Buying Guide
The Best Full-Size Hot-Swap Gaming Keyboards
From the K671 to the K556 PRO: five keyboards ranked on layout and switches, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A hot-swap full-size board lets you try switches and keep the number pad. Every pick is full-size with hot-swap sockets, 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 switches is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Redragon K671 Mechanical Keyboard
Undercutting the K668 on price when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Redragon K671 Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Red Linear Switches
Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard
Red linear switches.
Best for: Buyers who want red linear switches.
Our take Check price for Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard (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)
Brown Tactile Switches
Redragon K556 Devarajas
Brown tactile switches.
Best for: Buyers who want brown tactile switches.
Our take Check price for Redragon K556 Devarajas (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Redragon K556 PRO Wireless
The top of this price range, adding an aluminium top frame.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Redragon K556 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the K668 on price when we checked. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Redragon K671 Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| Red linear switches. | Buyers who want red linear switches. | Check price for Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard (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) |
| Brown tactile switches. | Buyers who want brown tactile switches. | Check price for Redragon K556 Devarajas (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding an aluminium top frame. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Redragon K556 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 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
- Spending as little as possible.
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.
It is the only pick here with a full-size layout; the K668 has a full-size (108 keys) layout instead. The K671 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the K668 was the next step up.
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
Red Linear Switches2 of 5
Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K668 is a 108-key wired board with four extra hotkeys and hot-swap sockets.
Best for
- Buyers who want red linear switches.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
It sits near $40 at the time of writing. It includes two extra keycap sets, two-stage feet and a music-sync lighting mode, and four hotkeys cover mute, calculator, lock and desktop. Like the K745 PRO, it has a full-size (108 keys) layout, while the K556 uses a full-size (104 keys) layout.
It is the only pick here with red linear switches; the K556 has brown tactile switches instead. It also comes with macro and lighting software. The K668 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper K671 and the pricier K745 PRO, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Full-size (108 keys)
- Switches: Red linear
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Red linear switches
- 4 extra hotkeys
- Hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
- Macro and lighting software
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K671 at the time of writing
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
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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.
It shares a full-size (108 keys) layout with the K668; the K556 goes with a full-size (104 keys) layout. It also comes with 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.
Another plus is PBT keycaps resist shine. It was priced above the K668 and below the K556 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 K671 at the time of writing
Brown Tactile Switches4 of 5
Redragon K556 Devarajas on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K556 uses an aluminum top plate and brown tactile switches in hot-swap sockets.
Best for
- Buyers who want brown tactile switches.
Skip if
- Pass on it if full-size board takes more desk widt rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It works plug and play on Windows and Mac. Its brushed aluminium frame does not flex, and 20 lighting presets adjust in brightness and speed. Like the K556 PRO, it has a full-size (104 keys) layout, while the K671 uses a full-size layout.
No other pick in this guide offers brown tactile switches; compare the K668, which has red linear switches. The K556 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the K671 at the time of writing. Its price falls between the K745 PRO and the K556 PRO, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Full-size (104 keys)
- Switches: Brown tactile
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Brown tactile switches
- Aluminum top plate
- Hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
- Plug and play on Windows and Mac
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K671 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Redragon K556 PRO Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K556 PRO is a 104-key aluminium-framed board with quiet linear switches and hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
It adds 2.4GHz and Bluetooth to the wired K556. It shares a full-size (104 keys) layout with the K556; the K671 goes with a full-size layout. Quiet linear switches is unique to it among these picks, while the K556 uses brown tactile switches.
It also comes with macro software. Use the K556 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Another plus is aluminium top frame.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the K671 at the time of writing. At our last price check it topped the group, with the K556 the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Full-size (104 keys)
- Switches: Quiet linear
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
Pros
- Quiet linear switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Aluminium top frame
- Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Costs more than the K671 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Full-Size Hot-Swap Gaming Keyboards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five keyboards on layout, switches and connection from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the K671 to the K556 PRO, state layout and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The K745 PRO gives no switches.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the K671 (under $50) to the K556 PRO ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Full-Size Hot-Swap Gaming Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Setup checks
The K671 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Use the K745 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
Features beyond the spec table
The K668: hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The K745 PRO: 4 hotkeys. The K556 PRO: hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Budget
Under $50 buys the K671 and the K668; $50 to $100 buys the K745 PRO, the K556 and the K556 PRO at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Spending as little as possible: the K671. Buyers who want red linear switches: the K668. Buyers who want translucent PBT keycaps: the K745 PRO.
Choose the layout before the switch
Full-size boards keep the number pad; tenkeyless drops it and gives the mouse more room. 75% and 65% boards keep arrows in a tighter frame, while 60% boards move arrows and F-keys to a function layer.
How to Choose a Full-Size Hot-Swap Gaming Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | K671 | Undercutting the K668 on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want red linear switches | K668 | Red linear switches |
| Buyers who want translucent PBT keycaps | K745 PRO | Translucent PBT keycaps |
| Buyers who want brown tactile switches | K556 | Brown tactile switches |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | K556 PRO | The top of this price range, adding an aluminium top frame |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The K671, the K668 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| K671 | Full-size | Red linear, hot-swappable | Wired |
| K668 | Full-size (108 keys) | Red linear | Wired |
| K745 PRO | Full-size (108 keys) | Not listed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired |
| K556 | Full-size (104 keys) | Brown tactile | Wired |
| K556 PRO | Full-size (104 keys) | Quiet linear | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The K671 was the lowest-priced pick and the K556 PRO the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | K671, K668 |
| About $50 to $100 | K745 PRO, K556, K556 PRO |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the K556 the Brown Tactile Switches?
It earns the label for brown tactile switches. It suits anyone who wants brown tactile switches.
Do the K671 and the K668 differ on layout?
The K671 uses full-size; the K668 and the K745 PRO use full-size (108 keys); the K556 and the K556 PRO use full-size (104 keys).
What should I check before buying the K668?
The K668 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks second of 5, as our Red Linear Switches pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the K671 and the K668 apart?
The K671: 4 spare switches in the box. The K668: 4 extra hotkeys. The K745 PRO: a gasket mount.
Who should choose the K668?
The K668 carries our Red Linear Switches label for red linear switches. It ranks second of 5 here.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the K671, chosen for undercutting the K668 on price when we checked. Look at the K668 for red linear switches, the K745 PRO for translucent PBT keycaps and the K556 for brown tactile switches if those matter more to you.
Pull switches straight up with a puller.