.
The Tecware Phantom 87 is a great mechanical gaming keyboard with a durable solid build with an aluminum base at the top and thick plastic underneath. It also has mechanical switches up to 50 million keystrokes. Plus, the keycaps are made from double-shot ABS.
Moreover, the Tecware Phantom 87 is a tenkeyless keyboard; it has 6 macros buttons on the right side as well as RGB lighting all across the board. The RGB can be customizable without any software. However, Phantom’s software offers additional RGB modes. Plus, this keyboard has another version of it, including Numpad, while it’s a few dollars more expensive.
However, there are some cons to mention here that are not considered a dealbreaker, but you should be aware of it. First is the media keys; the Tecware Phantom 87 doesn’t provide any dedicated media keys or volume adjustment. Also, the keycaps may sound a little bit clicky. But, you won’t be able to notice this unless you have already used a high-end mechanical gaming keyboard.
With this being taken into consideration, the Tecware Phantom 87 is a great mechanical gaming keyboard. The build quality will increase its durability, while the features that it has got will improve your gaming experience significantly.
Check it Out Here on Amazon.
4-HyperX Alloy Core RGB (Best Quiet)
HyperX is another known company that jumped into producing budget-friendly hardware. And one of the products from HyperX that we are going to review today is the Alloy Core RGB gaming keyboard.
Starting with the exterior features, the HyperX Alloy Core RGB comes with 3 buttons for controlling lighting effects on the top left of the keyboard and dedicated media keys and volume adjustment. It also has 4 rubber pads underneath, with 2 for the front elevation.
Furthermore, the HyperX Alloy Core RGB is spill-resistant, but we still suggest that you avoid doing this. It also features anti-ghosting, and six key rollovers, which means that the keyboard is able to register up to six keys simultaneously.
Like most gaming keyboards available at this price range, the HyperX Alloy Core RGB is equipped with membranes switches that feel mushy when typing or gaming.
Also, the HyperX Alloy Core RGB features RGB backlighting along with a light bar at the top of the keyboard. The lighting effects are built on the keyboard and can be customized without the need for software. Plus, this keyboard feature many RGB zones, as well as different RGB lighting effects, which give you the ability to choose the one that can match the rest of your hardware’s RGB.
There is no denying that the HyperX Alloy Core RGB is a great budget-friendly gaming keyboard. However, some keyboards such as Redragon K552 and Corsair K55 may be better options due to the features they offer and their high build quality.
With this being said, the HyperX Alloy Core RGB is a great-looking keyboard, it has all the features that most of the average gamers need without anything extra, and it is stated on reasonably priced gaming keyboards.
Check it Out Here on Amazon.
5-E-Element Z-88 Mechanical Keyboard (Best Compact)
Last but not least is the E-Element Z-88. This compacted gaming keyboard is an excellent choice for those who lack space, as well as for small hand gamers.
First, the E-Element Z-88 is a 60% sized gaming keyboard. It has a thin aluminum plate where the keycaps are mounted in, as well as a variety of Outemu switches included in the box. This gaming keyboard comes with a clean design along with 7 different modes of RGB lighting effects, which can drastically improve the look of your setup with some stunning colors.
Additionally, this mechanical gaming keyboard comes with a detachable cable along with some lines underneath where you can redirect the cable according to your desk, which allows you to hide the wire. Also, the E-Element Z-88 comes with 4 rubber pads along with basic thin plastic, which gives it a lightweight.
However, the build quality may feel a bit cheap due to its basic thin plastic. Also, its odd design creates some echoes when typing, which can be annoying for some users, especially when there are people around.
Overall, the E-Element Z-88 is an incredible 60% gaming keyboard, especially for those who have small hands and prefer lightweight boards. Also, its white build, along with the RGB colors, gives it a stunning look.
Check it Out Here on Amazon.
Conclusion
These gaming keyboards should provide you with an excellent gaming experience, along with beautiful RGB lightings. Also, these boards are the perfect option for those who are starting into gaming PCs.
Therefore, if you have already owned one of these gaming keyboards, don’t forget to leave us a comment letting us know your experience with it. Also, if your objective is to get the best peripherals for FPS games, you can check our best gaming mouses which will improve your aim.
