Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combo

The PC gaming world is an exciting place, but gaming peripherals can get expensive fast. The best graphics card in the world costs over $2000, and a pro-level gaming keyboard and mouse can cost another $500. Even though most of us can't afford to spend that much, you can still get a competitive edge by replacing your basic office gear with an affordable gaming keyboard and mouse combo.

In this article, I'll show you what specs really matter in a gaming keyboard and mouse. I've highlighted a few affordable gamer combos that balance cost and quality, and I'll show you how to choose the best option for your budget.

What is a Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combo?

A gaming keyboard and mouse combo is a matched set of gaming gear containing (no surprises here) a keyboard and a mouse made by the same manufacturer. The two products are sold together to simplify the purchasing process and often provide better value than purchasing them separately.

The biggest advantage of buying your keyboard and mouse in a combo pack is knowing they will work together seamlessly from the second you plug them in. The quality and features of both items are evenly matched to provide a consistent gaming experience.

Types of Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combos

Wired vs. Wireless

One of the most important choices about your new gaming keyboard and mouse is whether you want a wired or wireless connection. Both have pros and cons for gaming, so it mostly comes down to personal preference.

Wired connections through USB are stable and reliable, which makes them the preferred choice for competitive gamers. They never lose their connection, drop inputs, or run out of power. Your desk gets a bit cluttered with wires, but many gamers are willing to make that trade-off. Wired connections often support higher polling rates for improved responsiveness, but wireless systems are catching up.

Wireless connections use Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless, giving you more freedom to move around your space. You can reposition your keyboard and mouse at any time, and there are no wires to get in your way. Wireless devices are battery-powered, so an unreliable connection or loss of power can cause missed inputs, but this is rare with modern wireless devices.

Backlit and RGB Options

Standard backlighting uses simple white LED light to make it easier to use your keyboard in dim lighting conditions. RGB backlighting is much more common in the gaming world. It creates a unique futuristic aesthetic, and you can customize the LED colors to match your PC, the game you're playing, or any style you want.

Entry-level gaming gear usually has a few preset color modes, while higher-end models allow you to choose from 16.7 million possible colors. The best RGB setups offer system-wide settings to control and unify all your RGB LED gear from a single app.

What Should You Look for in a Gaming Keyboard?

There are five key elements you need to consider when buying a gaming keyboard:

Mechanical vs. Membrane Switches. Keyboard switches sit under each plastic keycap and register your keyboard inputs. Most gamers prefer mechanical switches for their smooth action, precision, and durability, but they are more expensive than membrane switches. While membrane designs are affordable, the keys feel less responsive than mechanical switches. When a membrane switch breaks, replacing the entire keyboard is often easier than fixing the broken switch.

Key Rollover and Anti-Ghosting. Gaming often involves multi-key combos, but some keyboards generate input errors when you press too many keys at once. A good gaming keyboard will offer at least 10-key rollover, which allows you to press 10 keys at once. The best gaming keyboards feature n-key rollover, so you can press as many keys as you need without causing input errors.

Backlighting and RGB Options. Standard backlighting lets you use your keyboard in dim light. Full RGB backlighting lets you choose from 16.7 million colors and multiple lighting patterns. Some gamers prefer to avoid LED lighting entirely, but it's easier to disable the LED systems if you don't want to use them.

Programmable Macro Keys. The best gaming keyboards have additional keys you can program using a software app. Known as 'macro keys,' these custom keys allow you to unleash multi-key combos with a single button. Some gaming keyboards allow you to reprogram every key on the keyboard.

Build Quality and Ergonomics. Your gaming keyboard will see some heavy use, so it should be well-designed and made with durable materials. The best gaming keyboards have adjustable tilt angles and wrist rests to keep you comfortable during a long gaming session.

How To Choose A Gaming Mouse?

Choosing a gaming mouse has its own special considerations:

DPI Settings and Sensitivity. A gaming mouse needs a high-resolution sensor with adjustable DPI settings. The best gaming mice let you customize your DPI settings and cycle through sensitivity levels during your game, so you're ready for any situation.

Optical vs. Laser Sensors. Gaming mouse sensors use optical or laser tracking systems. Laser-based sensors are more reliable but more expensive. Optical sensors are cheaper but may not track properly on all surfaces.

Customizable Buttons. The best gaming mice have extra buttons that can be programmed for in-game actions. Some mice designed for MMOs have up to 12 additional buttons near the thumb rest, but most gaming mice have 4 or 5 customizable buttons beyond the left and right click.

Weight and Balance Adjustments. Some gaming mice allow you to add or remove weights to adjust the feel of your mouse's movements. This allows you to fine-tune your mouse depending on your grip style, work surface, or the game you're playing.

Ergonomic Design. Your gaming mouse should have a comfortable ergonomic design to prevent hand and wrist fatigue. Most gaming mice will fit the average hand size, but they're usually designed for right-handed gamers. Some ambidextrous designs can be used with either hand, but lefties will get better results with a left-handed design.

Benefits of a Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combo

As I mentioned earlier, simplicity is the biggest perk when buying your gear as a combo. Instead of comparing hundreds of models and learning every piece of tech jargon, you can skip straight to the fun part with a well-matched keyboard and mouse that work seamlessly together.

Since the same company makes everything in your gamer bundle, you should be able to use the same control software to configure your keyboard and mouse. With some of the high-end options (even affordable ones), you can configure the RGB lighting on both pieces to synchronize lighting colors and effects automatically.

Best of all, bundled gear is usually discounted compared to buying the two items separately, so you get to save time and money.

Top Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combos

High-End Combos

Redragon Wireless K596 Keyboard and M686 Mouse Combo

Keyboard: Redragon K596 Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Tenkey-less (TKL) design
Linear mechanical switches with full n-key rollover
10 dedicated macro keys
Volume and media controls
Bluetooth / 2.4 GHz / USB-C wired connectivity
Detachable wrist rest

Mouse: Redragon Vampire Elite M686 Wireless Gaming Mouse

100-16,000 DPI optical sensor with in-game adjustment
8 programmable buttons
2.4 GHz wireless / USB-C wired connectivity
Ergonomic side contouring for improved grip

Pros

Mechanical linear switches are great for fast-paced games
Hot-swappable switches allow for future upgrades
TKL design leaves more space for mouse movement
Extra switches are provided in the box for repairs

Cons

No spill protection
Shorter battery life than more expensive options

Gravastar Mercury Pro Gaming Combo

Keyboard: Gravastar Mercury K1 Pro Gaming Keyboard (Cyberpunk Special Edition)

Unique futuristic design
Streamlined 75% layout
Custom Kailh Speedy Mint linear switches with full n-key rollover
79 keys with programmable volume control knob
Dual independent RGB backlighting systems
Bluetooth / 2.4 GHz / USB-C wired connectivity

Mouse: Gravastar Mercury M1 Pro Gaming Mouse

26000 DPI optical sensor with in-game adjustment
Ergonomic shaping with ambidextrous design
4000 Hz polling with 4k dongle
5 programmable buttons
Bluetooth / 2.4 GHz / USB-C wired connectivity

Pros

Custom mechanical linear switches for fast-paced gaming
Hot-swappable switches
Aesthetic style is unlike anything else on the market
M1 Pro mouse is a Red Dot Design Award winner
Extremely durable construction

Cons

Expensive
Heavy

Mid-Range Combos

Redragon K582-BA Combo

Keyboard: Redragon K582 Gaming Keyboard

Outemu red linear mechanical switches with full n-key rollover
104 reprogrammable keys
RGB backlighting with 18 lighting modes

Mouse: Redragon M711 Gaming Mouse

100-10000 DPI optical sensor with in-game adjustment
RGB lighting with 16.8 million colors
7 programmable buttons

Pros

Good intro to mechanical keyboard switches
Linear switches are ideal for fast-paced gaming
Hot-swappable keyboard switches for future upgrades
Excellent value

Cons

No wrist-rest included
ABS construction is less durable

ZIYOU LANG RK-T8PR0 Wired 65% Mechanical Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combo

Keyboard: RK T8 Wired Keyboard

Linear mechanical switches with full n-key rollover
Compact 65% layout
Programmable software macros
USB-C wired connection
RGB backlight

Mouse: M1 Wired Gaming Mouse

800-6400 DPI sensor with in-game adjustment
7 programmable buttons
6 RGB modes
Honeycomb design for improved airflow

Pros

Extremely compact and portable
Linear switches are ideal for fast-paced gaming
Retro aesthetic color scheme

Cons

Keyboard switches are soldered in place
RGB color choices are limited

Budget-Friendly Combos

Redragon S101 Keyboard & Mouse Combo

Keyboard

Membrane switch design with 25-key rollover
RGB lighting with 7 modes
Dedicated multimedia keys
USB wired connection

Mouse

800-3200 DPI optical sensor
5 programmable buttons
8 adjustable tuning weights
USB wired connection

Pros

Good introduction to RGB gaming gear
Adjustable mouse weights are good value at this price point

Cons

Membrane switches are less responsive than mechanical
Limited RGB color choices

AULA T102 Wired Keyboard and Mouse Combo

Keyboard: RGB Rainbow Backlit Keyboard

Membrane switch design with 26-key rollover
RGB backlighting
Built-in phone holder
Adjustable tilt angle
Metal and ABS plastic frame

Mouse: RGB Backlit Gaming Mouse

1200 - 7200 DPI sensor with in-game adjustment
RGB lighting

Pros

Most affordable combo on this list
Metal frame is good value at this price point

Cons

Membrane keyboard switch design
Extremely limited RGB system

How to Choose the Right Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combo

Determine Your Budget

It is always a good idea to decide on a strict budget before you start shopping. New gaming gear is exciting, and it's easy to get swept up in the enthusiasm -- then suddenly, you've spent more than you wanted. Decide how much you're willing to spend, and stick to that limit.

Identify Your Gaming Needs

Fast-paced competitive gaming needs top-quality gear, but most games don't require expensive equipment to have fun. Some games need speed and precision, others focus on CPS maxing, and some are so relaxed that you can play at your own pace.

Brand Reputation and Reviews

Buying from a reputable brand means that you also get access to a customer support system after your purchase. You can find technical support online and return items if there is an issue. Unfortunately, well-known brands also tend to charge more than the competition.

It's also a good idea to check user reviews before purchasing. Instead of trusting reviews from Amazon or the manufacturer's website, check out Reddit, YouTube, and other social forums for more honest commentary.

Get a Feel for Them Before Buying

Once you've selected a few possible combo options, it's a good idea to test them out directly for yourself before making your final decision. This isn't always possible in the age of online shopping, but it can be a crucial step in finding the perfect keyboard and mouse combo.

Conclusion

Gamer combos that include a keyboard and mouse are a great way to explore the world of gaming hardware. They provide an affordable way to improve your gear and your gaming skills with minimal hassle and tech jargon. Gaming keyboard and mouse combos are available at a range of price points that fit any budget and gaming style.