The new QMK versions of the RK61, RK R65, RK R75, and RK R87 are quite nice. All their other boards are distilled ass because of their lousy restrictive software. I had one of the old R87s and gave it away because it was so awful.
Yuck. Just no. Here's what I would recommend:
60%:
* [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)
* [YMDK DK61](https://ymdkey.com/products/ymdk-dk61-iso-ansi-via-vial-wired-hot-swap-hot-swappable-keyboard-kit) * ($88 barebones, wooden case)
* [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)
* [Royal Kludge RK R65 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R65-Mechanical/dp/B0CNP1BG1W) * ($48 with coupon)
* [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)
* [XVX MU68](https://www.xvxchannel.com/products/xvx-mu68-fuji-wave-keyboard) * ($100 wood)
* [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.amazon.com/MONSGEEK-M1-Topographic-Hot-swappable-Side-Printed/dp/B0FH6LKTST) ($105)
* [Akko 5075B VIA](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FLDJZPH9) ($60 barebones)
* [YMDK YMD75](https://ymdkey.com/collections/75-diy) * ($64-$110 diy)
* [Inland Gaming MK Pro 75](https://www.microcenter.com/product/664376/inland-gaming-mk-pro-75-barebones-keyboard) * (~~$85~~ $40 barebones, in-store only)
* [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) * ($170)
* [Womier WD75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Mechanical-Swappable-Translucent-Keycaps-POM/dp/B0DT8SP79R) * (wood! $96)
* [Glencreag WK84](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYDM9N49) * (wood! $95 w/ coupon)
* [Redragon K715](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K715-Programmable-Mechanical-Dedicated/dp/B0DKXLDJ24) * ($32.50)
* [Royal Kludge RK R75 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R75-Mechanical/dp/B0CWGR5KM9) * ($51 with coupon)
80%:
* [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-B87-Mechanical-Keyboard-Swappable/dp/B0DFG91F96) (hotswap knob, $40)
* [ElecFox Linky87](https://www.elecfox.co/products/linky-87-tkl-customized-mechanical-keyboard-87-keys-wired-wireless-bluetooth-led-gaming-keyboard) ($40)
* [Jamesdonkey J4](https://www.amazon.com/JamesDonkey-Mechanical-Bluetooth-Hot-swappable-Compatible/dp/B0F62ML1BT) ($53)
* [Weikav Stars80 v2](https://www.amazon.com/BOYI-Aluminum-Mechanical-Keyboard-Programmable/dp/B0F6VQ7J94) ($99)
* [Womier SK87](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ6ZTBGH) * ($69, seems identical to Stars80 v1)
* [Yunzii B87](https://www.amazon.com/YUNZII-Wireless-Mechanical-Keyboard-Programmable/dp/B0DLKZ4HBW) ($70)
* [Zouya GMK87](https://www.amazon.com/Cmokifuly-Mechanical-Keyboard-Tri-Mode-Programmable/dp/B0D9WLRRG5) * ($76 NOT QMK)
96%:
* [YMDK 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)
* [Redragon K742](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K742-Mechanical-Bluetooth-Swappable/dp/B0F93FMYD5) * ($56 with coupon)
* [Nuphy Halo96](https://www.amazon.com/nuphy-Halo96-V2-Mechanical-2-4GHz-White/dp/B0D8634FK6) ($140)
* [Yunzii IF99](https://www.amazon.com/YUNZII-IF99-Wireless-Mechanical-Programmable/dp/B0DT6MWNHP) ($100, not tested)
[More](https://github.com/ArgentStonecutter/keyboards/blob/main/via-boards.md)...
Disclaimers: Avoid Epomaker or Keychron unless you enjoy abusive customer support experiences. The Keychron website is a good place to browse layouts so long as you're just windowshopping. My mention of specific boards is not a general endorsement of Royal Kludge and Redragon. Most of their boards are completely ass, they just have a few recent boards with QMK firmware that are decent. If you go with Royal Kludge or Skyloong only buy those specific boards linked because they have older proprietary boards with the same model name.
PS: If you're in Europe these are kind of amazing:
* [Sharkoon Skiller SGK50 S3](https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Sharkoon-Skiller-Barebone-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B0F8HQFGVL) (€130)
* [Sharkoon Skiller SGK50 S2](https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Sharkoon-Skiller-Barebone-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B0F8HXJJG6) (€140)
* [Sharkoon Skiller SGK50 S4](https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Sharkoon-Skiller-Barebone-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B0F8HVQCQM) (€120)
They also have plastic boards that are like half the price, but damn those wooden cases are sweet.
A regular electromechanical keyboard is just fine for gaming.
Get one with QMK firmware and VIA or VIAL support so you don't need a proprietary "driver" or web app.
Soldered PCBs that aren't shipped already populated are mostly going to be expensive boutique boards. I think the main hobby-priced options there would be YMDK and KPRepublic which are kind of the Heathkit of the keyboard world. 1upkeyboards has some inexpensive soldered 60% boards too.
* https://ymdkey.com/
* https://kprepublic.com/
* https://1upkeyboards.com/
These are all GH60/Pok3r mount, so there are zillions of cases that are compatible with these PCBs.
If you just want a 60% keyboard with QMK firmware, about the only option I'm finding on Amazon CA is the Royal Kludge RK61. The default layout is kind of crazy weird 15-layer emulation of their terrible legacy firmware, though, so you'll want to change that. You can tweak it using VIA, or the firmware source was recently accepted into the QMK repo and I've built firmware for mine with a better layout and VIAL support so you can use combos and tap-dance.
* https://www.amazon.ca/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-Mechanical-Ultra-Compact/dp/B0832LSV8N
My firmware:
* https://github.com/ArgentStonecutter/keyboards/tree/main/royalkludge/rk61/vialx
* https://github.com/ArgentStonecutter/vial-qmk/tree/royal_kludge_sandbox/keyboards/royal_kludge/rk61/keymaps/vialx
Pics:
* [1upkeyboards Pi60 HSE](https://i.imgur.com/MmSzbAN.png)
* [YMDK DK61](https://i.imgur.com/XySycLu.jpeg)
Okay first off most mechanical wireless keyboards are what they call trimode - they work over usb, bluetooth, or 2.4 gigahertz dongle. You can (and I generally do) disconnect the battery completely (o even remove it) and treat them as purely wired. Second, the Keychron Q and V series boards are generally available both in wired only and in trimode. Third... they have been having terrible quality control problems with both of these product lines and I really can't recommend them.
On the other hand, you may find that a better deal would be to get two keyboards, a small, possibly magnetic board for gaming and a full-sized or 96% board for work. For the letter the Monsgeek M2 V5 via is kind of the platonic ideal of a 96% aluminum board. The YMDK YMD96 in the wooden case is a simpler, more compact and I think rather elegant option.
Magnetic boards, you'll have to ask someone else. I have been increasingly disappointed in the options, even the Keychron offerings have some clangers.
For a smaller conventional board, I like the Keychron J2 enough I bought extras for my media laptop and for hacking on... I've been customizing the firmware. Or the RK RK61, though that one really *needs* heavy customization... the default layout is terrible. I have custom layout.json files as well as firmware source and images to improve it rather a lot.
They have a problem that started late 2023 or early 2024 with the very flexible plate and PCB in many of the Q and V series boards with the gasket mount, where over time the switches get loosened and worked out of the PCB by the pressure of the plate and the plate foam, and you start getting bouncing and missed keystrokes. Keychron's customer support is most abusively bad, and they make people jump through all kinds of Hoops to deal with this. I have seen reports that this has been fixed in more recent versions but there's still a lot of old stock in the pipeline, and I have seen reports of people having these problems with more recent boards. My own Q Series boards are much older than the start of the problem but looking at pictures that people have posted it looks to me like the plate foam is just too thick and heavy, and some people have reported that rebuilding the board without any plate foam solves the problem at the cost of some change in the feel and sound of the board.
You may never have an issue but it's a risk.
The m2v5 is perfectly good as an office board, that's actually what I was recommending it for. It's a little bit big and heavy in my opinion for a game board but some people like a battleship.
To get an idea of the sizes and layouts that are available, the Keychron website is actually a good place to just browse to get an idea of what board configuration spark joy in your heart.
I have been a 75% fan since the early 90s, and lately I've kind of flipped to even smaller boards.
Polling rate isn't everything, in fact the RK61 you're linking has been measured by rtings: [https://www.rtings.com/keyboard/reviews/royal-kludge/rk61](https://www.rtings.com/keyboard/reviews/royal-kludge/rk61)
And the latency was quite bad by modern standards (17ms+-6ms).
Note: the rtings probably did the test on a non-QMK version, so these numbers could in theory be different with the QMK one, though I have no idea how much it can be improved (and I would be interested to know about it)
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.
for that budget, you have some solid options. the [Redragon K552](https://featherab.com/shopit?market=am&search_keywords=Redragon+K552) is a classic starter board that is tough and feels decent. if you can stretch the budget a little, the [Royal Kludge RK61](https://featherab.com/shopit?market=am&search_keywords=RK61+keyboard) is wireless and has hot swap sockets which is huge for trying new switches later. both are great for getting into competitive gaming without breaking the bank.
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1
Wooting
80HE
80% positive of 230 users
Elite gaming performance, deep customization, but divisive typing feel.
ArgentStonecutter
