A lot of people buy a fancy keyboard for their PC, but how many put a thought such as ‘what is the difference between gaming keyboard and regular keyboard?’ A good gaming keyboard can make a huge difference in your performance. Many keyboards look alike so it is hard to tell which one will work best.
This post will explain how exactly these keyboards differ from normal ones so that people can understand why it’s important to get one when playing certain types of games where speed and accuracy are essential factors in.
So, What is the Difference between Gaming Keyboard and Regular Keyboard?
The difference between gaming keyboard and regular keyboard is that the gaming keyboard come with mechanical key switches which are fast and responsive, have anti-ghosting, high polling rate, customizable macro keys, and high quality as compared to regular keyboards which give an advantage in competitive gaming.
A regular keyboard is great if all you need it for is typing essays and basic tasks, but it’s not good enough when it comes to games. Gaming keyboards are specifically designed with gamers in mind.
| Factors | Regular Keyboard | Gaming Keyboard |
| Keyboard type | Membrane | Mechanical |
| Key Switches | Membrane | Mechanical / Optical |
| Key Rollover & Anti-Ghosting | N/A | Yes |
| Polling rate | 125Hz | Up to 1000Hz |
| Comfort | N/A | Wrist Rest available |
| RGB Backlights | N/A | Single or RGB |
| Media controls | Rare | Yes |
| Programmable keys | N/A | Up to 6 Keys |
| Quality | Low-Medium | Medium-High |
| Cost | Low-Medium | Medium-High |
There are plenty to choose from when it comes to which kind you want to use, but gamers need something more than just a standard keyboard that can do everything. Gaming requires specific features in order for them to be able to play their best game possible.
Also Read: How To Choose A Gaming Keyboard? 11 Best Factors To Consider
1. Keyboard type
Choosing the right keyboard for gaming is important because it can affect many factors such as performance, speed, and durability. There are three main types: mechanical (which has keys that “click” upon pressing), membrane (so soft they make your fingers feel like they’re touching sand), or rubber domes which offer resistance when depressed with each key strike – all offering different typing experiences according to preference!
The best way to know which keyboard is right for you is by checking out all of your options. You’ll want the one with key switch feedback that feels good and has customization features like color-changing or lighting effects so it looks great in-game!
Also read: Why Are Mechanical Keyboards Better For Gaming
2. Key Switches
The world of mechanical keyboards is vast, and it’s hard to know where you’ll find the perfect key switch. Luckily for you though our experts have found just the right ones! We’ve added a helpful section with advice on how best to select your own personal keyboard actuation force – be sure to check these out if they sound like what works well at all times or when writing long pieces of text screens while playing video games using different button layouts depending.
Image credit hyperxgaming
Mechanical Switches vs Membrane Switches
Let me start by saying that, depending on what type of game you’re playing or how long your average session lasts (these things can vary), there are usually some key differences between these two categories.
A mechanical switch has a better key response and travel distance than a membrane switch. MEMS (membrane) technology is less expensive but not as durable, registering only about 50 million presses before it needs to be replaced.
Also Read: How To Choose A Gaming Mouse? 8 Best Factors To Consider
3. Build Quality
Gaming keyboards are built to last and their durability means you can take them with you for years, without worrying about the keys suddenly becoming unresponsive. The next time that old faithful regular keyboard feels like it’s getting torn apart by its hinges (or any other part), just know there is such thing as better quality in this world!
4. Key Rollover & Anti-Ghosting
The biggest difference between a regular keyboard and a gaming keyboard is the fact that one can press multiple keys at once. For example, you could be playing an FPS game where your character needs to crouch behind cover while also shooting his weapon without being shot by enemies. Since you are pressing two different keys with each hand, this would require you to have two keyboards hooked up to your computer if it wasn’t for the gaming keyboard.
Gaming keyboards typically allow six or more keys to be pressed at once which makes them perfect for games that are action-packed like first-person shooters. If you feel as though your current keyboard isn’t cutting it when it comes to online multiplayer matches, consider investing in a new gaming keyboard today!
Also Read: How To Choose A Gaming Monitor? 11 Best Factors To Consider
5. Polling rate
How many milliseconds should a keyboard poll to keep up with your system? The answer depends entirely on the application. A word processor might require 1 second of polling, while an online game might only need 50 microseconds (0.056 seconds) per frame for input processing and output delivery- so long as there’s nothing blocking or disrupting this line of communication between user experience.
| Polling Rate (Hz) | Response Time (ms) |
| 125 | 8 |
| 250 | 4 |
| 500 | 2 |
| 1000 | 1 |
The higher the polling rate on your gaming keyboard, the less lag between when you press keys and they show up. We recommend checking if it has options to change or default at whatever typing preference works best for you so that way in future games there are no problems with input delays!
6. Comfort
It’s important to choose the right gaming keyboard for your needs. For example, if you use a computer more often than not and enjoy long sessions of play then make sure that any keyboards are comfortable enough with plenty of room between keys so as not to cause fatigue from pressing too closely together while typing onscreen or playing games alike.
We recommend taking time during initial research into which one will work best depending upon length/frequency of usage before buying anything else! When gaming for a prolonged period, it’s common to experience discomfort and weariness in the hands. A wrist rest can be propped up against furniture or attached underneath chairs so that you don’t have as much stress on them when playing games with longer sessions- which will reduce how tired they feel from being constantly bent downward at an angle!
As a personal preference, having the wrist rest is up to you. Some people like it and some don’t but we recommend getting one with your own gaming experience for maximum comfortability when playing games all day long!
Also Read: How to Choose a Gaming PC? 9 Best Factors To Consider
7. RGB Backlights
Gaming keyboards are known for their color backlights and further customizable lighting. If you like playing games in a dark room, having the option to customize your own illumination is going to be a great help!
There are even some gaming keyboards that come with special features such as single-color or RGB Led lightings – perfect if we want our favorite game characters appearing on every press of each button while also adding an extra level fantasy feel into it all!.
8. Multimedia keys, and Macro keys
I know it’s hard to believe, but having multimedia keys and macro keys on your gaming keyboard can be useful. The media player key gives you quick access to play audio or video files in-game without picking up anything else off of the desk; while volume-control buttons help because who wants their monitor turned down when they’re playing?
Having both Multimedia Keys (MMK) and Macro Key Functionality built into one device is really convenient! Plus with all those extra functions like pause/playback controls straight at my fingertips – well let’s just say this makes for an excellent competitive advantage during gameplay sessions
Can I use a gaming keyboard for regular use?
Can a Gaming Keyboard be used for daily tasks? The answer is yes, depending on what type of gamer you are. All the regular features that can be found in a normal keyboard exist within these devices as well so there’s no need to worry about being left out when it comes time for work or school!
Gaming keyboards function just as a normal keyboard does, and can be used for the same purpose. All of your regular-usual features that you may find on one will also grace this device from time to time!
Is gaming keyboard better than normal keyboard?
Gaming keyboards are designed with specific features to better suit in-game situations and needs. The most notable difference between a gaming keyboard and your average typing one is that regular keyboards may prioritize ergonomics, like having more spacebar options or offering easier access via shortcut keys; but this isn’t always true for all models out there!
Does gaming keyboard make a difference?
Yes, A gaming keyboard is a special type of device that’s designed to work with certain computer games and virtual reality systems. Unlike regular keyboards, they prioritize ergonomic comfort over typing speed because gamers will often use them for long periods on end without taking any breaks!
Are gaming keyboard really worth it?
Modern game-playing computers come equipped with a variety of keyboards for different gaming needs. Some people want to use the same type, while others deem it necessary to get something tailored just right – like themselves!
For those who need the most accuracy possible in their outplays (and let’s face it: no one ever wins without some good aim), there is always mechanical switches; these give off little sounds when pressing them down which help discern between each keystroke better than any other kind I’ve tried before. And if you’re playing games where every millisecond counts (like first-person shooters) then go ahead and invest in a gaming keyboard.
Types of gaming keyboard
If you’re a gamer, it’s likely that at some point or another your fingers have been scorched by the heat from pressing down too hard on a key. Now there are two main types of gaming keyboards: those with rubber dome switches and mechanical ones!
The terminology refers to how these technologies to sense when we press them in order for our commands to come out as intended- whether they’re subtlety registering an action like ‘a fighter taking flight’ or coming up short against harder opponents who rely more heavily upon their hands being able to strike quickly without any warning given off beforehand about which direction it’s going next…
If this discussion has resonated closely enough with anything here so far then congratulations because now would seem an appropriate time.
Best Gaming Keyboards
Although the difference between a gaming keyboard and a regular keyboard may seem minimal, there are some key features that set them apart. For starters, gaming keyboards have more keys than normal keyboards do which is great for gamers who use special functions or commands often during gameplay.
They also feature anti-ghosting technology meaning your fingers will never miss an important function because it can’t be detected by one of the sensor inputs on the board. One other major benefit to using a gaming keyboard over just any old standard model is that they tend to last longer thanks to their durable build quality. If you’re looking for all these benefits in a single product then we recommend checking out our selection of the best gaming keyboards.
| # | Keyboard Name | Connection | Key Switches | Palmrest | Our Recommendations |
| 1 | Logitech G915 | USB + Bluetooth | Low-Profile GL Switches | No | Read More |
| 2 | SteelSeries Apex Pro | USB Cable | Omni Point Switches | Yes | Read More |
| 3 | Corsair K95 Platinum | USB Cable | Cherry MX Speed | Yes | Read More |
| 4 | Razer Huntsman Elite | Wired | Razer Optical Switches | Yes | Read More |
| 5 | Corsair K70 MK.2 | USB Cable | Cherry MX Red | Yes | Read More |
The keyboard is one of the most important peripherals that you can use to get work done. It’s a tool that will enhance your experience and should be considered during your purchasing decision. If you still have issues finding the best keyboard then please let us know in the comments so we may help further, or share feedback on this article if it was helpful for choosing a new keyboard.
Please feel free to share feedback on this article; did it help you choose a gaming keyboard? Did it answer any questions about what is the difference between a regular keyboard and a gaming keyboard?
