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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 12, 2026

Design Roost DRK 601R vs Novelkeys NK65

Get the Design Roost DRK 601R for hall effect. Get the Novelkeys NK65 for hot-swappable.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Design Roost DRK 601R

Hall effect

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.

Get the

Novelkeys NK65

Hot-swappable

Build quality in the top 35% of 65% boards under $200.

Rules this board out

  • 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.

What actually differs

The differences that matter

Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.

Design Roost DRK 601R

Novelkeys NK65

  • Layout size

    64%

    65%

  • Hall effect (magnetic)

    Yes

    No

    Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing

  • Connection

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Hot-swappable

    No

    Yes

    Switch changes without soldering

  • Ergonomics

    Split Backspace, Split Spacebar

    Standard

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Design Roost DRK 601R
  • Novelkeys NK65
Performance
68
61
Build quality
80
72
Productivity
51
73
Customizability
69
75
Portability
79
70

What they share

  • VIA
See every spec side by side

Full specs

Design Roost DRK 601R vs Novelkeys NK65 specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

15 of 25 specs differ

Design Roost DRK 601R

Novelkeys NK65

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear, Magnetic
—

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
No

Hot-swappable

No
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Top Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

64%
65%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Split Backspace, Split Spacebar
Standard

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
—

Battery

3,000 mAh
Wired only

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Polycarbonate

Plate material

—
Aluminum

Keycaps

—
ABS

Weight

1,300 g
—

Dimensions

18 x 286 x 96 mm
—

Typing angle

7°
8°

Backlight

None
RGB

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
No

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
No

Extras

Released

2025
2023

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

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