60% keyboards are an excellent option for gamers who want a compact and powerful gaming experience. These little keyboards give gamers plenty of room to flick around their mouse in fast-paced FPS games or have a bit of desk space for other PC accessories. In general, 60% keyboards and mini-keyboards have taken off in the last couple of years, with more and more companies starting to produce high-quality options. This is great for gamers, but it does make the decision process a bit harder than it used to be.

  • Lofree Flow Keyboard
    Lofree Flow Mechanical Keyboard
    Best Low-Profile 60% Keyboard
    $159 at Lofree
  • best gaming keyboard deals
    Roccat Magma Mini Gaming Keyboard
    Best Membrane 60% Keyboard
    $42 at Best Buy

Key Factors For Choosing The Best 60% Keyboards

Picking out the best 60% keyboard is easy for players who take a moment to consider what they're looking for and what places a keyboard a cut above the rest.

  • Comfort: Comfort is critical to enjoying any keyboard, regardless of the form factor. Because of the smaller form factor, 60% keyboards don't typically have built-in wrist rests or ergonomic shapes. That doesn't mean they can't be comfortable, though. The typing angle and overall thickness also play into the comfort of a keyboard. Some gamers might like a thinner, low-profile keyboard, while others like full-height keyboards.
  • Gaming Performance: Most people looking at 60% keyboards are typically looking for them to game with, and even if they are not looking to game, having a keyboard with low latency and a stable connection also makes everyday tasks much more enjoyable.
  • Switch Type: 60% keyboards are pretty much all mechanical at this point, especially in the gaming space, so picking out what switches work best is also crucial to pick out a great keyboard. Linear, Clicky, and Tactile are the three main types of switches to choose from. However, remember that some mechanical keyboards are hot-swappable, so gamers don't have to be stuck with one type of mechanical switch.

Game ZXC's Picks for the Best 60% Keyboards in 2024

The Huntsman Mini is Razer's first 60% keyboard after getting many requests for it from social media, and they hit out of the park on their first try. This keyboard does not give gamers a lot to gripe about at all. The Huntsman Mini is perfect for any gamer who wants a powerful, compact keyboard that feels excellent for gaming and typing.

With a choice of linear, clicky, and tactile optical switches from Razer, gamers can pick the switch that best suits their needs. All three options have an excellent feel, and thanks to the optical design, every key press feels nice and smooth. Gamers who also plan to use this keyboard for everyday use might want to stay away from the linear switch, as it is pretty easy to make typos with such a light actuation point.

While this keyboard is not a budget keyboard per se, it is relatively affordable for its performance and overall feel. Plus, for a wired-only keyboard, it is always nice to see a removable cable, because there is nothing worse than having to replace a full keyboard just because of a faulty cable.

The Royal Kludge RK61 is an underrated 60% keyboard with excellent build quality, fantastic gaming performance, and a hot-swappable PCB for just $50. Whether gamers are looking to get their first mechanical keyboard or just an affordably priced one, the RK61 is a perfect option.

At this price point, many keyboards are not made to last the test of time, but the RK61 feels incredibly durable. Despite its small frame, it feels hefty and does not move around the desk when typing on it, but it is still easy enough to pack up and game on the go if needed.

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The Best Gaming Keyboards Under $50

Gaming keyboards don't have to cost an arm and a leg, and some of the best gaming keyboards can even be found for under $50.

Like the Razer Huntsman Mini, gamers can choose linear, tactile, and clicky switches when purchasing the RK61. All three of these switches offer an excellent typing and gaming experience. However, unlike the Huntsman Mini, the RK61 has a hot-swappable PCB, so gamers can swap the default switches for any five-pin Cherry mount switch they want. Whether in wired or wireless mode, the RK61 feels excellent to game with every keypress being responsive, and there is very little noticeable latency.

The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini sits at the opposite end of the spectrum of 60% keyboards to the RK61. This keyboard is absolutely jam-packed with special features, lightning-fast wireless connection, and fantastic build quality. However, all of those features and flashy designs are reflected in the price tag. When it comes to 60% keyboards, the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is an excellent option for gamers not concerned by their budget who simply want the most advanced keyboard.

The biggest selling point of the Apex Pro Mini is the Omnipoint adjustable switches. These switches allow gamers to fine-tune the amount of pressure that activates a key press. This feature is pretty revolutionary for most keyboards, though there are now a few companies making something similar, like the Razer Huntsman Analog. Regardless, with a couple of button presses, these switches make it incredibly easy to switch from fast-paced gaming with very light actuation points to work mode with heavier ones, so it's harder to make typos.

Despite mostly being made of plastic, the Apex Pro Mini has excellent build quality. The rubber feet on the bottom of the keyboard are very stable while typing, although if the angled feet are out, some of that stability is lost. However, it would be nice to have a slot for the USB-C dongle to sit on the keyboard when not in use.

Despite all the improvements to wireless technology, there is still nothing better than a good wired keyboard in some cases. The Corsair K65 Pro Mini is an excellent option for gamers who want a wired 60% keyboard that provides ultra-low latency gaming and a fantastic typing experience.

In Game ZXC's Corsair K65 Pro Mini review, we found the included Corsair OPX switches to be incredibly responsive and tactile. The higher actuation point of these switches makes this keyboard a joy to type with, but when it comes to gaming, it can get a bit tiresome. Unlike the Royal Kludge RK61, this keyboard is not hot-swappable, and it is only available with the OPX linear switch, so for fans of clicky or tactile switches, this is probably not the best option.

Because the K65 Pro Mini is a wired keyboard, it can provide an impressive polling rate of 8,000Hz. Some gamers might say this polling rate is a bit excessive, but for those gamers with superhuman reflexes who need the fastest keyboard they can always rely on, that 8,000Hz polling rate is very much appreciated.

While the Keychron K12 does not have the best gaming performance, it is one of the best 60% keyboards for gamers looking for an incredibly reliable wireless option. Keychron has made a name for itself over the last couple of years, producing accessible mechanical keyboards that are easily customizable and have an excellent typing experience. And the K12 is a perfect example of why they have received this reputation.

This keyboard comes with a variety of switches to choose from, and like the Royal Kludge RK61, the K12 has a hot-swappable PCB, so this is an excellent keyboard for gamers to dip their toes into the DIY keyboard space without having to build a full keyboard. All the switches that Keychron offers with the K12 by default feel excellent, but Game ZXC recommends the Brown switches for gamers looking for an option with a light touch.

While Mac computers are not the best gaming option, this keyboard comes with a macOS legend to make it much easier to use on Apple devices. While it is a minor inconvenience, sometimes having a Windows key and the control and cmd keys switched can make it super annoying to use a keyboard with the wrong legend. Thankfully, users don't have to worry about that with the K12.

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Powered by a 4,000 mAh battery, this keyboard has an impressive battery life of up to 240 hours, much longer than the 30 hours of the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini. However, that extra battery life might be due to the K12's lower performance level. When connected via Bluetooth, the latency can be a bit high for fast-paced gaming, but for general use, it is unnoticeable.

Taking the word compact to another level, the Lofree Flow is an excellent 60% keyboard for anyone who wants a keyboard that can easily be taken everywhere and anywhere and provides a superb typing experience. Gamers after a buttery smooth keyboard that is not too loud but offers a very tactile feeling will love the Lofree Flow.

In Game ZXC's Lofree Flow review, we found that both the Phantom and Ghost low-profile switches have incredibly smooth travel that makes typing for longer periods comfortable. However, the Phantoms have a lighter actuation point, which does make it easy to make some typos.

Despite being incredibly low-profile, this keyboard features a hot-swappable PCB like the Keychron K12, so gamers can swap out the Lofree switches for whatever low-profile keyboard switches they want. However, the incredibly slim profile makes finding compatible switches more complex than a standard-size keyboard. Game ZXC recommends sticking with the three switch options from Lofree for the best results, but other low-profile switch options are out there.

The Lofree Flow is an amazing keyboard that is a joy to use, but its performance does fall a bit short when it comes to gaming. The Flow has about 22ms of input delay when connected via Bluetooth or wired connection. However, the input lag is barely noticeable for typing and daily computer use. In slower-paced games and non-competitive games, this input latency wasn't a huge detriment, but the inconsistent signal was a bit frustrating at times.

In the realm of 60% keyboards, most of the options are going to mechanical, and while that is great for some gamers, people who want a quieter typing experience or just like the feeling of membrane switches more, are usually out of luck. Thankfully, the Roccat Magma Mini is an excellent 60% keyboard with some of the best membrane switches on the market.

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The Best Quiet Gaming Keyboards in 2024

Even though mechanical keyboards are all the rage, some players prefer to keep things peaceful with quieter keyboards.

Using mechanical-like rubber dome membrane switches, the Magma Mini offers gamers the best of both worlds: a responsive and satisfying typing experience that is also incredibly quiet. Gamers with young children or who are otherwise in a shared space will absolutely love this bright, capable keyboard.

As far as gaming performance is concerned, the Magma Mini delivers on-par latency and experience for a keyboard at this price point. It doesn't quite punch above its weight class like the Royal Kludge RK61, but it is a ton of fun to game with, especially considering it is only $50. The 1,000Hz polling rate is standard on gaming keyboards nowadays, and it delivers stable and consistent latency. However, gamers who want a more competitive edge might want to consider a keyboard like the Corsair K65 Pro Mini.

More Desk Space, More Gaming

Razer Huntsman Mini keyboard

Looking for a new keyboard is exciting and overwhelming with all the options. But as far as looking for a 60% keyboard, remember the three key factors to choosing the best keyboard, and the search will become much more manageable.

  • Comfort: Comfort is critical to enjoying any keyboard, regardless of the form factor.
  • Gaming Performance: Most people intend to game with 60% keyboards, so finding keyboards that offer fast enough response times to game with is key.
  • Type of Switch: Linear, Clicky, and Tactile are the three main types of switches to choose from; however, remember that some mechanical keyboards are hot-swappable, so gamers don't have to be stuck with one type of mechanical switch.

Whether people are looking for a 60% keyboard that is the perfect gaming companion or just a small form factor keyboard that is great for work and play, there is a perfect 60% keyboard out there for everyone.

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FAQ

Q: Why do people like 60% keyboards so much?

60% keyboards have many advantages over the larger form factor keyboards. Its smaller size makes it easy to use regardless of the desk space available, especially while gaming, where having enough room for the mouse to move around is crucial.

Q: Are 60% keyboards good for everyday use?

Outside of gaming, 60% keyboards are super helpful for people who enjoy a smaller form factor. With the keys being much closer together compared to a full-size keyboard, 60% keyboards can be used much more efficiently. Of course, there is a bit of a learning curve for gamers coming from a larger keyboard when first moving down to a 60% keyboard.