Buying Guide
The Best Compact Keyboards for a Numpad Setup
We weighed five keyboards on polling rate and layout, and the GEODMAER 65% costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A compact board plus a standalone numpad gives mouse room when gaming and a numpad when working. Every pick is TKL or smaller and cost $100 or less.
We ranked these keyboards on layout, switches and connection using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these keyboards ourselves, 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.
Lowest Price Here
GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard
A lower price than the Maxfit61 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Blue Clicky Switches
FANTECH Maxfit61
Blue clicky switches.
Best for: Buyers who want blue clicky switches.
Our take Check price for FANTECH Maxfit61 (opens in a new tab)
Red Linear Switches
MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard
Red linear switches.
Best for: Buyers who want red linear switches.
Our take Check price for MageGee MK-Box 68-Key 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)
Fastest Polling
Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard
The fastest polling rate here (8,000Hz).
Best for: Competitive players who want the quickest listed report rate.
Our take Check price for Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the Maxfit61 and the rest when we checked. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| Blue clicky switches. | Buyers who want blue clicky switches. | Check price for FANTECH Maxfit61 (opens in a new tab) |
| Red linear switches. | Buyers who want red linear switches. | Check price for MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| Pre-lubed linear switches. | Buyers who want pre-lubed linear switches. | Check price for DIERYA DK68E 60% Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest polling rate here (8,000Hz). | Competitive players who want the quickest listed report rate. | Check price for Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
GEODMAER's 65% board uses membrane keys with separate arrows and 26-key rollover.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when membrane switches, not mechanica is a problem.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest keyboard here. Its 65% layout keeps separate arrow keys, and a detachable USB-C cable gives a steady wired connection. It saves desk space for wide mouse movements.
It shares a 65% (68 keys) layout with the MK-Box; the Maxfit61 goes with a 60% layout. Membrane switches is unique to it among these picks, while the MK-Box uses red linear switches. It also comes with a lockable Windows key.
The GEODMAER 65% 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Maxfit61 was closest. If you want a confirmed polling rate, look to the K617 HE instead: it offers 8,000Hz, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 65% (68 keys)
- Switches: Membrane
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Compact 65% (68 keys) layout
- Separate arrow keys
- 26-key rollover
- Lockable Windows key
Cons
- Membrane switches, not mechanical
- Wired only
Blue Clicky Switches2 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
- Buyers who want blue clicky switches.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no dedicated arrow keys or function ro rules it out for your setup.
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 DK68E and K617 HE; the MK-Box goes with a 65% (68 keys) layout.
You get blue clicky switches here, which sets it apart from the K617 HE and its hall effect magnetic switches. 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 priced above the GEODMAER 65% and below the MK-Box at the time of writing. There is no published polling rate figure, whereas the K617 HE offers 8,000Hz.
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
- Costs more than the GEODMAER 65% at the time of writing
Red Linear Switches3 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 red linear switches.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wired only.
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.
Like the GEODMAER 65%, it has a 65% (68 keys) layout, while the Maxfit61 uses a 60% layout. No other pick in this guide offers red linear switches; compare the DK68E, which has 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. Its price falls between the Maxfit61 and the DK68E, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed polling rate should compare it with the K617 HE, which 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
- Costs more than the GEODMAER 65% 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 HE; the MK-Box goes with a 65% (68 keys) layout. You get pre-lubed linear switches here, which sets it apart from the K617 HE and its hall effect magnetic 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. It also brings hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. It was priced above the MK-Box and below the K617 HE 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 GEODMAER 65% at the time of writing
Fastest Polling5 of 5
Redragon K617 HE Magnetic Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The K617 HE brings Hall effect switches, rapid trigger and 8000Hz polling to Redragon's 60% frame.
Best for
- Competitive players who want the quickest listed report rate.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
Why we like it
Calibration runs in a desktop or web app. Like the Maxfit61 and DK68E, it has a 60% layout, while the GEODMAER 65% uses a 65% (68 keys) layout. No other pick in this guide offers hall effect magnetic switches; compare the MK-Box, which has red linear switches.
It also offers the lowest price among the 8000Hz boards here. The K617 HE needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. High polling rates use more CPU time; drop to 1,000Hz if an older system stutters.
Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the DK68E.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 60%
- Switches: Hall effect magnetic
- Connection: Wired
- Polling rate: 8,000Hz
Pros
- Compact 60% layout
- Magnetic Hall effect switches
- 8,000Hz polling
- Rapid trigger
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the GEODMAER 65% at the time of writing
How We Chose These Compact Keyboards for a Numpad Setup
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five keyboards on layout, switches, connection and polling rate as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the GEODMAER 65% to the K617 HE, state layout, switches and connection and share Wired connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The GEODMAER 65%, the Maxfit61 and the MK-Box give no polling rate.
- Price range
- From the GEODMAER 65% to the K617 HE, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Compact Keyboard for a Numpad Setup
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 K617 HE. Start with the K617 HE if polling rate decides it. No figure for the GEODMAER 65%, the Maxfit61 and the MK-Box.
Switches
The GEODMAER 65% lists membrane; the Maxfit61 lists blue clicky; the MK-Box lists Red linear; the DK68E lists Pre-lubed linear; the K617 HE lists hall effect magnetic.
Setup checks
The GEODMAER 65% needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Extras that separate them
The MK-Box: plug-and-play support for Windows, Linux and Mac. The DK68E: browser-based remapping on Windows, macOS or Linux. The K617 HE: desktop and web-based calibration.
How much to spend
All 5 sat in one tier when we checked, from the GEODMAER 65% at the low end to the K617 HE at the top, so decide on features first.
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 Compact Keyboard for a Numpad Setup
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | GEODMAER 65% | A lower price than the Maxfit61 and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want blue clicky switches | Maxfit61 | Blue clicky switches |
| Buyers who want red linear switches | MK-Box | Red linear switches |
| Buyers who want pre-lubed linear switches | DK68E | Pre-lubed linear switches |
| Competitive players who want the quickest listed report rate | K617 HE | The fastest polling rate here (8,000Hz) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The K617 HE 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEODMAER 65% | 65% (68 keys) | Membrane | Wired | Not listed |
| Maxfit61 | 60% | Blue clicky | Wired | Not listed |
| MK-Box | 65% (68 keys) | Red linear | Wired | Not listed |
| DK68E | 60% | Pre-lubed linear | Wired | 1,000Hz |
| K617 HE | 60% | Hall effect magnetic | Wired | 8,000Hz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the DK68E compare with the K617 HE on polling rate?
The K617 HE leads at 8,000Hz, with the DK68E at 1,000Hz. The GEODMAER 65%, the Maxfit61 and the MK-Box don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Why is the K617 HE our Fastest Polling pick?
It earns the label for the fastest polling rate here (8,000Hz). It suits competitive players who want the quickest listed report rate.
Do the GEODMAER 65% and the Maxfit61 differ on layout?
The GEODMAER 65% and the MK-Box use 65% (68 keys); the Maxfit61, the DK68E and the K617 HE use 60%.
Will the DK68E work with my setup?
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. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, as our Pre-lubed Linear Switches pick.
What extras do the GEODMAER 65% and the Maxfit61 include?
The GEODMAER 65%: separate arrow keys. The Maxfit61: hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches from any brand. The MK-Box: separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the GEODMAER 65%, chosen for a lower price than the Maxfit61 and the rest when we checked. Look at the Maxfit61 for blue clicky switches, the MK-Box for red linear switches and the DK68E for pre-lubed linear switches if those matter more to you.
Place the standalone numpad on the left to keep mouse room.