Contents
In case you are checking out a mechanical keyboard that can help you save space, a 65% mechanical keyboard should be something that can get your task done. They can be the right option to get the best of everything – compactness, functionality, and of course, and a comfortable usage. Choosing a 65% keyboard will ensure that you have enough space on your desk for the mice or other peripherals.
What is a 65% Keyboard?
The 65% keyboard is a compact keyboard and comes with a layout between a 60% keyboard and a full-sized keyboard. One of the prime differences between a full-sized keyboard and a 65% keyboard lies in the fact that the 65% mechanical keyboard does not come with a numerical keypad. In essence, a 65% keyboard is similar to a 60% keyboard but comes with arrow keys unlike the latter.
If you are someone who is used to the TenKeyLess keyboard and do not miss out on the num pad, switching to a 65% keyboard can help you save the much-needed desk space so that you can arrange your peripherals more comfortably.
A 65% keyboard comes with 68 keys. However, in certain cases, you may have 66 keys. In essence, a 65% keyboard will provide you with a better degree of comfortability with respect to portability, saving space on the desk, and improved aesthetics. In fact, they have been treated as the coolest mechanical keyboards.
The major difference between a full-sized keyboard and a 65% keyboard would be that it lacks the num pad, and you will also have the function key row removed.
Best 65% Keyboards You Can Buy in 2021
|
Keyboard |
Unique Features |
Key Switches |
| DUCKY MIYA Pro | Sleek and Compact | Cherry MX Brown, Blue, Black, Red, Silver, Clear, and Silent Red |
| Drop ALT Mechanical Keyboard | Hot-Swappable Keyboard | Halo Clears, Halo Trues, Kaihua box whites, Kaihua speed silvers, and Cherry MX Blues. |
| Ducky One 2 SF | Durable and Sturdy Design | Cherry MX Black, Brown, Red, Blue, Silver, and Silent Red |
| Keychron K6 | Hot-Swappable Design | Cherry MX Red |
| MagicForce 68 | Portable and Compact Design | Outemu Brown |
| Vortexgear Cypher 65% | Detachable USB-C Cable | Cherry MX Blue, Brown, or Silver |
| Durgod Hades 68 | Host of Software Customizations | Host of Cherry, Gateron, and Kailh switches. |
Without much ado, we will now check out the best keyboards with the 65% layout. We have sourced the list with a focus on the functionality and a host of other prime features.
Ducky MIYA Pro
Coming from Ducky, Ducky Miya Po is one of the excellent 65% keyboards that you can rely upon. The sleek -compact design coupled with a huge number of keyboard designs should ideally make it one of the quite reliable options you can go with. Offering you several keycaps designs and themes, the Ducky Miya Pro can be a great choice for those looking for a customized keyboard. In essence, it is one of the prime keyboards to have received best mechanical keyboard ratings among the 65% mechanical keyboards.
The keyboard comes with a host of key switch options that include Cherry MX Brown, Blue, Black, Red, Silver, Clear, and Silent Red. You can check out the options for any of the options among the linear, tactile and clicky switches. The superior-high-quality keycaps and an enhanced degree of switch performance should definitely make it one of the excellent choices you would want to go with. You would indeed find it to be one of the prime and prominent options for the best custom mechanical keyboard options.
The key switches are tested for 100 million keypresses, making it one of the prime options in terms of durability. The standard layout of the keycaps should be what would make it a reliable option for ordering replacement keycaps.
- A unique PBT keycap.
- An improved aesthetic.
- Cherry MX key switches.
- No additional features.
Drop ALT Mechanical Keyboard
The 65% keyboard from DROP comes with a 67 key configuration. One of the best hot-swappable 65% keyboard, it may have a slightly higher price tag. Despite the high price tag, the keyboard is worth the high cost. The keyboard does offer you access to several key switch options, a few of which include Halo Clears, Halo Trues, Kaihua box whites, Kaihua speed silvers, and Cherry MX Blues.
You can even opt for a few excellent choices for the custom keycaps. Some of the options available on the official website without any extra cost include GMK Red Samurai, MT3/dev/TTY, and XDA Canvas. The fully programmable QMK software offers you access to a great degree of programming your keyboard to a greater extent.
The PBT Doubleshot caps and software customization can be what would provide you a huge degree of enhancement. The RGB backlighting can further bring ahead the best standard in achieving the high standard efficiency. The optimized per-key lighting capability can further improve your experience.
- A unique PBT keycap.
- Top-quality QWERTY, Dvorak, and Colemak typing layouts.
- Portability.
- Detachable cable.
- Expensive price tag.
Ducky One 2 SF
Yet another keyboard from the Ducky family, the Ducky One 2 SF is known for its multiple color options. You can either go with the black or white color options based on what suits your aesthetic. The keyboard offers you access to two colorways with RGB backlighting. The Doubleshot PBT keycaps ensure a better degree of durability and sturdy design. It has been rated to be one of the coolest options for the black and white mechanical keyboard.
The key switch options available on the keyboard include Cherry MX Black, Brown, Red, Blue, Silver, and Silent Red. The two kickstand options with two different angle adjustments would provide you access to a fair degree of adjustability and ergonomics.
The smooth stabilizers and good switch compatibility coupled with the best in class RGB performance. The weight and sturdiness of the product further make it one of the factors it makes it a great option ever. It should be one of the huge options for almost all your needs in an ideal gaming keyboard.
- The ease of swapping out should be what further makes it a formidable choice.
- A complete macro support.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Detachable RGB keyboard.
- Quite expensive.
- No hot-swappable capability.
Keychron K6
One of the excellent choices for the budget 65% keyboard, it is one of the excellent options for almost all your expectations in terms of being a jack of all trades. The features such as RGB backlighting, options for wired and wireless connectivity, compatibility with Mac and Windows, and a nice aluminium frame should further make it a perfect competitor for almost all your needs in an enhanced keyboard.
The hot-swappable design of the keyboard is yet another plus point we found rather exciting and enhanced. The Keychron K6 offers you a sleek and compact design with a 68 key configuration. The wireless keyboard construction should be yet another prime feature we found quite impressive and effective.
The RGB lighting provides you with a great degree of efficiency that provides you with a 16.8 million color options, making it a cool RGB keyboard designs ever. You can also check out the static color backlighting feature if you are not comfortable with RGB backlighting. The keyboard comes with the Gateron mechanical switch with a 50 million keystroke lifespan. The N key rollover functionality is yet another enhanced option ever. You would definitely find it to be one of the best budget Cherry MX Red keyboard options ever.
- Wireless connectivity
- Compatibility with both Mac and Windows
- Aluminium frame construction
- Hot-swappable key switches
- Hollow sound
- Thicker design
MagicForce 68
The cheapest 65% mechanical keyboard, the MagicForce 68 can be one of the excellent choices for almost all your needs in a compact keyboard functionality. You get access to a 68 key layout that further enhances your experience in a portable and compact design. The keyboard does provide you access to the wired 65% keyboard functionality.
The affordable keyboard does provide you access to an enhanced floating style design. The keyboard does provide you access to the Outemu brown switches which can be considered to be one of the excellent options for the Cherry MX equivalent. The keyboard also comes with two kickstands and even a rubber feet for an enhanced comfort level.
The keyboard does offer you an aluminium plate and finish and a plastic case. The connection is achieved through a mini USB and which is a custom USB cable. It also comes with standard MagicForce 68 keycaps with the Cherry styled stabilizers. The three DIP switches at the rear should further make it one of the most reliable options for most of your expectations. The MagicForce 68 review stands a proof to indicate the essence of the best options offered by the keyboard.
- Wired and wireless connectivity options.
- The budget friendly options
- Standard layout design
- Limited switch functionality
- Cheaper switches
Vortexgear Cypher 65%
If you are looking for a no-frills 65% keyboard, the Vortexgear Cypher 65% keyboard should be one of the excellent options you would find quite practical and impressive. The keyboard comes with a plastic body and durable PBT keycaps. Get access to a nicer typing experience and the detachable USB -C keyboard. You can get access to a host of Cherry MX key switches some of which include Blue, Brown, or Silver switches.
The keyboard does provide you access to 68 keys The strong and durable construction should be one of the huge strengths that you stand to gain with the keyboard irrespective of its lightweight construction. The high-end customization options offered by the keyboard should definitely make it one of the strongest factors ever. You get PBT laser engraved keycaps along with the Cherry MX switches that would make it one of the enhanced services ever.
The keyboard does provide you access to a customizable layout with three kinds of layouts. You can access to several layouts that include Qwerty, Dvorak, and Colemak. The programmable functionality of the keyboard will offer you access to the ability to program up to 100 characters.
- An efficient and powerful build
- Secure and powerful stabilizers.
- Access for multiple layouts such as QWERTY, Dvorak, and Colemak
- LED lighting is not adequate.
Durgod Hades 68
The Durgod Hades 68 should be one of the excellent overall perfect 65% keyboards and a hot favorite for the rock-solid mechanical keyboard performance. The high quality, pre-lubed stabilizers can be something that would definitely provide you access to an extensive experience in terms of the plenty of switch options. You do get access to a few switch options that include Cherry, Gateron, and Kailh switches.
The Durgod Hades 68 does provide you access to a powerful per-key RGB with several light modes to choose from. The keyboard comes with the Doubleshot PBT keycaps. The highly customizable keycaps are re-mappable with support for up to 4 layers of keys. The bright and saturated RGB backlighting can be a great option for the perfect gaming experience.
The Durgod Hera Engine software is designed to create a host of software customizations. Some of the customization options we find interesting enough can include creating macros, tweaking RGB backlights, or even creating new backlight profiles. The pricing, however, maybe a little expensive.
- Robust and durable design
- A huge number of switch options
- Per key RGB backlighting
- A very handy customization
- Expensive
In Conclusion
The 65% keyboards have been one of the enhanced options for providing you access to a great degree of experience and enhancement for the perfect gaming performance. The space-saving design does not miss out on any of the functionality but streamlines your usage in a more positive manner.
While they are not as popular as the TenKeyLess keyboards, the 65% keyboards do provide you access to a far more improved and enhanced experience in terms of a great performance in a very minimalistic and aesthetic look to your gaming setup.
A Few FAQs
How many keys does a 65% keyboard have?
A 65% keyboard generally comes with 68 keys. In certain cases, a keyboard may come equipped with 66 or 67 keys as well.
What are the advantages of a 65% keyboard?
A 65% keyboard comes with the advantage of an ergonomics and compact design. You can be assured of an added mouse space making it one of the excellent options for an improved desk space management.
