Gaming Keyboards

The expensive, wired only Wooting 80HE is a Hall Effect keyboard, which means the keyboard utilizes magnetic switches so the user can configure the actuation and release distances of key strokes, providing faster inputs for gaming. This keyboard features Wooting's 'Snappy Tappy' and 'Rappy Snappy' technology - 'Snappy Tappy' actions the most recent key press if two opposing keys are activated at the same time, allowing for things like super-fast counterstrafing in fps games. 'Rappy Snappy' can prioritize whichever key is most pressed down within adjustments of multiple keys, allowing for faster control, and has analog use cases for things like racing games, where you can increase and decrease an action based on the amount the key is pressed/released. Wooting is the frontrunner for Hall Effect keyboards and is the fastest and most refined implementation of the technique, and with its added Snappy Tappy feature, the 80HE provides more competitive advantage than any other gaming keyboard on the market. It is worth noting that CS2 has banned Snappy Tappy/Rappy Snappy for being unfair, whereas the effect in other games will be less dramatic. The build quality of the 80HE is adequate, however its key presses and sounds aren't as premium and refined as some other keyboards. In terms of aesthetics, the Wooting has a configurable LED backlight and LED bar, which looks great. Swapping out switches on the 80HE is possible but limited, and may not be ideal, as the Lekker switches that come with the keyboard are designed for the accurate actuation and configuration of the board. This keyboard has arrow keys and F keys, which can come in handy, but if you're into something more compact, then the newly released 60HE v2 would be suitable. Lastly, Wooting has some great web-based software that you can use for configuring your board without having to install anything, truly convenient. Wooting's 80HE is a game changer and can provide significant advantages to any competitor. If you have the spare cash to splurge then it's a top choice for any gamer.

Keychron have a reputation for making quality keyboards and are one of the key players in the industry. As such, the K2 HE has the most valuable features of the Wooting 80HE, has wireless connectivity, and comes in at a significantly lower price for such a quality board. It's a Hall Effect keyboard, which means it uses magnetic switches that allow you to configure the actuation and release distances of keys, providing a competitive advantage in gameplay. It also has its own 'Snappy Tappy' and 'Rappy Snappy' features, called Last Keystroke Prioritization (LKP) and Snap Click, respectively. The K2 HE has a 75% form factor, so it's nice and compact but it still has arrow keys and F keys. It's worth noting that there is also a special edition version of this keyboard that is only slightly more expensive and has wooden side accents and nicer key caps, for that premium look and feel. Other features of this keyboard include; RGB lighting, dual rail switches for key stability, support for both Windows and Mac, and has wired, wireless and bluetooth modes. The wireless dongle can be used with the usb cable for placing it close to the keyboard. The K2 HE also has the option for different ISO layouts, like DE, Nordic and UK. In order to provide a fast and responsive feel to key presses, this keyboard ditches some luxury and uses silicone layers for damping, which should prove to be more effective for gaming than using foam or gasket mounts. With a 'thocky' feel, the typing experience with the K2 HE is considered premium despite its sturdiness. Unfortunately, if you are into keyboard modding, you are limited to the use of variants of the same type of switch for this keyboard. Configuring the board is also web-based like Wooting, so you don't need to install software, which is very convenient. Well that about sums up the Keychon K2 HE, with its quality design and premium gaming features at a cheaper price than Wooting, it makes a case for being the most sensible and practical choice for a high quality gaming keyboard.

The wired only KB65HE is a Hall Effect keyboard, which means it uses magnetic switches that allow you to configure the actuation and release distances of keys, providing a competitive advantage in gameplay. This Endgame offering is more affordable than a Wooting 80HE and still performs well, but it doesn't have a feature like 'Snappy Tappy', or wireless like the Keychron K2 HE. It's possible that a future firmware update could provide Endgame's own version of the 'Snappy Tappy' feature somewhere down the line. The KB65HE has a solid aluminium casing, with branding, and many reviewers have commented on the fantastic build quality and solid feel of the board. It also has a 65% form factor, so there are arrow keys, which is a plus, but it is absent of F keys. As stated earlier, the KB65HE is a wired only keyboard, but it has some other great features, like; great self-lubing switches, pre-lubed springs, double rails on switches for key cap stability, and an extra set of feet for height adjustment. The internals of the keyboard contain a silicone layer for damping, which may be a little harsher sounding/feeling but it provides a faster and more responsive experience than using foam and gasket mounts that flex. One reviewer commented that the spacebar could use some lubing, but whether that's a common issue is unknown. Thankfully, the KB65HE doesn't technically need software, because you can set up actuation on the keyboard itself, however, for a less tedious experience, using the software could be ideal. As with other Hall Effect keyboards, you're limited to variants of the same type of switch. With a price that's much more affordable than a Wooting board, the Endgame Gear KB65HE is a well built Hall Effect keyboard, and could just give you that competitive edge you're looking for.

The wired only Razer Huntsman Mini Optical provides great value for a non-Hall Effect keyboard, as the actuation (pre-travel) on the key strokes is still good even though it doesn't implement the Hall Effect technique. Also, the Huntsman Mini features Razer's 'Snap Tap', like Wooting's 'Snappy Tappy', which actions the most recent key press if two opposing keys are activated at the same time, allowing for things like super-fast counterstrafing in fps games. Once again, this feature is banned in CS2, and though it may have use cases in other games, it won't be as dramatic. Using optical sensors, the board should be able to pick up on key presses fast, accurately and with a consistent timing. The pre-travel distance of the Huntsman Mini's optical switches is 1.2mm for the linear switch and 1.5mm for the clicky switch, which is lower than many traditional gaming keyboards, so the Razer should be more responsive. Competitive gamers should probably opt for the linear switch for faster actuation. This keyboard is compact and has a small form factor, so it is missing arrow keys and F keys, but some people may prefer that size and aesthetic. The Razer Huntsman Mini Optical is quite well rounded and provides a nice middle ground in the gaming keyboard space. It has some competitive features that provide an advantage and you can buy it for a much more affordable price than some other alternatives.

A standard, wired, small form factor keyboard from a reputable brand. A plus for this keyboard is that it has arrow and F keys. The C3 Pro should provide a reasonably nice typing and gaming experience for the price. You can buy this keyboard with red or brown switches - red switches are smooth, linear and quiet (common for gaming), while the brown switches offer a tactile bump (often preferred by typists), providing feedback with slight noise, which is louder than a linear switch but much quieter than a clicky switch. Both switches have the same static actuation distance of about 2mm, so it won't be as fast as a Hall Effect keyboard or other gaming boards and it doesn't have a feature like 'Snappy Tappy'. Although it lacks some competitive advantages, the Keychron C3 Pro is a nice quality keyboard that should provide a basic gaming and typing experience for its very affordable price.