In the realm of keyboards, low-profile models have gained significant traction among both casual typists and professional gamers alike. Their compact design, reduced key travel distance, and often sleek aesthetics make them highly appealing. With numerous options flooding the market, finding the perfect low-profile keyboard can be daunting. After testing over ten different models, I’ve narrowed down the top five picks for you. Whether you prioritize value, convenience, gaming performance, build quality, or reliability, there’s a low-profile keyboard out there that fits your needs perfectly.
1. Lowf Free Flow Light: The Best Value
The Lowf Free Flow Light stands out as the best value in the low-profile keyboard market. Currently available on Kickstarter for just $89, it offers an incredible deal compared to other keyboards in this category, which often hover around the $120 mark. Manufactured by Lrey, this keyboard has made quite a splash, impressing with its sleek design and functionality.
The Free Flow Light comes in a delightful cream color, with additional options for pink or off-white. You can choose between two sizes: 75% or 98%. The latter includes a number pad and a handy volume scroll wheel that feels satisfyingly tactile. Connectivity options are versatile, with a toggle switch allowing you to switch between wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4G connections. The keyboard also features a kickstand on the back, offering a higher typing angle if desired.
Weighing in at 554 grams (1 lb 3 oz), the Free Flow Light is lightweight and easy to transport. The case is entirely plastic, but the build quality feels robust. The keyboard boasts a creamy sound, thanks to its gasket-out design and palm switches. The gasket mount is stiffer than on other keyboards, providing a more stable typing experience. However, the lack of VIA support—a popular open-source browser software for customizing key settings—is a notable downside. Instead, you’ll need to download software directly from Lowf.
The Free Flow Light also offers a silent switch option, though these must be purchased separately and installed by the user. Once the Kickstarter campaign ends, the price will jump from $89 to $129, making it less of a standout value. Nevertheless, for those seeking a budget-friendly yet high-quality low-profile keyboard, the Lowf Free Flow Light is hard to beat.
2. Logitech MX Mechanical Mini: Convenience and Functionality
If convenience and functionality are your top priorities, the Logitech MX Mechanical Mini is the keyboard for you. Priced at $120, I managed to find a refurbished version for $70, making it an even more attractive option. This 75% keyboard features arrow keys but no number pad, making it compact yet functional.
One standout feature of the MX Mechanical Mini is its motion sensor, which wakes the keyboard before you even start typing. This eliminates the delay typically experienced with wireless keyboards, ensuring zero lag when you press the first key. This feature alone makes the MX Mechanical Mini a joy to use and is why it made it onto this list.
The keyboard connects via Bluetooth or Logitech Bolt, which is reliable and convenient, especially if you already own other Logitech devices. It has a relatively small battery capacity of 500mAh, but with the backlight turned off, it can last for months. Unfortunately, the MX Mechanical Mini lacks many of the extra touches found on other keyboards. It doesn’t have a gasket mount, resulting in a stiffer typing experience and a less satisfying sound. The design is plain, with no scroll wheels or knobs, and it’s purely functional.
Despite its shortcomings, the Logitech MX Mechanical Mini excels in convenience and reliability. For those who prioritize these aspects over typing experience and aesthetics, it’s a solid choice.
3. Newy Air 60 H: The Ideal Gaming Keyboard
For gamers seeking a low-profile keyboard, the Newy Air 60 H is a top contender. Priced at $120, this keyboard is designed with gaming in mind. It features hall effect switches, which include a small magnet that allows for adjustable actuation distance. This feature is particularly appealing to gamers, as it can provide a competitive edge in games like Valorant, CS2, and Overwatch.
The Air 60 H offers a polling rate of 8,000Hz, making it highly competitive with other major gaming brands like Wooting, Asus, and Corsair. Its design is visually striking, with purple and translucent keycaps on the right side and a purple Escape key. The keyboard also includes customizable RGB strips on the left and right sides, adding a touch of flair.
The typing experience on the Air 60 H is surprisingly good, especially for a gaming keyboard. It comes with low-profile magnetic switches and an option for a pro version at $140. The pro version features palm switch materials, providing a more satisfying bottom-out sound. The keyboard also includes a toggle button called “rapid switch,” which allows you to create different profiles for various operating systems or gaming settings.
The Newy Air 60 H is a fantastic choice for gamers who want a low-profile keyboard with a competitive edge. Its customizable features and high polling rate make it a standout option in the gaming market.
4. Iquinx Maggie 65: Premium Build Quality
If you’re willing to sacrifice portability for build quality and sound, the Iquinx Maggie 65 is the keyboard for you. Priced at $119, this keyboard boasts the best build quality among all the options tested. It features a unique mounting style called Le Tray Mount, which includes silicone dampening bumps on the bottom, providing a typing experience similar to a gasket mount.
The Maggie 65’s case is fully aluminum, with a ribbed backplate and interesting X-shaped feet. It comes with a mix of copper and black keycaps, adding a touch of elegance. The keyboard also includes a coiled cable and metal keycaps, making it feel premium and custom.
The Maggie 65 offers VIA compatibility, allowing you to easily reprogram the keys using browser-based software. However, it is significantly heavier than other options, making it less suitable for those who need to transport their keyboard frequently. The keyboard also lacks a toggle switch for easy switching between 2.4G wired and Bluetooth connections, which can be inconvenient.
Despite its weight and lack of a toggle switch, the Iquinx Maggie 65’s high build quality and satisfying typing experience make it a top choice for those who prioritize these aspects.
5. Newy Air 75 V2: Long-Lasting and Versatile
For those seeking a reliable low-profile keyboard with a long-lasting battery, the Newy Air 75 V2 is a solid choice. Priced at $120, this keyboard offers a wide selection of switches and three different case colors. It has been a top pick for low-profile keyboards for a long time, though it is slowly falling behind in terms of typing experience.
The Air 75 V2 features colorful keycaps, with green, yellow, and red modifier keys, giving it a fun and vibrant look. It includes two LED cutouts on the side, enhancing its visual appeal when the RGB is turned on. The keyboard offers a toggle switch between Windows and Mac, as well as another toggle switch for off/wired/wireless connections, making it easy to use right out of the box.
The back of the case is translucent, allowing the RGB to diffuse through, and it features a shiny backplate. However, this also makes it a fingerprint magnet. The Air 75 V2 boasts a massive 4,000mAh battery, which is the largest on this list and almost three times bigger than the battery on the Logitech MX Mechanical Mini. This makes it highly suitable for those who need a keyboard that can last without frequent charging.
Despite its long-lasting battery and versatile connectivity options, the Air 75 V2’s typing experience feels less satisfying compared to other keyboards. It lacks a gasket mount, resulting in a hollow sound and a more rigid typing feel. While it offers VIA compatibility, its overall typing experience is less creamy and satisfying than other options like the Lowf Free Flow Light and the Iquinx Maggie 65.
Choosing the right low-profile keyboard depends on your priorities. If you’re looking for the best value, the Lowf Free Flow Light is an excellent choice, offering a high-quality build and satisfying typing experience at an affordable price. For convenience and functionality, the Logitech MX Mechanical Mini excels, especially with its motion sensor feature. Gamers will appreciate the Newy Air 60 H for its competitive features and customizable options. If build quality and sound are your top priorities, the Iquinx Maggie 65 is hard to beat, despite its weight. Finally, for those who need a reliable keyboard with a long-lasting battery, the Newy Air 75 V2 is a solid option.
Each of these keyboards offers unique features and benefits, making them suitable for different needs and preferences. Whether you’re a gamer, a professional typist, or someone who values convenience and portability, there’s a low-profile keyboard on this list that’s perfect for you. Happy typing!
