Best PlayStation 3 Gaming Keyboards AI pick
Chosen by an AI model from its trained knowledge, with its reasoning.
AI pick (line): Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro for PlayStation 3
It is a Sony-licensed Bluetooth keyboard with a built-in touchpad and PS3 media keys, so it pairs directly with the console with no dongle and lets you type and point from the couch.
Not for: Anyone who wants a keyboard to aim in shooters, since almost no PS3 games accept keyboard input for gameplay. It is also a poor fit if you need a new-in-box unit, because the line is long discontinued.
AI picks by need
For typing chat without putting the controller down
Sony Wireless Keypad (line)
It clips onto a DualShock 3 and pairs over Bluetooth, so you can type messages while still holding the controller.
Not for: People who type long passages or use the PS3 web browser heavily, since the thumb-sized keys are slow for that.
What the AI looks for in PlayStation 3 Gaming Keyboards
- Connection type
- Must be a standard USB HID keyboard or a Bluetooth HID keyboard. The PS3 pairs Bluetooth devices under Accessory Settings. The PS3 has no keyboard drivers beyond basic HID, so keyboards that need vendor software or proprietary protocols will not work.
- Game support
- Check that your specific game accepts keyboard input. Only a handful do, such as Unreal Tournament 3, Final Fantasy XIV and DC Universe Online. Outside those titles, a keyboard only speeds up text entry in the system menus, messages and the browser.
- Couch usability
- Prefer a wireless keyboard with a built-in touchpad or pointer if you will use it from a sofa. The PS3 browser and menus benefit from pointing, and a corded desk keyboard is awkward across a living room.
- Special keys
- Treat media, macro and RGB keys as non-functional unless the keyboard is specifically licensed for PS3. Generic gaming keyboards' extra keys usually do nothing on the PS3, so you should not pay for them.
Brands that matter
- Logitech: Made the officially licensed Bluetooth MediaBoard Pro for PS3.
- Sony: Official Wireless Keypad that attaches to the DualShock 3.
What to avoid
- Keyboard-and-mouse converter adapters sold as a way to play any PS3 game with a keyboard, which are a separate category of device with their own compatibility caveats.
- Gaming keyboards bought for software macros or lighting, since those features need PC software the PS3 cannot run.
- Keyboards using proprietary wireless receivers that are not plain USB HID devices.
Questions
Will any USB keyboard work on a PS3?
Most standard USB keyboards work for typing in menus, messages and the browser, but they control gameplay only in the few games that support keyboard input.
Can I use a keyboard to aim in shooters like Call of Duty?
Not natively. Most PS3 shooters ignore keyboard and mouse input, so a plain keyboard will not let you play them that way.