Top 5: Best Gaming Keyboards Under $50 in 2021

Written by Branton

Last updated Nov 6, 2021

best gaming keyboard under 50

Having a good keyboard can mean the difference between owning, and getting owned when you’re gaming. That’s why it pays to find yourself the best possible gaming keyboard you can. If you’re trying to do that while spending less than $50, you’ve found the right page!

If you’re using some dilapidated old keyboard that has unresponsive mushy keys, chances are it’s caused you a lot of headaches. Or, maybe your keyboard just doesn’t feel right for another reason. Either way, those are the kinds of things that will ultimately ruin your gaming experience. Since gaming is (or should be) all about having fun, that’s not ideal.

Whatever your budget is, you’re able to get a great gaming keyboard for almost any price. There are even cheap combo sets available that are awesome for entry-level setups!

If you have any questions about my list of the best gaming keyboards under $50, don’t hesitate to leave a comment!

Best Gaming Keyboards under $50 2021

  1. Corsair K55 RGB
  2. Redragon K552 Kumara
  3. Velocifire TKL02
  4. EagleTec KG010
  5. CM Storm Devastator 3

Quick Overview: Our Top Picks for Gaming Keyboards under $50



IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS
Overall Bestpcgh-table__imageCorsair K55 RGB
  • Comfortable detachable wrist rest
  • Vivid RGB backlighting
  • Dedicated media + volume controls
VIEW ON AMAZON →
Best for the Moneypcgh-table__imageRedragon K552 Kumara
  • Decent mechanical switches
  • Red LED backlight
  • Very affordable for a mechanical keyboard
VIEW ON AMAZON →
pcgh-table__imageVelocifire TKL02
  • Mechanical switches (brown)
  • Wireless
  • Good battery life
VIEW ON AMAZON →
pcgh-table__imageEagleTec KG010
  • Mechanical switches (Outemu Blue)
  • Full NRKO (no ghosting)
  • Huge variety of different colors available
VIEW ON AMAZON →
pcgh-table__imageCM Storm Devastator 3
  • Quality kb+m combo
  • Laser engraved keys
  • Great keystroke feedback
VIEW ON AMAZON →

Editor's Rating: 4.9/5

Specs
  • Wired
  • Rubber dome keys
  • RGB Backlighting
  • 18.9 x 6.6 x 1.4 inches
  • 1.8 pounds

Corsair consistently puts out top level products and their K55 RGB keyboard is absolutely no exception.

It features a nice take on RGB backlighting that keeps things simple but also limits customization options. You can change colors and patterns (pulse, wave, etc) across 3 zones to make it feel customized, but that's where the customization ends.

The keys are very nice for being membrane and offer a great tactile feedback which feels similar to some mechanical keys. Personally, I really didn't mind them when compared to Cherry MX Browns.

I listen to a lot of music, so I really enjoy having dedicated media keys so I can skip songs etc while gaming. So it's great to see dedicated media keys as well as volume control on the K55.

Detachable wrist rests can either be really good or really bad when it comes to less expensive keyboards. Luckily, Corsair chose to go with a very comfortable rest with rubber inserts to make it even better to use.

All-in-all, these reasons are why Corsair's K55 is my #1 pick for the best gaming keyboard under $50.

Pros

  • Responsive tactile feedback similar to a
  • mechanical keyboard
  • Comfortable detachable wrist rest
  • Vivid RGB backlighting
  • Dedicated media + volume controls
  • 6 macro keys

Cons

  • Rubber dome keys

Editor's Rating: 4.8/5

Specs
  • Wired (6ft, non-braided cable)
  • Mechanical switches (Blue)
  • Red LED backlighting
  • 87-keys (no numpad)
  • 13.9 x 4.8 x 1.5 inches
  • 2.2 pounds

Redragon constantly delivers when it comes to their budget gaming peripherals. Whether it's one of their mice or a keyboard like the K552 Kumara, you can always expect to walk away with a solid product.

At right around $30, the K552 Kumara is easily one of the cheapest keyboards to offer real mechanical switches. They're not CherryMX by any stretch of the imagination, but they are proper mechanical switches and they feel great to use nonetheless. They are a blue switch so expect to feel a nice tactile bump and hear the audible *click* when you press a key.

One drawback is the fact that the K552 is tenkeyless and has no numpad. But, this is only a problem if you find yourself consistently using it. Otherwise, most people can probably do without it. Plus, no numpad means an extra 3-4 inches of space on your desk.

The particular model I've suggest has red LED backlighting and should cost roughly $30. But, there are 3 alternative K552 options available to choose from - the lighting profile is the only difference. There's one that comes without any backlight that costs a little less, one that comes with a rainbow backlight for a little more, and one that has RGB backlighting for just shy of $50.

Pros

  • Decent mechanical switches
  • Red LED backlight
  • Very affordable for a mechanical keyboard
  • Comfortable to use

Cons

  • No numpad
  • Switches aren’t as responsive as CherryMX

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Editor's Rating: 4.6/5

Specs
  • 2.4GHz Wireless / USB 2.0 Type C
  • Mechanical switches (Content brown)
  • Tenkeyless – 87 keys
  • 14.4 x 5.1 x 1.1 inches (LxWxH)
  • 2.2 pounds

Velocifire's TKL02 is a great option for under $50. It's wireless, features brown mechanical switches, and a sleek minimalist look.

It uses brown mechanical switches from Content - a company similar to Outemu and Kailh. They're not super high-quality like Cherry MX, but they work well enough.

The TKL02 only has a single backlight color - a blueish white. And only the option to turn it off and on. However, the backlight is, in my opinion, at a perfect level for both daytime and nighttime use. It's not too bright and definitely not too dim.

Tenkeyless (missing the numpad) keyboards aren't my personal go-to keyboard, but they work great for most people. I think I'm in the small percentage of people who still use the numpad, so it's hard for me to go without one.

All-in-all, when it comes to wireless mechanical keyboards for under $50, our options are still pretty limited - but Velocifire's TKL02 is easily one of the best options.

Pros

  • Mechanical switches (brown)
  • Wireless
  • Good battery life
  • Feels durable, not cheap
  • Comfortable to type on

Cons

  • No numpad
  • Wireless range leaves something to be desired

Editor's Rating: 4.5/5

Specs
  • Wired (6ft)
  • Mechanical switches (Outemu Blue)
  • Full NRKO
  • 17.6 x 7 x 1.1 inches
  • 2.3 pounds

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B015MPQQ0A&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=websitepcgame 20&language=en USir?t=websitepcgame 20&language=en US&l=li3&o=1&a=B015MPQQ0A

EagleTec's KG010 mechanical gaming keyboard is easily one of the best for under $50. There's a huge variety of different colors available, so make sure you check them all out!

The KG010 uses Outemu Blue switches which are pretty decent. In comparison to Cherry MX Blue, they are louder and feels like they require a bit more actuation force, but are ultimately comfortable to use, very responsive and offer great feedback.

There's a huge variety of different colors and backlight options for the KG010, including a black body + RGB backlight option and a white body + RGB backlight. There are also some sporting a really clean looking brushed aluminum finish that I really wish I had seen before ordering the one I did. 

Although the EagleTec KG010 doesn't offer some of the features that my number 1 pick does, it's an amazing entry-level mechanical keyboard for under $50 regardless. The switches are good, the backlighting is good, the full NRKO is awesome and everything else about the KG010 and the KG011 (white/silver models) is well above par. 

Keep in mind that there are options offering full RGB backlighting, some with 6-color backlighting, some with no backlighting and some with a single color - there's a ton of options all around the same price range so check them all out! 

Pros

  • Mechanical switches (Outemu Blue)
  • Full NRKO (no ghosting)
  • Huge variety of different colors available
  • Vivid backlighting
  • Aluminum and ABS construction
  • Splash-proof keys

Cons

  • Loud switches
  • Keys require more force than others with blue switches

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B072N93MLB&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=websitepcgame 20&language=en USir?t=websitepcgame 20&language=en US&l=li3&o=1&a=B072N93MLB

Editor's Rating: 4.4/5

Specs
  • LED Backlight
  • Wired
  • Mechanical-feel switches
  • Dedicated multimedia keys
  • 800-2800 DPI Mouse with 5 Buttons
  • 17.7 x 5.8 x 1.4 inches (keyboard)

The Cooler Master Devastator 3 keyboard + mouse combo is a great buy for under $50. Yes, it's a combo and you're here for just a keyboard, but hey, it's great quality and you really can't beat that price if you need a new mouse at the same time.

The keyboard is really great, and the keys actually feel somewhat mechanical by offering a more tactile feel than your average membrane keyboard would.  It also has dedicated media buttons so you can switch songs or change the volume easily enough. The unit is lightweight but feels relatively durable and not cheap like you would assume.

One downside is that the keyboard's LEDs can only be toggled on/off, and when they're off it's nearly impossible to actually see what's what..

The mouse is not what you would expect from a ~$30 combo deal either, it really goes above and beyond what you're probably thinking you'll get with a combo this inexpensive. It's highly accurate and features 3 preset DPI levels (1000/1600/2000) which are great options for most types of gaming for the majority of PC gamers. It also has 2 thumb buttons along the left side and rubber grips on both sides near the front.

All-in-all, Cooler master went all out with the Devastator 3 keyboard + mouse combo, and for just shy of $40? That's a hard deal to refuse and it makes for an awesome budget setup!

Pros

  • Quality kb+m combo
  • Laser engraved keys
  • Great keystroke feedback
  • Highly rsponsive & accurate mouse sensor (Avago 3050)
  • 7-color LED backlight

Cons

  • Scr Lk controls LED Backlighting

Conclusion

Not everyone wants to throw $100+ down on a keyboard just to get Cherry MX mechanical switches, not when you can get really decent and almost equivalent mechanical-switch gaming keyboards for under $50!

For those budget-minded gamers out there, this list should have given you a good idea of which keyboards you should look at. Keep in mind that this list is entirely subjective and it’s based on my own personal experiences with the keyboards listed.

Hands down the best keyboard under $200 is the Corsrair K55 RGB – heavily recommend it.

If you want to see even more options, check out my top 5 keyboards under $100 list.

If you feel that I’ve overlooked a keyboard that’s simply incredible and you want me to test it, let me know in the comment section! 

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rafsan
rafsan
February 9, 2022 10:05 am

I have read your article.It was very informative and I love to read this article Which is very nice content. The point Regarding about gaming keyboard is one of best advice. Thanks for sharing

Gaming PC
Gaming PC
June 11, 2021 10:34 am

Wow! Excellent Post. I really found this so much informatics. It is what I was searching for I would like to suggest you that please keep sharing Such type of information. Thank you so much.

aiden
aiden
April 6, 2021 2:33 pm

i am liioing for a set up for $500 and i have chosen a tower, moniter, and printer and just need a key board, and this came up. good timing 🙂

aiden
aiden
April 6, 2021 2:34 pm
Reply to  aiden

looking

Anonymous
Anonymous
January 15, 2021 5:55 am

Thanks for the great article!

sahil
sahil
December 4, 2020 8:20 pm

Hey!
Nice information. Definitely, you solved the problem of low budget gamer. Highly recommended to all. Thanks for sharing…….

Anonymous
Anonymous
August 30, 2020 7:03 pm

g213 prodigy vs k55 wich is better?

Afhzz
Afhzz
March 26, 2019 1:31 am

Hello, K55 vs G512 (linear), which one is the best?

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