The Best Barebones Keyboards: Our Top Picks. The GK61xs does have a metal plate at least, which gives it some welcome rigidity. Its a shame, especially since even sub-$100 boards tend to have key remapping these days. Its excusable on the $40 Outemu board but less acceptable on the $60-and-above Cherry, Kailh, and Gateron mechanical keyboards. How to Build a Custom Mechanical Keyboard. The K6 is among the few 65 percent keyboards that advertise its compatibility with macOS computers. The black version looks black from a top view but has a white bezel and white bottom. Source: u/HeyItsAnjello. . The Kludge is anything but boasting an elegant, compact design that doesnt take up much space. Some might find the K6 bland-looking, but I call it elegant. If youre new to keyboards, you may wonder why I put so much emphasis on programmability. Other positives include a rigid CNC-milled aluminum frame and full programmability via Drops online configurator. Still only north facing, make sure you read the kit . There arent many budget 65 percent keyboards available, but the Snpurdiri fills the bill with a surprisingly sleek design for the price. Many users on Reddit show off their Tada68 keyboards with special keycaps. You will likely have to put in a bit of effort to find the exact combination of material, lighting, and switch that you want. For example, this user had to use their extra arrow keys for the right-side modifier keys on their Hades 68. The keycaps are printed in an excellent gray color with a subtle lighting effect that adds some pizazz to your setup without being too distracting. While Im a big fan of the KBD75, even I cant deny that the GMMK Pro just looks better overall. Cherry MX switches, engineered in Germany, are considered the best but also the most expensive option for mechanical keyboards. So a 1.25u keycap is one and a quarter keycaps wide, 2.25u keycaps are two and a quarter, and so on. This layout is widely used and 65% Compact Layout DIY Kit-DNA65 When a compact layout is essentialand light diffusion is a mustthe DNA65 Stacked Acrylic mechanical keyboard kit delivers. BLADE65 ALUMINUM KEYBOARD CASE 2. Pom jelly keycaps. There isnt a massive difference between 60% and 65% keyboards in terms of size. All Products / Mechanical Keyboards / Keycaps-Filters. Duckys stabs have always been excellent, but these pre-lubed stabilizers are likely second-to-none as far as stock mainstream stabilizers go. As a mechanicalkeyboards.com affiliate, I earn a commission on your purchase at no extra cost to you. Some higher-end keyboards, such as the Drop Alt, offer complete aluminum construction for a solid feel and extra durability. The pricey HyperSpeed 6 should be on the top of your list if youre a serious gamer, although it might be overkill for anyone else. If youre OK with giving up the aluminum case and programming features, Duckys One 2 SF is an excellent alternative that can be had for slightly cheaper depending on the switch. Tastes change, and you may just discover a particular layout that works for you (as I did when I bought my HHKB). Short on Time? However, I like to minimize the number of programs running on my computer and prefer keyboard-based remapping over software solutions. Best 65% Keyboards Cases 1. You also get pre-lubed stabilizers for a smooth feel on the larger keys, such as Enter and Backspace. There are two reasons to go for a 60% keyboard. The Practice65 v2 keyboard kit is in our beginner friendly Practice Series of in stock keyboards. Filter by. Its not as flashy as individual LEDs, but I think it looks a whole lot classier. Looking for a decent 65% mechanical keyboard but need to spend less than $50? Its simple: being able to remap keys and set up your own lighting schemes (for example) lets you fine-tune your mechanical keyboard exactly to your tastes and preferences. Sites like Drop (opens in new tab), Epomaker, YMDK and KBDFans are go-to sources for custom keyboard kits. The Redragon K599is a great option for gamers wanting the tactile feedback of a mechanical keyboard, without having to spend the money on a full-width option. . Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device, Per switch RGB lighting (programmable via, Injected Molded PolycarbonateCase and Plate, PCB/Plate Mount MX Switch Compatible (3 pin and 5 pin), choosing a selection results in a full page refresh, press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. A downside of using a 65% keyboard is that they might have non-standard keys, so swapping keycaps might be difficult. The GK61xs also offers physical layout customization via an included adapter plate that lets you swap the spacebar for three smaller keys. It has 3 DIP switches on the back. As long as you have a proper soldering technique, the connections are unlikely to fail even after a few cycles of desoldering and resoldering switches. All rights reserved. Especially in Ice White. Shop All; This makes finding a replacement set much easier. 65% Keyboards. 65% keyboards are the hot new thing in mechanical keyboards, which makes choosing the best 65 percent keyboard harder than it used to be. It also has optional custom keycap kits for additional cost as well, available on the Drop.com website: I have a Drop CTRL, so I might be a little biased on this one. To operate these keys, youll need to activate the layer under the number row, so this may take a small adjustment period and can feel a little uncomfortable. They perform well but are not as revered as the genuine Cherry MX switches. Were going to be looking at 10 different ready-mades or build your own 65% mechanical keyboards. We didnt talk about any ergonomic options, as they are quite difficult to find in the 65% layout. Availability Availability. The NK65 -EntryEdition is a standard 65% layout keyboard with a hotswap PCB. The basic keycap size is the one used for the alphanumeric keys. 778 is a high quality interior flat latex 778 White Sheen, 85: Flat (Typical range: 1 - 5) Reflectance: 92 1% Percent Solids: Weight: 54 2% A PPG Brand HI-HIDE Ceiling Paint Freight Classification: PAINT OR PAINT RELATED MATERIAL Packaging: 6 Quarts . Sixty-five percent mechanical keyboards are one of the best well-kept secrets in the keyboard world, they optimize size and layout to make an ultra-compact, comfortable keyboard to type on. The typing angle without the kickstands are already slightly inclined. Unusually for a 65 percent keyboard, the Leopold doesnt have any lighting, which is a nice change of pace from the usual flashy options. .css-v1xtj3{display:block;font-family:FreightSansW01,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:100;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-v1xtj3:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-v1xtj3{font-size:1.1387rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-v1xtj3{line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-v1xtj3{font-size:1.18581rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-top:0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-v1xtj3{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.2;margin-top:0.9375rem;}}Shop Amazons Massive Sale on Power Banks, Best External Hard Drives to Expand Your Storage, Best Gaming Keyboards for Faster Controls, Best 60 Percent Keyboards for Quick Typing, 35 Thoughtful Gifts for Dads Hes Sure to Love, 7 Best Heated Gloves for Your Winter Activities, The 9 Best Apple Watch Bands to Buy Right Now, So You Cracked Your Screen. Razer launched its first BlackWidow keyboard in 2010, and the company now has 20 keyboards over 5 different product ranges. Sixty-five percent mechanical keyboards are one of the best well-kept secrets in the keyboard world, they optimize size and layout to make an ultra-compact, comfortable keyboard to type on. It isnt a huge deal, but it does mean youll have to shop for 3-pin switches if you dont want to go through the tedium of snipping the legs off of 5-pin switches. All of the keys are closely located together so the keyboard is ultra-compact. The Drop CTRL High-Profile is one of the best-looking TKL keyboards that you can buy off the shelf right now. Its far from the best mechanical keyboard out there, of course. 65%: This is essentially a 60% keyboard with arrow keys. The Drop ALT has hot-swappable sockets. I regularly review keyboards and other gadgets for a living. These boards are often described using percentages the larger the percentage, the larger the board and common ones include 60 percent, 65 percent, and 75 percent. Beyond the Topre switches, the FC660C comes standard with thick, dye-sublimated PBT keycaps that are some of the best stock keycaps you can get on a keyboard. This is arguably quite limited, but theyre arguably the most helpful nav cluster keys for typists, the primary target market for the FC660C. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Please let me know and happy typing to you all! But the Razer Yellow is what youll want if youre a gamer. Though it is approx 70% the size of a traditional keyboard, the keys still have standard sizes that allow for rapid typing. It doesn't have the F row or numpad. The fully assembled keyboard has keycaps are made of high-quality PBT plastic with dye-sublimated keycaps with black legends. Color Quantity Specifications 65% Standard Fixed Layout Hotswap PCB VIA Compatible USB C Coiled USB C cable included This keyboards gray and black color scheme will fit it into any desktop setup. Razer launched its first BlackWidow keyboard in 2010, and the company now has 20 keyboards over 5 different product ranges. The GMMK is a mostly no-frills keyboard, right down to the fact that it still uses a fixed USB cable. You should choose a regular rubber dome keyboard if you are working in a public space or are just sensitive to noise. The heavy frame of this keyboard allows it to sit firmly on your desk. [65%]-XD68 [65%]-BM68 [75%]-XD84 Pro [80%]-XD87 [80%]-BM80 [90%]-XD96 [90%]-BM980 . Not all aftermarket caps will have the right keys for those positions, so youll have to do a bit of research to ensure you get a compatible set. Best Custom Kit: GMMK Pro; Best Gaming: Logitech G915 TKL (And Best Low-Profile) . Affiliate Disclosure: When you purchase products through our links, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. [GB] Blueberry | Bouncy 65% featuring seamless wave profile & Blue PVD. Best DIY Keyboard Kits at a Glance. I love the way your fingers seem to fly along with the comfortable keys. On the topic of LEDs, the KBD75 bucks the trend for per-key RGB lighting. We wouldve liked to see more switch options to give the user more switch variety. Ducky is a well-recognized brand within the keyboard community, and there are no complaints. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Subscribe for an occasional dose of PC hardware inspiration and guides. Being able to remap keys or change LED colors without accessing a website is always a good thing, in my book. Excellent Leopold keycaps and a standard layout. And, of course, assembling a kit is a lot more satisfying than buying something ready-made off the shelf. This layout is similar to a TKL, but without the function row or a few keys from the home cluster. Razer also offers the BlackWidow V3 Mini with its Phantom keycaps, which have half-transparent sides. I know of Key Cult cases but I'm not really aware of anywhere else that sells high end cases. Best 65% Keyboard Kit: KBDFans KBD67 Lite is an excellent budget-friendly kit that punches above its weight class. Stay up to date with pre-orders, releases, and product drops! Anyways, hope this helps you in your decision-making in trying to find an awesome 65% keyboard if thats what youre looking for. Since Topre switches dont use MX-style mounts, you wont be able to use any of the hundreds of custom MX keysets available on your FC660C. A prebuilt keyboard of the highest quality available. The company hasnt specified whether this is with or without the RGB, but its likely the latter. AXOL STUDIO YETI MECHANICAL KEYBOARD KIT. The KBD75 is fully programmable using VIA, my favorite keyboard firmware. Hot-swappable? EXTRAS IN-STOCK SALE. Check out the Product Assembly Guidehere. Details and Specifications It doesnt have the aluminum case of the Drop ALT, but what it lacks in premium materials it makes up for with value and a great out-of-the-box experience. 68 Keys 65% Compact Layout EPOMAKER TH68 custom mechanical keyboard DIY kit is designed in a popular compact 65% layout to not waste any space. You dont want to get a 65% keyboard, but then realize you dont like it! There isnt much to complain about with the KBDfans KBD75 v3.1. As with most aluminum boards, you may want to consider adding underneath the PCB if switch pinging and ringing becomes an issue when typing. We suspect most users will be getting a 65% for the arrow keys and not for any combination of Insert, Delete, Page Up, or Page Down. Software customization is entirely nonexistent on the MKB87. That said, its not perfect. Its not impossible, but you may have less choice than with more conventional keycap sizes. These are single-unit (or 1-unit, often shortened to 1u) keycaps. We dont recommend the other versions, though. The former goes between the PCB and case, while the latter sits between the plate and PCB. Its not that surprising given the MKB87s price, so were not going to harp on it too much. In contrast, lets look at a Durgod Hades 68-style 65% layout next. [GB] GMK Zooted - Delivering. 5 out of 5 . These typically do not have A function row Arrow keys A numpad A "home cluster" (delete, home, end, page up, etc) As a result, 60% keyboards have a more streamlined look and can be more convenient to transport. We went with the floating keycap design, but we would probably purchase the high-profile design if we could rewind time. The BlackWidow V3 Minis biggest negative is the price; at around $200, its not for everyone. MX-style hot-swap sockets are also available for ease of customization. On a more positive note, the GMMK Pro improves on the older GMMK in one crucial aspect: programmability. It has a plastic case and an aluminum plate under that may be prone to scratching. The default layout is usable and shouldnt pose any problems to most users. While theres a lot to like about the CTRL High-Profiles looks and build quality, its not perfect. N-key rollover, & DIP switches. The Keychron K6 is available with either a plastic or aluminum frame. The case is still plastic, admittedly, but metal cases werent really a thing when it came out in 2013. The BlackWidow V3 Mini connects wirelessly via Razers HyperSpeed dongle. This is significantly longer than competing wireless 65% mechanical keyboards and is a big point in the K6s favor. GAMAKAY CK68 Keyboard Customized Kit 68 Keys Triple Mode RGB Hot Swappable 3pin/5pin Switch 65 % Programmable Wired bluetooth 5.0 2.4GHz Keyboard Kit NKRO PCB Mounting Plate Case Custom Keyboard 33 reviews. Thats because they can arguably make the difference between a fun keyboard to type on and one with a rattly or mushy typing feel. Overall, it is a beautiful and affordable keyboard. Im a technology journalist whose work has appeared in The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, Reuters, and many other outlets.
