Best gaming keyboard (FPS, MMO, MOBA)

What is the best gaming keyboard for each genre of game? A reasonable question, for sure, but one that requires a decent amount of thought and research. Luckily, CORSAIR makes a broad range of gaming keyboards, so we’ll be able to find a great example whatever you're looking for.

It’s worth noting from the outset that you don’t need any specific gaming keyboard to enjoy any given type of game. It’s mostly down to personal preference. That being said, there are some aspects of keyboards that can make a pronounced difference, especially at higher skill levels. First is a quick comparison of our choices so you know what you're looking for, then we'll get into what you need to think about when considering your best gaming keyboard.

The size of the keyboard, or form factor if you prefer, won’t directly improve in-game performance, but it is something that you need to consider. Additionally, it’ll make a significant difference when it comes to non-gaming use. A horrible eventuality, it's true.

Foundationally, we have the full-size or 100% keyboard. This is the archetypal “keyboard”. It’s got a Numpad, a function row, and arrow keys. So, it’s fully featured, but can be painfully wide, which makes it eat into your precious mouse space.

Next, we have the TKL or Tenkeyless. Also know as an 80%. Identical to the full-size offerings, but missing the Numpad. This saves a lot of space without sacrificing much functionality. Spreadsheet enjoyers might miss the Numpad, but normal people can get by without it.

Continuing our weight-loss regime, we find the 65%. Here there is some variance. We always lose the function row in addition to the Numpad while retaining the arrow keys. The variance is related to the “Edit keys.” This is the proper name for things like Delete, Page Down, Insert, etc. The keys that used to live in the cluster above the arrow keys on the full-size and the TKL. Depending on the specific 65% keyboard, the edit keys will vary. So, if you’re particularly keen on some of them, remember to check.

Finally, we have the smallest form factor that’s widely available: the 60%. This has no Numpad, function row, arrow keys, or edit keys. Essentially, it’s just the alpha-numeric keys. (The main section of a full-size.) All our 60% keyboards retain some functionality through shortcuts, with the function in question printed on the keycaps.

So, those are the main sizes of keyboard, most people have an immediate primal preference immediately, so you’ve probably already made a decision on the size you want. You can read our more detailed post about keyboard sizes for more info. However, if we’re talking about the best gaming keyboard, we must necessarily talk about switches.

Key switches have the biggest influence on the feeling of a keyboard. Not only that, but some games do benefit from certain switches. The main thing to consider here is reaction time. If the game you’re playing requires lightning-fast inputs, we're talking about the likes of Valorant, CS: GO and the myriad of other competitive FPS, then you’ll want light linear switches. These will actuate more quickly, reducing input delay.

In less keyboard-intensive games like Minecraft, Valheim, or most story-driven games, you won’t get any real benefits comparing one switch to another. This means that you can simply opt for the switch you like the most. For a more in-depth conversation about key switches, our key switches 101 article has you covered, for now though, let’s make some recommendations.

We mentioned the importance of fast switches earlier, so the best gaming keyboard for First Person Shooters (FPS) certainly has to have that. However, when it comes to FPS games in particular, we must consider the mouse, more so than other genres. Generally speaking, you’ll be more accurate on a low DPI than on a higher one. The lower the DPI, the more you have to physically move the mouse for any given movement in-game. This means you need to maximize the space for your mouse, meaning that a smaller keyboard is ideal, especially for those without the space for a huge desk like the PLATFORM:6.

For FPS games, we’re going with the CORSAIR K65 PRO MINI. While we like 60% keyboards, not everyone wants to be subject to remembering shortcuts, and arrow keys are invaluable if you spend time in word documents, spreadsheets, or really any application other than gaming.

Additionally, the K65 PRO MINI comes with CORSAIR OPX key switches. These have a shorter total travel than traditional linear switches, actuate earlier, and they use optical actuation technology which means zero debounce delay. We’ve written an entire article all about the CORSAIR OPX switches you can read for more details if you’re curious.

Those who have spent countless hours in the world of Azeroth (Word of Warcraft) or Tyria (Guild Wars 2) will know that MMO games, especially MMORPGs, benefit from an array of custom keybinds. Of course, the key binding is done in-game, but having a full-size keyboard creates the maximum number of potential keybinds. The K100 RGB, however, has an additional six keys on the left.

This means you get six more keys to assign useful controls to, or you can use them for more complex macros. Their position on the left of the keyboard makes them immediately accessible without having to relinquish mouse control too.

Just above and to the right of these keys you’ve find the iCUE control wheel. This is a fully programmable wheel, allowing you to further customize and increase the utility of the K100 RGB. The best use of this wheel when it comes to MMOs is to cycle between the different profiles you’ve saved in iCUE.

So, if you’ve got a certain set of macros for your Main, and another for your Alt a quick spin of this wheel will flip the keyboard between them. No tabbing out, pausing, or distraction needed. These profiles can also decide the lighting, so you can illuminate different keys with certain colors that correspond with their inputs. This is particularly handy for those who switch from game to game frequently, helping to jog the memory of those with many games on the go.

MOBAs generally have the same keyboard needs as MMOs, however, they require more heavy usage of the mouse at the same time. Given that most of us are stuck with desks smaller than we’d like, some form of middle ground is ideal here.

This is why we’ve gone with the CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL CHAMPION SERIES as our pick for the best gaming keyboard for MOBA games. While it offers marginally less utility than the K100 RGB, it does offer up a lot more mouse space. The TKL form factor is perfect for this mix of priorities, and for those of you concerned about keys, the K70 RGB TKL has a dedicated profile button, so you can cycle through different profiles for different characters just like you can with the K100.

Further solidifying its reputation as a multifunctional middle ground, the K70 RGB TKL also has the widest variety of switch types. This means that those with a particularly strong preference will be catered to.

Overall, the K70 RGB TKL allows for almost as much functionality as the K100 RGB, but provides a significant boost to mouse space. So, if you’re a CPS monster on a low DPI, it’ll stay out of your way while allowing your other hand to take care of the complex keybinds.

Of course, with the announcement that we’re bringing Rapid Trigger functionality to our CORSAIR MGX switches, we must recommend the CORSAIR K70 MAX. Rapid Trigger allows the switches to actuate again as soon as they begin to move upward. This can be invaluable for gaming as it allows for far more inputs per second than even the OPX switches.

As the K70 MAX is the only keyboard that currently has MGX switches, Rapid Trigger will initially only be available on this specific board. In the future, however, we might see it on a wider range of our gaming keyboards. While Rapid Trigger is chiefly a benefit to FPS games, the broad customizability of the switches has untold value regardless of application, you need only try it out to see.

If any of these keyboards interest you, you can find them all on our main retail website, if none of them interest you, we have loads more available there, too. So, if you disagree with our recommendations, we’ll have at least one that you’ll love.