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!
Best 60% Gaming Keyboard - PCPartPicker
What's the Best 60% Keyboard I Can Buy?
Recommendation for 60% keyboard
60% keyboards
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.
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.
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