Best Gaming Keyboards for media controls

media controls Decision Dashboard

Best for media controls

Keychron Q6 HE

4.8 feature score

Highest scored product for this feature based on supporting review evidence.

Safest pick

ASUS ROG Falchion RX

4.4 feature score

Balances feature score, supporting reviews, and overall product strength.

Most evidence

Corsair K65 Plus

14 supporting reviews

Has the broadest review evidence for this feature.

Best overall product

Keychron Q5 HE

4.5 overall score

Strongest overall product among items with scored evidence for this feature.

See ranked products
#1 Keychron Q6 HE
4.8

Media controls were praised for practical usefulness, especially quickly muting or stopping music while working.

Pros: key stability, frame rigidity

Cons: portability, switch options

#2 Corsair K65 PRO Mini
4.7

Media controls were praised as easy to access through the Fn layer and useful despite the compact layout.

Pros: volume control, key responsiveness

Cons: wireless performance, wrist rest quality

#3 Corsair MAKR PRO 75
4.7

Media-control evidence was positive where reviewers praised the knob's broad functions and creative-control usefulness.

Pros: per-key lighting control, durability

Cons: portability, noise level

#4 Keychron Q5 HE
4.5

Media controls were praised through positive comments about the rotary wheel, dedicated controls, and customizable knob behavior.

Pros: cable quality, typing comfort

Cons: portability, switch options

#5 Keychron Q3 HE
4.5

Media controls were praised through the clickable knob, including satisfying quick mute behavior and a nice click-down control.

Pros: build quality, extra gaming features

Cons: switch options, hot-swappable switches

#6 Keychron Q1 HE
4.5

The programmable knob was praised as useful for volume and more complex functions, especially for editing workflows.

Pros: key stability, frame rigidity

Cons: profile management, reliability

#7 ASUS ROG Falchion RX
4.4

Media controls are widely praised as useful and space-efficient, though a few reviewers found the touch panel less useful or only moderately responsive.

Pros: reliability, typing comfort

Cons: cable quality, wrist rest quality

#8 Corsair K70 PRO
4.4

Media controls were mostly praised for convenience, dedicated buttons, and immediate usefulness, though one TKL review found the buttons unresponsive.

Pros: per-key lighting control, key responsiveness

Cons: ease of switch replacement, battery life

#9 Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Keyboard
4.3

Media controls were generally useful and accessible, especially given the compact layout, though they are not as full-featured as a wheel or dial.

Pros: key stability, backlight brightness

Cons: rapid trigger support, wrist rest quality

#10 Razer BlackWidow V3
4.3

Media controls were mostly liked, with reviewers praising the roller/button convenience even when some preferred dedicated media keys.

Pros: latency, durability

Cons: sound dampening, passthrough features

#11 MonsGeek M1 V5 HE
4.3

Media controls are useful through the knob and software remapping, but one reviewer found the knob's default usefulness limited.

Pros: switch options, hot-swappable switches

Cons: portability, cable quality

#12 Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro
4.3

Media controls were mostly liked for convenience and productivity, though some reviewers disliked the awkward height or difficult-to-see legends.

Pros: key stability, ease of switch replacement

Cons: compatibility, battery life

#13 Corsair K65 RGB MINI
4.3

Media controls were considered useful and reachable despite being secondary-layer functions.

Pros: desk space efficiency, frame rigidity

Cons: sound dampening, ease of switch replacement

#14 Lemokey P1 HE
4.3

Media controls were viewed positively thanks to the customizable knob and reprogrammable dial.

Pros: frame rigidity, stabilizer quality

Cons: per-key lighting control, RGB customization

#15 GravaStar Mercury V75 Pro
4.2

Media controls were received positively as tactile and useful, especially for editing and day-to-day use.

Pros: legend visibility, key responsiveness

Cons: connectivity, cable quality

#16 Logitech G915 X Lightspeed
4.2

Media controls were usually praised, especially the dedicated top controls, though some reviewers found them wasteful or less tactile than main switches.

Pros: stabilizer quality, latency

Cons: ease of switch replacement, hot-swappable switches

#17 Corsair K65 Plus
4.2

The control dial was generally liked for volume, scroll, zoom, and brightness, but several reviewers wanted deeper remapping or noted slight wobble.

Pros: latency, durability

Cons: legend visibility, rapid trigger support

#18 Logitech G915 Lightspeed
4.2

Media controls are generally valued, though some reviewers criticize the rubber buttons as mushy, cheap, or inconsistent at the edges.

Pros: latency, polling rate

Cons: passthrough features, cable quality

#19 Corsair K100 AIR
4.1

Dedicated media controls were well received as handy, convenient, and welcome.

Pros: backlight brightness, actuation consistency

Cons: sound dampening, stabilizer quality

#20 ASUS ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE
4.1

Media controls were useful and clever for some reviewers, but the rear touchbar placement was awkward for another.

Pros: key responsiveness, latency

Cons: analog input support, wrist rest quality

#21 ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme
4.1

Media controls were generally liked for tactile or improved knob control, though one reviewer wanted a more tactile feel.

Pros: key spacing, reliability

Cons: rapid trigger support, analog input support

#22 NuPhy Air75 V3
4.1

Media controls had limited but positive evidence around the programmable knob’s tactile twist and press.

Pros: key responsiveness, typing feel

Cons: per-key lighting control, legend visibility

#23 ASUS ROG Azoth X
4.1

Media controls were generally useful through the OLED and knob, but some reviewers wanted a more conventional or more satisfying control.

Pros: latency, wireless performance

Cons: rapid trigger support, analog input support

#24 ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless
4.1

Media controls are useful and flexible for many reviewers, but one reviewer considered the compact wheel-and-button setup lacklustre.

Pros: per-key lighting control, wireless performance

Cons: rapid trigger support, analog input support

#25 be quiet! Light Mount
4.0

Media controls are mostly praised for easy access and satisfying operation, though one review finds the knob somewhat wobbly.

Pros: ease of switch replacement, acoustics

Cons: rapid trigger support, analog input support

#26 Corsair K100 RGB
4.0

Media controls are mostly praised for dedicated keys, a metal scroll wheel, and usable feedback, although some buttons feel odd or less satisfying.

Pros: actuation consistency, key stability

Cons: hot-swappable switches, switch options

#27 Razer Huntsman V2 Analog
4.0

Media controls were generally liked for convenience and feel, but some reviewers criticized dark symbols or awkward-looking controls.

Pros: per-key lighting control, wrist rest quality

Cons: polling rate, portability

#28 HyperX Alloy Rise
4.0

Media controls are mixed: reviewers often praise tactile dedicated buttons, but Tom's Hardware finds onboard controls limited and TechRadar finds the buttons cheap.

Pros: compatibility, legend visibility

Cons: wrist rest quality, cable quality

#29 Keychron K10 HE
4.0

Media controls received a positive feature mention through the function shortcuts used to control media.

Pros: wireless performance, key responsiveness

Cons: switch options, desk space efficiency

#30 Corsair K70 MAX
3.9

Media controls were usually appreciated, especially dedicated keys, though one reviewer found some buttons stiff or spongy.

Pros: reliability, key responsiveness

Cons: desk space efficiency, wireless performance

#31 Epomaker RT100
3.9

Media controls are useful overall, though the knob design and feel range from excellent tactile feedback to cheap-looking plastic.

Pros: noise level, acoustics

Cons: rapid trigger support, actuation consistency

#32 Glorious GMMK 2
3.8

Media controls were functional but somewhat limited because control relies on function shortcuts rather than a physical knob or roller.

Pros: compatibility, key responsiveness

Cons: wrist rest quality, key spacing

#33 be quiet! Dark Mount
3.5

Media controls were mixed: reviewers liked the dock concept and utility, but many criticized shallow buttons, mushy feel, confusing navigation, or limited flexibility.

Pros: key stability, per-key lighting control

Cons: analog input support, wireless performance

#34 Logitech G PRO X Keyboard
3.5

Media controls are useful when dedicated, but placement and limited customization create mixed opinions across models.

Pros: durability, per-key lighting control

Cons: noise level, sound dampening

#35 Razer Huntsman V3 Pro
3.4

Media controls were mixed: some reviewers liked the dial and buttons, but others found buttons stiff, unclear, awkward, or unsatisfying.

Pros: key responsiveness, actuation consistency

Cons: switch options, hot-swappable switches

#36 SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini
3.3

Media controls were mixed: one reviewer found secondary media toggles clunky in the 60-percent layout, while another successfully mapped play/pause behavior.

Pros: latency, key responsiveness

Cons: hot-swappable switches, ease of switch replacement

#37 Corsair K70 Core
3.3

Media controls were mixed: reviewers liked the multifunction dial, but criticized registration issues, limited programmability, and lack of dedicated media keys.

Pros: per-key lighting control, compatibility

Cons: ease of switch replacement, hot-swappable switches

#38 Razer Joro
3.3

Media controls worked through function layers and were reachable for some, but other reviewers found their placement awkward or annoying.

Pros: frame rigidity, size and form factor

Cons: sound dampening, per-key lighting control

#39 SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3
3.2

Media controls were mixed: OLED and volume controls were useful, but small wheels, cumbersome processes, and missing buttons drew complaints.

Pros: key responsiveness, durability

Cons: passthrough features, analog input support

#40 Ducky One X Wireless
3.0

Media controls were mixed: some liked Ducky’s simple media-key approach, while others missed playback controls or broader dedicated buttons.

Pros: typing feel, key stability

Cons: profile management, wrist rest quality

#41 Keychron K2 HE
2.9

Media controls were a recurring weakness because reviewers wanted a knob or dedicated controls, despite remapping and function-row workarounds.

Pros: wrist rest quality, onboard memory

Cons: per-key lighting control, switch options

#42 HyperX Alloy Origins
2.8

Media controls are adequate through function layers, but reviewers repeatedly wished for separate or dedicated media keys.

Pros: latency, actuation consistency

Cons: ease of switch replacement, reliability

#43 Logitech G413 SE
2.7

Media controls are mixed: some reviewers appreciate function-layer controls, while others criticize the lack of dedicated media keys.

Pros: durability, desk space efficiency

Cons: switch options, onboard memory

#44 ASUS ROG Azoth
2.6

Media controls were mixed: reviewers liked having control options but criticized the screen/knob system as awkward or overly sensitive.

Pros: durability, wireless performance

Cons: passthrough features, onboard memory

#45 Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE
2.5

Media controls scored low because one reviewer could not remap the knob press to play/pause as intended.

Pros: materials quality, customization options

Cons: reliability, actuation consistency

#46 Keychron K4 HE
2.5

Media controls were a limitation because a reviewer missed easily accessible dedicated media keys.

Pros: durability, rapid trigger support

Cons: per-key lighting control, stabilizer quality

#47 Logitech G515 Lightspeed
2.5

Media controls were one of the most repeated weaknesses because reviewers missed dedicated buttons and disliked relying on function-key shortcuts.

Pros: latency, wireless performance

Cons: rapid trigger support, ease of switch replacement

#48 Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed
2.4

Media controls were a drawback for reviewers who wanted dedicated keys and missed full-size media/function controls.

Pros: per-key lighting control, backlight brightness

Cons: passthrough features, compatibility

#49 Logitech G512
2.3

Media controls are a weakness because reviewers disliked the lack of dedicated media keys and reliance on Fn-key combinations.

Pros: key spacing, key responsiveness

Cons: reliability, connectivity

#50 Logitech G515 Rapid
2.3

Media controls were one of the most repeated complaints, with reviewers missing dedicated media keys, extra physical controls, or a volume roller.

Pros: key responsiveness, ergonomics

Cons: wireless performance, volume control