Top HP Mechanical Keyboards for Gamers

In the competitive world of gaming, every keystroke makes a difference. A good mechanical keyboard can be the secret weapon to take your gaming performance to its full potential. Gaming keyboards allow the player to register keystrokes faster than regular ones, which is particularly helpful in games like Fortnite, CS:GO or Warzone, where quick reflexes are crucial.

As a leading producer of keyboards, we know gaming keyboards aren’t just about aesthetics but tactical practicality and overall comfort. With so many brands and models on the market, finding the right keyboard can be challenging. Luckily, we’re here to help, so hang tight as we showcase our bestselling keyboards for competitive and casual gamers.

Key features to consider when selecting a gaming mechanical keyboard

Choosing a mechanical keyboard isn’t just about a fancy, colourful design. Let’s discuss the features crucial for any gamer purchasing a high-performance keyboard.

Mechanical key switches

The performance of a mechanical keyboard lies in its switches. You can choose from a variety of switch types depending on your preference. The type of switch determines the tactile feel, responsiveness, sound and smoothness of each keystroke. 

Cherry MX are the most reputable switches for gamers. Popular Cherry MX switches include Cherry Blue, Cherry Red, Cherry Green, Cherry Black, Cherry Brown and Cherry Silver. Each provides a different level of stiffness, smoothness, sound and accuracy. 

At HP, we also make our mechanical key switches, mainly HP Red and HP Blue. HP Red switches offer a balance of speed and precision, while HP Blue switches are great for a loud, signature "click" and ultra-fast response times.

Backlighting and RGB customisation

Gaming keyboards are available with no colours, monotone or a customisable choice of 16 million lighting colours. Besides creating a personal room vibe that immerses you in the gaming experience, RGB lighting can also be used to improve your performance in battle royale lobbies. 

Many keyboards now offer dynamic illumination, a feature that makes certain lights change colour in accordance with gaming events. For example, you can program the lighting to switch to red when getting hit with a particular weapon or when your health levels are critically low. The only downside of keyboards with RGB lighting is their cost, which is considerably more expensive than regular keyboards.

N-key rollover and anti-ghosting

Key combos are simply mandatory if you want to go from an average player to a pro in games like PUBG, Fortnite or League of Legends. Imagine executing a complex combo to find out some of your keys were not registered. N-key rollover ensures that doesn't happen by allowing each key to be registered individually, no matter how many keys are pressed simultaneously. When paired with anti-ghosting, which eliminates unintended key presses, NKRO ensures your actions are executed faultlessly, giving you the edge in the heat of the action.

Build quality and durability

Gaming can be an intense, high-impact activity, and your mechanical keyboard must handle that. Closely examine the build quality and materials when considering a keyboard. The most durable keyboards have sturdy metal frames combined with reinforced plastic to withstand high-intensity gameplay. Additionally, you can’t forget about the keycaps. PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) keycaps are considered the most durable because they are thicker, more resistant to UV and wear more slowly than ABS keycaps (the most common keycaps).

Additional gaming-specific features

Beyond what we’ve already covered, some gaming keyboards have additional features designed to give you a competitive advantage over opponents. One such feature is macro keys. Macro keys are programmable keys that can input a complex sequence of commands with a single press - something that would usually require you to press multiple buttons. It’s a game-changing feature for strategy and online multiplayer games where quick response times and access to specific abilities can mean life or death in the heat of battle.

Top HP mechanical keyboards for gamers

Now that we’ve covered the key features to look out for when choosing a keyboard, explore the top of the stack of HP’s gaming keyboard offerings.

HyperX Alloy Origins Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

The HyperX Alloy Origins Keyboard sets the standard for precision, customisation and style. This full-size keyboard measures 17.4 inches long, making it quite spacious compared to most gaming keyboards. Protected by an aircraft-grade aluminium body, the Origins series gives the player three switch type options: the linear HyperX Red, the tactile HyperX Aqua or the clicky HyperX Blue. Furthermore, the Origins model lets you customise RGB colours for each key, create dazzling light effects, and even set up complex macro keys with HyperX NGENUITY software.

Key features:

•    Keyboard Size: 17.4” L x 5.2” W
•    Keycap material: ABS
•    Frame material: Aircraft-grade aluminium
•    Backlight customisation: Per key
•    Switch type: HyperX Red/Aqua/Blue

HyperX Alloy Origins 65 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Next is the Alloy Origins 65 Series, a step up from the standard Origins model, designed for the ultimate gaming experience. Origins 65 has a compact 65% form factor design, meaning it only has features essential for gaming, greatly enlarging mouse space and improving desktop ergonomics. What stands out about this keyboard is its quality, featuring a sturdy aluminium frame and double-shot PBT keycaps, which are far more durable than ABS. Besides that, you can take advantage of the advanced anti-ghosting tech combined with the N-key rollover feature to stun your opponents with complex in-game combat combos.

Key features:

•    Keyboard size: 13.7“ L x 5.7“ W
•    Keycap material: Double-shot PBT
•    Frame material: Aircraft-grade aluminium
•    Backlight customisation: Per key
•    Switch type: HyperX Red

HyperX Alloy Core RGB Gaming Keyboard

HyperX Alloy Core RGB is an affordable, full-size gaming keyboard that doesn’t compromise on essential features, making it an ideal entry point for wannabe pro gamers. With six different lighting effects, three brightness levels, a stylish light bar and handy media and keyboard lock buttons, the Alloy Core RGB series offers unique customisation options and practical shortcuts. In addition, this keyboard is highly spill-resistant as it’s been tested to withstand a 120 ml liquid volume and incorporates tactile membrane keys tuned for softness and noise reduction. Overall, HyperX Alloy Core RGB is a great all-round multimedia keyboard.

Key features:

•    Keyboard size: 17.4“ L x 6.9“ W
•    Keycap material: ABS
•    Frame material: Reinforced plastic
•    Backlight customisation: Five zones
•    Switch type: Membrane

HyperX 60 Alloy Origins AQU Gaming Keyboard

The HypeX 60 Alloy Origins series is a compact, 60% form factor keyboard designed for portability and supreme gaming performance. First and foremost, it’s built to last. The 60 Alloy Origins model is crafted with an aircraft-grade aluminium body and heavy-duty double-shot PBT keycaps. Secondly, customisation is a dream. This keyboard gives you two switch-type options: the smooth and consistent HyperX Aqua or the bumpy, moderate-noise HyperX Red. The keyboard also comes with a keycap puller and the advanced NGENUITY software, allowing the player to build complex macro keys and customise the RGB lighting effect for each key.

Key features:

•    Keyboard size: 11.7“ L x 4.2“ W
•    Keycap material: Double-shot PBT
•    Frame material: Aircraft-grade aluminium
•    Backlight customisation: Per key
•    Switch type: HyperX Red/Aqua

Tips on setting up and customizing your HP mechanical keyboard for gaming

Gamers are like kids on Christmas when they purchase new tools for their gaming rig. Once the long-awaiting moment comes and your new mechanical keyboard arrives, it’s time to set up and customise it to your preferences.

Map your keys

Keymapping involves associating keyboard keys to specific commands or actions. For example, most players use the "WASD" setup for in-game movement, but many left-handed gamers prefer to use the "IJKL" combination over the default arrows. It gets even more custom with in-game control of shooter games such as Call of Duty. Many players prefer to change the default crouch, swap weapon, slide and jump buttons to their personal preference buttons.

Customise the lighting

Use your imagination and experiment with colours and effects to create presets that suit your style or mood. To immerse your game experience deeper, you can program your keyboard's lighting to synchronise effects with in-game events. For example, certain types of software allow players to program the lighting to replicate in-game weather conditions such as thunderstorms, daytime, nighttime, fog or snow.

Program your macro keys

Next, it’s time you program your macro keys - keys that can execute multiple commands with a single press. A perfect example is using macro keys in a game like World of Warcraft to cast multiple spells in a specific sequence with a simple click. Another great example is CS:GO, where players can set up macro keys to perform advanced weapons swaps followed by sequenced grenade throws. The options are endless, as you can tie limitless commands to a macro key.

Setup profiles

If you play multiple games, you may want to set up a separate customisation profile for each game to avoid mixing control and macro keys. Most keyboard software programs allow players to switch between profiles and light presets seamlessly depending on the game or gameplay scenarios.

Summary

Customising your mechanical keyboard is all about creating a setup that complements your gaming habits, feels comfortable in prolonged sessions and maximises your efficiency in every multiplayer battle. After reading this guide, you may ask yourself, "What is the best keyboard for gamers?." The truth is it all depends on your personal preference and budget.

If you’re new to mechanical gaming keyboards and seek something affordable with essential features, consider the HyperX Alloy Core RGB series. On the other hand, if you want to experience the full potential of customisation, you may want to consider the compact yet built-to-last HyperX 60 Alloy Origins model. Whichever keyboard you choose, there is no doubt that it can take your gaming performance to new heights and give you the edge in competitive online battles.