Who needs the function or “F” row anyway? You can easily just access them through a layer. And besides, they make the keyboard too wide and too asymmetrical. That’s why 65 percent mechanical keyboards are some of the most popular options for people who value aesthetics more than function.
65 percent mechanical keyboards are innately more minimalistic and typically come with non-isolated arrow keys, making their layout more aligned. There’s also little to no empty space, so it’s easy to make the keyboard look better with just a good set of keycaps.
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When it does come to practicality, they’re certainly more useful compared to 60 percent keyboards. Most 65 percent mechanical keyboards come with a function layer, in case you miss that “F” row.
So if you’re ready to trade style for substance when it comes to your typing experience, then take a look at these flashy 65 percent mechanical keyboards.
Royal Kludge RK68
PROS
- Wide range of OS compatibility
- Unintrusive, minimalistic design
- Decent keycaps
- Sturdy build
- Hotswappable
CONS
- No dedicated "delete" key
- No 2.4G wireless
Specs:
- Hot-Swappable: Yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth / Wired
- Compatible OS: Windows, macOS, Android
A lot of people who prefer 65 percent mechanical keyboards mostly want a template that they can customize and set apart from the millions of other keyboards. With that in mind, the usual best cheap template for a mechanical keyboard would be Royal Kludge’s products, in this case, the Royal Kludge RK68.
It comes packed with all the functional features you could ever want in a keyboard though the smaller 65 percent PCB means there’s no room for 2.4G wireless, only Bluetooth. The best part is that the bezel and the case don’t get in the way of your expression as a keyboard hobbyist.
Royal Kludge RK68
Keychron K6 Pro QMK/VIA
PROS
- QMK/VIA compatible
- Beautiful PBT keycaps
- Lots of sound dampeners for better acoustics
- South-Facing RGB for maximum keycap compatibility
- Sturdy aluminum build
- Hotswappable
- Big battery
CONS
- Pricey
- No 2.4G wireless
Specs:
- Hot-Swappable: Yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth / Wired
- Compatible OS: Windows, macOS
Just because a keyboard is compatible with macOS, doesn’t mean it will operate smoothly with the said operating system. If you want something that’s almost foolproof but find the Apple Magic Keyboard too plain or unexciting, then the Keychron K6 Pro has plenty more to offer.
It’s well-known for its good macOS support among other features such as the hot-swappable switch sockets and the stylish keycaps. It also features Bluetooth and the best part, is it’s QMK/VIA compatible, making it a breeze to reassign keys so it doesn’t really matter if there’s no dedicated delete, home, or end key as you can re-assign one.
Keychron K6 Pro QMK/VIA
Shurikey 65% Gaming Keyboard
PROS
- Beautiful, novel design
- Good OS compatibility
- Comes with volume and control knobs
- Unique build
- Thick keycaps
- Comes with warranty
- Impressive stock stabilizers
CONS
- Pricey
- No hotswap sockets
- No 2.4G wireless
Specs:
- Hot-Swappable: No
- Connectivity: Bluetooth / Wired
- Compatible OS: Windows, macOS
If you want something that’s already been customized and looks like it came out of a steampunk Ghibli film, then the Shurikey 65% Gaming Keyboard will make your jaw drop. It’s one of the most gorgeous pre-built custom mechanical keyboards in the 65 percent market.
The downside of this beautiful design is that the keyboard is not hot-swappable. You only get to change the keycaps and not the switches. However, that’s the price you pay for this work of art. Not many keyboard manufacturers go above and beyond with this kind of design.
Shurikey 65% Gaming Keyboard
Epomaker TH66 65%
PROS
- Beautiful design
- Comes with a volume knob
- Good backlighting strength
- Wide range of connectivity options
- Switches and stabilziers are pre-lubed
- Good acoustics and typing feel
- South-Facing RGB for maximum keycap compatibility
- Hotswappable
CONS
- Dodgy RGB controls
- Buggy drivers
- Spotty Bluetooth connection
Specs:
- Hot-Swappable: Yes
- Connectivity: 2.4Ghz / Bluetooth 5.0 / Wired
- Compatible OS: Windows, macOS
For further proof that 65 percent mechanical keyboards are the most stylish in the mechanical keyboard industry, here’s the Epomaker TH66. It’s one of the most popular options in the prebuilt 65 percent segment and it’s easy to see why; this thing exudes an iconic design.
That red knob paired with the milky white case and the MDA profile keycaps makes the keyboard as a whole a head-turner. The right-side function keys are limited but seeing as the knob is equal to three keys, that’s more than enough. Overall, it’s a keyboard that you can modify and customize further or keep at the stock configuration and still be satisfied with it.
Epomaker TH66 65%
Owpkeenthy Wired 65% Keyboard
PROS
- Stylish keycaps (XDA version)
- Minimalist design and thin bezels
- Cheap price
- Comes in other variations
- Ultra compact layout
CONS
- No wireless
- No hotswap
Specs:
- Hot-Swappable: No
- Connectivity: Wired
- Compatible OS: Windows
Despite the surprisingly low price, a lot of buyers have sworn by this keyboard’s quality and build. It also sounds and feels better than most other keyboards made by bigger brands such as Razer, Asus, or Corsair.
There are some downsides brought about by cost-cutting. The keyboard is not hot-swappable so if any of the switches break or wear out, then that’s it for the keyboard. Moreover, there’s no wireless option.
But for the price, you get something that you won’t need to customize or modify further. And those keycaps are also stylish and thick.
