Here are the 5 must-have small gaming keyboards to take your gaming to the next level.
When you are in a highly competitive gaming environment, a big keyboard can make gaming uncomfortable. It takes a lot of space; the key travel is more and does not allow you to use other gaming accessories. In such a situation, you can get small gaming keyboards and make gaming more comfortable.
The popularity of small gaming keyboards is increasing among professional and stream-based gamers. Be it playing games on steam or streaming games on YouTube or Twitch; professional gamers now prefer using these best small gaming keyboards.
Besides, quick key travel, fast response time, and satisfying keyboard clicks are everything a gamer needs. However, there are a few other things that you need to look for when buying the best small gaming keyboard. This makes it easier for you to pick the right keyboard that lasts for a long and makes gaming comfortable and fast.
Also read: Best Keyboards For Gaming: Switches, RGB and in Budget
What to look for when Buying The Best Small Gaming Keyboard?
It would be best to consider a couple of things when you are about to buy a small gaming keyboard. It is not much different from the huge keyboards, but there are a couple of things, such as –
- Size: There are several size options for small gaming keyboards, and you need to choose the one with lesser bezels or is decluttered. Such keyboards are easy to carry in gaming events or when you move your setup. Easy to pack and carry on the go.
- Switches: If you have ever bought a keyboard, you might know about the multiple switch options. It is important to choose the right keyboard switch made specific to gaming and not other purposes. You get small keyboards for typing and other purposes; you need to pick the right one made for gaming.
- Build Material: You don’t want to keep spending money only on gaming keyboards; there are several other gaming accessories that you wish to buy. So, the build material is one of the most important aspects of choosing the best small gaming keyboard. If you choose a poor build quality keyboard, you can see the wear and tear and the switches coming out with a little gaming.
- Software: Most people leave out the software option when choosing a small gaming keyboard. This is a vital option because this lets you prepare a customized profile, adjust the lighting, and prepare game-specific profiles. Softwares let you customize or make adjustments to what you can do on a gaming keyboard.
So, we now know how to pick the right small gaming keyboards; let me discuss with you some of the best small gaming keyboards (Our choices that we love using).
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5 Best Small Gaming Keyboards That We Love Using
Once you open many eCommerce platforms to buy a gaming keyboard, they throw dozens of options. The problem is, you don’t know which is the best one to choose. For example, one might have good durability but poor switches, and anything worse than this.
Here are some of the best options that we love, and you can quickly buy –
| Best Small Gaming Keyboard Pick | Rating | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini [Top & Best] | 4.7 | Check on Amazon |
| Drop ALT Mechanical Gaming Keyboard | 4.5 | Check on Amazon |
| Corsair K65 Mini | 4.2 | Check on Amazon |
| HyperX Alloy Origins 60 | 4.2 | Check on Amazon |
| Keychron K2 | 3.9 | Check on Amazon |
1. Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini | Small Gaming Keyboards
BlackWidow V3 Mini is the best and top small mechanical gaming keyboard on our list. It is small, easy to carry, and loaded with dozens of features.
This #1 selling gaming keyboard is perfect for low-latency gaming. It removes the dependency on one type of connection mode to your gaming setup. The Razer BlackWidow V3 mini can be operated in three different connection modes; Bluetooth, USB, or wireless with a 2.4GHz frequency band.
One of the most appealing features that we love about the BlackWidow V3 Mini is an extra USB port. So you can directly connect your gaming mouse to the keyboard without eating up an extra USB port on your gaming setup.
BlackWidow V3 Mini can work in both Bluetooth and completely wireless mode, so it becomes important to have longer battery life. On BlackWidow V3 Mini, you get the battery running for as long as 200 hours. High-speed wireless mode or Bluetooth connection type gives you one of the best battery back-ups that you can have on a gaming keyboard.
The battery is not fully consumed unless you use the chroma RGB backlit lights. However, it only takes a few hours to refill the 200 hours of battery backup, and you can do that while you are in the middle of a game. This is what we need in a gaming keyboard, the best in all metrics.
There are two types of switches available with the BlackWidow V3 Mini; green and yellow switches. The green switches are best for clicky and tactile feedback, and the yellow switch enables a smooth and silent gaming experience.
Let’s talk about the quality of the keys on your BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed; unlike the other gaming keyboards, the BlackWidow V3 Mini has an extra thick coating that prevents easy wear and tear.
Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed
Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeedSize: 5.14 x 1.61 x 12.55 inches,
Weight: 798.3226 grams,
Connection types: Wireless, USB cable, and Bluetooth
Price: $179.99 & Free Returns
The Good
- 3 connection modes
- Available in Green and Yellow switches
- Doubleshot ABS keycaps
- Battery backup of 200 hours on wireless and Bluetooth mode
The Bad
- The wrist rest is made of plastic and does not attach to the keyboard
- Easily accumulates dust under the keys
- The height of the keyboard is a bit high and not a good option for smaller hands.
You can also buy a pink version of the BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed with the same features and switch options.
2. Drop ALT Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Drop ALT mechanical gaming keyboard is compact enough to be carried easily and is filled with the best interest of gamers.
It is one of the most durable keyboards with a body made of aluminum rather than plastic. This ensures that the keyboard has a quality lifespan no matter how hard you press the keys. Although, because of the aluminum frame, the weight is slightly more (600g approx) than other small gaming keyboards.
It is hard to skip or not mention the RGB lighting that comes along with the Drop ALT mechanical gaming keyboard; with over a million RGB lights and shine-through keycaps, you will have a visually appealing keyboard look.
What we love the most is the magnetic feet which allow you to adjust the keyboard height; You can either use the keyboard flat or adjust it to a height. This ergonomic design differs from the older plastic feet, which break when you have intense gaming matches.
Being a gamer, we know how much we want to configure our gaming keyboard; be it the layout or creating macros, you can customize the ALT small gaming keyboard with DROP’s online configurator. Besides, the switches (Cherry MX) are hot-swappable. So, you can design your keyboard design without having to solder it.
Drop ALT Mechanical Keyboard
Drop ALT Mechanical KeyboardSize: 12.7 x 4.4 x 1.25 in (32.2 x 11.2 x 3.2 cm),
Weight: 24.5 oz (696 g),
Type: USB-C cable type
Price: $220 & Free Returns
The Good
- Customizable / Programmable Macro Keys
- Hot-Swappable switches
- Aluminum body frame
- Magnetic and strong feet
- 67 Keys
The Bad
- Expensive
- No dedicated Software
- Slightly heavy due to the aluminum frame
You can also buy the Barebone version of the Drop ALT Mechanical Keyboard at a lesser price and add the switches and keys with configuration from the start.
3. Corsair K65 RGB Mini | 60% Small Gaming Keyboards
Corsair K65 Mini is one of the most advanced and appealing choices in the gaming community. It may look simple, but it is highly customizable and designed for professional users.
Best suited for a highly competitive gaming audience, Corsair K65 Mini has cherry MX speed silver switches. These are faster than most gaming keyboards as they have the least response time. Besides, the key travel is shorter, allowing you to make some fast movements in the game.
The keyboard works on a detachable USB-C connection type and can store up to 50 custom profiles. In addition, the full N-key rollover ensures every key is registered, no matter how fast you play.
Axon Hyper-Processing technology ensures faster key scanning (as speed as 0.25ms), faster than the performing gaming keyboards. As a result, it is one of the best small gaming keyboards made specifically for advanced gamers. In addition, the iCUE software allows you to create shortcuts and fully customize the gaming keyboard.
Corsair K65 RGB Mini
Corsair K65 RGB MiniSize: 11.57 x 4.13 x 1.73 inches,
Weight: 1.78 Pounds,
Type: USB-C connection cable
Price: Starting at $148.24
The Good
- Small size with big features
- Axon Hyper-Processing technology
- Fully customizable with the iCUE software
- PBT double-shot keycaps
The Bad
- You will need a lot of time to learn this gaming keyboard.
- No cushion or wrist rest in the Mini version
You cannot find the Arrow keys in the mini version, but the variant Lux includes them if you are looking for those.
4. HyperX Alloy Origins 60
We love using the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 for its compact nature and the physical customizations you can make with the least effort.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 comprises an aluminum-grade body and ensures the durability of the gaming keyboard. So, you can easily enjoy your intense gaming matches and press the keys and board as hard as possible.
There is a lot of information on the sideways of the keycaps; the secondary key functions are printed sideways. This allows quick notice using this small gaming keyboard more comfortably.
Speaking about the responsiveness of the keys, they are custom designed and fast. The keyboard features a short travel time for intense gaming, and an additional customized space bar and Esc keys are included. I am in love with the custom spacebar.
You can experience using the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 much better at night with radiant RGB backlit. These can be customized directly using the HyperX NGENUITY software. The profiles can be stored for later use and are perfect for building custom macros, game modes, and per-key lighting effects.
The per-key lighting effect may be a distraction for some, but we love using it. In addition, there is a different impact having it while playing arcade and action games.
Something else that not most of the small gaming keyboards provide is multiple adjustable heights. The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 provides three multiple height adjustments to make it comfortable for you to have a gaming experience.
Hyperx Alloy Origins 60
Hyperx Alloy Origins 60Size: 11.7 x 1.5 x 4.2 inches
Weight: 2.14 Pounds
Keys: 61
Type: USB-C
Price: $99.80 & Free Returns
The Good
- Air-crafted aluminum body
- Double-Shot PBT Keycaps with side printing for longer durability.
- HyperX key switches (Custom-Made)
- Multiple adjustable heights
The Bad
- Slightly heavier compared to common plastic-framed keyboards.
- Complicated software
If you are fond of arrow keys, the HyperX Alloy Origins is also available in the Tenkeyless variant. Again, you can check on Amazon for the Best Price.
5. Keychron K2
Keychron K2 is one of the most classic and underrated best mechanical small gaming keyboards for professional gamers. It has an alluring design that makes it one of the wanted kinds.
This RGB mechanical keyboard can be operated in dual modes; wired and wireless. Using it in wireless mode (Bluetooth) allows you to connect the keyboard to multiple devices, such as mobile devices or any other smart device.
The battery life (4000 mAh) lasts as long as a week, and it is easy to charge it while you are in the middle of intense gaming. All you need to do is connect this best small gaming keyboard in a wired fashion and continue gaming. Isn’t this one of the best features? Most of the mechanical gaming keyboards that work wirelessly do not give such good battery backup while playing with it in the middle of an important game.
Keychron K2 is smartly designed to make it compatible with most smart devices. You get extra keycaps to support Mac devices and support every Mac function. By default, the layout is in the favorable Mac mode, but extra keycaps for windows (included) make it the best fit for each purpose.
When using the Keychron K2 in wired mode, the number of key rolls is NKRO (N-Key rollovers) and 6 wireless key rolls.
Got a dim environment? Worry-less with several RGB operations and faster responses, the Keychron K2 mechanical gaming keyboard is designed to give your gaming comfort. There are 15+ RGB lighting options with durable Gateron switches that offer 50 million guaranteed clicks, which is great at this price.
The benefit of Keychron K2 is you don’t need a palm rest or wrist rest separately due to inclinations that are available with this small and best mechanical gaming keyboard. In addition, the foot stand allows you to adjust the keyboard to a generic height suitable for all. However, a few hands may face difficulty.
Keychron K2 75% Gaming Keyboard
Keychron K2 75% Gaming KeyboardSize: 13.58 x 6.57 x 2.17 inches
Weight: 2.17 pounds
Keys: 84
Connection types: USB-C & Bluetooth (V5.1)
Price: $95.99 & Free Returns
The Good
- Good build quality.
- Dual mode of connectivity.
- 4000 mAh battery backup.
- Supports multiple other devices such as iPhone, Android phone, laptop, and more simultaneously.
- Compatible with both Mac and Windows layout + Additional keycaps to match the layout.
- Customize the RGB with 15+ combinations or a static white light.
The Bad
- Double Gateron switches are lesser preferred, but they are smooth and suitable for the price quoted.
- However, it gets a bit difficult to manage the RGB setup.
- No dedicated software
- The sleek design is compromised, and the keyboard is slightly thick
- Keys are registered before you hear the actual click sound.
There are different Gateron types of switches available on the Keychron K2 gaming keyboard. This specific review is about the Gateron Brown Switches V2; you can also check for Gateron Blue Switch V2 and Red Switch V2 as per your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini is one of the top and best small gaming keyboards with 3 connection modes, 200 hours of battery backup, and Double-Shot Keycaps.
Yes, they are the best options apart from the one-handed gaming keyboards. The 60% or 75% keyboards, also called small gaming keyboards, save a lot of space by removing unwanted Tenkeyless space and arrow space. Also, they are designed for easy carry by professional gamers and are best for intense and competitive gaming.
Tenkeyless (TKL), or 60%, is the most popular small gaming keyboard. They make enough space for gamers to use other gaming accessories and play intense gaming matches comfortably with faster response time and compact nature.
Yes, if you are among the FPS gaming addicts, 60% of keyboards are the best for you; They are compact and allow you to play intense games. However, the keyboard layout is short, and only the required keys on the left side are programmed to give you shorter and better gaming control. Nevertheless, if you are among those who also use the numeric pad, you can go for the Tenkeyless keyboards of the same.
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Final Words: List of Best Small Gaming Keyboards
These are some of our favorite picks on the best small gaming keyboards and the best available budget price. Mechanical gaming keyboards are expensive depending on the type of switches and durability, and other factors; however, small gaming mechanical keyboards have a few extra benefits. So, if you intend to buy some other small gaming keyboard, remember to have the above list of factors considered before buying one.
I hope to have helped you on picking one of the best small gaming keyboards; if you have other additions to this list or your favorite picks, do let us know in the comment section. Also, if you like this article, do give this a quick share on your social media handles and definitely tag us. Join our Telegram channel, Facebook page, and Twitter to never miss a quick update.
