Royal Kludge - RK61 QMK/VIA

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)...

I would strongly recommend against that specific Royal Kludge model. The QMK/VIA versions of the RK61/R75/R65/R87 are OK. Magnetic is not going to give you better battery life. Even TMR requires more power than simple switches. Nuphy Air75 v2 perhaps.

First. Any of these 60% boards can be configured with mod-tap arrows, so the four modifier keys in the lower right corner act as arrow keys when tapped or modifiers when held. It works quite well. [Notes](https://github.com/ArgentStonecutter/keyboards/tree/main/layouts). * [Redragon K717 Alcor](https://redragonshop.com/products/alcor-k717-pro) * ($33) * [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/B0832CZNS5) * ($40) * [Womier WK61 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/COSTOM-WK61-PRO-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0F5HYHWY8) * ($31) Note that there are multiple rip-offs of the GK61 (Geeky, HKGaming, etc), and older inventory still being sold (Epomaker in particular seems to have a bunch), so only get the GK61 from that link if you go that way. Second, you can get a ["minila"](https://imgur.com/a/minila-layout-zaANnZG) layout board. * [YMDK DK61](https://ymdkey.com/products/ymdk-dk61-iso-ansi-via-vial-wired-hot-swap-hot-swappable-keyboard-kit) * (barebones, $88 wooden case, $38.50 bare PCB, you will need an alternate plate for minila layout) * [KBDcraft Adam 60%](https://kbdcraft.store/products/adam) * ($70 lego case) On the other hand, some games require you to be able to use navigation keys in combination with movement keys for things like flying or crouching, so you may be better off with a 75%. * [Inland Gaming MK Pro v2](https://www.microcenter.com/product/671236/inland-gaming-mk-pro-v2-3-modes-wireless-diy-custom-rgb-gaming-barebone-keyboard) ($45 barebones) * [Redragon K715](https://redragonshop.com/products/finke-k715-pro) * ($30, 15% off with XMAS) * [Royal Kludge RK R75 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R75-Mechanical/dp/B0CWGR5KM9) * ($51 with coupon) * [Womier Q75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Keyboard-Topographic-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0DQV22S2T) ($59) * [Womier Era75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Wireless-Mechanical-Pre-lubed-Swappable/dp/B0FGD7HWPW) ($63) * [Womier SK71 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Keyboard-Mechanical-Swappable-PRO-Black/dp/B0DSFWXFV7) ($65) * [Yunzii AL80](https://www.amazon.com/YUNZII-AL80-Wireless-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0DT73C6VP) ($84)

Best to get a regular electromechanical keyboard with hotswap sockets, and then swap the switches out with something like the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade that have a silicone buffer in to make them much much quieter. * https://github.com/ArgentStonecutter/keyboards/blob/main/replacing_switches.md And here are some 60-70% boards I would recommend: 60%: * [Redragon K717 Alcor](https://redragonshop.com/products/alcor-k717-pro) * ($33) * [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/B0832CZNS5) * ($40) * [Womier WK61 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/COSTOM-WK61-PRO-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0F5HYHWY8) * ($31) * [KBDcraft Adam 60%](https://kbdcraft.store/products/adam) * ($70 lego case) 65%: * [Womier VK66 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Percent-Keyboard-Mechanical-Mounted-Backlit/dp/B0CDC14PL5) * ($39) * [Womier Q61 v2](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ2PMSXP) * ($42) * [KBDCraft Lilith 65%](https://kbdcraft.store/products/lilith) ($85 lego case) * [XVX M67 Jadestone](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHCRJPR6) * ($47) * [XVX MU68](https://www.xvxchannel.com/products/xvx-mu68-fuji-wave-keyboard) * ($100 wood) * [Yunzii AL65](https://www.amazon.com/YUNZII-AL65-Mechanical-Structure-Swappable/dp/B0DRHYJPCF) ($80) * [Yunzii AL68](https://www.amazon.com/YUNZII-AL68-Mechanical-Swappable-Structure/dp/B0DG1QZR7N) * ($75) * [Weikav Nut65](https://www.amazon.com/Glacier-Wireless-Detachable-Swappable-Anodizing/dp/B0D5CBPPGJ) ($86) 75%: * [Monsgeek M1 v5](https://www.monsgeek.com/product/m1-v5-via-rapid-disassembly/) * ($80 barebones) * [Akko 5075B VIA](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FLDJZPH9) * ($60 barebones) * [Womier RD75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-RD75-Pro-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0DG82QD1X) ($95 w/ coupon) * [Womier WD75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Mechanical-Swappable-Translucent-Keycaps-POM/dp/B0DT8SP79R) * (wood! $90) * [Glencreag WK84](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYDM9N49) * (wood! $95 w/ coupon) * [Redragon K715](https://redragonshop.com/products/finke-k715-pro) * ($30, 15% off with XMAS) * [Royal Kludge RK R75 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R75-Mechanical/dp/B0CWGR5KM9) * ($51 with coupon) * [Womier Q75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Keyboard-Topographic-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0DQV22S2T) ($59) * [Womier Era75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Wireless-Mechanical-Pre-lubed-Swappable/dp/B0FGD7HWPW) ($63) * [Womier SK71 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Keyboard-Mechanical-Swappable-PRO-Black/dp/B0DSFWXFV7) ($65) * [Yunzii AL80](https://www.amazon.com/YUNZII-AL80-Wireless-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0DT73C6VP) ($84) * [Keychron J2](https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-j2-qmk-wireless-mechanical-keyboard) * ($70) * [Kiiboom Phantom 81 Lite](https://www.amazon.com/KiiBoom-Mechanical-Programmable-Backlights-Hot-Swappable/dp/B0FB93MCLG) * ($91)

Rk61 probably, always buy used, there's an aula win60/68 and that's pretty cheap for me here, but I don't think that magnetic boards are worth the price, there are a ton more budget mechanical

I have a Royal Kludge RK61 just because it was cheap and i wanted a mechanical keyboard. Now i realise i cannot use it for a long period of time at work because it is to high. I know it is hot swappeble, but can i low profile switches on this keyboard. it wil be the right height then and i dont wanna buy another keyboard because it will be more expensive.

Tried RK61, real flimsy. Slight modification makes it great

Get rk61. Been using it for years now. If a switch stops working then you can swap it.

Act fast, these are almost always $50... [PCPartPicker Part List](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mG8T9c) |Type|Item|Price| |:-|:-|:-| |**Keyboard**|[RK Royal Kludge RK61 Bluetooth/Wireless/Wired Mini Keyboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/khNYcf/rk-royal-kludge-rk61-bluetoothwirelesswired-mini-keyboard-338395023)|$39.99 @ Amazon| |*Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts*||| |**Total**|**$39.99**|| |Generated by [PCPartPicker](https://pcpartpicker.com) 2025-03-26 00:52 EDT-0400||| Buy [these](https://www.amazon.com/Akko-Keyboard-Dustproof-Mechanical-Switches/dp/B0C3H8NVJV?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1) to go with it, also act FAST, they're usually $15 to $18. You can find keycaps [like these](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4JVVCTK/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?pf_rd_p=7804c0a5-3e3d-4d4d-a2b2-cb8458cc8b1f&pf_rd_r=EDWRPHE8R8YJXDHGX9AK&pd_rd_wg=JysOL&pd_rd_w=j8xPv&content-id=amzn1.sym.7804c0a5-3e3d-4d4d-a2b2-cb8458cc8b1f&pd_rd_r=761964b9-efef-4260-be61-e92d946d7d22&s=pc&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1) for cheap, just dig around amazon. I got mine for like $10 or so.

Same issue here, now using the RK60 keyboard with some cheap silent switches from amazon. Works very well, though if you're literally in the same room I don't think anything will help enough lol.

Check out the Keychron K6. It’s a good choice in the 75% size. It’s wireless, has hot-swappable switches, and you might find it cheap if you look around. Another one to check out is the Royal kludge RK61; it’s pretty good for the price and has similar stuff... People here usually mention keyboardyeti for comparing specs, so that’s worth a look too.

If you’re looking for 60%, I recommend the RK61 and red dragon k617 fizz. For TKL options there’s the k552 and the Womier SK80 which is only around $10 above your budget.

Hey guys I’m looking for a wireless 75% keyboard (UK layout). I’m a programmer and I have been using Royal Knudge 61. I tried my friend’s keyboard which is epomaker mt100 and i really likes how the keys go down. But I then heard epomaker is a “dropshipper” • wireless only — 2.4GHz preferred but Bluetooth is fine (I just don’t want wired for the clutter) • 75% layout • Budget 50 -70€ ( I think thats a reasonable price?) • Might consider Temu / Aliexpress Bonus: • Knob Models I’ve seen and am considering: • Epomaker HE75 Mag • ATTACK SHARK X85 • YINDIAO / AK820 Pro • YUNZII YZ75 (Pro) • Aula 75