Level Up Your Game: The Keyboards Preferred by Esports Pros
In the high-stakes world of competitive gaming, where milliseconds can mean the difference between victory and defeat, professional esports players meticulously select their gear. While skill and strategy are paramount, the tools of the trade play a crucial role in maximizing performance. Among these tools, the keyboard stands out as a direct interface between the player’s intentions and the virtual battlefield. This blog post delves into the realm of professional gaming to uncover the most popular keyboards favored by esports athletes and explores the technical reasons behind their dominance. For aspiring gamers and enthusiasts looking to enhance their setup, understanding the choices of the pros can provide valuable insights into what truly matters in a gaming keyboard.
The Hallmarks of a Pro Gaming Keyboard
At the heart of almost every professional gamer’s setup lies a mechanical keyboard. These keyboards use individual mechanical switches beneath each keycap, unlike the rubber domes in standard membrane keyboards. This difference results in faster response times, near-instant registration of key presses, and distinct tactile feedback that improves accuracy and minimizes accidental inputs. They’re also built to endure intense gaming sessions with a significantly longer lifespan.
The world of mechanical switches is diverse, catering to different preferences and game genres. Linear switches (e.g., Cherry MX Red, Speed Silver, Razer Yellow) offer smooth, uninterrupted keystrokes ideal for FPS games where rapid actuation is essential. Tactile switches (e.g., Cherry MX Brown, HyperX Aqua) provide a noticeable bump without a loud click—beneficial in MOBA and RTS games for precise command execution. Clicky switches (e.g., Cherry MX Blue, Razer Green) combine tactile bumps with audible clicks but are less common in professional gaming due to potential noise disruptions.
Beyond key feel, the speed of communication between the keyboard and computer is vital. The polling rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), indicates how many times per second the keyboard sends input data. Gaming keyboards typically feature high polling rates (1000Hz or more), reducing input lag and offering a crucial advantage in competitive scenarios.
During intense gaming moments, pressing multiple keys simultaneously can cause “ghosting” in standard keyboards. Professional gaming keyboards overcome this with N-Key Rollover (NKRO) and anti-ghosting technologies, ensuring every key press is registered accurately and preventing unintended inputs.
Finally, build quality and durability are essential. Gaming keyboards often feature high-quality materials like aluminum frames and durable PBT keycaps, ensuring they retain their performance and appearance even after countless hours of use.
Top Keyboard Models Dominating the Esports Arena
Several keyboard models consistently appear in the setups of professional gamers across various esports disciplines. These keyboards offer a combination of the hallmarks discussed above, tailored to meet the specific needs of competitive play.
Logitech G Pro X
The Logitech G Pro X and its tenkeyless variant, the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed, are highly popular choices among esports professionals. The tenkeyless design, which omits the numpad, provides gamers with more desk space for unrestricted mouse movement—a significant advantage in fast-paced titles. The G Pro X features hot-swappable GX switches, allowing players to easily change between Linear (Red), Tactile (Brown), and Clicky (Blue) options to suit their preference or the demands of different games. Some models offer LIGHTSPEED wireless technology for a low-latency connection comparable to wired keyboards, providing freedom of movement without sacrificing performance. Customizable RGB lighting adds a touch of personalization, while programmable keys allow for the creation of macros for quick execution of complex commands. These features make the Logitech G Pro X a versatile and reliable choice for both FPS and MOBA players.
The G Pro X TKL Lightspeed:
The Wireless Version:
SteelSeries Apex Pro
The SteelSeries Apex Pro, along with its smaller counterparts the Apex Pro Mini and Apex Pro TKL, represents another dominant force in the esports arena. What sets the Apex Pro series apart is its OmniPoint adjustable mechanical switches. This innovative technology allows users to customize the actuation point of each individual key—from a mere 0.1mm for lightning-fast reactions to 4.0mm for deliberate presses—offering unparalleled control and precision. The fast response time and durable aluminum alloy build ensure reliability during intense gaming sessions. Additionally, an OLED smart display provides on-the-fly customization options and displays in-game information, adding another layer of functionality for professional players. The availability in various form factors, including tenkeyless and mini options, caters to different space constraints and portability needs.
The Apex Pro TKL:
The Apex Pro Mini:
Razer Huntsman
Razer’s Huntsman series, including the V3 Pro, V2, TE, and Mini models, has also garnered significant popularity among esports professionals. These keyboards feature Razer Optical Switches, known for their incredibly fast response times and smooth actuation. The V3 Pro boasts an impressive polling rate of up to 8000Hz, further minimizing latency for competitive play. Durable PBT keycaps ensure longevity, while the availability in full-size, tenkeyless, and 60% form factors provides options for various setups and preferences. Features like Rapid Trigger Mode on the V3 Pro allow for ultra-fast repeated inputs, offering a distinct advantage in fast-paced games. The Razer Huntsman series is a testament to the brand’s commitment to speed and performance, making it a favorite in FPS and fighting game communities.
The Huntsman V3 Pro:
The Huntsman V3 Pro Mini:
The Huntsman V2:
The Huntsman Mini:
Wooting 60HE & 80HE
Wooting has emerged as a prominent brand, particularly with its 60HE and 80HE keyboards. These keyboards utilize analog magnetic Lekker switches, offering adjustable actuation points and the revolutionary Rapid Trigger technology. The 60HE features an ultra-compact 60% layout, maximizing mouse space, while the 80HE offers a more traditional 80% layout with function keys. Wooting keyboards are designed with a strong focus on low latency and fast response, making them highly sought after in the FPS and fighting game scenes. The high level of customization and performance offered by Wooting has quickly positioned them as a top contender in the professional gaming market.
Corsair K70
The Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 and the more recent K70 Pro TKL continue to be reliable choices for many esports professionals. These keyboards offer a durable aluminum frame and a variety of Cherry MX switches, providing a familiar and reliable typing experience. The Pro TKL model features an impressive 8000Hz polling rate, ensuring minimal input lag. Per-key RGB lighting and dedicated media controls are standard, and the inclusion of a tournament switch on the Pro TKL disables macros and sets RGB to a static color, minimizing distractions during competitive play. Corsair’s long-standing reputation in the gaming industry makes the K70 series a trusted and widely used option.
HyperX Alloy
Lastly, the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro and Alloy Origins series are popular among FPS players who value a compact design and reliable performance. The Alloy FPS Pro features a tenkeyless design and Cherry MX switches, providing a minimalist and reliable setup that maximizes mouse space. The Alloy Origins series offers full-size and TKL options with HyperX’s own mechanical switches—renowned for their responsiveness and durability—along with customizable RGB lighting on some models. The solid steel frame ensures stability during intense gameplay, making HyperX a trusted brand in the competitive scene.
The Alloy FPS Pro:
Why These Keyboards Reign Supreme
The dominance of these keyboard models in the esports arena is no accident. Each of these keyboards embodies the hallmarks of a pro gaming peripheral, offering distinct advantages that translate directly into improved performance.
The Razer Huntsman series, with its optical switches, provides an undeniable speed advantage, crucial in twitch-based shooters where reaction time is paramount. Models like the Corsair K70 Pro TKL and Razer Huntsman V3 Pro boast high polling rates, ensuring that every key press is registered with minimal delay, giving players a competitive edge. The adjustable actuation points on keyboards like the SteelSeries Apex Pro and Wooting 60HE allow for a level of customization that enables players to fine-tune their keyboard response to the specific demands of different games and even individual in-game actions. Furthermore, the consistent inclusion of NKRO across all these popular models guarantees that complex key combinations, often used in MOBAs and fighting games, are executed flawlessly without any missed inputs.
Finally, the robust build quality of brands like SteelSeries and Corsair ensures that these keyboards can withstand the rigorous demands of professional gaming, providing a reliable tool that won’t fail during crucial moments.
Choosing the Right Keyboard for Your Game
For aspiring gamers looking to emulate the pros, selecting the right keyboard is a crucial step. The first consideration should be the primary game genre you play. If you’re a dedicated FPS player, prioritize keyboards with linear switches for their speed and responsiveness, and look for models with high polling rates to minimize input lag. Tenkeyless or 60% models can provide more desk space for mouse movement, which is often beneficial in FPS games.
MOBA and RTS players might find tactile switches more suitable for their deliberate commands, and features like macro keys can be advantageous for executing complex sequences with a single press. Consider the form factor that best fits your desk space and playing style. Do you need the full functionality of a 104-key keyboard, or would a more compact option suffice?
Finally, don’t underestimate personal preference. The feel of the switches, the layout of the keys, and even the aesthetics of the keyboard can impact your overall gaming experience. If possible, try out different keyboards to see what feels most comfortable and allows you to perform at your best. Many gaming keyboards also offer customization options, such as swappable keycaps and even switches (if the keyboard is hot-swappable), allowing you to further tailor the keyboard to your liking.
Conclusion
The keyboards preferred by esports professionals are more than just input devices; they are meticulously engineered tools designed to provide a competitive edge. Features like mechanical switches, high polling rates, NKRO, and robust build quality are essential for meeting the demands of high-level play. While the specific models favored by pros might vary, the Logitech G Pro X, SteelSeries Apex Pro series, Razer Huntsman series, Wooting 60HE/80HE, Corsair K70 series, and HyperX Alloy series consistently appear at the top. By understanding the technical advantages these keyboards offer and considering your own gaming needs and preferences, you can make an informed decision and choose a keyboard that will help you level up your game.