There are a lot of gaming peripherals on the market, but few if any are as important as a gaming keyboard. That said, you could easily find yourself spending hundreds of dollars chasing down the best-rated models in the world. For most gamers, the price points for most high-end gaming keyboards are going to be unnecessary.
If you’re shopping on a budget, let Hotrate help you be smarter in your purchasing decision. We’ve carefully scoured the internet in search of the best gaming keyboard under $50 and have come up with 10 great models. Between our reviews and our shopping guide, you’re sure to find the guidance you need to track down your perfect gaming keyboard here
- The 10 Best Gaming Keyboard under $50
- Corsair K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard
- Redragon K552W-RGB 60% Mechanical Keyboard
- Havit Rainbow Backlit Wired Gaming Keyboard
- Eagletec KG010 Mechanical Keyboard
- HyperX Alloy Core RGB – Membrane Gaming Keyboard
- E-Element Z-88 60% RGB Mechanical Keyboard
- Cooler Master Devastator 3 Gaming Keyboard
- VELOCIFIRE 87-Key Gaming Keyboard
- DREVO Tyrfing V2 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
- AULA SI-859 Backlit Gaming Keyboard
- Gaming Keyboard Under $50 Buyer’s Guide
- Mechanical or Membrane
- Standard Keys
- Specialized Keys
- Ergonomics
- Colored Backlighting
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Good Cheap Gaming Keyboard?
- What is the Best Gaming Keyboard for Under $100?
- Is the Razer Cynosa Mechanical?
- What is an RGB Keyboard?
The 10 Best Gaming Keyboard under $50
| Award | Design | Keyboards | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Value from the Pros |  | Check Price | |
| A Truly Unique and Vibrant Piece |  | Check Price | |
| Some Serious Bang for Your Buck |  | Check Price | |
| Durable, Lightweight and Anti-Ghosting |  | Check Price | |
| As Sturdy As It Is Versatile |  | Check Price | |
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Corsair K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard
Great Value from the Pros
When you opt for a gaming keyboard from Corsair, you can rest easy knowing that you’re getting great value regardless of how much you spend. The K55 is no different in that regard. The $50 price tag gets you a decently comfortable keyboard that offers some nice bells and whistles in terms of both quality of life and aesthetic purposes.
Three-zone RGB backlighting allows you to achieve fairly complex combinations, while the tilting legs and soft rubber wrist rest work together to help you find the right position for longer gaming sessions. And in addition to the full keyboard design, this model features six programmable macro keys.
| Type | Membrane |
| Interface | USB 2.0 |
| Backlighting | Three zones |
| Weight | 1.8 pounds |
| Dimensions | 18.9 x 6.6 x 1.4 inches |
Pros
- Removable rubber wrist rest
- Dedicated multimedia controls
- Dynamic lighting across three zones
- Reduce interruptions with Windows key lock
Cons
- Limited RGB lighting options
Redragon K552W-RGB 60% Mechanical Keyboard
A Truly Unique and Vibrant Piece
With its bright pastel keys, the Redragon K552W is one of the most vibrant gaming keyboard models available at any price, but beneath the candy color design is a compact and highly functional mechanical keyboard that’s built to last. The keys are situated on custom switches that resemble the Cherry MX Blue in terms of response.
This gaming keyboard is constructed from a combination of metal and ABS for a more lightweight frame that will fit comfortably in a backpack with your laptop. And games that require fast typing will really benefit here, as this keyboard offers anti-ghosting capabilities for all of the keys
| Type | Mechanical |
| Interface | USB |
| Backlighting | 18 modes, 9 colors |
| Weight | 2.16 pounds |
| Dimensions | 13.9 x 4.9 x 1.5 inches |
Pros
- Offers 18 RGB lighting modes
- Compact and lightweight frame
- Responsive mechanical switches
- Frame is splash-proof and non-slip
Cons
- Lack of specialized keys
Havit Rainbow Backlit Wired Gaming Keyboard
Some Serious Bang for Your Buck
If you want to put together a keyboard and mouse gaming setup on a budget, this package from Havit is one of the best deals. For under $30, you can get your hands on both, and the RGB lighting options allow you to sync them up in conjunction with each other. You don’t need much in the way of technical knowledge to get them up and running thanks to the plug-and-play design. Anti-ghosting can be assigned to 19 keys so you can pick the keys that you use most frequently and count on them to work more reliably.
| Type | Membrane (with mouse) |
| Interface | USB |
| Backlighting | 7 colors |
| Weight | 1.5 pounds |
| Dimensions | 17.7 x 8.3 x 2.4 inches |
Pros
- One of the best deals around
- 19 anti-ghosting keys
- Available in black or white
- Serious, dedicated multimedia keys
Cons
- Very basic range of features
Eagletec KG010 Mechanical Keyboard
Durable, Lightweight and Anti-Ghosting
Even if you’re knowledgeable about gaming peripherals, there’s a good chance that you haven’t heard of Eagletec, but their KG010 is a delightful surprise. The single-color backlit design is significantly more muted and professional than a lot of its contemporaries.
The fact that it’s constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum means it’s both a durable and lightweight alternative to bigger name keyboards. The keys are supported by the equivalent of MX Cherry Blue switches, and multimedia keys are built right in. All of the keys support anti-ghosting, making this an especially strong choice for real-time strategy games that require quick and accurate typing.
| Type | Mechanical |
| Interface | USB |
| Backlighting | 10 brightness levels |
| Weight | 2.29 pounds |
| Dimensions | 13.9 x 4.9 x 1.5 inches |
Pros
- Resistant to spills
- Ergonomic and non-slip design
- Includes 12 multimedia keys
- All keys support anti-ghosting
Cons
- Only one backlighting color
HyperX Alloy Core RGB – Membrane Gaming Keyboard
As Sturdy As It Is Versatile
HyperX may be best known for their headsets, but the Alloy Core is proof that they can bring a solid keyboard to market, too. The backlighting is more impressive than a keyboard for less than $50 has any right to be thanks to a variety of different effects you can choose from, and the design of this keyboard is strongly resistant to liquids. The reinforced plastic is relatively sturdy while also being very lightweight, and there are even quick access settings that let you shift between different profiles with a single keypress. The keys have a satisfying sense of give while still being very quiet.
| Type | Membrane |
| Interface | USB 2.0 |
| Backlighting | 5 zones |
| Weight | 2.5 pounds |
| Dimensions | 17.4 x 6.9 x 1.4 inches |
Pros
- Includes dedicated media buttons
- Lightbar with signature effects
- Quick access settings button
- Can resist up to 120 ml of liquid
Cons
- Only supports USB 2.0
E-Element Z-88 60% RGB Mechanical Keyboard
The bright, cheerful, and colorful pastel design of the E-Element Z-88 belies a gaming keyboard that’s ready to get down to business and improve your gaming experience. Anti-ghosting tech is built into all of the mechanical switches, and what’s more, this is a sturdy gaming keyboard with medium resistance to shocks, spills, and other damage. It can run without issue on both Windows and Apple operating systems, and the colorful backlighting can be assigned to one of ten different presets. A useful variety of shortcuts come already assigned to all of the function keys, but they can be reprogrammed as well.
| Type | Mechanical |
| Interface | USB |
| Backlighting | 10 preset modes |
| Weight | 1.6 pounds |
| Dimensions | 12.2 x 4.8 x 1.4 inches |
Pros
- Reliable and satisfying mechanical switches
- Anti-ghosting on all 81 keys
- 12 pre-programmed shortcut keys
- Tons of RGB coloring options
Cons
- Smaller sized, can be somewhat cluttered
Cooler Master Devastator 3 Gaming Keyboard
Cooler Master is practically royalty in the gaming community thanks to the quality of their cooling fans, but the Devastator 3 gaming mouse and keyboard combo is proof that they can deliver the same quality with other gaming accessories as well.
The switches here provide great tactile feedback, and the colored lighting can be synchronized easily between both mouse and keyboard. Six multimedia keys provide you with easy access for surfing the web, watching movies, or playing games. And the fact that Cooler Master offers both these accessories for significantly less than $50 makes this one of the best deals we’ve encountered anywhere.
| Type | Membrane |
| Interface | USB 2.0 |
| Backlighting | 7 colors |
| Weight | 2.26 pounds |
| Dimensions | 17.7 x 5.84 x 1.4 inches |
Pros
- Includes six dedicated media buttons
- Seven different backlight colors
- Includes both a keyboard and mouse
- Slide-reducing rubber grip feet
Cons
- No anti-ghosting features included
VELOCIFIRE 87-Key Gaming Keyboard
If the idea of a budget-priced wireless gaming keyboard with mechanical switches sounds like a dream to you, it’s time to wake up. Velocifire delivers all that in a compact and highly portable package. The backlight is bright and responsive, and the brown switches used in this mechanical model provide medium resistance while offering some of the most durable performance around. And despite that quality backlight, the overall look is muted, so it’s as well suited for the office as it is for gaming. The rechargeable batteries, meanwhile, can run a good long time without needing to be charged, so more serious gamers should be satisfied.
| Type | Mechanical |
| Interface | Wireless |
| Backlighting | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 pounds |
| Dimensions | 15.6 x 7.1 x 2.1 inches |
Pros
- Wireless with rechargeable battery
- Strong but not overwhelming backlight
- Durable brown mechanical switches
- Includes in-depth media controls
Cons
- Smaller number of keys
DREVO Tyrfing V2 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
With the Tyrfing V2, DREVO has managed to pack in practically all the features gamers could hope for with a price of less than $50. That includes anti-ghosting and rollover for all of the keys as well as the inclusion of five separate macro keys so you can get a more personalized experience for every game in your catalog. And between the 12 different lighting modes and 16.8 million possible color combinations, you can customize a design that’s well suited to your personality. The build quality here is especially strong with its aluminum base, braided cable, and stable rubber feet
| Type | Mechanical |
| Interface | USB |
| Backlighting | Yes |
| Weight | 2.3 pounds |
| Dimensions | 15.6 x 5.3 x 1.5 inches |
Pros
- Durable build across the board
- Five fully programmable macro keys
- Choose from red, brown, or black switches
- Windows button lock function
Cons
- Leg stands can be a bit finicky
AULA SI-859 Backlit Gaming Keyboard
With its sharp corners, bright backlighting, and imposing dimensions, the AULA SI-859 looks like it belongs on an alien spaceship, but this dirt cheap model brings a lot more to the table than you might expect. Media shortcuts are easy to access, and AULA has been generous with their inclusion of function keys, leaving a wide variety of options at your fingertips. There’s also a gaming mode key that turns off any distractions that could get in the way of your game.
| Type | Mechanical |
| Interface | USB 2.0 |
| Backlighting | 3 colors |
| Weight | 1.5 pounds |
| Dimensions | 18.1 x 1.2 x 7.5 inches |
Pros
- Available for an incredible price
- Some of the coolest aesthetics around
- Kickstand for better ergonomics
- Multimedia and 12 function keys
Cons
- None of the keys are programmable
Gaming Keyboard Under $50 Buyer’s Guide
When looking for the best keyboard for gaming, you could easily find yourself roped into spending hundreds of dollars. But for the majority of gamers, that’s simply not necessary. There are plenty of gaming keyboards under $50 that will suit the needs of almost any gamer, but there are some discrepancies between what each one offers. You can consider the guide below a cheat sheet when shopping for gaming keyboards under $50.
Mechanical or Membrane
Membrane keyboards comprise of a layer of rubber placed over a circuit board. Those circuits then send the appropriate signal for each key registered. By contrast, mechanical keyboards use mechanical switches, producing a more organic experience. In practical terms, these two types of gaming keyboards feel very different. Mechanical keyboards cost more and sound significantly louder, but they also offer significantly more satisfying tactile feedback.
They’re also the only type of gaming keyboard to offer key rollover, ensuring a better sense of accuracy when typing fast. That along with the distinct and satisfying feeling you get from typing on a mechanical keyboard makes them the favored choice for keyboard gaming for the most part. Some users like the more ambiguous tactile feedback of membrane keyboards, and for that reason, we’ve included a healthy combination of both types of gaming keyboards under $50 on our review list.
Standard Keys
Keyboards can be broken up into two main categories: full-sized models that include 101 or 104 keys and “tenkeyless” models that strip out the numeric keypad. If you don’t regularly find yourself using the keypad, we’d recommend investing in a tenkeyless model, especially for laptop owners who want to game on the go. They offer a smaller and more lightweight profile without sacrificing key size in the process.
Specialized Keys
In addition to the standard alphabet, numeric, and Fn keys, many keyboards come with more specialized keys that can save you time or otherwise enhance your gaming experience. Some of the most common are multimedia keys. They’re most useful for adjusting your volume and brightness settings without having to interrupt your game, but they’re also a great choice when you’re trying to navigate movies or TV shows.
Even more useful are macro keys. These predesignated keys aren’t typically assigned a specific purpose but are instead left to be programmed by the user. These are designed specifically for people who game because they offer the ability to assign some pretty complex functions to a single key click with ease. We recommend keyboards with macros for most gamers, but they’re especially useful for MMO players who have to sort through a wide variety of menus and juggle a variety of power and item hotkeys on a regular basis.
Ergonomics
There are a lot of features that manufacturers use when trying to court potential customers, but there are arguably no features that matter as much as ergonomics. If you take your gaming seriously, an ergonomic design will help reduce the strain on your list and help you feel at your best during longer PC gaming sessions.
But what constitutes an ergonomic design? What feels right will vary a bit from user to user, but membrane keyboards – thanks to the lack of tactile feedback – tend to feel more comfortable for a lot of gamers. Look at potential features like a wrist rest too if you’re going to be gaming often. If you’re looking at mechanical gaming keyboards under $50, you may want to keep an eye out for one that features mechanical switches with medium resistance or less.
Colored Backlighting
RGB backlighting is a pretty common sight in gaming circles, but determining whether or not a backlight makes the list of features that matter to you is really going to come down to how you feel about it. Fortunately, backlighting features are common even among cheaper models, but if you’re serious about customizing your lighting, you’ll want to inspect a little more closely and see how much each model lets you tweak the coloring.
And despite the particular presence of backlighting among gaming peripherals, it can also serve a practical purpose. While red LED backlighting won’t really help you with reading the keys in dark environments, white or blue backlighting features are common even among non-gaming computers because they provide better visibility in the dark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Good Cheap Gaming Keyboard?
For the sake of our list, we identify a cheap gaming keyboard as one available for under $50, and while you’ll find plenty of more expensive models, most gamers should be satisfied without having to spend a hundred dollars or more. You can check out the ten reviews listed above if you want to find a model that’s suited to your needs.
What is the Best Gaming Keyboard for Under $100?
That’s a hard decision to make because the needs of different gamers are different. Whether you’re looking for a single-player or multiplayer gaming experience, how much you prioritize an adjustable RGB backlight, and how you want the keys to feel under your fingers are all major considerations. But our list of the best gaming keyboards under $50 should offer something to suit every type of gaming experience.
Is the Razer Cynosa Mechanical?
The Razer Cynosa fits in the budget category for gaming keyboard models, and that means that some sacrifices needed to be made. It’s a membrane rather than mechanical keyboard, but it offers some pretty solid performance and just barely got edged out from inclusion in our best gaming keyboard under $50 list.
What is an RGB Keyboard?
An RGB keyboard provides lighting underneath the keys themselves to help you see in the dark and create a more aesthetically pleasing experience for your gaming space. While some RGB keyboard models only offer a single RGB backlighting setting, others offer LED lighting in red, blue, or more.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a decent and affordable budget gaming keyboard, we’re sure there’s a product to match your needs on our review list. But if you can’t find a model you’ll enjoy, the guide above can impart you with the knowledge you need to extend your search further. And if you’re curious about what other excellent gaming keyboards are available, ISITRATED.com already has a ton of guides outlining the best of the best.
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