Keyboards have evolved a great deal in recent years, which has led to the development of the low-profile keyboard. A mechanical keyboard of a low profile is designed to take up less space than a regular keyboard. The keyboard’s height may be greatly reduced by modifying various elements, giving it a comparatively lower profile and making it more ergonomic.
Low-profile keyboards have several advantages when compared to standard keyboards. They are shorter, making them more ergonomic, meaning they can be used without experiencing too much fatigue.
The keyboard is more portable and simpler to take around due to its small design, which includes thinner keycaps and shorter switches. In addition, its shorter switches greatly minimize response time during gaming, making your game much more responsive.
A low-profile mechanical keyboard may provide an optimal gaming experience. This keyboard is ideal for those who need to type frequently without discomforting their wrists.
Low-profile mechanical keyboard
A low-profile mechanical keyboard is designed for people who want a smaller, more compact keyboard. Low-profile keyboards are inspired by laptop and notebook keyboards, attempting to replicate the same mobility and ergonomic comfort. In a nutshell, a low-profile keyboard is one that is lower in height and has switches with less actuation travel.
Low-profile switches are often faster to actuate and feel faster to press than regular mechanical keyboard switches. Its compact size makes it simple to operate and convenient to carry with you on the go.
Let’s take a look at our list and discuss why we chose each of these low-profile mechanical keyboards as our favourites.
Keychron K1 (Version 5)
Quick Specs
- Switches: Gateron Low Profile Red/Brown/Blue
- Keyboard layout: TKL (87 keys)
- Keycap Type: ABS Double Shot
- Connectivity: Wired (Detachable Type-C)/Wireless
- RGB: Yes/White Backlit
- Hot-swappable: Yes
- Optimised for macOS too
- Hot-swappable
- Thin body and compact
- No software customisation
- Average Battery Life
The Keychron K1 was created by people who love mechanical keyboards, and it shows in the design.
Depending on your needs, you can choose from different pricing options for the keyboard. You can choose between white or RGB backlighting, and Gateron Blue, Brown or Red switches.
This keyboard is compatible with both Windows and Mac, with keycaps tailored to each operating system. There’s a toggle switch on the side that lets you switch between operating systems.
With an ultra-thin body of just 18mm thickness, the K1 features a USB-C connector and media keys that are compatible with the Mac as well.
The Gateron Low Profile Blue switches offer a total distance of 2.5mm, with a 1.5mm actuation distance and a 50g actuation force. As a result, it’s a rather straightforward low-profile switch that does the job adequately.
The Gateron Low Profile Red switches provide the same total distance and actuation distance as the blue one but 45g of force is all it takes to actuate. The keyboard has switches that are exposed from the sides and features a key design that floats above them.
The keycaps look strikingly similar to the typeface and design of keys found on Mac computers, featuring a minimalist, flat keycap style.
With Bluetooth technology, it can connect to up to 3 devices simultaneously, giving you more flexibility.
Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 Rapidfire
Quick Specs
- Switches: Cherry MX Low Profile Red
- Keyboard layout: 100% (104 keys compact full-size)
- Keycap Type: ABS Double Shot
- Connectivity: Wired
- RGB: Yes
- Hot-swappable: Yes
- Great build quality
- Keypresses are relatively silent
- Programmable RGB with iCUE software
- Not wireless
This keyboard carries a slim and stylish design that will complement any contemporary desktop arrangement. It has a weight of 2.75 pounds and features a sturdy aircraft-grade aluminium chassis with the radiant per-key lighting of RGB for a longer gaming lifespan.
This keyboard has a wrist-rest that is removable and rubberized, and a pair of grey keycaps for best visibility. Elevated control keys are located just above the number keypad, making them simpler to grasp with the right hand.
The typical 104-key layout with the raised keys is used, with a considerable gap between the keycap and frame. This enables for a more visible display of RGB lights as well as the simple clearance of dirt that may have accumulated beneath the keycaps.
The CORSAIR iCUE software is simple to use and powerful, allowing for dynamic RGB lighting control, and extensive macro programming, as well as compatibility with the other CORSAIR products. All of this combines to make the keyboard the best choice for low-profile gaming.
Redragon K621 Horus TKL
Quick Specs
- Switches: Outemu Low Profile Red
- Keyboard layout: TKL – 80% (87 keys)
- Keycap Type: ABS Double Shot
- Connectivity: Wired (Detachable Type-C)/ Wireless (Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.4GHz receiver)
- RGB: Yes
- Hot-swappable: Yes
- Good quality ABS keycaps
- Supports wired and wireless connections
- Dedicated macro keys and media controls
- Switches used could have been better for the price
This is a great low-profile keybaord with all the features you might need from a keybaord. It supports wireless and wired both and comes with the Outemu low profile Red switches. Given the price, it could have used better siwtches but switches used in Redragon keyboards are not bad.
The keycaps are ABS doubleshot and feel awesome to type on. The keycaps used are of really good quality and the RGB backlighting improves the overall typing experience.
The best part about this keybaord its dedicated macro keys and media control. On the top, you get 4 macro keys which you program, dedicated media controls and a scroll button.
Redragon K621 is a feature rich leybopard and the best overall low profile keybaord available on the market.
Cooler Master SK630/650/621 Low Profile Keyboard
Quick Specs
- Switches: Gateron Red/Brown/Blue
- Keyboard layout: 100% (100 keys compact full-size) / TKL / 60%
- Keycap Type: ABS Double Shot
- Connectivity: Wired (Detachable Type-C) / Bluetooth (Only for SK621)
- RGB: Yes
- Hot-swappable: Yes
- Short travel is good for gaming
- Good quality keycaps
- Good build quality
- Could need some time to get used.
- Bluetooth is only available for SK621
The Cooler Master SK630/650 is worth taking a closer look at. Both are low-profile mechanical keyboards, with the exception that the SK650 is a full-size keyboard with a number pad while the SK630 is a TKL keyboard. There’s also the SK621, a keyboard with Bluetooth that’s 60% size.
These keyboards include extra-flat keycaps and Cherry MX Low Profile switches, giving them the look and feel of a chiclet keyboard. While the general design of these keyboards is not oriented toward gamers, they do include quick on-the-fly illumination tweaks, lighting mode changes, and macro recording.
There is no keycap tilt, and each key’s edges are squared off and level with its neighbours. They are attempting to shorten the space between keys, but getting acclimated to the keyboard may take some time.
You’ll probably make a lot of mistakes at first, but with practice, you’ll get the hang of it. Because of the short linear switches, gaming with this keyboard can be a better experience. You’ll notice speedier response times and a little increase in your competitiveness.
The disadvantage is that this keyboard is difficult to type on quickly and accurately because of the flat keys, shorter travel distance, and shorter linear switches.
Logitech G915 Mechanical Keyboard
Quick Specs
- Switches: GL Low Profile Clicky/Tactile/Linear
- Keyboard layout: 100%/ TKL
- Keycap Type: ABS
- Connectivity: Wired/ Wireless
- RGB: Yes
- Hot-swappable: Yes
- Great build quality and aesthetic
- Good RGB backlighting
- Low profile switches feel very responsive
- Dedicatred Macro Keys
- Expensive
- Key legends are small
The Logitech G915 keyboard is one of the greatest low-profile mechanical keyboards on the market, but it’s also one of the most costly. It’s one of the smallest and lightest gaming keyboards on the market, and it lacks the numeric keypad, as do all tenkeyless keyboards.
The media controls are dedicated, and the Enter, Delete, and Backspace keys are full-sized, providing accuracy, convenience, and simple control. Media may be quickly played, skipped, paused, and muted. Its tenkeyless design allows you more room to use your mouse.
The keyboard may be connected to several devices and toggled between them via Bluetooth or LIGHTSPEED. LIGHTSPEED wireless technology provides high-quality performance while eliminating the need for connections, resulting in a cleaner look.
The keyboard recharges in three hours and may last up to 40 hours. When the battery is at 15%, the device warns you with an LED and a pop-up message in the Logitech G HUB software.
Redragon K614 Anivia
Quick Specs
- Switches: Outemu Low Profile Red
- Keyboard layout: 60% (62 keys)
- Keycap Type: ABS Double Shot
- Connectivity: Wired (Detachable Type-C)
- RGB: Yes
- Hot-swappable: Yes
- Relatively silent
- Good for both typing and gaming
- Hot-swappable
- Wired Only
Redragon is known for budget mechanical keyboards and they also make low profile keybaord. K612 comes with Outemu Low Profile Red switches (linear). The keypresses are relatively silent but still retains the “mechanical feel”.
The keycaps are ABS double shot and the legends are clearly visible which is accentuated by good RGB backlighting.
The body is thin at just 8.5 mm which makes it really light to carry around. Despite being a budget keyboard, the keys feel extremely responsive and is fun to type on. You might want some time to get used to 60% layout since it doesn’t have dedicated arrow keys.
Pros of a low-profile mechanical keyboard
Height
Low-profile keyboards have a smaller profile than regular keyboards. They are designed in a way that puts less strain on your wrist since it doesn’t have to be elevated as much. This is especially important if you spend a lot of time at your workstation typing; a low-profile keyboard reduces your chances of suffering a strain injury.
Short key travel
One more benefit to using low-profile keyboards is the shorter key travel distance its switches provide. This is an opinion that may be more subjective. Many mechanical keyboard users like a large amount of key travel because it improves the feel of the switches.
Low-profile keyboards, on the other hand, are a great alternative if you’re used to laptop and notebook keyboards, or if you’re a gamer who needs that extra low latency with a shorter key travel distance.
Familiarity
If you’re used to tiny laptop keyboards like those seen in MacBooks and Dell laptops, this will be a welcome change. The transition to a low-profile mechanical keyboard won’t be too difficult, and you’ll be typing at your normal pace in no time!
Portability
Low-profile keyboards are perfect for travellers because they’re lightweight and easy to carry around. The low-profile switches also assist to minimize the overall thickness of the keyboard, allowing you to quickly throw it in a bag and be ready to go.
What are the factors to look for in a low-profile mechanical keyboard?
It can be tough to decide on a low-profile mechanical keyboard because of all the different factors you need to take into account. This is especially relevant for someone who isn’t familiar with mechanical keyboards. Here are the factors you should keep in mind when selecting a low-profile mechanical keyboard.
- Size and Layout
- Switches
- Build
- Keycaps – Backlight
- Noise
Low-profile mechanical keyboards are ideal for folks who like the look of chiclet keys but prefer the feel of mechanical keys. All of these keyboards have shorter overall and actuation distances than MX-style switches.
Keyboards have experienced significant advancements in order to provide the highest level of service to clients. You can play video games, code, or text swiftly and easily with a low-profile mechanical keyboard. These are the best mechanical keyboards with a low profile on the market.
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