Best Budget Keyboards Under $100

TL;DR: The Logitech K270 is a full‑size, wireless 108‑key membrane keyboard with up to 33 ft range, 18‑24‑month battery life, spill‑resistance, and a $19.95 price tag, making it a solid budget office choice.

This keyboard runs on a 2.4 GHz Logitech Unifying receiver and reaches up to 33 ft (10 m) in open space. The battery pack lasts 18‑24 months thanks to two AAA cells, so you’ll rarely need to replace them. At 1.1 pounds (498 g) it feels sturdy yet easy to move, and its dimensions—149 mm tall, 441.5 mm wide, and 18‑22 mm deep—give it a classic full‑size footprint.

Compared with the other nine keyboards, the K270 offers a full‑size 108‑key layout while many competitors are compact: MageGee’s 60% design has only 68 keys and Royal Kludge’s RK61 provides 61 keys. In terms of width, the K270’s 441.5 mm panel is far wider than MageGee’s 3.9 in or Redragon’s 124 mm width. Weight‑wise it matches the Razer Huntsman Mini at 1.1 pounds but is lighter than the Corsair K55 CORE (≈1.66 pounds) and considerably lighter than the RK Royal Kludge S108 (≈2.20 pounds). It also lands at a lower price point than most of the peers, making it the most affordable full‑size option.

Professional reviewers highlight the reliable Unifying receiver that stays connected without noticeable latency, and editors note the 24‑month battery life as a strong value for office environments. Everyday users love the plug‑and‑play setup, the numeric keypad, and the eight media shortcut keys, but they often mention the membrane key feel as less tactile than mechanical alternatives and miss any backlighting for low‑light work.

Additional technical details include a rated key life of 5 million strokes per key, spill‑resistant construction with UV‑coated key printing, and adjustable tilt legs for ergonomic typing angles. You don’t need drivers, and the keyboard works with Windows XP through Windows 11 out of the box.

Best for: Budget‑conscious buyers seeking a reliable entry‑level option

Avoid if: You need mechanical key feel, gaming performance, or macOS/Linux native support

TL;DR: The RK Royal Kludge S108 Typewriter offers a full‑size 108‑key layout, blue mechanical switches and 168 per‑key RGB modes for $59.99, but its 2.2‑lb weight and 17.4‑in length make it a larger, premium‑feel budget keyboard.

The standout feature is its classic typewriter‑style round keycaps paired with blue mechanical switches that deliver medium resistance, an audible click and tactile feedback. At 17.4 in (442 mm) long, 7.2 in (182.9 mm) wide and 1.6 in (40.6 mm) tall, the S108 packs a full‑size 108‑key layout, 108‑key anti‑ghosting and a detachable ABS wrist rest into a solid aluminium‑alloy panel. Its lighting system offers up to 168 LED modes with per‑key illumination and adjustable brightness, giving you plenty of customization options.

Compared with the other nine keyboards, the S108 is heavier than the Corsair K55 CORE (1.66 lb) and the RK61 White (1.23 lb), and it’s longer than the RK61’s 292 mm length. It also outweighs the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 (1.72 lb) while offering a full‑size layout that many 60 % or tenkeyless models lack. In other words, you’ll pay a premium over ultra‑compact options, but you gain a dedicated number pad and a sturdier build.

Reviewers consistently praise the clicky blue switches and the vintage typewriter aesthetic, noting that the tactile feedback feels satisfying for long typing sessions. Reviewers frequently mention the detachable wrist rest for reducing fatigue during extended use. A few users point out that the keyboard’s larger footprint can dominate a small desk, and the 2.2‑lb weight makes it less portable than lighter, minimalist boards.

Best for: Buyers willing to invest in a proven, high‑quality option

Avoid if: You're on a tight budget or only need basic functionality

TL;DR: The Razer Huntsman Mini delivers ultra‑fast 1.5 mm actuation in a sturdy aluminum 60% layout for $89.99, but its premium price and lack of dedicated function keys may deter budget‑focused users.

The standout spec is the 1.5 mm actuation distance paired with a 45 g linear optical switch, which Razer markets as “Rapid” for swift key response. At just 1.1 lb (498.9 g) and a detachable 2 m USB‑C cable, the keyboard stays lightweight enough for travel while still feeling solid thanks to its aluminum construction.

Compared with the other nine keyboards, the Huntsman Mini is lighter than the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 (1.72 lb) but a bit heavier than the Apple Magic Keyboard (0.9 lb). Its 2 m cable outstretches the Corsair K55 CORE’s 1.8 m lead, giving you more reach on a cluttered desk. In terms of size, the 103.3 mm width and 36.8 mm height make it more compact than the RK Royal Kludge S108’s 17.4‑inch length, yet it’s marginally wider than the Royal Kludge RK61’s 102 mm width. The Huntsman Mini also weighs less than the Corsair K55 CORE’s 752 g, reinforcing its portable appeal.

Reviewers consistently praise the tiny footprint and the rapid switch feel for both gaming and on‑the‑go use. Professional reviewers note the “lightning‑fast actuation in the most compact form factor” as a key advantage for competitive play. The most common complaints revolve around the missing dedicated function row, arrow keys, and the absence of a built‑in wrist rest or USB passthrough, which can be inconvenient for long typing sessions.

Beyond the switches, the keyboard offers up to five onboard profiles, macro support, and Razer Chroma RGB with 16.8 million color options. The textured doubleshot PBT keycaps add durability, and the 60% form factor keeps the overall depth to 293.3 mm, fitting neatly on small desks or in a travel bag.

Best for: Buyers willing to invest in a proven, high-quality option

Avoid if: You're shopping on a tight budget — it's priced at $89.99

TL;DR: The Corsair K55 CORE offers a full‑size layout, 10‑zone RGB, six macro keys and a 1000 Hz polling rate for $49.99, but its all‑plastic build feels light for serious gamers.

The standout spec is the 10‑zone RGB lighting paired with six dedicated macro keys and a 1000 Hz polling rate, giving you plenty of visual flair and fast input response. The keyboard weighs about 1.66 lb, measures 35 mm in height, 451 mm in length and 141 mm in width, and its detachable soft‑touch wrist rest adds ergonomic comfort.

Compared with the other nine keyboards in this roundup, the K55 CORE is heavier than the Royal Kludge RK61 (1.23 lb) yet lighter than the RK S108 Typewriter (2.20 lb). It also offers a full‑size 110‑key layout, whereas many competitors such as the RK61 and MageGee are compact 60‑% or 68‑key designs. Its wired 1.8 m USB‑2.0 cable is longer than the Logitech K270’s short cord, and the spill‑resistance rating of 300 ml provides basic protection that some ultra‑light models lack.

User sentiment highlights the quiet, responsive rubber‑dome switches, which many reviewers call “quiet and responsive.” Professional reviewers note the solid iCUE integration for lighting and macros, though they also point out that the software can be finicky. Reviewers praise the all‑plastic chassis for affordability but criticize its cheap feel compared with metal‑frame keyboards.

Best for: Most users looking for a well‑reviewed, reliable mainstream option

Avoid if: You're shopping on a tight budget — it's priced at $49.99

TL;DR: The RK Royal Kludge RK61 White delivers a compact 60% layout, hot‑swappable linear red switches and full key rollover for $39.99, earning a 4.6‑star rating from over 6 000 reviewers.

The RK61’s standout feature is its hot‑swappable switch design, letting you change any of the 61 keys without soldering while keeping the smooth linear red feel. At 40 mm tall, 292 mm long and 102 mm wide, it packs into a footprint that fits tight desks, and the detachable Type‑C cable adds convenience for occasional travel. The board also offers full key rollover and 8 monochrome plus 18 RGB backlight modes, giving you both reliability and visual flair.

Compared with the other nine keyboards in this roundup, the RK61 sits in the middle of the size spectrum: its 292 mm length is shorter than the Corsair K55 CORE (451 mm) and the Redragon Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (435 mm), yet longer than the ultra‑compact MageGee 60% (12.1 in). Weight‑wise, the RK61 weighs 560 g (1.23 lb), making it lighter than the Corsair K55 CORE (1.66 lb) and the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 (1.72 lb) but heavier than the Arteck 2.4G Wireless Keyboard (0.002 lb). Unlike the wireless Arteck and Logitech K270, the RK61 is wired‑only, which some users prefer for consistent latency. Its price point of $39.99 aligns closely with the Arteck’s pricing while undercutting the HyperX and Razer models, offering a strong value proposition.

User feedback consistently highlights the convenience of the hot‑swappable switches and the solid build quality, which earned a 4.6‑star rating from 6 443 reviews. Reviewers also appreciate the bright backlighting options for low‑light gaming sessions. A few comments note that the all‑white chassis can show fingerprints more readily than darker alternatives, but that doesn't seem to reduce satisfaction.

Best for: Most users looking for a well‑reviewed, reliable mainstream option

Avoid if: You have limited desk space or need portability

TL;DR: The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 packs an aircraft‑grade aluminum chassis, tactile Aqua switches and full‑RGB lighting into a compact 60% layout for $81, earning a solid 4.6‑star rating from nearly 15 K reviewers.

The standout feature is its build: an aircraft‑grade aluminum body keeps the keyboard at a sturdy 1.72 lb while staying slim at 1.5 in high, 11.7 in long and 4.2 in wide. HyperX markets the Aqua Tactile switches for a responsive feel, and the double‑shot PBT keycaps promise durability against shine. RGB lighting shines “radiant,” and NGENUITY software lets you tweak effects without leaving the desktop.

Compared with the other nine keyboards in this $100‑or‑less roundup, the Alloy Origins 60 is heavier than the Razer Huntsman Mini and Apple Magic Keyboard, yet lighter than the RK Royal Kludge S108 Typewriter. It measures 11.7 in long, a touch shorter than the Apple Magic Keyboard’s 12.13 in, while the overall footprint still feels roomier than the ultra‑compact Royal Kludge RK61 White, which measures just 102 mm wide. In short, it lands in the middle of the size‑and‑weight spectrum, offering a premium feel without the ultra‑light weight of some competitors.

Reviewers consistently praise the keyboard’s solid construction and the satisfying click of the Aqua switches, noting that the RGB lighting adds a nice visual flair for gaming or streaming setups. The 4.6‑star rating from 14,934 reviews suggests most owners are happy with the tactile experience and the durability of the aluminum frame. A few users mention the $81 price tag feels premium for a 60% board, especially when cheaper plastic‑based alternatives exist.

Best for: Buyers willing to invest in a proven, high‑quality option

Avoid if: You're on a tight budget or only need basic functionality

TL;DR: The Arteck HW192 offers a full‑size, ultra‑thin stainless‑steel wireless keyboard with 110 keys, 10 m range and a rechargeable battery, all for $37.99, making it a sleek budget choice.

The keyboard measures 428 mm long, 125 mm wide and just 14 mm thick, and it weighs only 1 gram. Its low‑profile scissors‑switch keys rate for over 3 million keystrokes, and a single‑color backlight helps in low‑light environments. A 2.4 GHz nano receiver provides a reliable 10 m (33 ft) wireless range, while the built‑in lithium‑polymer battery lasts up to six months with typical 2‑hour daily use.

Weighing just 1 gram, the Arteck is dramatically lighter than the Logitech K270 (about 1.1 lb) and the Royal Kludge RK61 (about 1.23 lb). Its 14 mm thickness makes it slimmer than the RK61’s 40 mm height, and its 428 mm length sits between the RK61’s 292 mm and the Redragon’s 435 mm. With a width of 125 mm, it is far narrower than Logitech’s 441.5 mm width, making it easy to fit on cramped desks or slip into a laptop bag.

Reviewers consistently praise the ultra‑thin stainless‑steel backplate for its sleek, portable feel and appreciate the long‑lasting rechargeable battery. The quiet scissors‑kick keys and dedicated media hotkeys also receive positive mentions. On the downside, users note that the keyboard relies solely on the 2.4 GHz USB receiver and lacks Bluetooth or multi‑device pairing, which limits flexibility for those who switch between several devices.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable entry-level option

Avoid if: You want the best value‑per‑dollar in its price range

TL;DR: The Apple Magic Keyboard delivers a low‑profile, scissor‑mechanism typing experience with a month‑long rechargeable battery, but its $97 price puts it at the top of the budget tier.

Weighing just 0.9 lb and measuring 12.13 in in length, this compact tenkeyless keyboard (78 keys) packs a surprisingly solid feel into a tiny footprint. Apple highlights the scissor mechanism as “33 % more stable,” and the low‑profile design sits only 0.73 in tall, making it easy to slip onto a desk or lap.

Compared with the nine other keyboards in this roundup, the Magic Keyboard is lighter than the Razer Huntsman Mini (1.1 lb) and the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 (1.72 lb). Its tenkeyless layout offers more keys than the 60% models like the Royal Kludge RK61 White, yet it remains smaller than the full‑size RK Royal Kludge S108 Typewriter, which stretches 17.4 in long. Unlike the wired Razer, HyperX, and Corsair options, Apple’s keyboard connects via Bluetooth wireless and charges through a USB‑C port, while many competitors rely on wired USB‑C or Type‑A connections.

Everyday users repeatedly praise the “exceptionally comfortable and precise” typing feel, noting that the month‑long battery life (“incredibly long‑lasting”) means they rarely reach for the charger. Professional reviewers echo this sentiment, calling the reduced key travel a boost for speed and accuracy. The main complaints revolve around the lack of backlighting and the absence of an integrated trackpad, which some users miss for low‑light workspaces.

Technically, the keyboard’s automatic Bluetooth pairing streamlines setup on macOS 15.1+ devices, and the rechargeable battery eliminates the need for disposable cells. The scissor mechanism, combined with the low‑profile chassis, delivers a stable keypress that many reviewers describe as “remarkably comfortable.”

Best for: Buyers willing to invest in a proven, high-quality option

Avoid if: You're shopping on a tight budget — it's priced at $97.00

TL;DR: The Redragon K671 offers hot‑swappable linear red switches, full N‑key rollover and 11 RGB backlight modes at a $27.59 price point, making it a solid entry‑level choice for budget‑focused gamers.

The standout feature is its hot‑swappable linear red switches, letting you swap out up to four spare switches without soldering. Combined with a full N‑key rollover, every key press registers accurately even during intense sessions. The chassis measures 36 mm in height, 435 mm in length and 124 mm in width, giving it a compact footprint while still accommodating a full‑size layout.

Compared with the nine other keyboards in this roundup, the Redragon sits at the lower end of the price spectrum and packs more programmable features than many wireless or detachable‑cable models. While some peers offer detachable USB cables or wireless connectivity, this keyboard stays wired, which many users appreciate for consistent latency. Its 11 backlight modes and 12 dedicated multimedia keys outnumber the lighting options that several competitors offer, and the inclusion of macro programming puts it ahead of basic office‑type keyboards.

Community feedback highlights the RGB lighting and swap‑able switches as major pluses, with reviewers noting the satisfying linear feel and the convenience of swapping switches on the fly. However, the 4.3‑star average from over 11,600 reviews also points to occasional concerns about keycap durability and a plastic build that feels less premium than higher‑priced alternatives. These mixed sentiments explain why the rating sits just below the top tier in this price range.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable entry-level option

Avoid if: Reliability and user satisfaction are your top concerns

TL;DR: The MageGee Portable 60% Mechanical Gaming Keyboard packs 68 blue‑click switches, a detachable USB‑2.0 cable and ~15 blue backlight modes into a 1.5‑in‑high, 12.1‑in‑long, 3.9‑in‑wide frame for just $25.49.

The standout feature's its ultra‑compact 60% layout—68 keys total—while still offering full anti‑ghosting across every key. At 1.5 in tall, 12.1 in long and only 3.9 in wide, it easily slides into a backpack or sits on a crowded desk without crowding neighboring items.

Compared with the other nine keyboards in this roundup, MageGee matches the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 at 1.5 in high but runs a touch longer than HyperX’s 11.7 in length. Its 3.9‑in width is narrower than HyperX’s 4.2 in and far slimmer than the Logitech K270’s 441.5 mm width, making it one of the most space‑saving options. While many competitors ship with wireless or hot‑swappable features, MageGee sticks to a wired USB 2.0 connection and fixed mechanical blue switches, making it a straightforward, plug‑and‑play choice.

Reviewers consistently note the satisfying tactile click of the blue switches and appreciate the bright blue backlighting that cycles through roughly 15 modes. The detachable cable earns praise for easy transport, though some users mention the lack of wireless freedom as a drawback for on‑the‑go setups.

Best for: Budget‑conscious buyers seeking a reliable entry‑level option

Avoid if: You've limited desk space or need portability