Buying Guide
The Best Hot-Swappable Keyboards
Five keyboards compared, from the Maxfit61 to the WIN60 HE PRO, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Hot-swap sockets let you change switches without soldering, so the board can change with you. Every pick is hot-swappable, 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; a missing polling rate is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
FANTECH Maxfit61A lower price than the GK61 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $50.
Check price for FANTECH Maxfit61 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Geeky GK61 60% KeyboardHot-swap sockets.
Best for: Buyers who want hot-swap sockets.
Check price for Geeky GK61 60% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AULA WIN60 HE Magnetic KeyboardRapid trigger with adjustable actuation.
Best for: Buyers who want rapid trigger with adjustable actuation.
Check price for AULA WIN60 HE Magnetic Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard4 extra hotkeys.
Best for: Buyers who want 4 extra hotkeys.
Check price for Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
AULA WIN60 HE PRO Magnetic KeyboardThe top of this price range, adding rapid trigger with adjustable actuation.
Best for: Spending more than the K668 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for AULA WIN60 HE PRO Magnetic Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
FANTECH Maxfit61
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 cost under $50.
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. Like the WIN60 HE and WIN60 HE PRO, it has a 60% layout, while the GK61 uses a 60% (61 keys) layout.
No other pick in this guide offers blue clicky switches; compare the WIN60 HE PRO, which has hall effect magnetic switches. You also get 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 the cheapest of the group when we checked; the GK61 was the next step up.
Key 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
- No published polling rate
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed polling rate should compare it with the WIN60 HE, which offers 8,000Hz.
Also Consider2 of 5
Geeky GK61 60% Keyboard
Geeky's GK61 is a hot-swappable 60% board with macro software and Mac support.
Best for
- Buyers who want hot-swap sockets.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
Why we like it
It sits near $22 at the time of writing. Hot-swap sockets let you change switches without soldering, using the tools in the box. The detachable USB-C cable and 60% layout make it easy to pack for LAN events.
Its 1,000Hz polling rate is the slowest in this group; the WIN60 HE leads at 8,000Hz. You get a 60% (61 keys) layout here, which sets it apart from the WIN60 HE PRO and its a 60% layout. The GK61 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 Maxfit61 cost less, and the WIN60 HE cost more.
Key specs
- Layout
- 60% (61 keys)
- Switches
- Mechanical, hot-swappable
- Connection
- Wired
- Polling rate
- 1,000Hz
Pros
- Compact 60% (61 keys) layout
- Mechanical, hot-swappable switches
- Hot-swap sockets
- Macro and remapping software
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Polling rate trails the WIN60 HE (8,000Hz)
The catch
Polling rate is its weakest area, and the WIN60 HE covers it better at 8,000Hz.
Strong Alternative3 of 5
AULA WIN60 HE Magnetic Keyboard
AULA's WIN60 HE puts Hall effect switches, rapid trigger and 8000Hz polling in a wired 60% board.
Best for
- Buyers who want rapid trigger with adjustable actuation.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no dedicated arrow keys or function row rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is one of the cheapest ways into magnetic switches. Rapid Trigger works at a 0.02mm step, and a web-based driver configures it from any device. Lighting shines through PBT keycaps.
On polling rate it ties with the WIN60 HE PRO at 8,000Hz. Like the Maxfit61 and WIN60 HE PRO, it has a 60% layout, while the GK61 uses a 60% (61 keys) layout. Like the WIN60 HE PRO, it has hall effect magnetic switches, while the Maxfit61 uses blue clicky switches.
It also offers rapid trigger with adjustable actuation. The WIN60 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. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper GK61 and the pricier K668, at the time of writing.
Key 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 with adjustable actuation
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the Maxfit61 at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard
Redragon's K668 is a 108-key wired board with four extra hotkeys and hot-swap sockets.
Best for
- Buyers who want 4 extra hotkeys.
Skip if
- Pass on it if full-size board takes more desk width rules it out for your setup.
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. It is the only pick here with a full-size (108 keys) layout; the Maxfit61 has a 60% layout instead.
No other pick in this guide offers red linear switches; compare the WIN60 HE PRO, which has hall effect magnetic switches. 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. Buyers who need a confirmed polling rate should compare it with the WIN60 HE, which offers 8,000Hz.
Key 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
- No published polling rate
Premium Pick5 of 5
AULA WIN60 HE PRO Magnetic Keyboard
The WIN60 HE PRO keeps the WIN60 HE's magnetic switches and 8000Hz polling and adds under-LED lighting.
Best for
- Spending more than the K668 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
Why we like it
The switches are hot-swappable. On polling rate it ties with the WIN60 HE at 8,000Hz. Like the Maxfit61 and WIN60 HE, it has a 60% layout, while the GK61 uses a 60% (61 keys) layout.
Like the WIN60 HE, it has hall effect magnetic switches, while the Maxfit61 uses blue clicky switches. It also comes with rapid trigger with adjustable actuation. The WIN60 HE PRO 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 highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the K668 and the rest.
Key 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 with adjustable actuation
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the Maxfit61 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Hot-Swappable Keyboards
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We compared five keyboards on layout, switches, connection and polling rate, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out polling rate.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Maxfit61 to the WIN60 HE PRO, state layout, switches and connection and share Wired connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Maxfit61 and the K668 give no polling rate.
- Price range
- From the Maxfit61 to the WIN60 HE PRO, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Hot-Swappable Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much polling rate you need
The WIN60 HE tops polling rate at 8,000Hz and the GK61 sits lowest at 1,000Hz; 2 picks share the top figure. The WIN60 HE is the pick for polling rate. The Maxfit61 and the K668 give no polling rate figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Fit and compatibility
The Maxfit61 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
A mechanical keyboard with RGB-lit keycaps Features beyond the spec table
The GK61: macro and remapping software. The WIN60 HE: hot-swappable magnetic switches. The K668: hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
How much to spend
Price does little to separate these 5: the Maxfit61 through the WIN60 HE PRO all landed in the under $50 tier, which leaves polling rate to decide it.
A mechanical keyboard with white keycaps in front of an ultrawide monitor Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the cost under $50: the Maxfit61. Spending more than the K668 costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the WIN60 HE PRO.
How to Choose a Hot-Swappable Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $50 | Maxfit61 | A lower price than the GK61 and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want hot-swap sockets | GK61 | Hot-swap sockets |
| Buyers who want rapid trigger with adjustable actuation | WIN60 HE | Rapid trigger with adjustable actuation |
| Buyers who want 4 extra hotkeys | K668 | 4 extra hotkeys |
| Spending more than the K668 costs for the fullest feature set in this group | WIN60 HE PRO | The top of this price range, adding rapid trigger with adjustable actuation |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The WIN60 HE leads on polling rate at 8,000Hz, ahead of the WIN60 HE PRO at 8,000Hz. "Not listed" marks polling rate where the Maxfit61 and the K668 leave the figure out.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection | Polling rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxfit61 | 60% | Blue clicky | Wired | Not listed |
| GK61 | 60% (61 keys) | Mechanical, hot-swappable | Wired | 1,000Hz |
| WIN60 HE | 60% | Hall effect magnetic | Wired | 8,000Hz |
| K668 | Full-size (108 keys) | Red linear | Wired | Not listed |
| WIN60 HE PRO | 60% | Hall effect magnetic | Wired | 8,000Hz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Maxfit61 the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on a lower price than the GK61 and the rest when we checked. It suits keeping the cost under $50.
Do the Maxfit61 and the GK61 differ on layout?
The Maxfit61, the WIN60 HE and the WIN60 HE PRO use 60%; the GK61 uses 60% (61 keys); the K668 uses full-size (108 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 fourth of 5.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Maxfit61 and the GK61 apart?
The Maxfit61: hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches from any brand. The GK61: hot-swap sockets. The WIN60 HE: rapid trigger with adjustable actuation.
Who should choose the WIN60 HE PRO?
The WIN60 HE PRO carries our Premium Pick label for the top of this price range, adding rapid trigger with adjustable actuation. It ranks fifth of 5 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits spending more than the K668 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Maxfit61, chosen for a lower price than the GK61 and the rest when we checked. Look at the GK61 for hot-swap sockets, the WIN60 HE for rapid trigger with adjustable actuation and the K668 for 4 extra hotkeys if those matter more to you.
Check whether the sockets take 3-pin or 5-pin switches.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Keyboards Right Now
- Related guideThe Best Quiet Gaming Keyboards
- Related guideThe Best TKL Keyboards
- Lower budgetThe Best Keyboards Under $150
- Similar guideThe Best Full-Size Hot-Swap Gaming Keyboards
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mechanical Keyboard
- ExplainerKeyboard layouts compared: full-size, TKL, 75%, 65% and 60%
- Also see: miceMouse polling rate and DPI: what each number changes
- Similar guideThe Best Keyboards for PC
- Topic hubAll keyboards guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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