Buying Guide
The Best Cheap Mechanical Keyboards
Five mechanical boards under $60 at the time of writing.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Cheap mechanical boards now include hot-swap sockets and wireless. These five stay under $60 at the time of writing.
We compared switch type, hot-swap and layout from each listing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Build
Redragon K556 DevarajasAn aluminum top plate with hot-swap.
Best for: Long-term use.
Check price for Redragon K556 Devarajas on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Compact
MageGee MK-Box 68-Key KeyboardSeparate arrows in 68 keys.
Best for: Small desks.
Check price for MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Wireless
Redragon K724 PRO WirelessA screen, knob and gasket mount.
Best for: Cable-free desks.
Check price for Redragon K724 PRO Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Macro Keys
Redragon K580 VATA5 dedicated macro keys.
Best for: MMO players.
Check price for Redragon K580 VATA on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 108-Key
Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard4 extra hotkeys with hot-swap.
Best for: Number-pad users.
Check price for Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| An aluminum top plate with hot-swap. | Long-term use. | Check price for Redragon K556 Devarajas on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Separate arrows in 68 keys. | Small desks. | Check price for MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A screen, knob and gasket mount. | Cable-free desks. | Check price for Redragon K724 PRO Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 5 dedicated macro keys. | MMO players. | Check price for Redragon K580 VATA on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 4 extra hotkeys with hot-swap. | Number-pad users. | Check price for Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Build1 of 5
Redragon K556 Devarajas
Redragon's K556 uses an aluminum top plate and brown tactile switches in hot-swap sockets.
Best for
- Long-term use.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
It works plug and play on Windows and Mac. Its brushed aluminium frame does not flex, and 20 lighting presets adjust in brightness and speed. It shares a full-size (104 keys) layout with the K580; the MK-Box goes with a 65% (68 keys) layout.
You get brown tactile switches here, which sets it apart from the K668 and its red linear switches. The K556 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Only the K724 PRO came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- Layout
- Full-size (104 keys)
- Switches
- Brown tactile
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Brown tactile switches
- Aluminum top plate
- Hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
- Plug and play on Windows and Mac
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Wired only
- Costs more than the MK-Box at the time of writing
Best Compact2 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
- Small desks.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers 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.
No other pick in this guide offers a 65% (68 keys) layout; compare the K580, which has a full-size (104 keys) layout. Like the K668, it has red linear switches, while the K556 uses brown tactile switches. It also comes with 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. It undercut the K668 and every other pick on price 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
Best Wireless3 of 5
Redragon K724 PRO Wireless
Redragon's K724 PRO adds a built-in screen and knob to a gasket-mounted 75% board.
Best for
- Cable-free desks.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the MK-Box cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The maker specifies five layers of noise dampening. A TFT screen shows battery and connection status and can run custom GIFs, next to a control knob. It switches between three connection modes without re-pairing.
You get a 75% (81 keys) layout here, which sets it apart from the K668 and its a full-size (108 keys) layout. Lubed linear switches is unique to it among these picks, while the MK-Box uses red linear switches. Use the K724 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. When we checked, only the K580 and cheaper picks cost less, and the K556 cost more.
Key specs
- Layout
- 75% (81 keys)
- Switches
- Lubed linear
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
Pros
- Compact 75% (81 keys) layout
- Lubed linear switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Built-in screen and knob
Cons
- Costs more than the MK-Box at the time of writing
Best Macro Keys4 of 5
Redragon K580 VATA
Redragon's K580 VATA adds five dedicated macro keys and a media wheel to a full-size board.
Best for
- MMO players.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
Macros can be recorded without software. Its 104 keys are fully anti-ghosting, and double-shot keycaps are rated for 50 million keystrokes. Software is optional for advanced lighting and macros.
Five dedicated G1-G5 macro keys record combos on the fly without software, and there are dedicated media controls. Like the K556, it has a full-size (104 keys) layout, while the MK-Box uses a 65% (68 keys) layout. It is the only pick here with blue clicky switches; the K556 has brown tactile switches instead.
The K580 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper K668 and the pricier K724 PRO, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Layout
- Full-size (104 keys)
- Switches
- Blue clicky
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Blue clicky switches
- 5 dedicated macro keys
- Media wheel
- On-the-fly macro recording without software
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Wired only
- Costs more than the MK-Box at the time of writing
Best 108-Key5 of 5
Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard
Redragon's K668 is a 108-key wired board with four extra hotkeys and hot-swap sockets.
Best for
- Number-pad users.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
It sits near $40 at the time of writing. It includes two extra keycap sets, two-stage feet and a music-sync lighting mode, and four hotkeys cover mute, calculator, lock and desktop. You get a full-size (108 keys) layout here, which sets it apart from the K580 and its a full-size (104 keys) layout.
It shares red linear switches with the MK-Box; the K724 PRO goes with lubed linear switches. It also offers macro and lighting software. The K668 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. When we checked, only the MK-Box cost less, and the K580 cost more.
Key specs
- Layout
- Full-size (108 keys)
- Switches
- Red linear
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Red linear switches
- 4 extra hotkeys
- Hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
- Macro and lighting software
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Wired only
- Costs more than the MK-Box at the time of writing
How We Chose These Cheap Mechanical Keyboards
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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up five keyboards on layout, switches and connection from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 3 fields compared are stated for every pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the K556 to the K668, state layout, switches and connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The K556 for an aluminum top plate with hot-swap; the MK-Box for separate arrows in 68 keys; the K724 PRO for a screen, knob and gasket mount.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the MK-Box (under $50) to the K556 ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Cheap Mechanical Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Switches
The K556 lists brown tactile; the MK-Box and the K668 list Red linear; the K724 PRO lists Lubed linear; the K580 lists blue clicky. Sort out switches before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 2, 1, 1 and 1.
Fit and compatibility
The K556 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Use the K724 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
A compact keyboard and mouse in front of an ultrawide monitor Extras that separate them
The MK-Box: plug-and-play support for Windows, Linux and Mac. The K724 PRO: a gasket mount. The K580: a media wheel.
Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the MK-Box and the K668; $50 to $100 buys the K580, the K724 PRO and the K556 at our last check.
A close-up of a full-size keyboard with grey keycaps Start from what matters most
Long-term use: the K556. Small desks: the MK-Box. Cable-free desks: the K724 PRO.
How to Choose a Cheap Mechanical Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term use | K556 | An aluminum top plate with hot-swap |
| Small desks | MK-Box | Separate arrows in 68 keys |
| Cable-free desks | K724 PRO | A screen, knob and gasket mount |
| MMO players | K580 | 5 dedicated macro keys |
| Number-pad users | K668 | 4 extra hotkeys with hot-swap |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The K556, the MK-Box and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| K556 | Full-size (104 keys) | Brown tactile | Wired |
| MK-Box | 65% (68 keys) | Red linear | Wired |
| K724 PRO | 75% (81 keys) | Lubed linear | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired |
| K580 | Full-size (104 keys) | Blue clicky | Wired |
| K668 | Full-size (108 keys) | Red linear | Wired |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The MK-Box was the lowest-priced pick (under $50) and the K556 the highest ($50 to $100) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | MK-Box, K668 |
| About $50 to $100 | K580, K724 PRO, K556 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the K556 our Best Build pick?
It carries the badge for an aluminum top plate with hot-swap. The MK-Box, the cheapest pick, sat in the under $50 tier against $50 to $100 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for long-term use.
Do the K556 and the MK-Box differ on layout?
The K556 and the K580 use full-size (104 keys); the MK-Box uses 65% (68 keys); the K724 PRO uses 75% (81 keys); the K668 uses full-size (108 keys).
Will the K556 work with my setup?
The K556 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Best Build pick.
What extras do the K556 and the MK-Box include?
The K556: an aluminum top plate. The MK-Box: separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame. The K724 PRO: a built-in screen and knob.
Who should choose the MK-Box?
The MK-Box carries our Best Compact label for separate arrows in 68 keys. It ranks second of 5 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits small desks.
Bottom Line
Redragon's K556 is the pick for its aluminum plate and hot-swap sockets. The MK-Box is the compact choice, and the K724 PRO is the wireless one.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Budget Mechanical Keyboards
- Related guideThe Best Keyboards for PC
- Related guideThe Best TKL Keyboards
- Without a budget limitThe Best Mechanical Keyboard
- Similar guideThe Best Cheap Gaming Keyboards
- 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% Mechanical 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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