• The list in brief
1. Best overall
2. Best enthusiast
3. Best budget
4. Best compact
5. Best customizable
6. Best mini
7. How to choose
8. How we test
The Xbox Series X|S duo of gaming consoles may pack many high-end features and plenty of power, but most players still use them with a controller in hand. For those seeking more control, Microsoft has baked full mouse and keyboard support into its most powerful gaming machines, and more games that support this input level are released daily.
There's an unfortunate lack of keyboards explicitly designed for Xbox consoles. Still, plenty of the best keyboards around make wonderful companions on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S in place of a controller.
With the recent acquisition of Activision, Blizzard, and King by Xbox, there is a high chance that many more games will be coming to Xbox that support a keyboard and mouse input option. Call of Duty on Xbox does support keyboard and mouse, and it's possible (maybe) we could see World of Warcraft make its way over, and perhaps other popular franchises like a Starcraft sequel that will play best with a keyboard and mouse.
So, if you're looking for the best keyboard and mouse for Xbox consoles, now's the perfect time to pick one up with our top recommendations.
The quick list
If you're in a hurry, check my picks for the best keyboard for Xbox Series X. Hit the links below to read a full breakdown of any options, with details of the pros and cons for each.
Best overall
The Logitech G613 is a wireless mechanical keyboard with Logitech's Romer-G tactile switches, designed for gaming but seemingly as capable of productivity work. It's a few years old now, but it's hard to beat for the price and performance.
Best enthusiast
The Razer Turret is a unique keyboard "lapboard" explicitly designed for use on Xbox (complete with its own Xbox Nexus button). It has a pullout mousepad and is custom-made for Xbox. It's not in stock from the manufacturer these days, so if you want one, get one before they are gone forever.
Best budget
A more affordable yet fantastic alternative to the premium Razer Turret is the Corsair K63 lapboard, explicitly designed for on-the-couch gaming. This keyboard pairs well with the Xbox Series X|S; although it can sometimes be difficult to find stock, the keyboard itself is still a great option.
Best compact
The BlackWidow Lite is a tenkeyless design. It is compact, the orange switches are quieter than Razer's green switches, and it's a great keyboard to fit comfortably on your lap. Be aware that this is one of two wired keyboards on this list, so it will be more challenging to function in a couch and TV setup than the others.
Best customizable
The SteelSeries Apex Pro packs all you need from a gaming keyboard into a single product, although it's equally expensive. It's a sturdy RGB-draped peripheral built for daily gaming, with changeable actuation on a key-by-key basis for insane customization. Moving custom profiles from PC to Xbox One is also simple via onboard storage. Includes just a keyboard.
Best mini
Players looking for a compact gaming keyboard should look no further than the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed, a 65% wireless mechanical keyboard. With superb performance, impeccable build quality, and a great design, this option is fantastic regardless of where you play. Just keep in mind the RGB lights can quickly drain the battery. Includes just a keyboard.
The best Xbox keyboards in 2023
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Below, you'll find complete breakdowns of why these choices have made my list of the best Xbox keyboards.
The best overall Xbox keyboard
Cut the tether with the Logitech G613 wireless keyboard, positioned as the ultimate cable-free solution for gamers. We've reviewed the Logitech G613 and consider it a top-of-the-line keyboard despite its growing age.
Wireless is increasingly appealing, especially with console gaming, and Logitech boasts a 1ms report rate with its in-house Romer-G mechanical switches. With up to one year of battery life and an appealing price tag, this is an excellent keyboard for Xbox gaming or working in the office.
The only drawbacks to consider are that it has a cumbersome, built-in wrist rest that gets in the way if you aren't typing on your lap, no backlights to make the keys more visible while typing in low-lit areas, and huge dimensions of 478mm x 216mm x 33mm that take up a ton of space. Also, this product only includes a keyboard, so you will need to buy a mouse separately.
The best enthusiast Xbox Keyboard
The Razer Turret for Xbox is the first (and only) officially licensed Xbox keyboard and mouse and is fully compatible with the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. It features a lap-suited wireless design for comfortable couch gaming, is lined with mechanical keys, and has a dedicated Xbox button.
It's weighty and feels outstanding in hand. Premium features and fantastic design make this an excellent choice if you overlook that expensive price tag. Includes a keyboard and mouse.
This is an older keyboard, but since gaming keyboards with 2.4 GHz receivers are generally less common, this is still a great choice and is one of the few official Xbox keyboards available. Check out our review of the Razer Turret, if you want more details.
The best budget Xbox keyboard
A more affordable yet fantastic alternative to the premium Razer Turret is the Corsair K63 lapboard, explicitly designed for on-the-couch gaming. For example, this keyboard features Cherry MC Red mechanical key switches which have increased input accuracy, durability, and a longer lifespan compared to regular key switches.
In addition, the Corsair K63 lapboard includes a wrist rest, backlighting, a 2.4 GHz wireless connection, and pairing compatibility with the Xbox Series X|S. Do note that this product only includes the keyboard and the accompanying lapboard.
While it can be difficult to find a Corsair K63 Lapboard these days (especially bundled together with the keyboard), its affordable MSRP and well-built qualities are worth the cost and effort to track down. Even the keyboard by itself is worth the price of admission.
The best compact Xbox keyboard
Razer's fan-favorite line goes fun-sized with the Razer BlackWidow Lite. We reviewed the Razer BlackWidow Lite back in 2019 and to this day still consider it an ideal product for those looking for a more compact keyboard or simply cutting back the cost.
It includes Razer's orange switches for high performance without disruptive noise and a removable cable for secure storage, offered at an impressive price for a gaming-focused keyboard. It also benefits from the Hypershift function via Razer BlackWidow Lite's companion app, Synapse 3, which allows the user to create macros and customize key bind functions.
Be aware that this product has some caveats to consider: Only the keyboard is included, it has no number pad making it hard to type numbers, there's RGB lightning, and the legs don't provide much of a comfortable angle when typing. Also, as a keyboard for an Xbox goes, this is wired-only, so you will have to be close enough to your Xbox to plug in the cable.
The best customizable Xbox Keyboard
One of the best keyboards we've ever reviewed is the SteelSeries Apex Pro. This sleek product comes packed with everything you need from a gaming keyboard in one solid package.
It's a sturdy RGB-draped peripheral built for daily gaming, changeable actuation on a key-by-key basis for insane customization and a magnetic wrist pad to provide extra comfort while gaming. Also, this keyboard allows you to move custom profiles from PC to Xbox One with ease thanks to onboard storage.
Be aware that this product only includes a keyboard and that it's a wired-only keyboard, so you will need to sit close to your Xbox to plug it in and play. Also, this keyboard can be pretty expensive at its MSRP, so be prepared to stockpile a large budget before purchasing it.
The best mini Xbox Keyboard
Players looking for a compact gaming keyboard should look no further than the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed. In our review of the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed, we fell in love with this 65% mechanical keyboard for its superb performance, impeccable build quality, and great design that makes a fantastic product for any PC or Xbox game.
However, keep in mind that the RGB lights can quickly drain the battery and that this product only includes just a keyboard. Also, be careful if you have big hands and plan on using this keyboard to play a game that requires a lot of typing, like an MMORPG such as Final Fantasy XIV or World of Warcraft for instance.
This is because the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed has smaller dimensions compared to others (specifically 320mm x 130mm x 25mm), meaning that all the keys are tightly scrunched together with no space between them. So, if you have large hands, this product might be too small for you to use comfortably.
How to choose the best Xbox keyboard for you
How to choose
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S ushered in a new generation of gaming, but they're not leaving the old generation or its features behind. Like Xbox One, Microsoft's current-gen powerhouses continue to support full mouse and keyboard input in various games.
Setting aside the controller in exchange for one of the incredible keyboards above can net you greater control and superior performance in the best Xbox games that support mouse and keyboard input, with many of those titles even counting among the greatest Xbox games in general.
The list continues to grow, too, including new and upcoming releases like Forza Motorsport (2023) and Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty or classics like Minecraft and Sea of Thieves.
No keyboard is custom-designed for Xbox like the Razer Turret, which to date is the only "Designed for Xbox" keyboard and mouse combo you can buy. The Razer Turret is a premium peripheral with an appropriately high price tag, so consider the Razer Turret only if you're committed to keyboard and mouse play on your Xbox Series X|S. Also, remember that while the Razer Turret is still a fantastic product, it is on the older side.
If you're looking for a more affordable keyboard that lets you cut the cable, the Logitech G613 is an all-around excellent keyboard for the money. Its use of a USB dongle makes it a desirable choice for Xbox gaming, and it's a no-frills gaming keyboard that gets the job done. Like many keyboards, though, you'll have to buy a separate mouse to pair with it, and the G613 isn't the most 'lappable' keyboard around. Of course, you can always play the old-fashioned way with one of the best Xbox controllers instead.
Many of the highest-rated gaming keyboards can also be effectively paired with the Xbox Series X|S. You should stay away from Bluetooth-only keyboards, but those that plug directly into the console or use a wireless USB dongle should be supported without fuss. As accessories enjoy full cross-gen compatibility on Xbox, these keyboards also work great with Xbox One consoles.
Can I use these keyboards for PC?
Of course, these keyboards are mostly made for PCs besides the Razer Turret. They are compatible with the Xbox because they either use a wired USB-A cable or a 2.4 Ghz wireless dongle to work on the Xbox. It is one of the Xbox ecosystem's major downsides is its lack of support for Bluetooth, and it has majorly affected the Xbox accessories market, but leaks from the FTC vs. Microsoft court case showed that Xbox was looking into adding Bluetooth support on a mid-generation refresh. Those plans could have changed, so for now, pick up one of these compatible keyboards to get gaming on your Xbox.
How we test keyboards
Please feel free to check out our articles on 'How we test and review on Windows Central' and 'How we test and review laptops at Windows Central' for breakdowns on specifics for certain products. We had the opportunity to review most of these keyboards individually, which means we tested them hands-on, putting them through our normal workflows and gaming with them as well. Most of us here at Windows Central go through a lot of keyboards since we spend so much time typing, and we are always on the hunt for the best keyboard.
