Using a keyboard and mouse instead of a game controller can be very useful, even if not all games support the option. The Xbox One doesn’t support third-party wireless mice or keyboards as standard (although adapters do exist to “trick” it into working), but plenty of good wired options are also out there.  Here’s a look at the best Xbox One keyboards and mice available right now, encompassing different budgets and needs. The Razer Turret offers a mechanical keyboard. Each key uses a mechanical switch, providing better feedback and a faster response time; you only have your slow reflexes to blame rather than your hardware. It also has a dedicated Xbox dashboard key to open the console’s interface and check messages, achievement unlocks, or change settings. There’s also the Razer Chroma RGB (red, green, and blue) lighting feature so you can set up some cool-looking dynamic lighting and color effects, which is ideal if you’re all about the aesthetics. The downside is that it impacts battery life, so you may wish to switch it off to ensure 43 hours of charge instead. The mouse similarly comes packed full of features. Besides being particularly responsive, thanks to a powerful sensor, it has several buttons to customize. Two thumb buttons on the side make it easy to map your favorite inputs, allowing faster weapon changes and dodge rolls, for example. A clickable scroll wheel gives you a few more customizable options too. Thanks to the keyboard’s retractable mouse pad, the mouse fits in neatly, and it gets about 50 hours of battery life.  Keyboard Type: Mechanical | Connectivity: 2.4GHz wireless | RGB: Yes | Ten Keys: No | Palm Rest: Yes | Media Controls: Xbox dashboard key | Number of Mouse Buttons: 7 | DPI: 16,000 | Weight: 3.7 ounces | Interface: Wireless dongle The keyboard uses Cherry MX Red mechanical switches, specialist technology for speeding up how fast it responds when you touch the buttons. These switches make a huge difference, even though they can be rather loud and clicky when in use. Other useful features include the ability to use the keyboard by plugging it in with a USB cable or using a 2.4Ghz Bluetooth connection instead for wireless play. Battery life is only about 15 hours with blue LED backlighting switched on, which is a little low, but a recharge every couple of days isn’t too inconvenient. Keyboard Type: Mechanical | Connectivity: 2.4GHz wireless and wired USB | RGB: Yes | Ten Keys: No | Palm Rest: Yes | Media Controls: No It’s also quieter than other mechanical keyboards while still reacting quickly to your touches. There are also RGB (red, green, and blue) lighting effects to choose from if you want things to look a little different. Finally, it’s spill-resistant, which is ideal if you’re prone to drinking and gaming and inevitably spilling.  Keyboard Type: Mechanical | Connectivity: Wired USB | RGB: Yes | Ten Keys: Yes | Palm Rest: Yes | Media Controls: Yes The Razer Cynosa Chroma lacks extra things like a wrist rest or lapboard, but its ergonomic shape and superior typing angle make a wrist rest less essential than other keyboards. It also has RGB (red, green, and blue) lighting—almost essential for all gaming keyboards—if you’re keen to customize the look. The main downside? It’s a wired-only device, which won’t suit everyone, but it does have the benefit of not having to worry about running out of power. Keyboard Type: Mechanical | Connectivity: Wired USB | RGB: Yes | Ten Keys: Yes | Palm Rest: No | Media Controls: No If you’re keen to get more technical, you can choose which key switches to use from a range of Cherry MX options. Each switch type offers differing noise levels, tactile feedback, and actuation times (how fast it responds), so the most dedicated gamers have plenty of options, but you don’t have to focus on any of these features if you don’t want to. While there’s no number pad (also known as a ten-key pad), it’s a fairly lengthy keyboard with everything a gamer needs. It also comes with a secondary set of red, textured WASD (W, A, S, and D) keycaps so you can light up your movement keys and get to them quickly during a crucial moment. Keyboard Type: Mechanical | Connectivity: Wired USB | RGB: Yes | Ten Keys: No | Palm Rest: No | Media Controls: Yes There’s a lot you can personalize here if you want, but even straight out of the box, the mouse feels good to use. However, bear in mind this mouse is only for right-handed users due to its ergonomic design.  Number of Mouse Buttons: 8 | DPI: 18,000 | Weight: 3.42 ounces | Interface: Wired USB The Logitech G502 Hero is incredibly precise and allows you to adjust its sensitivity mid-game through some conveniently placed buttons on the top of the mouse. There’s also a sniper button for those times when you need to be extra precise. It’s a lot for some users, especially if you only occasionally play games, but having so many options is pretty useful once you get things set up how you like them. It also has a custom RGB (red, green, and blue) lighting system if you feel like lighting up your gaming room. Number of Mouse Buttons: 11 | DPI: 25,000 | Weight: 4.27 to 4.90 ounces | Interface: Wired USB Button options are extensive, with eight to program. It’s also possible to adjust how quickly the mouse responds to your movements with the ability to change this while you play. Different scenarios require different levels of speediness, after all. The Razer Lancehead TE isn’t the best mouse for right-handed users, but it does the job well and offers some much-needed flexibility for everyone else. Number of Mouse Buttons: 8 | DPI: 16,000 | Weight: 3.89 ounces | Interface: Wired USB

Features

Only you know what’s most important to you. A mouse with nearly a dozen customizable buttons is ideal for first-person shooter (FPS) games such as “Fortnite” or “Overwatch” and massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) like “World of Warcraft” or “Final Fantasy XIV.” But a mouse and keyboard with countless options can be excessive and overwhelming for some players. 

Wired or Wireless

Your options are limited when it comes to wireless keyboards and mice on the Xbox One, so it’s worth thinking about how important being wire-free is. A wired connection saves you the need to worry about recharging the devices or any concerns regarding connection dropouts, but wireless devices look neater and don’t add any trip hazards to your setup. Think about what matters most to you and your gaming room.

About Our Trusted Experts

Jennifer Allen has been writing about technology and gaming since 2010. She specializes in iOS and Apple technology, as well as wearable technology, smart home devices, and all things Xbox. She’s been a regular tech columnist for Paste Magazine, written for Digital Trends, TechRadar, Mashable, and PC World, as well as more diverse outlets including Playboy and ​Eurogamer. Membrane keyboards are silent and cheaper but are prone to wearing out much faster, and you can input only one command at a time. So if you need to do a complex input in a game such as “StarCraft II,” you either need to be ultra-quick with your keypresses or bite the bullet and invest in a mechanical keyboard. Andy Zahn has written about computers and other tech for Lifewire, The Balance, and Investopedia, among other publications. He has reviewed numerous laptops and PCs and has been building gaming PCs of his own since 2013.