A 60% keyboard is a small keyboard that typically lacks a number pad, navigation cluster, and function row. Instead, most of these missing commands are placed as secondary functions on the alphanumeric keys that make up most of the frame. These little units are having their moment in the sun right now, and it's easy to see why. They give gamers – and typists on the go – much more real estate on their desk for dynamic mouse movements while gaming or having a coffee at hand. While many of these picks are geared towards gaming, they are still versatile units that you can use for general work or writing tasks.
We tested over 185 keyboards with over 15 60% compact units. Below are our picks for the best 60% keyboard. If you're interested in more gaming-oriented options, check out our listThe best gaming keyboards. Or if you want a dedicated typing or programming keyboard, we have options for that in our as wellThe best keyboards for programmingeThe best keyboards for typingArticle.
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Best Keyboard 60%
SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless
games
9.1
Desk
7.6
Time schedule
8.4
Handy/Tablet
8.5
Entertainment / HTPC
7.3
mechanic
Simconnectivity Wireless
Check out all of our test results
The 60% best keyboard we've tested is thisSteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless. It's a compact version of the ever popularSteelSeries Apex Pro. Like its full-size cousin, this keyboard comes with an adjustable pre-travel distance feature, so you can customize the sensitivity of your keystrokes. Whether you want a near-instant 0.2mm actuation point for competitive gaming or longer travel of up to 3.8mm for general typing, you can customize your settings for each key, making this a versatile device , which is great for work and play.
This keyboard can also be connected via a USB receiver or Bluetooth, so you don't have to worry about cable management. Battery life is a little short, which is normal considering it also has a fully customizable RGB backlight. The battery lasts between 30 and 40 hours depending on usage. If you're concerned about battery life, there's a wired version of this board thatSteelSeries Apex Pro Mini. The wired version offers the same high-end performance and features, and is often cheaper, especially when it's on sale.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Keyboard 60%
Razer Huntsman Mini-Analog
games
9.5
Desk
7.4
Time schedule
7.8
Handy/Tablet
5.0
Entertainment / HTPC
5.0
See AlsoBest 60% Keyboards in 2023mechanic
Simconnectivity Wired
Check out all of our test results
As our top picks above, theRazer Huntsman Mini-Analogit also has an adjustable pre-trip distance feature. However, the switches on this keyboard use optical technology, which means laser beams, and aren't as consistent or accurate as the keyboard's magnetic switches.SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless. Also, the range isn't that wide, as the lowest and most sensitive setting you can set is 1.5mm. It performs very similarly to the SteelSeries, with similarly low latency and excellent RGB backlighting. However, the Razer still has a few cool features up its sleeve that the SteelSeries lacks.
One such feature is “Analog Mode”. When activated, the switches register how hard you've pressed a button to react in-game, like a gamepad controller. This feature is beneficial if you're a fan of racing games or flight simulators, as it offers much more precise movement control than you'd normally get with regular WASD keys. It's worth noting that unlike our top pick above, this is a cord-only device, so you'll need to do some cord management. Luckily, the cable is a detachable USB-A to USB-C cable; So if you find it too stiff or bulky, you can simply swap it out for something more flexible.
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Best mid-range 60% keyboard
Corsair K65 RGB MINI
games
9.5
Desk
7.4
Time schedule
7.8
Handy/Tablet
4.8
Entertainment / HTPC
4.9
mechanic
Simconnectivity Wired
Check out all of our test results
While the aforementioned Razer and SteelSeries options offer in-depth customization, the Corsair K65 RGB MINI is a no-fuss mid-range device focused on raw gaming performance. Instead of non-standard switches with adjustable pre-trip distance, the Corsair comes with typical Cherry MX switches. You can choose your switch type, including Cherry MX Speeds, a classic gaming switch with a featherlight actuation force and short travel for a responsive, smooth keystroke — but beware, these switches can make you more likely to make mistakes when typing, since even light taps can make you can register keystrokes.
The high-quality PBT keys have a light texture, so they are not slippery even in tense competitive games. They also have very clear lettering that lets RGB lighting shine through, making them easier to read in darker rooms. Overall, the gaming performance of this keyboard is unrivaled in this price range, with an above-average maximum polling rate of 8000 Hz and millisecond latency for a highly responsive gaming experience. This keyboard is also compatible with Corsair's iCUE software, meaning you can sync your lighting effects with other Corsair products like a mouse or PC components for a consistent design across your entire setup.
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60% better budget keyboard
Obinslab Anne Pro 2
games
8.9
Desk
7.6
Time schedule
8.4
Handy/Tablet
8,0
Entertainment / HTPC
5.6
mechanic
Simconnectivity Wireless
Check out all of our test results
If you're looking for the best 60% budget keyboard that offers solid performance for gaming and general typing, we recommend the Obinslab Anne Pro 2. When you connect this keyboard with its cable, it has exceptionally low latency, comparable with gaming options oriented like thatCorsair K65 RGB MINIabove. However, you can connect it wirelessly and pair up to four Bluetooth devices if you prefer to use it for work or general writing tasks. However, Bluetooth's latency is much higher, so it's not recommended for competitive or faster gaming.
It's also available in a variety of switch types from top brands like Kailh, Gateron, and Cherry, making it easy to find a switch that suits your preferences. It also comes with some colorful buttons to add a personal touch to your board. In terms of keycaps, this board offers PBT doubleshot keycaps as the most expensive options on this list, which is a nice touch for a budget board. They feel good on your fingertips and have a nice texture for a good grip. While most compact boards don't have arrow keys, this keyboard has a feature you can enable to use the modifier keys on the right side as arrow keys.
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60% cheaper Keyboard
ROYAL KLUDGE RK61
games
7.3
Desk
6.9
Time schedule
7,0
Handy/Tablet
8,0
Entertainment / HTPC
6.3
mechanic
Simconnectivity Wireless
Check out all of our test results
Although its latency is not as low as the wired latency of theObinslab Anne Pro 2, and its build quality is not as high as thatCorsair K65 RGB MINI, the ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 is the best choice for a cheap compact board. It's suitable for casual gamers or on-the-go professionals looking for a smaller board for the home and office. Surprisingly for a cheap board, it features a hot-swappable circuit board, meaning you can swap out the standard switches for other mechanical switches of your choice for a typing experience tailored to your needs.
It's a good choice if you're just getting into keyboards, as it's an inexpensive way to test out what options you like without spending a small fortune. Plus, it's available in multiple variants that offer wireless connectivity options, different backlight settings, and a variety of sizes, so you're sure to find the version that works best for you.
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recent updates
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February 20, 2023:We've updated the wording in this article and made some minor changes for clarity, but we haven't made any changes to our recommendations with this update as they continue to represent the top picks for their respective categories.
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December 22, 2022:Small changes to the text to make it easier to read; no change in selection.
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Our recommendations above are, in our opinion, the top 60% of keyboards available right now. We consider price (a cheaper product will beat a more expensive one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no keyboards that are hard to find or sold out almost everywhere).
If you want to make the choice, here is our 60% compact keyboards review list. Be careful not to get too bogged down in the details. While no product is perfect for all uses, most keyboards work well enough to satisfy almost everyone, and the differences are often imperceptible unless you're really looking.