There is no doubt that having high-quality visuals and a superior sound are the number one priority among new streamers looking to compete in this crowded streaming world, mainly because they are some of the first things viewers notice from a stream.
However, one underestimated and often overlooked piece of equipment for streaming is your keyboard. Yes, your keyboard! A good keyboard is essential for streamers as, believe it or not, it can directly impact the quality of your content creation and interaction with your audience.
Therefore, we have created this comprehensive guide, where we will explore the best keyboards for streaming in 2023 and will give you every piece of information you may need to help you make an informed decision and choose the one that better fits your streaming style and needs.
As mentioned earlier, keyboards can directly impact the quality of your stream, but that’s not all there is behind a good keyboard.
Apart from helping you deal and manage various tasks with the single press of a key, a good keyboard will also help you with comfort, which is crucial if you intend to engage in extended streaming sessions as it prevents any discomfort or fatigue that could hinder your performance.
In addition, even if they’re not always on camera, features like customizable RGB lighting, for example, can enhance the visual appeal of your stream, while mechanical key switches offer tactile feedback and precision, improving typing speed and accuracy.
Overall, a good keyboard is a fundamental tool that streamers depend on to deliver engaging and professional content to their audience, making the process of choosing the right keyboard for you a very delicate one.
Table of Contents
Types of Keyboards
Membrane keyboards
Membrane keyboards are a type of keyboard that uses a flexible rubber or silicone membrane beneath the keys to register keypresses. When a key is pressed, it pushes down on the membrane, making contact with a circuit beneath, which registers the keystroke.
Membrane keyboards are known for their quiet operation and low cost but generally lack the tactile feedback and durability of mechanical keyboards.
Mechanical keyboards
Mechanical keyboards, on the other hand, are input devices that use individual mechanical switches beneath each keycap to register keystrokes. These switches are known for their distinct tactile feedback and audible click, providing a satisfying typing experience. They are durable and long-lasting, often lasting for tens of millions of keypresses.
Hybrid keyboards
Hybrid keyboards, also known as “mecha-membrane” or “mem-chanical” keyboards, combine elements of both mechanical and membrane key switches. These keyboards aim to offer a balance between the tactile feel and audible feedback of mechanical switches and the quieter, softer keypress of membrane switches.
Hybrid switches typically use a membrane as the base with a mechanical-style mechanism for actuation, resulting in a keypress that feels tactile without being as loud as traditional mechanical switches. This hybrid design seeks to provide users with the benefits of both worlds: the responsiveness and feel of mechanical switches while maintaining a relatively quiet typing experience.
Key Considerations For Choosing a Keyboard
Size
Whether it’s full-size, tenkeyless (TKL), or compact, the size of the keyboard directly impacts the comfort, desk space, and overall user experience of streamers, which is why your choice should align with your specific needs and preferences.
A full-size keyboard offers all standard keys but occupies more desk space. TKL keyboards omit the numeric keypad for a more compact design, making them ideal for smaller setups or those who prefer more mouse space, while compact layouts further reduce size but may sacrifice some convenience.
Choosing the right size ensures an ergonomic and efficient typing experience, making it a key consideration when selecting a keyboard for your streaming setup.
Ergonomics
An ergonomically designed keyboard promotes a more natural hand and wrist posture and allows a more relaxed typing experience, reducing the risk of discomfort, strain, and potential long-term musculoskeletal issues like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Overall, an ergonomic keyboard has the power to enhance your well-being, especially if recurring, long streaming sessions are in your mind for the future as it will allow you to be comfortable and focus on content creation and streaming without the distraction of physical discomfort.
Connectivity and compatibility
Keyboards come in various connectivity options, including USB wired, wireless (Bluetooth or RF), and even hybrid options, and your choice will ultimately impact factors like compatibility, convenience, and flexibility.
For instance, a wired keyboard ensures a stable connection but may limit mobility, while wireless options offer freedom but require battery management.
Compatibility with your streaming or gaming setup, whether it’s a PC, laptop, or gaming console, hinges on the keyboard’s connectivity, making it a crucial factor in ensuring a seamless and efficient streaming experience.
Customizable features
Customization options like programmable keys, RGB lighting, and macro support enable you to optimize your keyboard for streaming tasks, such as scene transitions, quick commands, or even branding through color schemes.
While not essentially a must, these features can significantly enhance your workflow, productivity, and the visual appeal of your streaming setup, making them a great thing to have if possible.
Budget considerations
Last but not least, considering your budget when looking for a keyboard for streaming is crucial because it ensures that you make a practical and cost-effective choice that aligns with your financial resources.
Keep in mind that streaming setups often involve various equipment purchases, and a keyboard is just one component, so set a budget that allows you to prioritize your spending, ensuring that you invest in a keyboard that meets your streaming needs without overspending on features that may not be essential.
The Best Keyboards for Streamers: Our Top Recommendations
Logitech G Pro X
With hot-swappable mechanical switches, the Pro X by Logitech G allows you to tailor your typing experience to your exact preference, ensuring both comfort and precision in every keystroke.
The Pro X’s durable construction, customizable keycaps, and robust build make it a reliable companion for extended streaming sessions, not to mention that its ultra-compact tenkeyless design saves desk space while providing a customizable RGB lighting system to match your stream’s aesthetics.
Notable features:
- Hot-swappable mechanical switches
- LIGHTSYNC RGB lighting
- 5.9 ft detachable cable
- 12 programmable F-keys
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro
Featuring Razer’s renowned mechanical switches, the BlackWidow V4 Pro delivers lightning-fast responsiveness and satisfying tactile feedback for precision in every single one of your commands.
Its customizable RGB Chroma lighting lets you create a captivating backdrop for your streams, and the detachable magnetic wrist rest ensures comfort during marathon streaming sessions. Besides, with wireless and wired modes, multi-device connectivity, and dedicated media controls, the BlackWidow V4 Pro offers unparalleled versatility that puts it at the top of pretty much any list.
Notable features:
- Detachable magnetic wrist rest
- Detachable Type C Cable for both wired and wireless
- 5 dedicated macros keys
- 3 dedicated macro side buttons
SteelSeries Apex Pro
Featuring adjustable mechanical switches, you have the power to tailor each key’s actuation to your exact preference, whether you want lightning-fast responses for gaming or a quieter typing experience for commentary.
The customizable RGB lighting adds a vibrant and professional touch to your stream setup, while the aircraft-grade aluminum frame ensures durability and longevity.
Besides, with dedicated media controls, customizable macros, and magnetic wrist rest for comfort during extended sessions, the Apex Pro is a versatile and high-performance keyboard that empowers streamers, especially those dedicated to gaming, to take their content to the next level.
Notable features:
- USB passthrough
- Magnetic wrist rest
- Height-adjustable tilt legs
- 2-in-1 action keys
Corsair K100 RGB
This top-notch, wired keyboard from the renowned brand Corsair offers lightning-fast speed with Cherry MX Speed switches for ultra-responsive keypresses, ensuring you never miss a beat in your content creation endeavors.
Its customizable RGB lighting adds a captivating visual flair that’s perfect for branding your stream and creating an immersive viewer experience. Besides, with its dedicated macro keys and a comfortable wrist rest, it streamlines your streaming workflow, making scene transitions, hotkey executions, and chat management effortless.
Whether you’re a gaming enthusiast, a creative content producer, or a professional streamer, the Corsair K100 RGB keyboard offers the ultimate blend of performance, style, and functionality that can certainly change your whole stream’s mood.
Notable features:
- Spill dust resistant
- iCUE control wheel
- Six dedicated, fully programmable macro keys
Ducky One 2 Mini
A compact powerhouse designed for both performance and aesthetics, the Ducky One 2 Mini is a fantastic mechanical keyboard for those with little desk space or preference for more minimalistic designs.
With its sleek, compact design, accompanied by customizable RGB lighting and detachable USB-C cable, this keyboard offers exceptional portability and visual appeal for your streaming setup.
The keyboard is also equipped with high-quality Cherry MX key switches, which allows it to deliver responsive and satisfying keypresses, ideal not only for gaming but also for precise scene switching and interaction with your audience.
Notable features:
- Extremely compact design (302 x 108 x 40 mm)
- Fully customizable hardware (9 different base colors to choose from)
- Detachable USB Type-C
Razer Ornata V3
Combining the best of mechanical and membrane key technologies, the Razer Ornata V3 is the only hybrid keyboard on this list, and if you read about it in our introduction and liked what it means, then this may be the perfect keyboard for you.
This wired keyboard is able to deliver tactile responsiveness without the deafening noise mechanical keyboard are known for, making it the perfect choice for streamers looking to keep their setups quiet.
Nonetheless, the Ornata V3 is not only about quietness; with dedicated media controls, customizable keys, customizable RGB Chroma backlighting, and fully programmable macro support, this keyboard enables you to craft your unique streaming ambiance and streamline your workflow with ease.
Notable features:
- Extremely quiet mecha-membrane switches
- Wrist rest
- Durable spill-resistant design
- 1000 Hz Ultrapolling
- Fully programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of keyboard switch is best for streaming?
The best type of keyboard switch for streaming often depends on personal preference, but it is safe to say that mechanical switches are the most popular choice among streamers.
Should I get a wired or wireless keyboard for streaming?
For streaming, a wired keyboard is often the preferred choice due to its reliable and stable connection, ensuring that every keypress registers without any delay, which can be crucial during live broadcasts or gaming sessions. But once again, the ultimate factor when it comes to choosing one is your personal preference.
Is the keyboard’s brand important?
Reputable keyboard brands often offer better build quality, reliable customer support, and a track record of producing durable and well-performing products. However, personal preference, specific features, and budget should also play a significant role in your decision.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned streamer or just starting your journey, your choice of keyboard can significantly impact the quality, comfort, and efficiency of your streams, and we hope this article helped you better understand this.
We also hope this comprehensive guide equipped you with the knowledge and tools needed to select the perfect keyboard for your streaming endeavors in 2023.
You can be confident that, whatever your choice ends up being, any of the keyboards featured on this list will make an excellent enhancement to your live streaming equipment.
So, with nothing else to add, we can just wish you the best of luck in your streaming journey, and encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter for more content like this!