Best Keyboard For Valorant

By Luke Kline
Last Updated September 28, 2021
Keyboards

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While the keyboard may be considered an afterthought to some, it is anything but when it comes to the PC gaming enthusiast.

The keyboard is the bridge between the player and the machine, the medium which connects the gamer to the game and provides the gateway for all controls to be delivered in a precise and deliberate manner so that the gamer can be seen and heard in a tangible way in the arena.

When we consider these factors, a keyboard is much more than a peripheral piece of technology.

For those playing Valorant, Riot Games’ FPS title that is taking the online gaming community by storm, a responsive keyboard that can withstand the rhythmic plucking of fingertips for hours on end is a must.

At A Glance

Our Top 5 Picks For Keyboard For Valorant

As such, we will go over the 10 best keyboards for Valorant that will enhance your gameplay and improve your sense of satisfaction with each devastating keystroke that befalls your enemies.

Best Keyboard For Valorant Comparison Table

IMAGE	PRODUCT	SPECIFICATION
Best Overall	HyperX Alloy FPS	TKL (Tenkeyless) or full size N-Key rollover RGB backlighting	View On Amazon →
Premium Pick	Corsair K70 MK.2	Sturdy build Volume wheel Cherry MX switches	View On Amazon →
Budget Pick	Logitech G213 Prodigy	Excellent value Intensive gaming ready Good Backlighting	View On Amazon →
	Roccat Vulcan 100 Aimo RGB	Virtually dust and spill proof Unique design Powerful RGB backlighting	View On Amazon →
	Logitech G Pro Mechanical Keyboard	Compact and sleek design A pleasant typing experience Gorgeous customizable backlighting	View On Amazon →
	Razer BlackWidow Chroma TE (V2)	Satisfying ‘click’ of the keys Excellent configuration software USB 3.0 passthrough	View On Amazon →
	Corsair K63 Wireless	Top-of-the-line build quality Cherry MX Red Switches Affordable price	View On Amazon →
	XTRFY K2 RGB	Mechanical key switches Extensive, per-key RGB backlighting customization Lightning fast response	View On Amazon →
	SteelSeries Apex 3	Affordable price Reprogrammable keys Liquid resistant	View On Amazon →
	Logitech G915	High-quality build Low profile Wonderful software support	View On Amazon →

If you are building your PC setup for the ultimate gaming experience, it goes without saying that you can easily get overwhelmed by the massive selection of keyboards available and what everyone is saying about them.

As such, we have provided this comparison table for you so that you can see each model side by side and how they measure up to one another so that you can decide for yourself which one is the right one for you.

Related: Best Mouse For Valorant

1. HyperX Alloy FPS – Best Overall Pick

As you have probably gathered from the name of the keyboard itself, this particular gem has been designed to specifically give FPS gamers an edge in fast-paced titles such as Fortnite, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Apex Legends and—you guessed it—Valorant.

Let’s get the nit-picky stuff out of the way. No, it doesn’t have a wrist rest, dedicated media keys, or macro keys, however, all of the keys are programmable, and it features three on-board profiles as well. Not to mention, it has a USB passthrough so that you can charge other devices while you are busy dominating the battlefields of Valorant.

Our Pick

HyperX Alloy FPS

So, considering the fact that it may not have as many bells and whistles as other keyboards, it shows its true colors—apart from the RGB backlighting—with its performance.

Its Kailh Silver Speed switches may not hold up against the usual Cherry MX switches, but the low actuation and beautiful backdrop of RGB lighting beneath the keys gives the users a tactile sense of control and a lovely presentation to boot.

With a decent price and a detachable USB cable for increased portability, this is a great choice for both aspiring and competitive gamers looking to up-the-ante with their setup and playability.

Pros

Cons

2. Roccat Vulcan 100 Aimo RGB

For starters, the Vulcan series is the first line of keyboards to feature the Roccat-developed Titan switches. These key switches allow for swift and precise keystrokes that are virtually silent, but still remain tactile. Not to mention, they have a particularly low actuation, meaning that you don’t have to press the keys very hard to get the response you desire.

Roccat Vulcan 100 Aimo RGB

Roccat has reinforced the Vulcan with an aluminum reinforced plate to make it more resistant to natural wear and tear, and its ergonomic design makes it a suitable choice for any gamer looking to lock themselves away in a Valorant tournament for hours—maybe days—on end.

Its AIMO lighting engine provides users with individually programmable lighting schemes per-key, and the AIMO works both as a lighting engine and an adaptive ecosystem that organically evolves and reacts to your usage.

However, the lighting rapidly loses its luster in light of the fact that the special mapping of the backlighting only works when the Swarm software is opened on your PC. Unlike other brands and models that have their lighting options stored in the memory of the keyboard, this model is heavily reliant on the key-mapping software.

Even though it doesn’t come with a detachable palm rest like the Vulcan 120 AIMO, its compact, sturdy design, affordability, and smooth playable keys make this a great addition to your PC setup as you gear up for Valorant.

Pros

Cons

3. Logitech G Pro Mechanical Keyboard

The Logitech G Pro is the company’s response to the increase in eSports popularity over the last decade. It is a keyboard made for professionals, or for those who want to use the same gear as the pros.

Logitech G Pro Mechanical Keyboard

Logitech has delivered a product of superior quality, with only the bare essentials for winning. As such, they removed the tenkey in response to hardcore gamers’ mention of it having little-to-no functionality during high-stakes tournaments.

Since it lacks a tenkey, it is much smaller in size, thus, making it far more compact and easy to tote around with you to competitions so that thou might vanquish thine enemies.

The G Pro features Logitech’s Romer-G mechanical switches, which are up to 10 ms faster than that of the fabled Cherry MX switches. While the layman will hardly notice this distance, an avid gamer will surely notice the increase in response time with the Romer-G switches and short actuation.

Considering this, the Logitech G Pro is also a great choice for just plain old writing. The tactile and smooth experience of typing that is delivered is satisfactory to say the least. I mean, who doesn’t love the symphony of clicks and clacks beneath one’s fingertips? It is something us nerds know far too well.

In the end, the G Pro delivers a reasonably priced, resilient design that can withstand the finger abuse of angry gamers, as well as a compact design that gives the gamer everything they need to heighten their gaming experience, and nothing more. If you are looking for a wildly customizable, small, yet beautiful addition to your gear, look no further than this beauty to open your eyes to a whole new world of gaming excellence.

Pros

Cons

4. Corsair K70 MK.2 (Full Sized) – Premium Pick

While the Corsair K70 MK.2 is easily one of the most expensive mechanical gaming keyboards on the market, it can back up every dollar with complete certainty in regards to its state-of-the-art design and innovative performance.

Corsair has delivered a product with a sturdy aluminum chassis, an alluring display of RGB backlighting and dedicated media keys that is sure to add some flare and superior functionality to your array of gaming modules.

Our Premium Pick

Corsair K70 MK.2

This model comes in hot as our premium pick, and rightfully so. It is light and streamlined, but jam-packed full of all the bells whistles to fit your tastes and needs as an FPS gamer.

Equipped with Cherry MX switches, it allows the user to choose which type of switch they prefer to use (blue, brown, green, red, etc.), making for a keyboard that feels like it was made for you specifically. Not to mention, it comes with grey keycaps so that you can mark your keys for easier navigation and more precise playing.

Despite its considerably expensive price and lack of backlighting customization, this is a keyboard that will keep you playing Valorant for years to come without having to shell out for another one. In other words, it is a one-time investment that will satisfy your needs time and time again without virtually any drawbacks.

Pros

Cons

5. Razer BlackWidow Chroma TE (V2)

If you are looking for a keyboard that is both suitable for work and play, then the BlackWidow Chroma Tournament Edition V2 may not be the best keyboard to consider. However, if it is a gaming keyboard you seek, then you needn’t look any further.

Razer BlackWidow Chroma TE (V2)

As you have guessed from the name, this keyboard is specifically designed for tournament-style gaming. As such, it has been streamlined to include only the bare necessities needed to kick some adversarial booty.

Since it is more streamlined, it lacks a tenkey, as well as dedicated macro keys. While this may seem like a hindrance to some, it certainly shows its true colors with its detachable USB cable and compact design, which make it ideal for portability when it comes to jumping around from tournament to tournament.

Despite the keyboard being all black, it gives users 16 million different backlighting options, making for one hell of a customizable experience. One problem is that the symbols are painted instead of etched into the keys. This means that if you are playing in a particularly dark room, it may be difficult to find the keys you are looking for if you aren’t an experienced typer.

With its Razer Synapse compatibility, you can download the Razer software once and have it work with any Razer keyboard! Now that is efficient! With this software, you can program macros, backlighting, and even set up profiles for different gaming genres and preferences. Not to mention, it is also Chroma App compatible. This means that if a game is Chroma compatible, it can set you up with specific lighting and key profiles for the game.

Needless to say, this keyboard comes in swinging, and if you are looking for a moderately priced piece to add to your gaming setup that you can tote around with you to tournaments, then you have found it with the Razer BlackWidow Chroma TE V2.

Pros

Satisfying ‘click’ of the keys
Excellent configuration software
USB 3.0 passthrough
Razer Synapse compatibility
A vast array of lighting options
Magnetic palm rest
Detachable and braided USB cable

Cons

6. Logitech G213 Prodigy – Budget Pick

This model could most certainly be considered a gaming keyboard with training wheels. It doesn’t take a keyboard snob to notice that Logitech has cut some corners in releasing this model, however, it does make for a stellar product that won’t break your bank and will still give you most of the bells and whistles necessary to tear it up on Valorant without your parents asking you for a lifetime of chores in return for the purchase.

Our Budget Pick

Logitech G213 Prodigy

Obviously, this is our budget pick due to its affordable price and (mostly) wide range of capabilities. It is fitted with a tenkey, a whole row of F keys, a wrist rest and two adjustable feet on the bottom of the keyboard to get it to just the right angle for your playing style.

Where it could be seen as lacking in comparison to other keyboards, is the fact that instead of featuring individually customizable key lighting, this model features lighting zones. So while this may seem like a drawback for some, you still get the full spectrum of color customization within said laid out zones, which honestly isn’t all that bad for those just getting introduced to the PC gaming world.

The biggest scrutinization from professional gamers is its lack of mechanical switches. Instead, Logitech has fitted this sucker out with their own membrane switches which are fine tuned for gaming. Think of it what you will, but after you try them they just might grow on you.

Pros

Cons

7. Corsair K63 Wireless

As one could expect from Corsair, they have—once again—delivered a product that stands out from the rest. This sleek and compact wireless model is fitted with an extremely fast response time and wireless connection of 1ms at 2.4 GHz; meaning that you can rest assured that your keystrokes will feel as if you are playing with a direct connection.

Moreover, it isn’t constricted to use only as a wireless keyboard. On top of its 2.4GHz, it can also operate via Bluetooth or by being directly plugged in with a micro USB to USB cable.

Corsair K63 Wireless

Considering this is a wireless model, it lacks a lot of the bulky stature that you could expect from one of their more luxurious models, however, it suits the couch-locked gamer perfectly. With no tenkey, it very much resembles that of the K65 model, but with its very obvious wireless capabilities.

What’s more, is that Corsair has designed a custom lapboard that comes equipped with a wrist rest and a mousepad for those who want to take their gaming to the living room.

This model also features dedicated media and volume controls, and a dimmer for the backlighting in case you want to tone it down a bit; however, there are little-to-no options for color customization when it comes to the backlighting, which for the very particular gamer, might be a “no no.”

While we are at it, another drawback is that there isn’t a USB passthrough, meaning that you will have to use a wireless mouse if you are using this keyboard.

For those who are looking for a reliable brand that can keep up with their nomadic gaming tendencies, then I believe it is safe to say that the Corsair K63 Wireless Keyboard will suit your needs just fine.

Pros

Top-of-the-line build quality
Cherry MX Red Switches
Affordable price
1ms 2.4GHz wireless connection
128-bit AES wireless encryption
15 hour battery life (without backlighting)
Dedicated media keys

Cons

8. XTRFY K2 RGB

Straight out the gate, this keyboard is legitimately built for eSports gamers, and it is highly revered by professional gamers around the world. In particular, it is the keyboard of choice for Ninjas in Pyjamas, the gaming crew who is most well known for their achievements in CS:GO.

XTRFY K2 RGB

This keyboard is available to consumers in both black and white, but either will yield the same glorious product. It is a plug-and-play design, so most die-hard gamers will absolutely love that about it.

While the overall presentation of the keyboard design isn’t all that jaw-dropping, some may consider the average-joe demeanor to be somewhat charming, especially considering how it glows once the backlighting is turned on.

Xtrfy has been advertising this model as “the world’s fastest keyboard,” and it is no secret why. With 1000Hz of polling rate and their Super-scan technology, this keyboard has incredibly fast response time that may throw some gamers off at first, but with time, it is bound to make a lasting impression.

If you are a gamer whose genre of choice is first person shooters, then you have found your match. Granted, if you are a beginner gamer, this may not be the keyboard for you, as it is both pricey as it is highly sensitive; but if you are engaging in tournaments, have a little money to spend, and are looking to make some waves in the eSports community, then the XTRFY K2-RGB may just be the mechanical beast you are looking for.

Pros

Cons

9. SteelSeries Apex 3

While SteelSeries definitely provided gamers with an affordable keyboard with the Apex 3, it certainly feels like one, which isn’t exactly the best when purchasing a gaming keyboard.

Firstly, it utilizes membrane switches as opposed to mechanical switches, which can easily be felt by the avid PC gamer. Apart from its membrane switches, it comes with most of the bells and whistles a beginner gamer could expect: RGB lighting, water resistance, a wrist rest, and most of all, a price that doesn’t leave your wallet empty.

SteelSeries Apex 3

Let’s get to the positives. The Apex 3 is a full-sized keyboard, and features dedicated media controls, as well as a knob, all of which are programmable. The lighting holds its own with a pretty wide variety of customization options, and one can even program the backlighting to respond to certain situations such as taking damage.

One of the best features is undoubtedly the palm rest that is included with the keyboard. Made of rubber, it helps to adjust one’s hands to the right height to more comfortably strike the highly placed keys. Not to mention, it beats using a foam-filled palm rest like some other models on the market.

While most gamers prefer the heavily satisfying ‘clicking’ sound that comes from mechanical switches, some may find that the quiet prose of the membrane switches may suit their needs better, such as in the case that they are playing late at night with others nearby who are trying to sleep or are working.

Don’t let this review leave you mistaken, this is a fantastic keyboard for a low price that will enable any aspiring gamer to get their feet in the door, however, if you are more experienced and know what your preferences are, then you may want to look into a more high-end model with higher levels of customization and mechanical switches.

Pros

Cons

Keystrokes are dissatisfying
No mechanical switches
No USB passthrough
No onboard memory
No dedicated macro controls
Backlighting restricted to zones

10. Logitech G915

The primary complaint with this keyboard is none other than its price, but if you are looking to spend a pretty penny on a gaming keyboard anyway, then you may have just found your match.

Built with a metal frame on the front and heavy plastic on the back, its high quality build shines through its seemingly thin frame.

Logitech G915

The thin stature of the frame makes it an exceptional choice for those who plan on toting their console around with them to tournaments and being more of a nomadic gamer than hiding in their game den at home.

One could easily consider this model a hybrid, in that it delivers the streamlined design and comfort of a low profile keyboard while owning the durability and tactile satisfaction of a mechanical keyboard. On top of these desirable qualities, the keys are equipped with an anti-oil coating and UV light curing, which ensures that they will retain their luster through years of constant, finger-bruising abuse.

Despite its being wireless, it does have some weight to it; which may or may not be a hindrance to those gamers looking for a lightweight wireless option to add to their arsenal of portable gaming devices. One of the main gripes with this model is that there is no USB passthrough, so you will be doomed to use a wireless mouse with this addition.

With a stellar display of RGB backlighting that is bright even in a well-lit room, as well as satisfying mechanical keys, this keyboard is sure to add some panache and functionality to your set up…at a price, of course.

Pros

High-quality build
Low profile
Wonderful software support
Satisfying typing experience
Outstanding key switches
Streamlined design
Discrete media controls
No wireless lag
Decent battery life
Switching between Light Speed and Bluetooth is utterly seamless

Cons

How To Choose The Best Keyboard For Valorant

Reading through all of this information I have just thrown at you could easily be described as “daunting.” However, in order to make this experience a little more familiar so that you can be filled with the utmost confidence when you purchase your own keyboard, we are going to go through some of the terminology and make some of those unfamiliar terms more relatable.

Mechanical Keys

The mechanism beneath the key on a mechanical keyboard is known as a “switch.” This switch is responsible for the response, noise and travel time that you get with typing. These variables change depending on what kind of switches your keyboard has and can, in turn, affect your typing/gaming experience differently.

There are three components to to consider when choosing the switches for your keyboard:

Audible feedback: with or without the ‘click’ sound
Tactile feedback: smooth action or a hefty ‘clicky’ press
Actuation: the force needed for response

There are two main manufacturers of switches: Cherry and Kailh.

Cherry are the most widely known for their switches, and their switches are among the most popular when it comes to mechanical keyboards. Their series of MX switches come in red, brown and blue.

Cherry MX Red switches are known for their smooth operation and fast response times, making them ideal for swift typers and fast-paced action gamers. Especially those dominating the online battlefield on Valorant.

Cherry MX Brown switches are regarded the best overall switches, and are revered for their being quiet while still providing a satisfyingly tactile experience; making them a favorite for accurate typers.

Cherry MX Blue switches are great for those who like both the auditory and tactile fulfillment that comes with typing on a mechanical keyboard, and they make a perfect choice for those who are involved with heavy data entry.

The other well-known brand is that of Kailh. Kailh is best known for its Copper, Bronze, Silver and Gold switches.

Kailh Speed Copper switches are ideal for those who are looking to move fast while still retaining some tactile satisfaction from their key switches. These are perfect for those who are looking to whip out some articles in a timely manner (such as yours truly) or a gamer who likes fast-paced, quick-thinking gaming action.

Kailh Speed Bronze switches are fitted with a low-actuation and a gratifying audible ‘click.’ This means that it takes less force to get the desired result, but one can still expect a satisfactory typing experience.

Kailh Speed Silver switches are the go-to for gamers, as they are designed for intensely rapid performance. So you can make sure you don’t miss any of those game-winning moves.

Kailh Speed Gold switches provide a delicious combination of tactile and auditory feedback while also wielding a low-actuation, making them perfect for those who deal with data entry.

There are plenty more switches available on the market, but these are many that you will see utilized in the gaming keyboards mentioned in this article.

RGB Lighting

RGB backlighting is more of a subjective addition than an increase in functionality. However, it can certainly make seeing the keys more easy in a dark room. Most gaming keyboards have RGB functionality, yet the levels of customization may vary depending on the make and model of the keyboard you choose.

Design

While most keyboard designs are virtually the same, their differences are miniscule and—much like the backlighting—come down to personal preference and subjectivity. Most keyboards include a tenkey and dedicated media and macro controls. For many gamers, these are must-have items in order to have a hearty gaming experience. For others, they may not be as important and may open up their selection to more compact models that are equipped with the bare essentials.

Design also includes things such as: the materials with which the keyboard is made, the placement of the keys and how raised they are, and how ergonomically sound it is. When you consider how much time you will be spending on your keyboard, these are important factors to pay attention to so that you can rest assured that your keyboard will withstand the test of your fingers flailing down upon it for eons to come.

USB Passthrough

A USB passthrough often refers to a female USB port that is included in the keyboard; allowing for additional devices to be connected and/or charged through the keyboard instead of the main PC console.

Dedicated Media Controls

These keys are specifically designed for multimedia control, and are particularly useful when it comes to games and other forms of media. Most of the time, these keys are also programmable, allowing for you to truly get the most out of your keyboard in the way that it most makes sense to you and your needs.

Macro Keys

Macro keys, in short, are different keystrokes that you can use to complete the same repetitive action without having to do the same key sequence over and over. In essence, they are simplified programmed sequences that allow for more complex actions without jumping through all the hoops.

When a gaming keyboard includes macro keys and you are a gamer that prefers in-depth gaming experiences, then these will increase your capacity for achieving much more in the gaming world.

Size

Size is—well—about the size, of course! This is another subjective feature, as it primarily depends on the gamer’s needs and preferences when it comes to his or her gaming style and setup. If you are a tournament style gamer who is always on the go, then you may be wanting something a little more light and streamlined that is easier for you to carry around with you from bloodbath to bloodbath. Whereas if you are a gamer who takes pride in their gamer cave, then you probably don’t mind getting a larger, more solid model that will add some great flare and functionality to your beautiful array of toys.

Conclusion

Probably the best thing about choosing which keyboard is right for you, is that there are no wrong answers. Much of this comes down to preference, but if you don’t understand the language and know what you want to begin with, then that can be quite a doozy figuring out on your own.

My hopes are that with this article, you can begin to feel more confident in your knowledge of mechanical gaming keyboards so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs. After all, you are going to need a keyboard that can keep up with your lightning-fast fingers as you tippity tap your way to victory on Valorant.

Do you also play League of Legends? Check out the best League of Legends keyboards.

Luke Kline

Hi, I'm Luke Kline and I've been a gamer my whole life. When I was 13 years old, I built my first gaming PC from scratch to compete with the kids on the block. Since then, I have built dozens of other gaming PCs for various friends and family members and found a love for many PC games too. Most notably, League of Legends where I have worked to become a platinum player for many seasons. That led me to earn my bachelor's degree in cyber security and technology, which eventually culminated into what you see today: a gaming expert who has hands-on experience with hundreds of gaming and tech products. I have been writing reviews, how-to articles, streaming gameplay, creating YouTube videos, and have extensive knowledge about everything gaming!