Compact “60%” and “65%” keyboards have long been niche items for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts and programmers looking to save desk space, but interest from streamers and esports pros has pushed these smaller keyboards into the spotlight. Major keyboard manufacturers, especially those in the gaming world, now craft these reduced-size keyboards, but not all are created equal. Let us help you find the petite keyboard that’s right for you. We have a 40-plus-year track record of testing PC peripherals, and we’ve tested more than 100 keyboards since 2020, evaluating them on the basis of ergonomics, feature set, software, and, of course, value. Our current top pick in the 60% class is the Kinesis TKO Gaming Keyboard; our guide also includes wireless, budget, and RGB-laden picks, so you’re sure to find one that suits your needs. Read on for our recommendations, plus critical advice to understanding the ins and outs of compact keyboards.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
May 6, 2025: We elevated the Logitech POP Icon Keys to Best Budget 60% or 65% Keyboard, removing the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile and HyperX Alloy Origins 65. We also added the Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX as the Best Low-Profile 60% or 65% Keyboard, and the Happy Hacking Professional Hybrid Type-S Snow Wireless Mechanical Keyboard as the Best 60% or 65% Keyboard for Use With Multiple Devices. For this update, we tested and evaluated eight new keyboards for possible inclusion in this roundup.
- Four ergonomic feet enable reverse tilt and tenting
- Three-button spacebar
- Nine onboard profiles
- RGB underglow bar
- Bundled carrying case
- Driverless software makes configuration and firmware updates more difficult than usual
With bold and helpful features, the Kinesis TKO gaming keyboard carefully weaves competitive and ergonomic keyboard features into a single, awesome vision.
Number of Keys
63
Interface
USB Wired
Key Switch Type
Kailh Box White (Clicky)
Key Backlighting
RGB Per-Key
Media Controls
Shared With Other Keys
Passthrough Ports
None
Palm Rest
None
Learn More
Kinesis TKO Gaming Keyboard Review
- Compact, 65-percent design
- Comfortable, low-profile switches
- Four dedicated macro keys
- Marked keycaps indicate essential function shortcuts
- Limited customization options
- Tightly packed keys
The Fnatic Streak65 has nearly everything that you’d want in a compact keyboard, including a top-tier typing feel, lightweight body, macro keys, and marked keycaps.
Number of Keys
68
Interface
USB Wired
Key Switch Type
Fnatic Speed
Key Backlighting
RGB Zonal
Media Controls
Shared With Other Keys
Passthrough Ports
None
Palm Rest
None
Learn More
Fnatic Streak65 Gaming Keyboard Review
- Excellent RGB implementation
- Hot-swappable key switches
- Included key cap and key switch puller
- Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connection options
- Compact and lightweight
- Can create up to 50 user profiles via Corsair iCue app
- Expensive
- 8,000Hz polling maximum may be overkill
The feature-rich Corsair K70 RGB Pro Mini Wireless is a stunner and one of the finest 60% keyboards we’ve seen.
Number of Keys
61
Interface
USB-C, Bluetooth, RF Wireless
Key Switch Type
Cherry MX Speed Silver
Key Backlighting
RGB Per-Key
Media Controls
Shared With Other Keys
Passthrough Ports
None
Palm Rest
None
Learn More
Corsair K70 RGB Pro Mini Wireless Review
- Space-saving 65% form factor
- 8,000Hz polling rate
- Customizable key actuation points
- Luxurious typing feel
- Touch panel for volume, media, and other controls
- Expensive
- Doesn’t support third-party switches
The Asus Falchion Ace HFX 65% wired gaming keyboard offers precision inputs and an innovative touch panel, but you’ll shell out serious cash to get your fingers on it.
Number of Keys
69
Interface
USB Wired
Key Switch Type
ROG HFX Magnetic Switches
Key Backlighting
RGB Per-Key
Media Controls
Shared With Other Keys
Passthrough Ports
USB
Palm Rest
None
Learn More
Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX Review
- Quiet, reasonably comfortable low-profile key switches
- 36-month battery life
- Snazzy colors and design
- Logi Options+ software is easy to use
- Affordable
- No wrist rest or carrying case included
- 2.4GHz Logi Bolt USB dongle sold separately
With the POP Icon Keys, Logitech successfully refreshes its head-turning POP peripheral lineup, improving the typing experience while packing in an impressive amount of functionality, including ChatGPT integration.
Number of Keys
85
Interface
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz Wireless
Key Switch Type
Membrane
Key Backlighting
None
Media Controls
Shared With Other Keys
Passthrough Ports
None
Palm Rest
None
Learn More
Logitech POP Icon Keys Review
- Customizable RGB lighting doesn’t require software to be adjusted
- Easily detachable frame offers numerous ways to express your style
- Includes Windows and macOS key labels
- Limited software functionality
- Side-printed labels make media keys hard to find
- 65% layout leaves no room for function keys
The highly customizable Drop CSTM65 is a simple yet well-designed 65% keyboard with unique removable frames that you can swap out to suit your mood.
Number of Keys
67
Interface
USB Wired
Key Switch Type
Gateron Yellow KS3 Switches
Key Backlighting
RGB Per-Key
Media Controls
Shared With Other Keys
Passthrough Ports
None
Palm Rest
None
Learn More
Drop CSTM65 Mechanical Keyboard Review
- Topre switches feel great
- Compact, efficient design
- Supports Windows and Mac
- Up to four simultaneous Bluetooth connections
- New color and keycap design
- Extremely expensive
- DIP switches and compact layout mandate a longer adjustment period
- Limited configuration software
- Poor battery life
- Doesn’t come with USB-C cable for wired connection
The Professional Hybrid Type-S Snow is a modest update that highlights the ecstasy (and occasional agony) of Happy Hacking’s classic compact mechanical keyboard design.
Number of Keys
60
Interface
Bluetooth, USB-C
Key Switch Type
Topre
Key Backlighting
None
Media Controls
Shared With Other Keys
Passthrough Ports
None
Palm Rest
None
Learn More
Happy Hacking Professional Hybrid Type-S Snow Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Review
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The Best 60% Keyboards for 2025
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Buying Guide: The Best 60% Keyboards for 2025
How Many Keys Does a 60% or 65% Keyboard Have?
A standard, full-size keyboard has 104 keys. Technically speaking, that means a 60% keyboard should have 62 keys, and a 65% keyboard should have 67 or 68 keys. Realistically, manufacturers play it a little fast and loose with the numbers and the key-count totals. Most so-called 60% models we’ve tested run 60 to 65 keys, while 65% ones have around 66 to 70 keys.
(Credit: Mike Epstein)
Unlike the tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard layout that simply removes the numeric keypad, the 60% or 65% keyboard layout also ditches what some users might deem essential inputs. The typical 60% keyboard drops the Function (F1 to F12) keys, arrow keys, and other navigation/utility keys. (Think Home, Delete, Print Screen, Page Up, and Page Down.) The layout is compressed into a single block without any sections or gaps. For example, the Escape key no longer floats alone, because that would require extra room in the layout.
Meanwhile, 65% keyboards give you a little more wiggle room while staying compact. These boards drop the Function keys and most other nonessentials, but they almost always keep the arrow keys. Many also hold onto one or two other keys. Fnatic and a few other keyboard manufacturers add extra, customizable macro keys that give you the option to remap the keyboard.
(Credit: Mike Epstein)
Key Types: Understanding 60% and 65% Mechanical Keyboards
As with the best keyboards and, more specifically, the best mechanical keyboards, typing feel is the most important element. I’ve yet to see a non-mechanical 60% or 65% keyboard, so finding one that feels right comes down to finding your preferred key-switch “flavor.” (Key switches are the actuation mechanisms under the top of the key, or keycap.) Our mechanical key switch primer explains the switch basics.
It’s important to keep in mind why you want a compact keyboard in the first place. Many gaming keyboards use linear switches (often classified as “Red” switches) that require little force to actuate. Those hair-trigger switches are great for gaming at breakneck speed, but they can lead to more accidental and out-of-order key presses.
(Credit: Mike Epstein)
If you’re looking for balance, or simply the most comfortable overall switches, you may want to look outside the gaming world. That search may lead you to a world of new keyboard manufacturers, many based in Asia, such as Anne Pro, Ducky, Happy Hacking, and Leopold.
Get Your Hotkey Ph.D.: Shortcut Keys on 60% and 65% Keyboards
To compensate for losing essential keys, most of these keyboards feature keys with secondary functions that are accessed by using a function toggle key. Memorizing the shortcuts is a small hurdle that you must overcome. It’s also why this kind of keyboard’s popularity has been relegated to keyboard hobbyists, programmers, and other power users.
(Credit: Mike Epstein)
Most factory-made 60% and 65% keyboards house a few features to help take the sting out of that transition. For example, many compact keyboards feature sideprints, the text and symbols that highlight each key’s secondary features. Though many keyboard types use sidecaps, 60% keyboards make them particularly essential. After all, shortcuts vary from model to model. In addition, many makers of compact keyboards help you navigate the transition by supplying configuration software that lets you remap secondary inputs in addition to standard keys.
Get a Competitive Edge: Finding the Best 60% or 65% Keyboard for Gaming
The rise of esports and competitive play has fueled this current wave of 60% and 65% keyboards, so you can expect many of these input devices to contain features that cater to pro players. Some esports-minded keyboards house a “competition” switch that’s the evolution of a “game mode” key found in gaming keyboards. The function varies from model to model, but the idea is to strip away any customization that may distract you or disqualify you from tournament play. Most of the time, that means resetting the keyboard profile to the default setting and dimming or turning off RGB lighting.
(Credit: Mike Epstein)
On the other end of the spectrum, a surprising number of 60% and 65% gaming keyboards feature dedicated macro keys that let you create macros or otherwise customize your keyboard. With the Fnatic Streak65, it simply means cutting the default layout down to 60%, then adding a few blank keys. A few keyboards, including the Kinesis TKO, break up the space bar into multiple keys, creating room for macros that seemingly weren’t there before.
Recommended by Our Editors
On a few occasions, I’ve seen keyboards of this size class come with a hard case for travel. That’s a nice bonus, but it’s pretty rare, so having one or not shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.
Should I Get a Wireless 60% or 65% Keyboard?
Many 60% and 65% keyboards feature a detachable cable—preferably USB-C—that makes for easier travel and storage. Companies still occasionally add proprietary locking mechanisms to the cables, ensuring that the cable never detaches during play. I prefer it when companies forgo that measure. The cables stay in fine on their own except in drastic circumstances, and, without the locking mechanism, you can replace a broken cable with any other USB Type-C-to-A cord.
What about wireless compact keyboards? After all, if you’re aiming to free up desk space, you may as well cut the cord, too. Wireless 60% and 65% keyboards, though, are few and far between. The groups who have been most interested in 60% and 65% keyboards until very recently—competitive gamers, programmers, custom keyboard enthusiasts—traditionally haven’t chased wireless keyboards. If going wireless is your top priority right now, you should check out full-size and tenkeyless (“TKL”) keyboards. You’ll find a much larger selection.
Ready to Buy the Right 60% or 65% Keyboard for You?
Now that you know what to look for in a 60% or 65% keyboard, it’s up to you to make your pick. Here’s our list of the best compact keyboards culled from our recent reviews. In addition, if you’re all in on competitive play, consider pairing your new compact keyboard with one our favorite esports mice.
