J Allard, the co-founder of Xbox, has officially joined Amazon as vice president of devices and services.

As reported by GeekWire, the first sign of Allard’s career change came from his LinkedIn profile where his latest role was updated to read “vp, product – amazon”.

Modern keyboards are manufactured to such a high standard that even the compact 60% versions can cram in most of the same features as the very best keyboards of any size. The distinct look, compact sizing, and often better pricing of 60% keyboards make this a keyboard type well worth considering. That’s especially true if you’re already looking at the best mechanical keyboards — many of them are one and the same.

With a number of keyboard makers offering the compact form factor for gamers and typists, it shouldn’t be tough to find the right one for you. Here are some of the best 60 percent keyboards that we recommend.

Razer Huntsman Mini Analog

Best 60 percent keyboard

Why should you buy this: It’s a premium gaming keyboard with fast optical analog switches.

Who’s it for: Gamers and occasional typists in need of a feature-rich compact keyboard.

Why we picked the Razer Huntsman Mini:

Razer is a reliable name in the peripherals space, and its 60 percent keyboard offering, the Huntsman Mini Analog, is a feature-packed compact keyboard solution with some of the most advanced switches you can find. It is available in black or white (Mercury) color schemes with a total of 61 keys and a detachable USB-C cable. Despite the premium price, the build is all plastic, which was probably done to keep the overall weight to a minimum. The company includes its own doubleshot PBT keycaps with a superthin font that allows for sharp-looking letters.

The real standout feature with this keyboard, though, are the analog switches. They combine the performance of optical switches with near-infinite customization, letting you fine-tune the actuation distance for the task at hand. Shallow and responsive for gaming, deeper for greater typing accuracy, or any combination for any key(s) you wish — it’s all adjustable within the backend software, alongside the excellent Razer Chroma RGB per-key backlighting.

Whether you’re looking to type fast, game slow, vice versa, or anything in between, the Huntsman Mini Analog is the best 60% keyboard for the job.

Razer Huntsman Mini Analog

Best 60 percent keyboard

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Keychron K12

Best compact keyboard for multi-device setup

Why should you buy this: Highly compatible and well-rounded wireless keyboard.

Who’s it for: Working professionals with a multi-device setup.

Why we picked the Keychron K12:

Keychron started off as a Kickstarter project in 2018 and today offers a range of keyboards available in various layouts. The K12 is the company’s 60 percent offering that offers both wired and wireless connectivity. It is compatible with both MacOS and Windows, with additional keycaps so you can get the right layout. It can also be used with Linux, Android, and iOS devices. With Bluetooth 5.1, the keyboard can pair and quickly switch between three devices, making it perfect for someone who has to deal with more than one device. Available with factory-fitted Gateron G Pro mechanical switches (red, blue, or brown), one can also buy the K12 in a hot-swap version where you can choose between Gateron G Pro and Keychron’s own optical switches. Additionally, you get the option of white or RGB backlighting for the keys, as well as an aluminum frame for that extra sturdiness.

The inbuilt 4,000mAh battery can last about two months (with backlighting turned off) before it needs a recharge. There is no dedicated software, which means there are no options to program macros, but there are dedicated keys to control the RGB lighting. Also, the keyboard is a little thick and could use a third-party wrist rest for added comfort.

Keychron K12

Best compact keyboard for multi-device setup

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SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini

Best 60% keyboard for gaming

Why should you buy this: It’s fantastic for gaming purists.

Who’s it for: Gamers who don’t want any wasted space or keys.

Why we picked the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini:

The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is a lean and mean gaming keyboard, with all of the keys you need built on SteelSeries’ fantastically responsive and customizable Omnipoint 2.0 switches. They have dual actuation, so you can use granular controls in racers and games with nuanced inputs. They also unlock additional potential for more controls within the confines of a more compact design.

The keyboard is entirely wireless, and can run off Bluetooth or the 2.4 GHz wireless dongle. It’s rated for 40 hours of battery life with the lights on, but if you run it on low or don’t run it continuously, you should get far longer than that on a single charge.

The adjustable switches can be incredibly fast if you lower the actuation distance to fractions of a millimeter, and you can always extend that again for more accurate typing. RGB lighting is excellent, too, with per-key controls adjustable in the SteelSeries software.

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini

Best 60% keyboard for gaming

HyperX Alloy Origins 60

Rock solid gaming keyboard

Why should you buy this: Great value for the asking price.

Who’s it for: Budget-focused gamers looking for a reliable compact keyboard.

Why we picked the HyperX Alloy Origins 60:

The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 is a highly praised 60 percent keyboard for gamers featuring one of the most compact designs, paired with a rock-solid build and an excellent price tag. It makes use of high-quality plastics, an aircraft-grade aluminum top frame, and a detachable USB-C cable that is braided for longevity. The company offers the keyboard with its own linear red mechanical switches and Doubleshot PBT keycaps with 45G actuation force and 1.8mm actuation distance. There is per-key RGB lighting as well and adjustable feet that offer three different angles of inclination. One can easily set macros and control the RGB lighting using the NGenuity software, while the keyboard’s onboard memory can save up to three profiles. The software also lets you customize functions and assign them to almost any key on the Base Layer or the Fn Layer.

Overall, the Alloy Origins 60 performs quite well, with light and silent operation and extremely low click latency. It’s also very affordable compared to its competitors, especially since HyperX bundles a keycap remover with some extra keycaps, including a trippy-looking spacebar keycap.

HyperX Alloy Origins 60

Rock solid gaming keyboard

Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2

One of a kind 60 percent keyboard with capacitive switches

Why should you buy this: Minimalist design with premium Topre key switches.

Who’s it for: Programmers and typists looking for a unique experience.

Why we picked the Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2:

Focusing on aesthetics and a great typing experience, the Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 or the HHKB Pro 2 is one of the most unique products on this list. Catering to a niche audience, it features an understated retro design, solid PBT keycaps, and Japanese Topre key switches, all of which manage to deliver an interesting typing experience. There is a steep learning curve though, as the keyboard doesn’t have a traditional layout, especially when it comes to the Control key that is positioned where the Caps Lock key should be. The capacitive non-contact Topre switches are definitely the highlight of the keyboard, offering linear and smooth key travel, almost like a superior version of the Cherry MX Brown switches.

As for connectivity, there are two pass-through USB ports to attach additional peripherals or thumb drives, and for some odd reason, a mini-USB port for connecting your PC. You also get Bluetooth connectivity that allows you to wirelessly connect multiple devices. Apart from the confusing layout, the biggest issue with this keyboard is the price. Currently available for over $300, the HHKB Pro 2 is one of the most expensive 60 percent keyboards on the market.

Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2

One of a kind 60 percent keyboard with capacitive switches

Corsair K65 RGB Mini

Appealing design with strong software ecosystem.

Why should you buy this: Great design aesthetics with multiple customization options.

Who’s it for: Gamers who seek a good-looking design and robust software ecosystem.

Why we picked the Corsair K65 RGB Mini:

Corsair made its entry into the 60 percent keyboard category K65 RGB Mini and did so with gusto. The advertised “hero feature” of the keyboard is its class-leading 8,000Hz polling rate, though that shouldn’t be the only reason for you to buy one. It comes with a pleasing design and bright RGB lighting, making it one of the most premium-looking 60 percent keyboards. You also get a removable USB-C cable, Doubleshot PBT keycaps, and the option of Cherry MX Red, brown, blue, Silent, and Speed key switches. Available in black or white color schemes, Corsair additionally sells custom-colored keycap sets for the K65 RGB Mini to please enthusiasts. Then there is the iCUE software integration, which has become one of the best in the business, giving you full control of the RGB lighting as well as a variety of other options to play with.

This is definitely one of the most practical 60 percent keyboards with minor gripes. It misses out on adjustable feet, meaning you cannot change the angle of inclination, and for a $100 keyboard, one expects a metal top frame for that extra rigidity.

Corsair K65 RGB Mini

Appealing design with strong software ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have been hearing a lot of rumors lately about the chipsets that will power Samsung’s next-gen Galaxy S25 series. Previously, there were rumors about the use of the Exynos 2500 SoC in all the Galaxy S25 family. However, that specific rumor was quickly sidelined by another two rumors from June which hinted at the use of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in all three models of the Galaxy S25 series.

Now, we have a similar claim from a prominent tipster who suggests that the Exynos 2500 chipset won’t feature in any of the three Galaxy S25 series. Samsung could rather feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset in the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra which are likely to launch in January next year. That said, Samsung may have different plans for the Exynos 2500 SoC.

A new claim hints all three Galaxy S25 series phones won’t feature the Exynos 2500 SoC

The latest rumor about the chipsets has come via a popular tipster @Jukanlosreve (previous @Revegnus on X). Per his latest post on X, Samsung has failed to integrate the Exynos 2500 SoC with the Galaxy S25 series. This has apparently happened due to a lower-than-expected 3nm yield.

The tipster believes it’s a clear hint that all three models, Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra, may use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. If we consider previous leaks, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 could cost 20% more than its predecessor. Therefore, you can expect Samsung to offer all three models with a 30% price bump.

The in-house chipset could power the Galaxy S25 FE, Z Flip 7, and Z Fold 7

That said, Samsung may not have completely ignored the in-house Exynos 2500 SoC. Samsung could use the Exynos 2500 SoC in the Galaxy S25 FE which might launch in April 2025. Besides, the chipset could power the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Fold 7 that might launch next year as well.

If this happens, next year’s Samsung foldable and flip phone will be the first-ever to use an Exynos SoC. For the uninitiated, Samsung has been using Snapdragon chipsets in all its foldable and flip phones to this date.

I’ve been wishing for a product like MyRow to come onto the market for as long as I can remember. I love rowing, and own a Concept2 Model D, which is one of the world’s most popular rowing machines. Concept2’s ergometers — which is the fancy word for “rowing machine” — are a mainstay of gyms all around the world. But the Vermont-based company has dragged its feet when it comes to embracing the smart fitness revolution. The best it offers is some clips on its latest machine that can be used to hold a third-party tablet in place.

Inspired by Peloton, plenty of other companies have bolted HD screens with live classes to their gym equipment. But Concept2 is still standing by the PM5, a little black box with a liquid crystal display that debuted in 2014 which displays stats like your split times and stroke rate. If you can’t quite imagine how I feel: It’s as if you own a Game Boy, and everyone else in the world is rocking a Steam Deck. To try and improve matters, I bought a little 3D-printed smartphone holder from eBay but, even so, it’s hard not to feel short-changed.

Step forward MyRow, the brainchild of Gary Simpson, founder of Transit Wireless, the company that brought cell service to the New York City subway. While sheltering in place from COVID, he had a Concept2 and a Peloton bike at home to help keep in shape. Back at CES, he told me, despite his love of rowing, he would often default to the bike with its glossy screen and video classes. Inspired, he founded MyRow in the spirit of bringing something similar to the Concept2.

The end product is an internet-connected display that can be retrofitted onto a Concept2 Model C, D, E or RowErg so long as it is equipped with the PM5. The package includes a 22-inch display, power adapter and the mounting arm you’ll need to bolt onto the rower. Once installed, you can access on-demand video classes and digital workout guides, as well as just a nicer way to stare at your rowing stats compared to the sub-Game Boy display you’re used to.

Installation took me less than half an hour, and most of that was just bolting the mounting arm onto the rower. Bear in mind, you’ll need to run a data cable from the PM5 to MyRow since the tablet can’t interface with the machine directly. I hope you’re good at cable management, since you’ll need to find a way to elegantly route the data and power cables along the body of the rower.

Under the hood, MyRow is just a skinned Android tablet which takes a minute to boot, with software updates taking another minute. Given the device is so new, there have been lots of updates, including the addition of plans and features. The UI is simple enough, with big target boxes and clean lines, which is ideal if you need to change a setting mid-row.

There’s a surprising amount of connectivity in this thing, too, with ports for Ethernet, USB-C, micro-USB, USB-A and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Plus, it’s Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible for any wireless headphones or heart-rate monitors you use. There’s a forward-facing webcam in the body that isn’t being used for anything right now. The company is looking to build a form analysis tool that’ll harness it eventually, and may also use the camera to enhance group rows.

Once your feet are strapped in and you’ve got one hand on the grab, it’s time to pick your workout. Users can select from video workouts, as well as preset and custom training plans that will just throw your intervals on the screen. The stats are laid out like pretty much every other on-demand fitness class, with your key vitals running along the bottom. That includes calories burned, distance rowed, stroke rate, pace per 500 meters, average pace, stroke length, power and average power.

On the left side of the display, you’ll get a timeline showing you when the next internal is, and on the right-hand side, a leaderboard for the video class you’re participating in. I surprised myself, because I don’t think of myself as someone who is that competitive, but the leaderboards brought something out in me. The fact I was able to leap into the top 10 in a number of classes is, I’m sure, just down to MyRow’s presently small user base. But, a win is a win.

As much as I enjoy using MyRow, I do have one gripe given the custom nature of the product. Concept2’s rowing machines use air resistance, so when you pull the chain you’re driving a fan. A fan which kicks out enough noise that it can drown out the instructor’s voice and music even when you turn the volume up to max. Maybe sharper-eared rowers won’t find it a problem, but I wish they’d have made more effort to compensate for the general noise of the rower.

Now, 2024 has been a year of rigorous self-examination and one where I’m humble enough to admit my flaws. I’m nearly 40 and I’m never going to magically evolve into one of those people who cares about their own marginal gains. I’m not going to look at a countdown timer, compare it to my previous lap’s best and then try to beat it on a regular basis. And as much as I love rowing, I get bored, and a big screen could alleviate that if I can watch the streaming service of my choice while I do so.

This is why I’m excited to know that MyRow has promised to integrate streaming videos into its platform by spring 2025. Because when you’re not taking an on-demand video class, you’re just staring at a well-designed stats screen. The sooner we can add any sort of entertainment to that, even if it’s just a clip of someone rowing down a beautiful river, the better.

I’m optimistic about MyRow’s potential to help turn the Concept2 into a machine that’s a little friendlier, even for its diehard users. It’s available to buy now, with the tablet setting you back $500 and the membership costs either $36 a month or $359.88 if you pay for the year, which represents a 20 percent discount. If you get the tablet on its own, however, you’ll still be able to use the Just Row feature, although it’s a hefty price for basically better data visualization.