The most popular keyboard layout, particularly among gamers, is the 60 percent keyboard. Many gamers favor 60% keyboard keyboards over 75% or TKL keyboards or even full-sized keyboards because of their extremely compact size.
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A keyboard configuration known as the 60 percent keyboard is devoid of the arrow and function keys. Under the number keys, there are function keys that are programmed, and the WASD keys serve as the arrow keys.
Razer Huntsman Mini 60% Gaming KeyboardBest overall
SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Mechanical Gaming KeyboardBest expensive
Wholesale Custom Keycap, Keycaps 60 Percent, PBT Keycaps 104 Keys Best price
Ducky One 2 Mini RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 Wireless 60% Triple Mode
HyperX Alloy Origins 60 – Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Top 60 percent keyboard to buy
The six finest 60% keyboards are listed below, sorted by features and cost. The sections below offer more details on each model:
1. Razer Huntsman Mini 60% Gaming Keyboard
The Huntsman Mini is currently the best major 60 percent keyboard on the market. Although Razer’s opto-mechanical switches haven’t always been the best, the company appears to have made some adjustments that make typing considerably more enjoyable now.
While the responsiveness and quietness of this gaming keyboard are commendable, those who want a bouncy key feel should go elsewhere. If you want to use it while traveling, you’ll need to carry a USB-C chord with you at all times because it isn’t a wireless keyboard. The Huntsman Mini gaming keyboard is also available in white, making it more likely than most gaming equipment to blend in with your decor—especially if you decide to change the LED illumination.
The following pros assured us that this model is one of the best 60 percent keyboards among others.
Pros:
- Good software customization
- Good design
- typing feels good with it
Cons:
- Light weight
- wrist rest is not included
2. SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Since it is the tiny version of the enduringly successful SteelSeries Apex Pro, the name may sound familiar. The customizable pre-travel distance function on this keyboard, like that on its full-size predecessor, enables you to individually alter the sensitivity of each keypress. It employs magnetic switches called OmniPoint 2.0 in place of conventional mechanical switches. This unit is adaptable and perfect for both work and play since you can use these switches to change the pre-travel distance from an extremely sensitive 0.2mm to a 3.8mm that is comfortable for typing.
This keyboard connects through Bluetooth or a USB receiver, which saves space and eliminates the need for wire management. While other designs have Keycaps functionality, this model comes with a mouse.
Pros:
- very well built
- Adjustable pre-travel distance
- low latency
Cons:
- Short battery life
- Pricey
3. Wholesale Custom Keycap, Keycaps 60 Percent, PBT Keycaps 104 Keys
This keycap set includes a full set of 104 keycaps and is compatible with the majority of 61, 87, and 104 Cherry MX, Gateron, and Kailh Box mechanical gaming keyboards as well as any key switches with cross-shaped shafts. It also fits the majority of normal ANSI keyboards.
Keycaps’ premium PBT key caps and anti-grease coating give you first-rate durability and a wonderful typing experience. If the keycap is installed on a keyboard without RGB lighting, the letters on the keycap are transparent and will maintain their zero gloss matte appearance for as long as you use it.
The OEM profile of this keycap set is a tad higher than Cherry profile. After prolonged usage, it is difficult to become fatigued and provides improved comfort. It is also simple to install.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Good quality for this price
Cons:
- the texture of the keycaps is unpleasant
4. Ducky One 2 Mini RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
This 60 percent keyboard that popularized the format is the Ducky One 2 Mini. The first thing to know about Ducky boards is that they’re bringing it with the typing experience. The Ducky stands out from most other mainstream keyboards thanks to its outstanding stabilizers, incredibly robust PCB and plates, and solid weight. The Mecha Mini goes one step further in this regard by swapping out the plastic case of the original mini for a metal one that adds more durability and weight.
Full PBT doubleshot keycaps guarantee that you won’t receive a shiny mess, and thanks to the bottom row’s standard design, you can use whatever keycap set you choose. A detachable USB-C port and cable are also included with the Ducky One 2 Mini and Mecha Mini.
While the Ducky does enable onboard programming, you have to do it through the keyboard itself, which is a little constricting and time-consuming if you’re seeking for a heavily customized key layout.
Pros:
- Solid build quality
- Programmable without software, with multiple layers
- PBT keycaps
Cons:
- High price
- No key mapping functionality
5. RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 Wireless 60% Triple Mode
A 60% mechanical keyboard in a small package is the ROYAL KLUDGE RK61. It is a wireless model that supports Bluetooth multi-device pairing with up to three devices simultaneously. Any desktop or mobile operating system can use it, but some hotkeys are incompatible with particular hardware. It’s portable because it’s a little keyboard with only the necessary alphanumeric keys, but some people might not like that there aren’t any dedicated arrow keys. Because it is hot-swappable and available with three different mechanical RK switch types, you can choose whichever three- or five-pin switch you want to utilize. There is special software for it, but sadly it didn’t function for us, thus we were unable to establish macros or remap any keys.
Pros:
- Compact design
- Support for Bluetooth on 3 devices simultaneously
- Solid plastic frame
- Affordable
Cons:
- No wrist rest
6. HyperX Alloy Origins 60 – Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 is a mechanical keyboard on a metal baseboard if you need a strong, durable brick-style 60 percent keyboard. It might not be the best if you want to keep your travel bag as light as possible because it weighs more than the other available options. However, if you have really rough keystrokes, this one will tolerate them the best. It also gets credit for being the only 60 percent keyboard that places the secondary arrow functions where you’d ordinarily look for them, at the bottom right of the deck, rather than hiding them in the middle.
Pros:
- Solidly built
- Affordable
- well-placed keys
Cons:
- Heavy
- not wireless
What to consider when choosing a 60 percent keyboard?
There are many factors to consider when selecting the right 60 keyboard:
Portability
It might be time to convert to a portable keyboard if you’re sick of carrying about a big keyboard. Compact keyboards are far more portable than full-sized keyboards since they are lighter and smaller. They are also excellent for travel because they can be conveniently packed into a backpack or carry-on. Many computer users, including gamers, like to move their keyboard for better ergonomics! It’s much simpler to do this with a smaller keyboard.
Wired or wireless
The top 60% mechanical keyboards are available in wired and/or wireless setups. While wireless keyboards employ 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth technology to communicate over the airwaves, wired keyboards need a physical connection to your PC’s USB port.
Each form has advantages and disadvantages. While wireless keyboards are more versatile and don’t require a direct connection, wired keyboards provide superior consistency and the fastest reaction times.
Now, we frequently get the inquiry, “Are 60% keyboards okay for gaming?” Simply put, absolutely! However, wired variants offer the consistency required for the best competitive edge, while wireless 60% keyboards are better suited for casual gaming.
Aesthetics
Consider the color scheme you would choose. What blends with your system as a whole? There’s no need to settle because there are so many possibilities available: black, white, silver, two-tone, and so on. Additionally, many 60 percent keyboards have LEDs for an additional splash of color.
Lacking a number pad
The conventional number pad is eliminated in the 60% keyboard layout. It has a group of arrow keys to the right of the top row of F keys instead. Instead, different operations are controlled by the WASD and arrow keys. A number pad is also absent from 60% of keyboards.
These keyboards take up less desk space because they are tiny and portable. Additionally, one hand can be used to hold them. People that play a lot of video games or don’t have a lot of space can benefit from this. To get the most out of this keyboard, users will need to learn shortcuts because there are a few drawbacks.
The lack of a number pad on 60% keyboards is one of the most frequently voiced criticisms. A numeric keypad is preferred by lots of experienced touch typists. Even though 60% of keyboards lack a number pad, engineers, programmers, students, business people, and professionals are increasingly using them.
Is a 60 percent keyboard better for gaming?
Some gamers today prefer utilizing a keyboard that takes up 60% of the screen since they are portable, flexible, and allow for more mouse movement. Additionally, the majority of 60 percent keyboards let you to program macros and select from a variety of key switches, both of which are quite helpful when gaming.
How Many Keys Does a 60 Percent Keyboard Have?
Typically, gaming keyboard configurations fall into one of three categories. The full-size deck is the most typical type, and it typically has between 100 and 110 keys, depending on whether the manufacturer adds media buttons or macro keys. The number pad is always on the far right, and a function row is always present along the top of the keyboard. Most gamers will choose a full-size model over a tiny one since it allows them to accomplish numerous tasks with a single keypress and create macros for tasks that aren’t currently included in the keyboard.
Tenkeyless decks, which are keyboards without the right number pad, have been around for a long. I’m done now. They are narrower since they omit 17 keys, but they still contain media controls and function keys. Although there are actually more than ten keys, the phrase “seventeenkeyless” doesn’t quite have the same ring to it. When they need a bit more room on their desk but don’t want a quick means to enter numbers or perform computations, gamers might choose one of these (which is my number one use case for the right-hand pad).
Then there are 60 percent keyboards, which, as their name suggests, only have 61 keys and eliminate 40 percent of the regular keyboard’s size. The function keys, arrow keys, and peculiar system keys like “print screen” and “home,” which are only useful when you need them, are also gone in addition to the number pad. Some computers don’t even support them.
The function key on a 60 percent keyboard will be used to access these buttons; as each manufacturer has their own layout, you’ll need to learn new hotkeys if you transition between them.
In conclusion
We’ve listed what we believe to be the best 60 percent keyboards above in our recommendations. We consider availability, visitor comments, and price (a cheaper product will prevail over a more expensive one if the price difference isn’t significant).
Here is our collection of 60 percent small keyboard reviews if you want to make the decision yourself. Be careful not to become bogged down in the particulars. Even though no product is ideal for every use, most keyboards function admirably enough to satisfy the majority of users, and the distinctions are frequently not apparent unless you really seek for them.
