Another enthusiast feature is the presence of pre-modded stabilizers. Textured finish for a premium look and feel. The kit from MechanicalKeyboards also includes PCB and case foam that you can install to reduce ping and keycap noise, which is a nice touch. This 65% layout is my personal favorite. Being able to remap keys or change LED colors without accessing a website is always a good thing, in my book. Picking any of these switches will be $99. It also has 2 kickstands, one on each side, and rubber feet on the bottom. These boards, including the One 3 SF, take the already-impressive One 2 and add some welcome features and improvements, most notably hot-swap sockets. The GK61xs sports a 1900 mAh battery, which Epomaker claims will offer 250 hours of runtime. You get the same excellent build quality and high-quality keycaps, just with conventional Cherry MX mechanical switches and a significantly lower price. 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. Its got a lot of features. Keycap Size TerminologyNot sure what we mean by 2.25-unit or 1.25-unit? This . The case is still plastic, admittedly, but metal cases werent really a thing when it came out in 2013. The 65% version has 67 keys instead of the 87 keys like the CTRL. Check. The Cherry MX, Kailh, and Gateron versions only have single-color white LEDs, while the budget Outemu version lacks backlighting entirely. Leopold and their keyboard lineup have been around for a long time, but they have always had the reputation for being a high quality producer of mechanical keyboards, especially those with Topre switches. Duckys also shipping all One 3 models with a layer of EVA foam pre-installed between the PCB and bottom case. Wireless? Well go over some of the main differences between the different 65% layouts and clear up whatever confusion you may have. The high-profile case helps to keep the dust from settling under the keycaps and boosts the acoustic sound of the switches. The Best Barebones Keyboards: Our Top Picks. [GB] Synth Labs 060 keyboard (Now Live!) Some users complain that the rubber leads to a mushy feel when you hit the keyboard. New . The Hades 68 isnt a hot-swap keyboard, but Durgod has made up for this by offering a significant number of switch options for the Hades 68. The Drop ALT has hot-swappable sockets. These boards feature non-standard key sizes, such as the extra-length 7u Spacebar on the Tokyo60or the short right Shift on the KBD75. But the aluminum build, long (up to 200 hour) battery life, and ultra-responsive switches will go some way to help take the sting out of spending that much on a gaming keyboard. And, of course, assembling a kit is a lot more satisfying than buying something ready-made off the shelf. Its a small but decisive point in the Hades 68s favor. But first, lets get into our picks. If youre on a bit of a tight budget but dont want to sacrifice too many features, the K6 is definitely worth a look. The Ducky One 2 SF is currently selling in either black or white design, whichever works best for your aesthetic. Most 65 percent keyboards are mechanical and offer a choice of switches used to initiate key presses. The keyboard houses 67 keys + 1 knob, which saves space for the mouse in the right side. There are usually two different 65% layouts and which one you choose usually comes down to preference. Jake has been an avid mechanical keyboard user for the past six years. 134 reviews 53 questions. Well compare each 65% keyboard by features, price, durability, and much more to help you pick out the perfect keyboard. The black version looks black from a top view but has a white bezel and white bottom. 60% keyboards are slightly narrower by around one to two inches, so theyre preferable if youre absolutely hurting for desk space. Macro support is also present, as expected. You can customize the keyboard with various keys depending on the feel you are seeking, whether its clacky or firm. On other websites, its possible to find different versions of this keyboard. Check out the buying guide in our list of the best hot-swap keyboards for more information on that. This small category of keyboard has a big following among minimalists and gamers. Coming in hot at number 3 on the list is the Ducky One 2 SF (the SF part here stands for sixty-five percent). Make sure to read our guide with essential equipment to build your own custom mechanical keyboard for a comprehensive checklist of you what you need before you start. Epomaker Feker IK75 V3: #3 Best 75% Barebones Keyboard. Razer launched its first BlackWidow keyboard in 2010, and the company now has 20 keyboards over 5 different product ranges. 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. The NK65 -EntryEdition is a standard 65% layout keyboard with a hotswap PCB. All of the keys are closely located together so the keyboard is ultra-compact. It fits easily in a small bag and weighs very little. I found this to be one of the fastest keyboards Ive tried in a recent typing test. Details and Specifications You can add a maximum of 50 of this product to the cart. This layout is widely used and loved by the community and TH68 will surely beyond A 65% DIY Kit From Everglide After the success in crafting high-quality switches and stabilizers, Everglide has released its own DIY kit - SK68. 2 PCB - 3x3 9-key Macropad - Rotary Encoder and RGB $25.99 Mill-Max Hotswap Sockets From $7.99 Elite-C V4 - USB-C Pro Micro Replacement ATmega32u4 Instead, you get a single status LED and TMK firmware. Thats a great option to have if the stock stabs dont work out for you. The result of this switch is a feeling that most perceive as smoother and faster. That said, the Razer look hasnt changed much over the years, and it can look a little bland compared to some of the other keyboards out there. We found this keyboard to be fun to use, and the hot-swappable feature can be incredibly hard to find on a keyboard this size unless youre willing to shell out some serious dough. Touchmax. You may be wondering, what the heck is a 65% keyboard? With QMK firmware, it is fully programmable. Its hard not to love a keyboard with a panda resting on the space bar. 0 65% Soldered PCB For Customized Mechanical. The GMMK Pro is best known for two things, the first of which is the rotary push knob in the top right. Soldered switches, on the other hand, are much more reliable. You have the standard Red, Blue, and Brown options from both Cherry and Gateron. In that case, the Qisan Magicforce with Outemu Brown or Blue switches is definitely worth a look. Its worth noting that KBDfans also makes a Bluetooth version which you can buy directly from them. Sold out - $95.00 Shipping calculated at checkout. 117 reviews 28 questions. This helps keep the price down without impacting the typing experience all that much. If you look at the photo above, youll see that the Fn1, Fn2, and Control keys are all the same size as the alphanumeric keys. Thats a LOT of information. Epomaker B21 Retro Mechanical Keyboard 15. Unclear about mechanical keyboard sizes and what we mean by 75% or TKL? But underneath the relatively dull exterior is a solid, all-around great product that ticks all the right boxes at a reasonable price. Overall, the KBDfans KBD67 Lite is an excellent budget-friendly 65% keyboard kit that punches way above its weight. So having a programmable board is essential to set a board up just how I like it. On the other hand, wireless keyboards keep your desk from being cluttered up with wires. The form factor of a 65% is compact and aesthetic. The Keychron K6 is a 65% . Razers BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed (now thats a mouthful) is one of the more interesting gaming-focused 65% keyboards on the market. You dont want to get a 65% keyboard, but then realize you dont like it! It has 67 keys and is compact. The ABS keycaps also feel thin and flimsy. 75% TKL Keyboards, Pros and Cons: Honestly, 75% might be THE most popular size keyboard. Though it is approx 70% the size of a traditional keyboard, the keys still have standard sizes that allow for rapid typing. Best 75% mechanical keyboards. Duckys One 3 range of keyboards is arguably the companys most impressive yet. EXTRAS IN-STOCK SALE. Very aesthetic from the side. This layout is basically what it sounds like. Thats why theyre the object of so much focus amongst mechanical keyboard enthusiasts and why you should pay attention to the quality of the stabs on your keyboard. If theres one standout feature on the MKB87, its its dual-mode functionality. The common solution is to simply replace them with a set of Durock V2 stabs, which perform much better. As you can see we included some awesome different keyboards for you look at and consider for your next keyboard. While Im a big fan of the KBD75, even I cant deny that the GMMK Pro just looks better overall. We reviewed this keyboard onour YouTube channeland had some positive thoughts on the Cypher. Weve mentioned stabilizers and stabilizer-related issues all through the list. 65% keyboard Filter . Youre also out of luck if the site ever goes down, of course. Its close enough to a standard full-size layout that most users wont have issues with it. But a 65 percent keyboard does have alphanumeric keys, modifiers, and arrow keys. 65% assembled keyboard 3; Brand Brand. The double-shot ABS keycaps are thin, and I think the font is hideous. You also get pre-lubed stabilizers for a smooth feel on the larger keys, such as Enter and Backspace. And software solutions are always an option, even if they arent as ideal. Unlike Drops other boards (which use plate-mounted stabilizers), you can easily swap the stock stabilizers with high-quality PCB-mount stabs if desired. That said, theres one glaring omission from the Ducky One 3 SFs impressive feature set: programmability. Despite that, we still think the Ducky One 3 SF is one of the best 65% keyboards you can get right now. Keychron claims a 240-hour runtime without the backlight, courtesy of the 4000 mAh battery mentioned earlier. Ducky also sends you some extra colorful keycap sets to add some style. The combination of excellent build, high-quality keycaps, tasteful pre-modding, and hot-swap sockets makes the Ducky One 3 SF one of the keyboards to beat in this form factor. Hence, theres no harm in building a board to try the stabilizers out first. Razer also offers the BlackWidow V3 Mini with its Phantom keycaps, which have half-transparent sides. EPOMAKER Next time Skyline. On a more positive note, the GMMK Pro improves on the older GMMK in one crucial aspect: programmability. ly/GamakayK61Code: BGCNTYK61 ($57. Mushy or rattly stabilizers will make these keys feel loose or sticky, which isnt great given how important they are. The Cherry MX Reds are great because they dont take much force to actuate and are silent as well as fast. Buy DROP + MiTo GMK Laser Custom Mechanical Keyboard Spacebar Set - 9-Keys, Cherry Profile (Spacebars): Keyboards - Amazon. We wouldve liked to see more switch options to give the user more switch variety. The PCB is VIA compatible with per switch RGB lighting. Best 65% Keyboard Kit: KBDFans KBD67 Lite is an excellent budget-friendly kit that punches above its weight class. kprepublic 139 Japanese root black font language Cherry profile Dye Sub Keycap PBT . The keyboard adopts the popular 65% size to be compact but retaining all necessary keys like 68 Keys 65% Compact Layout EPOMAKER Next Time 68 custom wired mechanical keyboard DIY kit is designed in a popular compact 65% layout that maximizes the function while not wasting a minimum of space. All in all, the KPRepublic MKB87 is a decent option if you want an affordable TKL keyboard kit with a handy Bluetooth 5.0 option. Still only north facing, make sure you read the kit . Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Custom MK870 Mechanical Keyboard Built With Akko Lavender Purple Great Condition at the best online prices at eBay! Shipped from abroad Japanese Keycaps, PBTKeycap Custom Keycap for Mechanical Keyboards, Full 108 Key Set Izakaya Keycaps 0 out of 5 (No ratings . These keycaps are smooth and may not be for people are like textured keycaps such as myself. Our buying guide towards the end of the article also covers important considerations when buying a new 65% keyboard. The BlackWidow V3 Mini connects wirelessly via Razers HyperSpeed dongle. The PCB is VIA compatible with per switch RGB lighting. Use code SWITCHANDCLICK at checkout to support us. All 65% mechanical keyboards will have arrow keys and between two to four nav cluster keys. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Subscribe for an occasional dose of PC hardware inspiration and guides. Its also available in TKL and 60% layouts if you prefer those form factors. Check out our pcb keyboard selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our keyboards shops. Custom Keyboard Kit. The GK61xs stock stabilizers arent anything special, and you may want to replace them if you intend to use this as your main keyboard. With a stratospheric price tag, the Drop ALT is at the top of the list for many keyboard connoisseurs. The KBD75 is fully programmable using VIA, my favorite keyboard firmware. The keyboard comes in white and black colors, and you can choose from a total of 13 switch types. Unlike some of its contemporaries, the K6 doesnt feature any programmability whatsoever. DNA65 65% CUSTOM MECHANICAL KEYBOARD CASE 8. KBDFans KBD67 Lite R4 - 65% Barebones Keyboard Kit Keychron Q1 V2 - QMK Compatible 75% Barebones Keyboard Kit. Second is its more aesthetically pleasing exploded 75% layout, with gaps between the main key cluster and the arrow keys, function keys, and nav keys. GMMK Pro Barebones: #1 Best 75% Barebones Keyboard. But its usable, looks reasonably good (keycap font aside), and will still leave you with change from a $50 bill. One tiny feature that impressed me about the Hades 68 is that the keycaps are Cherry profile instead of the taller, more angled OEM profile that most manufacturers use. A 60 percent keyboard can come with or without arrow keys, radically changing the key layout and causing compatibility issues. Unlike the other keyboards on our list (and pretty much every 65% mechanical keyboard on the market), the FC660C uses Topre capacitive switches instead of Cherry MX-style mechanical switches. 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. 65% keyboards are the hot new thing in mechanical keyboards, which makes choosing the best 65 percent keyboard harder than it used to be. For the cheaper price tag, this is not a bad keyboard at all. One is aesthetics, and the other is portability. The Tokyo60 is an all-aluminum 60% keyboard with an integrated plate and screw-in stabilizers. . As with most aluminum boards, you may want to consider adding underneath the PCB if switch pinging and ringing becomes an issue when typing. The KBD67 Lite is an all-polycarbonate mechanical keyboard with a translucent case and switch plate. Keychron Q1 Barebones: #2 Best 75% Barebones Keyboard. Programmable boards can be remapped to suit your current preferences and wont be left in the dust due to a non-ideal keymap. These include the ANSI (horizontal) enter, one (or both) Shift keys, and the Spacebar. Because 65 percent keyboards take up less space and are typically mechanical, which means they have a more precise and consistent feel, theyre popular with committed minimalists and hard-core gamers. The Durgod Hades 68 isnt the flashiest or most exquisite mechanical keyboard on our list. You can swap some modifier keys around with the included DIP switches, but thats still a far cry from full programmability. Its not perfect, but it gets the essential aspects right. At the bottom are two magnetized rubber feet that you can move or turn around however you like. Read on. 2021 NovelKeys LLC. If you only have time to look at one keyboard, the Durgod Hades 68 is definitely the one you should check out. Think of them like a Cherry MX Brown, just significantly better. Its not impossible, but you may have less choice than with more conventional keycap sizes. This is significantly longer than competing wireless 65% mechanical keyboards and is a big point in the K6s favor. The key presses are light and bouncy enough for long typing sessions. KPRepublic doesnt list the battery capacity, but weve read reports of users getting a weeks worth of use from the MK87s battery.