With the nearly-universal adoption of smart devices, convenience and portability often have to take a backseat to functionality. This is never truer than when it comes to inputs with the touchscreen keyboard which can cause plenty of headaches. Of course, if you decide to stick it out with a traditional desktop, then you have to worry about all of the space your peripherals take up. Even if you slim down with a laptop, the cramped feel can make using the keyboard just as much of a chore as your smart device’s touchscreen keyboard. This is where the best 60% keyboard comes in handy as they generally offer a full range of functionality in a significantly smaller footprint.
Even better, most 60% keyboards offer broad compatibility with the newest devices and allow for fine customization. Of course, figuring out which is the right 60% keyboard for you can be a difficult task, especially since so many are made by smaller, niche companies. That is why we have put together the 11 best 60% keyboard reviews of 2020, highlighting what each one does best. We also provide a helpful buyer’s guide, so you understand what defines the different types of “60%” keyboards and why one might be right for you.
Best 60% keyboard – Comparison Table
 | ANNE PRO 2 | Has fully programmable keys Can connect to 4 Bluetooth 4.0 devices Is extremely compact Has a medium bump feel | 4.6 out of 5 |
 | DIERYA x KEMOVE DK61 | Is less expensive Is IPX4 waterproof Has fully programmable keys Has a medium bump feel | 4.6 out of 5 |
 | Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard | Compatible with most Windows systems 5 modes that change how bright the colors shine Smaller and more compact design | 4.7 out of 5 |
 | HUO JI E-Element Z-88 RGB | Is less expensive Broad RGB effects Made of high-end materials Has a medium click feel | 4.5 out of 5 |
 | HK Gaming GK 61 | Is less expensive Is IP64 waterproof Extremely compact Has a medium bump feel | 4.7 out of 5 |
 | RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard | Brown Switch design Ergonomic design Compatible with Apple, Windows and Android devices | 4.7 out of 5 |
 | Obinslab Anne 2 Pro | Can connect to 4 Bluetooth 4.0 devices Is fully programmable Extremely compact Has a medium-stiff linear feel | 4.3 out of 5 |
 | YUNZii Akko 3068 60% Keyboard | Can connect to 3 Bluetooth 3.0 devices Has a USB HID 1000Hz polling rate Uses Cherry MX Key Switches | 4.2 out of 5 |
 | Durgod HK Venus | Numerous switch options Made of high-end materials Is fully programmable Has a medium linear feel | 4.4 out of 5 |
 | HUO JI E-Element Z88 Blue 60% Keyboard | Is less expensive Is a more versatile keyboard Made of high-end materials Has a medium click feel | 4.6 out of 5 |
 | Durgod Hades 68 | Numerous switch options Made of high-end materials Is fully programmable | 4.4 out of 5 |
Best 60% Keyboard Buying Guide
What is a 60% Keyboard?
A 60% keyboard is a keyboard with a non-standard key layout where numerous keys have been removed with a standard keyboard using 104 keys. Keep in mind, while there is a standardized form of the 60% keyboard, manufacturers make adjustments to suit particular niches all the time.
On top of the 60% keyboards, there are keyboards with 70, 75, 80, 85, and 90 keys, each removing a handful of keys that are less useful for particular users. Once you reach the 80 key and above models, these are commonly referred to as a Tenkeyless board.
Why Choose a 60% Keyboard?
The main reason to choose a 60% keyboard or any other non-standard size primarily comes down to available space. While a dedicated desktop with an impressive tower on a large workspace may not require this, using a keyboard for a smartphone or other smart device may. This kind of keyboard can also help clear the clutter and may even alleviate some issues for those suffering from RSI like carpal tunnel syndrome.
What to Look for In The Best 60% Keyboard
Considering its ostensible purpose, one of the more important qualities of a 60% keyboard is its profile which is understood as a mix of its physical dimensions plus its weight. It is also important to consider what kind of switches you want with Cherry MX often being considered the best but Gateron and Outemu also in the mix. Wireless connectivity could be considered vital if you intend to use your 60% keyboard with smart devices. Make sure that a wireless 60% keyboard also comes with a solid battery too.
RGB effects are nice, but they should not be considered a “must-have” feature, especially if you are shopping on a budget. On the other hand, high-end materials like aluminum bases and PBT keycaps offer better longevity.
Finally, most 60% keyboards advertise anti-ghosting features, but not all of them deliver on this promise. The same thing can be said for NKRO multiple key engagement qualities, though this feature tends to be a bit more reliable across the market.
Best 60% Keyboard Product Reviews
ANNE PRO 2
The ANNE PRO 2 has been one of the best-rated and most reputable 60% keyboards for a while now. This keyboard makes it a point to provide all of the leading specs and features you expect to find on a top of the line model.
For one, this is one of the most compact keyboards we reviewed sitting at 11.18” x 3.82” x 1.57” and just under 1 ½ lbs. On top of that, this keyboard also supports wireless connection for up to 4 different devices over Bluetooth 4.0 and complements that with a 1900 mAh battery– the longest lasting on our list. That said, you may want to wait for the next batch to roll off of the assembly line as recent models seem to have some quality control issues.
Key Features
- Has fully programmable keys
- Can connect to 4 Bluetooth 4.0 devices
- Is extremely compact
- Has a medium bump feel
Other Keyboard guides you should check out..
Mechanical Keyboards For Typing
DIERYA x KEMOVE DK61
The KEMOVE DK61 keyboard offers a couple of features not commonly seen on 60% keyboards, including an IPX4 waterproof rating. This means that you do not have to worry as much about spilling a little bit of liquid on it, though it will not withstand a full glass of liquid or more.
This model is also one of the more inexpensive 60% keyboards, though there are a couple of privacy concerns. Specifically, the software necessary to program this keyboard reports back to KEMOVE servers which, when combined with the keyboard microphone, leaves some feeling a bit uneasy. Still, the software is robust and allows you to quickly and easily program the keys however you desire.
Key Features
- Is less expensive
- Is IPX4 waterproof
- Has fully programmable keys
- Has a medium bump feel
- Wired not wireless
Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
This 60% mechanical gaming keyboard from Redragon gives you all of the keys and buttons that you need in a smaller and more compact design. Not only do you get arrow keys to navigate your way through games, but you also get letter keys for typing as well as multimedia and function keys. As a backlit keyboard, it shows thousands of colors through the 18 modes that you can set along with five modes that change how bright the colors shine. Compatible with most Windows systems, this keyboard also adjusts to the speed at which you type and prevents ghosting on your screen.
Key Features
- Compatible with most Windows systems
- 5 modes that change how bright the colors shine
- Smaller and more compact design
HUO JI E-Element Z-88 RGB
The E-Element Z-88 keyboard is not like many of the others we reviewed on our list in that it is not technically a 60% keyboard. Instead, the E-Element Z-88 is a tenkeyless keyboard and comes with 81 keys that expand some of its functional versatility.
Even better, the E-Element Z-88 includes 20 more keys than most of the other options on our list, but it only adds about 1” to the more compact profiles. This keyboard also uses high-grade aluminum for the base and includes a durable micro USB power cable. That said, this tenkeyless keyboard suffers from some of the similar quality control issues we found in this market.
Key Features
- Is less expensive
- Broad RGB effects
- Made of high-end materials
- Has a medium click feel
- Wired connection
HK Gaming GK 61
The HK Gaming GK 61 is an interesting option in that it is one of the less expensive 60% keyboards that we found but does not suffer from some of the quality controls issues we encountered with other budget-friendly models. Even better, this is one of the more protected models we came across with an IP64 waterproof rating that also protects it from dust too.
At 11.5” x 4.05” x 1.57” and only 535 g, the HK Gaming GK 61 also sports one of the smallest overall size and weight profiles on our list. That said, while the hardware might be extremely well-made, especially for the price, the same cannot be said for the software which is difficult to find, use, and does not have the best documentation.
Key Features
- Is less expensive
- Is IP64 waterproof
- Extremely compact
- Has a medium bump feel
- Wired connection
RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
You don’t need tons of space to use this compact keyboard, which removes the number pad that you don’t need for gaming. Don’t let the mini size think that it won’t meet your gaming needs though. The Brown Switch design functions as both typing and gaming switches and won’t make much noise as you type. You get the feedback that you want and the ability to quickly press the right combo of keys. It also has an ergonomic design that helps you spend hours behind your computer without feeling any pain. The wired design makes this keyboard compatible with systems from Apple as well as Windows and Android devices.
Key Features
- Brown Switch design
- Ergonomic design
- Compatible with Apple, Windows and Android devices
Obinslab Anne 2 Pro
The Obinslab Anne 2 Pro keyboard is another entry on our list that offers some of the more exclusive features compared to much of the competition. For example, this is one of a few models that connect wirelessly with up to 4 different devices through Bluetooth 4.0.
Even better, the Obinslab Anne 2 Pro is fully customizable with a wide range of different programmable features for both keymapping and RGB effects. That said, this is another 60% keyboard whose big issues arise not with the hardware but with the software which is noted for being time-consuming and a bit finicky to use.
Key Features
- Can connect to 4 Bluetooth 4.0 devices
- Is fully programmable
- Extremely compact
- Has a medium-stiff linear feel
YUNZii Akko 3068 60% Keyboard
The Akko 3068 is a bit interesting in that it is designed primarily for use with gaming, but lacks some of the highest-end features commonly found on other gaming keyboards. One area where it does not lack, however, is in the response time thanks to a USB HID 1000Hz polling rate which provides a 1 ms response time.
On top of that, this is one of a few keyboards we reviewed that uses genuine Cherry MX key switches. As if that were not enough, the Akko 3068 is also a wireless keyboard, though it uses Bluetooth 3.0 and can connect with up to 3 different devices simultaneously.
Key Features
- Can connect to 3 Bluetooth 3.0 devices
- Has a USB HID 1000Hz polling rate
- Uses Cherry MX Key Switches
- Has a medium bump feel
- Not Backlit
Durgod HK Venus
Durgod is one of the faster rising 60% keyboard brands and offers a wider range of models within their lineup to suit different types of users. This principle is further expressed through the Durgod HK Venus which allows for an impressive range of different switch options, 10 in total.
Much like many of the other high-end 60% keyboards we encountered, the Durgod HK Venus is fully programmable for both keymapping and RGB effects. Even better, this keyboard comes with an aluminum base and Double Shot Translucent Shinethru PBT keycaps.bWhile not dealbreakers, the Durgod HK Venus is one of the more expensive models that we came across that is also not wireless.
Key Features
- Numerous switch options
- Made of high-end materials
- Is fully programmable
- Has a medium linear feel
- Wired not wireless
HUO JI E-Element Z88 Blue 60% Keyboard
The E-Element Z88 Blue should seem fairly familiar as it is pretty much the same as the previous E-Element Z88 we reviewed except it only allows for blue backlit illumination instead of RGB. However, that means that the E-Element Z88 Blue still provides all of the same great benefits as its predecessor, including the increased versatility afforded by 81 keys without too much of an increase in its profile.
This E-Element Z88 Blue also uses the same high-end materials, including the sturdy aluminum base to prevent the keyboard from bending or flexing. On the other hand, this means that the E-Element Z88 Blue also suffers from some of the same quality control issues we ran into with the RGB model.
Key Features
- Is less expensive
- Is a more versatile keyboard
- Made of high-end materials
- Has a medium click feel
- Wired not wireless
Durgod Hades 68
Our final entry is another Durgod keyboard that offers many of the same features as our first model from the brand but gooses its versatility a bit more with the inclusion of a few more keys. This technically makes the Durgod Hades 68 a 65% keyboard, but it does not increase the size profile by more than two-thirds of an inch over most of the competition.
For that modest size increase, the Durgod Hades 68 offers standard arrow keys, so you do not have to worry about how quickly you tap the keys. Like other Durgod keyboards, the Durgod Hades 68 allows you to choose from a wide range of different key switches and program everything from the keymapping to the RGB effects.
Key Features
- Numerous switch options
- Made of high-end materials
- Is fully programmable
- Has a medium bump feel
- Wired, not wireless
