HK Gaming GK61 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard 60 Percent
Bottom line: The HK Gaming GK61 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard 60 Percent: Gateron Optical Blue switches rated for 100 million keystrokes.
As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Gateron Optical Blue switches rated for 100 million keystrokes
- ✓ Hot-swap optical sockets: change switches with no soldering
- ✓ Full NKRO anti-ghosting for FPS, MOBA, and MMO inputs
- ✓ Detachable USB-C to Type-A cable and included keypuller
Cons
- ✗ Price, stock, shipping and returns are set by the retailer and may have changed since this page was last updated
Manufacturer description
The HK Gaming GK61 packs a full 61-key 60 percent layout into a footprint that frees up serious desk space for low-sensitivity mouse sweeps. Gateron Optical Blue switches drive the appeal here: light beams register the keypress instead of metal contacts, so actuation is fast and the switches are rated for 100 million keystrokes. They are also hot-swappable, meaning you can pull any optical switch with the bundled puller and drop in a replacement without a soldering iron. RGB backlighting covers all 16.8 million colors per key with adjustable brightness and multiple effects, and it runs plug…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored HK Gaming GK61 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard 60 Percent using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the gaming peripherals category. HK Gaming's gaming peripherals lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for gaming peripherals of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install software to use the RGB lighting?
No. The keyboard is plug and play with no drivers needed for the RGB backlighting, which offers 16.8 million colors, adjustable brightness, and multiple effects. Software is used for macro recording and advanced lighting customization.
Can I swap the switches without soldering?
Yes. The GK61 uses hot-swappable optical sockets, so you can pull the Gateron Optical Blue switches and install other optical switches with no soldering or desoldering.
Does it work with a Mac?
Yes. It supports macOS as well as Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, and connects to any computer or laptop over the included detachable USB-C to Type-A cable.
How do I use function and arrow keys on a 60 percent layout?
The 61-key layout accesses function, arrow, and multimedia keys through multiple programmable layers rather than dedicated keys, and the board supports macro recording for custom bindings.
Are the Optical Blue switches loud?
Blue switches are clicky by design, so expect audible feedback on each press. If noise matters in a shared space, the hot-swap sockets let you replace them with a quieter optical switch.
Key Features
- FULL RGB BACKLIT GAMING KEYBOARD – 16.8 million Color combinations, adjustable brightness levels and multiple different lighting effects. Plug & Play, no drivers needed.
- GATERON OPTICAL SWITCHES – Extremely fast response time make these the best choice for getting an advantage in gaming. Hot-Swappable with other Optical switches. No solder or desolder necessary. Extremely durable switches rated for 100 million keystrokes.
- FULLY PROGRAMMABLE - Macro recording, advanced lighting effects and customizations through software. Features multimedia keys through multiple layers. Full Anti Ghosting Mode n-key Rollover (NKRO) for ideal FPS, MOBA and MMO gaming experiences.
- PRACTICAL FEATURES – Small form factor mini 60% Layout with 61 keys with individual backlighting. Spill and dust resistant to withstand accidental spills while playing. Switchable ABS Doubleshot keycaps that can be changed with the included keypuller.
- COMPATABILITY WITH MAC & WINDOWS - Compatible with Windows 11, Win 10, Win 8, Win 7, Win Vista, Windows XP and Mac OS. Ideal Keyboard for all Environments works with all Computer or Laptop Brands and Gaming PCs. Compatible for Home and Office use. Detachable USB C to Type-A cable included.
Full Specifications
| Brand | HK GAMING |
|---|---|
| Color | Red |
| Style | Gaming |
| Theme | Rainbow |
| Language | English |
| Model Name | GK61 |
| Style Name | Gaming |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Switch Type | Clicky |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
| Model Number | GK61 |
| Power Source | DC |
| Compatibility | PC, Mac |
| Built-In Media | Keycap Puller, USB Cable |
| Number of Keys | 61 |
| Button Quantity | 61 |
| Connection Type | Wired |
| Keyboard Layout | QWERTY |
| Mfr Part Number | gk61_rd_opt_blue |
| Special Feature | Lighting |
| Full listing title | HK Gaming GK61 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard 60 Percent | 61 RGB Rainbow LED Backlit Programmable Keys | USB Wired | for Mac and Windows PC | Hotswap Gateron Optical Blue Switches | Red |
Ready to buy?
HK Gaming GK61 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard 60 Percent | 61 RGB Rainbow LED Backlit Programmable Keys | USB Wired | for Mac and Windows PC | Hotswap Gateron Optical Blue Switches | Red is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
Related Gaming Peripherals
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- ROG Ally X vs Steam Deck OLED: Specs, Battery, Price (2026)
- Best Gaming Mouse for Logitech G502 Hero Loyalists in 2026
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Which LLMs Fit a 12GB RTX 3060? Per-Model VRAM Cheat Sheet (2026)
- Best Budget GPU for Local LLM Inference Under $400 (2026)
- The vLLM MCP Vulnerability: What Local LLM Operators Need to Do
- Best Budget GPU for Stable Diffusion: Why the RTX 3060 12GB Still Wins
- No GPU Required? Testing Local LLM Inference on the Ryzen 5 5600G iGPU
- Ryzen 5 5600G vs Ryzen 7 5700X for a 2026 Home Lab
- Ethernet WiFi Router on a Pi Pico 2W: What's Possible
- Network-Wide Ad Blocking with Pi-hole on a Raspberry Pi 4 8GB (2026 Setup)
- RTX 5090 vs RTX 5080: Which Should You Buy in 2026?
- KOORUI 27" 4K vs Samsung Odyssey 4K: Best 27-Inch Panel for PC and Console
- Best Cooler for the Ryzen 7 5800X: Noctua NH-U12S vs Cooler Master ML240L
- Best PC Streaming Starter Kit in 2026: 5 Picks
- ZOTAC RTX 3060 Twin Edge vs MSI RTX 3060 Ventus 3X: Which 12GB Card?
- Retro Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Channels the N64 and Holds Six Game Cards
- Lenovo G02 Retro Handheld Ships Preloaded With Thousands of Games
- Best Budget SSDs for Retro and Homelab Builds in 2026
- Best CPU for a Budget AI + Gaming Rig: Ryzen 7 5700X vs 5800X vs 5600G
- Aider vs Cline vs Continue.dev for Local-LLM Coding on a 12GB GPU
- Best GPU for 1080p Esports in 2026: Why the RTX 3060 12GB Still Wins
- RTX 3060 12GB vs RX 7600 XT for Local LLMs: The Cheap Inference Card to Buy in 2026
- Ryzen 5 5600G vs Ryzen 7 5700X for a Budget Gaming + Streaming PC
Earliest SpecPicks reviews
Browse full archive →- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 8B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 14B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Best GPU for DeepSeek-R1 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 405B (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090