Best Cheap 60% Keyboard Under $60

Tech Edged may earn a commission through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

Table of Contents

A 60 percent mechanical keyboard is considered one of the best investments you can make if you are looking for a very compact keyboard to improve your typing and gaming experience. They also allow you to free up space on your desk for a more spacious and cleaner-looking setup.

However, many of the higher-end 60% keyboards cost quite a bit more than many can afford. Fortunately, we don’t have to break the bank to buy high-quality peripherals. That is why in this article we’re going to review the best cheap 60% keyboards all under $60 that provide great performance, durability, feature set, and aesthetics.

60 percent keyboards have fewer keys than full-size keyboards, but they’re ideal for gamers and those who want more desk space. We focused our attention on a variety of brands with a mix of various types of switches and feature sets. Below you’ll find our top recommendations for the cheapest 60% mechanical keyboards.   

Best Cheap 60% Keyboards

1. Royal Kludge RK61

Specifications

Type: Mechanical | Switches: Hot Swappable Red, Blue, Brown | Size: 60% | Connectivity: Wired detachable USB-C | Dimensions: 13.35 x 6.1 x 2.05 inches | Weight: 1.65 lbs

Benefits

  • Fast response time
  • Great RGB backlight for readable keycaps
  • Compatible with Gateron switches

Drawbacks

  • ABS keycaps

Royal Kludge’s RK61 is an incredibly cheap 60% keyboard pick, but even at that price, it comes with a pretty great feature set and is one of the more ergonomic keyboards out there. With a few switch options available, this could very well be a great choice if you want something comfortable.

First things first, the layout is a standard 60%, which is why this is one of the cheapest 60% keyboards out there. You do get layouts with the Fn key, and the second layout is actually fairly well thought out. You have the arrows in the right bottom corner, as well as all the keys that would traditionally sit above them implemented intuitively.

The brown switches inside this keyboard give you a tactile bump that you can feel, but unlike the blues (which the keyboard is also available with), they’re silent, so you get a much quieter typing experience. You can also get a variant with Gateron switches, too, so you have a bit more versatility in terms of options. What we loved is that the entire keyboard elevates at the rear, so you have a slightly more ergonomic typing experience overall.

The RGB backlight does work well, but it doesn’t have too many options for you to choose from. If you’re working in the dark, though, it does make a lot of difference, as the LEDs are bright and the keycaps easy to read. A great choice overall.

2. HK Gaming GK61

Specifications

Type: Mechanical | Switches: Gateron Optical Red, Blue, Brown, Silver, Yellow, Black | Size: 60% | Connectivity: Wired detachable USB-C | Dimensions: 11.5 x 4.02 x 1.57 inches | Weight: 1.18 lbs

Benefits

  • Waterproof and dust resistant PCB
  • Fast 0.2 ms response time
  • Long-lasting optical switches

Drawbacks

  • Optical switches can be swapped only with other optical switches
  • Lacks kickstand

HK Gaming’s GK61 is one of the world’s best-selling 60% mechanical keyboards. Part of the reason is that it is really cheap, but it’s also pretty feature-packed and comes with a few things you won’t find on other keyboards.

To begin with, this comes with a standard 60% layout and a very compact case that results in some rather slim edges. The keycaps are made of ABS plastic and they’re Doubleshot, which means they’ll last you a good while and they won’t wear out quickly as some others do. They’re also much less prone to developing shine, which is a nice addition.

This keyboard gets you Gateron Optical switches, and you can choose between a few variants – Brown, Blue, and Red are all options. What surprised us at this price is the fact that the PCB is hot-swappable, so you can actually change the switches without any soldering – just pull them out with a switch puller, and install new ones. The downside is that this is only possible with other Gateron Optical switches, which does limit you to some extent.

The RGB backlight is very well implemented, and you can control it from the keyboard itself – there is no need for additional software. Overall, this is a pretty great choice if you don’t need too much functionality and want to save some money.

3. Asceny One

Specifications

Type: Mechanical | Switches: Gateron Optical Black, Blue, Brown, Red, Yellow | Size: 60% | Connectivity: Wired detachable USB-C | Dimensions: 11.81 x 3.94 x 0.79 inches | Weight: 1.7 lbs

Benefits

  • Built-in flash memory for preset settings
  • Customizable RGB lighting
  • Durable optical switches, faster than traditional switches

Drawbacks

  • The design isn’t for everyone
  • Lacks adjustable support feet

It’s becoming hard to distinguish between all those options you have for a 60% mechanical keyboard, but the Asceny One has a trick up its sleeve that makes it a great choice for a certain type of people – those who want to take their keyboard with them when they’re going somewhere.

The 60% layout is fairly standard here, with an FN key that gets you additional buttons as a secondary layout. What we like is that Asceny includes a couple of colored modifier keys that you can use to add a splash of color to the keyboard. Yes, it still has an RGB backlight, but some people just want colored keycaps – well now you have them in the box.

The switches inside are Gateron Blue optical switches, which are a good clicky option. However, they might be loud for some, which is why this is a hot-swappable PCB, so you can easily pull out the switches and install other optical switches if you want. This does get you a bit of versatility, which is great at this price.

What differentiates the Asceny One is the fact that it is a spill-proof design. This means that even if you spill liquid on it, it won’t get damaged. Of course, you can’t submerge it, but it’s a good layer of protection. And there’s also built-in memory, so you can save your settings even when the keyboard is turned off – perfect if you want to take it with you to a LAN party.

4. DIERYA DK63

Specifications

Type: Mechanical | Switches: Black, Blue, Brown, Red | Size: 60% | Connectivity: Wired detachable Micro USB, Wireless via Bluetooth 5.1 | Dimensions: 13.31 x 5.51 x 1.81 inches | Weight: 1.91 lbs

Benefits

  • Supports up to three simultaneously connected devices
  • High battery capacity for wireless use
  • Foldable stand

Drawbacks

  • Some might not like the “gamer” letter font

Not everyone can live without arrow keys, which is why DIERYA has included a set on their DK63. With a slightly different layout to a typical 60%, this keyboard is a great choice if you want your arrow keys available instantly, instead of on a second layer, read on.

First things first, the switches inside are brown, but it is unknown which manufacturer they come from. If you want Gateron switches, there’s an alternative variant from the same manufacturer. The keycaps are ABS plastic, so they’re durable and shouldn’t develop shine anytime soon.

What’s great about the keyboard is that it also comes with Bluetooth, so you can use it wirelessly if you want. The range is about 10 meters, which should be good enough, and you can pair it with up to three devices. Switching between them is pretty fast, which makes this keyboard perfect for people who want to use it on multiple devices. The 1900mAh battery should last you a good while, which is neat.

There’s RGB backlight on the keyboard, although it’s not too impressive, and you don’t have a lot of effects to go through. It’s rather basic, but it does the job if you want to illuminate your keycaps. Overall, this is a good cheap 60% keyboard if you want a compact wireless option that allows you to use it on multiple devices, and really need your arrow keys to be on the primary layer.

5. Redragon K530 Draconic

Specifications

Type: Mechanical | Switches:  Redragon Blue, Brown, Red | Size: 60% | Connectivity: Wired detachable USB-C, Wireless via Bluetooth 5.0 | Dimensions: 13.15 x 6.06 x 2.24 inches | Weight: 1.34 lbs

Benefits

  • High-capacity 3000 mAh battery
  • Customizable RGB lights and preset modes
  • Great wireless connection

Drawbacks

  • Hotswapping is extremely limited
  • The Type-C cable feels loose

The K530 Draconic from Redragon is a 60% mechanical keyboard with full-size keys. It also has additional writing on the front side of the keys to help you find the commands that can be accessed together with the function key. Overall, the design and build quality are great for the price and you even get wireless connectivity.

That said, the placement of the arrow keys, the delete key, and a few others might feel awkward at first because Redragon placed them differently than other keyboard manufacturers. For example, the arrow keys are mapped to the WASD keys and the DEL key is mapped on the “/” key instead of Backspace. However, you’ll get used to it if you aren’t switching from another 60% keyboard that is using a different configuration.

The Redragon switches offer a great typing and gaming experience thanks to a nice tactile bump in them. There’s no noticeable delay whether you’re using the keyboard in wired or wireless mode. Speaking of wireless, the manufacturer included a sizable 3000 mAh battery when others use 1900 mAh batteries or even smaller. This means you can use the keyboard for an entire day, even with the backlight on, and won’t have to plug it in.

Overall, the Redragon K530 Draconic is a top-notch 60% mechanical keyboard for its price. It offers plenty of value, performance, and its software is easy to use. You just might need a bit of time to get used to the default key mapping.

6. Snpurdiri Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Specifications

Type: Mechanical | Switches:  Cyan Blue | Size: 60% | Connectivity: Wired detachable USB-C | Dimensions: 13.3 x 5.59 x 2.24 inches | Weight: 1.43 lbs

Benefits

  • Waterproof design
  • Great default layout with arrow and multimedia keys included
  • Comes with a comfortable foot stand

Drawbacks

  • The plastic feels a bit cheap

This 60% mechanical keyboard from Snpurdiri is one of the cheapest ones you can buy. However, you still get a lot of functionality from it and it’s comfortable to use.

The tactile response of the keys is good, but we don’t have much information about the switches themselves. They are fairly silent as a result of the waterproof design, so if you’re looking for a distinct mechanical sound you should go with another option from this list. They’re also hot-swappable but the manufacturer doesn’t give us enough information on that either.

This keyboard isn’t feature-rich, but it does come with RGB lighting and it illuminates the keys quite well. You can choose between 20 different effects, but actual customization is lacking.

Overall, this 60% keyboard from Snpurdiri get’s the job done, but that’s about it. If you want a cheap mechanical keyboard with RGB lighting and an ergonomic design, this should be a good choice.

7. MOTOSPEED Wired/Wireless 3.0 Mechanical Keyboard

Specifications

Type: Mechanical | Switches: Outemu Red, Blue | Size: 60% | Connectivity: Wired detachable USB-C, Wireless via Bluetooth 3.0 | Dimensions: 11.42 x 3.94 x 1.77 inches | Weight: 1.41 lbs

Benefits

  • High 0.1 ms response speed
  • Customizable RGB lights and preset modes
  • Crisp and precise tactile feedback

Drawbacks

  • Incompatible with PlayStation and Xbox consoles

MOTOSPEED’s 60% keyboard is a great choice if you want a wired/wireless keyboard that is built very well, comes with a great backlight, and can be used on multiple devices.

First things first, it comes with blue switches, and that means they’re loud and clicky. Not everyone is a fan of this, but if you are, they work pretty great. They’re also tested for 50 million keystrokes, which is neat. The keycaps are shine-through and made of ABS plastic, so they’re rather durable and won’t develop shine quickly.

The keyboard comes with Bluetooth, which allows you to connect it to a variety of devices like your PC, Mac, or your phone or tablet. The battery is 1300mAh, and that should get you about 10 hours of usage if you push it, and an impressive 480 hours of standby time. It also has a built-in on/off switch so it saves power when you aren’t using it.

Add to this RGB backlight with 19 built-in effects, and you’ll quickly see why this is an excellent choice for users on a budget. Provided you can deal with the loud, obnoxious clicky switches, that is.

8. Punkston TH61

Specifications

Type: Mechanical | Switches:  Optical Blue, Brown, Red, Black | Size: 60% | Connectivity: Wired detachable USB-C | Dimensions: 11.5 x 4.0 x 1.6 inches | Weight: 1.68 lbs

Benefits

  • IPX4 waterproof and drainage hole for accidental spills
  • Fast response time for gaming
  • Programmable macros and key remapping

Drawbacks

  • Black switches have been known to rattle
  • Optical switches can’t be swapped with standard switches

The Punkston TH61 might be cheap but it’s impressively durable. It’s also an ergonomic keyboard with a more than decent feature set. With several switch options available, the TH61 is a solid choice for most gamers looking to balance durability with comfort.

This 60% keyboard offers a familiar layout. All the keys are placed conveniently, resembling the layout of a full-size keyboard that was simply packed in a little tighter. It comes with arrow keys in the bottom right corner, you can remap keys, create macros, and use the FN key for complex commands.

The TH61 is available with several different optical switches that you can pick based on your requirements. Pick the softer office-friendly black switch, the fun clicky blue switch, or consider ordering your own kit of optical switches for hot-swapping. In addition, the design of the board combined with optical switches makes it waterproof. Don’t worry about spilling your drink over the keyboard because it won’t harm it. It even comes with drainage holes!

Overall, the Punkston TH61 is a great choice for those who are looking for a cheap feature-rich 60% keyboard. In addition to the great hardware, it comes with all the functionality to program different key setup profiles and switch between them and you can also personalize the backlight. You can’t go wrong with the TH1.

Final Thoughts

When choosing one of the cheapest 60% keyboards, you should make sure to get the switches you want, as well as any extra functionality you might need, like backlight or Bluetooth. We hope to have offered plenty of options above, so all that’s left for you to do is pick the one you like most.

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments