Struggling to find a new keyboard for gaming: low profile keys, key rollover functionality and lighting

[amc01]

I have a Corsair mechanical keyboard at the moment but I prefer much lighter keys but I still want gaming aesthetics if possible.

UK based - struggling to find a keyboard with low profile keys, key rollover and preferably single lighting but don’t mind the usual RGB lighting.

I saw a razor one which was very nice but doesn’t have key rollover functionality.

Can anyone recommend a keyboard? Need to be able to buy it in the UK. Preferably don’t want to spend over £70. Thanks!

 

[Colif]

which type of rollover? nkey or 10 key?
I can find Razer keyboards with 10 key but nkey is less known

Corsair keyboards are too loud... or maybe thats just me coming from a K70 RGB Mk2

These aren't bad but I don't know if they are in your price range

NuPhy Air75 HE

The world's first 75% layout low-profile magnetic switch gaming keyboard. With true 8000Hz polling, 0.125ms latency, 0.01mm RT sensitivity, and the low-profile Magnetic Jade switches, Air75 HE will redefine your gaming experience.

nuphy.com

They have Hall Effect keys which are/were all the rage in gaming keyboards last year.
its not full sized, its only 75% meaning its missing some keys you normally find on keyboards, such as a number pad

I have one of their keyboards, its super quiet... its why I said the K70 is loud.

 

[amc01]

which type of rollover? nkey or 10 key?
I can find Razer keyboards with 10 key but nkey is less known

Corsair keyboards are too loud... or maybe thats just me coming from a K70 RGB Mk2

These aren't bad but I don't know if they are in your price range

NuPhy Air75 HE

The world's first 75% layout low-profile magnetic switch gaming keyboard. With true 8000Hz polling, 0.125ms latency, 0.01mm RT sensitivity, and the low-profile Magnetic Jade switches, Air75 HE will redefine your gaming experience.

nuphy.com

They have Hall Effect keys which are/were all the rage in gaming keyboards last year.
its not full sized, its only 75% meaning its missing some keys you normally find on keyboards, such as a number pad

I have one of their keyboards, its super quiet... its why I said the K70 is loud.

That looks decent and I don’t mind the smaller keyboards but I can’t find this in the UK and looks pretty pricey?

 

[Colif]

Im not in UK so I can't actually tell what your prices would be

Maybe this will (it only shows my prices)

Amazon.co.uk

there are two versions of keyboard, if that has the Pro keys its 20 more.

I expect its over 70 anyway

i generally don't take notice of keyboard prices (unless they over $500 and I stop looking) as its something I intend to use for at least 5 years so I hope to get my moneys worth out of it. Beats buying a new one every year anyway

This is mine - its not a gaming keyboard as they didn't make them until after I got it... typical

key colours sure make it easier to read them. Only problems I have had with mine are wireless related and since that one is wired, it wouldn't apply. I wish it had the software the new ones have but not enough to buy a new one to replace it.

I don't think Steelseries make a low profile keyboard as its not mentioned on the Keyboard page, and most of them are out of your price range anyway

https://steelseries.com/gaming-keyboards

Logitech do make them but their prices are the reason why I decided against low profile keys

Gaming Keyboards - Wireless & Wired | Logitech G Canada

Logitech G professional gaming keyboards are designed for competition. For casual & serious gamers looking for high quality & high performance

www.logitechg.com

curious it thinks its the Canada site, I didn't know Australia moved overnight?

 

[amc01]

Im not in UK so I can't actually tell what your prices would be

Maybe this will (it only shows my prices)

Amazon.co.uk

there are two versions of keyboard, if that has the Pro keys its 20 more.

I expect its over 70 anyway

i generally don't take notice of keyboard prices (unless they over $500 and I stop looking) as its something I intend to use for at least 5 years so I hope to get my moneys worth out of it. Beats buying a new one every year anyway

This is mine - its not a gaming keyboard as they didn't make them until after I got it... typical

key colours sure make it easier to read them. Only problems I have had with mine are wireless related and since that one is wired, it wouldn't apply. I wish it had the software the new ones have but not enough to buy a new one to replace it.

I don't think Steelseries make a low profile keyboard as its not mentioned on the Keyboard page, and most of them are out of your price range anyway

https://steelseries.com/gaming-keyboards

Logitech do make them but their prices are the reason why I decided against low profile keys

Gaming Keyboards - Wireless & Wired | Logitech G Canada

Logitech G professional gaming keyboards are designed for competition. For casual & serious gamers looking for high quality & high performance

www.logitechg.com

curious it thinks its the Canada site, I didn't know Australia moved overnight?

Thank you!! Your keyboard on Amazon UK is around £160. I’m sure it’s worth it but I spent a lot on my Corsair one so I’m trying to keep costs down.

I looked on Steelseries and found this! https://steelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3

What do you think? It looks as though it would be low profile as it refers to quiet keys. But it doesn’t say low profile which puts me off a bit. It just says quiet keys. Also seems to have 10 key rollover? Probably not suitable as I don’t think quiet keys is the same as low profile

I saw the apex 100 which looks great but it’s out of stock

Maybe I’ll have to wait to get yours but I’d love a new one now

 

[Colif]

I think quiet keys refers to how loud the presses are of each key. Not how tall the keycaps are, Looking at the video below, it seems the keys are about normal height.

it would be quiet mainly as it uses a membrane instead of mechanical switches.

Do you need the keyboard to be mechanical? I had assumed your Corsair was Mechanical

https://steelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3

The Apex 3 uses dome switches
It has 24 key roll over
seems to have high latency

SteelSeries Apex 3 Review

The SteelSeries Apex 3 is a good gaming keyboard with rubber dome switches. It has a good build quality despite its budget price, and it also comes with a nice m...

www.rtings.com

Apex 100 isn't mechanical either

its totally up to you but sometimes things are worth waiting for. I keep telling myself that as saving for a new PC. Soon...

 

[amc01]

I think quiet keys refers to how loud the presses are of each key. Not how tall the keycaps are, Looking at the video below, it seems the keys are about normal height.

it would be quiet mainly as it uses a membrane instead of mechanical switches.

Do you need the keyboard to be mechanical? I had assumed your Corsair was Mechanical

https://steelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3

The Apex 3 uses dome switches
It has 24 key roll over
seems to have high latency

SteelSeries Apex 3 Review

The SteelSeries Apex 3 is a good gaming keyboard with rubber dome switches. It has a good build quality despite its budget price, and it also comes with a nice m...

www.rtings.com

Apex 100 isn't mechanical either

its totally up to you but sometimes things are worth waiting for. I keep telling myself that as saving for a new PC. Soon...

No it doesn’t need to be mechanical - I’m not even sure I like mechanical to be honest after using my Corsair. Does that widen your recommendations? 😂

So I think I don’t care if it’s quiet or not, as you say it’s more about the length of the keys. It seems what I want is quite expensive - Logitech have a few which will do but again they’re expensive. I guess I’m stuck unless you have any others .

 

[Colif]

Mechanical vs membrane keyboard: what's the difference and which is better?

Deciding whether to hammer a mechanical or membrane keyboard? Here's what to expect from each

www.gamesradar.com

Which model Corsair keyboard is it?

I wouldn't judge mechanical keyboards just from one of them. I think I am on my 4th one and this was the first custom one I had bought. Prior to it I used a Razer, a Logitech and the Corsair. This was the first one which had foam inside it to make it quiet. It also came with spare keycaps so I could change some key colours if I get bored

and a few sample switches so I can try them and perhaps swap them all if I wanted to.

The Nuphy game keyboard I showed doesn't seem to have the ghostbar which mine has, make the keyboard a dull thud everytime I use it.

Nuphy GhostBar Keycap: A Minimalist Statement

Embrace minimalism with the sleek Nuphy GhostBar keycap. Featuring a unique floating design and clean lines, this keycap adds a touch of sophistication to any keyboard. Made from high-quality materials, it provides a satisfying typing experience and complements various keyboard layouts. Elevate...

nuphy.com.au

I understand why though as since every key on it can be adjusted for when it bottoms out, the silicone inside key could make the software inaccurate.

The keyboard I used before my Corsair was made by Logitech, they make good hardware but they tend to charge you for it.

I don't know any membrane keyboards. I only know a little about gaming ones as about a year or so ago I was looking for one myself and looked at a lot of them.

 

[amc01]

Mechanical vs membrane keyboard: what's the difference and which is better?

Deciding whether to hammer a mechanical or membrane keyboard? Here's what to expect from each

www.gamesradar.com

Which model Corsair keyboard is it?

I wouldn't judge mechanical keyboards just from one of them. I think I am on my 4th one and this was the first custom one I had bought. Prior to it I used a Razer, a Logitech and the Corsair. This was the first one which had foam inside it to make it quiet. It also came with spare keycaps so I could change some key colours if I get bored

and a few sample switches so I can try them and perhaps swap them all if I wanted to.

The Nuphy game keyboard I showed doesn't seem to have the ghostbar which mine has, make the keyboard a dull thud everytime I use it.

Nuphy GhostBar Keycap: A Minimalist Statement

Embrace minimalism with the sleek Nuphy GhostBar keycap. Featuring a unique floating design and clean lines, this keycap adds a touch of sophistication to any keyboard. Made from high-quality materials, it provides a satisfying typing experience and complements various keyboard layouts. Elevate...

nuphy.com.au

I understand why though as since every key on it can be adjusted for when it bottoms out, the silicone inside key could make the software inaccurate.

The keyboard I used before my Corsair was made by Logitech, they make good hardware but they tend to charge you for it.

I don't know any membrane keyboards. I only know a little about gaming ones as about a year or so ago I was looking for one myself and looked at a lot of them.

I have a Corsair K70 RGB MK.2

Hmm so you can get decent mechanical low profile keyboards?

I am thinking the message to take from this is either get your latest keyboard and wait a bit longer or a Logitech?

They seem like the best options for my needs?

I don’t think we’ve found any other low profile keyboards suitable, unless I’ve missed sokrthing

Thank you!

 

[Colif]

Well there is Keychron as well, I know @Lutfij uses them
but their cheapest hall effect keyboard is $229 here so I can't see it being in your price range

Keychron K2 HE Wireless Magnetic Switch Custom Keyboard

Keychron K2 HE is a 75% layout QMK wireless keyboard with Magnetic Hall Effect switches. These switches offer precise actuation, rapid trigger, and adjustable actuation points. Connect the K2 HE with up to 3 devices through Bluetooth for seamless multitasking across Mac, Windows, and Linux.

keychron.com.au

they do have cheaper low profile but they aren't gaming keyboards

Low Profile Keyboards

Keychron design and produces unique wireless Mechanical Keyboard for Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android.

keychron.com.au

The range of keyboards in the price range is small. I don't see many other makers.
the cheapest Logitech here is twice price you looking for and doesn't have lighting

I am thinking the message to take from this is either get your latest keyboard and wait a bit longer or a Logitech?

saving up and opening up choices is best option now. The Nuphy is still hard to beat

 

[BeardyHat]

https://www.keychron.com/collections/low-profile-keyboard-collection/products/keychron-k5-max-qmk-via-wireless-custom-mechanical-keyboard

I picked up this several months ago and have been very happy with it. That cheapo mechanical I bought before it was too tall and very noisy, plus it gave me very severe wrist pain. The Keychron has solved all of that for me; it's very comfortable, it's pretty quiet, the lighting is fine (kind of liked the "rain drop" effect on the lightning of my old one better) and...I dunno, it just feels high quality. I quite like it.

 

[Aaron Gobby]

Kzzi I75 Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard

Enjoy typing with Kzzi I75, a smooth and thin mechanical keyboard. Easy to carry with an leather storage bag which can be a mouse pad. kailh quiet or crispy switch abailable.

www.kzzistore.com

How about this? I bought black color, it is so cool. but mostly, I use it for typing.

 

[BradTheHawk]

I like my red dragon keyboard, i use their mouse too, i can change the lights if i chose and i think i can even program macros into either the keyboard or mouse but ive never done it to avoid bans on online games.

 

[Zed Clampet]

Thank you!! Your keyboard on Amazon UK is around £160. I’m sure it’s worth it but I spent a lot on my Corsair one so I’m trying to keep costs down.

I looked on Steelseries and found this! https://steelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3

What do you think? It looks as though it would be low profile as it refers to quiet keys. But it doesn’t say low profile which puts me off a bit. It just says quiet keys. Also seems to have 10 key rollover? Probably not suitable as I don’t think quiet keys is the same as low profile

I saw the apex 100 which looks great but it’s out of stock

Maybe I’ll have to wait to get yours but I’d love a new one now

I have this keyboard (Apex 3) and love it. I came from laptop keyboards, and the profile is barely higher than those. I originally got a high profile keyboard by mistake and only used it a single day before replacing it with this one. It's specifically made for gaming, so it handles multiple keypresses easily.