People absolutely love mechanical keyboards because they are highly functional and useful for gaming. They help enhance the gaming experience by improving the player’s precision and accuracy. Nowadays, there are many mechanical keyboards available in the market with varying price ranges and features.
The ones with the most advanced features come with a hefty price tag. They appeal to the gamers so much that they often go over their budget and regret it later. If you are on the verge of making such a mistake, hold on for a second. We are here to present you with viable alternatives.
There are plenty of excellent mechanical keyboards that won’t leave a gaping hole in your pocket. They are great for gaming thanks to their high speed and accuracy. All these keyboards are easy to install and use. You just have to know where to look for them. That is where we come in.
Best Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Under $100
In this article, we will go over the 5 best mechanical gaming keyboards under $100. We’ll also look at the benefits and drawbacks of each to help you figure out if they are right for you.
Even though these mechanical keyboards come under a fixed budget, their quality or functionality is not compromised at all. They can easily compete with any high-end and insanely expensive keyboard because they perform exceptionally well in gaming. So, let’s take a closer look at our selections.
1. NPET K10 Gaming Keyboard
NPET K10 Gaming Keyboard is the most searched gaming keyboard on Amazon. This keyboard has an exceptionally appealing look because of the multi-colored LED lights blinking from the side of the keys.
The base color of the K10 is black, and the keycaps are arranged in the usual keyboard order. This keyboard comes in shades of pink and white with the same LED lighting contrast. The connection method is through wiring to the PC.
The NPET K10 is no ordinary plastic keyboard; it is constructed from a solid steel base plate that doesn’t deform and is sure to stay for more than long. The keycaps are UV coated, and the alphabets, symbols, and numerical are laser injected, which means they won’t fade away.
The metal and ABS construction promise durability. This gaming keyboard will prove to be fit for even the roughest of gamers as it is user-friendly. The all-core triple protection design makes it waterproof, which means no more tension while eating in front of the keyboard.
For most people who think cleaning keyboards is a hectic task. Not anymore! You can easily pull the keycaps through the free keycap puller provided along with the keyboard for intense deep cleaning without any hustle.
The NPET K10 is a multipurpose keyboard and can function as both a gaming keyboard and a regular office keyboard (a fancy one). Not just that, this keyboard comes with two holding stands to keep your hands in an anti-fatigue position so that you can type all day long without feeling sick or bored.
In short, it is one of the most amazing keyboards available in the market in terms of features and quality. It is durable as well as affordable.
- Extremely affordable
- Best quality
- LED lights are too bright
- Rainbow LED colors cannot change into a solid color
- Each click of the keycap creates a loud sound
2. HyperX Alloy Origins – Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
The Razer Cynosa Chroma gaming keyboard is second on our list with the most popularity. This keyboard covers all the basics needed for a gamer’s keyboard and comes at an affordable price. The overall attire of this gaming keyboard is a black base with rainbow-colored LED lights.
This keyboard is connected through wiring and can be connected to gaming consoles as well as PCs. It requires one lithium-ion battery to function. The product dimensions are 18.24×6.07×1.22 inches with a weight of 2.09 pounds.
The Razer Cynosa has backlit keys that can be individually programmable. You can either choose the loaded lighting effects or customize them according to your taste or whatever you’re feeling at that moment.
A regular gaming keyboard would cost you much, and it’ll be sensitive, requiring high maintenance. However, the Cynosa is user-friendly as anything with a durable design and a spill-proof body, resisting any kind of semi-solid or liquid spillage.
Have you ever quit a game just because your fingers got tired? That’s what happens in most cases. But not in this keyboard, as it has gaming-grade keys with a soft cushion touch, allowing you to put complete focus on the game rather than your sore fingers
Now you can easily take control of your game with accuracy, thanks to the ten key rollovers with anti-ghosting technology that executes ten commands at the same time while registering each one of them. Razer Cynosa gaming keyboard guarantees up to 80 million clicks and comes with a two-year warranty.
All in all, it is a highly durable and comfortable option for gamers who spend hours on their gaming sessions. This keyboard will suffice all their gaming needs effectively.
- Comfortable to use
- LED lights are super bright
- Excellent for gaming
- You have to log in to the software to control the lighting
- Keycaps make a lot of noise
3. Redragon S101 Wired Gaming Keyboard
Redragon is a well-known company specialized in producing gaming gadgets such as gaming keyboards, gaming mice, gaming consoles, etc. Redragon keyboards are some of the best ones available on Amazon. Here is the combo of the Redragon gaming keyboard along with a gaming mouse. The product dimensions are 18.11×7.48×0.79 inches. It weighs a total of 2.16 pounds which makes it a pretty lightweight keyboard.
The RGB backlit gaming keyboard has seven unique lighting modes and effects, with four brightness levels for extreme, high, moderate, and low lighting and customizable breathing speed.
If you’re a gamer practicing for your tournament, then you must get your hands on this beautiful keyboard combo, as the S101 has a built-in wrist rest that allows your hands to keep going without getting tired fast.
Plus, it is waterproof, which means that you can play wild without keeping your station clean (it doesn’t mean that you don’t have to clean your gaming station). This keyboard can serve as a regular keyboard, and you can connect it with the PC in your room or office.
The S101 has 114 keys, including 25 n-key rollovers, ten dedicated multimedia keys, and 12 FN+ multimedia keys. While an average keycap height of 10mm, the S101 has a 6mm height that avoids excessive clicking noise and makes the keyboard durable and reliable.
It is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Limited Mac OS keyboard support, and other major computer and gaming brands.
The S101 keyboard really does speak to the uniqueness and quality of Redragon’s products. It is a long-lasting gadget that will stay by your side for a long time without bothering you. It is an excellent choice for gamers.
- Perfect Clicking sound quality
- Excellent quality
- Durable
-
Delivery of defective keyboards has been reported in a few cases
- The keycaps feel mushy rather than crisp
4. Corsair K55 RGB Pro Gaming Keyboard
Next up is the Corsair K55 RGB Pro gaming keyboard, which rules the gamer’s market. Corsair is another big brand registered on Amazon for delivering high-end, top-quality gaming gadgets.
Like traditional gaming keyboards, the K55 Pro also has a whole back body with LED lights flowing out from the sides of the keycaps, making it look dreamy to any gamer.
The keyboard measures 9.9×20.1×1.9 inches in length, breadth, and height, respectively, while the weight measures 2.64 pounds. The keyboard’s connection medium is through wiring and can be connected to PC and gaming consoles.
The K55 Pro is a top-class keyboard that promises to brighten up your PC or gaming console with its six lighting effects for your different moods, or you can even customize your lighting across five RGB lighting zones with the software of Corsair.
Through this software, you can activate or shortcut key presses with six macro keys. Instant streaming commands are also available through the Elgato Stream Deck software. The keyboard is spill-resistant and dustproof, avoiding the risks of hanging during intense gaming sessions or tournaments.
It comes with a detachable palm rest made up of soft rubber to avoid wrist pain, and the anti-slip technology keeps your fingers on the keycaps without letting them slip. The keys are super quiet and responsive, which, when matched with a super speed game controller, can result in victory for sure.
Anti-ghosting allows every single click to get registered with FPS and MOBA game inputs. And last of all, if you’re sick of getting interrupted at critical points of the game, then try using the Windows key lock button to avoid contextual menu keypresses.
Undoubtedly, it is an excellent option for gamers who prefer soft keys with high precision. With vast compatibility, it is a perfect choice.
- Easy to clean
- Aesthetic LED lights
- Super bright
- It is so big that it takes up most of the space on the PC table
- Installing the software messes up your PC settings
5. Havit Wired Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combo
Lastly, we have the Habit wired gaming keyboard, which deals with a gaming mouse. This keyboard is just like the rest apparel-wise, the same black body with LED lighting. It comes in a white base body. The keyboard runs on a 5-volt current and can be connected to PC or gaming consoles.
This keyboard’s length, breadth, and height vary as 18.9 inches, 8.27 inches, and 1.38 inches, respectively. While it may seem long to many people, it weighs super light and measures just 1.5 pounds. The medium of connection of this keyboard is through wiring.
The keyboard has a wrist rest for regular typing jobs and players. The ergonomic design promises comfort and durability side by side. It will not make your hands tired during prolonged gaming sessions.
Many keyboards have a problem of sliding when placed on smooth surfaces or tables, but this keyboard has two rubberized holders under it to prevent sliding. The keyboard has three lighting modes: rainbow light (extremely bright), breathing rainbow (moderate), and light off (dark mode).
The backlit keycaps are well made, and once you work on them with the LED lights on, you’re sure to have an unforgettable gaming adventure.
The Havit keyboard has anti-ghosting and multipurpose keys, including 19 conflict-free keys, 11 multimedia combination keys, four interchangeable keys, volume down key, volume up key, and breathing mode on/off keys.
It also has a unique comfort space bar key for gaming purposes. This excellent gaming keyboard is compatible with Windows 2000, Windows 2003, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Mac OS, PS4, XBOX.
With easy software installation, this keyboard has excellent performance. It is a precise keyboard with function keys. If you need a comfortable yet functional keyboard, then this is a perfect fit for you.
- Easy to install
- Easy to use
- No software installation is needed
- The wrist rest doesn’t work
- There are complaints about the delivery of a non-English QWERTY
Buying Guide
When shopping for the best mechanical keyboard under $100, there are a few key factors to keep in mind in order to make the best possible choice. Without these features, you might have to face some inconvenience. So, some of the must-have features in an excellent mechanical keyboard are:
Wrist Rest
Irrespective of its price, a mechanical keyboard should come with a wrist rest. The biggest problem gamers face is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome due to prolonged gaming sessions. To ease the pain, you need a keyboard with a wrist rest that will keep your wrist in a natural position.
So, a wrist rest is a must-have feature in an excellent mechanical keyboard. Many keyboards come with a detachable wrist rest that you can use according to your mood and need.
Programmable Keys
A good mechanical keyboard should have programmable keys that you can customize. Therefore, make sure that the keys allow you to set up the commands required by any game. The keys should also be functional and durable. They should not stop working after a few months.
Backlighting
Good backlighting is an essential feature of a gaming keyboard. It allows you to focus and get your head in the game. If the lighting is RGB, it is even better because it allows you to customize the lighting according to your preferences. RGB lighting offers up to 16 million color-changing options. So, you can choose the lighting that puts you in the right headspace to get the most out of your game.
Easy to Use
To use a customizable keyboard, you need to install the software provided by the company. Make sure your keyboard’s software is easy to understand and use. It should come with a user guide that is easy to follow and teaches you how to set up the software effectively. If the manual is not present, you can call the company’s helpline or refer to some Youtube tutorials.
Compatibility
The compatibility of the keyboard is another essential feature. It should be able to work with as many different computer software as possible, including Windows and Mac. Double-check the mechanical keyboard’s compatibility with its company because they will guide you better.
FAQs
1. Are keyboards under $100 of poor quality?
Not at all. The price tag doesn’t determine the quality of a product. You will find insanely expensive products that have the worst quality and reasonably priced products that are top-notch. So, you can find many good keyboards for under $100.
2. Can I install the keyboard myself?
Usually, installing a keyboard is not a difficult task. You can easily plug it in and start using it. However, if you are a newbie, connecting a wireless keyboard might be challenging for you. You can seek help from Youtube tutorials or ask the company to guide you.
3. Should I get a keyboard without a wrist rest?
If you do not suffer from wrist pain or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, you can get a keyboard without wrist rest. Otherwise, a wrist rest is a crucial feature for you, as it will prevent the pain from getting worse.
So, make sure to check the keyboard properly. You can even ask the company for a test before buying the keyboard.
4. Is it difficult to clean a mechanical keyboard?
It depends on the keyboard’s keycaps. Mechanical keyboards are generally pretty easy to clean. But that is not the case for all. So, if that is an important feature for you, read through customer reviews in advance to see if the one you want is easy to clean or not.
5. Are heavyweight keyboards better than lightweight ones?
It depends on your preferences. Generally, heavyweight keyboards are better because they are more stable and do not slide around much when you are typing. Meanwhile, the slightest touch will cause a lightweight keyboard move, which might cause problems when gaming.
Conclusion
By now, you should have a clear idea about mechanical keyboards and their functionality. They are available in different price ranges, but in this article, we focused on the best ones under $100.
As well as being affordable, they also offer excellent performance. The quality of these keyboards is top-notch, with all the essential features you need to elevate your gaming experience.
gtadmin
- 0 Comment
- Tech Guides
- September 9, 2021
