The Best Mini Keyboards for Gaming in 2024

The best gaming keyboards come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Lately, the trend has leaned towards gamers using smaller form factors like 60%, 65%, and 75% instead of the traditional full-sized keyboards or even tenkeyless. While these keyboards might seem too small to be useful for some gamers, mini keyboards have become very popular for good reason. Mini keyboards take up less desk space, so there is more room for uninhibited mouse movement. They are also easier to carry around for gaming on the go and offer a very clean look for all the minimalists out there.

That being said, there are some sacrifices when it comes to shrinking down a keyboard; many dedicated keys on a full-size keyboard are moved to a function layer or just omitted altogether, and for gamers with larger hands, these keyboards might feel a bit cramped. However, when it comes to raw gaming performance, mini keyboards are at the same level or sometimes more powerful than their full-sized counterparts.

How to Choose a Mini Keyboard

When choosing a mini keyboard for gaming, consider these factors:

• Form Factor: Gamers who are here probably want a smaller keyboard, but there are still form factors to choose from within the classification of mini keyboard. They range from 75% keyboards, which is the top end of mini keyboards, all the way down to 40% keyboards, which is about as small as Game Rant recommends, without losing too much functionality.
• Connectivity: As always, one of the first questions gamers have to ask themselves is, should the keyboard be wired or wireless? Wired keyboards will always be rock steady connection-wise, and gamers won’t need to worry about keeping the keyboard charged. Wireless keyboards offer a lot more versatility and a cleaner look. Plus, at this point, most wireless keyboards are comparative performance-wise to wired keyboards.
• Switch Type: At this point, most gamers are probably using a mechanical keyboard of some sort, but there is still space for membrane keyboards. Mechanical keyboards generally offer a better feel and a more reliable typing/gaming experience, but they also tend to be more expensive than membrane keyboards. Gamers who decide to go with a mechanical keyboard also need to decide what type of switch they want to use.

Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Mini Keyboards for Gaming in 2024

Razer is known for its quality gaming peripherals, and the Huntsman lineup of keyboards is an excellent example of this. The smallest option from the Huntsman keyboard line is the aptly named Huntsman Mini, which, besides its stature, is one of the best keyboards gamers can pick up. With a 1,000Hz polling rate, n-key rollover with anti-ghosting, and optical switches rated at 100 million keystrokes, the Huntsman Mini doesn’t just offer excellent performance, but it is also a keyboard that gamers can expect to use for years to come.

The clicky optical switches provide an excellent typing experience. They have a nice tactile bump, but they can get a bit loud with no internal dampening. For gamers who prefer to have a key with a bit longer travel distance, the clicky optical switches can be swapped out for linear switches. These have a less responsive feel for gaming, but they make typing feel better.

The 60% form factor can feel a bit cramped for gamers with larger hands, and there are no dedicated arrow keys or a function row. This can be a bit limiting for some gamers, but for those who game a majority of the time, it’s not a huge loss. For more Razer options, check out Game Rant’s list of the best Razer gaming keyboards.

Users looking for a budget-friendly compact mechanical keyboard that looks amazing will have a soft spot for the iTastatur 60 percent mechanical gaming keyboard. They will appreciate the efficiency of this peripheral unit, supported by its anti-ghosting keys, and their smooth response.

The keycaps are durable and comfortable, suitable for gamers who play for extended periods, as they won’t struggle with fatigue. Also, its design is perfect for gamers who fancy more space on desks to move other peripherals. Moreover, the mechanical switches provide a smooth and linear experience, which is ideal for gaming thanks to their quick actuation. Gamers will appreciate the tactile and sensory feedback on the keyboard.

Gamers cannot overlook the beauty of this keyboard. It sports bright PBT keycaps, arranged accordingly to portray a satisfying pattern. An LED backlight allows use when it is dark and contributes to the keyboard’s aesthetic appeal. This keyboard is compatible with numerous devices and platforms. It works with Windows and Mac PCs.

Wired keyboards are often favorites of gamers who want to get the best performance out of a keyboard without questioning whether the keyboard is charged or has connection issues. The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 is one of the best wired mini keyboards out there for gaming. This aluminum keyboard feels incredibly well-built and uses HyperX Red linear switches, which feel light and responsive. These switches require less force to actuate than other linear switches, which is great for gaming but can cause typos while typing on this keyboard.

The Alloy Origins 60 offers an incredible amount of customization when it comes to RGB lighting. Each key has its own RGB LED, and through the customization software, users can take it down to 1% brightness, which is fairly impressive because most keyboards offer a brighter dim setting before just shutting off. Visually, this doesn’t change a lot for most gamers, but this is huge for those who are very particular about their lighting.

This 60% keyboard only has 61 keys, so there is not a lot of room for macros, but using the NGENUITY software, gamers can set macros to any key they want. There are three adjustable typing angles to choose from, but because of its thicker design, most gamers will have to hover their hands over the keyboard to type. Gamers planning to use the Origins 60 as a full-use keyboard might want to consider picking up a wrist rest to make it more comfortable to type on for long periods.

This is perhaps the first hot-swappable keyboard from Corsair that allows users to change the stock mechanical switches with the ones that they like. It is getting more trendy these days and is one of the most premium features users can have. This is one of the reasons why this mini keyboard costs over $100, but it does feature many high-end specifications that most users will appreciate. Firstly, the keyboard uses Cherry MX Speed switches that are superfast in actuation. Secondly, the high polling rate helps register input quicker than standard keyboards.

The keyboard can be connected via both wired and wireless modes, with the wired mode offering an 8000Hz polling rate and a 2000Hz polling rate with a wireless connection. Moreover, the keyboard can be connected to three different devices at the same time via Bluetooth and a USB receiver. The keyboard is pretty sturdy, thanks to the aluminum frame and PBT double-shot keycaps that increase its reliability. Furthermore, the controllable RGB lighting is unparalleled through the Corsair iCUE software support.

At the other end of the spectrum to the Magma Mini is the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless. This keyboard is jam-packed with features, but they come at a premium price. The main selling point of this keyboard is the ability to adjust the actuation point of each key. The Apex Pro Mini Wireless takes this a step further, though, with the ability to assign two different inputs with one key press; one input will trigger at the lighter actuation point, and the second one will trigger at the heavier actuation point. This is great for running in games instead of holding shift to sprint.

Besides the adjustable actuation point, this keyboard also has incredibly low latency and performs excellently regardless of the game type. These switches offer a pleasant typing experience and are reasonably quiet, so gamers in shared spaces won’t have to worry about driving their neighbors crazy. For laptop users, the wireless dongle is a USB-C adapter instead of the standard USB-A port, so there is no need to worry about getting a USB-C hub to get the best wireless performance out of the Apex Pro Mini Wireless.

Despite being a 60% keyboard with only 61 keys, thanks to the companion software, it doesn’t feel like any functionality is lost. Macros are very easy to program, and using that adjustable actuation point, users can program second-layer inputs like the arrow keys or the function row, so there is no need to hold another key to access them. Need a mouse to pair a SteelSeries keyboard with? Check out Game Rant’s list of the best SteelSeries gaming mice for 2024.

A wired alternative for those who cannot afford the Corsair K70 Pro Mini. Even though users cannot have the hot-swappable feature, they can still benefit from the premium OPX switches and customizable RGB lighting that provides a great gaming experience in competitive games. The Cherry MX Speed switches have a great lifespan of up to 150 million keystrokes and have an actuation distance of only 1mm. This ensures quick registering of the key presses, but those who aren’t used to such fast switches might find it difficult to operate at first as a slight press can register an input.

Apart from that, the keyboard has an additional row with multiple keys for various functions found on bigger motherboards and is still as compact as most 60% keyboards. The full RGB backlit layout allows users to change the colors or customize the RGB modes through iCUE software, which is one of the greatest software for customizing and tweaking various functions of Corsair peripherals. One thing to keep in mind is that it can’t be connected to a mobile or tablet as it lacks Bluetooth support. It is perfect for the PC and users will observe quick response due to its high polling rate of 8000Hz.

The Vulcan II Mini Gaming Keyboard is another display of fantastic RGB lighting from Roccat. This keyboard has unique keys, which feature durable, black or white caps on top of crystalline cubes that maximize the colorful display by refracting the LED lights. Each keycap is contoured, offering a slight boost to the ergonomics of the board, which is also supported by the low-profile design. Of course, players can swap out the keycaps if they want, especially considering the wide compatibility the Vulcan II offers.

The star of the show is the per-key illumination, which can be tied to up to five onboard profiles for quick display coordination with different games or activities. Players will need to download Roccat’s Swarm software for customization, but the program runs smoothly and is fairly intuitive. Players can also remap buttons, with 30 keys having a secondary LED light to indicate which function is currently active.

This 65% keyboard from Roccat is the best option for RGB fans in search of a mini gaming keyboard. With responsive keys and seemingly endless customization options, players shouldn’t pass up the chance to grab the Vulcan II Mini gaming keyboard, especially while it’s on sale for less than $100.

The Kinesis Freestyle Edge is one of the most ergonomic keyboards on the market, and part of its effectiveness stems from the split design. Although it isn’t a tenkeyless keyboard, the keys are arranged in such a compact design that most players will still save space on their desks.

The keyboard makes few sacrifices for its ergonomic prowess, although there is a significant learning curve for gamers who have never had a split keyboard before. However, familiar and responsive red Cherry MX keys and a sweat-resistant wrist rest promise a comfortable experience for years to come. Plus, the keyboard has a handful of premium customizations available to further enhance a gamer’s experience.

First and foremost, players can choose to use only half of the keyboard at a time, for sessions where only a gamepad is needed. Secondly, the brilliant RGB lighting offers per-key personalization, with the full-color wheel being available along with ten preset light displays. All of this, along with the standard remapping functions one would expect from a gaming keyboard, can be changed on the fly without any drivers needing to be installed. Despite the unusual layout, the Kinesis Freestyle Edge is the best mini keyboard for ergonomic health.

The GEODMAER 65% wired backlit gaming keyboard is ideal for gamers who don’t move around often when playing their favorite games. The wired connection, courtesy of Type-C cable, is stable, supporting strong connections and low input latency. Moreover, users don’t have to charge the keyboard before using it, which means it is easy to maintain. This keyboard is very comfortable due to its ergonomic design, as seen from the keyboard frame and keycap height. Gamers can play for a long time without the risk of wrist fatigue or strain.

The GEODMAER 65% wired backlit gaming keyboard has a sturdy frame, incorporating a hardy shell and UV-resistant coating that prevents fading. It is a stunner, coming in a grey-black color scheme that gives it a modern and sleek appearance, allowing it to fit well in various gaming setups. Also, the LED backlight lights up the keyboard and radiates the keycaps.

Mini Possibilities

Gamers are very particular about the size and type of keyboard they use, and most will probably stick with the format of keyboard that they have used the most, but for those who haven’t tried out a mini keyboard yet, it is worth trying at least one. Mini keyboards don’t always have to be the smallest keyboard available. 75% keyboards, for example, offer many dedicated keys gamers expect to see on a full-size keyboard but in a much smaller form factor.

A good middle ground to start with when it comes to mini keyboards is the 65% layout. Most of the time, 65% keyboards have a good number of dedicated function keys that gamers use a lot but still have a very small form factor that can fit on pretty much any desk. Gamers looking for something even smaller might want to look at 60% keyboards, which will feel similar to 65% but take up even less space. The smallest keyboard form factor Game Rant would recommend is 40%. These little guys mainly offer a bare-bones keyboard experience, but they also occupy minimal desk space.

The debate rages on in the gaming community if wired or wireless keyboards are better, but thanks to giant leaps in keyboard performance, both wired and wireless keyboards offer comparable performance to each other. Wireless keyboards are fantastic for gamers who want a clean look at their desk and don’t mind occasionally plugging them in to charge. Wired keyboards are excellent for gamers who want the bleeding edge of keyboard gaming performance, like the 8,000Hz polling rate the Corsair K65 Pro RGB offers. Ultimately, at this point, it comes down to personal preference over which one is better than the other.

Every mechanical keyboard fan’s favorite topic of conversation is what switch type they are using or which ones are their favorite. There are many excellent options to choose from, but they mostly boil down to linear, clicky, or tactile switches. Gamers who like to tinker with their electronics should look for keyboards with hot-swappable PCBs. These keyboards are very easy to customize and allow users to play around with what kind of switches they want to use without buying a whole new keyboard each time.

Regardless of the form factor, connectivity, or switch type, there are many excellent options, so make sure to cater each of these factors to personal preference rather than what is deemed the best online.

FAQ

Q: Are mini keyboards better for typing?

Mini keyboards do not inherently make users faster at typing, but they do help people type more efficiently. Smaller keyboards have less space to spread out and hunt and peck for keys, so it is a great place to start for people who are learning how to type or people looking to just improve their technique.

Q: Do gamers use mini keyboards?

A lot of gamers are turning towards using mini keyboards for various reasons, but one of the main advantages that a smaller keyboard brings is that it allows for more room for precise mouse movement.

Q: What size keyboard do most gamers use?

Most gamers tend to lean towards using 65% keyboards because it is a middle point between a full-size keyboard and 60%. Luckily, there are many options to choose from for gamers who want more dedicated keys to 40% keyboards that only have the bare minimum to get the job done.