Best 60 percent keyboards for Gaming – Typing – Programming in 2023
Keycaps 101
Posted by: amy-golden
Oct 19, 2022
The main reason why people seek the best 60% keyboards is mainly due to their compact size. By cutting down the keys they hardly used in the full-size keyboard, the keyboard will be smaller, therefore, more portable for those who need to carry it around.
In this list of the best 60 percent keyboards for gaming, you will unfold 10 keyboards that are of good quality. Care to explore them with us?
Ducky One 2 Mini and Mecha Mini: The best 60% keyboard overall
Ducky One 2 Mecha Mini Keyboard (Source: Gamergear)
Features:
10 additional colorful keycaps
Ducky Macro 2.0
USB type C
Low-profile
Pros:
Doubleshot PBT keycaps
Many different switch variants to choose from
Aluminum frame
Excellent for typing
Cons:
Software doesn’t have key-assigning function
Slightly high latency
Sometimes people wonder if a 60% keyboard is easy to slide around the table due to its small size. Well, you won’t meet that problem with Ducky One 2 Mini keyboard. The frame is made of aluminum, a high-class material that is favored in the aircraft industry. Therefore, this compact keyboard can stand strong as a giant on your desk despite the heavy strokes from users.
In addition, we believe the Ducky One 2 Mini keyboard must be in the top list of the best 60 percent keyboards, mainly because the two-layer PBT keycaps and high-quality Cherry MX or Kailh switches produce a great typing experience.
Unfortunately, this keyboard’s latency is a little bit higher than other best 60% keyboards for gaming, making it not ideal for heavy game titles. Moreover, its software does not let you map keys in one go so you will need to seek help with other software.
Kinesis TKO Keyboard: Best 60 Percent Keyboard for Gaming
Kinesis TKO Keyboard
Features:
12 customizable RGB effects
9 fully customizable dual-layer profiles
Detachable USB-C cable
Three-button spacebar
Pros:
3 Kailh BOX switches to pick from
Onboard programming shortcuts
Aluminum plate
Doubleshot PBT keycaps
Cons:
Difficult to update firmware
Expensive
Kinesis TKO keyboard is highly praised by the keyboard community for its strong construction. The plate is made of aluminum and the keycaps are durable thanks to PBT materials. Moreover, it has four silicon legs that can withstand heavy physical impact to always stay in one place.
You can choose among Kailh BOX Brown, White, or Red switches and those switches are tested to last for 80 million keystrokes. Apart from standard key characters, the manufacturers also print hotkeys on the keycaps, so it saves you time to switch between the manual and the keyboard.
Besides, this keyboard is pretty cool when it has 9 customizable profiles for specialist users. This gives you the freedom and control over the keymap to enhance your keyboard experience.
However, compared to other best 60% keyboards, it’s quite difficult to get updated firmware since this is a softwareless keyboard.
Anne Pro 2: Best Wireless 60 Percent Keyboard
Anne Pro 2 White Keyboard
Features:
USB type C
1900 maH battery
Tab key and double Fn keys
Pros:
Doubleshot PBT keycaps
Wired or wireless mode
A lot of switch options
Full key programming
Extremely good customization software
Cons:
Wireless connection is not lag-free
Weak RGB lighting
If you prefer a keyboard that has a wireless mode for mobility and a neat working desk, we think Anne Pro 2 keyboard is the perfect fit among the best 60 percent keyboard. It uses Bluetooth 5.0 Hz allowing you to use 4 devices at the same time. Furthermore, the battery is powerful at 1900 maH.
However, the wireless mode of the Anne Pro 2 keyboard is not suitable for fast-paced games since it has a lagging issue. Asides from that, the RGB effects of this 60% keyboard are dim and dull, so it’s not a good choice for those who love colorful lighting.
But, if you like to program the keys and look for intuitive and easy-to-use software, we believe the Anne Pro 2 will amaze you on the first try. That is because you can program a lot of things with its software without the need of installing extra programs.
HyperX Alloy Origins: Best Budget 60 Percent Keyboard
When mentioning the best 60% keyboards for gaming, we cannot forget the name of HyperX Alloy Origins 60 gaming keyboard. This keyboard uses HyperX switches that can last to 80 million key activations. They are fit for both typing and gaming experiences.
Moreover, the whole body is made of aluminum materials, and the keycaps are used PBT plastic with two layers. Therefore, we can trust the longevity of Hyper X Alloy keyboards won’t be a short time. Worth noting that, the keyboard is quite heavier than the regular 60% keyboards of the same aluminum body. This can be a hit or miss depending on the users.
This keyboard also has a detachable cable that allows you to find the replacement easily when the cables pass the using time. In contrast, it’s difficult to look forkeycaps that fit the HyperX keyboard.
See for yourself how vivid the RGB effects of this keyboard are in the below video.
Glorious GMMK Compact: The best hot-swappable 60% Keyboard
Glorious GMMK Compact Gaming Keyboard
Features:
16.8 million RGB colors
Discreet led indicators
Rubber feet and pads
Removeable USB cord
Pros:
Macro keys and hot keys
Buttery smooth Gateron Brown tactile switches
Hot-swappable
Cons:
High latency
ABS keycaps
Among the 10 best 60 percent keyboards, Glorious GMMK Compact keyboard is a hot-swappable one that allows you to change the switches easily. Unlike standard keyboards, you don’t have to desolder and solder the switches to custom them based on your liking.
This keyboard has a solid build with high-quality plastic, Besides, the rubber feet and under pad will prevent it from sliding or tilting due to your heavy typing. Even though it has ABS keycaps, the typing feels on those keycaps and switches are super nice. They do not wobble but are well-balanced throughout the whole key layout.
It’s easy to program keys on this keyboard, and you are also allowed to customize the RGBlighting aside from the pre-setting effects.
The downside of the Glorious GMMK Compact keyboard would be its high latency. This characteristic makes it less desirable for gamers who are into heavy gameplay.
Razer Huntsman Mini: Best RGB-Ready 60 Percent Keyboard
Razer Huntsman Mini 60% Gaming Keyboard
Features:
Detachable USB cable
5 keyboard profiles
Razer Chroma RGB lighting effects
Pros:
Onboard memory
Individual lighting keys
Doubleshot PBT keycaps
Aluminum case
Cons:
No dedicated macro keys
Razer Huntsman Mini 60% keyboard is a compact keyboard that is not short on necessary keys. It’s thanks to the secondary functions and shortcuts printed on the side of keycaps. This means you won’t have to search every time just to know where to press for those cut-off functions.
‘The best 60 percent keyboards for gaming’ list cannot be completed without this keyboard. The main reason is the 5 built-in profile that allows you to remap and set the layout for different purposes. Besides, the Razer Huntsman Mini 60% keyboard has an aluminum body and PBT keycaps that are strong and very durable under time.
Moreover, the optical switches from Razer are precise and crazily fast, making them very suitable for those who compete in games.
Royal Kludge RK61: Best budget wireless 60% Keyboard
RK Royal Kludge RK61 60% Mechanical Keyboard
Features:
Four rubber feet
USB-C to USB-A rubber cable
Rechargeable battery
Blue backlighting
Pros:
Affordable price
It has wireless mode
Multi-device connections
Hot Swappable
Cons:
ABS keycaps
High latency
Royal Kludge RK61 60% keyboard allows users to alter between wired and wireless mode with a small switch underneath. Moreover, it is a rechargeable type, so you don’t have to care about storing batteries for this keyboard. Besides, you can link the Royal Kludge to three different devices, convenient for multi-working.
The RK switches are nice to type on, despite the keycaps being merely cheap ABS. You can choose between RK Brown, Blue, or Red switches. Apart from that, this keyboard is hot-swappable, meaning you can set different keyswitches in different positions with only a puller.
However, the latency is quite high for both cable-in and cable-out modes. This means when you are playing games, there are moderate chances that the signal will delay for a moment. Therefore, it’s not recommended for heavy games. You should look for other keyboards in this best 60% keyboard list.
Cooler Master SK622: Best 60 Percent Keyboard for Use With Multiple Devices
Cooler Master SK622 White Mechanical Keyboard
Features:
Low-profile
Colorful RGB lighting
Rechargeable battery
USB-C cable
Pros:
Wired or wireless
Aluminum or plastic option
Three switch types to choose from
No additional software required
Minimal input lag
Cons:
Wireless mode has 125Hz only
The last keyboard in this list of the best 60% keyboards will be Cooler Master SK622 keyboard. It’s better than other wireless keyboards on the list since the lagging issue in wireless mode is controlled to be minimal. However, clearly, the transmission rate will drop compared to wired mode.
You can choose between aluminum or plastic for the keyboard case. Also, there are TTC Low-profile Red, Blue, or Brown switches to pick from. Overall, the typing feels on the three switch types are nice and firm, making it a good option for those who prioritize typing performance.
The best feature of the Cooler Master SK622 is the 32-bit ARM Cortex processor. Thanks to it, you won’t need to install extra software for personal programming. It has the ‘On the fly’ system that controls macro programming and lighting changing. Hence, you can set up everything quite easily and quickly.
Visual effects on this keyboard can enhance your gaming experience. Take a look and feel it yourself.
In one sentence, a 60% keyboard has around 62 keys. It cuts off more than tenkeyless keyboards, for instance, the Numpad, function keys, and even arrow keys. This varies for different brands.
Pros and Cons of a 60% keyboard
Why should you use a 60% keyboard?
For those who will prefer a 60% keyboard:
Want a small keyboard to save space
Need to carry the keyboard around
Think that some keys are unnecessary, hence, they can be ditched out.
Why shouldn’t you use a 60% keyboard?
You should not buy a 60% keyboard if:
Do not familiar with the use of shortcuts and hotkeys
If you are not a fan of 60% keyboards, don’t worry, we have other choices for you to explore. Check out our collection of “best keyboards” here and find your perfect match. You might be surprised by how much fun typing can be!
Materials for case, back plate, and keycaps since they decide the longevity of the keyboard and typing feels. The best reference: Aluminum
Overall design because it will bring you comfort or discomfort.
Keycaps
Your fingers will touch the keycaps most of the time so it’s best to pick out the good ones.
Keycaps materials: ABS and PBT are the most common materials. ABS is cheaper and smoother, but prone to shine. PBT is more expensive and rougher, but more durable and textured .
Printing methods: Pad printing, laser etching, dye sublimation, and double-shot molding are the most common methods. Pad printing and laser etching produce low-quality legends that fade easily. Dye sublimation and double-shot molding produce high-quality legends that last long .
Profile: OEM, Cherry, SA, DSA, XDA, and MT3 are some of the popular profiles. OEM and Cherry are sculpted and medium-low height. SA, DSA, XDA, and MT3 are spherical-shaped and vary in height and dish.
Do you like to take out the switches easily with a hot-swappable keyboard?
Do you need a wireless keyboard?
What is the USB type you prefer? A, B, or C. And, do you want the cable to be detachable?
Do you need incline legs or even incline adjustable stands?
Wired or wireless
When considering factors for 60% mechanical keyboards, it’s also important to weigh the advantages of wired and wireless options:
Wired Keyboard: These boards offer a reliable connection with minimal latency, making them ideal for both gaming and typing tasks. Additionally, they eliminate battery concerns, ensuring uninterrupted usage.
Wireless Keyboard: If portability and convenience are priorities, wireless 60% boards are a great choice. They provide a clutter-free setup and the freedom to move around. However, users should be mindful of potential battery issues and slight latency that might impact gaming performance.
A 60 percent keyboard is the smallest keyboard type, therefore, saves the most space on your working table. Of course, it has its advantages and disadvantages so you should consider them carefully before choosing.
After that, if you decide to have one, the top 10 best 60 percent keyboards above may help you choose easier. Enjoy reading!
FAQs
How much does a 60 percent keyboard cost?
Most 60% keyboards are at around $100. But, you can find some best 60 percent keyboards for about $50.
What are the downsides of 60 percent keyboards?
The missing keys on the 60% keyboard will need time to get familiar with them at first. If you use them a lot, function keys, for instance, you should avoid this type of keyboard layout.
Which 60 percent keyboard is the best for everyday use?
For everyday uses, you should focus on typing performance. Therefore, we suggest Ducky One 2 Mini and Cooler Master SK622.
Which 60 percent keyboard is the best for gaming?
Some best 60% keyboards for gaming are HyperX Alloy Origin 60, Kinesis TKO, and Razer Huntsman Mini.
Which 60 percent keyboard has the fastest switches?
A lot of keyboards in this best 60% keyboard list allow you to choose the switch type. So, we cannot pick out one. But, we can suggest you focus on linear switch types as they have an advantage in speed over the other two types.
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Posted by:
amy-golden
I work as a freelance blogger in Seattle, Washington. I've been freelancing full-time for 5 years. I'm interested in anime, resin art, and mechanical keyboards.
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