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What are the best 60% keyboards?

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Vortex KBC Poker II vs Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 vs Royal Kludge RK61

 vs Leopold FC660C vs Ultimate Hacking Keyboard vs Anne Pro vs Corsair K65 Mini vs Majestouch MINILA

Specs

Available Switches

Cherry MX (Black/Blue/Brown/Red)

Dimensions

11.6×4×1.5 in. (29.5×10.2×3.8 cm.)

Warranty

1-year

Layout

60% (Ten key-less)

Media keys

Yes

Detachable USB Cable

Yes (59 in./1.5 m.)

Key layout

QWERTY

Platforms

Windows, Mac, GNU/Linux

Keys

61

Switch Mount Type

Plate

Weight

-

USB Hub

-

Key backlighting

-

Macros

-

Cable

-

Length

-

Width

-

Case colours

-

Bridge cable

-

height

-

Available Switches

Topre

Dimensions

11.6×4.3×1.6 in. (29.4×11×4 cm.)

Warranty

1-year (purchased in Japan/from elitekeyboards.com only)

Layout

Ten key-less, no arrow keys

Media keys

No

Detachable USB Cable

Yes (71 in./1.8 m. Mini USB-B)

Key layout

QWERTY

Platforms

-

Keys

-

Switch Mount Type

-

Weight

1.17 lbs. (0.53 kg.)

USB Hub

Yes

Key backlighting

No

Macros

No

Cable

-

Length

-

Width

-

Case colours

-

Bridge cable

-

height

-

Available Switches

-

Dimensions

-

Warranty

-

Layout

-

Media keys

-

Detachable USB Cable

-

Key layout

-

Platforms

-

Keys

-

Switch Mount Type

-

Weight

0.50 kg

USB Hub

-

Key backlighting

-

Macros

-

Cable

-

Length

-

Width

-

Case colours

-

Bridge cable

-

height

-

Available Switches

-

Dimensions

-

Warranty

-

Layout

-

Media keys

-

Detachable USB Cable

-

Key layout

-

Platforms

-

Keys

-

Switch Mount Type

-

Weight

-

USB Hub

-

Key backlighting

-

Macros

-

Cable

-

Length

-

Width

-

Case colours

-

Bridge cable

-

height

-

Available Switches

Kailh (Blue, Brown, Red, Black), Cherry (Green, Clear)

Dimensions

-

Warranty

-

Layout

-

Media keys

-

Detachable USB Cable

-

Key layout

-

Platforms

-

Keys

-

Switch Mount Type

-

Weight

1kg

USB Hub

-

Key backlighting

-

Macros

-

Cable

180cm, removable

Length

left: 13.5cm, right: 15.4cm, combined 28.9cm

Width

13.2cm

Case colours

Black, white, red, yellow, blue

Bridge cable

11-35cm, replacable

height

2.9cm

Available Switches

-

Dimensions

-

Warranty

-

Layout

-

Media keys

-

Detachable USB Cable

-

Key layout

-

Platforms

-

Keys

-

Switch Mount Type

-

Weight

-

USB Hub

-

Key backlighting

-

Macros

-

Cable

-

Length

-

Width

-

Case colours

-

Bridge cable

-

height

-

Available Switches

-

Dimensions

-

Warranty

-

Layout

-

Media keys

-

Detachable USB Cable

-

Key layout

-

Platforms

-

Keys

-

Switch Mount Type

-

Weight

-

USB Hub

-

Key backlighting

-

Macros

-

Cable

-

Length

-

Width

-

Case colours

-

Bridge cable

-

height

-

Available Switches

-

Dimensions

-

Warranty

-

Layout

-

Media keys

-

Detachable USB Cable

-

Key layout

-

Platforms

-

Keys

-

Switch Mount Type

-

Weight

-

USB Hub

-

Key backlighting

-

Macros

-

Cable

-

Length

-

Width

-

Case colours

-

Bridge cable

-

height

-

Pros + Cons

Pro
 Great quality

The materials and overall design is of good quality.
Comment

Pro
 Doesn't take much space

The Poker II takes less space than most keyboards, since it's tenkeyless.
Comment

Pro
 Easily customizable (both programmatically and with new keys)

It has a 100% standard ANSI layout and you can program keys to perform media control functions if desired.
Comment

Con
 Suffers from side flex

Since it doesn't have a faceplate, the Vortex KBC Poker II suffers from a bit of flex on its sides.
Comment

Con
 It's popular because it is ridiculously overpriced, even though it's underfeatured

This keyboard's price is much too high for the features it offers.
Comment

Pro
 Easily programmable and highly modifiable

This keyboard comes with the standard DIP switches to modify key behavior, but you can also completly swap out the controller board or even fork the TMK firmware to make your own keybindings in the firmware. Also available is the TMK controller board custom made for HHKB users.
Comment

Pro
 Very well built

The Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 is a very well built keyboard that uses materials that give it a tough body resistant to bending.
Comment

Pro
 Fluid key feel with Topre switches

This keyboard’s keys use Topre switches, which have a smooth, interesting feel: each key’s resistance is quickly lost once it starts being pressed. This sensation is accompanied by a unique and pleasantly organic “thock” sound. These hybrid switches have both a rubber dome and a spring which create the initial tactile bump feel and subsequent continuous action. If you want, these switches can be silenced, either by the manufacturer before purchasing or by following some DIY steps (easy to do, but time-consuming).
Comment

Pro
 Contributes to a more ergonomic workspace

The positioning of the numpad on traditional keyboards forces users to keep the mouse far on the right-hand side. With this keyboard's compact layout, a more ergonomic workspace can be created by allowing the mouse to be placed closer.
Comment

Pro
 The arrow keys, the page up/down keys and the media keys, among others, are easily usable via the Fn key, comfortably within reach

Even though there aren't dedicated keys for these functions, they can be easily used by pressing an easy-to-reach Fn key, placed just below Enter. Functions accessible via the Fn key are printed on the front of the keycap.
Comment

Pro
 Designed to keep you in home row

Eiiti Wada (a Japanese computer pioneer), the co-developer of this keyboard, is a UNIX user and wanted to make life easier for programmers, particularly vim and emacs. He aimed for a keyboard layout that allowed fingers to stay in the home row most of the time. For example, he placed the Control key where the Caps Lock traditionally is. Most *nix users and general power users know that Control is used more often than Caps Lock for various shortcuts. Therefore, this key repositioning makes sense, since it makes access easier, using the pinky fingers while keeping one's hand on the "home row" of keys.
Comment

Pro
 Compact & minimalistic

This keyboard uses a 60% layout that forgoes unneeded keys and merges the extra set of keys into the Fn layer. This mimics the behaviour found on most laptops due to size restrictions. Despite this, the more commonly used keys are left intact so that one does not feel too unfamiliar with the more compact layout. In addition to reducing the keyboard's size, it makes accessing virtually every key on the keyboard a breeze.
Comment

Pro
 The keycaps are made from PBT and the inscriptions are dye-sublimated

PBT plastic is a very brittle material that is able to withstand high temperatures, doesn't yellow or wear out easily. The dye sublimation process ensures the inscriptions don't wear off easily (compared to pad printed ABS, for example). This process usually requires keycaps to withstand high amounts of heat for the ink to transfer from one material to the other, something that's not possible with other commonly used plastics, like ABS. Dye-sublimated inscriptions are also better than laser, etched, or engraved inscriptions in the sense that they don't get dirt or dust as easily.
Comment

Con
 Lacks versatility outside of typing

The Pro 2’s design focus on typing and coding results in compromises that hinders other kinds of uses. It’s not an ideal keyboard for gaming: many games use the Function and arrow keys extensively and with the Pro 2, that requires double strokes or completely reconfiguring the key binds to fit the layout. Also, when it comes to crunching numbers and spreadsheet work, the absence of the arrow keys and a dedicated number pad makes this keyboard completely cumbersome and inefficient to use.
Comment

Con
 Expensive

There are many potential reasons as to why this keyboard is as expensive as it is, like the use of certain materials or the remarkable build quality. However, at the end of the day, its price is still quite higher than what most people are willing to spend on a keyboard.
Comment

Con
 No dedicated arrow keys

The HHKB Pro JP is the only version that has dedicated arrow keys. On the HHKP2 , these functions have to be used via the Fn key.
Comment

Con
 No metal backplate

The HHKB lacks a metal backplate. Most decent mechanical keyboards have a metal backplate that is usually mounted to the underside of the PCB. The inclusion of such a plate, aside from increased build quality, adds more stability by dampening vibration during use.
Comment

Con
 The USB hub only has 100 mW power

The USB hub on the HHKB only has 100 mW of power, so it might struggle to power some devices.
Comment

Con
 The traction feet are weak and the height feet are short

The traction feet do not actually provide much traction just as the height feet do not add that much height.
Comment

Con
 Lack of keycap/switch customization options

Due to the nature of the Topre switch, customization is very limited. On other keyboards, like those with Cherry MX switches, it is easy to swap switches. With Topre switches, this is only possible if a keyboard with the right set of rubber domes/cups is bought. This leads to a higher customization cost.
Comment

Con
 Manufacturer warranty is only valid under certain conditions

The warranty conditions specifically imply that the one year manufacturer’s warranty is only valid within Japan or if bought within the US from elitekeyboards.com. For all other countries, the warranty is considered void by default.
Comment

Pro
 Wireless and wired mode

The RK61 has both Bluetooth and wired connection modes.
Comment

Con
 No angle adjustment

Comment

Pro
 Relatively cheap

Comment

Pro
 Topre switches at a good price

Topre switches are a high end switch which typically cost a hefty premium. They have mechanical components protected underneath a rubber dome which makes them more durable.
Comment

Pro
 Solid construction

Heavier than the HHKB (Happy Hacking Keyboard).
Comment

Pro
 Topre switches are plate mounted

Topre switches aren't stand-alone switches, as in they are mounted to the plate. This means that the overall board is much stiffer (less flex) and less likely to have a key that feels bouncy.
Comment

Con
 Can suffer from squeeky "plastic on plastic" rubbing with the case

Comment

Con
 Non standard key sizes

Non standard key sizes means your aftermarket keycap options are limited to non-modifiers. This issue also exists with virtually every other keyboard that utilises the Topre switch.
Comment

Pro
 Compact and portable footprint

If you love your keyboard enough to want to use it everywhere, it should be portable, especially if it's as expensive as this one is. The FC660C is very compact and easy to carry around.
Comment

Pro
 Integrated mouse layer

The keyboard has an integrated mouse layer allowing the full control of mouse without moving the hands off the keyboard.
Comment

Pro
 No need to leave the home row

For maximum touch-typing productivity, one's hands should not leave the home row frequently. With conventional keyboards, this is not the case when navigation and function keys need to be used. On the HKB, via a thumb key press, several function layers can be activated, turning the home row keys into function keys.
Comment

Pro
 Feature customization via add-on modules

You can attach trackpoint, trackball, trackpad and additional key clusters to the board. This allows for extensive feature customization, for increased productivity and convenience.
Comment

Pro
 Ergonomic design

The UHK has a split design, since two keyboard halves result in a more natural typing posture. The halves are connected by a bridge cable, which expands and contracts as needed, occupying minimal desk space. The halves can be merged together as one, which is useful for transportation purposes or if you happen to prefer a one-piece keyboard.
Comment

Con
 Hard to use in parallel with standard keyboards

If you have multiple work environments (such as Home & Office) with different keyboards, the unique layout of this keyboard requires constant adjustments between the environments.
Comment

Pro
 Everything Combined- Anne Pro 2

This keyboard has many things you need. One of the best Bluetooth RGB lighting, Rigid body, Bright RGB lighting per key, lighting doesn’t flicker like in cameras; A user-friendly software that you can easily change lighting, add/set macros, and more software materials you can find in other softwares; things you made in software, gets saved inside of the keyboard, has a charge duration of 7-8 hours and fully charge time of 1-2 hours in Bluetooth setting, nearly none latency at wired mode/setting (1-3ms) and really close latency as wired mode/setting in Bluetooth mode/setting. Many people consider “Anne Pro 2” as the best 60% gaming keyboard.
Comment

Pro
 Priced really well

You get a lot of features for the money. Along with the 60% form factor ( most keyboards in this size are quite expensive ), you get full RGB lighting, ,PBT keycaps and Bluetooth connectivity, but at a lower price compared to other options.
Comment

Pro
 RGB lighting

You get per-key RGB lighting with the Anne Pro, along with a number of different lighting modes.
Comment

Pro
 Bluetooth connectivity

You can connect the Anne Pro to a computer without the hassle of wires, as it has built in Bluetooth connectivity.
Comment

Pro
 Smartphone app-controlled RGB customization

You can customize RGB colors and lighting modes using a smartphone app. This is a step-up from most non-big-name keyboard manufacturers that tend to go with on-keyboard customization control which can get quite confusing.
Comment

Pro
 8000Hz hyper-polling

Comment

Con
 Silver switches are noisy

Comment

Pro
 Very compact form

The MINILA is actually a 60% keyboard, but with a unique key layout has managed to fit the arrow keys.
Comment

Pro
 Arrow keys

The MINILA, while being a 60% keyboard, has managed to fit the arrow keys thanks to a unique key layout.
Comment
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