Apex 3 TKL RGB Gaming Keyboard

So I've been down the rabbit hole trying to find a decent gaming keyboard without spending crazy money and figured I'd share what I've come across since I know a lot of people ask about this been using the [**Redragon K556**](https://www.expertguiders.com/gaming-keyboards-2026-my-guide-to-finding-your-perfect-match/#strong-span-style-color-0-f-0-e-17-class-stk-highlight-3-redragon-k-556-rgb-mechan-pical-gaming-keyboard-span-strong) for like 8 months now and honestly its been solid for what I paid. mechanical switches, rgb looks decent, and it hasn't given me any issues. only thing is its a bit loud if that's a problem for you.. my gf definately lets me know lol from what ive seen the [**SteelSeries Apex 3**](https://www.expertguiders.com/gaming-keyboards-2026-my-guide-to-finding-your-perfect-match/#strong-span-style-color-000000-class-stk-highlight-1-steel-series-apex-3-rgb-gaming-keyboard-span-strong) gets recommended alot for people who want something quieter. its membrane not mechanical but apparently the response time is still pretty good for gaming. has that IP32 water resistance thing too which is nice if you're clumsy like me if you want mechanical but dont wanna break the bank the [**Corsair K55 CORE**](https://www.expertguiders.com/gaming-keyboards-2026-my-guide-to-finding-your-perfect-match/#strong-span-style-color-000000-class-stk-highlight-2-corsair-k-55-core-rgb-gaming-keyboard-span-strong) is another option people seem to like. not mechanical tho actually wait - I think its membrane too but has that dedicated macro keys which is handy oh and the [**Redragon K580 VATA**](https://www.expertguiders.com/gaming-keyboards-2026-my-guide-to-finding-your-perfect-match/#strong-span-style-color-0-f-0-e-17-class-stk-highlight-3-redragon-k-556-rgb-mechan-pical-gaming-keyboard-span-strong) is worth looking at, full size with the numpad and media controls. friend of mine uses one and says its bang for buck especially for the price point now if you can stretch your budget a tiny bit theres the [**SteelSeries Apex 5**](https://www.expertguiders.com/gaming-keyboards-2026-my-guide-to-finding-your-perfect-match/#strong-span-style-color-0-f-0-e-17-class-stk-highlight-5-steel-series-apex-5-hybrid-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-span-strong) which has those hybrid mechanical switches - kinda the middle ground between membrane and full mechanical. smoother feel from what ive heard but havent tried it myself tbh the [**Corsair K70 RGB PRO**](https://www.expertguiders.com/gaming-keyboards-2026-my-guide-to-finding-your-perfect-match/#strong-span-style-color-0-f-0-e-17-class-stk-highlight-6-corsair-k-70-rgb-pro-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-span-strong) is probably pushing past $100 depending where you buy it but sometimes goes on sale. proper mechanical with cherry switches I think? could be wrong on the exact switch type but its one of those that people say will last forever theres been some cool stuff happening with keyboards lately too.. seeing alot about optical switches and gasket mounted boards becoming more mainstream even in budget options. hot swappable switches are getting more common too so you can swap them out without soldering which is pretty neat anyway yeah just my 2 cents. prob forgetting something but those are the main ones that keep coming up when you're looking in that under 100 range. anyone else have recommendations or experience with any of these? curious what you guys are using..

srry for late response for some budget options i'd get an apex 3, which seems to be pretty good from reviews. The g305 is the best budget mouse out there by far. You might get some pinky pain, though. If you need higher end, i'd get smth more like a k70 or a keychron c3, and smth like an l7 for the mouse i updated the parts list to include the first option which fits a bit better in the budget :)