At around the one hundred-pounds mark, any keyboard worth its keys is likely to be equipped with mechanical switches. Razer isn't ignorant of this fact, and the Ornata Chroma addresses the issue with an unusual take on key actuation.

There's a reason you don't see many top-notch budget gaming keyboards: In order to check the right boxes and hit the necessary price point, manufacturers must either sacrifice features for the typing experience or the typing experience for features. To get both, you typically have had to go with something high-end (and much more expensive), like our Editors' Choice, the Corsair K95 RGB ( at Amazon) . But thanks to an innovative new switch, Razer gives you the best (or at least most of the best) of both the gaming and typing worlds in the Ornata Chroma, which costs just $99.99. It's our Editors' Choice for low-cost gaming keyboards. Features and Design What's Razer's secret with the Ornata Chroma? Switches that combine the, uh, key features of the predominant typing technologies in the consumer keyboard market. Razer calls the technology "Mecha-Membrane," and it's just what it sounds like: part its own proprietary mechanical switch, part silicone dome. When you hit a key, the mech...

With a unique new switch design and a compellingly low price, the Razer Ornata Chroma is both an outstanding gaming keyboard and a terrific value.

Attractively priced; Fine typing experience for any application

Limited features; Some adjustment may be required

Razer's rubber-dome/mechanical hybrid switch is more psychological trickery than an actual revolution, but it's trickery that somehow works.

Little mechanical "click" disguises the rubber-dome underpinnings; Stylish and high-end compared to most rubber-dome keyboards; Generously padded...

As expensive as an actual mechanical keyboard; Still a rubber-dome keyboard at its core; with all the rubber-dome problems; Uneven lighting

I ' m not exactly sure why a keyboard manufacturer would want to merge mechanical - and membrane - switch technology; membrane ' s only real advantag e is its low price. Still, the Razer Ornata Chroma ($100) aims for this unusual hybrid, and while the system works fine, it offers neither the...

Good in-game performance; Convenient wrist rest; Pretty RGB lighting

Hybrid keys add nothing; Similarly priced keyboards are better

You can spice up rubber dome keyboards with a fancy stem, exotic keycaps, and extra features, but no matter what it's still going to feel like a rubber dome keyboard. Without deviation in their fundamental switch design, rubber dome keyboards rarely feel different from one another.

This keyboard is great when you first open it but it doesnt last long. I kept hearing people call it inconsistent and i didnt get that but it really is. The keys dont all have the same consistent feedback or audible click and they feel like they are a bit unstable on the pillars that they slide down...

I bought this hoping to get more responsive keypresses during FPS games. What I found is keys so sensitive that just holding W to move forward meant forcing ur finger to stay down as any slight movement would stop you moving.

First entry to gaming keyboard and mouse looks and feels great, kids keep pressing the colour changing buttons everytime i turn around

Performs as advertised Keys are very slippery - to the point of causing difficulty in typing (hitting wrong key due to finger ideas slipping across tops of keys). No capability to improve brightness of illuminated keys - eventually they're not vibrant enough.

When it comes to my keyboards and mice for my PC, I am a creature of habit. I find a good quality keyboard or mouse that fits my hand, feels good to use, and performs well and I stick with it. It's a pretty rare occasion that a review item replaces one of my standard items for daily use.