Buying Guide
The Best Budget Gaming Keyboard
We weighed five keyboards on layout and switches, and the K521 costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Under $60, a gaming keyboard can still offer mechanical or magnetic switches, RGB and a compact layout. These are ordered from the lowest listed 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
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Redragon K521 Gaming KeyboardThe cheapest way into this group, below the GEODMAER 65%.
Best for: Getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money.
Check price for Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming KeyboardSeparate arrow keys.
Best for: Buyers who want separate arrow keys.
Check price for GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Geeky GK61 60% KeyboardHot-swap sockets.
Best for: Buyers who want hot-swap sockets.
Check price for Geeky GK61 60% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
MageGee MK-Box 68-Key KeyboardSeparate arrow keys in a 68-key frame.
Best for: Buyers who want separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame.
Check price for MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical KeyboardThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with anti-ghosting across all keys.
Best for: Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys and can spend more than the MK-Box costs.
Check price for Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard
Redragon's K521 is a full-size membrane board with multimedia keys and no driver needed.
Best for
- Getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money.
Skip if
- Pass on it if full-size board takes more desk width rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
The maker specifies PS4, PS5, Xbox and macOS support. A one-touch light button and breathing modes adjust the rainbow backlight, and the keys give a mechanical-like feel. It is the only pick here with a full-size (104 keys) layout; the GEODMAER 65% has a 65% (68 keys) layout instead.
Like the GEODMAER 65%, it has membrane switches, while the MK-Box uses red linear switches. The K521 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. It makes the most sense for getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money, since it offers the cheapest way into this group, below the GEODMAER 65%. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the GEODMAER 65% was the next step up.
Key specs
- Layout
- Full-size (104 keys)
- Switches
- Membrane
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Dedicated multimedia keys
- Listed support for PS4, PS5, Xbox and macOS
- Plug and play with no driver
- Full-size (104 keys) layout, the only one here
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Membrane switches, not mechanical
- Wired only
Also Consider2 of 5
GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard
GEODMAER's 65% board uses membrane keys with separate arrows and 26-key rollover.
Best for
- Buyers who want separate arrow keys.
Skip if
- Pass on it if membrane switches, not mechanical rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest keyboard here. Its 65% layout keeps separate arrow keys, and a detachable USB-C cable gives a steady wired connection. It saves desk space for wide mouse movements.
It shares a 65% (68 keys) layout with the MK-Box; the GK61 goes with a 60% (61 keys) layout. It shares membrane switches with the K521; the K552 goes with red linear or brown tactile switches. It also offers a lockable Windows key.
The GEODMAER 65% 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 priced above the K521 and below the GK61 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Layout
- 65% (68 keys)
- Switches
- Membrane
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Compact 65% (68 keys) layout
- Separate arrow keys
- 26-key rollover
- Lockable Windows key
Cons
- Membrane switches, not mechanical
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K521 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Geeky GK61 60% Keyboard
Geeky's GK61 is a hot-swappable 60% board with macro software and Mac support.
Best for
- Buyers who want hot-swap sockets.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no dedicated arrow keys or function row rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It sits near $22 at the time of writing. Hot-swap sockets let you change switches without soldering, using the tools in the box. The detachable USB-C cable and 60% layout make it easy to pack for LAN events.
It is the only pick here with a 60% (61 keys) layout; the K521 has a full-size (104 keys) layout instead. The GK61 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 GEODMAER 65% and the MK-Box, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Layout
- 60% (61 keys)
- Switches
- Mechanical, hot-swappable
- Connection
- Wired
- Polling rate
- 1,000Hz
Pros
- Compact 60% (61 keys) layout
- Mechanical, hot-swappable switches
- Hot-swap sockets
- Macro and remapping software
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K521 at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard
MageGee's MK-Box fits red linear switches and separate arrow keys into a 68-key frame.
Best for
- Buyers who want separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wired only.
Why we like it
It has plug-and-play support for Windows, Linux and Mac. Its 68-key layout keeps separate arrow keys and Fn-accessible F1-F12, so little is lost against a larger board. The red switches are linear and light, and blue LED backlighting offers about 16 modes set from the keyboard.
Like the GEODMAER 65%, it has a 65% (68 keys) layout, while the GK61 uses a 60% (61 keys) layout. It is the only pick here with red linear switches; the GEODMAER 65% has membrane switches instead. You also get full anti-ghosting.
The MK-Box 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. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper GK61 and the pricier K552, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Layout
- 65% (68 keys)
- Switches
- Red linear
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Compact 65% (68 keys) layout
- Red linear switches
- Separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame
- Plug-and-play support for Windows, Linux and Mac
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K521 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical Keyboard
The K552 has been a starter mechanical board for years.
Best for
- Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys and can spend more than the MK-Box costs.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wired only.
Why we like it
It is simple, wired and tenkeyless, with a choice of linear or tactile switches. You get a TKL (87 keys) layout here, which sets it apart from the MK-Box and its a 65% (68 keys) layout. Red linear or brown tactile switches is unique to it among these picks, while the MK-Box uses red linear switches.
You also get anti-ghosting across all keys. The K552 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the K521 at the time of writing. At our last price check it topped the group, with the MK-Box the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Layout
- TKL (87 keys)
- Switches
- Red linear or brown tactile
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- Red linear or brown tactile switches
- Anti-ghosting across all keys
- Choice of red or brown switches
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K521 at the time of writing
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We compared five keyboards on layout, switches and connection as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results, and every compared field is stated for all 5 picks.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the K521 to the K552, state layout, switches and connection and share Wired connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The K521 for the cheapest way into this group, below the GEODMAER 65%; the GEODMAER 65% for separate arrow keys; the GK61 for hot-swap sockets.
- Price range
- From the K521 to the K552, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Budget Gaming Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
What to check at home
The K521 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Extras that separate them
The GK61: macro and remapping software. The MK-Box: plug-and-play support for Windows, Linux and Mac. The K552: a choice of red or brown switches.
A close-up of a full-size keyboard with grey keycaps Where your budget lands
All 5 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the K521 at the low end to the K552 at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money: the K521. Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys and can spend more than the MK-Box costs: the K552.
A grey mechanical keyboard beside a mouse on a wooden desk Hot-swap sockets allow switch changes
Hot-swappable boards let you pull and replace switches without soldering. Check whether the sockets take 3-pin or 5-pin switches.
How to Choose a Budget Gaming Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money | K521 | The cheapest way into this group, below the GEODMAER 65% |
| Buyers who want separate arrow keys | GEODMAER 65% | Separate arrow keys |
| Buyers who want hot-swap sockets | GK61 | Hot-swap sockets |
| Buyers who want separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame | MK-Box | Separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame |
| Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys and can spend more than the MK-Box costs | K552 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with anti-ghosting across all keys |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The K521, the GEODMAER 65% and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| K521 | Full-size (104 keys) | Membrane | Wired |
| GEODMAER 65% | 65% (68 keys) | Membrane | Wired |
| GK61 | 60% (61 keys) | Mechanical, hot-swappable | Wired |
| MK-Box | 65% (68 keys) | Red linear | Wired |
| K552 | TKL (87 keys) | Red linear or brown tactile | Wired |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the K521 our Lowest Price Here pick?
It carries the badge for the cheapest way into this group, below the GEODMAER 65%. It makes sense for getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money.
Do the K521 and the GEODMAER 65% differ on layout?
The K521 uses full-size (104 keys); the GEODMAER 65% and the MK-Box use 65% (68 keys); the GK61 uses 60% (61 keys); the K552 uses TKL (87 keys).
Will the GEODMAER 65% work with my setup?
The GEODMAER 65% needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks second of 5.
What extras do the K521 and the GEODMAER 65% include?
The K521: dedicated multimedia keys. The GEODMAER 65%: separate arrow keys. The GK61: hot-swap sockets.
Should I pick the K521 or the K552?
The K521 suits getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money; the K552 suits buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys and can spend more than the MK-Box costs.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the K521, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the GEODMAER 65%. Look at the GEODMAER 65% for separate arrow keys, the GK61 for hot-swap sockets and the MK-Box for separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame if those matter more to you.
At this price, check keycap material; ABS keycaps shine with use sooner than PBT.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Keyboards Right Now
- Related guideThe Best Quiet Gaming Keyboards
- Related guideThe Best TKL Keyboards
- Similar guideThe Best Budget-Friendly Gaming Keyboards
- Similar guideThe Best Keyboard for Gaming
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mechanical Keyboard
- ExplainerKeyboard layouts compared: full-size, TKL, 75%, 65% and 60%
- Also see: miceWired, 2.4 GHz dongle or Bluetooth: which connection for a mouse or keyboard?
- Similar guideThe Best 60% Gaming Keyboards
- Topic hubAll keyboards guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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