Aukey’s RGB G12 mechanical keyboard, F2 mouse and P6 mousepad are a fantastic gaming value

If you’ve ever searched for gaming keyboards on Amazon, you’ve probably come across the Aukey brand. The company manufactures everything from power banks and chargers to dash cams $ 40 mechanical KM-G6 keyboard has been on our list of the best cheap gaming keyboards for a while. At the end of last year, the G12 was introduced as a new model, which improves the design and functions of the G6 and at the same time keeps the price low. It is regularly sold for $ 40 to $ 55, depending on the discounts available.

The G12 uses Aukey / Outemu Blue Clicky switches, which I like to type and play. However, it is a switch that you can feel and hear. So if you need or want to rest, you probably want to pass this on. The combination of the click and the somewhat hollow body (metal at the top and plastic at the bottom) leads to an echo-like spring noise when you hit the keys. Apart from the sound of the switches, there is a lot to like here for the money.

Also read: Best cheap gaming keyboards to improve your work from home

The RGB keyboard has several pre-programmed lighting arrangements for fun and play that are stored on the keyboard, so you don’t need any software. There is also a light band that wraps around the base of the keyboard and adds an extra beam of light when playing. All lights can also be switched off with a single button press. In addition, Aukey used a cleaner font than the G6, making them easier to read overall, and the double keycaps ensure the markings don’t wear out.

For complete control over keyboard lights and key assignments, you can use Aukey’s G-Aim app. Compared to Razer and Logitech apps, the software is fairly simple and occasionally freezes, but does the job and is relatively easy to learn.

If you need more than a new keyboard, the company also offers some affordable gaming mice. I tested both the GM-F2 and the Scarab GM-F3. The two cost $ 20 and $ 18, respectively, and offer more than their prices suggest. The F2 is just a solid, simple gaming mouse with six programmable buttons and a scroll wheel wrapped in gnarled rubber, the strokes of which you can feel.

At 75 grams, the F3 is ultra light, but it also looks and feels weak compared to the Glorious Model O, which is actually a bit lighter than the F3. The scroll wheel in particular does not seem to hold up over time. Still, at $ 18, it’s a good place to start if you want to see if a lighter mouse makes a difference to your game. Both mice have braided cables, which is a nice touch for such inexpensive mice.

To complete this affordable PC gaming setup, Aukey manufactures the large KM-P6 RGB mouse pad. The pad is big enough for keyboard and mouse and much more. Powered by a braided micro USB cable that plugs into a box in the top left corner, there’s a button on the back that lets you scroll through the colors and turn them off.

The pad also works with the G-Aim app, so you can control the colors there too. If you pair it with the F2 mouse and G12 keyboard, you can also synchronize the color patterns between the three devices.

Although the KM-P6 is currently unavailable due to manufacturing and shipping delays, the $ 20 RGB mouse pad should be back on Amazon sometime in July.