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10 Best Keyboards For Beginners 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

RockJam 61 Key Keyboard Piano Stand With Pitch Bend Kit, Piano Bench, Headphones, Simply Piano App & Keynote Stickers

The RockJam 61 Key Keyboard Piano Kit is an excellent choice for beginners looking to dive into playing piano without a steep learning curve. Its 61 full-size keys closely mimic the feel of a traditional piano while maintaining a portable and compact design. This makes it ideal for those who need a versatile instrument that can be used both at home and on the go, powered either by mains electricity or batteries.

The inclusion of 200 rhythms, 200 tones, a teaching function, and 30 demo songs, displayed on an LED panel, makes it a comprehensive learning tool for new players. Furthermore, its record and playback functionality, along with an aux input, allow users to create complex layers of sound and play along with their favorite tracks, enhancing the learning experience. The kit also comes with a sturdy, adjustable stand, a padded seat for long practice sessions, and headphones, ensuring comfort and convenience.

Additional features like the Simply Piano app and keynote stickers provide further support for beginners. However, despite its numerous features, the keyboard's plastic build might not appeal to those looking for a more robust, high-end feel. Additionally, while the keyboard includes a headphone jack, the audio quality might not satisfy more advanced users. In conclusion, this keyboard kit is a fantastic starter pack for beginners, offering a wide range of features to support their musical journey, though it may not suit advanced players looking for a more premium experience.

#2

SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL RGB Gaming Keyboard – Tenkeyless Compact Form Factor - 8-Zone RGB Illumination – IP32 Water & Dust Resistant – Whisper Quiet Gaming Switch – Gaming Grade Anti-Ghosting,Black

Rating
9.4
Keyboard Type
Switch Type
Layout

Most important from
13322 reviews

Keyboard Type
The keyboard features a durable metal frame with a solid weight that gives a premium, sturdy feel without bending during use.
Switch Type
Whisper-quiet membrane switches offer a tactile yet silent typing experience, significantly quieter than mechanical keyboards.
Layout
The compact tenkeyless layout balances desk space saving with essential key availability, ideal for beginners and gamers alike.
Backlighting
Customizable RGB lighting zones are vibrant but not overwhelming, with easy-to-use software and compatibility with third-party lighting programs.
Ergonomics
The magnetic wrist rest attaches securely and adds comfort, enhancing long typing or gaming sessions.
Key Rollover and Anti-Ghosting
The keyboard’s responsiveness and anti-ghosting capabilities handle fast typing and gaming inputs smoothly.

The SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL is a tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard, meaning it omits the number pad to save desk space, which is great for beginners who want a compact setup without sacrificing essential keys. It uses whisper-quiet gaming switches, which are tactile yet silent, making typing comfortable and less distracting for a beginner. The keyboard supports RGB backlighting with customizable zones, adding fun visual effects but without overwhelming complexity. Wired connectivity ensures a stable connection with little input delay, ideal for both gaming and general use.

This model is rated IP32 for water and dust resistance, so it can handle minor spills or dust—helpful for users new to keyboard care. Its gaming-grade anti-ghosting means multiple keys pressed at once will register correctly, which benefits beginners learning gaming or fast typing. The volume roller and media keys add convenience for controlling sound and media without extra software.

While it’s not mechanical but uses whisper-quiet switches, key durability is solid with a 20 million keypress lifespan, suitable for long-term use. The TKL layout might take a little getting used to for users who need a numpad for tasks like spreadsheets, but for beginner gamers or general typing, it’s a great size. The keyboard lacks wireless options, so cable management might be needed. Its ergonomics are standard—no special wrist rest included—which might be something to consider for longer typing sessions. The SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL keyboard is beginner-friendly with a compact design, quiet and responsive keys, customizable lighting, and good durability, making it a strong choice for those starting with gaming or everyday computer use.

Rating
9.4
Keyboard Type
Switch Type
Layout

Most important from
13322 reviews

Keyboard Type
The keyboard features a durable metal frame with a solid weight that gives a premium, sturdy feel without bending during use.
Switch Type
Whisper-quiet membrane switches offer a tactile yet silent typing experience, significantly quieter than mechanical keyboards.
Layout
The compact tenkeyless layout balances desk space saving with essential key availability, ideal for beginners and gamers alike.
Backlighting
Customizable RGB lighting zones are vibrant but not overwhelming, with easy-to-use software and compatibility with third-party lighting programs.
Ergonomics
The magnetic wrist rest attaches securely and adds comfort, enhancing long typing or gaming sessions.
Key Rollover and Anti-Ghosting
The keyboard’s responsiveness and anti-ghosting capabilities handle fast typing and gaming inputs smoothly.
#3

SteelSeries Apex Pro HyperMagnetic Gaming Keyboard — Adjustable Actuation — OLED Screen — RGB – USB Passthrough​

Rating
9.1
Keyboard Type
Switch Type
Layout

Most important from
6086 reviews

Keyboard Type
"If you want a high-quality mechanical keyboard with adjustable switches, this is the one to go for."
Switch Type
"The OmniPoint switches are incredibly smooth, eliminating the scratchiness found in other linear switches."
Layout
"The keyboard's layout and pronounced keys help reduce typos, making it easier to use without looking."
Backlighting
"The RGB lighting is fantastic, creating a vibrant and clean effect that stands out."
Ergonomics
"The included wrist rest is a nice touch, although it does attract pet hair easily."

The SteelSeries Apex Pro HyperMagnetic Gaming Keyboard offers some impressive features suitable for both beginners and seasoned gamers. One of its standout features is the OmniPoint 2.0 Adjustable HyperMagnetic switches, allowing you to customize the actuation point for each key. This means you can set faster response times for gaming keys and deeper presses for others, reducing the chances of accidental key presses. The keyboard also boasts rapid trigger technology, which can help minimize latency during gaming sessions, enhancing performance.

The 2-in-1 action keys add another layer of versatility, enabling you to program two different actions to a single key based on the pressure applied, which can be useful in various gaming scenarios. The OLED smart display is a nice touch, providing quick access to information and settings without needing to leave your game or application. Additionally, the keyboard includes RGB backlighting, which can be customized to your liking, and a USB passthrough for connecting additional devices.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. The keyboard is primarily designed for gaming, which may mean it has more features than a beginner might need or use, potentially making it more expensive than simpler models. Its wired connectivity might also be a limitation if you prefer a wireless setup. While the adjustable switches and customizable features offer a high level of control, they might be overwhelming for someone just starting out. Despite these considerations, the SteelSeries Apex Pro is a robust and highly customizable keyboard that can grow with you as you become more comfortable and skilled in your use.

Rating
9.1
Keyboard Type
Switch Type
Layout

Most important from
6086 reviews

Keyboard Type
"If you want a high-quality mechanical keyboard with adjustable switches, this is the one to go for."
Switch Type
"The OmniPoint switches are incredibly smooth, eliminating the scratchiness found in other linear switches."
Layout
"The keyboard's layout and pronounced keys help reduce typos, making it easier to use without looking."
Backlighting
"The RGB lighting is fantastic, creating a vibrant and clean effect that stands out."
Ergonomics
"The included wrist rest is a nice touch, although it does attract pet hair easily."

Buying Guide for the Best Keyboards For Beginners

Choosing the right keyboard can significantly enhance your typing experience, whether you're using it for work, gaming, or general use. As a beginner, it's important to understand the key specifications that will help you find a keyboard that fits your needs and preferences. Here are some key specs to consider when selecting a keyboard.
Keyboard TypeKeyboards come in various types, including membrane, mechanical, and scissor-switch. Membrane keyboards are generally quieter and more affordable, making them a good choice for general use. Mechanical keyboards offer tactile feedback and durability, which can be beneficial for heavy typists and gamers. Scissor-switch keyboards are often found in laptops and provide a balance between the two. Consider what you'll be using the keyboard for and choose a type that aligns with your needs.
Switch TypeIf you opt for a mechanical keyboard, the switch type is crucial. Switches can be linear, tactile, or clicky. Linear switches provide a smooth keystroke, tactile switches offer a noticeable bump, and clicky switches produce an audible click. Gamers often prefer linear switches for their quick actuation, while typists might favor tactile or clicky switches for the feedback. Think about your typing style and preferences when choosing a switch type.
LayoutKeyboard layouts can vary, with the most common being full-size, tenkeyless (TKL), and compact. Full-size keyboards include a number pad, which is useful for data entry. TKL keyboards omit the number pad, saving space while still providing all essential keys. Compact keyboards are even smaller, often lacking function keys and other non-essential keys. Consider how much desk space you have and whether you need a number pad when choosing a layout.
ConnectivityKeyboards can be wired or wireless. Wired keyboards offer a stable connection and are often preferred for gaming to avoid input lag. Wireless keyboards provide more flexibility and a cleaner setup, but they require batteries or charging. If you need a keyboard for a stationary setup, a wired option might be best. For a more portable or clutter-free experience, consider a wireless keyboard.
BacklightingBacklighting can be a useful feature, especially if you often type in low-light conditions. Keyboards can have single-color backlighting or RGB lighting, which allows for customizable colors and effects. While backlighting is not essential, it can enhance the aesthetic of your setup and improve visibility. Decide if this feature is important to you based on your environment and personal preference.
ErgonomicsErgonomic keyboards are designed to reduce strain on your hands and wrists, which can be beneficial if you type for long periods. Features like split designs, adjustable heights, and wrist rests can improve comfort. If you experience discomfort while typing or plan to use the keyboard extensively, consider an ergonomic model to help prevent strain and injury.
Key Rollover and Anti-GhostingKey rollover refers to the number of keys that can be pressed simultaneously and still be registered. Anti-ghosting ensures that additional unintended keystrokes are not registered. These features are particularly important for gamers who may press multiple keys at once. If you're a gamer, look for a keyboard with at least 6-key rollover and anti-ghosting. For general use, these features are less critical but can still enhance the typing experience.

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