Buying Guide
The Best Mechanical Gaming Keyboards
Five keyboards ranked on layout and switches; the Maxfit61 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Traditional mechanical switches come in linear, tactile and clicky types. Every pick lists a traditional mechanical switch, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects layout, switches and connection from maker specifications; gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
FANTECH Maxfit61
A lower price than the K617 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for FANTECH Maxfit61 (opens in a new tab)
Red Linear Switches
Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard
Red linear switches.
Best for: Buyers who want red linear switches.
Our take Check price for Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Full-size Layout
Redragon K671 Mechanical Keyboard
A full-size layout.
Best for: Buyers who want a full-size layout.
Our take Check price for Redragon K671 Mechanical Keyboard (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)
Premium Pick
HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an aircraft-grade aluminum body.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
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
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
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 shares a 60% layout with the K617 and DK68E; the Alloy Origins Core goes with a TKL layout.
You get blue clicky switches here, which sets it apart from the Alloy Origins Core and its HyperX tactile switches. It also offers 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 cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the K617 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
Red Linear Switches2 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 red linear switches.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
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. Like the Maxfit61 and DK68E, it has a 60% layout, while the K671 uses a full-size layout. No other pick in this guide offers red linear switches; compare the DK68E, which has 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. Its price falls between the Maxfit61 and the K671, based on our last check.
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
- Costs more than the Maxfit61 at the time of writing
Full-size Layout3 of 5
Redragon K671 Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K671 is a full-size wired board with hot-swappable red switches and four spares in the box.
Best for
- Buyers who want a full-size layout.
Skip if
- Pass on it if full-size board takes more desk widt rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Macro editing is included. Its linear red switches are hot-swappable, and macros can be recorded to remap keys. Eleven backlight effects and five brightness levels cover most setups.
Every key registers at once with full anti-ghosting, and 12 multimedia keys sit on the function row. Redragon backs it with a 24-month warranty. Red linear switches are hot-swappable, and macro editing lets you remap keys or combine functions into one press.
You get a full-size layout here, which sets it apart from the Alloy Origins Core and its a TKL layout. The K671 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Full-size
- Switches: Red linear, hot-swappable
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Red linear, hot-swappable switches
- 4 spare switches in the box
- Macro editing
- 11 backlight modes
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Wired only
- Costs more than the Maxfit61 at the time of writing
Pre-lubed Linear Switches4 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. It shares a 60% layout with the Maxfit61 and K617; the Alloy Origins Core goes with a TKL layout. You get pre-lubed linear switches here, which sets it apart from the Maxfit61 and its blue clicky 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. It was priced above the K671 and below the Alloy Origins Core at the time of writing.
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 Maxfit61 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
HyperX puts the Alloy Origins Core in an aluminum body, which makes it the sturdiest board in this list.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wired only.
Why we like it
It is wired only, but the cable detaches for transport. Its tenkeyless layout frees mouse space, and the aluminium body resists flex. It is a wired tenkeyless board with low-profile HyperX Aqua switches and customizable RGB lighting.
Dropping the number pad leaves more room for mouse movement. No other pick in this guide offers a TKL layout; compare the K671, which has a full-size layout. It is the only pick here with HyperX tactile switches; the DK68E has pre-lubed linear switches instead.
The Alloy Origins Core needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the DK68E and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: TKL
- Switches: HyperX tactile
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- HyperX tactile switches
- Aircraft-grade aluminum body
- Detachable USB-C cable
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the Maxfit61 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Mechanical Gaming 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 and connection, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Maxfit61 to the Alloy Origins Core, state layout, switches and connection and share Wired connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The Maxfit61 for a lower price than the K617 and the rest when we checked; the K617 for red linear switches; the K671 for a full-size layout.
- Price range
- From the Maxfit61 to the Alloy Origins Core, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Fit and compatibility
The Maxfit61 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Extras that separate them
The K671: macro editing. The DK68E: browser-based remapping on Windows, macOS or Linux. The Alloy Origins Core: a detachable USB-C cable.
How much to spend
All 5 sat in one tier when we checked, from the Maxfit61 at the low end to the Alloy Origins Core at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Keeping the budget tight: the Maxfit61. Buyers who want red linear switches: the K617. Buyers who want a full-size layout: the K671.
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.
How to Choose a Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | Maxfit61 | A lower price than the K617 and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want red linear switches | K617 | Red linear switches |
| Buyers who want a full-size layout | K671 | A full-size layout |
| Buyers who want pre-lubed linear switches | DK68E | Pre-lubed linear switches |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | Alloy Origins Core | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an aircraft-grade aluminum body |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Maxfit61, the K617 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maxfit61 | 60% | Blue clicky | Wired |
| K617 | 60% | Red linear | Wired |
| K671 | Full-size | Red linear, hot-swappable | Wired |
| DK68E | 60% | Pre-lubed linear | Wired |
| Alloy Origins Core | TKL | HyperX tactile | Wired |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the K671 our Full-size Layout pick?
It earns the label for a full-size layout. It suits anyone who wants a full-size layout.
Do the Maxfit61 and the K671 differ on layout?
The Maxfit61, the K617 and the DK68E use 60%; the K671 uses full-size; the Alloy Origins Core uses TKL.
Will the Alloy Origins Core work with my setup?
The Alloy Origins Core needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Premium Pick pick.
What extras do the Maxfit61 and the K617 include?
The Maxfit61: hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches from any brand. The K617: hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The K671: 4 spare switches in the box.
Who should choose the K617?
The K617 carries our Red Linear Switches label for red linear switches. It ranks second of 5 here.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Maxfit61, chosen for a lower price than the K617 and the rest when we checked. Look at the K617 for red linear switches, the K671 for a full-size layout and the DK68E for pre-lubed linear switches if those matter more to you.
Try linear for games and tactile for typing.