10 Best Backlit Keyboards 2025 in the United States

The SteelSeries Apex Pro HyperMagnetic Gaming Keyboard stands out with its highly customizable and fast-reacting OmniPoint 2.0 Adjustable HyperMagnetic switches. The 40 levels of per-key actuation allow gamers to fine-tune their experience, making it suitable for both ultra-light touches and deeper presses to prevent accidental actions. This is a significant advantage for competitive gamers who need precision and responsiveness.

The RGB backlighting offers vibrant and customizable color options, further enhancing the visual appeal and usability in low-light conditions. The OLED smart display adds a unique feature by providing at-a-glance information from games and apps, which can be a useful tool for multitasking during gaming sessions. Additionally, the USB passthrough adds convenience for connecting other USB-powered devices.

The keyboard includes a wrist rest, which enhances comfort during prolonged use, and its build quality appears solid, ensuring durability. This keyboard is most beneficial for serious gamers who value performance, customization, and added features like the OLED display. Casual users or those on a budget might find some features excessive or unnecessary. However, it is primarily wired and might not appeal to those who prefer wireless options. The price point might also be a consideration, as premium features often come at a higher cost.

The SteelSeries Apex 3 is a solid choice for a backlit gaming keyboard, especially if you want vibrant RGB lighting without breaking the bank. It offers a 10-zone RGB illumination system, allowing for a range of colors and some reactive lighting effects. The whisper-quiet gaming switches stand out as they are designed to be nearly silent and comfortable for long gaming sessions, supporting up to 20 million key presses.

This keyboard is built with durability in mind, featuring an IP32 water-resistant rating that helps protect against accidental spills—a handy feature if you often have drinks nearby. The included premium magnetic wrist rest adds comfort during extended use, a thoughtful addition not always seen in this price range. It also has dedicated multimedia controls, allowing easy access to volume and settings without interrupting gameplay.

Using a wired connection, the Apex 3 is compatible across major platforms like Windows, Mac, Xbox, and PlayStation consoles, making it versatile for various gaming setups. If you want a reliable, quiet, and colorful backlit keyboard that can handle spills and offers extra comfort, this model is worth considering.

The Razer Huntsman Mini is a compact 60% gaming keyboard that features fast and responsive clicky optical switches. These switches use light to register key presses quickly, making it ideal for gamers who value speed and tactile feedback. The keyboard includes vibrant RGB backlighting with 16.8 million colors, allowing full customization on each key and syncing with many games and smart lighting systems to enhance the immersive gaming experience.

Constructed with an aluminum top frame, the keyboard offers a sturdy feel. It also comes with textured PBT keycaps that resist oil and wear, helping to keep the keys clean and durable over time. Programmable macros are supported, enabling users to create custom commands for improved control during gameplay. The keyboard connects via USB-C and is primarily designed for PC gaming.

This 60% layout is compact and portable, making it well-suited for users who prioritize desk space and portability. However, it lacks dedicated function keys and a number pad, which might not meet the needs of users looking for a fuller keyboard layout.