Buying Guide
The Best Keyboards for Streaming
We weighed five keyboards on layout and switches, and the GK61 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Streamers use knobs, macro keys and screens to control scenes and audio. Every pick has a knob, macro keys or a screen, ordered from the lowest price.
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 layout, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Geeky GK61 60% Keyboard
Undercutting the K617 on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for Geeky GK61 60% Keyboard (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)
Also Consider
Redragon K686 PRO Wireless Gasket Gaming Keyboard
A gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening.
Best for: Buyers who want gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening.
Our take Check price for Redragon K686 PRO Wireless Gasket Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Redragon K673 PRO Wireless
A gasket mount.
Best for: Buyers who want gasket mount.
Our take Check price for Redragon K673 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Redragon K580 VATA
5 dedicated macro keys at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Redragon K580 VATA (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Geeky GK61 60% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Geeky's GK61 is a hot-swappable 60% board with macro software and Mac support.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no dedicated arrow keys or function ro rules it out for your setup.
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.
It is the only pick here with a 60% (61 keys) layout; the K617 has a 60% layout instead. 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. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the K617 was the next step up.
Key dimensions & 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
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
- 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. No other pick in this guide offers a 60% layout; compare the GK61, which has a 60% (61 keys) layout. It is the only pick here with red linear switches; the K580 has blue clicky switches instead.
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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper GK61 and the pricier K686 PRO, at the time of writing.
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 GK61 at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
Redragon K686 PRO Wireless Gasket Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The K686 PRO is the only wireless board here, with a dongle, Bluetooth and a cable.
Best for
- Buyers who want gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the GK61 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
The gasket mount and knob are touches usually found on pricier boards. One knob controls volume and lighting, and it switches between USB-C, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz without re-pairing. The gasket mount and dampening layers soften each keystroke.
It comes in a blue and white colourway, and the software handles lighting effects and macros. The gasket mount gives a soft, quiet bounce. It suits a desk where a blue and white colour scheme sets it apart from typical black boards.
A single knob handles backlight brightness and media playback. The gasket mount and five layers of dampening give it a soft, quiet bounce, and the sockets accept swapped switches. Use the K686 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Its price falls between the K617 and the K673 PRO, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Switches: Hot-swappable (3/5-pin sockets)
- Connection: USB-C, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz
Pros
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening
- One knob for lighting and media
- Blue and white colorway
Cons
- Costs more than the GK61 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Redragon K673 PRO Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K673 PRO is a gasket-mounted tri-mode 75% board with a scroll knob.
Best for
- Buyers who want gasket mount.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the GK61 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The sockets take 3-pin and 5-pin switches. A single knob handles volume and backlight brightness, and it switches between USB-C, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz without re-pairing. Five layers of dampening give a quieter, cushioned feel.
Redragon's software lets you design lighting effects and program macros with custom keybinds. Adjustable RGB brightness suits a dark room. The socket accepts common switches, so you can change the feel later without buying a new board.
You get a 75% (81 keys) layout here, which sets it apart from the GK61 and its a 60% (61 keys) layout. Use the K673 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 75% (81 keys)
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
Pros
- Compact 75% (81 keys) layout
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Gasket mount
- Scroll knob
Cons
- Costs more than the GK61 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Redragon K580 VATA on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K580 VATA adds five dedicated macro keys and a media wheel to a full-size board.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
Macros can be recorded without software. Its 104 keys are fully anti-ghosting, and double-shot keycaps are rated for 50 million keystrokes. Software is optional for advanced lighting and macros.
Five dedicated G1-G5 macro keys record combos on the fly without software, and there are dedicated media controls. No other pick in this guide offers a full-size (104 keys) layout; compare the K617, which has a 60% layout. It is the only pick here with blue clicky switches; the K617 has red linear switches instead.
The K580 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 K673 PRO and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Full-size (104 keys)
- Switches: Blue clicky
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Blue clicky switches
- 5 dedicated macro keys
- Media wheel
- On-the-fly macro recording without software
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Wired only
- Costs more than the GK61 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Keyboards for Streaming
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up 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 GK61 to the K580, state connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The K686 PRO gives no layout; the K673 PRO gives no switches.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the GK61 (under $50) to the K580 ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Keyboard for Streaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Setup checks
The GK61 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Use the K686 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
Extras that separate them
The K686 PRO: one knob for lighting and media. The K673 PRO: a scroll knob. The K580: a media wheel.
How much to spend
Under $50 buys the GK61, the K617, the K686 PRO and the K673 PRO; $50 to $100 buys the K580 at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build: the GK61. Buyers who want red linear switches: the K617. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor: the K580.
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 Keyboard for Streaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | GK61 | Undercutting the K617 on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want red linear switches | K617 | Red linear switches |
| Buyers who want gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening | K686 PRO | A gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening |
| Buyers who want gasket mount | K673 PRO | A gasket mount |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | K580 | 5 dedicated macro keys at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The GK61, the K617 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK61 | 60% (61 keys) | Mechanical, hot-swappable | Wired |
| K617 | 60% | Red linear | Wired |
| K686 PRO | Not listed | Hot-swappable (3/5-pin sockets) | USB-C, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz |
| K673 PRO | 75% (81 keys) | Not listed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired |
| K580 | Full-size (104 keys) | Blue clicky | Wired |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The GK61 was the lowest-priced pick and the K580 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | GK61, K617, K686 PRO, K673 PRO |
| About $50 to $100 | K580 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the K617 our Red Linear Switches pick?
It earns the label for red linear switches. It suits anyone who wants red linear switches.
Do the GK61 and the K617 differ on layout?
The GK61 uses 60% (61 keys); the K617 uses 60%; the K673 PRO uses 75% (81 keys); the K580 uses full-size (104 keys). The maker of the K686 PRO doesn't say.
Will the K580 work with my setup?
The K580 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 GK61 and the K617 include?
The GK61: hot-swap sockets. The K617: hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The K686 PRO: a gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening.
Is a membrane keyboard bad for gaming?
No. It is quieter and cheaper, but it feels softer and usually lacks per-key rollover guarantees beyond what the listing states.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the GK61, chosen for undercutting the K617 on price when we checked. Look at the K617 for red linear switches, the K686 PRO for a gasket mount with 5-layer noise dampening and the K673 PRO for a gasket mount if those matter more to you.
Map scene switches to keys you won't hit by accident.