Buying Guide
The Best Linear Gaming Keyboards
Five keyboards ranked on polling rate and layout; the K671 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Linear switches are smooth and quiet, and many players prefer them for fast presses. Every pick uses linear switches, ordered by polling rate.
The order reflects layout, switches and connection from maker specifications; a missing polling rate is flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Fastest Polling
Keychron K2 Ultra 8K
The fastest polling rate here (8,000Hz).
Best for: Competitive players who want the quickest listed report rate.
Our take Check price for Keychron K2 Ultra 8K (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)
Lowest Price Here
Redragon K671 Mechanical Keyboard
Undercutting the K582 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)
Also Consider
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)
Strong Alternative
Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard
4 extra hotkeys.
Best for: Buyers who want 4 extra hotkeys.
Our take Check price for Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The fastest polling rate here (8,000Hz). | Competitive players who want the quickest listed report rate. | Check price for Keychron K2 Ultra 8K (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) |
| Undercutting the K582 on price when we checked. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Redragon K671 Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| Anti-ghosting across all keys. | Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys. | Check price for Redragon K582 Surara RGB Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| 4 extra hotkeys. | Buyers who want 4 extra hotkeys. | Check price for Redragon K668 Wired Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Polling1 of 5
Keychron K2 Ultra 8K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Keychron's K2 Ultra reaches 8000Hz polling on both wired and 2.4GHz and uses an aluminum frame.
Best for
- Competitive players who want the quickest listed report rate.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the K671 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The sockets take 3-pin and 5-pin switches. You get a 75% layout here, which sets it apart from the K668 and its a full-size (108 keys) layout. Keychron Apex Red linear switches is unique to it among these picks, while the DK68E uses pre-lubed linear switches.
Use the K2 Ultra's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. High polling rates use more CPU time; drop to 1,000Hz if an older system stutters. It also brings up to 760 hours per charge. At our last price check it topped the group, with the K668 the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 75%
- Switches: Keychron Apex Red linear
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Polling rate: 8,000Hz
- Battery life: 760 hours
- Keycaps: PBT
Pros
- Compact 75% layout
- Keychron Apex Red linear switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- 8,000Hz polling
Cons
- Costs more than the K671 at the time of writing
Pre-lubed Linear Switches2 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. You get a 60% layout here, which sets it apart from the K668 and its a full-size (108 keys) layout. Pre-lubed linear switches is unique to it among these picks, while the K582 uses red linear 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. Worth noting too: hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. When we checked, only the K582 and cheaper picks cost less, and the K668 cost more.
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 K671 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 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
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: full-size board takes more desk width.
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.
A full-size layout is unique to it among these picks, while the DK68E uses a 60% layout. The K671 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the K582 the next step up. There is no published polling rate figure, whereas the K2 Ultra offers 8,000Hz.
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
Also Consider4 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. It is the only pick here with a full-size (104 keys) layout; the K2 Ultra has a 75% layout instead. Like the K668, it has red linear switches, while the K2 Ultra uses keychron Apex Red linear switches.
You also get per-key macro recording. The K582 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Its price falls between the K671 and the DK68E, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed polling rate should compare it with the K2 Ultra, which offers 8,000Hz.
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 K671 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative5 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 4 extra hotkeys.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for 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. You get a full-size (108 keys) layout here, which sets it apart from the K582 and its a full-size (104 keys) layout.
It shares red linear switches with the K582; the DK68E goes with pre-lubed linear 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.
When we checked, only the DK68E and cheaper picks cost less, and the K2 Ultra cost more. If you want a confirmed polling rate, look to the K2 Ultra instead: it offers 8,000Hz, while this one gives no figure.
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
How We Chose These Linear Gaming Keyboards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared 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 K2 Ultra to the K668, state layout, switches and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The K671, the K582 and the K668 give no polling rate.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the K671 (under $50) to the K2 Ultra ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Linear Gaming Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Polling rate
Here polling rate runs from 1,000Hz on the DK68E to 8,000Hz on the K2 Ultra. Start with the K2 Ultra if polling rate decides it. No figure for the K671, the K582 and the K668.
What to check at home
Use the K2 Ultra's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. The DK68E needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Extras that separate them
The DK68E: browser-based remapping on Windows, macOS or Linux. The K671: macro editing. The K582: per-key macro recording.
Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the K671, the K582, the DK68E and the K668; $100 to $150 buys the K2 Ultra at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Competitive players who want the quickest listed report rate: the K2 Ultra. Buyers who want pre-lubed linear switches: the DK68E. Spending as little as possible: the K671.
How to Choose a Linear Gaming Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Competitive players who want the quickest listed report rate | K2 Ultra | The fastest polling rate here (8,000Hz) |
| Buyers who want pre-lubed linear switches | DK68E | Pre-lubed linear switches |
| Spending as little as possible | K671 | Undercutting the K582 on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys | K582 | Anti-ghosting across all keys |
| Buyers who want 4 extra hotkeys | K668 | 4 extra hotkeys |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The K2 Ultra 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K2 Ultra | 75% | Keychron Apex Red linear | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | 8,000Hz |
| DK68E | 60% | Pre-lubed linear | Wired | 1,000Hz |
| K671 | Full-size | Red linear, hot-swappable | Wired | Not listed |
| K582 | Full-size (104 keys) | Red linear | Wired | Not listed |
| K668 | Full-size (108 keys) | Red linear | Wired | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The K671 was the lowest-priced pick and the K2 Ultra the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | K671, K582, DK68E, K668 |
| About $100 to $150 | K2 Ultra |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the K2 Ultra ahead of the DK68E on polling rate?
The K2 Ultra leads at 8,000Hz, with the DK68E at 1,000Hz. The K671, the K582 and the K668 don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Why is the DK68E our Pre-lubed Linear Switches pick?
It earns the label for pre-lubed linear switches. It suits anyone who wants pre-lubed linear switches.
Do the K2 Ultra and the DK68E differ on layout?
The K2 Ultra uses 75%; the DK68E uses 60%; the K671 uses full-size; the K582 uses full-size (104 keys); the K668 uses full-size (108 keys).
Will the K671 work with my setup?
The K671 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks third of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
What extras do the K2 Ultra and the DK68E include?
The K2 Ultra: 8000Hz polling in wired and 2.4GHz modes. The DK68E: hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The K671: 4 spare switches in the box.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the K2 Ultra. Look at the DK68E for pre-lubed linear switches, the K671 for undercutting the K582 on price when we checked and the K582 for anti-ghosting across all keys if those matter more to you.
Lube or change the stabilisers for a smoother feel.