Redragon K617 Fizz 60% (hot-swap, RGB)

Our analysis

The HyperX Alloy Rise 75 is also hot-swappable, wired over USB-C and lit with RGB, but at 75% it keeps the F row and the arrows, with a gasket-mounted aluminum build. The K617 Fizz cuts down to 61 keys, so the arrows, the F row and the numpad move behind the Fn layer and the board takes up less of the desk. It is our budget pick for a 60%, aimed at shooter players who want more room for the mouse and anyone buying a first mechanical keyboard.

What stands out

• A 60% layout that frees about six inches of width. Against a full-size board, on a small desk that extra strip decides whether you move the mouse from the elbow or the wrist, which matters at low sensitivity.
• Hot-swap for 3- and 5-pin switches. You can change switches without soldering, so it is a low-risk way into the custom keyboard hobby.
• Red linear switches. A press with no tactile bump and no click, straight down to the bottom.
• RGB and a USB-C cable. A detachable cable makes it easy to pack, which is also why it works as a gift.

Where it falls short

• You lose the arrow keys, the F row and the numpad. Those functions live behind the Fn layer, and for about a week you will reach for keys that are no longer there. That makes it a better fit for shooters than for spreadsheets or heavy typing for class.

Look elsewhere if

• You want to keep the arrows: the RK Royal Kludge RK68 is a 65% with 68 keys that brings back arrows and Delete while barely growing, also with hot-swap and RGB. If you need the numpad for work or MMO macros, the Redragon K580 VATA is full-size with dedicated macro keys.

It leads our list of the best budget gaming keyboards, and our keyboard layout guide explains when a 60% is the right call.