Buying Guide
The Best Linear Keyboards
From the K617 to the K552: five keyboards ranked on layout and switches, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Linear switches go straight down with no bump, which suits fast repeated presses. Every pick uses linear switches, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for layout, switches and connection; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard
Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Best for: Buyers who want hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Our take Check price for Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
MageGee MK-Box 68-Key Keyboard
Separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame.
Best for: Buyers who want separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame.
Our take Check price for MageGee MK-Box 68-Key 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)
Worth a Look
Redragon K582 Surara RGB Mechanical Keyboard
Anti-ghosting across all keys.
Best for: Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys.
Our take Check price for Redragon K582 Surara RGB Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical Keyboard
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with anti-ghosting across all keys.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 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 hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers 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. You get a 60% layout here, which sets it apart from the K552 and its a TKL (87 keys) layout. It shares red linear switches with the MK-Box and K582; the K552 goes with red linear or brown tactile 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.
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
Strong Alternative2 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 separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wired onl is a problem.
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.
You get a 65% (68 keys) layout here, which sets it apart from the K552 and its a TKL (87 keys) layout. It shares red linear switches with the K617 and K582; the K552 goes with red linear or brown tactile switches. It also comes with 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.
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
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.
It is the only pick here with a full-size layout; the K617 has a 60% layout instead. 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
Worth a Look4 of 5
Redragon K582 Surara RGB Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The K582 keeps the number pad for players who need it.
Best for
- Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when full-size board takes more desk widt is a problem.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest full-size mechanical board in this list. It has 100% anti-ghosting with N-key rollover, and 18 backlight modes adjust from the keyboard. Linear red switches need little force, and full N-key rollover means every key in a combo registers.
Six lighting themes and 18 backlight modes adjust from the keyboard itself. A full-size (104 keys) layout is unique to it among these picks, while the MK-Box uses a 65% (68 keys) layout. It shares red linear switches with the K617 and MK-Box; the K552 goes with red linear or brown tactile switches.
It also offers per-key macro recording. The K582 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. It was priced above the K671 and below the K552 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Full-size (104 keys)
- Switches: Red linear
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Red linear switches
- Anti-ghosting across all keys
- Per-key macro recording
- Full-size (104 keys) layout, the only one here
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K617 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The K552 has been a starter mechanical board for years.
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 simple, wired and tenkeyless, with a choice of linear or tactile switches. No other pick in this guide offers a TKL (87 keys) layout; compare the K671, which has a full-size layout. It is the only pick here with red linear or brown tactile switches; the K617 has red linear switches instead.
It also comes with anti-ghosting across all keys. The K552 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 K582 and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: TKL (87 keys)
- Switches: Red linear or brown tactile
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- Red linear or brown tactile switches
- Anti-ghosting across all keys
- Choice of red or brown switches
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K617 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Linear Keyboards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five keyboards on layout, switches and connection as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the K617 to the K552, state layout, switches and connection and share Wired connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The K617 for hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches; the MK-Box for separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame; the K671 for a full-size layout.
- Price range
- From the K617 to the K552, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Linear Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Setup checks
The K617 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Features beyond the spec table
The K671: macro editing. The K582: per-key macro recording. The K552: a choice of red or brown switches.
Budget
All 5 sat in one tier when we checked, from the K617 at the low end to the K552 at the top, so decide on features first.
Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who want a full-size layout: the K671. Buyers who want the most complete package: the K552.
Polling rate is a small factor
1,000Hz is enough for most players. 8,000Hz cuts reporting delay further, but the gain is small and uses more CPU time.
How to Choose a Linear Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches | K617 | Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches |
| Buyers who want separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame | MK-Box | Separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame |
| Buyers who want a full-size layout | K671 | A full-size layout |
| Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys | K582 | Anti-ghosting across all keys |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | K552 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with anti-ghosting across all keys |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The K617, the MK-Box and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| K617 | 60% | Red linear | Wired |
| MK-Box | 65% (68 keys) | Red linear | Wired |
| K671 | Full-size | Red linear, hot-swappable | Wired |
| K582 | Full-size (104 keys) | Red linear | Wired |
| K552 | TKL (87 keys) | Red linear or brown tactile | Wired |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the K671 the Full-size Layout?
It earns the label for a full-size layout. It suits anyone who wants a full-size layout.
Do the K617 and the MK-Box differ on layout?
The K617 uses 60%; the MK-Box uses 65% (68 keys); the K671 uses full-size; the K582 uses full-size (104 keys); the K552 uses TKL (87 keys).
What should I check before buying the K582?
The K582 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 K617 and the MK-Box apart?
The K617: hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The MK-Box: separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame. The K671: 4 spare switches in the box.
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 K617, chosen for hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. Look at the MK-Box for separate arrow keys in a 68-key frame, the K671 for a full-size layout and the K582 for anti-ghosting across all keys if those matter more to you.
Lighter linears bottom out easily; try 45g or heavier if you type a lot.