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Should I Get a Wireless 60% or 65% Keyboard?
Many 60% and 65% keyboards feature a detachable cable—preferably USB-C—that makes for easier travel and storage. Companies still occasionally add proprietary locking mechanisms to the cables, ensuring that the cable never detaches during play. I prefer it when companies forgo that measure. The cables stay in fine on their own except in drastic circumstances, and, without the locking mechanism, you can replace a broken cable with any other USB Type-C-to-A cord.
What about wireless compact keyboards? After all, if you're aiming to free up desk space, you may as well cut the cord, too. Wireless 60% and 65% keyboards, though, are few and far between. The groups who have been most interested in 60% and 65% keyboards until very recently—competitive gamers, programmers, custom keyboard enthusiasts—traditionally haven't chased wireless keyboards. If going wireless is your top priority right now, you should check out full-size and tenkeyless ("TKL") keyboards. You'll find a much larger selection.
How Many Keys Does a 60% or 65% Keyboard Have?
A standard, full-size keyboard has 104 keys. Technically speaking, that means a 60% keyboard should have 62 keys, and a 65% keyboard should have 67 or 68 keys. Realistically, manufacturers play it a little fast and loose with the numbers and the key-count totals. Most so-called 60% models we've tested run 60 to 65 keys, while 65% ones have around 66 to 70 keys.
Unlike the tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard layout that simply removes the numeric keypad, the 60% or 65% keyboard layout also ditches what some users might deem essential inputs. The typical 60% keyboard drops the Function (F1 to F12) keys, arrow keys, and other navigation/utility keys. (Think Home, Delete, Print Screen, Page Up, and Page Down.) The layout is compressed into a single block without any sections or gaps. For example, the Escape key no longer floats alone, because that would require extra room in the layout.
Meanwhile, 65% keyboards give you a little more wiggle room while staying compact. These boards drop the Function keys and most other nonessentials, but they almost always keep the arrow keys. Many also hold onto one or two other keys. Fnatic and a few other keyboard manufacturers add extra, customizable macro keys that give you the option to remap the keyboard.
Ready to Buy the Right 60% or 65% Keyboard for You?
Now that you know what to look for in a 60% or 65% keyboard, it’s up to you to make your pick. Here's our list of the best compact keyboards culled from our recent reviews. In addition, if you’re all in on competitive play, consider pairing your new compact keyboard with one our favorite esports mice.
Over my two years, or so of gaming one of my niche, I spent my money on was mechanical keyboards. This obsession with mechanical keyboards started to happen when I realized that there was more to keyboards than the cheap plastic membrane feels that everyone has once used in their life. However, the problem was that the mechanical keyboards, especially good quality ones cost a lot of money. Being a student in high school at the time with no source of income and saving of few hundred dollars I decided to embark on the journey of buying cheap mechanical keyboards off amazon that was most suitable in the price range and worth it for their value.
If you are like me and are trying to find a mechanical keyboard in the 50-100 dollar range these are my top 5 picks for the keywords that I used that were off amazon. I used each of these keyboards for 3 months min and I still sometimes use them today depending on how I feel. With the keyboards, I will list the pros and cons that come with these keyboards so that you'll be able to find perfect budget keyboards for you!
The ranking of this list is completely random, but I will try to organize it by the best quality and worth for its value
RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 Price: $49.99
Link: https://amzn.to/3VbPJSw
This keyboard has gotten a lot of attention over the past couple of years due to its cheap value, but for its quality. To me, this keyboard was personally an all-time favorite. Although the build quality seemed to be all plastic the keycaps and the switches they used were extremely worth it for their value. I got the brown switches and although quiet it was extremely satisfying to use for its smooth actuation and 60% build.Tips: If purchasing I recommend that you either get the blue or the red. Although I had brown it was a little too quiet for my liking.
Pros: The switches that are used are of extremely good quality, 60% with all f1,f2,f3 functions, wireless/wired
Cons: Not hot-squabble (expected for a cheaper build), color ranges are limited (one color only for keyboards for the cheaper ones), limited in the ability to mod the keyboard, comes with only three switch options: blue, brown, red; keycap wiggle is minimum but noticeable in the spacebar (very minimum)
2. GK61 Mechanical Keyboard Price: $49.99
Link: https://amzn.to/41MxRAc
The GK61 is an amazing keyboard that is a little bit more pricey, but worth every single dollar. Similar to the RK Royal the keyboard is 60%, but comes with a little more functionality. The GK61 is most known for its design and quality and is even recommended by Youtubers such as TechSource!
Pros: Amazing build quality and simplistic design of the keyboard, RGB in this keyboard has more variety and has customizable RGB, comes with a software which allows individuals to be able to program specific keys and use macros, crazy, but it comes with a built-in microphone feature to mute and unmutes your mic
Cons: Similar to other cheaper 60% builds the keycaps are a little bit wobbly, but it's not too noticeable to be bothered, only another problem that I noticed was the software for the keyboard in setting up macros is a little bit complcicated.
3. Dierya T63 Price: $39.99
Link: https://amzn.to/3R0cEzy
This keyboard is a little bit complicated in its usage due to its expensive price, but not an as good quality for its worth. However, overall the keyboard for gaming has a unique build to it with showing keycaps, unique keyboard switches, and a more compact and unique keyboard layout design. Personally, I have used this keyboard a lot but would not recommend the keyboard if you are looking for more quality than its usage.
Pros: The T63 comes with a compact design which allows for more keyboard functionality and less usage of space, since the keyboard comes with more key options there are a lot more keyboard shortcuts, but is not that useful in gaming, for its affordable price for $39.99 depending on the customer you are it is either a like it or hate it keyboard, switches of the keyboard are mushier but come with a click
Cons: because there are so many keys the placement of the arrows on the keys are a little bit wacky and is hard to use at times such as writing an essay or just scrolling online, key switches are a little bit cheaper so when pressing hard on the keys you will be able to hear some kind of clinking sound, but it's not that loud
4. Motospeed Wired/Wireless 3.0 Price: $34.99
Link: https://amzn.to/4j1heto
This keyboard is not talked a lot about due to its extremely cheap price of just $49.99, but upon review was really surprised by its quality and build. its sleek design and vibrant RGB colors made this keyboard one of the most appealing keyboard. For the keyboard review, the build quality was amazing and its key switches were extremely satisfying to press
Pros: Amazing light selection, keycap quality is amazing, keyboard build is great, switches depending on the reds were really fun to use, compact 60% with extra key options
Cons: f1 keys were hard to use, little wobble, and a little complication using function keys such as arrows, locks, and caps, quality although good for the price is not the best compared to others, but worth its price! A little bit of clinging
5. Redragon K52 Mechanical Keyboard Price: $48.99
Link: https://amzn.to/3HjoG1S
Overall when talking about a cheap budget mechanical keyboard this is the most popular keyboard that is talked about. With its cheap price, good quality builds, and key switches this keyboard is the most recommended for beginners and budget keyboard!
Pros: Low price, good build quality for its price (aluminum base), best switches of blues, comes with all functions keys, amazing RGB options, *says waterproof, but never tested
Cons: Switches are limited to the only blue for some reason, not hot squabble, USB cable can not be detached, keycaps are a little thin, aesthetics of the keyboard (awkward Logo placement) is not to good
If I were to put this in order of best quality I would have to give it this rating:
RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 (best overall quality for its price)
GK61 Mechanical Keyboard (similar to the RK with more color options, but a little bit more expensive)
Redragon K52 Mechanical Keyboard (the best quality of blues for its cheap price!)
Motospeed Wired/Wireless 3.0 Price (not the best quality build, but for its price good aesthetic and build)
Dierya T63 (not the best compared to the rest of the keyboards on this list, but for some reason was my favorite to use)
Here is my list of the top budget keyboard to use in 2021!
Hey r/AskConsumerAdvice, keyboard newb here needing some guidance from the experts! I've been researching smaller form mechanical keyboards and really like the streamlined look of the 60% size.
However, there are SO many different brands and models of 60% keyboards out there. I'm feeling kinda lost trying to determine which one has the best quality and features for the price.
What would you all recommend as the best 60% mechanical keyboard to buy for under $150? RGB lighting would be nice but not 100% necessary. I'd mostly use it for typing and occasional gaming.
I see names like Royal Kludge, Ducky, and Anne Pro 2 thrown around a lot but not sure how they compare or which is best for a first-timer. Any advice would be hugely appreciated! Thank you!