The first time I ever saw a volume knob on a keyboard (it was at a gaming cafe), I was skeptical — was it a genuinely useful feature or just a shiny gimmick? Having used one now, I’m convinced that it can come in handy for many use-cases, whether it’s just for increasing or decreasing the volume or overall media control.
If you’re looking for a mechanical gaming keyboard with a volume knob, you’ve found the right article on the Internet. Here, I’ve done the legwork for you and come up with five awesome options to fit various use cases.
Do You Need A Volume Knob?
At the very basic, a volume knob is a component built into the keyboard which can be used to adjust the volume level. Because of this added feature, many keyboards with volume knobs often tend to carry a slight premium.
This is why it’s important to decide if this feature is worth it for you before you open your wallet. Are you picky about volume level in games and music but don’t like to go into the OSD settings or tap the media buttons on your keyboard repeatedly? If yes, a knob would be a convenient and intuitive solution, almost making you feel like a DJ!
I admit, there’s no need to buy an entirely new keyboard just for this purpose. There are many standalone volume knobs available, which we’ll talk about later. But if you’re looking for a great gaming keyboard with a built-in knob, you’ll find some interesting options in this list…
Top 5 Best Keyboards with Volume Knob in 2022:
1. Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT – Best Overall
SPECS:
- Layout: Full-Size
- Switch Type(s): MX Blue, Brown, and Speed Silver
- Keycap Material: Double-shot PBT
- RGB Support: Corsair iCUE
- Connectivity: USB Type-A
Your idea of a volume knob is probably of a vertical circle rotated clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the volume. And the K95 RGB Platinum XT doesn’t have one. Instead, it has a volume roller that can be rolled up or down to change the volume. However, that can be a great option too, since it is easier to spin and more convenient to access.
This board also includes many streamer-friendly features: six dedicated macro keys, S-key keycaps which can be programmed with the Elgato Stream Deck software, per-key RGB backlighting, and a detachable leatherette palm rest for comfort after long hours of gaming.
Everything considered, Corsair keyboards have a great reputation in the PC gaming and streaming space, and the K95 RGB Platinum XT only carries that forward. It might have a volume roller instead of a knob, but is still just as useful and excels in many other aspects too.
Pros
- Great build quality and design
- Palm rest included
- Features many macro keys
Cons
- Expensive
2. Ziyou Lang Keyboard – Best on a Budget
SPECS:
- Layout: 60%
- Switch Type(s): Knockoff MX Pink and Blue
- Keycap Material: PBT
- RGB Support: No
- Connectivity: USB-C and Bluetooth
For around $50, this mechanical gaming keyboard from Ziyou Lang offers a great bang for your buck. Being a 60% keyboard with a volume knob already makes it kind of a novelty, but there’s also wireless connectivity, a tablet holder, and a 4400 mAh battery to get excited about.
If you’re really specific about which switches you like, you’ll be disappointed here. There are two unbranded switches to choose from, Pink and Blue. These might be cloned versions of Cherry MX Pink and Blue, which are linear and tactile switches, respectively. This keyboard isn’t hot-swappable either, so it would’ve been cool to have more options available.
All in all, as far as 60% keyboards are concerned, this one is quite mediocre. The volume knob is the only feature that sets it apart from the pack. If you fall within that category of users who want a small keyboard with the added functionality of a volume knob, pick this one up.
Pros
- Good build quality
- RGB lighting
- Decent battery life
Cons
- Clone switches
3. Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate – Best All-Black
SPECS:
- Layout: Full-Size
- Switch Type(s): MX Blue and Brown
- Keycap Material: Double-shot ABS
- RGB Support: No
- Connectivity: USB Type-A
“Look ma, no letters!” I’m sure you’ve seen a few hardcore gamers or programmers use a keyboard with blank keycaps before. George Hotz aka Geohot uses one. If you want to look cool and get one for yourself, the Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate is one of your best bets.
Let’s talk about the switches and build quality. You get to choose from MX Blue and Brown switches, so whether you want to go for a loud and clicky switch or a tactile switch, you have options. It’s also housed inside an aluminum case with black-on-black branding, because why not?
There are also a few extra features that justify the $169 price tag, including a two-port USB 3.0 hub, preprogrammed media controls, a volume knob (of course!), and a detachable footbar ruler to raise the keyboard for a comfortable typing experience.
Overall, the Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate is a top-quality keyboard to get if you want to go all out with a black stealthy design. It’s quite expensive, but it also offers great build quality and many user-friendly features in return.
Pros
- Top-of-the-line build quality
- Includes NKRO
- Includes USB 3.0 hub for plugging in a portable SSD or charging devices
Cons
- Expensive
4. Redragon K618 Horus – Best Wireless
SPECS:
- Layout: Full-Size
- Switch Type(s): Redragon Low-Profile Red
- Keycap Material: Double-shot ABS
- RGB Support: Redragon Core
- Connectivity: USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.0, and 2.4 GHz wireless
Cable management can be one of the biggest challenges when putting together a setup, and anything which can lighten the mess is welcome. If you’re looking for a full-size wireless keyboard with a volume roller, your search ends with the Redragon K618 Horus.
It features a full-sized 104-key layout with low-profile Red switches. Of course, the most important factor for any wireless peripheral is battery life. The Redragon K618 Horus features a 1900 mAh rechargeable lithium battery. If you use your PC for around eight hours a day and are willing to switch off Bluetooth and RGB, you’ll get three days of battery life out of it.
Although it might look suspiciously similar to the Logitech G915, (cue the “Can I copy your homework” jokes), it’s priced much better and has many other features. This includes triple-mode connectivity, macro keys, and per-key RGB lighting (controlled using the Redragon Core software).
Pros
- Provides good value for money
- Programmable macro keys
- Decent battery life
Cons
- Buggy software
5. Epomaker Akko PC75B – Best for All-White Setup
SPECS:
- Layout: 75%
- Switch Type(s): Akko CS Silver, Jelly White, Jelly Pink, and Jelly Purple
- Keycap Material: Double-shot PBT
- RGB Support: Akko Cloud
- Connectivity: USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.0, and 2.4 GHz wireless
When you’re dead set on being consistent with your all-white setup theme, it can be a challenge to find a keyboard with a volume knob that doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. Fortunately, Epomaker has just the right keyboard for you — the Akko PC75B.
Right off the bat, you get a variety of Akko CS switches to choose from. If you’d like to test out other switches from brands like Cherry, Kailh, and Otemu, this board is equipped with hot-swappable sockets which can include both 3 and 5-pin switches!
Now, let’s talk about connectivity and build quality. You can use Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz, and a USB-C to connect it to your PC. The build quality is also fairly good, featuring a layer of cotton and silicon at the bottom for sound absorption and a stable typing experience. In addition, you also get RGB lighting with 18 preset modes.
Although this is mainly a keyboard meant for enthusiasts, it’s also beginner-friendly in many ways. I recommend you consider this one if you’re looking for an all-white mechanical keyboard with a volume knob!
Pros
- Vibrant RGB lighting
- Hot-swappable
- Suitable for all-white setup
Cons
- Expensive
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Best Standalone Volume Knobs Available?
If you like the functionality of a volume knob but don’t want to upgrade to a new keyboard, you can get a detached one instead. It can sit on your desk and have its own dedicated USB connection to your PC. These ones from Drok and Nobsound are good options for under $50.
For added functionality, you can also get a headphone amp with a volume knob. It’ll boost your sound quality while also making it more convenient to change the volume. If this pricked up your ears, check out the Sound BlasterX G6 and the Sennheiser GSX 1000.
Are There Keyboards Where the Volume Knob can be Detached?
If you’re looking for a modular keyboard, there are some options you have available. You can check out the Keychron Q1, the Nibble 65%, and the GMMK Pro. These require some keyboard know-how. If you want to learn more about general keyboard features and what you should look for when buying one, you can read my previous article.
What are the Best Keyboards with Retro Design?
The idea of a volume knob itself brings to mind an old radio, right? If you’re going for that retro 80s style vibe in your setup, there are some keyboards out there I know you’ll love. First, you can check out the Epomaker B21. In addition, the iQunix A80 Explorer will also fit in that theme, but it lacks a volume knob.
Wrapping Up
Keyboards with volume knobs are still a relatively tiny niche in the overall market of mechanical gaming keyboards. Fortunately, there are still enough options available out there in various categories to satisfy the needs of most users.
Based on your use case, this can mean either an all-white keyboard or a smaller TKL one. I hope you found what you were looking for in this article.
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