Within the market there are a lot of options available, suitable for all tastes and pockets. Video game fans already know that the best option to play is a good mechanical keyboardbut they are usually expensive. We have been looking for keyboards in AliExpress that are mechanical, are compact and, in addition, cost less than 30 euro. This is what we have found.
If you are a fan of video games and have tried mechanical and membrane keyboards, you will already know the differences. For those less involved in the subject, the difference is in the sensation of pulsation and the route, mainly. Also, the mechanical ones are much noisier than the membrane type.
The first option that has caught our attention is the K620 for 28.62 euros (regular price: 49.35 euros). It is characterized by being 60% type and connects to the computer via USB-C cable. How can it be otherwise, it has customizable RGB lighting using hotkeys. We are struck by the more than 3000 units sold.
Quite similar is the E-YOOSO Z686 RGB that costs 27.92 euros (regular price: 65.14 euros). It differs in that this is completely white and allows the removal of mechanical switches. Otherwise, both are quite similar and have sold more than 2,000 units.
If you also want to work without cables, we recommend this K68 keyboard that costs 25.59 euros (regular price: 60.47 euros). It does not include a battery, it works with two AAA batteries and it lacks RGB lighting. According to the page, more than 1000 units of this compact keyboard have been sold.
All three of these models appear to be based on red mechanical switches. These types of switches are characterized by not having tactile feedback and generate a lot of sound on activation. Also, they are very smooth and have quite a long travel, although the activation is usually 2-2.2mm.
even cheaper options
Let’s go now with other cheap options, but even cheaper. The first is the LEAVEN K620, it costs 12.68 euros and is characterized by having RGB lighting on the keys and contour. Also, this keyboard features green mechanical switches. This keyboard leaves more doubts, since the sales volume is low, although that does not mean that it is bad.
In the same line we have this RYRA RGB costs 15.06 euros and also uses these green switches. It includes RGB lighting and the cable can be removed, using a USB-C connector. It barely has 100 units sold, so it’s a bit of a risk.
About the green switches, the truth is that we have little information. Cherry states that their models have 2.2mm of travel and require an 80-gram activation force. Keep in mind that the MX Red require only 45 grams.
The last option that we leave you is the rarest of all. This so-called K61 60% keyboard costs 19.11 euros and looks like a rather cheeky replica of the Corsair K65. It’s not quite clear what type of switches this keyboard uses, but they appear to be the red type. It has very few sales and has no ratings, so it doesn’t seem like a very good option.
Finally we have the V700WB that costs 12.18 euros. This one also doesn’t specify the type of switches it uses and has no ratings. What we like is that it combines black and white keycaps.
