Peripherals Guide: Keyboards, Mice & Audio
Last updated: August 2025
Table of Contents
Gaming Keyboards
Mechanical vs Membrane
Mechanical Keyboards
Advantages: - Tactile feedback: Distinct key press feel - Durability: 50-100 million keystrokes - Customizable: Switch types, keycaps - Better for gaming: Faster response, n-key rollover - Satisfying typing: Improved typing experience
Disadvantages: - Higher cost: ₹3,000+ for quality options - Noise: Can be loud, especially clicky switches - Size: Usually thicker than membrane - Learning curve: Different feel initially
Membrane Keyboards
Advantages: - Affordable: ₹500-₹2,000 range - Quiet operation: Good for shared spaces - Slim profile: Space-saving design - Spill resistant: Easier to clean
Disadvantages: - Shorter lifespan: 5-10 million keystrokes - Mushy feel: Less precise key presses - Input lag: Slightly slower response - Limited customization: Fixed switches
Mechanical Switch Types
Linear Switches (Smooth)
Cherry MX Red: - Actuation force: 45g - Feel: Smooth, no tactile bump - Sound: Quiet - Best for: Gaming, fast typing
Cherry MX Speed Silver: - Actuation force: 45g - Actuation point: 1.2mm (faster) - Feel: Smooth, very responsive - Best for: Competitive gaming
Tactile Switches (Bump)
Cherry MX Brown: - Actuation force: 55g - Feel: Tactile bump, quiet - Sound: Moderate - Best for: Gaming and typing balance
Cherry MX Clear: - Actuation force: 65g - Feel: Strong tactile bump - Sound: Quiet - Best for: Typing, programmers
Clicky Switches (Audible)
Cherry MX Blue: - Actuation force: 50g - Feel: Tactile bump + click - Sound: Loud click - Best for: Typing enthusiasts
Cherry MX Green: - Actuation force: 80g - Feel: Heavy tactile + click - Sound: Very loud - Best for: Heavy typists
Gaming Keyboard Features
Essential Gaming Features
N-Key Rollover: Register multiple simultaneous keypresses Anti-Ghosting: Prevent phantom key presses 1000Hz Polling Rate: 1ms response time Game Mode: Disable Windows key during gaming Macro Support: Programmable key combinations
Lighting and Aesthetics
RGB Backlighting: Per-key customizable colors Lighting Effects: Breathing, wave, reactive patterns Software Integration: Sync with games and other peripherals Keycap Materials: PBT vs ABS plastic durability
Form Factors
Full Size (104 keys): Includes numpad, function keys Tenkeyless (87 keys): No numpad, more mouse space 60% (61 keys): Compact, no function row or arrows 65% (68 keys): 60% + arrow keys and some function
Top Gaming Keyboards (2025)
Budget Mechanical (₹3,000-₹6,000)
Cooler Master CK721 (₹4,500): - 65% wireless mechanical - Hot-swappable switches - 2.4GHz + Bluetooth - RGB lighting - Good build quality
Redragon K552 Kumara (₹3,200): - Tenkeyless mechanical - Blue switches (clicky) - Red backlighting - Solid budget option - Good for beginners
Mid-Range (₹6,000-₹12,000)
Logitech G Pro X (₹9,500): - Tenkeyless design - Hot-swappable GX switches - Tournament-ready build - Detachable cable - Professional esports choice
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (₹11,000): - Adjustable OmniPoint switches - Per-key RGB - OLED smart display - Premium build quality - Advanced customization
Premium (₹12,000+)
Corsair K70 RGB Pro (₹14,500): - Full-size with Cherry MX switches - Dedicated media controls - Aircraft-grade aluminum frame - iCUE software integration - Tournament switch compatibility
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro (₹16,500): - Analog optical switches - 8000Hz polling rate - Adjustable actuation - Premium wrist rest - Advanced gaming features
Productivity Keyboards
Office/Programming
Leopold FC750R (₹8,500): - High-quality PBT keycaps - Cherry MX switches - Minimalist design - Excellent build quality - No RGB (focus on typing)
Keychron K2 (₹6,500): - Wireless mechanical - Mac/PC compatibility - Compact 75% layout - Hot-swappable switches - Good for developers
Gaming Mice
Mouse Sensor Technology
Optical vs Laser
Optical Sensors (Recommended): - More accurate: Better precision for gaming - No acceleration: Consistent tracking - Works on most surfaces: Cloth, hard pads - Popular sensors: PixArt 3360, 3389, HERO
Laser Sensors: - Higher DPI claims: Often marketing numbers - Acceleration issues: Can affect precision - Surface sensitive: Performance varies by mousepad - Less common in gaming: Optical preferred
Gaming Mouse Specifications
DPI (Dots Per Inch)
400-800 DPI: Low sensitivity, precision aiming 800-1600 DPI: Medium sensitivity, most common 1600-3200 DPI: High sensitivity, fast movements 3200+ DPI: Very high, mostly marketing
Reality Check: Most pros use 400-1600 DPI Recommendation: Sensor quality matters more than max DPI
Polling Rate
125Hz: Basic, 8ms response 500Hz: Good, 2ms response 1000Hz: Excellent, 1ms response (standard for gaming) 2000Hz+: Emerging technology, minimal real-world benefit
Mouse Weight
60-80g: Lightweight, good for FPS gaming 80-100g: Medium weight, balanced feel 100g+: Heavier, more control for some users Adjustable weights: Some mice offer customization
Mouse Grip Styles
Palm Grip
Hand position: Full hand contact with mouse Mouse requirements: Larger size, ergonomic shape Advantages: Comfortable for long sessions Best for: General use, MMO gaming
Claw Grip
Hand position: Arched fingers, palm partially touching Mouse requirements: Medium size, higher back Advantages: Good balance of comfort and control Best for: Most gaming scenarios
Fingertip Grip
Hand position: Only fingertips touch mouse Mouse requirements: Smaller, lightweight mice Advantages: Maximum precision and speed Best for: Competitive FPS gaming
Gaming Mouse Features
Essential Features
High-quality sensor: PixArt 3360/3389 or equivalent Reliable switches: Omron, Kailh, or optical switches Good cable: Lightweight, flexible, or wireless Quality feet: Smooth gliding PTFE skates Ergonomic shape: Comfortable for your grip style
Advanced Features
Wireless connectivity: 2.4GHz low-latency RGB lighting: Customizable colors and effects Programmable buttons: Macro support Adjustable weight: Fine-tune mouse weight On-board memory: Save settings to mouse
Top Gaming Mice (2025)
Budget Gaming (₹1,500-₹4,000)
Logitech G102 LightSync (₹1,800): - 8000 DPI optical sensor - 6 programmable buttons - RGB lighting - Lightweight design - Excellent value
Cooler Master MM711 (₹3,500): - 53g ultralight weight - PixArt 3389 sensor - Honeycomb shell design - RGB lighting - Great for FPS gaming
Mid-Range (₹4,000-₹8,000)
Logitech G Pro X Superlight (₹7,500): - 63g wireless weight - HERO 25K sensor - 70-hour battery life - Professional esports choice - Excellent wireless performance
Razer DeathAdder V3 (₹6,000): - Focus Pro 30K sensor - 90g weight - Ergonomic design - Optical switches - Good for palm grip
Premium (₹8,000+)
Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 (₹12,000): - 60g wireless weight - HERO 32K sensor - 95-hour battery life - Latest flagship model - Tournament-grade performance
Razer Viper V3 Pro (₹14,000): - 54g wireless weight - Focus Pro 30K sensor - 90-hour battery life - Optical switches - Ambidextrous design
Mousepads
Mousepad Types
Cloth Pads: - Control: Slower, more precise movements - Speed: Faster gliding, quick movements - Balanced: Middle ground between control and speed
Hard Pads: - Very fast: Low friction surface - Consistent: Performance doesn't change over time - Durable: Long-lasting surface - Easy to clean: Simple maintenance
Size Recommendations
Small (240x200mm): Space-constrained setups Medium (320x270mm): Most common, good balance Large (400x300mm): More room for low sensitivity Extended (900x400mm): Covers keyboard area too
Popular Mousepad Brands
SteelSeries QcK: Standard cloth, reliable HyperX Fury: Good value cloth option Corsair MM300: Extended size options Artisan: Premium Japanese mousepads
Audio Solutions
Gaming Headsets vs Headphones + Mic
Gaming Headsets
Advantages: - Convenient: All-in-one solution - Optimized: Tuned for gaming - Compatible: Easy setup with game consoles - Affordable: Good gaming features at lower cost
Disadvantages: - Audio quality: Generally lower than audiophile headphones - Mic quality: Usually worse than dedicated microphones - Durability: Often less durable than quality headphones
Headphones + Separate Microphone
Advantages: - Better audio: Superior music and game audio quality - Better mic: Dedicated microphones sound much better - Flexibility: Upgrade components separately - Longevity: Quality headphones last longer
Disadvantages: - Cost: More expensive for equivalent quality - Complexity: More setup and cable management - Compatibility: May need additional hardware
Gaming Headset Features
Audio Features
Surround Sound: - Virtual 7.1: Software-based surround - Stereo: Often better for competitive gaming - Spatial audio: Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos
Driver Types: - Dynamic: Most common, good bass response - Planar magnetic: Better detail, more expensive - Electrostatic: Exceptional quality, very expensive
Connectivity
3.5mm jack: Universal compatibility USB: Digital connection, built-in DAC Wireless 2.4GHz: Low latency gaming Bluetooth: Higher latency, not ideal for gaming
Gaming Headset Recommendations
Budget Gaming (₹2,000-₹5,000)
HyperX Cloud Stinger (₹3,200): - Lightweight design - Good microphone - 50mm drivers - PC/console compatible - Reliable build quality
Cooler Master MH751 (₹4,500): - Based on Takstar Pro 82 - Excellent audio quality - Detachable microphone - Comfortable padding - Great value for money
Mid-Range Gaming (₹5,000-₹10,000)
SteelSeries Arctis 7 (₹8,500): - Wireless 2.4GHz - 24-hour battery life - ClearCast microphone - Comfortable ski goggle headband - Good software support
HyperX Cloud Alpha (₹7,000): - Dual chamber drivers - Excellent build quality - Detachable cable - Great for competitive gaming - Good microphone quality
Premium Gaming (₹10,000+)
SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless (₹24,000): - Hi-Res audio certified - Dual battery system - Bluetooth + 2.4GHz - OLED transmitter base - Premium features
Audeze Penrose (₹28,000): - Planar magnetic drivers - Exceptional audio quality - Low latency wireless - Premium build quality - Audiophile gaming
Audiophile Gaming Setup
Quality Headphones for Gaming
Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X (₹12,000): - Open-back design - Excellent positional audio - Comfortable for long sessions - Great for FPS gaming
Sennheiser HD 599 (₹15,000): - Balanced sound signature - Open-back design - Very comfortable - Good for music and gaming
Dedicated Microphones
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ (₹12,500): - Condenser microphone - USB connectivity - Professional quality - Excellent for streaming
Blue Yeti (₹10,000): - Multiple pickup patterns - USB connectivity - Built-in headphone monitoring - Popular streamer choice
Audio Interfaces (Advanced)
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (₹8,000): - Single XLR input - High-quality preamp - Low latency monitoring - Professional features
Indian Market Analysis
Major Peripheral Brands
International Brands: - Logitech: Excellent availability, service (₹1,500-₹15,000) - Corsair: Good premium options (₹3,000-₹20,000) - Razer: Gaming focus, RGB emphasis (₹2,500-₹18,000) - SteelSeries: Professional gaming (₹3,000-₹25,000)
Value Brands: - Cooler Master: Good price-performance (₹1,500-₹8,000) - HyperX: Reliable gaming peripherals (₹2,000-₹12,000) - Redragon: Budget mechanical keyboards (₹2,000-₹6,000) - Cosmic Byte: Local brand, basic options (₹800-₹3,000)
Pricing Trends (August 2025)
- Mechanical keyboards: ₹3,000-₹20,000
- Gaming mice: ₹1,500-₹15,000
- Gaming headsets: ₹2,000-₹25,000
- Mousepads: ₹500-₹3,000
Where to Buy
Online: Amazon.in, Flipkart, MDComputers, Vedant Computers Offline: Local computer stores, electronics markets Service: Check warranty and service center availability
Recommendations by Budget
Complete Budget Setup (₹8,000)
Keyboard: Redragon K552 Kumara (₹3,200) Mouse: Logitech G102 (₹1,800) Headset: HyperX Cloud Stinger (₹3,200) Mousepad: SteelSeries QcK (₹800)
Mid-Range Gaming Setup (₹20,000)
Keyboard: Logitech G Pro X (₹9,500) Mouse: Logitech G Pro X Superlight (₹7,500) Headset: HyperX Cloud Alpha (₹7,000) Mousepad: SteelSeries QcK+ (₹1,200)
Premium Gaming Setup (₹45,000)
Keyboard: Corsair K70 RGB Pro (₹14,500) Mouse: Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 (₹12,000) Headset: SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless (₹24,000) Mousepad: Artisan Hayate Otsu (₹4,500)
Competitive Esports Setup (₹25,000)
Keyboard: SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (₹11,000) Mouse: Logitech G Pro X Superlight (₹7,500) Headset: HyperX Cloud Alpha (₹7,000) Mousepad: SteelSeries QcK Heavy (₹1,500)
Content Creator Setup (₹60,000)
Keyboard: Keychron K2 (₹6,500) Mouse: Logitech MX Master 3 (₹7,000) Microphone: Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ (₹12,500) Headphones: Sennheiser HD 599 (₹15,000) Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett Solo (₹8,000) Accessories: Boom arm, pop filter (₹3,000)
Productivity Setup (₹15,000)
Keyboard: Keychron K2 (₹6,500) Mouse: Logitech MX Master 3S (₹8,000) Mousepad: Large desk mat (₹1,500)
This guide reflects August 2025 market conditions with verified specifications and pricing from major peripheral manufacturers available in the Indian market.