Sometimes we are looking for the best possible keyboard that we can find on a tight budget. Sometimes, we are looking for a keyboard that ticks all of our boxes, and the price can take a back seat. Sometimes, though, all of that goes out the window and we just want to go for the best. The most over-the-top, precision-engineered, arguably overpriced model possible.
Whether you are looking to buy or are just curious about what’s out there for the high-level gamers of the world, you’ve come to the right place. This article will not only cover what the 5 most expensive gaming keyboards in the world are, but what makes a gaming keyboard good in the first place, how important the brand is when selecting a gaming keyboard, and whether or not any of these keyboards are even close to worth it.
A little heads up, unless you are very well off chances are these keyboards probably aren’t worth it for you. But, who am I to tell you whether or not you can spend your money on a luxury gaming keyboard? Do what makes you happy. Just don’t break the bank on one of these when there are far better options available! Let’s get right into it.
Image by: u/Jorrozz
Table of Contents
What Makes a Good Gaming Keyboard?
Before we cover the most expensive gaming keyboards it’s important to cover what makes a gaming keyboard “good” in the first place. Price doesn’t always equal quality, let’s get that down right now. Don’t assume that a $200 keyboard is twice as good as a $100 one. It could be, of course, but it probably isn’t.
A good rule when looking at technology is to think of price points in brackets rather than a direct comparison. For example, a $100 keyboard is WAY better than a $10 one. A $200 keyboard is going to be noticeably better than a $100 one. A $500 keyboard will be better than a $200 one but not by much.
As the price goes up so does the expected quality but not at a 1:1 rate. Sometimes, the reason a keyboard may be expensive has nothing to do with its functionality regarding its intended purpose at all. For example, a keyboard that’s been engineered to be incredibly slim and light with finicky butterfly switches, like Apple keyboards, may be rather expensive. But, that would be a horrendous gaming keyboard. They are horrendous keyboards anyway but gaming would be noticeably more so.
Related article: Why are Mechanical Keyboards so Expensive?
Mechanical or High-quality Membrane
So, what makes a good gaming keyboard. Firstly, most good gaming keyboards are mechanical. Or they are membrane with a very low point of actuation and some kind of artificial haptic feedback. When you are playing a game you don’t typically need speed of input to be made a priority when accuracy is far more important.
The reason is that speed of input is usually only important for things such as moving around, using WASD keys. Accuracy matters less here because you tend to be holding the keys down for long periods rather than pressing them repeatedly to move. This means only the first input matters after that you simply won’t notice any delay in input because they feed one into the other seamlessly.
What you do care about, is the accuracy of input. Of course, this is largely your responsibility it’s possible to be perfectly accurate on any keyboard with the right user. But a good gaming keyboard will make use of mechanical noises and a comfortable yet low point of actuation to ensure that each keystroke is clear and deliberate.
Games like League of Legends require abilities to come out in order to respond especially well to being paired with such a keyboard. Whereas a game like Minecraft needs no such accuracy as you are pretty much exclusively using movement keys and a mouse.
Look and Shape of the Keyboard
A good gaming keyboard also looks the part. We all have a general idea in our head what a gaming keyboard looks like vs an office keyboard. Sure, in terms of functionality looks mean very little. But, it is important. Why pay hundreds of dollars for an ugly keyboard? You wouldn’t – nor should you.
Looks aren’t only there for aesthetics, things like shape and design affect ergonomics massively. A good gaming keyboard will be as ergonomic as possible because its user will very likely be spending a lot of time using it without taking a break. Or very few breaks.
When we think of a gaming keyboard we probably all think of an RGB backlight flashing rainbow colors. To be honest, even if it wasn’t a prominent feature in the keyboard you imagined it WAS a feature. Your backlight doesn’t need to be RGB, it could just be standard white lights. But, you do need one.
Gaming late at night when the house is quiet, all the lights are off, and you’re just winding down for the day is probably the most enjoyable time to game. However, without a backlight, you can’t see the keyboard anywhere near as well and you are going to end up making mistakes.
Whether it be errors in-game or just spelling mistakes as you communicate with your team or flame your enemy. A backlight also helps reduce eye strain which can, in turn, reduce headaches and fatigue.
Quality Materials for Reliability
In terms of reliability, a good gaming keyboard probably has a hard metal backplate. The reason is that a hard backplate is going to stop your keyboard from getting damaged from normal wear and tear. Or, abnormal.
We all get a little too rough with our keyboard now and again. Getting a little too rough shouldn’t result in needing a new keyboard. A solid metal backplate also means your keyboard won’t become damaged while traveling or from simple drops and knocks that can happen as the years go by.
Another great benefit to the solid metal backplate is that if (when) you inevitably spill some kind of food or drink into the keyboard it can be cleaned easily. Without needing to pay a computer repair technician to do it for you.
When you are planning on spending a fair amount of money on a keyboard, you should be thinking about its longevity just as much as its functionality. A gaming keyboard that costs $300 but will only last you a couple of years isn’t as good of a value as a high-quality keyboard that will last you for 10 years that costs $500.
The Brand is Important but it isn’t Everything
When you are looking at the best, the most expensive, the most reliable, etc – the brand is going to factor in. Brands have well-deserved reputations for a reason.
Razer keyboards are well known because you know what you are getting. Name recognition isn’t just a result of good (or bad) marketing but of good (or bad) reliability and quality.
When picking an expensive keyboard, research the brand just as much as you do the specific model you are looking into. You may find that you either sell yourself or turn yourself off the model you were considering completely.
A well-known brand is almost always going to be more reliable and trustworthy than a lesser-known, smaller, brand. However, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes we end up paying for the brand rather than the quality. Look at Apple, they charge extortionate prices for average components. How much does 16GB of storage take to manufacture? Pennies. How much does Apple charge you to have extra storage on your phone? Sometimes hundreds.
You see it in every facet of life. Cars, clothing, food, and yes, keyboards. Find a model you like and sell yourself on the brand. Don’t find a brand you like and work your way back, or you may lose all sense of perspective completely.
The 5 Most Expensive Gaming Keyboards in the World
Price comparison chart for all 5 keyboards:
| Keyboard | Price Comparison |
|---|---|
| Razer Huntsman Elite | $ |
| Steelseries Apex Pro | $$ |
| Kirameki Pure Gold | $$$$ |
| Optimus Maximus | $$$$$ |
| Happy Hacking Professional 2 | $$$ |
Per Amazon rules, I can’t disclose exact prices. This is a visual representation of the price compared to each other. The more “$” means a higher price comparatively.
Sometimes, we like to forget about quality, brand reliability, and feasibility. We want to look at the top of the line even if it’s not something we can, or should, reasonably intend to buy.
We do it all the time with cars or houses, we search in our own price range but then also check the most expensive in the area. For fun? Because we like antagonizing ourselves? Who knows. But we are going to do it again! Here are the 5 most expensive gaming keyboards in the world.
Razer Huntsman Elite
First up on our list we have the Razer Huntsman Elite. This is arguably Razer’s best keyboard and is comfortably their most expensive. This keyboard hasn’t cut costs anywhere, it’s intended to be quick and powerful and perfect for gaming. You get the reliability and peace of mind you need by buying from Razer. And, you get all the bells and whistles.
Features
In terms of features, the Razer has just about everything you could need. Here are it’s most important features.
- Fast key actuation.
- Solid – Sturdy – Frame.
- Reliable.
- High Tactileness.
- RGB Backlight.
- Comfortable wrist rest.
- Programmable key functions.
Final thoughts
The Razer Huntsman is pretty pricey depending on the exact model and where you buy it from. This is an expensive keyboard for sure but not more so than it’s competitors. It’s also far cheaper than some of the models listed later on in this article.
This is a feasible choice for any gamer as the keyboard will last you just about as long as you wish to continue using it. It’s not gimmicky, it’s a genuinely good keyboard.
If you’d like to learn more or read more reviews, check it out on Amazon.
Steel Series Apex Pro
Just like the Razer, the Steel Series Apex Pro is a rather expensive keyboard that costs a fair amount more than it’s competitors. But, you are getting what you pay for.
Steel Series is honestly quite new to the world of mainstream keyboard manufacturers. They have only recently started to make it big which is great news for you. They still have the dedication and commitment of a smaller company with the reach and finances of a bigger one. The best of both worlds.
Features
The steel series is a great looking keyboard but its looks aren’t the only place it shines. Here are the best features of the Steel Series Apex Pro:
- Nice sleek design.
- Aluminum frame (light yet strong).
- Programmable key functions.
- Adjustable actuation point.
- Relatively quiet.
- Okay amount of feedback considering its quiet.
Final thoughts
I think this is a great keyboard. Out of all the ones in this article, it’s probably the one I would buy even if money was taken out of the equation. Steel series is a great company and their keyboards reflect that.
You can trust in the product and know that the price fairly reflects what you end up walking away with. This is the last keyboard where that statement could be applicable. It costs about as much as the previous keyboard give or take depending on where you get it from and which exact model you choose.
If you’d like to learn more or read more reviews, check it out on Amazon.
Kirameki Pure Gold
The Kirameki Pure Gold is about the most pointless keyboard to ever exist. It looks pretty bad considering you are buying it on looks alone but hey ho, to each their own.
The Kirameki is a Japanese keyboard that was designed to look flashy, as it’s made from 100% gold leaf. It’s sparkles, it shines, it breaks the bank for no reason.
Features
The Kirameki is a pretty limited keyboard in terms of functionality but it does have some features:
- Full 86 keys.
- 2 USB ports.
- Very shiny.
- If you like gold it does look kind of cool.
- Ancient design (800AD) made from Gold leaf.
- Adjustable base.
Final thoughts
In case it wasn’t obvious, I think this keyboard is stupid. It’s looks are it’s whole deal and I just don’t see the appeal. Maybe you like gold, maybe the fact its design comes from traditions spanning back to 800AD appeals to you. That’s fine. But spending $360 on a below-average keyboard just because it’s gold seems silly. This keyboard’s price makes it at-least somewhat feasible for most people if they felt so inclined.
I looked everywhere to buy this keyboard and I couldn’t find it. Contact us if you find a link!
Optimus Maximus
The Optimus Maximus has been designed to be the pinnacle of keyboard engineering. Hence the name. The keyboard does things that others simply can’t compete with. The problem is, I’m not sure they would even want to.
Its key features are so peculiar that you can understand the price but not why anyone might want to pay it. The Optimus is a Russian designed keyboard, essentially, you can do what you want with it, it’s completely customizable.
Features
The Optimus does just about everything you would never think you needed it to do. Here are it’s most interesting features.
- Everything is customizable.
- Dynamic keys display their function.
- Programmable key functions.
- Social media compatible – extra functions.
- Pretty sleek design considering how busy it looks.
- Okay ergonomics.
- Sounds weird when you type (some people say)
Final thoughts
You know what, I don’t hate this keyboard. I wanted to because when you are spending over $1k on a keyboard you better be getting the world. And you are.
Its dynamic keys are what sold it for me, it looks cool, it’s very intuitive to use, and has clearly been designed for the everyday Joe. However, no everyday Joe is spending this much on a keyboard. The price fairly reflects everything that it does but that still doesn’t mean it’s worth it.
If you’d like to learn more or read more reviews, check it out on Amazon.
Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2
Happy Hacking keyboards are generally pretty good. They aren’t intended to be used for hacking (maybe a little) that’s just the name they were given.
The high-performance happy hacking keyboards are all pretty good, you’d be surprised how nice the design is for such an expensive keyboard considering the current theme is “high price no taste”.
The happy Hacking Keyboard looks amazing honestly despite having no discernable functions.
Features
The Happy Hacking HP looks great but does nothing special. The best feature is the Topre switches.
- Amazing design – looks awesome.
- Comfortable to use.
- 60% Keyboard.
- Convenient for travel.
- High-quality Topre switches
Final thoughts
This keyboard is priced very high. Some say it’s worth it, but I’m not so sure. I think it’s an overpriced keyboard that looks good but doesn’t seem to do anything.
If you have money to burn and you want to flex on your friends, by all means, go for it. But if you are looking for functionality you can pick up any $50 keyboard from Walmart and you are ostensively better off.
If you’d like to learn more or read more reviews, check it out on Amazon.
Conclusion
Are they worth it? Yes, I’d argue that the Razer and Steel Series keyboards are absolutely, without a doubt, worth the price. The Kirameki is arguably worth it if you are just using it for show, it’s design is starting to grow on me but it still serves no function. Just as the Happy Hacking Keyboard serves no function.
The difference is one costs $300+ and the other costs the down payment on a small house. (Maybe not quite that much but, maybe?)
The Optimus is cool, honestly, it’s pretty rad actually. But is it worth over $1k? That’s the tricky part. The price is fair for what you get but do you need it? Probably not.
Whether you’re here to buy or just curious, hopefully, this article has helped you realize just how much (or how little) you can get when trying to buy the most expensive gaming keyboard. GG!
If you want to see more of my product reviews, check out my Guides and Reviews category!