Redragon - K717 PRO

Your best option would be the [Nuphy Air60](https://nuphy.com/products/air60-v2), a slim wireless 60% with a "minila" layout that shifts the "Z" row 1/4 key width to the right to give you room to fit arrow keys and a delete key in the lower right corner. It is almost exactly what you're asking for, the low profile switches are quiet but not silent. It blows your budget out of the water though. The RK61 QMK/VIA version is not bad. The legacy version is awful^(*), though, and the new version is wired-only. The RK R65 QMK/VIA is a 65%, only very slightly larger, but it has separate arrow keys and wireless support. * https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R65-Mechanical/dp/B0D5HCQPY8 For silent switches, you'll have to spend a little more and swap them out yourself. I recommend the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, you can get a package of 70 for under $20 even with Amazon prices which is enough for any of these boards. You can also get the CIDOO QK61 or Redragon^(**) K717 Alcor and configure them with mod-tap arrows, which lets you use the right-hand shift/alt/win/ctl keys as arrows when you tap them. * https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K717-Programmable-Mechanical-Dampening/dp/B0DL578X3K * https://www.amazon.com/MechLands-QK61-Programmable-Swappable-Mechanical/dp/B0D8VMD3P3 [More info](https://github.com/ArgentStonecutter/keyboards/blob/main/via-boards.md)... Moving up a little bit in size, you might find you can fit a 75% board in your bag. The RK R75 and Redragon K715 are decent options. * https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R75-Mechanical/dp/B0D3GZYN1P * https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K715-Programmable-Mechanical-Dedicated/dp/B0DKXLDJ24 For these boards you will need a 90 pack of silent switches. Finally, you can build a Minila layout board from parts, using the YMDK DK61 or DKKB DK6064 PCBs. This is a bit adventurous though. [More info](https://github.com/ArgentStonecutter/keyboards/tree/main/layouts/yr6095)... ----- ^(* All the legacy Royal Kludge boards are pretty awful, the new QMK/VIA boards seem to be a bit of an about turn. That would be the *QMK/VIA* versions of the RK61, RK R65, RK R75, and RK R87) ^(** Same caveat as Royal Kludge, only the K715 and K717 are good boards)

The RK61 QMK/VIA is one I have recommended. Any other version of the RK61 is completely pants. The QMK RK61, and the other new QMK 60% keyboards (Skyloong GK61 QMK/VIA, Redragon K717 Alcor, and CIDOO QK61), are fundamentally equivalent boards even though their features and default configuration are quite different, because they are running QMK firmware with VIA configuration enabled. The layout and key configuration you can perform with VIA is far more extensive than any proprietary board and software. In particular you can use mod-tap to make the right hand modifiers (shift and the three keys underneat it) act as arrows when tapped but whatever the face of the key says when held. This makes a 60% board as convenient to use as one with dedicated arrow keys. Razer has nothing comparable. [More](https://github.com/ArgentStonecutter/keyboards/tree/main/layouts)...

If you want a quiet keyboard, you need to get silent switches and replace the "percussive" ones that come with it. There's a whole mythos that's grown up about the noise keyboards make. You can get a set of Outemu silent switches for about $18-$25 depending on the size of your keyboard. * https://www.amazon.com/PAKJEL-Outemu-Pre-Lubed-Mechanical-Keyboard/dp/B0CFF76YRG * https://www.amazon.com/KPREPUBLIC-Tactile-Mechanical-Keyboard-Factory/dp/B0D773KH74 * https://www.amazon.com/KPREPUBLIC-Outemu-Mechanical-Keyboard-Tactile/dp/B0BZ48GW7K * https://www.amazon.com/Metrickeys-Pre-Lubed-Tactile-Mechanical-Keyboard/dp/B0DQQ3T3RH Try one of these keyboards: * [Redragon K717 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K717-Programmable-Mechanical-Dampening/dp/B0DL578X3K) * ($30) * [CIDOO QK61](https://www.amazon.com/MechLands-QK61-Programmable-Swappable-Mechanical/dp/B0D8VMD3P3) * ($60) * [Skyloong GK61 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/MOLGRIA-Dual-Space-Swappable-Double-Shot-Mechanical/dp/B0CZ9F8P76) * ($54) * [Royal Kludge RK61 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-Mechanical-Ultra-Compact/dp/B089GN2KBT) * ($40) * [Womier WK61 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/COSTOM-WK61-PRO-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0F5HYHWY8) * ($31) * [Womier VK66 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Percent-Keyboard-Mechanical-Mounted-Backlit/dp/B0CDC14PL5) * ($39) * [KBDcraft Adam 60%](https://kbdcraft.store/products/adam) * ($70 lego case) * [KBDCraft Lilith 65%](https://kbdcraft.store/products/lilith) ($85 lego case) * [Akko YU01](https://www.amazon.com/Akko-Mechanical-Transparent-Swappable-Bluetooth/dp/B0DJ77MY6V) * ($129) * [XVX M67 Jadestone](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHCRJPR6) * ($47) * [Inland Gaming MK Pro 75](https://www.microcenter.com/product/664376/inland-gaming-mk-pro-75-barebones-keyboard) * ($85 barebones, $100 prebuilt) * [Womier RD75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-RD75-Pro-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0DG82QD1X) ($95 w/ coupon) * [Kiiboom Loop75](https://www.amazon.com/KiiBoom-Loop-75-Structure-Mechanical/dp/B0D62RNXXM) * ($85 w/ coupon) * [Womier WD75](https://womierkeyboard.com/products/womier-wd75) * (wood! $86, $76 without the ugly caps) * [Glencreag WK84](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYDM9N49) * (wood! $95 w/ coupon) * [Jamesdonkey J2](https://www.amazon.com/JamesDonkey-Wireless-Mechanical-Keyboard-Swappable/dp/B0DQWL5GS7) * (make sure you get the hotswap version) * [Redragon K715](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K715-Programmable-Mechanical-Dedicated/dp/B0DKXLDJ24) * ($32.50) * [Royal Kludge RK R65 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R65-Mechanical/dp/B0CNP1BG1W) * (make sure you get the QMK/VIA version, $48 with coupon) * [Royal Kludge RK R75 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R75-Mechanical/dp/B0CWGR5KM9) (make sure you get the QMK/VIA version, $51 with coupon) * [Royal Kludge RK R87 Pro QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R87-Pro/dp/B0D5B2LRB5) (hotswap knob(!), $55) * [iLoveBee B87](https://www.amazon.com/iLovBee-Wireless-Mechanical-Bluetooth-Swappable/dp/B0D1XLXGBK) ($51) * [ElecFox Linky87](https://www.elecfox.co/products/linky-87-tkl-customized-mechanical-keyboard-87-keys-wired-wireless-bluetooth-led-gaming-keyboard) ($40) * [Monsgeek M1 v5](https://www.monsgeek.com/product/monsgeek-m1-v5-via-1980s-mechanical-keyboard/) ($95) * [Akko 5075B VIA](https://en.akkogear.com/product/5075b-via) ($60 barebones) * YMDK [YMD75](https://ymdkey.com/collections/75-diy) ($64-$110 diy) and [YMD96](https://ymdkey.com/collections/96-diy) ($60-$142 diy) * [Monsgeek M2 v5 VIA](https://www.monsgeek.com/product/monsgeek-m2-v5-via-mechanical-keyboard) ($120) [More](https://github.com/ArgentStonecutter/keyboards/blob/main/via-boards.md)...

There's only two Redragon boards I would recommend, the k715 and k717. They're QMK/VIA and don't use the awful native Redragon software. One of the best options for Europeans are the oddly-named Sharkoon Skiller SGK50, they're legit QMK/VIA boards available in 60%, 75%, and 96% form factors, with plastic or wooden cases. I haven't had a chance to try one myself because they're not available in the US. Eg: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Sharkoon-Skiller-Gaming-Keyboard-Gateron/dp/B0DHCF13Q6

Cheap QMK boards, $42 and under: * [Redragon K717 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K717-Programmable-Mechanical-Dampening/dp/B0DL578X3K) * ($20) * [Royal Kludge RK61 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-Mechanical-Ultra-Compact/dp/B089GN2KBT) * ($40) * [Womier WK61 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/COSTOM-WK61-PRO-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0F5HYHWY8) * ($31) * [Womier VK66 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Percent-Keyboard-Mechanical-Mounted-Backlit/dp/B0CDC14PL5) * ($39) * [Redragon K715](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K715-Programmable-Mechanical-Dedicated/dp/B0DKXLDJ24) ($32.50) * [ElecFox Linky87](https://www.elecfox.co/products/linky-87-tkl-customized-mechanical-keyboard-87-keys-wired-wireless-bluetooth-led-gaming-keyboard) ($40) Most of these are delivered from Amazon US within a couple of days. [More](https://github.com/ArgentStonecutter/keyboards/blob/main/via-boards.md)...

1. Don't get optical anything under any circumstances. 2. I'm not kidding about the "no optical" thing. 3. Can you get the Redragon K717 or other QMK/VIA/VIAL board? 5. PS: NO OPTICALS.

Most of the RK and Redragon boards use their Windows drivers that are pretty much completely pants compared to VIA. The ones I've listed have a completely different firmware base and drivers - the QMK open source firmware and the VIA or in a few cases VIAL open-source web-apps for drivers. Plus for the small 60% boards QMK supports mod-tap like the old Anne Pro 2 so you still effectively have arrow keys without needing a function shift. Really, the [Redragon K717](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K717-Programmable-Mechanical-Dampening/dp/B0DL578X3K) is so cheap and so good that it should be everyone's first mechanical, if an ANSI board is on the table. The [PCB](https://preview.redd.it/n4y46lzjip8e1.png?width=724&format=png&auto=webp&s=f37aa09933ecb92209f24ac9e17a1fb8e365a924) is laid out to support ISO but it needs soldering work and a new plate to actually kit it out that way.

The only decent Redragon boards are the K717 and K715.

The software for Redragon's legacy boards ranks somewhere between awful and appalling.

If you really want a budget north-facing board, and don't mind 60%, the Redragon and Womier boards I linked in the other question are north-facing for about $30. With mod-tap arrows they're pretty transparent to use.

Even without gasket mounting and dampening foam silent switches are 99.44% of the way there. I really like the Redragon k717 Alcor ($20) and it's getting Outemu Silent Yellow Jade ($18). I currently have Silent Lemon in it and you can hear a little papery whisper from the slightly scratchy stems. Also a bit of leaf ping, but the tray mounted cheap plastic plate contributed very little.

If there is any way to get the Redragon k717 instead, do that. It completely outclasses the older k617 and k530 in every way. * https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DL578X3K Other options: * [Redragon K717 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K717-Programmable-Mechanical-Dampening/dp/B0DL578X3K) * ($18) * [CIDOO QK61](https://www.amazon.com/MechLands-QK61-Programmable-Swappable-Mechanical/dp/B0D8VMD3P3) * ($60) * [Skyloong GK61 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/MOLGRIA-Dual-Space-Swappable-Double-Shot-Mechanical/dp/B0CZ9F8P76) * ($54) * [Royal Kludge RK61 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-Mechanical-Ultra-Compact/dp/B089GN2KBT) * ($40) * [Womier WK61 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/COSTOM-WK61-PRO-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0F5HYHWY8) * ($29)

Don't buy evofox I have it and switches stopped working after 5-6 months , for 4k you have alot more good options but red dragon / Amazon basics (60% ) are same if you can go for 60% then go with it . 2k rupees and sounds amazing comes with lubed switches , stabilizer

Red Dragon Mechanical Cheap AF , going on 5 years