Skip to main content
GK61 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - 61 Keys Multi Color RGB Illuminated LED Backlit Wired Programmable for PC/Mac Gamer (Gateron Optical Silver, Red)
GK61

GK61 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Bottom line: The GK61 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard ($25.00 on Amazon as of 2026-10-07): Gateron Optical Silver linear switches actuate fast for gaming inputs; main trade-off: hot-swap sockets accept optical switches only, not standard MX.

$25.00

As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →

Buy on Amazon — $25.00 Compare to similar gaming peripherals

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For keyboards, mice, headsets and other PC peripherals, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Gateron Optical Silver linear switches actuate fast for gaming inputs
  • ✓ Hot-swap sockets let you change switches by hand, no soldering
  • ✓ 9 onboard RGB modes across 16.8M colors, zero drivers needed
  • ✓ Doubleshot ABS keycaps resist legend wear; keypuller included
  • ✓ Full NKRO anti-ghosting registers every simultaneous keypress

Cons

  • ✗ Hot-swap sockets accept optical switches only, not standard MX
  • ✗ 61-key layout drops arrows, F-row and numpad to a Fn layer
  • ✗ Macro recording requires the Windows-only HK Gaming software
  • ✗ ABS keycaps develop a shine with use faster than PBT

Manufacturer description

The GK61 is a 61-key 60% mechanical keyboard built for gamers who want desk space back without giving up a programmable layout. It ships with Gateron Optical Silver switches — linear, light, and fast-actuating — mounted in a hot-swap socket design, so you can pull and replace switches by hand with the included keypuller instead of soldering. Note that the hot-swap sockets accept optical switches only. Per-key RGB covers 16.8 million colors across nine onboard lighting modes, including Aurora, Ripple, Music, Rainbow, Waves, Gradient, Windmill and Spectrum, all driven from the board itself…

Related Products

Other products in this category you may like:

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored GK61 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the gaming peripherals category. GK61'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

Can I swap the switches without soldering?

Yes. The GK61 uses hot-swap sockets, so you pull a switch out and press a new one in by hand. The catch: the sockets are wired for optical switches only, so replacements must be optical, not standard mechanical MX switches.

What switches does this version come with?

This configuration ships with Gateron Optical Silver switches. Silvers are linear, with no tactile bump or click, and a short actuation travel that gamers generally prefer for rapid repeat inputs.

Does the RGB lighting need software to work?

No. The nine lighting modes — Aurora, Ripple, Music, Rainbow, Waves, Gradient, Windmill, Spectrum and single light — are stored on the keyboard and cycle without drivers. The HK Gaming software is only needed for macro recording and advanced key customization.

Where are the arrow keys on a 61-key board?

A 61-key 60% layout has no dedicated arrow cluster, F-row or numpad; those functions live on a secondary layer accessed with the Fn key. You can remap function keys through the HK Gaming software if the stock layer positions do not suit you.

Will it work with a Mac?

Yes. The listing covers macOS along with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10, and it connects with the included 60-inch USB Type-C to Type-A cable. The HK Gaming customization software is the Windows-side tool, so check the product listing for current macOS software support.

Key Features

  • ✅ RGB BACKLIT: 16.8 Million Color combinations , multiple backlit mode ( Aurora, Ripple, Music, Rainbow , Waves, Gradient, Windmill, Spectrum and single light), no drivers needed. Plug & Play small form factor keyboard
  • ✅【Gateron Optical Switches 】Gateron optical switches can be hotswapped at wish and replaced by other switches. Hot swap keyboard do not recquire you to solder / desolder switches. (Hot Swappable with Optical switches only)
  • ✅ 【ABS Doubleshot keycaps】The GK 61 doubleshot abs stock keycaps , change them at wishes thanks to the keypuller included to the package.
  • ✅ 【Macro recording & Other features 】 Record macros through the software, customize advanced features , personnalize function keys... Full Anti Ghosting Mode (NKRO).
  • ✅ 【Compatibility with Mac and Windows】: Compatible with Windows 10, Win 8, Win 7, Win Vista, Windows XP and Mac OS , the GK 61 comes with a 60 inches USB Type C to Type-A cable. The keyboard is adapted for all environnement, Home & Office use, a small form factor for tiny spaces.
  • ✅ Compatible with HK GAMING software

Full Specifications

BrandGK61
ColorRed
StyleGaming
ThemeGaming
MaterialAcrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, Plastic
Model NameGK61 KEYBOARD PLATE
Style NameGaming
Switch TypeLinear
ConnectivityUSB
Model NumberGK61
Power SourceDC
CompatibilityPC, Mac
Built-In MediaKeycap Puller, USB Cable
Number of Keys61
Button Quantity61
Connection TypeWired
Keyboard LayoutQWERTY
Mfr Part Numberk61_us_rd_silver
Special FeatureBacklit, Hot-Swappable
Antenna LocationGaming
Full listing titleGK61 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - 61 Keys Multi Color RGB Illuminated LED Backlit Wired Programmable for PC/Mac Gamer (Gateron Optical Silver, Red)

Ready to buy?

GK61 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - 61 Keys Multi Color RGB Illuminated LED Backlit Wired Programmable for PC/Mac Gamer (Gateron Optical Silver, 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.

Buy on Amazon — $25.00

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.

Related Gaming Peripherals

Keep exploring SpecPicks

Other buying guides

Browse the catalog

Editorial

More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all articles & guides →

More reviews from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all reviews →

Earliest SpecPicks reviews

Browse full archive →
GK61 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - 61 Keys Multi Color RGB Illuminated LED Backlit Wired Programmable for PC/Mac Gamer (Gateron Optical Silver, Red)
$25.00
View on Amazon →