Wired Vs Wireless Keyboard – Which Is Better for Gaming?

Have you tangled yourself up in wires trying to use your computer? Are you tired of your keyboard’s portability limitations when connecting to your favorite devices? So you probably started to ask yourself, Wired vs Wireless Keyboard which is better?

Are you considering a wireless keyboard? There are some pros and cons when deciding whether or not you should go with a wireless keyboard instead of sticking with the comfortable style of a wired keyboard. 

Keep in mind that there’s nothing as perfect technology, especially anything dependent on battery power. Wireless keyboards have a few advantages, but sometimes wired versions might be better for you.

There are many things to consider when deciding on which is better, a wired or wireless keyboard. To get the definitive answer, I gathered as much data as I could and performed my testing to come to a conclusion that is solid enough for you to use to make your own decision. Let’s go over the basics of what keyboards have to offer.

What is Wired Keyboard?

A wired keyboard contains wires for sending information to and from the computer. A USB plug goes into a USB Port on your computer at the end of each wire, providing a direct way to communicate with your computer. Wired keyboards have sleek designs and are durable enough that you can use them for many years without issues.

A wired or wireless keyboard for a laptop has pros and cons.

What is Wireless Keyboard?

Wireless keyboards are special computer keyboards that allow users to transfer information and type data. They transmit data via radio frequencies to the USB receiver, which is plugged into the USB port on your computer. The wireless keyboard has many benefits, such as not being limited by an electrical cord.

Wired Vs Wireless Keyboard

Let’s have a look at the differences between wired and wireless keyboards.

Reduce Desk Mess

The point of/reason someone would go with wireless accessories instead of wired ones is that they don’t have to worry about getting tangled up in wires. It frees up extra space on your desk and can reduce the number of cables you need to deal with, which can bring some nice convenience to your workflow if nothing else.

But do cables get in the way? Do they clutter your desktop and make you feel like you’re living in a trailer park? Wires can create massive organizational issues. But if that’s not an issue for you, then those wires are not necessarily a problem at home. Perhaps investing in a wireless keyboard is the right solution if appearance is important.

Wireless Device Range

Wired keyboards can generally have more than 6 feet of cable. The length is enough for the people who want to use the keyboard at an ease of their arm length. In contrast to the wired keyboard, the wireless keyboard has a range of more than 33 feet which is good to operate from a distance. The final decision depends on your need and usage type.

Interference Problems

Wireless technology will work just as well as a wired option, but of course, the signal could be blocked by something if you’re not careful. Things like walls or objects, potential electrical interference, and other wireless devices can compromise your wireless experience. It is sometimes called latency and may affect how you type or how fast your screen updates.

Sometimes, strange things happen – like a microwave oven in the next room emitting electromagnetic fields that cause interference to wireless signals. If this were to happen when you’re listening to Spotify, you wouldn’t care because it would go right over your head.

It can be extremely frustrating when you have problems with a wireless keyboard. Your keyboard can have an issue working smoothly or stop working altogether. It can be baffling because wired keyboards never have any such problems. It makes the wired option the winner in this comparison.

Power usage

One of the most frustrating things, when you own a wireless keyboard, is when the batteries run out, and there are none with you. I’m positive more than a few people reading this have had that awful experience of getting helpless at night when suddenly batteries die. 

A wired keyboard never needs to be recharged. And more importantly, it never cut out at the worst possible moment either. Worrying about a wireless keyboard battery dying when you’re putting the finishing touches on something important can cause problems. However, when it comes to wired USB keyboards, you don’t have to deal with all the drama.

USB Ports Used

Every keyboard and mouse will need its USB port to be fully functional. It is because these are the default devices most commonly connected to a computer, though you will have more ports than you’ll probably ever need. Most desktops come with more than enough ports as they are.

But this is where wireless devices prove to be an advantage because one can connect a lot of stuff at once by plugging a single USB dongle into their computer. It can free up multiple USB ports on the laptop directly, which is a stroke of genius!

Overall Cost

There’s no difference in price between the wired and wireless keyboards at face value. A basic wired keyboard is priced from about $15 – $18, and a comparable wireless one costs around $20. But when you consider the added monetary cost of replacing batteries over time, you realize that your money goes further in terms of long-term value for money with a wired alternative.

Are wireless keyboards good for gaming?

Plenty of people like to play games just for fun. They are simple, entertaining, and enjoyable for everyone. You should not worry about purchasing the best gaming keyboard for these because the quality of your gameplay will not be negatively impacted.

You can use wireless keyboards to play these games wirelessly. But I would not recommend a wireless keyboard for fast-paced multiplayer games because they won’t be quick enough for you in situations when reaction time is the difference between success and failure.

The best wireless keyboard should have a latency rate of around 80 milliseconds. If your gaming PC has high FPS, you’ll experience input delay, meaning the time it takes for the keyboard to register button presses and produce some visual output (such as images) that help the user play the game.

When discussing wired vs wireless keyboards for gaming, we have to see their performance. Although wireless gaming keyboards have their upsides, like being more convenient than the wired versions, they often come with a delay of about 100-150 milliseconds. 

It means that e-sport gaming can decide the difference between victory and defeat. Besides latency, the interference faced by the wireless keyboards is also concerning for the gamers.

If you have multiple wireless devices operating in the same room, their radios might emit frequencies that interfere with each other. It won’t be an issue for some high-end wireless devices, but for a hardcore gamer who relies on the optimal responsiveness of controls, interference from nearby Wi-Fi networks may affect gameplay.

Are wired keyboards faster than wireless?

Believe it or not, tech product “reviewers” tend to stress keyboard response times. Why? Because input lag can be a real headache at times. And it’s important regardless of whether you’re working from your home office or on the go.

When choosing between the keyboards, the wired vs wireless keyboard latency is a big decider. A wired computer keyboard is the real pro type. There are no response time delays in the world that can get it borked apart from something seriously wrong with those switches that it has inside. 

But the average computer user will never know the difference between somebody using a gaming keyboard or somebody using a wired one since most of them need to type.

A wired or wireless keyboard which is better?

So that’s my take on the wired versus wireless keyboard battle. It comes down to what you need it for because there are advantages and disadvantages to both types of keyboards. If you’re a gamer, it’s clear which one is best for you, but if not, you may have a hard time figuring out which one makes the most sense.

An average user can choose between the wireless and wired options depending on their needs. You can either go for a wired keyboard with wire clutter or choose the wireless keyboard with slight input lags. So, the best thing to follow is your needs and buy the keyboard according to the desired features.