If you want a keyboard that has responsive switches and is very fast for playing games. Using a keyboard that has Speed Switch or Optical Switch is the best option for gaming.
Currently, there are many optical keyboards available on the market today made by several well-known manufacturers such as Corsair, Epomaker, Razer, Steelseries, Roccat and several other mechanical keyboard manufacturers.
What is Optical Keyboard?
Optical Keyboard is a keyboard that uses optical type switches that utilize infrared sensors for actuation.
Advantages of Optical Keyboard
- Optical Keyboard can provide a smooth and responsive typing experience.
On average, the Optical Keyboard can be operated easily by anyone because the switch actuation is also very light.
- Optical Keyboard can also be used for various needs such as typing or playing games.
For playing games, an Optical Keyboard is very reliable because it uses an Optical Switch which is very fast and responsive.
Disadvantages of Optical Keyboard
- Optical Keyboards are more difficult to modify such as replacing switches or replacing the keyboard’s built-in PCB with Aftermarket PCBs. this is because PCB technology for Optical Keyboards is still very new and not many manufacturers have made this type of PCB.
- If a malfunction occurs, repairing the Optical Keyboard is more difficult because spare parts for the optical keyboard are still scarce. Such as Optical switches and optical PCBs which are only produced by a few brands.
- The feeling of typing and typing feedback on the Optical Keyboard tends to be flat like a smooth linear type mechanical switch without any feedback so that it will reduce the enjoyment of typing.
Unlike tactile or clicky type mechanical switches that can provide clicky and bumpy typing feedback, even “Thocky”.
Best Optical Keyboards
The following are recommendations for the best keyboards that use optical switches on the market today:
1. Corsair K100 RGB
Corsair K100 RGB is a full size gaming keyboard that uses an optical switch that can give you a fast and responsive typing experience.
Corsair K100 RGB is one of the best options if you want an optical keyboard that can give you very fast and responsive typing actuation.
2. Razer Huntsman V2 Optical Gaming Keyboard
For the next best optical keyboard option is the Razer Huntsman V2.
The Razer Huntsman V2 is one of the best optical keyboards that uses the Razer Linear Optical switch which is one of the fastest actuation switches on the market today.
The Razer Huntsman V2 is the best optical keyboard option that you deserve.
3. SteelSeries Apex Pro
SteelSeries Apex Pro has a full size layout with a cool design and excellent build quality.
SteelSeries Apex Pro is also equipped with quality OEM profile keycaps made of thick and solid ABS plastic. The keycaps on the SteelSeries Apex Pro have a pretty good reputation and are known for their dependable durability.
SteelSeries Apex Pro is one of the best optical keyboard options that you deserve. Moreover, you can easily adjust the switch actuation speed on this keyboard according to your wishes. You can find this keyboard on Amazon.
4. EVGA Z20 RGB Optical Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
EVGA Z20 is the next best optical keyboard option, this keyboard is equipped with an LK Optical switch which is one of the fastest switches on a keyboard.
The EVGA Z20 is also equipped with several features such as a cool RGB backlit with various animations, a volume wheel, media keys, and a wrist rest that is quite comfortable and soft with good ergonomics.
5. Epomaker GK96
The Epomaker GK96 is an 1800-Compact keyboard that provides the Gateron Optical Switch option when you buy this keyboard.
Epomaker GK96 carries an 1800-Compact layout with 96 keys, this keyboard design is quite compact and has the same dimensions as a TKL keyboard but with more complete functionality because it still has a numpad.
Epomaker GK96 also has excellent build quality with a casing made of thick and solid plastic.
6. Razer Huntsman V2 TKL
The Razer Huntsman V2 TKL is equipped with a Razer Linear Optical switch which is one of the fastest optical switches on the market today. Razer Linear Optical Switch is also known for its quality and durability which is quite good.
The Razer Huntsman V2 TKL also uses doubleshot PBT keycaps with an OEM profile that have excellent quality and durability. Keycaps on the Razer Huntsman V2 TKL can give you a pleasant typing experience, especially for gaming.
The Razer Huntsman V2 TKL is also equipped with a cool RGB backlit with various animations and a soft and solid magnetic wrist rest.
The Razer Huntsman V2 TKL is one of the best TKL optical keyboard options you can find on the market today.
7. Razer Huntsman Mini 60% Gaming Keyboard
The Razer Huntsman Mini is a 60% keyboard equipped with a Razer Clicky Optical switch which is one of the most reliable switches for gaming.
The Razer Huntsman Mini has a 60% layout size with excellent build quality. Body keyboard is made of plastic material that is quite thick and solid. You will not find any flex in all build quality on this keyboard.
The Razer Huntsman Mini is equipped with OEM-profile doubleshot PBT keycaps. The keycaps on the Razer Huntsman Mini are textured and provide excellent grip on your fingers when typing or playing games. In addition, using the Razer Clicky optical switch can also provide a very fast and responsive typing experience.
There aren’t many features that you can find on the Razer Huntsman Mini, you only get a cool RGB backlit and software support from Razer.
8. Keychron K8 Wireless
Keychron K8 is a TKL keyboard that provides the Gateron Optical switch option when you buy this keyboard. Keychron K8 is one of the best optical keyboard options that is perfect for use for various activities such as working, typing, or playing games.
For keycaps, Keychron K8 is equipped with OEM profile keycaps made of ABS plastic which is not too thick but is sufficient to meet your daily needs.
Keychron K8 is also equipped with various interesting features such as wireless connectivity options, hot swappable switches, a large enough battery capacity, and a cool RGB backlit with various animations.
The Keychron K8 is an optcial keyboard that is worth buying.
9. Keychron K6 Wireless
Keychron K6 has a 65% layout size with a compact design and excellent build quality. Keychron K6 is equipped with a casing made of thick and quality aluminum.
For keycaps, Keychron K6 is equipped with keycaps OEM profile made of ABS plastic. Keycaps on Keychron K6 have mediocre quality and certainly not as good as PBT keycaps but the default keycaps on Keychron K6 are enough to meet your typing or gaming needs.
10. Keychron K3 Ultra-Slim Wireless
Keychron K3 Ultra-Slim is equipped with low profile ABS keycaps which is one of the best keycaps that can give you a pretty good typing ergonomics.
Keychron K3 Ultra-Slim is equipped with various features such as RGB backlit, Bluetooth wireless connectivity options, and has a large enough battery capacity. Keychron K3 Ultra-Slim also has a fairly good build quality with a body made of aluminum which is quite thick and solid.
The Keychron K3 Ultra-Slim is the best optical keyboard option suitable for work, typing on your projects, but this keyboard is not very good for gaming. You can find this keyboard on the Keychron Official Website.
11. EPOMAKER SK71
The EPOMAKER SK71 is 60% numpad-equipped keyboard.
The EPOMAKER SK71 has a fairly good build quality with a body made of thick and solid plastic.
EPOMAKER SK71 is also equipped with quality keycaps made of PBT plastic which is quite thick and can provide excellent grip on your fingers.
For features, the EPOMAKER SK71 is not equipped with many features. EPOMAKER SK71 is only equipped with cool RGB backlit features with various animations and also gets software support from Epomaker.
EPOMAKER SK71 is one of the best options if you want an optical keyboard that has a compact size but is still equipped with a numpad. You can find this keyboard on Amazon.
12. EPOMAKER SK66
EPOMAKER SK66 is a 60% optical keyboard that is very feasible for you to have. Besides having an affordable price, this keyboard is also equipped with the Gateron optical switch option.
The EPOMAKER SK66 has excellent build quality with a body made of thick and solid plastic.
For keycaps, EPOMAKER SK66 is equipped with OEM profile keycaps made of thick and quality PBT plastic which can provide excellent grip on your fingers.
13. EPOMAKER SK64S Hot Swappable
The EPOMAKER SK64S has a 60% layout design and has excellent build quality with a body made of thick and solid plastic.
EPOMAKER SK64S is also equipped with quality keycaps made of PBT plastic which can give you a pleasant typing experience.
Besides being equipped with a hot swappable PCB, the EPOMAKER SK64S is also equipped with RGB backlit features, Bluetooth 5.1 wireless connectivity options, and software support from Epomaker.
EPOMAKER SK64S is a quality optical keyboard option that is perfect for those of you who want a 60% optical keyboard that has very complete features. the hot swappable switch feature on the EPOMAKER SK64S makes it very worth having. You can find this keyboard on Amazon.
14. EPOMAKER SKYLOONG SK61
The EPOMAKER SKYLOONG SK61 is equipped with the Gateron Optical switch option which is known for its smoothness and can be used in a variety of your needs.
The EPOMAKER SKYLOONG SK61 has a compact design with a 60% layout, this keyboard also has excellent build quality with a body made of thick and quality plastic.
The EPOMAKER SKYLOONG SK61 is also equipped with RGB backlit and hot swappable PCB features that can only use switches from Gateron Optical.
15. HK GAMING GK61
HK GAMING GK61 has a fairly good build quality with a body made of thick and solid plastic.
HK GAMING GK61 is equipped with keycaps OEM profile made of ABS plastic. This keyboard is also equipped with the Gateron optical switch option.
Best Optical Keyboards for Gaming
- Corsair K100 RGB
- Razer Huntsman V2 Optical Gaming Keyboard
- SteelSeries Apex Pro
- Razer Huntsman Mini 60% Gaming Keyboard
- EVGA Z20 RGB Optical Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
- Razer Huntsman V2 TKL
- Epomaker GK96
Best Cheap Optical Keyboards
The following is a list of the cheapest optical keyboards on the market today:
- EVGA Z20 RGB Optical Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
- Keychron K6 Wireless
- EPOMAKER SK71
- EPOMAKER SK66
- EPOMAKER SK64S Hot Swappable
- EPOMAKER SKYLOONG SK61
- HK GAMING GK61
Best Compact Optical Keyboards
The following is a list of the most compact optical keyboards on the market today:
- Keychron K3 Ultra-Slim Wireless
- Razer Huntsman Mini 60% Gaming Keyboard
- EPOMAKER SK66
- EPOMAKER SK64S Hot Swappable
- EPOMAKER SKYLOONG SK61
- HK GAMING GK61
- Keychron K6 Wireless
- EPOMAKER SK71
