Vortex Pok3r

Vortex · 60% · standard height

Vortex Pok3r mechanical keyboard
Image courtesy of Vortex

The Vortex Pok3r (POK3R) is a foundational 60 percent board that helped popularise the compact layout, packing genuine Cherry MX switches, thick PBT caps and deep onboard layer programming into a screw-together aluminium case with no software required.

Best for: programming, enthusiast, typing.

Vortex Pok3r specs

Layout 60%
Height Standard
Connectivity Wired
Hot-swap No
Stock switches Cherry MX Red, Cherry MX Brown, Cherry MX Blue, Cherry MX Clear
Keycaps Doubleshot PBT
Case Aluminum
Mount Tray
Backlight White / none
QMK / VIA No
Battery n/a
Typical price $130
Sound (stock) clean MX clack
Released 2015

Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers rather than guesses.

Unverified: specs compiled from manufacturer listings

Stock switches in the database

The Vortex Pok3r is offered with these switches. Open a switch page for force, travel, materials, and similar alternatives.

Cherry MX Red linear · 45g actuation The Cherry MX Red is the industry's reference 45g linear, the default gaming switch in countless prebuilt keyboards since its 2008 reintroduction. Cherry MX Brown tactile · 55g actuation The Cherry MX Brown is the classic light 55g tactile that defined the "quiet office switch" category, with a subtle bump that enthusiasts either rely on or mod away. Cherry MX Blue clicky · 60g actuation The Cherry MX Blue is the archetypal click-jacket clicky switch, actuating at 60g with the sharp, jingly click that most people picture when they hear "mechanical keyboard". Cherry MX Clear tactile · 65g actuation The Cherry MX Clear is a stiff 65g tactile with a larger bump than the MX Brown, best known today as the donor stem for the community's Ergo Clear spring-swap mod.

Where to buy

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Alternatives to the Vortex Pok3r

Vortex Race 3 75% · $150 The Vortex Race 3 is a compact 75 percent board in a hefty CNC aluminium case with a floating-key design, Cherry MX switches, PBT keycaps and Vortex's signature onboard programming, a cult favourite for a small-footprint arrow-cluster layout.
Vortex Cypher 65% · $110 The Vortex Cypher is a 65 percent board with a dedicated arrow cluster, Cherry MX switches and PBT caps, offering Vortex's onboard-programmable firmware in a lighter plastic case than the metal Race for compact-layout fans.
Ducky One 2 Mini 60% · $99 A 60% wired mechanical keyboard with a PBT double-shot keycap set, tray mount plate construction, and full per-key RGB backlighting popular among competitive gamers.

Not sure this is the one?

Answer five questions in KeebScout and it narrows every mechanical board we track to ones that match your use case, size, and budget. The Vortex Pok3r ships soldered, so choose the stock switch carefully from the switch database.

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