You might think you need to go for one of the best keyboards to find one worth having – which usually translates as expensive – but plenty of brilliant cheap keyboards out there deliver the basic functions of a keyboard at a fair price. Rest assured, you can stick to the best cheap keyboards without sacrificing too much useability, and there's an affordable keyboard for just about any purpose.
While a premium keyboard might have many fancy high-end features, budget keyboards can still possess a few extra features to improve your experience. Media keys are surprisingly common nowadays, letting you control video and audio with a set of dedicated controls, all without leaving your keyboard space.
The best cheap keyboards at a glance:
• Best overall cheap keyboard: Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s - View on Amazon
• Best ultra-budget: Dell Multimedia USB-A - View on Amazon
• Best gaming: HyperX Alloy Core RGB Membrane - View on Amazon
For the gamers among us, you might be surprised to hear that cheap keyboards are a great pick. Gaming gear can often be expensive, but you can save extra money with a cheap gaming keyboard without losing any functions. From anti-ghosting keys to the ever-satisfying RGB lights, you're covered here.
To help you find which cheap keyboard is best for you, we've listed some of our favourites. We've noted their strengths and weaknesses, as well as what special features they have, all so that you can reach the best decision possible.
The best cheap keyboards in 2024
Please note: All prices are correct at the time of writing. Deals are subject to change at short notice.
Best overall cheap keyboard
The Logitech K380 Pebble Keys 2 Wireless Multi-Device Keyboard is a brilliant all-rounder and a great example of a cheap keyboard still possessing handy features. The most notable one with this keyboard is its OS recognition, essentially meaning the keyboard can tell whether you're using it with a Mac operating system or Windows. This allows the keyboard to suit the layout of each OS respectively, so you'll never be lost trying to find the command key ever again.
Thanks to being wireless and lightweight, this also makes for a fantastic travel keyboard as well. If you want a keyboard to bring with you to a cafe or just want a spare for overseas travels, you can depend on this one.
Pros
- OS recognition makes it ideal for both Windows and Mac OS
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- Key shape may not be for everyone
| Dimensions | 27.9L x 12.4W x 1.6H cm |
| Weight | 415g |
| Connections | Bluetooth 3.0 |
| Special features | Multi-device Bluetooth, OS recognition, Media keys |
- Customer review: "I have this keyboard connected to my tablet, laptop and phone and it switches easily between them. The battery lasts a long while, and I do turn it off after each session. I like the size of the keyboard and use it on Windows mode. May not be important to some but be aware that the CAPS LOCK button does not have an LED light, so I'd recommend paying extra attention if you type anything on auto-pilot. I think it's a light and portable keyboard that works well for an at-home setup too."
Best ultra-budget cheap keyboard
For the most cost-effective keyboard, go for the Dell Multimedia USB-A Keyboard. It's a total bargain that allows you to funnel the rest of your budget into the rest of your setup. It is a shame that you don't get as many additional features with it, but the media keys are still a nice touch.
As for the rest of the keys, they're all surprisingly quiet. While we enjoy the signature click-clack of a mechanical keyboard, a more quiet option like this is ideal for working in an office space.
Pros
- Super affordable yet reliable
- Keys are quiet, making it ideal for office work
Cons
- Not as many features as other options
| Dimensions | 0.2 x 16 x 4 cm |
| Weight | 560g |
| Connections | USB-A |
| Special features | Media keys |
- Customer review: "I've used a few of these over the years. They're good overall units. In a situation with heavy daily use then the characters might fade after about a year and half, but for more regular use like for home PCs then they can go for years and years. I've killed the odd one with a spill from a sticky drink so they aren't military spec that's for sure, but for everyday use I find them quiet, comfortable and reliable and it's nice having a wire so no flat batteries to worry about."
Best cheap gaming keyboard
Even a gaming keyboard can be cheap and affordable, as the HyperX Alloy Core RGB Membrane Gaming Keyboard so expertly displays. Despite not being a mechanical keyboard, the keys are fairly tactile and feel satisfying to use. In fact, the only noticeable downside here compared to more expensive gaming keyboards is that the RGB backlight customisation is a little limited.
One of our favourite aspects of this keyboard is that it's very durable for the price. Spill resistance may not mean it's totally waterproof, but it is a rare trait for a keyboard that is so affordable to have.
Pros
- Satisfying keys
- Spill-resistant makes it a durable piece of kit
Cons
- More lighting options would be nice
| Dimensions | 44.3 x 17.5 x 3.6 cm |
| Weight | 1100g |
| Connections | Braided cable (USB 2.0) |
| Special features | Backlight, Anti-ghosting, Media keys |
- "The Alloy Core offers gamers a highly pleasing and affordable membrane gaming keyboard, that boasts a tactile feel that isn't dissimilar to that of the mechanical switch. It’s clear that HyperX has put a lot of time into getting the feel right with this keyboard, and it pays off with the keystrokes, which manage to replicate an individual trigger sensation of rival mechanical-based models. The soft-touch keys subtly ‘clunk’ when pressed, offering a welcome physical feedback with quick spring-back. During our testing, we never encounter any issues with misread or failed keystrokes." Tried and tested by William Lobley, Deputy Tech & Fitness Editor
Best cheap Acer keyboard
The Acer Nitro Gaming TKL Keyboard is tenkeyless, meaning it does away with the numpad section a standard keyboard would have. It may seem odd at first, but you probably use that section much less than the rest, and getting rid of it frees up extra space on your desk. That can be handy for gaming with a mouse, as it gives you more freedom to move it around.
We're also quite keen on the backlighting of this keyboard. The colours and settings are easy to adjust, and there are even four levels of brightness, so you can keep it going throughout the whole day.
Pros
- TKL layout saves desk space
- RGB backlight is easy to adjust with four brightness levels
Cons
- Keycaps aren't the sturdiest
| Dimensions | 3.9 x 13.7 x 36 cm |
| Weight | 871g |
| Connections | USB |
| Special features | Anti-ghosting, Backlit, Media keys |
- Customer review: "This Acer Nitro TKL Gaming Keyboard is a decent, basic keyboard. It is fairly budget-friendly. It is comfortable to type on and is well-built. It is not a super fancy gaming keyboard, but at the price point, it is a good keyboard. Works well and has some basic LED lighting features."
Best anti-ghosting cheap keyboard
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If you're looking for precision, you can count on the ADX Firefight Core Gaming Keyboard. It's anti-ghosting, meaning pressing multiple keys at once won't cause any of them to get lost, which is a blessing to have if you're a fast typer or often use shortcuts. It is a bit larger than the rest of the keyboards on this list, but we think it's absolutely worth it if you can spare the room.
There's also a range of programmable keys, which allows you to set up your own shortcuts and commands or change existing ones. It's a great layer of customisation to have and is a nice step to making a keyboard personalised for you.
Pros
- Every input is registered with precision
- Programmable keys add a nice layer of customisation
Cons
- A larger build that will require more space
| Dimensions | 52 x 183 x 472 mm |
| Weight | 1197g |
| Connections | USB |
| Special features | Programmable keys, Backlit, Anti-ghosting, Media keys |
- Customer review: "Surprisingly good for an entry-level mechanical keyboard. The space key does not rattle like Corsair keyboards, the build is solid, a comfortable wrist pad is included, and the key press is smooth."
FAQs
What extra features should you look out for?
Anti-ghosting: This feature ensures that every key press leads to a registered input and none disappear. If you play video games or use command shortcuts, this will ensure every press goes through correctly.
Backlighting: We don't all have the luxury of good natural lighting at our desks, so a backlight can be extra handy in helping to see the keys. Plus, it often looks quite cool as well.
Media keys: Do away with constantly bringing up the mouse to adjust a volume slider on the screen. This feature provides you with keys designed specifically for videos, music and more, so you can stop, start, and adjust the audio volume without your hands leaving the keyboard.
Programmable keys: If the above feature sounds good to you, you might want to look at programmable keys as well. This allows you to customise certain keys to do new functions so that you could bring your multi-key shortcuts down to a single press.
Do cheap keyboards last?
While build quality can vary, for the most part, the answer is yes. More expensive keyboards will likely last longer or have extra protection like spill resistance, but that doesn't mean cheaper keyboards are flimsy. The build of each keyboard we selected on our list can be relied upon to last you. In some cases, the keys may gain some wear after a year or so of use, but certain keyboards can have their keycaps replaced or even upgraded.
Kyle Purves is a Commercial Content Writer for What’s The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.
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