While the full-size and TKL mechanical keyboard markets are dominated by big-name brands, 60 percent and other small form factor keyboards are made mainly by indie brands that cherish the high quality of components, slick design, and excellent typing experience. While most 65% models come from indie brands, a couple of notable 65 percent keyboards have been made by big gaming companies. There’s also a fair share of excellent 65% keyboards that can be found on large online markets. These days you can, luckily, easily find and buy many excellent mechanical keyboards by visiting large online retailers.
We used these online markets to find the best 65% keyboards you can get right now. Now, here you won’t find exclusive limited-edition models or DIY models that aren’t available to the broader audience. This list includes the best 65% keyboards that anyone can find and buy. Before we start, a word or two about the 65% keyboard layout. This is a variation of the 60% form factor that includes some extra keys. The regular additions on each 65% keyboard are the arrow keys.
Next, these keyboards also include two to four keys found above the arrow keys on regular keyboards. Keys that include Insert, Page Up and Down, End, Delete, and Home. These additions improve the functionality and add keys many users find handy to have when working on the PC. Everything else is the same as on 60% keyboards. If you prefer a smaller footprint, check our list of the best 60% keyboards. If you need the function row, read our guide for the best 75% keyboards. Finally, if you need something slimmer, not smaller, we have a list of the best low-profile mechanical keyboards.
1. Ducky MIYA Pro: 65% keyboard with best design
Let’s start with the best-looking 65% keyboard, a result of the collaboration between Ducky and MIYA. This is the 65% keyboard to get if you desire a 65% keyboard with unique looks.
Every variant revolves around the white color, with various customizations of the keycaps, the color of the keyboard, and different visual details found on the keyboard’s base. Designs look slick as hell, and the linked variant comes with Cherry MX Brown switches.
Unique looks combined with amazing double shot PBT keycaps guarantee an excellent feeling while gaming and typing. Each variant also features solid build quality (mostly plastic, but high-quality kind), removable cable, and the same 65% layout with arrow keys and Insert, Delete, Page Up, and Page Down keys.
2. Epomaker Akko 3068: Best wireless 65% keyboard
When it comes to wireless models, the 65% keyboard market doesn’t have a lot of those, but the situation is a bit better compared to the number of available low-profile 65% keyboards. The best wireless 65% keyboard is the highly attractive Akko 3068.
The keyboard itself looks very nice, with a stunning color combination of dusty white, matte grey, and pastel blue. The baseplate doesn’t include wide borders or any visual detail. It feels rigid, and the keyboard has pretty solid build quality.
Keycaps feel nice under the fingers, and the typing experience is very pleasant. The Epomaker Akko 3068 comes with Cherry MX Blue, Brown, and Red switches, presenting excellent choices for typists and gamers alike.
The Bluetooth connection is pretty good. It’s mostly lag-free, and the keyboard can be connected to up to three devices at the same time, which is pretty good. Overall, this is an excellent wireless 65% keyboard that’s great for typing and gaming. The only major drawback is its pretty high selling price.
3. Drop ALT: Best hot-swappable 65% keyboard
Drop is responsible for the 65% version of its ALT keyboard featuring hot-swappable switch sockets. The keyboard supports all Cherry MX and Kaihua mechanical switches, which together make a huge selection of choices.
This is great because everyone can equip this keyboard with their favorite switches, even combine different switches, which can be handy sometimes. For instance, you can equip most keys with easy-to-press switches while putting heavier switches under the spacebar (combining Cherry MX Red And Black, for instance).
You can get this keyboard with lots of different switches but what we really like is the option to get the barebones version of the Drop ALT. This version includes only the PCB, switch sockets, and keycaps. You have to equip it with your own switches in order to use it, which is cool. The ALT also comes with the amazing per-key RGB lighting that features lots of different effects.
It also has stellar build quality. The hefty metal baseplate provides stability, while the double shot PBT keycaps provide an excellent experience when gaming and typing. The keyboard also comes with a removable cable.
As for which extra keys are there, aside from the arrow keys, you have four extra keys in total. These are Delete, Home, Page Up, and Page Down. The only major downside of this keyboard is its high price. But if you want a hot-swappable keyboard that has top-notch build quality and uses premium materials, this is the one to get.
4. Qisan Magicforce: Most affordable 65% mechanical keyboard
The Qisan Magicforce is the complete opposite of the Drop ALT. This is the most affordable 65% mechanical keyboard that comes with almost zero extra features. The minimalist design works great with the white color.
The keyboard features solid build quality. It’s not great, but for the price, it’s more than serviceable and better than the majority of similarly priced mechanical keyboards.
This model comes with Outemu Brown switches, which are the perfect common ground for typing and gaming. You also get a removable cable along with four extra keys on top of the arrow keys. These are: Insert, Delete, Page Up, and Page Down.
5. Ducky One 2 SF: Best 65% mechanical keyboard for gaming
Ducky One 2 SF is the best 65-percent keyboard for gaming because, on the bottom, you can find four different switches that can switch the function of certain keys. More importantly, one of those switches is for locking the Windows key, a unique feature among the current selection of the best 65% keyboards.
Of course, programmable keys isn’t the only thing making the Ducky One 2 SF the best choice for gamers. The build quality is almost perfect, for instance, despite the fact that the baseplate is made of plastic. Next, Ducky keycaps always feel excellent and always provide a superb typing experience. Just pick your favorite flavor of Cherry MX switches, and you’re good to go.
This keyboard also features excellent RGB backlighting, removable cable, and three extra keys. These are Page Up, Page Down, and Delete. Overall, the Ducky One 2 SF is an excellent keyboard in itself. You can use it for typing and gaming, and it will feel amazing during both activities. You can also get custom keycaps from Ducky and make this keyboard truly unique.
6. Vortexgear Cypher: Excellent 65% keyboard with simple design
For all of you who want a simple keyboard without RGB backlighting, extra functions, wireless connectivity, and no-frills design, we present the Vortexgear Cypher 65%. This is a minimalist 65% mechanical keyboard that is great for typing. That’s mostly thanks to the excellent laser engraved PBT keycaps and the selection of basically every Cherry MX switch flavor.
As for the design, it’s as simple as they get. This keyboard, in fact, looks like the most generic office keyboard, the only thing giving it away being its unusual form factor. As we’ve said, aside from excellent keycaps and a wide variety of switches, this keyboard doesn’t offer lots of extra features. You get a detachable cable, but that’s pretty much it. Nevertheless, this is an excellent keyboard for typing and gaming, its only issue being a very high price.
7. Durgod Hades 68: Best RGB 65% keyboard
The Durgod Hades 68 is probably among the prettiest RGB 65% mechanical keyboards out there. It features special Double Shot Translucent Shinethru Keycaps that look amazing when combined with the bright and saturated RGB backlighting.
Add a ton of different RGB effects and, you’ve got yourself the best RGB 65% mechanical keyboard on the market. The keycaps feel great, and the switch selection is praiseworthy. Almost everyone can find their favorite switch here, with the keyboard offering twelve different switch flavors. No matter which switch color is your favorite, you’ll find it on the Durgod Hades 68.
This keyboard comes with the excellent Durgod Hera Engine app. With it, you can create macros, tweak RGB effects, and create new ones, as well as rebind keys. The app is easy to use, and it offers lots of tweaking options.
Overall, this is another excellent 65% keyboard that has probably the best RGB lighting on the market. But that pretty light show comes with a price. This keyboard sells for the same price as some excellent full-size mechanical keyboards.
8. Leopold FC660C: Best 65% keyboard with Topre switches
If you’re looking for a 65% mechanical keyboard with Topre switches, get the Leopold FC660C. This is a premium 65% keyboard with a simple yet highly attractive design and the legendary Topre electrostatic capacitive switches.
Since Topre switches are the most expensive custom switches on the market, this keyboard costs a pretty penny. But the stellar build quality, PBT keycaps, excellent switches, and attractive looks are worth it.
The keyboard comes with a detachable cable, which is always a plus. Unlike most other 65% keyboards that come with three or four extra keys, the Leopold FC660C comes only with Insert and Delete keys.