Best Small Gaming Keyboards 2023

Welcome to the Best small gaming keyboards of 2023! Due to the rising popularity of a minimalist look, compact gaming keyboards have been taking off with some of the top sellers being small gaming keyboards.

In the last 6 years or so, larger brands like Logitech, Cooler Master have been working hard on small gaming keyboards that include the best mechanical switches for competitive gaming as well as for office work. Because of their size they go well with gaming mice and most gaming desks.

The most popular small keyboards for gaming are called 60% Keyboards, which feature only 61 keys (Full keyboards typically have 101 keys). The 60% keyboards are great for people with small hands, as well as gamers who like a minimalistic and clean setup.

Alternatively, this list also features keyboards called Tenkeyless (TKL) keyboards. These compact keyboards typically have 87/88 keys and remove the entire right side of a full keyboard.

Without further ado, these are the best small gaming keyboards for gamers wanting a mini or compact keyboard with mechanical keys.

Still can’t decide after reading this article? Scroll down to the bottom to learn more about Keycaps and Switches.

15. Cooler Master SK630 TKL

Brand / Model: Cooler Master SK630 • Keys: 87 • Switches: Cherry MX Low Profile Red • Connectivity: Wired (Detachable USB) • Type: Tenkeyless Keyboard • Onboard Memory: 512kb • Dimensions: 13.92 x 4.94 x 1.17 inches / 35.3 x 12.5 x 3 cm

The Cooler Master SK630 mechanical keyboard ships with amazing Cherry MX low-profile Red switches. Being one of the best small gaming keyboards around, this Tenkeyless keyboard is more like a compact professional gaming keyboard that feels great for both playing computer games and working from home.

The Cooler Master SK630 features RGB backlighting as well as a lightbar. More so, you can customize the colors and color pattern to your liking and save it to the onboard memory.

Build quality-wise, the Cooler Master SK630 is built with aluminum and plastic, therefore the SK630 feels sturdy and comfortable.

There are however some downsides to this compact mechanical gaming keyboard. The first issue is that the key spacing will take some time to get used to. The second issue is that there is no height adjustment on the SK630, which is usually not a problem for many gamers.

14. DIERYA DK63 Wireless 60% Mechanical Small Gaming Keyboard

Brand / Model: DIERYA DK63 • Keys: 63 • Switches: Outemu Brown Switches • Connectivity: Hybrid Wired / Wireless (Bluetooth) • Type: 60% Keyboard • Onboard Memory: None • Dimensions: 13.3 x 5.5 x 1.8 inches / 34 x 14 x 4.5 cm

DIERYA DK63 has been topping charts of the best small gaming keyboards with over 7000 positive reviews on Amazon alone. The DIERYA DK63 can be used wirelessly as a Bluetooth 60% keyboard as well as wired. Unfortunately, there is no onboard memory so you won’t be able to save any profiles on the actual keyboard itself.

Besides the DIERYA DK63 being a fantastic compact gaming keyboard in overall performance, there are some downsides.

If you are looking for a compact gaming keyboard because you have small hands, or just like the look and feel of them that’s fine. However, battery life is claimed to be bad. When turning off the LEDs the battery life will be longer, however, you will need to plug in the compact gaming keyboard quite frequently.

13. ZIYOU LANG 60% Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Mini

Brand / Model: Ziyou Lang 60% Mechanical • Keys: 61 • Switches: Blue, Brown, Red • Connectivity: Wired USB • Type: 60% Keyboard • Onboard Memory: None • Dimensions: 13.15 x 6.02 x 1.97 inches / 33.4 x 15.3 x 5 cm

The Ziyou Lang 60% mechanical keyboard can be purchased with Blue, Brown, or Red switches. You can also choose to get this compact gaming keyboard in Black, White, or even Blue. As a non-hot-swappable mechanical keyboard, you won’t be able to remove and replace the switches. However, as usual, keycaps can be removed and replaced with those you desire.

Price-wise the Ziyou Lang is a cheap 60% mechanical keyboard at only around $55-70 (USD). You won’t find too many good quality keyboards at that price range. Above all, there have been very few negative reviews for the Ziyou Lang 60% mechanical keyboard. Users have only complained that sometimes a key was broken or flimsy when it arrived but those could be replaced relatively quickly.

12. Redragon S113 Gaming Keyboard

Brand / Model: Redragon S113 • Keys: 87 • Switches: Outemu Brown key switches • Connectivity: Wired USB • Type: Tenkeyless Keyboard • Onboard Memory: None • Dimensions: 14.37 x 5.31 x 1.34 inches / 36.5 x 13.5 x 3.4 cm • Extra’s: Mouse included

Redragon has been growing rapidly and absolutely dominating the market with their affordable budget keyboards, mice, headsets, mousepads, and gamepads. There is no stopping them! Similarly, the Redragon S113 is no exception, it’s a fantastic budget tenkeyless mechanical keyboard that has been selling like hotcakes on Amazon in recent months.

Redragon’s S113 features Outemu Brown Switches, 87 keys, and even comes with a free gaming mouse. The mouse is nothing to boast about, but it’s a handy small gaming keyboard and mouse combination if you don’t want to buy one separately or need a spare.

Unfortunately, the keys are not hot-swappable which means that you won’t be able to change the switches – but at this price point who could argue with that. In addition to that, some buyers of the Redragon S113 have even gone as far as to replace an expensive Razer keyboard with this cheap Tenkeyless keyboard. That’s how good it is.

11. Asceny One – 60% Mechanical Keyboard

Brand / Model: Asceny One • Keys: 61 • Switches: Gateron Black, Blue, Brown, or Red • Connectivity: Wired • Type: 60% Keyboard • Onboard Memory: Flash Memory • Dimensions: 11.81 x 3.94 x 0.79 inches / 30 x 10 x 2 cm • Extra’s: Colorful keycaps included

Equipped with Gateron Blue, Black, Brown, and Red switches comes at number 11 the Asceny One 60% Mechanical keyboard. The Asceny One is funky looking, with unique colorful keycaps which are included for free. If that’s not your style, the Asceny One is also shipped with regular keycaps.

Most of the complaints about the Asceny One compact keyboard are software related. However, you don’t need to download or use the software but it is required if you want to change the backlight colors.

Most likely the best feature is the hot-swappable board. Many budget compact keyboards don’t come with this and it’s quite rare to find a keyboard with as many features as the Asceny One for under $100 (USD). If this is your first keyboard with switches and you want to experiment then the Ascent One might be the one for you!

10. EPOMAKER SKYLOONG SK61

Brand / Model: EpoMaker Skyloong SK61 • Keys: 61 • Switches: Gateron Optical Black, Blue, Brown, Red, Yellow • Connectivity: Wired USB • Type: 60% Keyboard • Onboard Memory: Flash memory • Dimensions: 13.3 x 5.55 x 1.85 inches / 29.5 x 10.5 x 4.5 cm

Like a retro-styled keyboard or perhaps you prefer a pink compact keyboard? The EpoMaker SK61 is one of the best small gaming keyboards and comes in various variations. The original is labeled as Grey and can be seen in the image above this text. However, the EpoMaker SK61 also comes as a pink compact keyboard, a darker grey, and even as a panda-themed keyboard.

Equipped with Gateron Optical switches (Black, Blue, Brown, Red, or Yellow) and 3 layers of programmable keys, the EpoMaker Skyloong SK61 comes at a steal of approximately $70 (USD). It even works on the PS4 and Xbox! Unfortunately, though, the SK61 is fully wired with no Bluetooth or wireless capabilities.

9. RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 Wired 60%

Brand / Model: RK Royal Kludge RK61 • Keys: 61 • Switches: TTC Blue, Brown, Red • Connectivity: Wired USB-C • Type: 60% Keyboard • Onboard Memory: Yes, for profiles • Dimensions: 12.99 x 5.98 x 1.93 inches / 33 x 15 x 5 cm

Royal Kludge RK61 is a wired 60% RGB keyboard with TTC Switches in Blue, Brown, and Red. However, the has been some confusion about which switches are being used. Initially, it was said to have Outemu Switches, then it was said to have Kailh Switches. In conclusion, the Amazon listing is a mess so here are the facts.

The Royal Kludge RK61 is wired (USB-C), features TTC Switches, hot-swappable with 5 other switches, and has a real 60% layout. However, the RK61 is not compatible with PS4 or Xbox.

Most issues relating to the RK61 are lighting-related. A minority of buyers have complained that the lights were faulty or broken, other than that there it’s a solid keyboard with all the features you’d want.

8. ANNE PRO 2 – 60% Wired/Wireless Mechanical Keyboard

Brand / Model: Anne Pro 2 • Keys: 61 • Switches: Gateron Blue, Brown, Red or Kailh Box Brown, Red, White • Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth) or Wired (USB-C) • Type: 60% Keyboard • Onboard Memory: Yes, for profiles • Dimensions: 11.18 x 3.82 x 1.57 inches / 28 x 10 x 4 cm

At number 8 of the best small gaming keyboards, we have the Anne Pro 2. With just 2 products (Anne Pro, and Anne Pro 2) Anne Pro is a relatively new and unknown brand. However, with the release of the Anne Pro 2, they have skyrocketed their sales, gaining over 3000 positive reviews on Amazon.

The white design (seen on the image above) has Gateron Switches (Blue, Brown, or Red), the black design has Kailh Switches (Brown, Red, White). Both models look fantastic and you can tell that Anne Pro spent a lot of time figuring out what their audience wants.

Like any other product on the market, the Anne Pro II also has some negative feedback. A very low percentage of buyers have complained that this compact mechanical gaming keyboard stopped working within a year of purchase. Unfortunately, this is the case with most products and sometimes a defective product is shipped. As the percentage is so low I would assume it’s not a huge deal and the chances you buy a faulty one are low.

7. Logitech G PRO

Brand / Model: Logitech G PRO • Keys: 87 • Switches: Romer GX Blue Clicky • Connectivity: Wired USB (Detachable Cable) • Type: Tenkeyless Keyboard • Onboard Memory: Profiles via Software • Dimensions: 14.96 x 1.97 x 6.3 inches / 36 x 15.3 x 3.4 cm

Logitech is one of the most trusted brands for gamers. The Logitech G PRO Tenkeyless mechanic keyboard is a highly praised item that not only looks insane but also feels fantastic.

Equiped with durable GX Blue Clicky Switches the Logitech G PRO is built for competitive gamers.

Everything about the Logitech G PRO is absolutely amazing. From the rubber non-slip feet to the 3 step angle adjustment to the 3-prong detachable cable to the programmable F keys. If you are serious about games and like to play competitive games like League of Legends, Fortnite, or even World of Warcraft then the Logitech G PRO is for you.

There is one questionable design choice and that is that on special characters (the characters above the number keys) the keys are inverted. On the Logitech G PRO, the special characters are shown below the number and they are not lit up which is fairly uncommon and might annoy some users.

Please note that if you are looking for a silent mini gaming keyboard, the Logitech G PRO is not for you. Clicky keys are loud and they are meant to be.

6. Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard 60%

Brand / Model: Redragon K552 • Keys: 87 • Switches: Outemu Blue • Connectivity: Wired (USB) • Type: Tenkeyless Keyboard • Onboard Memory: SIMM • Dimensions: 13.94 x 4.86 x 1.46 inches / 35.4 x 12.3 x 3.7 cm

Redragon K552 is one of the top ten keyless keyboards on the market. With over 5000 positive reviews and an incredibly low price tag, it’s no wonder the Redragon K552 sells so well!

The Redragon K552 comes with Outemu Blue Switches (Clicky) and can be hot-swapped with other Outemu Switches. However, the K552 is marketed to have ‘Cherry MX equivalent’ switches, which makes some users believe they are Cherry MX (they are not).

5. Razer BlackWidow V3 Tenkeyless

Brand / Model: Razer BlackWidow V3 TKL • Keys: 87 • Switches: Razer Green, Yellow, Orange • Connectivity: Wired (USB) • Type: Tenkeyless Keyboard • Onboard Memory: Yes but no color memory • Dimensions: 14.26 x 6.1 x 1.62 inches / 36.2 x 15.5 x 4.1 cm

Razer’s Tenkeyless mechanical keyboard – BlackWidow V3 ranks 5th in our list of the best small gaming keyboards. Similar to Logitech, Razor is a well-established brand known for its high-quality products.

This specific model we are reviewing is the wired version – there is also a wireless version of the BlackWidow V3 for people who would like that one instead. The wireless version is however over double the price of the wired BlackWidow V3, keep that in mind.

On the BlackWidow V3, you can choose between 3 Switches. Green Switches are tactile and clicky (loud), Yellow Switches are linear and silent, and the Orange Switches are tactile and silent.

4. Logitech G915 TKL Tenkeyless

Brand / Model: Logitech G915 TKL • Keys: 87 • Switches: GL Clicky, Tactile, Linear • Connectivity: Wireless (USB Receiver or Bluetooth) • Type: Tenkeyless Keyboard • Onboard Memory: Yes • Dimensions: 15.2 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches / 38.6 x 15 x 2.2 cm • Battery Life: Up to 40 hours

Logitech’s G915 TKL keyboard is one of the best small gaming keyboards sold today and can be used wirelessly. As you can see in the picture above, there are some nice audio control buttons that are great for music and streaming.

The keys are low profile and buyers can choose between Clicky, Linear, or Tactile Switches. Moreso, you can even get the keyboard in white but only with Tactile Switches.

The battery life is tested to be around 40 hours on a single charge. This is quite impressive considering some wireless compact gaming keyboards can only last 4-8 hours on a single charge.

One of the downsides however is that it’s connected through Micro USB and not USB-C. This is not a deal-breaker but you would think Logitech would have moved on to USB-C on the G915. Another turn-off for many users is the price. The Logitech G915 is priced at over $200 at the time of writing this. Usually, wireless keyboards are pricey but considering some things like Micro USB and ABS keycaps you would think they could lower the price a little bit. Regardless, the Logitech G915 is a top seller and a huge hit with gamers.

3. GK61s Mechanical Small Gaming Keyboard

Brand / Model: HK Gaming GK61s • Keys: 61 • Switches: Gateron Mechanical Black, Blue, Brown, Red, Yellow, Silent Brown, Optical Red, Optical Black, Optical Blue, Optical Silver, Optical Brown, Optical Yellow • Connectivity: Wired (USB) • Type: 60% Keyboard • Onboard Memory: Yes, up to 3 profiles • Dimensions: 14.8 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches / 29.2 x 10.2 x 4 cm

HK Gaming is known for its mice, keyboards, and keycaps. The HK GK61 Mechanical mini keyboard is a wired 60% keyboard that can store up to 3 profiles on the onboard memory. In addition, it comes with a ton of different options regarding Switches.

The GK61 has Gateron Switches as you can choose between Mechanical Black, Blue, Brown, Red, Yellow or Silent Brown and even Optical Red, Black, Blue, Silver, Brown, and Yellow. There is just so much choice!

Regardless of the type you buy, all Switches can be hot-swapped on the HK Gaming GK61. Therefore there is no need for soldering if you’d like to change them.

2. Razer Huntsman Mini 60% Gaming Keyboard

Brand / Model: Razer Huntsman Mini • Keys: 61 • Switches: Razer Optical Clicky, Linear • Connectivity: Wired (Detachable USB-C) • Type: 60% Keyboard • Onboard Memory: Yes, for up to 5 profiles • Dimensions: 4.07 x 11.56 x 1.45 inches / 10.3 x 29.3 x 3.7 cm

Razer Huntsman Mini comes with Razers own Optical Clicky and Linear Switches. Razer also has Analog Switches but unfortunately, they are not available for the Huntsman Mini.

The keycaps are PBT keycaps which are really good. They don’t get greasy or shiny over time and feel more sturdy and textured than ABS keycaps. You can also use any USB Type-C cable you’d like.

One of the downsides once again is the loudness. Typically, Clicky Switches are known to be loud so if you really want something quiet then consider one listed with silent Switches like the Razer Orange keys on the BlackWidow V3 or any Brown Switches.

1. SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Brand / Model: SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL • Keys: 104 Key roll over • Switches: SteelSeries GX2 Brown, Blue, Red• Connectivity: Wired (Detachable) • Type: Tenkeyless Keyboard • Onboard Memory: Yes, 5 On-board Profiles • Dimensions: 5.48 x 13.99 x 1.6 inches / 13.9 x 35.5 x 4 cm

The best small gaming keyboards on the market are created by none of than SteelSeries. The tenkeyless SteelSeries Apex 7 takes the throne. A compact tenkeyless keyboard with a 4.8 / 5-star rating on over 8000 reviews. Truly the number one is happy customers.

Go quiet with the Brown Switches and Red Switches or go loud with the clicky Blue Switches. The choice is yours depending on what you prefer.

There are rarely any negative things to find on the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL keyboard, except perhaps that it is not water-resistant. Besides that, most of the user complaints are fairly insignificant. If you are considering an all-around gaming keyboard that will work well for both gaming and general use then look no further.

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Small Gaming Keyboards FAQ

Is a small keyboard better for gaming?

Not directly, but for some gamers with tiny hands they may be, yes. It all depends on the games you’re playing but a small keyboard can help with gamer control.

What is the difference between keyboard switches?

First things first, take a look at the video below to understand more about how mechanical keyboard Switches work. When it comes to mechanical keyboards there are 3 types of Switches. These 3 types are: Linear, Clicky, and Tactile

What Are Linear Switches & What Are Linear Switches Good For?

Linear Switches are known to be quiet, smooth, and consistent. Linear Switches feel smooth from the moment you press down until you bottom out the button. There is no tactile feedback at the point that the keypress is registered. Noise levels when tapping keys are also considerably lower on Linear Switches. This is also the reason why hardcore gamers and professional gamers would rather choose Clicky or Tactile as the sound and feel will improve their accuracy.

Some more highly rated Linear Switches include (see more on MechanicalKeyboards.com):

• Cherry MX Red
• Gateron Red
• Outemu Red
• Kailh Red
• Cherry MX Black
• Gateron Black
• Kailh Black
• Gateron Yellow
• Cherry MX Silver
• NovelKeys Cream

What Are Tactile Switches & What Are Tactile Switches Good For?

As the name suggests, Tactile Switches provide tactile feedback when a key is pressed. When a key is registered you will feel a noticeable bump so you won’t need to bottom out your keys. Brown and Clear Switches are the ones you should be looking for and these are also usually the most beginner-friendly Switches to start out with as they are easy to get used to and noise levels are not too loud.

Some highly rated Tactile Switches include (See more on MechanicalKeyboards.com):

• Cherry MX Brown
• Kailh Brown
• Outemu Brown
• Gateron Brown
• Cherry MX Clear
• Topre 45g
• Topre 55g

What Are Clicky Switches & What Are Clicky Switches Good For?

Clicky Switches tend to be the loudest and also have a slight bump similar to Tactile Switches. Clicky Switches are very popular as there are plenty of people who enjoy the sound as well as people who use sound to help identify when a key is registered.

Feedback is outstanding on Clicky Switches but be aware that the sound is a double-edged sword. It may be enjoyable to you, but others around you will likely find it irritating. If you plan to use your keyboard in a public space I would suggest you choose Linear.

Clicky Switches are usually Blue and Green. Here are some highly-rated Clicky Switches (See more on MechanicalKeyboards.com):

• Cherry MX Blue
• Outemu Blue
• Kailh Blue
• Gateron Blue
• Cherry MX Green
• Kailh Green
• Gateron Green
• Cherry MX White
• Buckling Spring
• Matias Click