The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 is a compact 60% mechanical gaming keyboard. Thanks to its aluminum body, it feels fantastically well-built. It uses HyperX Red linear switches which feel very light and responsive, and they require less force to actuate than other linear switches do. It has full RGB backlighting with an extremely customizable brightness level, letting you bring the minimum brightness to 1%, which isn't something we see on most keyboards. The click latency is incredibly low, so it should feel very responsive while gaming. You can set macros to any key you want using the NGENUITY software; however, its customization software is only available on Windows. Unfortunately, while it has two incline settings, it doesn't come with a wrist rest.
Our Verdict
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 is fantastic for gaming. This very well-built keyboard uses HyperX Red linear switches, which feel very light and responsive. It has an incredibly low click latency, full RGB backlighting, and you can set macros to any key through the NGENUITY software. Unfortunately, while it has two incline settings, it doesn't come with a wrist rest.
- Feel fantastically well-built.
- Light and responsive linear switches.
- Incredibly low click latency.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Mediocre ergonomics.
- Customization software only available on Windows.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 is good for office use. This very well-built keyboard uses HyperX Red linear switches that feel very light to type on and are quiet, so they shouldn't bother anyone around you in a quiet setting. Unfortunately, it isn't wireless so you can't pair it to multiple devices at once. Also, while it has two incline settings, it doesn't come with a wrist rest.
- Feel fantastically well-built.
- Quiet typing noise.
- Light and responsive linear switches.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Mediocre ergonomics.
- Customization software only available on Windows.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 is a wired keyboard and isn't designed for use with a mobile device.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 is very good for programming. This very well-built keyboard uses HyperX Red linear switches that feel very light and shouldn't cause any fatigue; however, the compact size may cause you to make more typos and to type slower if you aren't used to the condensed layout. It has full, customizable RGB backlighting and macro-programmable keys. Unfortunately, it isn't wireless, so you can't pair it to multiple devices at once. Also, while it has two incline settings, it doesn't come with a wrist rest.
- Feel fantastically well-built.
- Light and responsive linear switches.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Mediocre ergonomics.
- Wired-only design.
- Customization software only available on Windows.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 isn't ideal for home theater PC setups. It's a wired keyboard, which isn't ideal if you want to avoid running a cable across the living room. It also lacks a trackpad, so you need a mouse to navigate the user interface. Due to its compact size, it doesn't have any dedicated media keys.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Wired-only design.
- No trackpad or trackball.
- Customization software only available on Windows.
- Customization software only available on Windows.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 29, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3.1, which adds a new estimated PCB latency test to the Single-Key Latency section and a new Analog test to the Switches section of this review. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Oct 27, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3, which overhauls how key input is evaluated. We've added new tests for Single Key Latency, Multi Key Latency, Data Transmission, and Chord Split. We've also introduced a new Raw Performance usage and adjusted how the Gaming and Office usage scores are calculated. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Jun 15, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update introduces new Backlight Features and Backlight Clarity test boxes. We've also added a new Switches test box, added additional test comparisons to our Hardware Customizability test box that we introduced with our last Test Bench. For an in-depth look at our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated May 19, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.1. This update adds several new tests addressing Hardware Customization, Macro Keys And Programming, and Wireless Mobile Compatibility. We've also added new objective evaluations to the Typing Noise test, and we've simplified several tests and removed several others that were no longer relevant. For an in-depth look at all our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 has a full-sized variant called the HyperX Alloy Origins and a TKL variant called the HyperX Alloy Origins Core, both of which offer similar features to the Origins 60 but have different layouts. You can see the label of our unit here.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 is an incredible gaming keyboard. It uses HyperX Red linear switches, which feel very light and responsive, but they require less force to actuate than other linear switches, like Cherry MX Red or Gateron Red. It has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys; however, it isn't good at color mixing, so setting the lighting to white may have hints of other colors in it.
For other options, check out our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards, the best mechanical keyboards, and the best keyboards.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 and the Razer Huntsman Mini are both compact 60% mechanical gaming keyboards. Both have full RGB with individually-lit keys and easy-to-use customization software that are both only available on Windows. Also, all keys on both boards are macro programmable. The Razer is available with Razer's clicky optical switches and linear optical switches, while the HyperX is only available with HyperX linear switches.
The HyperX Alloy Origins and the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 are very similar gaming keyboards, but they have different layouts. The Origins is a full-sized keyboard, while the Origins 60 has a compact 60% layout. Aside from that, the Origins 60 comes with PBT keycaps instead of ABS keycaps like the Origins, and you can set the RGB brightness to a much lower setting on the Origin 60 if you don't like the lighting being too bright. They use the same HyperX Red switches which feel very light and responsive, but the Origins 60's compact layout might cause you to type slower if you aren't used to the smaller size.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 and the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro are both mechanical gaming keyboards. The Origins 60 has RGB backlighting and much lower latency, and all of its keys are macro-programmable. Also, the Origins 60 has customization software. On the other hand, if you want a dedicated F-row, dedicated arrow keys, and you don't mind only having red backlighting, the FPS PRO could be a good choice. Also, the FPS PRO is available with Cherry MX Red linear switches and Cherry MX Blue clicky switches, while the Origins 60 is only available with HyperX Red linear switches.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 and the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 are two very similar compact mechanical keyboards designed for gaming use, but with some minor differences. The Origins 65 has dedicated arrow keys and a few navigational cluster keys, which the Origins 60 lacks. The Origins 65 also has slightly better latency.
Test Results
If you want a similarly performing compact board with dedicated arrow keys, check out the HyperX Alloy Origins 65.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 feels incredibly well-built. Its aluminum chassis and base plate feel sturdy and have no flex to them. The base plate has a smooth, matte black finish, and the PBT doubleshot keycaps don't accumulate oils or fingerprints. The secondary functions are printed onto the front-facing side of the keys, so they're easy to see when using the keyboard; however, light doesn't shine through them. Unfortunately, the keys don't feel very stable since there's some wobble to them. While it isn't unreasonable, it is noticeable. It comes with an additional spacebar and HyperX keycap, but note that they're made of ABS plastic and not PBT like the other keycaps already on the board.
The ergonomics are mediocre. It has two incline settings, with a very steep maximum setting that may cause some wrist strain. The four rubber feet and the rubber pads on each kickstand feel sturdy and shouldn't collapse if you push the keyboard forwards. Note that while the HyperX website advertises the two inclines at 7 degrees and 11 degrees, we measured 9 degrees and 14.5 degrees, respectively.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys that can be customized via HyperX's NGENUITY software. You can change the brightness level on the board itself, but the software lets you set the brightness even lower to 1%.
This keyboard has outstanding backlight clarity, and keycap legends are very clearly visible in darker rooms. However, when set to display white backlighting only, the color mixing is poor and has a noticeable bluish-purple hue.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60's USB-C to USB-A cable is detachable, making it easy to replace if it gets damaged or if you want to replace it with a different one.
It's a wired board that can't be used wirelessly. If you'd like a wireless option with dedicated arrow keys, check out the ASUS ROG Falchion.
You can set macros to any key on the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 and change the backlighting effects using the NGENUITY software. Secondary functions, including the media keys, can be accessed through hotkeys.
- HyperX Alloy Origins 60 keyboard
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- Additional spacebar and HyperX keycap
- Keycap puller
- User guide
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 has very good typing quality. The PBT keycaps feel nice, but the keys wobble noticeably while typing. The HyperX Red linear switches feel very light and responsive, but since they require slightly less force to actuate than other linear switches, you may find yourself typing slower than usual to correct accidentally-hit keys. If you aren't used to typing on a compact keyboard, you might need to focus more than usual on making sure you're hitting the correct keys.
Typing on this keyboard is quiet and shouldn't bother those around you, even in a noise-sensitive environment.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 uses proprietary linear switches which require less force to actuate than other linear switches. They feel very responsive and very light to type on. Since they're linear switches, they don't provide any tactile feedback. If you prefer a different switch feel, the Ducky One 2 Mini V2 is also a 60% compact keyboard that is available in a very wide variety of switch types.
The latency is incredibly low, which should provide a very responsive gaming experience.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 is compatible with HyperX's NGENUITY software, which lets you customize the backlighting, the hotkeys, and set macros to any key you want. However, it can only be downloaded from the Microsoft Windows Store, so macOS or Linux users can't install it. The Cloud Sync feature relies on your Microsoft account to save your settings, so any computer with NGENUITY that's signed in to your account will have your customizations.
Since the NGENUITY software is only available on Windows, Linux and macOS users can't customize the keyboard. Like most keyboards, the Print Screen button doesn't work on macOS. However, all the keys function properly on Linux.