Best 65% keyboards for gaming, typing and programming 2025
The smallest mechanical keyboard size with arrow keys.
For me, 65 percent size keyboards are perfect. They straddle the line between compact and functional, with the arrow and navigational keys I rely on daily but without the cruft I don't, like the numpad or Function row. They're ideal for working on the go, often perfectly matched to the size of laptop keyboards, and provide tons of mousing space. Best of all, this form factor has seen an explosion of popularity, with even the biggest gaming brands exploring this brave new world once inhabited solely by mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Here are 10 of our favourite 65 percent size mechanical keyboards in 2025, based on thousands of hours of building, testing, tweaking, gaming and typing over the past 20 years.
Best 65 percent keyboards for gaming, typing and programming 2025
- Cherry Xtrfy K5V2 Compact - Best overall
- Varmilo Muse65 HE - Best magnetic switch
- Corsair K65 Pro Mini - Best quiet
- Fnatic Streak65 - Best budget
- Keychron Q16 HE 8K - Best premium
- Lemokey P2 HE - Best design magnetic
- Luminkey Magger 68 HE - Best build quality magnetic
- Syntech Chronos 68 - Best for esports
- Drop CSTM65 - Best minimalist
- Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 - Best customisable
- Royal Kludge RK68 - Best cheap
It's a layout size that makes a lot of sense for a lot of people, which is why it's quickly become a staple of ranges offered by manufacturers big and small, and the mechanical keyboard boom of the last couple of years has only accelerated that process further.
Simply choose a keyboard you like the sound of from the list above, or scroll on for our full recommendations - plus a quick FAQ section at the end! As always, if you have any questions or comments, then do let me know via the comments or the Twitter link at the end of the article, as I'm always keen to make these guides as useful as possible.
Cherry Xtrfy K5V2 CompactNew Cherry MX2A switches, software-free customisation |
The Cherry Xtrfy K5V2 Compact is our new top 65 percent keyboard for 2024, as it's a compelling option that feels phenomenal for typing and gaming alike - and comes with bags of features without requiring any software at all.
The great key feel is down to the use of Cherry's own MX2A switches, which provide a much smoother, quieter and more uniform key press than the firm's venerable MX switch designs - which were beginning to be outpaced by third-party alternatives. We first saw these new MX2A switches on 2023's KC 200 MX, an office-focused board, but in a proper gaming design with soft touch ABS keycaps, pre-lubed stabilisers and a more durable case with layers of sound-dampening foam they feel even better: smooth, quiet and yet still with that precise mechanical feel. Strong RGB doesn't hurt either!
Interestingly, the board doesn't operate at the higher 2000Hz to 8000Hz polling rates offered by some competition-focused rivals, but boasts of a 2000Hz/0.5ms key scanning rate instead. I don't have the equipment to test the effect on latency, but it's an interesting move in a world where higher polling rates (and rapid trigger technology) are becoming increasingly common.
Xtrfy was formed from the legendary Ninjas in Pyjamas esports organisation, and as such their products tend to eschew software controls for tournament-legal adjustments on the device itself. That's the case here too, with almost every key coming with a secondary function. You can record and replay macros, control the mouse, alter the backlighting, adjust the volume and skip songs, access keys not physically present on the compact layout and much more besides. This is an awesome approach and I love that it's a viable option versus the Razer/Corsair software-first paradigm - which has its benefits but also loads up your PC with software that needs updating, takes up resources and occasionally misbehaves. With the K5V2, you get none of those downsides, which certainly appeals to me.
Varmilo Muse65 HEA stylish, well-built Hall Effect keyboard |
The Varmilo Muse65 HE has it all: modern magnetic switches that add novel gaming features, a choice between several attractive colourways and excellent fundamental design, offering a smooth and satisfying typing experience.
Like other magnetic switch keyboards from the likes of Wooting, you can freely adjust the actuation point of each switch, allowing you to set up the keyboard for extremely rapid inputs for gaming or deeper presses that help prevent typos when writing. The rapid trigger feature is handy for gaming too, minimising the time it takes your game of choice to recognise when a key is being pressed or released. The software side is not as advanced as Wooting or Razer's offerings, but the fundamental performance is definitely here.
This is also a superb keyboard to work on, which is why it's stayed on my desk far longer than has been necessary to write up this review. Gateron Magnetic Jade linear switches are linear, but they are extremely smooth and produce a lovely deep sound. Internally, there are plenty of features not found in typical gaming boards from Corsair or Razer: an aluminium plate, layers of silicone sound dampening and a full CNC-machined aluminium alloy case as well. Add on the high-quality PBT keycaps, and you've got a superb keyboard for writing, coding or just getting work done.
My review unit came in the Aurora colourway, with darker modifiers, lighter alphanumerics and an aurora borealis themed enter key, but there are four more similarly advanced designs available: Asgard (dark with runic keycaps), Ariel (bright and cloudy keycaps), Sakura (pink and white with cherry blossoms) and Summit (blue gradients into white keycaps). If you want your fancy new keyboard to look the part too, the Muse65 definitely hits the mark.
Corsair K60 Pro MiniA refined Corsair board with optical switches and sound dampening |
The 2023 Corsair K65 Pro Mini sounds like a follow-up to the 2021 K65 Mini, yet it uses a different form factor - 65 percent rather than 60 percent. Beyond the slightly larger layout, there's a clear through line between the two compact designs, with the new K65 Pro Mini opting for a lower-profile metal chassis and Corsair's OPX optical key switches for faster response times.
Like its predecessor, the K65 Pro Mini supports up to an 8000Hz polling rate via a detachable USB-C cable, with double-shot PBT keycaps and two layers of sound-dampening foam providing a luxurious typing feel. Corsair's iCUE software and RGB lighting in general is some of the best in the business, and with the range of Corsair's current product stack it's possible to coordinate lighting effects across a wide range of internal components and external peripherals.
The K65 Pro Mini is more expensive at debut than its K65 Mini predecessor, but no doubt we'll see it become more affordable over time - and you're certainly getting a superior typing and gaming experience here, thanks to the upgraded design, the inclusion of arrow keys and the new optical switches. Corsair aimed for a keyboard that feels great right out of the box, no modification required, and that's exactly what they've delivered.
Fnatic Streak 65 LPAn all-out gaming board that performs beautifully, at a low price |
The Fnatic Streak 65 is our second-favourite 65 percent keyboard, offering all of the functionality you need for competitive games in a small, convenient form factor. The keyboard uses Fnatic's own silent, linear and low profile 'speed' mechanical switches, allowing extremely rapid key presses and making double-taps easier in shooters and action games. As well as not taking up much desk space, a 22mm height and 420g weight means that this keyboard will fit in a bag or even the front pocket of a hoodie easily. The compact dimensions and aluminium frame contribute to a very sturdy feel too.
Beyond the form factor, Fnatic have done well to nail the details here as well. The stabilisers on larger keys are pre-lubed for silent and easy operation, the USB-C port is offset to the left to ensure the cable doesn't interfere with your mouse and the legends on each keycap are inscribed with a legible, grown-up font. The switch housings are even transparent and two extra LEDs are embedded beneath the space bar to ensure that the customisable RGB lighting is evenly distributed throughout the board. I particularly liked the inclusion of a 'competition mode', which sets to the lighting to dim orange and locks the Windows key.
Fnatic has also released the more premium Streak 65 LP, which adds double-shot PBT keycaps, a coiled USB-C cable, sound-dampening foam and improved spacebar lighting. I'd say it's worth the extra money - but both options remain excellent choices.
Keychron Q16 HE 8KCeramic keycaps and chassis, with 8K polling |
The Keychron Q16 HE 8K is one of the more expensive boards on this list, but it looks and feels the part with an unusual full ceramic construction, with the chassis and keycaps both feeling slick and cool. The keyboard sounds great too, with the ceramic, TMR linear switches, layers and sound dampening and factory lubrication all contributing to a relatively deep and satisfying keypress sound.
TMR switches are essentially a better version of a Hall Effect magnetic switches, so you get the same FPS-focused features like rapid trigger and SOCD (called "snap click" here), plus a significant increase to scan rate (256K vs 8K) and distance sensitivity (0.01mm vs 0.1mm). I haven't noticed any improvement in actual gameplay though, given how immediate modern HE boards feel already, but this might still act as a small placebo. Speaking of placebos, 8KHz polling is also included, though this can strain weaker CPUs and is only recommended for extremely high refresh rate gaming.
Elsewhere, the Q16 HE is easy to use and feels extremely durable. The layout shrinks the bottom right modifiers to 1x sizes, includes dedicated arrow keys and a dedicated row for navigation keys as well, all of which are perfectly acceptable to me. In terms of the software, we're looking at Keychron's web launcher, which is by now extremely polished, laid out logically and offers all of the options you'd expect - without requiring a download or installation, which I love.
Overall, this is an extremely expensive mechanical keyboard, but the unique ceramic design, TMR switches and mature feature-set make it well worth picking up.
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Lemokey P2 HEMetal build, volume wheel and all the HE tricks |
The Lemokey P2 HE is one of the heaviest keyboards I've ever used, which is impressive given its compact 65 percent sizing and can be attributed to a nearly full metal build, complete with a reflective mirror-polished strip on the bottom of the case. The keyboard also differentiates itself with an integrated volume wheel, a rarity on this size, and well-implemented magnetic switch features for FPS gaming. The top cover even pops off in an instant, which makes post-purchase customisation or cleaning a bit easier.
More surprisingly for a gaming-focused board, the typing experience is also superb, thanks to multiple layers of sound dampening, high-end PBT keycaps and bouncy gasket-mounted and pre-lubed Gateron double-rail switches. Overall, an excellent keyboard that goes some way to justifying its high price.
Luminkey Magger 68 HEExcellent build quality, typing feel and magnetic switches |
The Luminkey Magger 68 HE is a weirdly named but wickedly good gaming keyboard, offering up-to-date magnetic switches ideal for FPS gaming, solid metal construction and a great typing feel. Like other boutique options, this essentially gives you a top-end custom keyboard in multiple colour options, but pre-assembled and at a fairly reasonable price.
It certainly feels like no expense has been spared in terms of build quality, with an anodised aluminium case in a sandwich design, silicone sound dampening, high-quality PBT keycaps including a handful of translucent arrow keys, and hot-swappable Hall Effect (HE) magnetic switches mounted into an aluminium plate.
The finished article weighs an absolute tonne, making it surprisingly impractical to bring on the go for a keyboard of this size but delivering an excellent typing feel in exchange. The case here angles the keyboard at a comfortable position and gets shorter at the front so you don't need a wrist rest. There are two variants here - the Magger Performance and Magger Professional - with the Professional getting some extra design accents, like bezels above the number row and below the space bar, plus fancier Gateron Magnetic Jade Pro switches that feel a bit smoother, quieter and generally more premium than the Gateron Magnetic White Pro switches in the Performance model.
This is a powerful performer for gaming too, with a maximum 8000Hz polling rate that may lower input latency for high refresh rate esports titles, rapid trigger functionality to decrease input delay further, SOCD input cancelling (also known as "snap tap" and "snappy tappy" depending on vendor)... plus adjustable actuation points and all of the usual fun you'd expect from magnetic keyboards.
The software experience here isn't as high-tech or user-friendly as alternatives from Wooting or SteelSeries, but the bespoke software package allows you to set your actuation distances, enable or disable rapid trigger, configure dead zones, adjust debounce rates and polling rates and so on - plus all of the usual macro recording, key rebinding and lighting setup options.
Overall, this is a top keyboard that's well worth trying given just how much you're getting for the money in terms of gaming features, build quality and typing comfort.
Syntech Chronos 68A high-end esports keyboard with 8KHz polling and rapid trigger |
The Syntech Chronos 68 is an eye-catching and performant esports-focused keyboard, complete with the usual accoutrements - polling rates up to 8KHz, magnetic switches and support for a range of useful features, including rapid trigger inputs, SOCD input cancelling and adjustable actuation points. The Chronos 68 is well built, with a sturdy aluminium frame and slightly rough PBT keycaps, with black, white and yellow (really white with yellow accents) as colour options. Inside, pre-lubricated switches and multiple levels of sound dampening make for a deep, though still pointy sound signature and a smooth key press. A simple, cheap-feeling soft wrist rest is provided in the box, alongside a detachable USB-C cable, keycap puller, replacement switches and cleaning brush.
In use, the Chronos 68 is effective, with the FPS-focused features allowing for a small advantage in terms of speed and capability over opponents on traditional keyboards - I felt right at home in Valorant despite not having played for a few years. This extra utility and performance varies by game, with the most impactful SOCD feature being banned in Counter-Strike but permissable in the likes of Valorant and Overwatch 2.
Wooting, Razer and SteelSeries still have the most mature implementation of these magnetic switch features, but the Chronos 68 web software is easy enough to use - though it still requires a driver install to operate, which somewhat defeats the point of web software. It's also impossible to change polling rate here, so it's set to the maximum 8000Hz at all times - something that you should be able to disable if you don't want the (small) processor impact this entails. Still, for folks that live in FPS titles, the Chronos 68 is a cost-effective upgrade to your arsenal.
Drop CSTM65A clean, effective and oft-discounted option |
The Drop CSTM65 is an excellent small form factor mechanical board that aims to make customisation as easy as possible for as many people as possible. This is largely thanks to its clever hot-swappable faceplates ($25), which can completely change the look of the keyboard in a matter of moments. Drop offers a wide range of patterns and colours too, so you're sure to be able to find one you like.
Otherwise, this is just a solid mechanical keyboard with a choice of either Gateron brown or Gateron yellow switches. The better option out of the two is the linear yellows with a responsive keypress, while the browns lack a little crispness in terms of their tactility and can be inconsistent between keys. The acoustics are fantastic too with a deep sound and no rattle or ping; what's more, if you don't like the switches inside, then the CSTM65 is also hot-swappable.
The plastic and metal chassis offers no deck flex either, while the default side-printed keycaps look brilliant, even if they will take some getting used to if you're not a touch-typist. The 65 percent layout also provides the keys you need and some additionals with arrow keys, while you can also fiddle with the vivid RGB lighting and key mapping with either QMK firmware flashing, powerful VIA software support or Drop's own configurator at the touch of a button.
All in, this is an excellent small form factor 'board for those wanting convenient customisation at the drop of a hat.
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65A good but expensive barebones option |
The Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 is a simple but effective 65 percent size keyboard that you build yourself or get preassembled for a slightly higher cost. The resultant typing and gaming experience is very much down to the switches and keycaps that you choose, then, but you do get some niceties guaranteed: hot-swap five-pin sockets with south-facing RGB LEDs, QMK/VIA programmability, gasket mounting, poron foam sound dampening and a durable - if not exactly premium - ABS plastic case with a pleasingly rounded design. Assembly is straightforward - just a matter of slotting switches into the PCB and then keycaps onto the switches - and you're left with a keyboard that feels uniquely your own. There are certainly cheaper barebones kits out there, but the Ducky name carries some weight for quality and this feels like a very safe option.
Royal Kludge RK68A clean and simple 65 percent board |
The RK68's selling point is straightforward: a quality compact mechanical keyboard at nearly half of the price of the big brands. Despite costing relatively little and going on sale often, the RK68 still feels great to type on with clicky, tactile or linear Gateron switches and full per-key RGB.
There's no software here to synchronise the lighting with other peripherals - such is the sacrifice you make by going for a smaller brand - but controls on the keyboard itself allow you to adjust the lighting easily enough. There are also no options for adjusting the angle of the board. I use my keyboards flat as this is meant to be ergonomically superior, but if you require more tilt than the roughly five degrees provided by the keycaps and board itself you may need to look elsewhere.
The RK68 proves that you really don't have to spend a lot to get a great compact keyboard. While some may prefer a more full-featured board with advanced software, the RK68 nails the essentials - key feel, build quality and looks - at a very attractive price.
Frequently asked questions
What do labels like 65 percent actually mean?
These categories correspond to the number of physical keys on the keyboard - we know that a full-size keyboard tends to have 104 or 105 keys, so a 60 percent keyboard will have a few more than 60 keys, a 65 percent keyboard a few more than 65 and so on.
- Full-size: the most common layout that includes the alphanumerics and modifier keys, the function row, navigation and arrow keys and the numpad.
- TKL (tenkeyless): a full-size keyboard with all clusters and the same spacing, just with the numpad removed.
- 75 percent: about as many keys as a TKL, but each cluster is grouped together tightly to achieve a smaller footprint.
- 65 percent: a keyboard with no function row, navigation keys or numpad, just alphanumerics, modifiers and arrow keys.
- 60 percent: a keyboard with just alphanumerics and modifiers.
- 40 percent: no number row, but with extra modifiers and a smaller space bar to keep things (somewhat) usable.
However, layouts here are much less standardised than on larger form factors and these are only broad labels anyway, so you may find the number of keys varies between boards, sometimes significantly.
This also means that finding replacement keycaps for smaller keyboards can be tricky - TKL is fine and 60 percent is generally doable, but less common sizes like 65 percent and 75 percent may require you to mix and match keycaps from different sets or just accept the keycaps that the board came with.
What are the downsides of 65 percent keyboards?
On keyboards with fewer than the usual number of keys, some less-used functions are moved from dedicated keys to shared keys, requiring a modifier like Fn (Function) to be used for the desired keypress to be received by the computer. For example, while Print Screen is is a dedicated key on a full-size keyboard, you might need to press Fn + P to activate the same function on a 65 percent board.
At the end of the day, it's all down to your individual tolerances and preferences, so don't be afraid to experiment with different form factors until you discover the right one for you. Similarly, if you're lucky enough to be able to afford it, you could consider eventually having two keyboards - for example, a full-size board for programming and a 65 percent for gaming - so that the downsides of one form factor aren't something you have to live with all day.
Why are mechanical keyboards so expensive?
Most mechanical keyboards from major gaming brands end up around the £100 mark. It's a price point that users seem willing to pay for a better typing experience, and means that manufacturers can recoup the cost of both developing advanced features and including dozens of (surprisingly expensive!) mechanical switches. Happily, you can find some keyboards for half that price, but you will need to forgo a big brand name and the features that often go with it.
Regardless of how much you spend, you should at least be making an investment rather than a temporary purchase - any mechanical keyboard treated with respect should last for decades
Why didn't you recommend my favourite keyboard?
Good question! It may be that we haven't tested it yet, or perhaps we just preferred a different keyboard - and to make this article at least somewhat concise, we're trying to be selective with our picks. Of course, mechanical keyboards are largely a matter of taste, and there are dozens of attributes that might appeal to someone and put someone else off entirely. These are our particular preferences, so do read other recommendations to get a broader view!
We'll continue to update this article with new recommendations as we test them, so why not suggest some keyboards for us to consider in the comments below? You can also reach me on Bluesky @wsjudd if you'd like to talk about mechanical keyboards. See you on the next one!