Best 60% keyboard 2023
Looking for a cleaner desktop? We go over the best 60% gaming keyboards
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As you might have noticed, huge, boisterous, and garish gaming keyboards have essentially fallen by the wayside as gamers have grown up. Nowadays gamers are looking for a tidier, more minimalistic setup. Large peripheral manufacturers have caught wind of this, meaning there’s a huge range of 60% keyboards to choose from. As with the best gaming keyboards, there are many factors to consider, and we are going to take you through what you need to know. So, let’s try to find the very best 60% keyboard in 2024.
How many keys are on a 60% keyboard?
The short answer is roughly 61. It differs marginally depending on the layout scheme. If you’re reading this then chances are you are using either the American standard ANSI or the European standard ISO. A quick way to check is to look at the enter/return key. If it’s a horizontal rectangle, you’re using ANSI, if it’s sort of an inverted L shape, then you’re on an ISO board. Here’s a graphic that visually illustrates the differences compared to more traditional layouts.
The main things you need to know about 60% keyboards are:
- No arrow keys
- No Numpad
- No function row
These may sound like absolutely vital aspects of a keyboard that you can’t possibly go without. But unless you’re an accountant or do a lot of word processing, chances are you don’t use these features much. Additionally, many 60% of keyboards retain these abilities via macros. For example, the Razer Huntsman Mini transforms the I, J, K, and L keys into arrows when FN is pushed.
If the space-saving and aesthetic benefits of the 60% keyboard have tempted you, then look no further. We have compiled a list of the best 60% keyboards out there.
How we pick the best 60% keyboard
Broadly speaking, we take the same considerations from any type of keyboard and apply them to the 60% keyboard form factor. Specifically, we look at build quality, design, key switches, and price.
Where possible, we try to get hands-on with the products we recommend. This way we can play some games, do some typing, and assess the build quality in person. This allows us to make sure we’re recommending the best possible 60% keyboard for our readers.
Things we consider
As briefly outlined above there are several characteristics and capabilities that we keep in mind when bringing you our suggestions for the best 60% keyboard
Build quality
This is a big one, if a manufacturer tries to save a buck by choosing cheap materials, the quality of the product suffers. So on this list, you’ll find only keyboards that are made with premium materials and will last you in the long run. We consider the feel of the keycaps, the robustness of the overall build, and the included accessories. If these aren’t commensurate with the price, no dice.
Design
This is less easy to pin down. Seeing as one of the main reasons behind the purchase of a 60% keyboard is the aesthetic, any board must succeed in this area. It’s all well and good having the 60% layout, but if a board looks bad doing it, then what’s the point. Admittedly, this aspect is very subjective so we won’t be too dogmatic with our opinions.
Key switches
Any keyboard nerd will know that the switches are what really make the keyboard. 60% keyboards only differ from normal keyboards in terms of how many keys there are. This means that the huge range of switches available should also be available for the 60% layout keyboards. What we’re looking for here is a wide range of options when you purchase the board, or even better, hotswappability. This means the switches aren’t soldered to the circuit board, so you can yank them out and replace them as and when you like.
Other features
Just because the number of keys is limited, doesn’t mean that these boards can’t be feature-rich. We also consider media controls, wireless capability, lighting, software, macro abilities, etc. These sorts of extras are particularly valuable on small form-factor boards as previously learned keyboard shortcuts may not be applicable.
Best 60% keyboard 2023
Keychron K12
Layout
60%
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.1/ USB Type-C
Switches
Gateron blue/brown/red
Hotswappable
Yes
- Hotswappable
- Solid aluminum construction
- Bluetooth connectivity
- 3/5 pin switch compatibility
- included keycaps aren’t the best
There are a few things that secured this board its number 1 position, heading up this list of the best 60% keyboards. Top of that list is the hotswappability. This increases the life of the keyboard, decreases waste, and makes repairs easier. Additionally, we love the minimalist aluminum frame and the reserved colors of the keycaps.
The Keychron K12, and indeed the rest of Keychron’s range comes packaged with some of the most secure padding we’ve seen. The setup is easy and the board can remember up to 3 Bluetooth devices and you can cycle between them with the tap of a macro. It’s not often such a feature-rich and well-built mechanical keyboard comes along in the $90 price range. IF you buy the Keychron K12, you won’t be disappointed. Just grab a set of replacement caps when you do as the included ones don’t feel great.
Redragon K613
Layout
60%
Connectivity
USB Type-C
Switches
Redragon Cherry MX Blue equivalent
Hotswappable
No
- Budget friendly
- RGB Lighting
- Floating switch design is nice
- Slight deck-flex
We like the punchy design and the very reasonable price of the K613. It’s not hot-swappable, but that’s unsurprising given the low price point. We are very impressed with the doubleshot PBT caps and the open design of the board. The keys essentially look like they’re floating. If you’re looking for an entry-level 60% keyboard, this is a very good option.
Ducky One 2 Mini Cherry MX Silent Red
Layout
60%
Lighting
RGB
Switches
Cherry/Kailh/Gateron
Hotswappable
No
The Ducky One 2 mini finds its place on this list because of its clean aesthetic, vast range of switch options, and very impressive build quality. Ducky has a considerable pedigree within the keyboard community and the One 2 mini certainly lives up to that pedigree. Additionally, it comes with alternate, stylized key caps which allows for more customization out of the box.
If you’re willing to spend the extra cash, the Ducky One 2 mini is an excellent choice for you if you’re looking to expand your keyboard collection or break into the world of 60% keyboards.
ASUS ROG Falchion Wireless 65% Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Size
65%
Switches
Cherry MX RGB
Weight
520 grams
- Wireless with Up to 450hrs battery life
- Dedicated arrow keys
- Touch panel
- Status bar
- Expsenisve
The ROG Falchion is a keyboard with some features unlike anything we’ve seen before. At a glance, it may seem like a run-of-the-mill small form factor keyboard from the Taiwanese tech giant. That is until you discover the novel and very useful touch panel on the left-hand side. Out of the box, it acts as volume control, but you can reprogram it to adjust the brightness of the lighting, activate a macro, pretty much anything you might want it for. In addition to the sliding feature, it also has distinct sections which can be bound to anything you want. We test a lot of boards here at WePC and still haven’t found any with features as innovative as this. It’s also available with your choice of Cherry MX switches.
The cost is fairly high, but if you want a small form factor keyboard with features that make it stand out from the crowd, this is a killer choice.
HHKB Professional
Layout
60%
Lighting
No
Connectivity
Wired/wireless
- Fatigue-reducing switches
- symmetrical layout
- Monotone colorway
- Hugely expensive
If you are a writer, programmer, or just use a keyboard day in, day out for work. You can’t get any better than the HHKB Professional. There are a few very smart design decisions that make this the ultimate in terms of typing experience.
We are particularly fond of the symmetrical design, which allows for easier location of keys and more rapid keystrokes, additionally, the keycaps are concave which subtly guides your fingers, which increases accuracy. Also, the capacitive switches used here significantly reduce fatigue as the keys never truly bottom out. Couple these features with the attractive minimalist design and you have a premium keyboard that is unparalleled for those who need the absolute best typing experience out there.
Final Word
There we have it, the best 60% gaming keyboards out now. If you don’t mind losing the Numpad, arrow keys, and function keys, you should consider switching to a 60% keyboard. They are less bulky, look nicer, and retain the essentials. Enjoy the minimized clutter and tidiness of your desk with a smaller keyboard, we highly recommend it.
