Buying Guide
The Best Mechanical Keyboard
We weighed five keyboards on polling rate and layout, and the Maxfit61 costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Mechanical keyboards use a switch under every key, which gives a consistent feel and makes the switches replaceable on hot-swap boards. These are ordered from the lowest listed price.
Rankings weigh layout, switches and connection as the makers state them; we did not test these keyboards ourselves, and if a maker skips polling rate, the guide says so.
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
Redragon K617 Fizz 60% KeyboardHot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Best for: Buyers who want hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Check price for Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical KeyboardAnti-ghosting across all keys.
Best for: Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys.
Check price for Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Polling
AULA WIN68 HE Magnetic Switch KeyboardThe fastest polling rate here (8,000Hz).
Best for: Competitive players who want the quickest listed report rate.
Check price for AULA WIN68 HE Magnetic Switch 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
- Worth skipping when no dedicated arrow keys or function row is a problem.
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. It shares a 60% layout with the K617; the WIN68 HE goes with a 68-key compact layout.
You get blue clicky switches here, which sets it apart from the K617 and its red linear switches. It also comes with 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 cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the GK61 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
The catch
There is no published polling rate figure, whereas the WIN68 HE 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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 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.
No other pick in this guide offers a 60% (61 keys) layout; compare the K552, which has a TKL (87 keys) 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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Maxfit61 and the pricier K617, at the time of writing.
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
- Costs more than the Maxfit61 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Keyboard
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
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for 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. Like the Maxfit61, it has a 60% layout, while the GK61 uses a 60% (61 keys) layout. No other pick in this guide offers red linear switches; compare the Maxfit61, which has blue clicky 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. Its price falls between the GK61 and the K552, based on our last check.
Key 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 Maxfit61 at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed polling rate should compare it with the WIN68 HE, which offers 8,000Hz.
Worth a Look4 of 5
Redragon K552 Kumara Mechanical Keyboard
The K552 has been a starter mechanical board for years.
Best for
- Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wired only is a problem.
Why we like it
It is simple, wired and tenkeyless, with a choice of linear or tactile switches. A TKL (87 keys) layout is unique to it among these picks, while the GK61 uses a 60% (61 keys) layout. You get red linear or brown tactile switches here, which sets it apart from the WIN68 HE and its hall effect magnetic switches.
You also get anti-ghosting across all keys. The K552 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. It was priced above the K617 and below the WIN68 HE at the time of writing. There is no published polling rate figure, whereas the WIN68 HE offers 8,000Hz.
Key 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 Maxfit61 at the time of writing
Fastest Polling5 of 5
AULA WIN68 HE Magnetic Switch Keyboard
The WIN68 HE brings magnetic switches down to a budget price.
Best for
- Competitive players who want the quickest listed report rate.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wired only.
Why we like it
The 68-key layout keeps arrows while dropping the function row. It is the only pick here with a 68-key compact layout; the Maxfit61 has a 60% layout instead. No other pick in this guide offers hall effect magnetic switches; compare the Maxfit61, which has blue clicky switches.
You also get a Hall effect board at a membrane-keyboard price. The WIN68 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. Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the K552.
Key specs
- Layout
- 68-key compact
- Switches
- Hall effect magnetic
- Connection
- Wired
- Polling rate
- 8,000Hz
Pros
- Compact 68-key compact layout
- Magnetic Hall effect switches
- 8,000Hz polling
- Hall effect board at a membrane-keyboard price
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the Maxfit61 at the time of writing
How We Chose
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.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five keyboards on layout, switches, connection and polling rate, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and polling rate is missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Maxfit61 to the WIN68 HE, state layout, switches and connection and share Wired connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Maxfit61, the K617 and the K552 give no polling rate.
- Price range
- From the Maxfit61 to the WIN68 HE, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Mechanical Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Polling rate
The WIN68 HE tops polling rate at 8,000Hz and the GK61 sits lowest at 1,000Hz. Start with the WIN68 HE if polling rate decides it. The Maxfit61, the K617 and the K552 give no polling rate figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Setup checks
The Maxfit61 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
A close-up of a full-size keyboard with grey keycaps Extras that separate them
The K617: switches rated for 50 million keypresses. The K552: a choice of red or brown switches. The WIN68 HE: a Hall effect board at a membrane-keyboard price.
How much to spend
All 5 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the Maxfit61 at the low end to the WIN68 HE at the top, so decide on features first.
A grey mechanical keyboard beside a mouse on a wooden desk Start from what matters most
Keeping the cost under $50: the Maxfit61. Competitive players who want the quickest listed report rate: the WIN68 HE.
How to Choose a Mechanical 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 hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches | K617 | Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches |
| Buyers who want anti-ghosting across all keys | K552 | Anti-ghosting across all keys |
| Competitive players who want the quickest listed report rate | WIN68 HE | The fastest polling rate here (8,000Hz) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The WIN68 HE leads on polling rate at 8,000Hz, ahead of the GK61 at 1,000Hz. "Not listed" marks polling rate where the Maxfit61, the K617 and the K552 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 |
| K617 | 60% | Red linear | Wired | Not listed |
| K552 | TKL (87 keys) | Red linear or brown tactile | Wired | Not listed |
| WIN68 HE | 68-key compact | Hall effect magnetic | Wired | 8,000Hz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the fastest polling rate: the WIN68 HE or the GK61?
Between the top two, it is 8,000Hz on the WIN68 HE against 1,000Hz on the GK61, a 700% difference. The Maxfit61, the K617 and the K552 are left out of this ranking because their polling rate isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Why is the WIN68 HE our Fastest Polling pick?
It carries the badge for the fastest polling rate here (8,000Hz). On polling rate it leads the GK61, 8,000Hz against 1,000Hz, a 700% margin. It suits competitive players who want the quickest listed report rate.
Do the Maxfit61 and the GK61 differ on layout?
The Maxfit61 and the K617 use 60%; the GK61 uses 60% (61 keys); the K552 uses TKL (87 keys); the WIN68 HE uses 68-key compact.
Will the K552 work with my setup?
The K552 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5.
What extras do the Maxfit61 and the GK61 include?
The Maxfit61: hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches from any brand. The GK61: hot-swap sockets. The K617: hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
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 K617 for hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches and the K552 for anti-ghosting across all keys if those matter more to you.
Hot-swap sockets let you change switches later without soldering.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Keyboards Right Now
- Related guideThe Best Quiet Gaming Keyboards
- Related guideThe Best TKL Keyboards
- Lower budgetThe Best Cheap Mechanical Keyboards
- Similar guideThe Best 60% Mechanical Keyboards
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mechanical Keyboard
- ExplainerKeyboard layouts compared: full-size, TKL, 75%, 65% and 60%
- Also see: miceHow to Choose a Gaming Mouse
- Similar guideThe Best Mechanical Gaming Keyboards
- 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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