The most common gaming keyboard problems, from 546 verified buyers

1. The most common gaming keyboard problem owners report: “Keys type twice or misfire”, raised in 36% of the 1 to 3 star reviews, followed by “Software and lighting annoyances” (20%).
2. What happy owners praise most: “Lovely to type and game on”, in 40% of the 4 and 5 star reviews we read.
3. 92% of verified buyers rated their gaming keyboard 4 or 5 stars, against 93% across every product type in our study; gaming keyboards rank 23 of 37 for happy buyers.
4. 5% gave 1 or 2 stars, about 1 buyer in 20.
5. Across the 7 gaming keyboards with 30 or more ratings, the share of happy buyers ran from 83% to 98%.
6. Paying more did not disappoint more buyers: the pricier half of these gaming keyboards had a median of 94% happy buyers, against 93% for the cheaper half (up to £90).
7. Owners and experts disagree here: models rated “good with caveats” had a median of 94% happy buyers, against 84% for “great choice” models.
8. Buyers in the UK were the happiest (96% at 4 or 5 stars), and buyers in the US and Canada the least (81%).

Share of the 45 reviews of 1 to 3 stars that raise each problem, grouped across models. What to check before you buy.

1. 1. Keys type twice or misfire36%
   Came up on 5 models
2. 2. Software and lighting annoyances20%
   Came up on 5 models
3. 3. Broke down or developed a fault20%
   Came up on 4 models
4. 4. Not worth the price, or little better than the last model7%
   Came up on 2 models

The problems above, most common first, and how to avoid each one. Our advice; the order comes from the reviews.

1. 1. Keys type twice or misfire (36% of complaints)

   Check the warranty and whether the switches can be swapped if one goes wrong.

2. 2. Software and lighting annoyances (20% of complaints)

   Check whether settings save to the keyboard itself, so you don't need the software running.

3. 3. Broke down or developed a fault (20% of complaints)

   Faults usually show in the first weeks, so buy from a shop with an easy returns policy, register the guarantee and keep the receipt. A longer maker's guarantee is worth paying a little for.

4. 4. Not worth the price, or little better than the last model (7% of complaints)

   Compare it with last year's model, which is often much cheaper and nearly the same.

Share of the 239 newest 4 and 5 star reviews we read that praise each point.

1. 1. Lovely to type and game on40%
   Came up on 8 models
2. 2. Well built17%
   Came up on 8 models
3. 3. Light, compact or easy to store5%
   Came up on 3 models
4. 4. Good value for the money5%
   Came up on 3 models
5. 5. Does its main job well5%
   Came up on 2 models

Regions with 30 or more ratings, by where the shop is. Shops in each region sell different models, so a gap can come from the models as much as from the buyers.