Best Standard Keyboards

Best keyboards for general use

We found lots of reviews of the illuminated Saitek Eclipse II keyboard (*Est. $50), and most concur that it is an excellent general-purpose keyboard. Some reviews say it also works well for gaming, although it lacks specific gaming features seen on competitors such as the Logitech G15 (2007). If you aren't going to use your keyboard for gaming, some reviewers say illumination is a cool but not really necessary feature, unless you like to type in the dark.

The Eclipse II is an update to Saitek's Eclipse (*Est. $35) keyboard, which also tests well. The Eclipse II offers more color options for illumination, a variable dimmer option and a cluster of multimedia buttons to control volume and to play and pause music tracks. Aside from these convenience options and a different finish, the two keyboards are virtually identical and reviews of the Eclipse can be reliably associated with the Eclipse II. Similarly, for shoppers who don't need on-keyboard multimedia buttons and are satisfied with a slightly lesser light show, the Eclipse runs about $20 less than its sibling. In a review for Tom's Hardware Guide, Christiaan Allebest recommends the Saitek Eclipse illuminated keyboard for its solid build, attractive design and comfortable layout. (The site hasn't reviewed the Eclipse II.)

Testers at ExtremeTech.com cite the sturdy feel and comfortable keys as particular assets of the Eclipse II, but reviewer Jeremy Atkinson is smitten with the aesthetics, too. Virtual-Hideout.net summarizes, "The combination of a traditional layout, quality construction, and a comfortable typing experience made it a good keyboard by any standard." CNet.com is not as taken with the Saitek Eclipse II keyboard, but the site only considers it for gaming. Reviewer Rich Brown uniquely says the "keys feel cramped and mushy."

Experts at EverythingUSB.com say the "great typing feel" is what makes the Eclipse II an outstanding keyboard, but caution, "Gamers who want a keyboard with more gaming oriented features will want to shop elsewhere." However, some gaming enthusiast websites offer lavish praise in reviews of the Saitek Eclipse II keyboard.

A more recent arrival on the market, Enermax describes its new keyboard, the Enermax Caesar (*Est. 64), as "The Emperor of Keyboards." Computer Shopper and PC Magazine reviewers are fond of this keyboard, but find that it doesn't quite live up to its lofty title. The most richly featured of three recent Enermax releases, the Caesar weighs more than three pounds but is built to last. Media hotkeys and Vista-specific function keys add convenience. Unlike some of the leading keyboards, the Caesar has a USB 2.0 hub; it's not promoted as a gaming keyboard, but this is precisely what Computer Shopper reviewer Lizelle Vibar thinks it is best suited for: dedicated gamers who need a product that can hold up to heavy banging. Jeremy Atkinson, for PC Magazine, seems to favor the Caesar as a media keyboard. The reviewers disagree on key feel: Atkinson is pleased while Vibar doesn't care for the "shallow key travel."

Budget keyboards

If you're just replacing a dead keyboard for light use, a no-frills budget keyboard may be all you need. However, if you want a more comfortable keyboard or one for gaming, reviewers say you might not be satisfied, although most reviewers have trouble explaining exactly why. For example, editors at Lordpercy.com say, "You know how some keyboards just feel cheap; it's hard to describe, but the keys don't bounce right and the sound is all wrong." Here, we identify the keyboards that reviewers say offer a better fit, finish and feel than other budget choices.

PC Magazine and ExtremeTech reviewer Loyd Case went to a major electronics retailer and bought a pile of inexpensive keyboards, then wrote comparative reviews of them for ExtremeTech.com and PC Magazine. Prices ranged from $8 to $20. Case names the Logitech Media Keyboard (*Est. $19) as his favorite because it "turned out to be a great all around performer" that works well in games and for typing. He adds, however, that users will need to get used to the rotated home/page-down cluster.

The Logitech Media Keyboard includes media and Internet buttons that work without installing a custom driver. The rounded function keys and good spacing between the keys minimize typos, and Case found the rounded keys did not interfere with gaming. Testers found the keystrokes light and the tactile feedback to be good. ExtremeTech's Jeremy Atkinson writes that the keyboard's software is helpful.

Among user reviews, several low-cost keyboards fare well. Most notably, Logitech's Internet 250 (*Est. $8) and Logitech's Internet 350 (*Est. $10) keyboards earn top scores with hundreds of reviews on Newegg.com; a few contributors note "soft" keys on both models, but they are also reported to be solidly built and reliable (Both models have been discontinued, but are still available). Amazon.com reviews of these Logitech keyboards are not as numerous, but are overwhelmingly positive. The Lite-On SK-1688A (*Est. $7) also fares well with Newegg.com users, with comments mirroring those of the budget Logitech keyboards -- somewhat unsatisfactory to type on, but reliable and functional.

Editors at PC Pro also compare inexpensive keyboards, choosing the Logitech Media Keyboard Elite (*Est. $25) as the best. It has more function keys and what Logitech claims is a more comfortable design than the basic Logitech Media Keyboard. PC Pro's editors say the upgraded model is solidly built and comfortable. This is another model that's been discontinued, but is still widely available online.

If you're looking for a budget ergonomic keyboard, Techtree.com (an Indian website), likes no keyboard more than the Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 (*Est. $20). However, PC Pro and PC Magazine don't rate it very highly at all. User reviews at Amazon.com present a favorable rating but reveal keyboard failures with an alarming consistency; many users report going through two or three replacements in as many months, in a cycle of malfunction and disrepair. When the Microsoft keyboard works, it is pleasant to use, contributors write. However, it doesn't always work and if you're replacing it more than once a year, the overall cost will exceed the one-time investment in a more reliable keyboard.

Many budget keyboards, including the Logitech Media Keyboard, come with PS/2 connectors. As many newer computers and motherboards have only USB ports for connecting a keyboard, you may need a USB adapter (*est. $1.50). Be aware that keyboards with integrated USB cables have faster throughput.