Buying_Guide_Mini

Mini

A mini keyboard is a niche that's smaller than 75%. While it usually refers to 60% keyboards, we are using it to include the keyboards that are just slightly larger. A 60% keyboard is a regular 104 keyboard with its function key row chopped off, and anything to the right of ENTER removed as well. It is very compact but requires a bit more key manipulation as you have to use function keys to get to the keys that are no longer on the keyboard. 65% is 60% with a few extra keys, such as dedicated cursor keys. 70% is 65% with a few more keys. For simplicity, we're lumping them together.


MagicForce 68 ($$) -- cheap AND compact   (see CMKB profile)

MagicForce 68 is available with Kailh, Gateron, or Cherry switches. These come as the low-end version (no backlight) and goes up from there. There are even DIY kits from China where you can put in whatever switches you want. They are perfect little portable keyboards. See CMKB profile for more details.


LinDon-Tech Mechanical Bluetooth Keyboard / RK-61 ($$) -- wired AND Bluetooth AND cheap (CMKB Profile)

This rebadged Royal Kludge RK-61 with Kailh switches has an extra trick... It has a built-in battery and can work in Bluetooth 3.0 mode in addition to wired mode. Its price is well below the price of a KBP V60 or almost half the price of a Pok3r, or the Filco Minila Air, making it a viable alternative for those who need a SMALL keyboard on a budget or a wireless keyboard.


Obins Anne Pro ($$$) -- wired and wireless... RGB, app control (see CMKB profile)

Obins Anne Pro is a BT4.0 dual mode keyboard with full RGB effects and a matching smartphone control app, for a surprisingly low price of $80 USD on Banggood and possibly elsewhere for less. It uses the smartphone app to remap keys, do lighting effects, and other functions. It also comes with PBT keycaps. It's on Amazon for a little more. See CMKB profile for more details.

There is a comparable keyboard called LTC K61 for $60 on Amazon. It lacks the Bluetooth configuration options though. It is still wireless.


Drevo Calibur ($$) -- 71-key dual mode RGB mini keyboard (CMKB Profile)

Drevo Calibur is a rebadged "Keycool 71 RGB" from China, and it's advertised as having been upgraded to Bluetooth 4.0. It is basically a TKL without the function key row, or Anne Pro with a TKL cursor cluster. Its price is quite low though it may be a bit wider than most people like. As long as you can stand the extra width, this is not a bad choice.


KBP V60Plus ($$$/$$$$) -- 60% blue/red backlit

KBP, or "Keyboard Paradise", is a small keyboard maker that builds rather unique keyboards. The V60 is their 60% offering. The "plus" means it has dual-color LED per-key backlight. It comes with keypuller and 9 extra keys for Mac and other compatibilities. It is right at $100 or $110 depending on the exact configuration.