The 60% keyboards are the hot hatches in the world of mechanical keyboards. Having only 60 percent of keys found on regular-sized keyboards (that’s where the name came from), they offer fewer features and worse functionality, but that’s not the point. If you want to get the best 60% keyboard, you probably want a compact mechanical keyboard that’s great for typing and/or gaming, that has superb build quality, and that can be carried anywhere. You could go with a TKL keyboard or a 75% keyboard, but those are larger and can be pretty chunky.
This is why we’ve created the list containing the best 60% keyboards on the market. Of course, many keyboards on this list replace the missing keys with secondary functions assigned to other keys, so you still can have almost the same functionality as on a tenkeyless keyboard, albeit with an even smaller footprint. In other words, our best 60% keyboard list includes compact, well-built mechanical keyboards that are small in size but have excellent typing experience, design, portability, build quality, and feature all kinds of mechanical switches.
We have affordable models, those best suited for typing, programming, and gaming, wireless and wired models, as well as keyboards with hot-swappable switches. Now, before we list our first pick, we’d like to share our lists of the best 65% keyboards for those who need arrow keys and the best low-profile mechanical keyboards for users looking for slim boards to type on. Finally, our list of the best Topre keyboards should interest anyone looking for a perfect keyboard for typing.
1. Razer Huntsman Mini: Best big-brand 60% keyboard
Large gaming peripheral brands still aren’t fully entered the 60 percent keyboard market. Smaller brands dominate the market, and they offer some excellent keyboards at very competitive prices. Razer was the first big gaming brand that tried their luck by creating the Razer Huntsman Mini, the company’s first 60% keyboard.
The result is pretty good. Razer included several features usually found on 60% keyboards, such as removable cable, full 60-percent form factor, high-quality keycaps, and secondary functions on many keys. Build quality could’ve been better for the price. The Huntsman Mini feels too light despite the aluminum base plate, and it doesn’t feel as solid as some other models.
Both typing and gaming on this keyboard feel great. This keyboard uses Razer’s optical switches that use a light beam for actuating keys, which feels more fluid compared to traditional mechanical keys.
The keyboard features two versions, and it depends on your habits which version you’ll go with. Clicky switches are great for typing. They are easier to press than mechanical switches, and the tactile bump is still present. Linear switches are perfect for gaming with their linear travel and lack of tactile feedback.
The Huntsman Mini also comes with swappable keys, but the number of designs isn’t near the rich keycap offering available for Ducky keyboards. RGB backlighting, on the other hand, is bright and saturated and better than on most other 60% keyboards.
Overall, this is a pretty good 60% keyboard that has a bit higher price. You can get other models from smaller brands that offer better build quality, more design choices, and better value for money. But when it comes to big-name brands, this is the best 60% gaming keyboard on the market.
2. Ducky One 2 Mini: Best 60% keyboard for customization
Ducky is known for its excellent keyboards, and its One 2 Mini line of 60% keyboards is the best choice for users who want to customize the keyboard with different keys. The keyboard is available in almost ten different base designs.
The number of potential designs grows when we add various keycaps you can get for this keyboard. When it comes to the sheer number of choices, the Ducky One 2 Mini is the best 60 percent keyboard on the market.
But being pretty and allowing users to completely change its looks isn’t the only strong point of this keyboard. It also boasts superb build quality despite not using the base plate made of metal. Keycaps also feel premium ,and, as we’ve already mentioned, you can swap them for some other Ducky designs, which is really cool.
This keyboard also offers lots of different switches. You can pick from basically every Cherry MX flavor and a couple of Kailh switches. You can also pick HyperX mechanical switches if you get the special HyperX x Ducky One 2 Mini edition.
This is another plus because you can pick the switches you’re most comfortable with. If you’re a hardcore gamer, get some Kailh speed switches or Cherry MX Reds. Typists can get the Cherry MX blues, and those who type and game can get the Cherry MX browns.
The wide array of switch choices allows every user to find their favorite switches, making this keyboard great for everyone. This keyboard also includes a removable cable and pretty good RGB lighting.
3. Anne Pro 2: Best wireless 60% keyboard
While most wireless keyboards support connection to two or maybe three devices at the same time, the Anne Pro 2 supports connection to four devices at the same time. This makes it the best wireless 60-percent keyboard.
Being able to work with four devices isn’t the only trick up the Anne Pro 2’s sleeve. This keyboard also features top-notch build quality combined with excellent double shot PBT keycaps. It also offers a wide selection of switches.
You can get six different Gateron and Kailh switches that cover both gamers and typists. The keyboard’s also very portable, like most other 60% keyboards. RGB backlighting is bright and features pretty saturated colors. The keyboard comes with powerful software where you can tweak most of its functions.
Overall, this is an excellent 60% keyboard that has lots of features and lots of switch options. The first major downside is the lack of any Cherry MX switches, considering the price of the keyboard. The second is the occasional lag when using the Bluetooth connection. This is why we recommend using this keyboard in wired mode when gaming.
4. Motospeed CK62: Best budget wireless 60% keyboard
For users in need of an affordable wireless 60% keyboard, we have The Motospeed CK62. This keyboard comes in black and white colors and with red or blue Outemu switches. It also has full RGB backlighting and solid build quality with the body made of durable plastic. It flexes a bit but feels quality enough.
The keyboard is pleasant to type on, and the two switch choices are great for typing (blue switches) or gaming (red switches). ABS keycaps feel solid and should last for years. The keyboard offers Bluetooth or wired connectivity, and it can be connected to up to three devices at the same time.
Overall, this is an excellent wireless 60% keyboard, but it lacks Cherry MX switches. Also, some people could hate the fact that the keyboard takes up to five seconds to change key function after pressing the fn key.
5. Cooler Master SK621: Best low-profile 60% keyboard
While the Cooler Master SK621 features excellent design and superb build quality, this keyboard isn’t great for the thing it’s made for. In other words, this keyboard is lousy for typing. The shape of the keys, combined with a very short gap between individual keys, will make you mistype more often than if you’d type on a blank keys keyboard.
This sadly makes this model not suited for anyone who types a lot. But for gaming, where you need just ten or so keys which you can’t mistype that easy, this keyboard’s pretty solid.
The nice gaming experience is even better thanks to the Cherry MX low-profile switches, which are pleasant to type on and which have a shorter actuation point compared to regular switches. This makes this keyboard very responsive in games.
The Cooler Master Sk-621 also features excellent RGB backlighting, some additional keys such as arrow keys, and extra features such as macro recording, wireless and wired connectivity with support of up to three devices at the same time, and the aforementioned low-profile form factor. It’s great for gaming but not made for typing.
6. Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard: Best hot-swappable 60% keyboard
What if you want to remove and replace mechanical switches on your keyboard? Well, there’s a number of excellent hot-swappable 60% keyboards. The compact version of the Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard is our pick for the best hot-swappable 60-percent keyboard.
It comes with modular keys that can host any Cherry MX, Gateron, or Kailh switches. On top of that, the keycaps are sturdy, and the build quality is top-notch. The aluminum body combined with excellent plastic makes this keyboard invulnerable to flexing.
Another great thing about this keyboard is its classic key layout allowing users to replace keycaps with any other standard keycaps on the market. Also, the Glorious Modular Mechanical Compact Keyboard features excellent RGB backlighting and removable cable. The downside is that the keyboard comes only with Gateron Brown switches. But hey, at least you can easily replace them.
7. Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2: Best 60% keyboard for programming
The Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 is a very expensive keyboard featuring Topre switches. In short, these are halflings between mechanical and membrane switches that feel smoother than Cherry MX switches and that provide solid tactile feedback.
Overall, if you like the feeling of typing on these switches, you’ll love this keyboard. The unique Topre switches are great for long typing sessions, and their linear and smooth behavior is a match made in heaven for users who regularly type for hours on end.
This is why this keyboard is so expensive – Topre switches are the most expensive keyboard switches on the market. But unique and expensive switches are just a part of this keyboard’s charm.
It also features top-of-the-line build quality and keycaps made of top-grade PBT plastic. The slim design features exactly 60 keys arranged in a way that should allow for the fastest typing experience, at least when coding.
The back of the keyboard features special DIP switches for assigning different functions to certain keys, which should allow for some level of customization. This unique layout lacks keys such as Caps Lock, but its makers claim this layout should increase your productivity when programming.
The back hides a removable cable and two additional USB ports with the countered keyboard frame made to reduce strain. Finally, the keyboard is available in blank keys variant for those who think they can type on a blank slate.
Overall, this is the best 60-percent keyboard for programming, but its price is way up high compared to most other models on this list. Also, the unique key layout isn’t made for regular typing or gaming, which makes this keyboard a rather niche product. But one that’s excellent for the target audience, which should be all that matters.