If you were to ask me which is the best gaming keyboard on the market, I would say the K100 RGB Optical from Corsair. This product costs about $200. However, an optical keyboard that we have not tested but would gladly buy is the Dark Matter Aether. It also uses optical mechanical switches and is currently available at Monoprice for $37.99.

That's a ridiculously low price for a gaming keyboard, especially one that registers keystrokes using fancy rays of light The Dark Matter brand belongs to Monoprice, and the Dark Matter 34 impressed our friends at TechRadar It is attached to a variety of products, such as ultrawide monitors, which impressed our friends at TechRadar. Incidentally, Monoprice is also a great place to buy a variety of cables without paying a premium over normal retail prices.

Monoprice claims that the Dark Matter Aether is "the most advanced gaming keyboard", and it seems to be thanks to the Light Strike switches. There are no gaming facilities like dedicated gaming keys, and the lack of USB passthrough is a bit disappointing. However, it does have a full N-key roll lever, RGB lighting, and IP57-compliant splash resistance.

There are two versions of this keyboard, one with tactile, clicky Light Strike Blue switches for $37.99 and the other with smooth, linear Light Strike Red switches for $49.99 (also reduced from $109.99 ). Both come with a one-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee