Buying Guide
The Best Cheap Mechanical Keyboards
Five mechanical boards under $60 at the time of writing.
By The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Build
Redragon K556 Devarajas
An aluminum top plate with hot-swap.
Best for: Long-term use.
Our take Check price for Redragon K556 Devarajas (opens in a new tab)
Best Compact
MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard
Separate arrows in 68 keys.
Best for: Small desks.
Our take Check price for MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Best Wireless
Redragon K724 PRO Wireless
A screen, knob and gasket mount.
Best for: Cable-free desks.
Our take Check price for Redragon K724 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Best Macro Keys
Redragon K580 VATA
5 dedicated macro keys.
Best for: MMO players.
Our take Check price for Redragon K580 VATA (opens in a new tab)
Best 108-Key
Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard
4 extra hotkeys with hot-swap.
Best for: Number-pad users.
Our take Check price for Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| An aluminum top plate with hot-swap. | Long-term use. | Check price for Redragon K556 Devarajas (opens in a new tab) |
| Separate arrows in 68 keys. | Small desks. | Check price for MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| A screen, knob and gasket mount. | Cable-free desks. | Check price for Redragon K724 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
| 5 dedicated macro keys. | MMO players. | Check price for Redragon K580 VATA (opens in a new tab) |
| 4 extra hotkeys with hot-swap. | Number-pad users. | Check price for Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Build1 of 5
Redragon K556 Devarajas on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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. 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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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.
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Layout and switches
- We recorded the layout, the switch type and whether the switches are mechanical, magnetic or membrane.
- Polling rate
- We recorded polling rates where listings state them.
- Connection
- We checked wired, dongle and Bluetooth options and rated battery life.
- Build
- We noted keycap material, frame material and extra controls such as knobs or screens.
What to Look for in a Cheap Mechanical Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Linear, tactile or magnetic
Linear switches travel smoothly, tactile switches have a bump, and clicky switches add a click. Hall effect switches read a magnet, so actuation can be adjusted and rapid trigger resets a key as soon as it rises.
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.
Choose the layout before the switch
Full-size boards keep the number pad; tenkeyless drops it and gives the mouse more room. 75% and 65% boards keep arrows in a tighter frame, while 60% boards move arrows and F-keys to a function layer.
Keycap material lasts longer than lighting
PBT keycaps resist the shine that ABS caps develop. Double-shot legends do not wear off.
Wired, dongle or Bluetooth
A 2.4GHz dongle is fine for games; Bluetooth adds latency and suits typing on other devices. Wired boards never need charging.
Polling rate is a small factor
1,000Hz is enough for most players. 8,000Hz cuts reporting delay further, but the gain is small and uses more CPU time.
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
Figures as each maker states 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
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | MK-Box, K668 |
| About $50 to $100 | K580, K724 PRO, K556 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Hall effect switches help in games?
Adjustable actuation and rapid trigger help most in fast strafing games. In slower games the difference is small.
Do I need 8,000Hz polling?
No. It is a marginal gain on top of 1,000Hz and can cost battery life and CPU time.
Is a wireless keyboard slower?
Not over a 2.4GHz dongle for most players. Bluetooth adds more latency and is better kept for other devices.
Is a membrane keyboard bad for gaming?
No. It is quieter and cheaper, but it feels softer and usually lacks per-key rollover guarantees beyond what the listing states.
Do these keyboards need software?
They work without it, but lighting, macros and actuation settings usually need the maker's app.
Should I pick tenkeyless or full-size?
Tenkeyless if you want more mouse room and rarely type numbers; full-size if you enter numbers often.
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.