Best Gaming Keyboards for media controls

media controls Decision Dashboard

Best for media controls

Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K

5.0 attribute score

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

Safest pick

Epomaker P65

4.8 attribute score

Balances the attribute score, supporting reviews, and overall product strength.

Most evidence

Logitech G512 X

15 supporting reviews

Has the broadest review evidence for this attribute.

Best overall product

Keychron Q5 HE

4.5 overall score

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

#1 Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K
5.0

Dedicated media functions and Mac shortcuts add convenience without consuming much space.

Pros: build quality, overall satisfaction

Cons: portability, ergonomics

#2 Keychron V1 Ultra 8K
5.0

The rotary knob is convenient for media use and can be remapped for scrolling, zooming, tab switching, brightness, and other actions.

Pros: gaming performance, overall satisfaction

Cons: polling rate, frame rigidity

#3 Epomaker P65
4.8

The metal rotary knob provides smooth volume adjustment, mute control and programmable functions with satisfying tactile feedback.

Pros: overall satisfaction, build quality

Cons: portability, reliability

#4 Keychron Q6 HE
4.8

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

Pros: build quality, keycap quality

Cons: switch options, portability

#5 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: sound dampening, value for money

Cons: ergonomics, polling rate

#6 Corsair MAKR PRO 75
4.7

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

Pros: typing feel, build quality

Cons: value for money, wireless performance

#7 Keychron Q5 HE
4.5

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

Pros: size and form factor, typing feel

Cons: switch options, portability

#8 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, switch feel

Cons: switch options

#9 Keychron Q1 HE
4.5

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

Pros: value for money, software quality

Cons: switch options, ergonomics

#10 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: portability, value for money

Cons: software quality, key spacing

#11 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: value for money, keycap quality

Cons: polling rate, acoustics

#12 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: gaming performance, switch feel

Cons: value for money, extra gaming features

#13 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: RGB lighting quality, value for money

Cons: wrist rest quality, noise level

#14 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: build quality, customization options

Cons: reliability

#15 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: value for money, wrist rest quality

Cons: software quality, ergonomics

#16 Corsair K65 RGB MINI
4.3

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

Pros: switch feel, size and form factor

Cons: polling rate, value for money

#17 Lemokey P1 HE
4.3

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

Pros: value for money, build quality

Cons: switch options, hot-swappable switches

#18 GravaStar Mercury V75 Pro
4.2

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

Pros: design aesthetics, build quality

#19 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: value for money, battery life

Cons: hot-swappable switches, noise level

#20 Logitech G512 X
4.2

The two programmable dials are easy to reach and commonly used for volume and RGB brightness. Their tactile action and remapping flexibility make them a practical daily feature.

Pros: overall satisfaction, design aesthetics

Cons: value for money, wrist rest quality

#21 Corsair Galleon 100 SD
4.2

Media controls are convenient through the Stream Deck, dials, and hardware shortcuts. Reviewers call out Spotify, playback, audio controls, and quick-access shortcuts as everyday benefits.

Pros: macro customization, switch feel

Cons: software quality, value for money

#22 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: software quality, switch feel

Cons: legend visibility, extra gaming features

#23 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: battery life, wireless performance

Cons: value for money, wrist rest quality

#24 Corsair K100 AIR
4.1

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

Pros: battery life, switch feel

Cons: value for money, ease of switch replacement

#25 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: switch feel, customization options

Cons: value for money, wireless performance

#26 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: build quality, customization options

Cons: value for money, rapid trigger support

#27 NuPhy Air75 V3
4.1

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

Pros: battery life, portability

Cons: volume control, switch options

#28 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: typing feel, design aesthetics

Cons: value for money, materials quality

#29 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: switch feel, typing feel

Cons: software quality, key spacing

#30 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: noise level, RGB lighting quality

Cons: rapid trigger support, extra gaming features

#31 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: extra gaming features, wrist rest quality

Cons: value for money, software quality

#32 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: analog input support, wrist rest quality

Cons: value for money, cable quality

#33 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: typing feel, gaming performance

Cons: software quality, value for money

#34 Corsair Vanguard Air 99
4.0

The rotary dial is useful for volume and other incremental actions, while secondary media functions remain accessible. The lack of a full dedicated media-key bank may disappoint some users.

Pros: overall satisfaction, macro customization

Cons: value for money, software quality

#35 Keychron K10 HE
4.0

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

Pros: typing feel, design aesthetics

#36 Corsair K70 MAX
3.9

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

Pros: customization options, gaming performance

Cons: value for money, noise level

#37 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: value for money, typing feel

Cons: software quality, reliability

#38 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: switch feel, value for money

Cons: key spacing, actuation consistency

#39 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: sound dampening, switch feel

Cons: reliability, rapid trigger support

#40 Logitech G PRO X Keyboard
3.5

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

Pros: build quality, software quality

Cons: value for money, hot-swappable switches

#41 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: customization options, typing feel

Cons: value for money, wrist rest quality

#42 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: gaming performance, key responsiveness

Cons: value for money, extra gaming features

#43 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: value for money, typing feel

Cons: wrist rest quality, media controls

#44 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: portability, build quality

Cons: value for money, ergonomics

#45 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: value for money, rapid trigger support

Cons: media controls, stabilizer quality

#46 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: value for money, gaming performance

Cons: software quality, customization options

#47 Razer Huntsman V3 TKL
3.0

Media controls are a compromise. The board still has regular media keys, but reviewers note that the dial and dedicated multi-function controls from pricier variants are gone.

Pros: value for money, typing feel

#48 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: value for money, design aesthetics

Cons: cable quality, ergonomics

#49 HyperX Alloy Origins
2.8

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

Pros: build quality, value for money

Cons: software quality, stabilizer quality

#50 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: design aesthetics, keycap quality

Cons: value for money, software quality