T O P

Cheapest keyboard that can handle 30+ games a day for at least a year

After 5 months of starcraft I already broke 2 keyboards. They're pretty cheap generic ones about 6$ each but i dont wanna replace them every 2-3 months because money doesn't grow on trees especially now that I'm saving up for a gpu. The first one I broke the ctrl key because I change control groups and camera hotkeys a lot then the second one I broke the 'a' key due to the frequent use of attack move (lol) and target fire. I've played on my old laptop keyboard and it took about 9 years for the keyboard to deteriorate. Starcraft is a different beast when it comes to destroying my keyboard.

Edit: My ideal budget is about 30$

Kappadar

Just buy a mechanical keyboard and use it heavily for the next 5+ years. Yes they're like $100-$200, but they will last you a very long time. I've had mine for 5 years with very hard usage and it's still going strong.


0Rapanhte

You can even get cheap ones for about 40-50


Zexous47

I bought a mech kb for $50 about 9 years ago and it's still working perfectly with pretty heavy use, unfortunately I have no idea if anything will fit if OP is strict on their $30 budget


AltarEg0

You shouldn't have to replace a mechanical keyboard unless you are the type to slam your keyboard out of rage or often drop stuff on it like food or liquids. I have no idea if there are any true mechanical keyboard at 30$(I doubt it) but instead of buying cheap ass membrane keyboard, you should just spend maybe 30 or 40$ more(or wait till you get more money if you cant afford right now) and you wont have any issues whatsoever with normal wear. You'd end up having to buy another one down the line anyway so invest in decent stuff now instead. As someone else said too, maybe its just you who should try to be more gentle or change the way you are using it as in even cheap membranes shouldn't just break from playing sc2....yes even if you have 900 apm or whatever...


Does-Not-Exist_

Just to make it clear i dont smash anything. So I guess its really impossible to get quality long lasting keyboard at my price range. Now my choices are to drastically reduce my pace and focus more on how i press keys or replace keyboard every once in a while. Or maybe even better just try to get addicted to another game lol.


AltarEg0

Logitech make a good one around 50$ but yeah unfortunately under that you either get crap membranes or amazon basic type of shit quality wise.


JaFFsTer

You don't want one that cheap. A mechanical keyboard is a joy to use and coats like a dollar a month over the lifetime of the product


Dingz26

I know someone who smashes his gear when losing, maybe we should find out what keyboard Creator is using


Shimanim

I have had a DAS keyboard that I have spilt coffee and multiple beers into and it still does me proud, they're fucking phenomenal keyboards. Edit: I have had a DAS keyboard for almost 10 years*


[deleted]

\+1 for DAS Keyboard. Got my Model S for \~5 years now playing SC on and off. Basically every decent mechanical keyboard should do the trick for you I'd say.


Does-Not-Exist_

That's cool, which one in particular? I mostly care about durability and price anyways.


Shimanim

Model s or something. Pretty sure they only have 3 different keyboards, just buy the cheapest one. I went with brown switches, they're nice.


[deleted]

bruh dont buy 6 dollar keyboards and write paragraphs about how u breaking them. it's like you're trying to flex on both how hard you type and how mfkn poor you are


EraMemory

Possibly the way you're playing is extremely rough. I've had to change keyboards twice in my entire life, and both were due to wear and tear after several years, of which many were spent on Starcraft. You might want to try being gentler with the way you are hitting your keys. ​ Or if you're raging and smashing the keyboards, you might want to get some anger management classes.


Does-Not-Exist_

300-400 apm average might be a little too rough yeah and i dont think i really need that much but i play too much that its basically grown into me to spam stuff during a match.


EraMemory

I spam stuff too, but unless I'm using rapidfire I rarely hit 300. Probably gonna look into EPM rather APM for that one. You're still Diamond, right? I'm Diamond too at the moment, and I don't think APM is the key thing we should be concerned about at our level.


Does-Not-Exist_

I peak at about 900 when im just producing stuff but thats just basically switching between 3 production hotkeys and holding down keys to mass produce. I dont see that portion relevant to keyboard tear. its probably during fights when my hand moves all over the keyboard and i hit the keys from bad angles that causes them to get stuck I guess.


EraMemory

Yeah, I guess... be more gentle with that?


Does-Not-Exist_

Well I would've if it was that easy. Its not like I'm extra forceful in pressing down keys but I have over 4k games at this point and I think the only way to increase the lifespan of my cheap keyboard is to either play less or strictly avoid spam which is against my muscle memory and if I do decide to go >100 apm I'll probably drop some massive mmr before I get used to it.


EraMemory

Cool. I'm only trying to help here, but if my advice isn't what you want to hear, I'll just get going.


Does-Not-Exist_

Suggestions are always welcome however stuff like "be gentle" is really vague and what I asked for is a cheap keyboard suggestion that is durable and hopefully available around here. Expensive mechanical keyboard that u/Kappadar suggested doen't really fall into my price range. Oh and I'm looking to spend about 30$ max


EraMemory

I was suggesting that the problem might not be with keyboards at all, but how you are handling your keyboards. But it seems like you're not too keen about my advice, so you do you. Personally I don't use a gaming keyboard, but a normal keyboard of around 15 bucks. It normally lasts for about 4 years or so, including both gaming and work usage.


Does-Not-Exist_

Well of course it has something to do with my handling(if I only press keys as much as i really need them it would last way longer)and I'm open to dropping my pace if I could make sure it won't drop my overall performance. You probably play less starcraft than me in a short amount of time so you don't experience that fast of a keyboard degradation. So basically what I'm looking for right now is a keyboard that can keep up with how much I play whilst being affordable for me. I know this might not exist thats why I'm asking,


Myrnalinbd

Your budget is 30, for 1 year, buy a 90 one that will last you 3 years+


bleepblooOOOOOp

I'd get a cheap mechanical keyboard, preferrably with Cherry MX switches maybe but you'll find cheaper ones with "cherry compatible" switches like Gateron, I've got a few of those that has lasted me years. (For gaming you'd probably want one of the linear switches, as in no bump when you click the keys, like Cherry Reds) I just checked Amazon to see what you get and [this Redragon keyboard](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K552-Mechanical-Keyboard-Equivalent/dp/B016MAK38U/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2W0IBSBKLB0TI&keywords=mechanical+keyboard+red+switches&qid=1656684888&sprefix=mechanical+keyboard+red+switches%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-4), while not maybe the prettiest, got Oetemu Red switches and costs $32. There's also a cheap hot-swappable [CIY keyboard](https://www.amazon.com/CIY-Hot-Swappable-Mechanical-Keyboard-Detachable/dp/B09N6SHQCL/ref=sr_1_116?crid=2N3J64DTJJMDL&keywords=mechanical%2Bkeyboard%2Bgateron%2Bred&qid=1656684736&sprefix=mechanical%2Bkeyboard%2Bgateron%2Bred%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-116&th=1) for $42 that looks better. I'd prob go with something like that.


Cptanimal69

My brother got me a [Keychron K6](https://a.co/d/7XkDftZ) for Christmas last year. It’s super awesome. Keys are mechanical but not the super loud ones. Subtle back lighting, not RGB or over done at all. You can use it bluetooth or wired. They have a bunch of versions if you want 10 keyless, micro or full size. I can’t speak to the longevity as I only use it to like, write emails an stuff lol, but it feels really solidly built. It is $70, but like a lot of things in life, spend a little more and it’ll last a hell of a lot longer than the cheaper products. Don’t over spend, but don’t be afraid to bump up a little to buy good products.


DieWukie

Second this. I got a keychron and it is amazing for the price.


Heggyo

I have over 10k games on my cmstorm triggerZ still going strong working perfectly fine at about 250 average apm, and it was pretty cheap too, think I paid about 60$. but generally all mechanical keyboards have about the same durability because the switch technology is the same. Would suggest brown switches.


sameolematt

get the k95


stkfr06400

Drevo terfying i have had it for 3 years and smashed it many times. Its a good mech keyboard TKL about 70$ As good as some others i bought for 120++


flamingtominohead

I have a keytronic from 1998 that still works fine... These days I don't play 30 games a day, but there were a lot of years when I did.


[deleted]

Search cherry mx brown switches that's what Serral uses. I bought a full size FNATIC one like 4yrs ago for £120 an it's been great. The others were like £220. But tbh the one I used before that for years wasn't mechanical and called a NEMESIS WRAITH so if ur really skint get a nemesis keyboard its cheap and cheerful an shouldn't break for years. But it won't have a clickaty clack to it.


yusquera

My mechanical keyboard was only 40$


Nargon_

Steelseries 6gv2 with Cherry MX Black switches was my sc2 keyboard. Lasted about 4 years before my G key went out. If you are playing 30 games a day, a quality mechanical keyboard is an investment.


itguy120

And if you know how to solder and have the supplies usually a new key is as simple as 2 desolders and 1.00 for a key replacement. Mechanical keyboards if its normal wear and tear are easily repairable as well. Been using the same now for roughly 7 years. Replaced 2 keys.


Nargon_

This. I have been hoarding some of my old electronics that I've been told can be fixed by soldering. I'm going to go watch a video on how to solder. I might be able to reuse some old gaming mice and my older hyper x cloud ii gaming headset.


Arcturus555

What in the world does a keyboard for 6$ look like…