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 The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
FANTECH Maxfit61
A lower price than the K580 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 K580 VATA
5 dedicated macro keys.
Best for: Buyers who want 5 dedicated macro keys.
Our take Check price for Redragon K580 VATA (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II X
Hot-swappable pre-lubed switches.
Best for: Buyers who want hot-swappable pre-lubed switches.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix Scope II X (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the K580 and the rest when we checked. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for FANTECH Maxfit61 (opens in a new tab) |
| 5 dedicated macro keys. | Buyers who want 5 dedicated macro keys. | Check price for Redragon K580 VATA (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 (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 the most complete package. | Check price for ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
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
- Worth skipping when no dedicated arrow keys or function ro 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 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 4
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
- 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 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 Maxfit61 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 the most complete package.
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 is ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky switches. It also brings up to 2000 hours per charge.
Another plus is PBT keycaps resist shine. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Scope II X the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & 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
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared four keyboards on layout, switches, connection and keycaps, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- 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.
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 budget tight: the Maxfit61. Buyers who want the most complete package: the ROG Azoth.
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 budget tight | 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 the most complete package | 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
The Maxfit61 was the lowest-priced pick and the ROG Azoth the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| 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 earns the label for a lower price than the K580 and the rest when we checked. It suits keeping the budget tight.
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.
Do these keyboards need software?
They work without it, but lighting, macros and actuation settings usually need the maker's app.
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.