Mechanical gaming keyboard under £60 in the UK: what to buy (and what isn't mechanical)
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Lots of 'gaming keyboards' around £50 aren't mechanical at all. Here's how to tell, with verified prices.
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL
The only verified board under £60, but it is membrane, not mechanical.
Compare prices
| Product | Price | Retailer | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logitech G413 SE (full size) | £79.99 | Argos | 20 Oct 2026 |
| SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL | £49.99 | Currys | 20 Oct 2026 |
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Pros
- £49.99, within budget
- IP32 water and dust resistance
- Compact tenkeyless layout
Cons
- Membrane switches, not mechanical
Key specifications
Logitech G413 SE (full size)
- Tactile mechanical switches
- PBT keycaps
- 6-key rollover anti-ghosting
- UK layout
Source: retailer listing
Checked 20 Oct 2026 at Argos
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL
- Membrane ('Whisper Quiet' switches
- not mechanical)
- IP32 water/dust resistant
- tenkeyless
Source: retailer listing
Checked 20 Oct 2026 at Currys
Analysis
Our take: the Apex 3 TKL fits the budget but is a membrane board. That's fine if you want quiet and spill resistance, but it isn't mechanical. The G413 SE is genuinely mechanical but £20 over budget at today's price.
Reliability and upgrade notes: spills kill more keyboards than wear does. A membrane board with an IP rating survives a tea spill better. On mechanical boards, hot-swap sockets mean a dead switch is a £1 fix rather than desoldering (the G413 SE's switches are not hot-swappable).
Verdict
Want genuine mechanical switches? The G413 SE (£79.99) is the verified option. Want quiet and spill resistance? The Apex 3 TKL fits the budget.
Price history
Recorded checks for SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL: 20 Oct 2026: £49.99 at Currys. A chart appears here once we have recorded at least four dated checks. We never estimate or back-fill history.