Buying Guide
The Best Linear-Switch Gaming Keyboards
From the K617 to the K2 Ultra: five keyboards ranked on polling rate and layout, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Linear switches are smooth and fast, which suits gaming. Every pick uses linear switches, ordered by polling rate.
Our comparison rests on published figures for layout, switches and connection; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out polling rate, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Fastest Polling
Keychron K2 Ultra 8K
The fastest polling rate here (8,000Hz).
Best for: Players pairing it with a high-refresh monitor.
Our take Check price for Keychron K2 Ultra 8K (opens in a new tab)
Pre-lubed Linear Switches
DIERYA DK68E 60% Keyboard
Pre-lubed linear switches.
Best for: Buyers who want pre-lubed linear switches.
Our take Check price for DIERYA DK68E 60% Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard
Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Best for: Buyers who want hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Our take Check price for Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard
Separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame.
Best for: Buyers who want separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame.
Our take Check price for MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Royal Kludge RK61 Wired Mechanical Keyboard
Hot-swappable switch sockets.
Best for: Buyers who want hot-swappable switch sockets.
Our take Check price for Royal Kludge RK61 Wired Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Fastest Polling1 of 5
Keychron K2 Ultra 8K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Keychron's K2 Ultra reaches 8000Hz polling on both wired and 2.4GHz and uses an aluminum frame.
Best for
- Players pairing it with a high-refresh monitor.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the K617 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
The sockets take 3-pin and 5-pin switches. It is the only pick here with a 75% layout; the DK68E has a 60% layout instead. No other pick in this guide offers keychron Apex Red linear switches; compare the MK-Box, which has red linear switches.
Use the K2 Ultra's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. High polling rates use more CPU time; drop to 1,000Hz if an older system stutters. It also brings up to 760 hours per charge. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the RK61.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 75%
- Switches: Keychron Apex Red linear
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Polling rate: 8,000Hz
- Battery life: 760 hours
- Keycaps: PBT
Pros
- Compact 75% layout
- Keychron Apex Red linear switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- 8,000Hz polling
Cons
- Costs more than the K617 at the time of writing
Pre-lubed Linear Switches2 of 5
DIERYA DK68E 60% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
DIERYA's DK68E uses pre-lubed linear switches and dampening foam in a 60% frame.
Best for
- Buyers who want pre-lubed linear switches.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
Why we like it
Remapping runs in a browser on Windows, macOS or Linux. Like the K617, it has a 60% layout, while the MK-Box uses a 65% (68 keys) layout. No other pick in this guide offers pre-lubed linear switches; compare the MK-Box, which has red linear switches.
The DK68E 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. Worth noting too: hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. Its price falls between the MK-Box and the RK61, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 60%
- Switches: Pre-lubed linear
- Connection: Wired
- Polling rate: 1,000Hz
Pros
- Compact 60% layout
- Pre-lubed linear switches
- Hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
- Browser-based remapping on Windows, macOS or Linux
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K617 at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K617 Fizz is a wired 60% board with red linear switches and hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Best for
- Buyers who want hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no dedicated arrow keys or function ro rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is one of the lowest-priced hot-swap boards here. Its 60% layout frees desk space for wide mouse swipes, and 20 lighting presets adjust in brightness and speed. The software programs macros.
Its switches are rated for 50 million presses, in a white and grey colourway. It shares a 60% layout with the DK68E; the RK61 goes with a 60% (61 keys) layout. It shares red linear switches with the MK-Box and RK61; the DK68E goes with pre-lubed linear switches.
The K617 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. There is no published polling rate figure, whereas the K2 Ultra offers 8,000Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 60%
- Switches: Red linear
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Compact 60% layout
- Red linear switches
- Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
- Switches rated for 50 million keypresses
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
Strong Alternative4 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
- Buyers who want separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame.
Skip if
- Pass on it if wired onl rules it out for your setup.
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.
A 65% (68 keys) layout is unique to it among these picks, while the DK68E uses a 60% layout. It shares red linear switches with the K617 and RK61; the DK68E goes with pre-lubed linear switches. It also offers 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. There is no published polling rate figure, whereas the K2 Ultra offers 8,000Hz.
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
Worth a Look5 of 5
Royal Kludge RK61 Wired Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The RK61 is the smallest board here and the only one listed with hot-swap sockets, so you can change switches later without soldering.
Best for
- Buyers who want hot-swappable switch sockets.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
Why we like it
The 61-key board connects through a detachable Type-C cable and offers full-key anti-ghosting. It has 18 RGB modes and 8 single-color modes on board, with more customization in software. You get a 60% (61 keys) layout here, which sets it apart from the MK-Box and its a 65% (68 keys) layout.
It shares red linear switches with the K617 and MK-Box; the DK68E goes with pre-lubed linear switches. The RK61 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.
When we checked, only the DK68E and cheaper picks cost less, and the K2 Ultra cost more. If you want a confirmed polling rate, look to the K2 Ultra instead: it offers 8,000Hz, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 60% (61 keys)
- Switches: Red linear
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Compact 60% (61 keys) layout
- Red linear switches
- Hot-swappable switch sockets
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K617 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Linear-Switch Gaming Keyboards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side five keyboards on layout, switches, connection and polling rate as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the K2 Ultra to the RK61, state layout, switches and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The K617, the MK-Box and the RK61 give no polling rate.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the K617 (under $50) to the K2 Ultra ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Linear-Switch Gaming Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much polling rate you need
Here polling rate runs from 1,000Hz on the DK68E to 8,000Hz on the K2 Ultra. The K2 Ultra is the pick for polling rate. No figure for the K617, the MK-Box and the RK61.
Switches
The K2 Ultra lists Keychron Apex Red linear; the DK68E lists Pre-lubed linear; the K617, the MK-Box and the RK61 list Red linear.
Setup checks
Use the K2 Ultra's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. The DK68E needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Features beyond the spec table
The K617: switches rated for 50 million keypresses. The MK-Box: plug-and-play support for Windows, Linux and Mac. The RK61: hot-swappable switch sockets.
Budget
Under $50 buys the K617, the MK-Box, the DK68E and the RK61; $100 to $150 buys the K2 Ultra at our last check.
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 Linear-Switch Gaming Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Players pairing it with a high-refresh monitor | K2 Ultra | The fastest polling rate here (8,000Hz) |
| Buyers who want pre-lubed linear switches | DK68E | Pre-lubed linear switches |
| Buyers who want hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches | K617 | Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches |
| Buyers who want separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame | MK-Box | Separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame |
| Buyers who want hot-swappable switch sockets | RK61 | Hot-swappable switch sockets |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The K2 Ultra leads on polling rate at 8,000Hz, ahead of the DK68E at 1,000Hz. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection | Polling rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K2 Ultra | 75% | Keychron Apex Red linear | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | 8,000Hz |
| DK68E | 60% | Pre-lubed linear | Wired | 1,000Hz |
| K617 | 60% | Red linear | Wired | Not listed |
| MK-Box | 65% (68 keys) | Red linear | Wired | Not listed |
| RK61 | 60% (61 keys) | Red linear | Wired | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The K617 was the lowest-priced pick and the K2 Ultra the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | K617, MK-Box, DK68E, RK61 |
| About $100 to $150 | K2 Ultra |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the fastest polling rate: the K2 Ultra or the DK68E?
The K2 Ultra leads at 8,000Hz, with the DK68E at 1,000Hz. The K617, the MK-Box and the RK61 don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
What makes the K2 Ultra the Fastest Polling?
It earns the label for the fastest polling rate here (8,000Hz). It suits players pairing it with a high-refresh monitor.
Do the K2 Ultra and the DK68E differ on layout?
The K2 Ultra uses 75%; the DK68E and the K617 use 60%; the MK-Box uses 65% (68 keys); the RK61 uses 60% (61 keys).
What should I check before buying the RK61?
The RK61 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. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5.
Beyond the specs, what sets the K2 Ultra and the DK68E apart?
The K2 Ultra: 8000Hz polling in wired and 2.4GHz modes. The DK68E: hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The K617: hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the K2 Ultra. Look at the DK68E for pre-lubed linear switches, the K617 for hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches and the MK-Box for separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame if those matter more to you.
Lubed linears feel smoother out of the box.