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Shooter games often rely on their inputs for their fun factor, so it’s no wonder you’re curious about the best keyboard for Helldivers 2. The game has proven itself to be a near-instant classic. In fact, there is so much goodwill towards the game, with its enjoyable mechanics and affordable price, that it has survived a controversy around requiring a PSN account to play the game. The most recent news about the game is when we saw its community flood Steam with over 200,000 positive reviews. Overlay Graphics
As the game shifts from a top-down perspective to a third-person shooter, it’s only natural that you’ll be wondering how that’s going to affect your gameplay. A top-down game built on an isometric grid isn’t going to demand much from your keyboard and mouse, though now that it’s a reaction-based action shooter, your input format is going to be much more important.
We’ve tested out plenty of the best gaming keyboards, whether that’s mechanical or membrane, and we have a pretty decent idea of what’s going to suit what type of game. Here’s our definitive list for the best keyboards for Helldivers 2.
When it comes to choosing what we think is the best keyboard for Helldivers 2, we’re going to consider a few features: price, keyboard type, form factor, and build quality.
For me, a few of the absolute best choice keyboards out there right now are the Endgame Gear KB65HE, Corsair K55, and Mountain Everest 60%. This range of choices encompasses a range of mechanical and membrane switches, alongside vastly differing form factors and price ranges.
The Endgame Gear KGB65HE hasn’t been out for that long and, in the few weeks that I’ve been using it, I’ve been pretty blown away. The hall-effect switches are an extremely welcome feature. While the KB65HE isn’t the first mechanical keyboard to feature this type of technology, it’s a move towards a really flexible and modular future that will serve gamers, especially FPS gamers, positively.
The Endgame Gear KB65HE is going to a really strong option when it comes to choosing a keyboard for Helldivers 2. The hall-effect switches alongside Rapid Trigger technology will allow you to create a really dynamic input ecosystem where each key press is tailored to your requirements. For instance, you might have really responsive keypresses for movement, but more forced and specific keypresses for other macros.
With a phenomenal build quality and highly tailored gaming features, the cost of the KB65HE is higher than anything else on this list. Still though, for the extraordinarily premium quality of the keyboard, it’s actually incredibly well-priced.
If you’re not convinced about all the bells and whistles of a mechanical deck, then there’s no harm in sticking with a really budget-friendly membrane keyboard. The Corsair K55 is exactly that, a well-priced membrane keyboard with useful gaming features.
It’s quiet, has all of the keys you’ll need to make life easier in Helldivers 2, and also has a nice range of garish RGB lighting. The membrane switches are never an issue when gaming nor typing, and the keyboard is a brilliant example of how you don’t always need to spend an arm and a leg on such a niche component.
Where it does lag behind against the competition is in its slightly cheaper feel – a symptom of the membrane design – that will never provide you with that satisfying thunk sound. The membrane switches are also incredibly responsive, though you won’t have any wiggle room to modulate actuation pressure and reset times.
The Mountain Everest 60% is a great keyboard, and one that’s going to enhance the Helldivers 2 experience. With a third-person shooter, you’re really going to want a keyboard that’s fast and responsive. Pressing keys on this keyboard is like sticking your finger in butter. All variants of the keyboard come with pre-lubed switches alongside sound dampening, so it’s a fine choice for anyone who games late at night.
It’s available in a range of switches, tactile or linear, with varying actuation points too. Like the Endgame Gear, the Mountain Everest is available in a sleek black form factor that oozes sophistication, and the RGB lighting isn’t obnoxious either.
It’s a 60% keyboard though, which definitely takes a while to adapt to. You won’t have the function row, which is rarely used in Helldivers 2 anyway, though everything else is neatly tucked away in corners you won’t be stretching to reach.
When it comes to choosing a keyboard for Helldivers 2, you’re going to have a lot of flexibility. One of the main things you’re going to be looking out for is how responsive each key is. Generally, mechanical keyboards give the user a little more tactility and control, though the Corsair K55 which we’ve recommended offers a membrane alternative to all of this.
After you’re finished up choosing a keyboard for Helldivers 2, you’re going to be ready to jump into matchmaking and multiplayer co-op.
You don’t necessarily need a mechanical keyboard for Helldivers 2. While it’s a third-person shooter, the only games that you’ll really benefit from mech decks with are competitive shooters where the difference between a 1.5mm actuation and 2mm actuation can mean win or loss.
With the original Helldivers, a keyboard would have been the optimal way to play, now that the sequel is here with a totally different game design, a controller is now a really viable option.
Dead Front Panel Amaar loves retro hardware and boring games with more words than action. So, he writes about them daily.