Buying Guide
The Best Gasket-Mount Keyboards
We weighed five keyboards on layout and switches, and the K686 PRO costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Gasket mounts cushion the plate for a softer, quieter feel. Every pick is gasket-mounted, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects layout, switches and connection from maker specifications; we did not test these keyboards ourselves, and a missing layout is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
Redragon K686 PRO Wireless Gasket Gaming Keyboard
A gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening.
Best for: Buyers who want gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening.
Our take Check price for Redragon K686 PRO Wireless Gasket Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Redragon K673 PRO Wireless
A gasket mount.
Best for: Buyers who want gasket mount.
Our take Check price for Redragon K673 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Translucent PBT Keycaps
Redragon K745 PRO Wireless
Translucent PBT keycaps.
Best for: Buyers who want translucent PBT keycaps.
Our take Check price for Redragon K745 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Lubed Linear Switches
Redragon K724 PRO Wireless
Lubed linear switches.
Best for: Buyers who want lubed linear switches.
Our take Check price for Redragon K724 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Redragon K768 PRO Wireless
An 8000mAh battery, the largest here at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Redragon K768 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening. | Buyers who want gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening. | Check price for Redragon K686 PRO Wireless Gasket Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| A gasket mount. | Buyers who want gasket mount. | Check price for Redragon K673 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
| Translucent PBT keycaps. | Buyers who want translucent PBT keycaps. | Check price for Redragon K745 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
| Lubed linear switches. | Buyers who want lubed linear switches. | Check price for Redragon K724 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
| An 8000mAh battery, the largest here at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for Redragon K768 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
Redragon K686 PRO Wireless Gasket Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The K686 PRO is the only wireless board here, with a dongle, Bluetooth and a cable.
Best for
- Buyers who want gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
The gasket mount and knob are touches usually found on pricier boards. One knob controls volume and lighting, and it switches between USB-C, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz without re-pairing. The gasket mount and dampening layers soften each keystroke.
It comes in a blue and white colourway, and the software handles lighting effects and macros. The gasket mount gives a soft, quiet bounce. It suits a desk where a blue and white colour scheme sets it apart from typical black boards.
A single knob handles backlight brightness and media playback. The gasket mount and five layers of dampening give it a soft, quiet bounce, and the sockets accept swapped switches. Use the K686 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
Key dimensions & specs
- Switches: Hot-swappable (3/5-pin sockets)
- Connection: USB-C, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz
Pros
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening
- One knob for lighting and media
- Blue and white colorway
Strong Alternative2 of 5
Redragon K673 PRO Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K673 PRO is a gasket-mounted tri-mode 75% board with a scroll knob.
Best for
- Buyers who want gasket mount.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
The sockets take 3-pin and 5-pin switches. A single knob handles volume and backlight brightness, and it switches between USB-C, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz without re-pairing. Five layers of dampening give a quieter, cushioned feel.
Redragon's software lets you design lighting effects and program macros with custom keybinds. Adjustable RGB brightness suits a dark room. The socket accepts common switches, so you can change the feel later without buying a new board.
It shares a 75% (81 keys) layout with the K724 PRO; the K768 PRO goes with a 96% (100 keys) layout. Use the K673 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 75% (81 keys)
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
Pros
- Compact 75% (81 keys) layout
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Gasket mount
- Scroll knob
Translucent PBT Keycaps3 of 5
Redragon K745 PRO Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K745 PRO is a gasket-mounted full-size board with tri-mode wireless and translucent PBT caps.
Best for
- Buyers who want translucent PBT keycaps.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
Four hotkeys sit above the number pad. Tri-mode connectivity moves between USB-C, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz without re-pairing. Four extra hotkeys default to mute, calculator, screen lock and desktop, and the gasket mount softens each press.
No other pick in this guide offers a full-size (108 keys) layout; compare the K768 PRO, which has a 96% (100 keys) layout. You also get hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. Use the K745 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper K673 PRO and the pricier K724 PRO, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Full-size (108 keys)
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Keycaps: Translucent PBT
Pros
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- Gasket mount
- 4 hotkeys
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Costs more than the K686 PRO at the time of writing
Lubed Linear Switches4 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
- Buyers who want lubed linear switches.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the K686 PRO 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.
It shares a 75% (81 keys) layout with the K673 PRO; the K768 PRO goes with a 96% (100 keys) layout. You get lubed linear switches here, which sets it apart from the K768 PRO and its custom linear switches. Use the K724 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. It was priced above the K745 PRO and below the K768 PRO at the time of writing.
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 K686 PRO at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Redragon K768 PRO Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K768 PRO offers an 8000mAh battery, the largest here, in a 96% tri-mode board.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the K686 PRO was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It adds a knob and a gasket mount. You get a 96% (100 keys) layout here, which sets it apart from the K673 PRO and its a 75% (81 keys) layout. Custom linear switches is unique to it among these picks, while the K724 PRO uses lubed linear switches.
Use the K768 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. It also brings PBT keycaps resist shine. Worth noting too: control knob.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the K686 PRO at the time of writing. At our last price check it topped the group, with the K724 PRO the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 96% (100 keys)
- Switches: Custom linear
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Keycaps: PBT
Pros
- Custom linear switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- 8000mAh battery, the largest here
Cons
- Costs more than the K686 PRO at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gasket-Mount Keyboards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five keyboards on layout, switches, connection and keycaps, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the K686 PRO to the K768 PRO, state connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The K686 PRO gives no layout; the K673 PRO and the K745 PRO give no switches.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the K686 PRO (under $50) to the K768 PRO ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Gasket-Mount Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Keycaps
The K745 PRO lists Translucent PBT; the K768 PRO lists PBT. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Fit and compatibility
Use the K686 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
Extras that separate them
The K745 PRO: 4 hotkeys. The K724 PRO: a gasket mount. The K768 PRO: a control knob.
Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the K686 PRO and the K673 PRO; $50 to $100 buys the K745 PRO, the K724 PRO and the K768 PRO at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who want translucent PBT keycaps: the K745 PRO. Buyers who want lubed linear switches: the K724 PRO. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor: the K768 PRO.
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 Gasket-Mount Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening | K686 PRO | A gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening |
| Buyers who want gasket mount | K673 PRO | A gasket mount |
| Buyers who want translucent PBT keycaps | K745 PRO | Translucent PBT keycaps |
| Buyers who want lubed linear switches | K724 PRO | Lubed linear switches |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | K768 PRO | An 8000mAh battery, the largest here at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The K686 PRO, the K673 PRO and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection | Keycaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K686 PRO | Not listed | Hot-swappable (3/5-pin sockets) | USB-C, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz | Not listed |
| K673 PRO | 75% (81 keys) | Not listed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | Not listed |
| K745 PRO | Full-size (108 keys) | Not listed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | Translucent PBT |
| K724 PRO | 75% (81 keys) | Lubed linear | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | Not listed |
| K768 PRO | 96% (100 keys) | Custom linear | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | PBT |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The K686 PRO was the lowest-priced pick and the K768 PRO the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | K686 PRO, K673 PRO |
| About $50 to $100 | K745 PRO, K724 PRO, K768 PRO |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the K724 PRO our Lubed Linear Switches pick?
It earns the label for lubed linear switches. It suits anyone who wants lubed linear switches.
Do the K673 PRO and the K745 PRO differ on layout?
The K673 PRO and the K724 PRO use 75% (81 keys); the K745 PRO uses full-size (108 keys); the K768 PRO uses 96% (100 keys). The maker of the K686 PRO doesn't say.
Will the K745 PRO work with my setup?
Use the K745 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. In this guide it ranks third of 5, as our Translucent PBT Keycaps pick.
What extras do the K686 PRO and the K673 PRO include?
The K686 PRO: a gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening. The K673 PRO: a gasket mount. The K745 PRO: a gasket mount.
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
Our first pick is the K686 PRO, chosen for a gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening. Look at the K673 PRO for a gasket mount, the K745 PRO for translucent PBT keycaps and the K724 PRO for lubed linear switches if those matter more to you.
Gasket boards flex; a firmer plate suits fast gaming.