Best keyboard for OSU

Are you in the market for the best keyboard for OSU? You’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ve provided you with a comprehensive review of the best keyboards for OSU that can meet all your gaming needs, plus additional useful information.

Since its launch in 2007, the OSU game has gained huge traction and appreciation among gamers. Besides delivering a frantic bubble-popping experience, it boasts highly competitive players constantly leveling up to gain high scores. Because of this, they’re always on the lookout for high-quality gaming peripherals like keyboards and keypads.

Product	Type/Features	Rating
Motospeed CK61	14 RGB Backlight effects for cool gaming experience 61 Keys Conflict-Free	Check Price
Anne Pro 2	Bluetooth 4.0 or USB Type-C connectivity modes 1900mAh built-in Li-Ion battery	Check Price
Drevo Calibur 71	Bluetooth 4.0 and USB wired connection Customizable RGB LED lights with 7 colors	Check Price
Cooler Master Keys Pro L	Minimalistic, sleek layout Fast, S-tier performance	Check Price
RK Royal Kludge 61	60% Mechanical Gaming Keyboard High-capacity Battery	Check Price

While you can play the rhythm game with a touchpad and a mouse, using a keyboard provides you with the best opportunity to hit those admirable aims. With the best gaming keyboards, you won’t waste time dragging the cursor or looking if you’re tapping the right area of the screen.

However, you can’t just use any keyboard. You need a comfortable OSU keyboard that can serve you for extended periods and deliver the best possible gaming experience. Below you will discover a list of the best keyboard for OSU to help you make an informed purchase decision. 

What Keys Do You Use For OSU?

As said earlier, you can combine a mouse and touchscreen to play OSU. But perhaps the best way to play the game is using a keyboard and mouse since they’re the most basic gaming peripherals and they place less strain on your hands. 

When using the mouse and the keyboard, you get to press fewer keys. To hit the drum center (Red) you need to press the ‘X’ and ‘C’ keys. For the drum rim (Blue), click the ‘Z’ and ‘X’ keys in circles.

You can adopt two key placements for your OSU keyboard:  KDDK (Taiko default) or DDKK/KKDD. These letters stand for drum rim or drum center placement. 

How To Find the Best OSU Keyboard   

When searching for the best gaming keyboard for OSU, there are several factors you should consider. This way, you can select a product that’s perfect for your gaming needs. The factors include:

Key Switches

Switches are buttons located underneath keycaps and they usually make a clicking sound when pressed down. The types of switches matter a lot when selecting an OSU keyboard.  

On the market, you can choose from several types of switches. A linear switch is perhaps one of the simplest, uncomplicated, and most convenient option for typing. Although you can use linear switches for video games, they don’t offer the best experience. 

For video games like OSU, you need clicky switches because they deliver excellent tactile feedback. However, clicky switches tend to make lots of noise, which most people find annoying. Because of this, they opt for tactile switches, which offer a good middle ground.  

Tactile switches often feature a small ridge that needs a little force to overcome when the keycap gets pressed. This allows it to provide the tangible feedback a player requires and makes it easier to press the button correctly. On the other hand, linear switches have a smooth ridge, meaning less resistance is required to press them. 

Wired vs Wireless

Gaming keyboards for OSU can come with a wired connection or wireless functionality. Both offer a set of perks and drawbacks. A mechanical keyboard with a wired connection might end up cluttering your gaming setup–more specifically your desk.

However, it’s more recommended for OSU gaming over a wireless keyboard because it doesn’t suffer from latency issues, which makes gameplay difficult. There’s a possibility that the wireless keyboard might also interfere with other wireless devices. Let’s not forget that these keyboards require batteries to power up. 

Luckily, some best keyboards for OSU support both wired and wireless connectivity through a detachable, plastic, or gold plated USB connector. 

Layout and Keycaps 

Another factor that might influence your decision when shopping for the best keyboards for OSU is the layout. Individuals in Europe usually prefer using keyboards featuring an ISO layout, while people in the U.S. and Netherlands prefer the ANSI style. The same goes for people in other nations. 

Sure! A gaming keyboard layout might sound like a huge deal, but have you ever tried typing on a keyboard boasting a different layout? It’s hectic, right? So, try to find keyboards for playing OSU featuring a layout you’re familiar with.

As a player, you also need to keep in mind the type of key caps an OSU keyboard offers. Keycaps are rubber or plastic cover for key switches. For long-term use and durability, go for keycaps that offer the best blend of plastic and printing. 

Dual shot or PBT dye sublimated keycaps offer the best of both worlds: performance and durability. They will withstand the test of time while providing you with a pleasant feeling, whether you’re typing or gaming.

Other Keyboard Features

Besides the mentioned factors, look for OSU keyboards that come with extra functionalities. For example, keyboards with hot swaps allow you to replace a broken hybrid blue switch or any other mechanical switch with a new one without having to solder them.

Another popular add-on is RGB lighting. It helps in creating an immersive experience via multiple lighting modes. Most computers allow you to customize the modes to your liking. 

Features like macro keys can also help improve your OSU gaming performance and experience. They’re simply different keystrokes that you can play respectively to execute complex actions easily and as many times as possible. 

Is OSU Better with Mechanical Keyboard? 

Since OSU is a speed rhythm-based game, a standard keyboard that works fine for typing won’t cut it. You need a comfortable keyboard designed with fast switches and light springs to deliver speed and durability. That’s where a mechanical keyboard comes in.

Most OSU mechanical keyboards come with traditional mechanical switches that offer lower travel before the actuation point and the best tactile feedback during gaming. They also come with gaming-specific keys, including shortcuts for gaming action like jumping or reloading for a variety of video games. Other keyboards might include RGB backlighting, which comes in handy in low-light conditions. 

Basically, look for the best OSU keyboard designed to improve your gameplay, giving you a competitive edge. 

5 Best Keyboard For OSU

1. Motospeed CK61–Best Small OSU Keyboard

Motospeed CK61 features an amazing build quality and delivers enhanced performance without costing an arm or leg. It might not be a full-sized keyboard, but it comes with a minimalistic compact design that saves desk space and makes it portable. 

Its design reduces hand movements while making all functionalities accessible. It’s a good keyboard with decent Bluetooth connectivity which allows connection of up to 4 devices. You can also easily switch back and forth from your devices. 

The gaming keyboard also stands out for its strong connectivity. It works perfectly with Windows operating systems, including XP, 7, 8, and 10. It’s also compatible with Mac OS and Android devices. 

The 61 backlit keys are super responsive no matter how many buttons get pressed at the same time. All the keys have individual opto mechanical switches with 100% anti-ghosting and a full n-key rollover for flawless typing and OSU gaming.

While it doesn’t use Outemu red mechanical switches, the blue Outemu Blue switches offer medium resistance, precise tactile feedback, and fast return to position. The switches are great for gaming and typing, but you might experience some fatigue. 

For lighting, the OSU keyboard offers you 16.8 million color options and customizable modes. It comes with 14 RGB backlighting effects to create an immersive experience. The RGB colors are also extremely stylish and mind-blowing. 

Without a doubt, the Motospeed CK61 is a top-quality keyboard for OSU players who desire comfort, durability, and high performance.  

2. Anne Pro 2 Best Low-Profile Keyboard For OSU

Anne Pro 2 is a high quality material keyboard made with the needs of gamers in mind. It rocks a sleek and robust design great for typing and OSU gaming experience. 

The keyboard boasts a compact layout and includes per key RGB illumination that you can customize to create an immersive environment. Unlike some standard keyboards, the Anne Pro 2 comes in both wireless and wired connectivity. 

The wireless connectivity utilizes a Bluetooth 4.0 chipset, while the wired connection depends on a detachable USB cable. 

In addition, players will enjoy several amazing features, including 16 built-in macro keys which take OSU gaming to the next level. Others include full n key rollover and 100% anti-ghosting. 

Overall, the Anne Pro 2 is a reliable and stylish keyboard that will truly revolutionize your gaming experience. 

3. Drevo Calibur 71–Best Budget OSU Keyboard

For those looking for the best budget OSU keyboard with RGB backlighting, the Drevo Calibur 71 makes an excellent choice. As its name suggests, it comes with 71 alphabetical keys, plus a number row and F keys. The fewer keys allow players to perform the same functions offered by other traditional mechanical keyboards without sacrificing experience. 

The mechanical keyboard design is optimized for small spaces and takes the least possible space on your gaming setup. It boasts mechanical switches with 50 million keystrokes for the best tactile experience and multiple lighting modes.

The OSU keyboard offers support for complete key rollover and anti-ghosting, meaning players can play with ease without the worry of missing a keystroke. This gaming keyboard also comes with Bluetooth 4.0 and customizable RGB lighting with 7 colors. 

You can use the keyboard with a wired connection, thanks to its detachable USB cable. But if you like the wireless experience, the product features a wireless dongle. But remember, you might have to deal with keyboard delay or input lag in case of latency issues. 

As for the design, the gaming keyboard is compact and features a lightweight aluminum frame panel, which makes it extremely portable. The ABS double shot keycaps are durable and stay clean. You also get additional keyboard features, like software, key remaps, and macro keys for enhanced performance when playing OSU. 

4. Cooler Master Keys Pro L – Best Full-Size OSU Keyboard

Another worthy addition to our list of the best keyboard for OSU is the Cooler Master Keys Pro L RGB mechanical gaming keyboard. It’s the only keyboard ideal for OSU players who want to get all their skills on full display. 

It doesn’t use the same chroma RGB backlighting as the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition gaming keyboard for OSU gaming. However, the keyboard includes robust RGB lighting that allows gamers to customize their gaming environment to align with their desired style. These coupled with full n key rollover and anti-ghosting ensure the keyboard delivers excellent performance. 

In terms of switches, the Cooler Master Keys Pro L uses Cherry MX red switches rated for 50 million keystrokes. Unlike hybrid red switches, these 100% genuine dust proof mechanical switches offer light resistance, have no bump, and are relatively quiet. Therefore, they offer the best gaming experience and durability possible. 

While it doesn’t offer an OLED smart display, this keyboard allows you to choose from 16.7 million colors for individual keys. Furthermore, you can customize the lighting modes and effects. The keyboard also includes all the standard alphabetical keys, number pad, and classic function keys. Each key led pop out and shine, thanks to the keyboard’s stunning patent design. 

Anyone searching for a full-size, full-featured gaming keyboard for playing OSU would love this product and the performance it offers. 

5. RK Royal Kludge 61–Most Reliable OSU Keyboard

The RK Royal Kludge 61 mechanical gaming keyboard stands outs for its features and convenience. It comes with fewer keys (61 keys with no number pad) compared to the Dreve Calibur (71 keys), which makes it more compact. 

As for OSU players, the keyboard’s 60% layout means they can reach keys with much ease and they can position the keyboard wherever it suits their needs. 

Besides the dual-mode connectivity (which makes playing games easy and convenient), this best OSU keyboard comes with hot-swap PCB, allowing you to replace the most distinctive mechanical switches without dealing with soldering issues.

With classical Cherry MX blue switches, the gaming keyboard offers a clicky and tactile response favored among gamers. But despite the consistency and accuracy offered by these mechanical switches, some players might find it quite noisy. Nevertheless, the switches make the board keys smooth, sensitive to touch, and reliable when typing or playing OSU.

The RK Royal Kludge is a fully wireless keyboard, and you can easily store it in your backpack. However, if you desire a wired connection, there’s a USB-C cable you can use. 

Another reason gaming keyboard has made it to our list of the best keyboards for OSU is its impressive solid construction. Besides quality keycaps, the keyboard frame is lightweight and durable. 

Using nearly the same aluminum grade frame as Drevo Calibur 71, this keyboard maintains a high level of portability. That means it’s an ideal keyboard to carry outside for working or entertainment. 

The keyboard’s battery charges for 3 hours and can last for 10 hours of continuous use. What’s more, this device can connect to 3 devices at once and you can switch between the devices quickly. 

FAQs 

Do 60% OSU keyboards offer better performance than full keyboards? 

The answer to this question boils down to your preference. Full-sized keyboards or 100% keyboards like the razer huntsman gaming keyboard are ideal for gamers who need frequent use of the number pad or deal with a lot of data entry. They’re versatile and comfortable, but you might find them bulky and can be a bit more expensive. 

On the other hand, 60% keyboards offer more compatibility desired by mechanical and gaming keyboard enthusiasts. These keyboards often cost less than full-size keyboards and are highly customizable. 

You can buy hybrid mechanical switches and keycaps for custom builds. Also, you can choose from a wide variety of PCB layouts and cases.  However, the keyboard might be outside the comfort zone of other people, especially those who want to use it for typing. 

If you wish to have a wide range of keys at your disposal while gaming, go for a full-sized keyboard. But if you’re looking for a compact and portable option for playing OSU, a 60% keyboard might serve you well.

What is Ducky Keyboard? 

A Ducky keyboard is a highly customizable mechanical gaming keyboard. Whether you opt for a full-sized or 60% compact keyboard, you can buy and replace its most distinctive mechanical switches with others, including Cherry MX, Razer linear optical switches, Kailh, Hybrid Blue Switch, or Gateron. 

A ducky keyboard also comes with unique and beautiful aesthetics, including Chinese zodiac-branded space bars. However, it lags in terms of RGB lighting and dedicated software. 

What keyboard do most esports players use? 

Nearly all esports players prefer mechanical keyboards. While most players select their gaming keyboards based on personal preferences, factors like stability, durability and the number of simultaneous presses allowed by keys play a huge role. Moreover, most go for reliability and comfort when looking for the right keyboard for esports gaming. 

Final Thoughts 

In conclusion, the right keyboard for OSU gaming is the one that offers you the most comfortable gaming experience, plus reliability, convenience, and durability. All the five products we’ve reviewed stand out in the market because they can handle whatever you throw at them. 

Boasting unique, yet functional design and packed with impressive features, these OSU keyboards promise you the best performance, whether you’re typing or playing games. Nevertheless, your choice of the best keyboard for OSU boils down to a product that delivers the best balance of functionality, build quality, and style that works for you.