Buying Guide
The Best Clicky Keyboards
From the Maxfit61 to the ROG Azoth: four keyboards ranked on layout and switches, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
Clicky switches add an audible click on each press. Every pick uses clicky switches, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: layout, switches and connection come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing keycaps is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
FANTECH Maxfit61A lower price than the K580 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $50.
Check price for FANTECH Maxfit61 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Redragon K580 VATA5 dedicated macro keys.
Best for: Buyers who want 5 dedicated macro keys.
Check price for Redragon K580 VATA on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II XHot-swappable pre-lubed switches.
Best for: Buyers who want hot-swappable pre-lubed switches.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix Scope II X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS ROG Azoth WirelessThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam.
Best for: Buyers who want a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam and can spend more than the Scope II X costs.
Check price for ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the K580 and the rest when we checked. | Keeping the cost under $50. | Check price for FANTECH Maxfit61 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 5 dedicated macro keys. | Buyers who want 5 dedicated macro keys. | Check price for Redragon K580 VATA on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Hot-swappable pre-lubed switches. | Buyers who want hot-swappable pre-lubed switches. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix Scope II X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam. | Buyers who want a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam and can spend more than the Scope II X costs. | Check price for ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
FANTECH Maxfit61
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 cost under $50.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no dedicated arrow keys or function row is a problem.
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 is the only pick here with a 60% layout; the K580 has a full-size (104 keys) layout instead.
It also comes with 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 was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the K580 was the next step up.
Key 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 4
Redragon K580 VATA
Redragon's K580 VATA adds five dedicated macro keys and a media wheel to a full-size board.
Best for
- Buyers who want 5 dedicated macro keys.
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. A full-size (104 keys) layout is unique to it among these picks, while the Scope II X uses a full-size (100%) layout. The K580 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. It was priced above the Maxfit61 and below the Scope II X 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 Maxfit61 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II X
ASUS's Scope II X is a wired 100% board with hot-swappable, pre-lubed NX V2 switches and double-shot PBT keycaps.
Best for
- Buyers who want hot-swappable pre-lubed switches.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
An aluminium top plate and a multi-function wheel round it out. It is a 100% layout with a number pad, an aluminum top plate and PBT double-shot keycaps over wired USB-C. The pre-lubed ROG NX V2 switches are hot-swappable and add an LED lens for brighter RGB.
It is the only pick here with a full-size (100%) layout; the Maxfit61 has a 60% layout instead. The Scope II X needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Maxfit61 at the time of writing. Its price falls between the K580 and the ROG Azoth, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Layout
- Full-size (100%)
- Switches
- ROG NX Snow V2 linear or NX Storm V2 clicky
- Connection
- Wired
- Keycaps
- Double-shot PBT
Pros
- ROG NX Snow V2 linear or NX Storm V2 clicky switches
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- Hot-swappable pre-lubed switches
- Aluminium top plate
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Wired only
- Costs more than the Maxfit61 at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless
The ROG Azoth is ASUS's enthusiast 75% board: gasket-mounted with three layers of foam, hot-swappable, and wireless over 2.4GHz or Bluetooth.
Best for
- Buyers who want a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam and can spend more than the Scope II X costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Maxfit61 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
A small OLED display shows settings and battery. You get a 75% layout here, which sets it apart from the Maxfit61 and its a 60% layout. It also comes with a hot-swap PCB with a switch and keycap kit.
Use the ROG Azoth's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Another plus: ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky switches. Worth noting: up to 2000 hours per charge.
Another plus: PBT keycaps resist shine. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Maxfit61 at the time of writing. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Scope II X the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Layout
- 75%
- Switches
- ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Battery life
- 2000 hours
- Keycaps
- Double-shot PBT
Pros
- Compact 75% layout
- ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Up to 2000 hours per charge
Cons
- Costs more than the Maxfit61 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Clicky 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 compared four keyboards on layout, switches, connection and keycaps, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 4 picks leave out keycaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Maxfit61 to the ROG Azoth, state layout, switches and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Maxfit61 and the K580 give no keycaps.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Maxfit61 (under $50) to the ROG Azoth ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Clicky Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Setup checks
The Maxfit61 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Use the ROG Azoth's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
Features beyond the spec table
The K580: a media wheel. The Scope II X: an aluminium top plate. The ROG Azoth: a small OLED display.
A mechanical keyboard with RGB-lit keycaps Budget
Under $50 buys the Maxfit61; $50 to $100 buys the K580; $100 to $150 buys the Scope II X; $150 to $250 buys the ROG Azoth at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the cost under $50: the Maxfit61. Buyers who want a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam and can spend more than the Scope II X costs: the ROG Azoth.
A mechanical keyboard with white keycaps in front of an ultrawide monitor 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.
How to Choose a Clicky Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $50 | Maxfit61 | A lower price than the K580 and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want 5 dedicated macro keys | K580 | 5 dedicated macro keys |
| Buyers who want hot-swappable pre-lubed switches | Scope II X | Hot-swappable pre-lubed switches |
| Buyers who want a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam and can spend more than the Scope II X costs | ROG Azoth | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Maxfit61, the K580 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection | Keycaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxfit61 | 60% | Blue clicky | Wired | Not listed |
| K580 | Full-size (104 keys) | Blue clicky | Wired | Not listed |
| Scope II X | Full-size (100%) | ROG NX Snow V2 linear or NX Storm V2 clicky | Wired | Double-shot PBT |
| ROG Azoth | 75% | ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | Double-shot PBT |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Maxfit61, sat in the under $50 tier, 4 tiers in all up to the ROG Azoth at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Maxfit61 |
| About $50 to $100 | K580 |
| About $100 to $150 | Scope II X |
| About $150 to $250 | ROG Azoth |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Maxfit61 the Lowest Price Here?
It carries the badge for a lower price than the K580 and the rest when we checked. It is aimed at keeping the cost under $50.
Do the Maxfit61 and the K580 differ on layout?
The Maxfit61 uses 60%; the K580 uses full-size (104 keys); the Scope II X uses full-size (100%); the ROG Azoth uses 75%.
What should I check before buying the K580?
The K580 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks second of 4.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Maxfit61 and the K580 apart?
The Maxfit61: hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches from any brand. The K580: 5 dedicated macro keys. The Scope II X: hot-swappable pre-lubed switches.
Who should choose the ROG Azoth?
The ROG Azoth carries our Premium Pick label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam. It ranks fourth of 4 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits anyone who wants a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam and can spend more than the Scope II X costs.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Maxfit61, chosen for a lower price than the K580 and the rest when we checked. Look at the K580 for 5 dedicated macro keys, the Scope II X for hot-swappable pre-lubed switches and the ROG Azoth for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam if those matter more to you.
Clicky boards carry on calls; use push-to-talk.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Keyboards Right Now
- Related guideThe Best Quiet Gaming Keyboards
- Related guideThe Best TKL Keyboards
- Lower budgetThe Best Keyboards Under $150
- Similar guideThe Best Keyboards for PC
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mechanical Keyboard
- ExplainerKeyboard layouts compared: full-size, TKL, 75%, 65% and 60%
- Also see: miceMouse polling rate and DPI: what each number changes
- Similar guideThe Best RGB 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
View all articles