Andrew West

Whether you’re searching for a replacement for old hardware, or putting together a brand-new computer build, you’ve come to the right place. Building a computer setup can be very expensive, but with the right research, you can bring your dream build to life under budget. We have reviewed the best gaming keyboard and mouse combos under $50, we narrowed down our selection to the best four currently available.

The current generation of high-end peripherals come loaded with features, from RGB lighting to programmable buttons. However, if we’re looking to walk the line of affordability, we might have to survive without some of these extra attributes.

Our goal is to find a peripheral package that caters towards gaming. Most gamers use mechanical keyboards, as opposed to membrane keyboards. Mechanical keyboards offer a quicker response time and endless customizability. A keyboard and mouse shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. We’ve looked high and low to find the perfect combination of price and quality that will get you the most bang for your buck.

Top Pick

Redragon K552 Gaming Keyboard and Mouse

A stylish RGB peripheral package with a mechanical keyboard

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The Redragon K552 Gaming Keyboard and Mouse provides the perfect budget keyboard and mouse for gamers. The K552 package includes a mechanical keyboard, 3200 DPI mouse, and they even toss in a 13”x 10” mousepad. You won’t find a better entry-level peripheral package for under $50 than this.

The Top 4 Rated Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combos

Our Top Pick: Redragon K552-BA Gaming Mechanical Keyboard

The K552 is the ideal mechanical keyboard for those under a strict budget. Most gaming keyboards under $50 are membrane keyboards that look and sound like mechanical keyboards. They produce a ‘faux click’ sound, without having physical switches.

That’s not the case with the K552, it’s a legitimate mechanical keyboard equipped with Outemu Blue switches.

For those who wish to be spared the technical details, it’s a middle of the pack key in terms of quality and features, but it’s a little on the loud side in comparison to others. The Outemu blue is a tactile switch suited for up to 40 million clicks, similar to the Cherry MX Blue. It has anti-ghosting keys with a travel depth of 2.4mm and requires 60cN (or grams) of force to reach actuation.

The keyboard is backlit with red LED lighting, the color cannot be changed. However, there are 10 different brightness levels to cycle through.

The K552 is an ergonomic keyboard, comfortable for both gaming and typing.

This model is very compact as it lacks a number pad, so if you’re looking to reduce desk clutter, the K552 is a good choice.

The second component to this combo is the Redragon M601 Gaming Mouse. The M601 is a complete budget mouse, it comes packed with many of the features of higher-end gaming mice. It has two left-side thumb buttons, which are perfect for gaming key binds.

Like its keyboard companion, the M601 has red backlighting. The backlighting is non-adjustable, and there is no easy way to turn the lights off. If you want to do so, you’re going to have to do some screwdriver surgery and open the casing.

If you aren’t satisfied with the weight of the mouse, it has an 8-piece removable weight set, so you can customize it to your liking. This is an optical mouse, so it can be used on any surface. The fact that it has 4 adjustable DPI settings (from 800 DPI to 3200 DPI) makes the M601 the perfect utilitarian peripheral for any gamer.

The bad part about the M601 and almost all low-end gaming mice is that the longevity of the product is questionable. However, you are undoubtedly getting a great product at a low cost.

EagleTec KG010-N Keyboard & Pictek Gaming Mouse Combo

The KG010-N is another quality peripheral in the $50 price range. This keyboard does not come packaged with a mouse, but we can find a suitable companion to bring this bundle in under budget.

This model is the barebones version of the KG010, they knock a few dollars off the price by excluding any backlighting. If you’re a gaming enthusiast that also works from the same computer, this is the perfect minimalist keyboard. The aluminum top plate gives this keyboard a sleek look, it has all the critical features of a mechanical gaming keyboard, without the flashy visuals.

The KG010-N uses the same Outemu Blue switches as the Redragon K552, the technical specifications of this switch are as follows:

Since the KG010-N is a hybrid gaming and office keyboard, it also includes a number pad, this increases the footprint of the keyboard a sufficient amount.

If you’re looking to save desk space, then the Redragon K552 may be more suitable for you.

There are concerns about the reliability of this product in the long run, after a year of intense gaming and typing, certain keys may die out. The great thing about mechanical keyboards is that replacing keys is a simple and painless process, just pop out the old one and the new one snaps right in.

We should also note that this keyboard is noisy, at times it sounds like you’re operating a typewriter. But that’s the great part of owning a mechanical keyboard, the satisfying clack clack clack of the keys as you furiously type away.

Pictek Gaming Mouse

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One of the best affordable gaming mice available, the Pictek gaming mouse puts a variety of awesome features in the hands of budget gamers. From the adjustable RGB backlight to the 7 programmable buttons, the Pictek brings style and functionality at a great price.

People that play a multitude of games would love this mouse, optimizing your settings from an FPS to a MOBA can be irritating, but tweaking DPI settings on the fly is made easy with the Pictek. It has two dedicated buttons to cycle through the default DPI options (1200/2400/3500/5500/7200).

However, the DPI range can be set anywhere from 500-7200 DPI through the software provided by Pictek. For a smoother gaming experience, the Pictek also offers a 4-level adjustable polling rate (125Hz/250Hz/500Hz/1000Hz).

The many customizable features of the Pictek separate it from other gaming mice in the same price range, but if you’re running a Mac OS, you’re going to want to look elsewhere. The software provided by Pictek is only supported on Windows systems. The base functions of the mouse will still work on Mac OS, but the custom functions will not be available.

By pairing the Pictek and the EagleTec KG010-N together, you can hit the ground running with a great entry-level gaming build.

Cooler Master Devastator 3 Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combo

From one of the most reputable computer hardware companies, Cooler Master offers a great peripheral package at a low price.

The unfortunate part of the Cooler Master Devastator 3 Combo is that it doesn’t come with a mechanical keyboard. The peripherals have all the bells and whistles, but to keep it affordable, Cooler Master has opted for a membrane keyboard.

Devastator 3 Keyboard

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Although the keyboard is not mechanical, Cooler Master has equipped the Devastator 3 with what they call “Mem-Chanical” keys. These are supposed to give the Devastator all the qualities of a mechanical keyboard, without the painful price point.

The concept of “Mem-Chanical” keys is interesting, but it falls flat in delivering the beneficial features of a true mechanical keyboard. For starters, the sound is a lot different than any physical switch. The Devastator keys produce a dull plastic click that is much quieter than a mechanical unit.

In terms of functionality, the keys have a much deeper trigger depth than physical switches. You probably won’t notice this during gameplay, but put side by side with an actual mechanical keyboard the difference is obvious.

Where the Devastator lacks in performance, it makes up in stylish visuals.

The keyboard and mouse are both backlit with 7 different color options, they can be cycled through from the LED key control. The 7 colors are provided by default from the manufacturer. They are not customizable through any sort of software provided.

Cooler Master did a fantastic job of emulating the classic look of a mechanical keyboard. The laser-etched grip coated keys are raised and have a slight kerning, giving that signature mechanical look.

Despite its faults, the Devastator 3 keyboard still makes a case for being a great peripheral for under $50. It would be great for those wanting a cheaper alternative to a mechanical keyboard.

Devastator 3 Gaming Mouse

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The Devastator 3 Combo also brings the perfect budget gaming mouse at a great price. It comes stocked with 4 different DPI settings (800/1200/1800/2800), two left-side thumb buttons, and RGB backlighting that matches its keyboard counterpart.

The mouse is very comfortable in hand, its low profile makes it particularly suitable for FPS games. Unfortunately, the mouse cord is not braided, the rubber can sometimes catch on the edge of one’s desk. This can be an issue for those that have their peripheral wires dangling below their desk.

Overall, the Devastator is a practical and elegant looking gaming mouse. The Devastator 3 combo would satisfy any beginner.

Redragon S101 Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combo

The Redragon S101 combo takes the last place for our review of gaming peripheral packages under $50.

The keyboard and mouse are perfectly suitable for entry-level gamers, but we prefer to avoid membrane keyboards. If you don’t care for the functional advantages of a mechanical keyboard, then the S101 would be a perfect alternative.

Despite lacking in performance, the S101 has a stylish look for a low-end gaming keyboard. The 7-color RGB backlighting complete with changeable breathing effects brings stunning visuals at an affordable price. This is a durable peripheral package that won’t disappoint as a starter gaming setup.

Redragon M601 Gaming Mouse

The gaming mouse included in the S101 combination was reviewed earlier in the article, along with the Redragon K552. Click here to read the review

What are the advantages of a mechanical keyboard?

There are a few reasons mechanical keyboards are superior for gaming.

Mechanical keyboards use physical switches underneath the keys to register keystrokes. When a key is pressed on a membrane keyboard, the membrane completes the electrical circuit. When the circuit is complete, this allows current to flow, signaling that a specific key has been pressed.

Why does this matter? It really comes down to one thing, speed.

Physical switches register keystrokes quicker than membrane circuits and require less force to depress the keys. While this may only save a fraction of a second, it could be the difference maker for gaining an edge over your opponent in gaming.