Buying Guide
The Best 60% Mechanical Gaming Keyboards
We weighed three keyboards on layout and switches, and the Maxfit61 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
A 60% board drops the arrows and function row to free mouse room. Every pick is a 60% layout with traditional mechanical switches, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh layout, switches and connection as the makers state them; we did not test these keyboards ourselves, and any figure a maker omits is noted as missing.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
FANTECH Maxfit61
A lower price than the K617 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for FANTECH Maxfit61 (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard
Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Best for: Buyers who want hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Our take Check price for Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Royal Kludge RK61 Wired Mechanical Keyboard
Hot-swappable switch sockets at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Royal Kludge RK61 Wired Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the K617 and the rest when we checked. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for FANTECH Maxfit61 (opens in a new tab) |
| Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. | Buyers who want hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. | Check price for Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| Hot-swappable switch sockets at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for Royal Kludge RK61 Wired Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
FANTECH Maxfit61 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
FANTECH's Maxfit61 is a wired 60% board with blue clicky switches and hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no dedicated arrow keys or function ro rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Pullers ship in the box. Pre-lubed stabilizers smooth the Enter, Backspace and Shift keys, which often rattle on budget 60% boards. It shares a 60% layout with the K617; the RK61 goes with a 60% (61 keys) layout.
You get blue clicky switches here, which sets it apart from the RK61 and its red linear switches. It also offers switch and keycap pullers in the box and a detachable USB-C cable. The Maxfit61 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the K617 the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 60%
- Switches: Blue clicky
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Compact 60% layout
- Blue clicky switches
- Hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches from any brand
- Switch and keycap pullers in the box
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
Also Consider2 of 3
Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K617 Fizz is a wired 60% board with red linear switches and hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Best for
- Buyers who want hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
Why we like it
It is one of the lowest-priced hot-swap boards here. Its 60% layout frees desk space for wide mouse swipes, and 20 lighting presets adjust in brightness and speed. The software programs macros.
Its switches are rated for 50 million presses, in a white and grey colourway. Like the Maxfit61, it has a 60% layout, while the RK61 uses a 60% (61 keys) layout. Like the RK61, it has red linear switches, while the Maxfit61 uses blue clicky switches.
The K617 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. Its price falls between the Maxfit61 and the RK61, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 60%
- Switches: Red linear
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Compact 60% layout
- Red linear switches
- Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
- Switches rated for 50 million keypresses
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the Maxfit61 at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Royal Kludge RK61 Wired Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The RK61 is the smallest board here and the only one listed with hot-swap sockets, so you can change switches later without soldering.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no dedicated arrow keys or function ro rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
The 61-key board connects through a detachable Type-C cable and offers full-key anti-ghosting. It has 18 RGB modes and 8 single-color modes on board, with more customization in software. No other pick in this guide offers a 60% (61 keys) layout; compare the Maxfit61, which has a 60% layout.
Like the K617, it has red linear switches, while the Maxfit61 uses blue clicky switches. The RK61 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the K617 and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 60% (61 keys)
- Switches: Red linear
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Compact 60% (61 keys) layout
- Red linear switches
- Hot-swappable switch sockets
- Hot-swappable switch sockets at the highest price in the group
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the Maxfit61 at the time of writing
How We Chose These 60% Mechanical Gaming Keyboards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side three keyboards on layout, switches and connection, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Maxfit61 to the RK61, state layout, switches and connection and share Wired connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The Maxfit61 for a lower price than the K617 and the rest when we checked; the K617 for hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches; the RK61 for hot-swappable switch sockets at the highest price in the group.
- Price range
- From the Maxfit61 to the RK61, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a 60% Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Switches
The Maxfit61 lists blue clicky; the K617 and the RK61 list Red linear. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
What to check at home
The Maxfit61 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Extras that separate them
The Maxfit61: switch and keycap pullers in the box. The K617: switches rated for 50 million keypresses. The RK61: hot-swappable switch sockets.
Where your budget lands
All 3 sat in one tier when we checked, from the Maxfit61 at the low end to the RK61 at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Keeping the budget tight: the Maxfit61. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor: the RK61.
How to Choose a 60% Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | Maxfit61 | A lower price than the K617 and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches | K617 | Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | RK61 | Hot-swappable switch sockets at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Maxfit61, the K617 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maxfit61 | 60% | Blue clicky | Wired |
| K617 | 60% | Red linear | Wired |
| RK61 | 60% (61 keys) | Red linear | Wired |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the RK61 our Premium Pick pick?
It earns the label for hot-swappable switch sockets at the highest price in the group. It suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Do the Maxfit61 and the RK61 differ on layout?
The Maxfit61 and the K617 use 60%; the RK61 uses 60% (61 keys).
Will the Maxfit61 work with my setup?
The Maxfit61 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks first of 3, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
What extras do the Maxfit61 and the K617 include?
The Maxfit61: hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches from any brand. The K617: hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The RK61: hot-swappable switch sockets.
Who should choose the Maxfit61?
The Maxfit61 carries our Lowest Price Here label for a lower price than the K617 and the rest when we checked. It ranks first of 3 here.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Maxfit61, chosen for a lower price than the K617 and the rest when we checked. Look at the K617 for hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches and the RK61 for hot-swappable switch sockets at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Learn the function layer before you buy; arrows move there.