If you are an avidly passionate PC gamer like us, then you are most probably going to take your choice of keyboard pretty seriously, and for good reason. To us, it is as essential as the paintbrush, or the quill was to Da Vinci. Along with the mouse, it directly connects us to the digital world, and having the best of the best will usually give a serious edge over our opponents.
OK, but what exactly makes up the best gaming keyboard?
For the most part, the most expensive gaming keyboards within the high-end keyboard market are keyboards with mechanical (MX) switches. Although, there are some alternatives out there with electro-capacitive switches also beginning to take center stage. There are multiple reasons for this, with ease of customization being high on this list.
With companies like Cherry, Kaihua, Razer, and Logitech all designing and producing a range of MX switch options, the market is now awash with a vast range of tactile quality options.
RGB backlighting and customization, top-spec wiring, bespoke keyboard software, and overall design are also of high importance when making your decision on which of these high-end gaming keyboards is worth investing in. So join us as we take a peek at the best of the best that the market has to offer today!
Contents
- 1 Best Expensive Gaming Keyboards In 2023 – Top 3 Rated Review
- 1.1 1 Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional2 (Compact, Charcoal, Printed Keycaps, 45G) – Best Highend Gaming Keyboard with Electro Capacitive Switches
- 1.2 2 Razer Huntsman Elite Gaming Keyboard – Best Highend Full-Size Gaming Keyboard
- 1.3 3 SteelSeries Apex Pro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – Most Customizable Highend Gaming Keyboard
- 2 Got The Right Backup For Your Keyboard?
- 3 So, Which Of These Most Expensive Gaming Keyboards Is The Best?
Best Expensive Gaming Keyboards In 2023 – Top 3 Rated Review
1 Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional2 (Compact, Charcoal, Printed Keycaps, 45G) – Best Highend Gaming Keyboard with Electro Capacitive Switches
First up on in our review of the most expensive gaming keyboards is a keyboard that has been the product of more memes than we ever thought possible for a single keyboard.
The Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional2 is a polarizing figure indeed. Either loved or loathed, with very little room in the middle, this (in our opinion, fantastic) keyboard has been designed to have the lowest sized footprint possible and adapt the QWERTY layout. Plus, add some cool ergonomic twists.
What are these twists then?
Well, for sure, the most noticeable of the bunch is the placement of the backspace/delete key. Happy Hacking has moved this key down one row, so now instead of having to stretch or remove your hand from the home row to correct a mistake, you can hit backspace with your pinkie. This is not only more ergonomic but also makes the process much quicker.
This is because you don’t have to reset your hands on the home row after making an edit. The Control key also replaces the Caps Lock, which is a change we would like to see across the market. The Caps Lock is such an underused key and takes up a large space in an important part of the keyboard.
There is also the obvious lack of a function row, nav cluster, and numpad, which means that the keyboard itself is less than 12 inches wide (30cm). The size and layout make for a very “centered” feeling when using the Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional2.
What else should you know?
Apart from the slightly unusual layout, the Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional2 is probably best known for using the fantastic Topre electro-capacitive switches. The switch consists of a slider, in housing over a rubber dome, over a conical coiled spring over a printed circuit board. This setup provides a very similar feel to many MX switches, but again this is definitely a polarizing point of contention.
The keycaps themselves are constructed from PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate), which we find more satisfying to touch. PBT will not yellow or “shine” as quickly as the more common ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene). People seem to either hate them or adore them, with very few landing in between, again. As for us, well, we can’t sing their praises loudly enough.
So what are you waiting for?
If you agree with us, get your hands on one of the best gaming keyboards available on the market right now!
(4.6 / 5)Pros
- Innovative and ergonomic design.
- PBS keycaps.
- Topre switch tech.
Cons
- Some changes in the layout may confuse or annoy.
2 Razer Huntsman Elite Gaming Keyboard – Best Highend Full-Size Gaming Keyboard
We are going a full 180-degree flip here from our previous contender and jumping into the fantastic, full-sized, optomechanical keyboard that is the Razer Huntsman Elite Gaming Keyboard. What Happy Hacking brought in minimalism, Razer counters with opulence and flair.
Great, but what sets this apart from the competition?
First up, the optomechanical switching mechanisms employed in this top of the line gaming keyboard are not only brand spanking new but also revolutionary. Melding together the ‘best of both worlds,’ these switches register a keystroke when a blocking fin interrupts a laser.
This dramatically cuts down the regular wear and tear associated with MX switches. Meaning they not only eliminate debounce, but also extend the life cycle of the switch. Razer claims that each switch can now last up to 100 million keystrokes!
The feel is unrivaled, in our opinion…
Razer has coupled the Huntsman Elite Gaming Keyboard with the same wrist rest found on previous top-end Razer keyboards, and what a pleasure it is. Strong magnetic coupling provides a secure bond to the keyboard. And, the faux leather-covered memory foam is as comfortable, if not more, than any other offering on the market today.
The programmable wheel at the top right corner is another great addition, with multiple uses available. It can be set to be a volume knob, a zoom wheel, a track selector, a weapons wheel, or for many other uses. The list goes on and on.
A superb high-end option…
So, if you’re on the hunt for a full-size, functional, beautiful top-end gaming keyboard, then check out the Razer Huntsman Elite Gaming Keyboard today!
(4.7 / 5)Pros
- Revolutionary switches.
- Super comfy wrist rest.
- Easy to use and program media controls.
- Satisfying switch clicks.
Cons
- No macro keys.
3 SteelSeries Apex Pro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – Most Customizable Highend Gaming Keyboard
Are you on the hunt for the most customizable keyboard on the market? One that has gorgeous aesthetics, but also outperforms almost all the competition? Then you can stop searching right now and take a long hard look at the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard.
This is the very first mass-marketed gaming keyboard that allows the user to adjust the actuation in its keys. That’s a huge leap forward, and one not only worthy of applause but also one that we are sure will become the norm in the coming years.
But wait, what exactly is actuation?
Simply put, actuation refers to how ‘clicky’ the keys are. This setting is of the utmost importance, as the feel of the keys truly is the most commonly debated subject when gaming keyboards are being discussed.
The OmniPoint adjustable actuation switches on the Apex Pro won’t be found on any other gaming keyboard currently available. And, through the included software, the actuation point setting for each key (that’s right, every single key can be separately tuned!) can be tuned and saved.
Impressive that…
The wrist guard, while not being as plush and comfortable as the Razer keyboard, does a good job of keeping the forearms in an ergonomic position. There is also an inbuilt OLED screen that is useful for on the fly keyboard customization.
This is, without a doubt, the best-looking keyboard on the market right now (in our humble opinion). The RGB backlighting is fully programmable and is worthy of its place sitting in front of even the most decadent battle station setups.
If this keyboard sounds like the peripheral you’ve been searching for, then we say go for it!
(4.8 / 5)Pros
- Adjustable actuation for each key.
- Smart inbuilt OLED screen.
- Brilliant per-key RGB lighting.
- Aluminum build.
Cons
- Super pricey.
Got The Right Backup For Your Keyboard?
There are several gaming reviews we know you’re going to enjoy. So, check out our Best CPU for Gaming Reviews, our Best Sound Card Reviews, our Best LGA 1155 Motherboard Reviews, and our Best RX 580 Graphics Card Reviews!
If you’re busy building your system from scratch, then don’t miss our Best Full Tower Case Reviews or our Best Mini Cases Reviews! And if you’re going to need to transfer a considerable load, we highly recommend checking out our Best Hard Drive Duplicator Docking Station Reviews for 2023.
We also have something extra special for the old-timers. Read our Best External USB Floppy Drive reviews and access those long lost treasures on your old floppies!
Back to the best high-end keyboards money can buy…
So, Which Of These Most Expensive Gaming Keyboards Is The Best?
Choosing the right high-end gaming keyboard for you is all about working out what features are most important to you — and then pairing that list with the options available. The three keyboards we have decided to take a glance at cover most of the options and are all fantastic pieces of equipment.
But which one would we choose?
For us, the best high-end gaming keyboard on the market is the…
Razer Huntsman Elite Gaming KeyboardIt combines absolutely everything we want in a gaming keyboard and more and does so for a relatively reasonable price.
Happy gaming!
