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Jan 21, 2024

6 Best Keyboards for Steam Deck Under $100: Wired and Wireless

The Steam Deck is a fantastic handled gaming console. In fact, the device can be

The Steam Deck is a fantastic handled gaming console. In fact, the device can be construed as a portable gaming PC. As such, you can actually use it like a computer too. So if you’re using a dock with Steam Deck to play games on a bigger display, then you’d want to use a good keyboard with it as well, right? But, with the multitude of options, it can get tricky to narrow down the best keyboards for Steam Deck.

That's where we come into the picture. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best keyboards for Steam Deck that you can buy. We have listed both wired as well as wireless options to suit your interests. And the best part is that the keyboards on the list are priced well under $100. So whether you’re looking for a mini TKL keyboard or a full-fledged gaming keyboard to use with your Steam Deck, we’ve got you covered.

But first, you might want to check out the following:

Buy

The Logitech K400 Plus is one of the most affordable (and portable) keyboards that you can use with your Steam Deck. It's lightweight, minimalistic, and even features a touchpad for the complete PC experience.

The keyboard utilizes Logitech's reliable 2.4GHz wireless technology, offering a stable connection without any noticeable input lag. And with a range of up to 33ft, you can use this keyboard from a distance as well. However, do keep in mind that you will need to use a USB-C to USB-A adapter or a dock with your Steam Deck to slot the keyboard's wireless dongle.

As far as gaming is concerned, the Logitech K400 Plus is by no means a gaming keyboard. It is more of a basic keyboard that allows you to use your Steam Deck like a normal PC. You also get media hotkeys as well as the touchpad for easy navigation. Speaking of which, the touchpad, too, won't come in handy for your gaming sessions. However, if you want to use your Steam Deck to browse the internet, the touchpad will definitely make things simpler.

Buy

If you’re going to be using an adapter or dongle with your Steam Deck, you should pick up a wired gaming keyboard. In particular, you should check out the SteelSeries Apex 3, which offers a full-sized keyboard deck that is replete with RGB and extra gaming features, all without breaking the bank.

The SteelSeries Apex 3 is one of the best budget membrane keyboards out there, thanks to its excellent build quality and typing experience. It comes with IP32 water resistance and also ships with a magnetic wrist rest. This, coupled with the soft and silent switches make up for a relaxing typing experience, as noted by Tom's Hardware.

Compared to Logitech's offering, the Apex 3 offers lesser media controls. On the upside, the keyboard offers a metal roller and media keys to adjust the volume and other settings with ease. Add to that, the keyboard comes with 10-zone RGB backlighting, which should help spruce up the unit's aesthetics more. Needless to say, the Apex 3 is a steal and the keyboard offers impeccable value for money.

Buy

If you’re looking for a wireless mechanical keyboard that won't burn a hole in your wallet, then you’ll find the RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 Plus right up your alley. You can use the keyboard in a variety of connectivity modes, and get the most out of the unit's reliable mechanical switches when playing games too. Or, you can even swap them out for something different.

Yes, that's right. The RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 Plus comes with support for hot-swappable switches. So, if you’re a fan of Cherry or Gateron switches, you can install them on the keyboard as well. That being said, the keyboard's stock SkyCyan switches work superbly too.

The keyboard's 60 percent layout lends it a compact footprint. As such, you can easily hook it up to your Steam Deck too. You can directly pair your console to the keyboard with Bluetooth connectivity as well. Alternatively, if you plan to use the Deck with a docking station, then you can either connect the 2.4GHz dongle or the USB-C wired cable for lower latency.

Buy

If you’re willing to spend a bit more, then you should also check out Logitech's offerings. The Logitech G613 LIGHTSPEED is easily one of the best wireless mechanical keyboards on the market right now, and it works seamlessly with the Steam Deck.

Similar to the RK61 Plus, the Logitech G613 LIGHTSPEED supports both Bluetooth as well as 2.4GHz wireless connectivity. The keyboard doesn't support wired connectivity and for good reason. You see, Logitech's LIGHTSPEED technology offers even lower latency than wired connections, as claimed by the company. Add to that, the keyboard boasts an 18-month battery life as it is powered by dual AA batteries, which is quite amazing.

In terms of features, the G613 offers a full-sized keyboard deck that includes six programmable G keys. You can use the Logitech G Hub app to customize these keys for macros and in-app commands. The keyboard also gets an integrated palm rest for a comfortable typing experience. The only downside here is that there's no illumination under the keys, which makes using the G613 in dark environments a bit of a hassle.

Buy

If you’re looking for the perfect keyboard that allows you to deploy your Steam Deck for both, work and play, look no further than the Keychron K4. It's reliable, performs very well, and will complement your work and gaming setup well.

You can use the Keychronn K4 wirelessly over Bluetooth 5.1 or hook it up via a USB-C cable. The 96% layout is adequately spaced out, allowing for a nice typing experience without taking up a lot of space on your desk. Do note that the keyboard ships with Mac literature on some keycaps. That said, the company bundles extra keycaps that can be used with Windows devices too. Needless to say, the keyboard is compatible with Windows and Mac as well.

Speaking of the keys, the Keychron K4 comes with Gateron G Pro Mechanical Brown switches. The switches in question provide tactile feedback without being too loud. The keyboard deck is backed by white backlighting too, so you can use the device in dimly-lit environments too.

In case you find the 96% layout a little too big for your desk space, you can also take a look at the Keychron K2 (Version 2). It's essentially a 75% version of the Keychron K4, making it smaller and lighter, while also offering full RGB backlighting.

Buy

If you’re serious about gaming on your Steam Deck, then you can't go wrong with Razer's offerings. The Huntsman Tournament Edition, for instance, is chockablock with features. Do note that the device comes in a TKL form factor. What's more, it cannot be used wirelessly.

On the upside, the keyboard comes with Linear Optical switches which use optical beam-based actuation and register key presses at the speed of light. As a result, the Huntsman Tournament Edition has arguably the fastest switches on any gaming keyboard.

The keycaps are also oil-resistant doubleshot PBT keycaps, which means you get a durable design coupled with a textured finish for smoother gameplay. Needless to say, most consumers can be seen singing praises of the switches and the keycaps.

Moving on though, much like most other Razer keyboards, the Huntsman Tournament Edition also sports the company's Razer Chroma RGB Lighting. This means that you get per-key RGB lighting customization here. What's more, is that there's on-board memory as well.

All in all, if you’re looking to truly elevate your PC gaming experience with the Steam Deck, the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is one of the best keyboards money can buy.

Yes, you can use a wireless keyboard with the Steam Deck thanks to Bluetooth connectivity. Alternatively, if your wireless keyboard makes use of a 2.4GHz USB dongle, you can plug that into your Steam Deck with the help of an adapter or dock.

Since Steam Deck runs on SteamOS which is based on Linux, you can essentially use any keyboard with the Steam Deck. However, their software suites might not work.

You don't need a keyboard for your Steam Deck, but it can be helpful for some tasks. For example, if you want to type in text or chat with friends, a keyboard can be a lot faster than using the Steam Deck's touchscreen. A keyboard can also be helpful for playing games that require a lot of typing, such as MMORPGs or strategy games

With the help of a good gaming keyboard, you can get even more out of your Steam Deck. Whether you prioritize mechanical precision, wireless convenience, or compact portability, there's a keyboard on our list to suit your needs.

So which Steam Deck keyboard will you be going with? Let us know in the comments below.

Last updated on 07 June, 2023

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

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The content head for the Guiding Tech YouTube channels, Varun also contributes to the website for Buying Guides and Product Explainers. Feel free to reach out to him on Twitter.