Whether it’s a keyboard for gaming, copywriting, coding, or whatever you like to do, we can always find a good deal in this price range. Today, there’s a good and extensive selection of keyboards, but we will choose the best keyboard from our list of gaming keyboards under $ 50.
In addition to games, the list includes keyboards we can use for any professional job. At first glance, the keyboard may be the computer component least important to us, and we usually spend the least money on it.
But its quality is crucial, especially if you spend most of your time in front of a computer. Therefore, choosing a keyboard with functions that suit our needs is essential, but that choice can also be problematic. As for the offer on the market, there are mechanical and membrane types of keyboards and their various subvariants.
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on something that will satisfy you with much less money.
Table of Contents
Quick list review: Best gaming keyboard under $ 50
Picture | Name | Pros | Price |
 Best TKL | Tecware Phantom |
| |
 Best membrane | Corsair K55 RGB |
| |
 Best value TKL | Redragon K552 |
| |
 Best TKL WiFi | Velocifire TKL02WS |
| |
 Runner Up WiFi | Drevo Calibur V2 |
| |
 | CM Devastator 3 |
| |
 Value Combo | Havit Combo 3 in 1 |
|
1. Tecware Phantom: best TKL mechanical gaming keyboard under $ 50
Pros
- 87 Keys
- Adjustable Legs
- Hot-swappable features
- RGB Backlighting (with 18 preset configurations)
- OUTEMU Blue/Brown/Red Switches
- Keycap Puller
- Price
Cons
- Non-detachable Power Cable
- There’s no Numpad
- Only wired connection
Brief review
Design & Build
The keyboard is solid plastic made with reinforcement on the bottom with an aluminum plate that improves the strength and quality. Teckware Phantom is the TKL without Numpad and brings a design of floating keys that make it easy to maintain the keyboard.
The keyboard looks solid and acts solid. Unfortunately, the USB power cable can’t be disconnected, although some keyboards in this price range also have this option.
The keycaps on this mechanical keyboard are double-shot ABS (dual-injection molding process). That guarantees high resistance against surface wear of markings that we can’t remove as they are physically part of the keycaps.
I like this gaming keyboard because few options have only more expensive models. One of these options is hot-swapping switch replacement. This design allows you to replace the switch for each key according to your style. Therefore, you can easily replace them if you need a click switch instead of a linear one.
Performance
The Teckware Phantom comes with Outemu mechanical switches for precise gaming and comfortable typing. There’s a choice of red, blue, and brown switches in this price range. My Phantom has red switches, which activate at around 50% of the stroke. The keys have a great response; they move smoothly. The stabilizers seem lubricated at the factory, which you can feel on larger buttons.
Equipment & Support
Teckware Phantom comes with extra switches and two key pullers. If you want more RGB lighting options, download the free software. You can adjust the RGB brightness by keys if you don’t like the 18 preset lighting modes.
Conclusion
Overall, an impressive gaming keyboard under $ 50; you certainly won’t go wrong if you take it.
2. Corsair K55 RGB: best membrane gaming keyboard under $ 50
Pros
- 104 Key Full-Size Keyboard
- Comfortable typing on
- Mac Compatible
- Non-detachable Power Cable
- Only wired connection
Brief review
Design & Build
Corsair is a manufacturer I met many years ago, and their quality PC RAM-s. Then I had a plentiful PSU with their signature, and now I had the opportunity to try one of the keyboards from their “kitchen.” I wasn’t disappointed, on the contrary. Let’s look at the Corsair offer under $ 50 on the best gaming keyboards list.
It’s a quality full-size membrane keyboard, so you need to know it’s bigger than TKL. Unlike mechanical keyboards, this one is very light but has a solid construction, so there’s no twisting while typing. The keys work very nicely; while typing, it feels like you are working with mechanical keys. Of course, this is a subjective feeling; there’s a difference, but the stroke of the key is easy, and you can feel a tactile kick on the keypress.
I’m not trying, but Corsair for K55 says it has IP42-rated dust and spill resistance guards against accidents. The package also includes a wrist rest with rubber inserts, which is very pleasant for resting your hands.
Performance
The Corsair K55 RGB is a membrane keyboard, meaning each key isn’t as individual as a mechanical one. There are differences, especially among people who have used a mechanical keyboard. Typing is similar to the softer CheryMX Brown switches, but that’s a subjective impression. It’s pleasant to work on the keyboard with minimal effort when pressing a key.
The keystroke isn’t as “bad” as on other membrane keyboards. You can feel specific tactile strokes on the keypress. Of course, you can’t expect the performance of a mechanical keyboard.
Equipment & Support
As for RGB backlighting, you can change colors and patterns in 3 zones. You don’t have individual key colors but zone lighting. There are a lot of predefined combinations for the mentioned three zones.
Still, this price gives you RGB backlighting, excellent membrane keys, six macro keys, playback, and volume control.
You can do all settings by the keys on the keyboard; additional software isn’t needed. You can take this as a disadvantage or an advantage, but everything works properly.
Conclusion
Corsair K55 RBG is an excellent gaming keyboard for under $ 50. If you prefer membrane keyboards, this one must be on your radar.
3. Redragon K552: best budget mechanical gaming keyboard under $ 50
Pros
- 87 Keys
- Comfortable to use
- Price
- Non-detachable Power Cable
- There’s no Numpad
- Only wired connection
Brief review
Design & Build
I’m pleasantly surprised with Redragon and the quality of its gaming keyboards in the lower price segment. The K552 is pretty well made, despite being one of the cheaper gaming keyboards under $ 50. It comes in a compact size of 87 keys (TKL-Tenkeyless) with an RGB backlight. Since the keyboard doesn’t have a numeric part(Numpad), it takes less space on the table. If you need the Numpad and use it constantly, look at other models in this list. The keyboard is compact, doesn’t twist when used, and looks nice on the table.
Performance
The red switches come from Outemu, they aren’t at the level of one CheryMX, but when you look at the price, you have no right to complain. They are still real mechanical switches. You will feel an excellent tactile response and hear a clicking sound at the touch of a button.
When used, it can be disturbed by the noise it produces, but it will certainly not bother you in the heat of the game. Anyone in the same room as you may have a noise problem.
Equipment & Support
According to the backlight, we can choose between three gaming keyboard models. This one comes with RGB rainbow backlighting. Pay attention when buying; Redragon offers different models of K22 according to illumination: red LED, without lighting, and RBG. You can change RGB lighting on the fly, with the keys changing different lighting effects.
Conclusion
Redragon K552 is a decent gaming keyboard for under $ 50. If you are looking at the quality that comes with the low cost of a mechanical keyboard, don’t hesitate to buy.
4. Velocifire TKL02WS: best TKL WiFi Budget Keyboard under $ 50
Pros
- 87 Keys
- White backlight (on/off)
- Adjustable Legs
- Wired/Wireless
- Content Brown Switches
- Detachable Power Cable
- Good battery life
- Comfortable typing on
- Looks elegant and feels durable
- Mac Compatible
- There’s no Numpad
- Wireless range
Brief review
Design & Build
The Velocifire TKL02WS is a mechanical keyboard that looks sophisticated and elegant and as if intended for some serious office. The design is minimalist. The construction works solidly and isn’t as easy as one might think. This wireless keyboard comes only with a discreet white backlight, which can be turned on or off.
The format is TKL, so whoever doesn’t mind such a compact design will have no complaints. Especially since it’s wireless and smaller in size, it’s easy to transport.
Performance
The switches aren’t from Outemu but brown from the Content company. They are a bit better, but not at the level of Chery MX. You shouldn’t expect top-quality switches for this price, but these also work great. This keyboard does great basics; the keys sound fine while typing. The battery life savings are solved perfectly so that the Velocifre TKL02WS will turn off the backlight after 1 minute without use (and switch to sleep mode after 3 minutes).
The keyboard has a detachable USB-C cable for easy battery charging, but you can simultaneously type.
Equipment & Support
The TKL02WS has only one backlight color – white that you can only turn on or off. When the backlight is on, enough light illuminates keys while discreetly avoiding glare. Velocifire TKL02WS isn’t only for gamers who like RBG to burst in all directions but also for writers and developers. Along with the keyboard, Velocifre comes with a USB-C charging cable and a proper key puller.
Conclusion
The Velocifire TKL02WS is one of the best wireless gaming keyboards for under $ 50. The sleek minimalist design and lack of bright RGB gaming lighting mean you can use this keyboard anywhere without looking intrusive. Let’s be honest; professional users will enjoy it just as well.
5. Drevo Calibur V2: best compact WiFi keyboard under $ 50
Pros
- 71 Keys (60% Keyboard)
- RGB Backlight & Sidelight
- Removable Magnetic Feet
- Wired/Wireless
- Outemu Blue Switches
- Detachable Power Cable
- Good battery life
- Comfortable typing on
- Mac Compatible
- There’s no Numpad
- Stabilizers can be noisy
Brief review
Design & Build
The Drevo Calibur V2 is the only keyboard in a compact edition (60%) of our list of the best gaming keyboards under $ 50. Besides Velocfire, this is the second mechanical keyboard on this list with a wireless connection to a PC. Compatible with Mac too. Excellent build quality, small size, quality built, and more ways to connect. Thanks to its smaller dimensions, the keyboard is portable and easy to carry.
The keycaps on this mechanical keyboard are double-shot ABS (dual-injection molding process). That guarantees high resistance against surface wear of keycap markings.
Performance
The switches are from Outemu or Cherry, and you can choose between red, blue and brown:
- Red: Linear with soft, resistant force. Choose it if you like lightly pressing down keys.
- Blue: Tactile and clicky with a bumpy feel. Choose it if you like typing, and don’t mind loud clicks.
- Brown: Tactile and non-clicky with a bumpy feel. Choose it if you want a middle option of Black and Blue.
The only complaint is the stabilizers, which are a bit noisier (rattle and shake) on all the big keys.
Equipment & Support
The RGB backlight is also on the side, as no other keyboards are in this price range. Bluetooth mode has no interruptions or lags. The RGB backlight turns off automatically in Bluetooth mode and sleeps mode after a few minutes. The battery is OK and may take about four days, depending on keyboard usage.
The good thing is that the USB-C power cord can be detachable, which increases its portability without fear of damage.
Conclusion
I warmly recommend Drevo Calibur V2 to pro users without any problems. However, the general impression when gaming is also positive.
If you want a smaller, easily portable keyboard without wires, the Calibur V2 tree is the right choice.
6. CM Devastator 3: best budget gaming keyboard + mouse under $ 50
Pros
- 104 Key Full-Size Keyboard
- Comfortable typing on
- 800-2800 DPI Mouse with 5 Buttons
- Price
- Non-detachable Power Cable
- Only wired connection
Brief review
Design & Build
Let’s presume you do not have enough money to buy a gaming keyboard and mouse separately. For this reason, an exciting offer comes from the Cooler Master in our list of the best gaming keyboards under $ 50.
Cooler Master Devastator 3 is an excellent combo of gaming keyboards and mice that have no competition in build quality for this price. The keyboard is excellent with solid construction. It doesn’t seem cheap, even though it’s pretty light. The mouse isn’t as bad as you would expect for this price.
Performance
Even though it’s a membrane keyboard, you feel like you are working on a mechanical keyboard when using it ( r). The mouse will not disappoint you in most games, so it’s reasonable if you are thin with purchasing a more advanced (more expensive) mouse. It has four preset DPI levels (Avago 3050 Optical Gaming Sensor: 800, 1200, 1800, and 2800), which are great options for most types of pc games.
Equipment & Support
CM Devastator 3 keyboard includes dedicated multimedia keys and LED backlighting in 7 different profiles (Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Purple, Light Blue, and White). You can turn off this LED lighting, but it’s better to leave it because you will not see which key is in the darkroom. The mouse also comes with LED lighting.
Conclusion
You won’t go wrong with this mouse and keyboard combination, as Cooler Master has made an effort to provide the maximum for your investment. A sincere recommendation if you are on a thin budget.
7. Havit Mechanical Keyboard, Mouse & Headset Combo: best buy under $ 50
Pros
- 104 Key Full-Size Keyboard
- Wrist Rest
- Comfortable typing on
- 800-4800 DPI Gaming Mouse
- Price
- Non-detachable Power Cable
- Only wired connection
- Not so good headset
Brief review
Design & Build
Havit is similar to the CM Devastator 3 mouse and keyboard combinations range. It comes in 104 Key full-size, so it takes plenty of desk space. Unlike the Devastator 3, this package contains a mechanical gaming keyboard, wrist rest, mouse, and headset. The build quality is good, but nothing special.
The design is quite decent and oriented towards the gaming population. With this combo, you get the most in our list of the best gaming keyboards under $ 50.
Performance
You get a mechanical keyboard with Outemu Blue switches and an RGB backlight for this price. With the easy adjustment, the mouse has six DPI sensitivity levels (800/1600/2400/3200/4000/4800). And finally, headphones are a budget variant with mediocre sound quality and RGB, which works appropriately.
Lighting effects come with 14 predefined settings on the keyboard and seven on the mouse. The headphones have also implemented RGB lighting to complete the atmosphere.
Conclusion
Given the relatively low price of this kit, one should not be too critical. If a small budget limits you, it’s worth taking. You get a rounded offer that’s hard to resist, especially for this money. You can’t ask for more.
Conclusion
From the above list of the best gaming keyboards under $ 50, we can see that you can find a decent gaming or pro keyboard without giving you much more money. I believe that a combination of keyboard and mouse (Devastator 3 or Havit) would also be a good choice, mainly if your budget is limited.
All the keyboards pleasantly surprised me with their quality. Hence, there weren’t any bad keyboards during testing that I couldn’t recommend. The Tecware Phantom and Corsair K55 RGB Pro are the best gaming keyboards under $ 50 on this list, but I respect other opinions.
The Calibur V2 and Redragon are also great keyboards in this price range, below $ 50. Maybe I overlooked another keyboard model I didn’t get to test so that you can write to me about it.
It remains to look at selecting the best keyboards under $100 that could interest you. I hope you find something for yourself too. Good luck with typing and gaming.
If you have any additional questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment.