A few years ago, Keychron released the highly anticipated Keychron Q1 and we loved it. Since then, the company hasn’t looked back. Over the last several years, the company has produced dozens of mechanical keyboards, ranging from gasket-mounted enthusiast-tier planks to low-profile office boards.

The Keychron K3 Ultra, which is currently on Kickstarter for a price of $105 and is available in white or black, is a low-profile mechanical keyboard with a 75-percent design. The K3 Ultra is unlike most keyboards we review, as it features real wood sides — similar to the Keychron K2 HE Special Edition — 8,000 Hz polling, the brand's home-built tactile switches, and very impressive battery life.

However, that’s just what’s on paper, so is the Keychron K3 Ultra a good mechanical keyboard? Let’s find out.

Design

The Keychron K3 Ultra is an ultra sleek, low-profile mechanical keyboard with a 75-percent silhouette, a polling rate of 8,000 Hz, insane battery life, hot-swap sockets and edges made of real rosewood, which is the type of wood you see on premium guitar fretboards.

While it seems like almost every new mechanical keyboard on the market is sporting a gasket-mount design, the K3 Ultra uses a traditional tray-mount design. However, Keychron didn’t skimp out on the typing experience, as you still get multiple layers of foam and the company's own low-profile tactile switches.

The switches are Keychron’s Banana Switches. The banana switches are described to be similar to Panda switches, which, depending on who you ask, are the holy grail of tactile switches thanks to their gentle yet tactile bump. If you’re unfamiliar with switches outside of Gateron or Cherry MX, I found the banana switches to be similar to Cherry MX Clears. I also want to add that the switch resembles the Vault-Tec logo from Fallout.

I don’t know what it is, but the PC hardware community has fallen in love with wood, as evidenced by the Fractal Design North and the Montech XR Wood. Is it because PC hardware enthusiasts are becoming fed up with RGB? I don’t know, but I personally don’t mind it, as long as it fits the bill. According to Keychron, the K3 Ultra has rosewood sides, which, as I mentioned above, are present in some of the most high-end guitars and instruments. Because I do play guitar, and have one with a rosewood fretboard, I was curious to see how it’d look on a keyboard,and I was disappointed. While rosewood does vary in color, most of the time it is pretty dark. However, the K3 Ultra’s rosewood is very light. Fortunately, Keychron made the wood sides removable — so I guess you can do some DIY to darken them, but all in all, I am a bit disappointed.

A big complaint I've had with Keychron’s keycaps in the past has been how bad the legends often look. Despite being double-shot PBT, they are frequently crooked and uncentered. However, it seems like Keychron went back to the drawing board and fixed their caps because they are much better now. But are they perfect? No. I noticed the “P” on the backspace key looks like it’s in bold print, for example — but overall, I'm impressed.

It’s kinda funny — I keep forgetting the Keychron K3 Ultra is primed to keep up with the big dogs in competitive gaming with its 8,000 Hz polling rate, because its design is very professional. In addition to being faster than lightning, the battery life is incredible. With 8,000 Hz enabled, you’re looking at upwards of three months or 550 hours of battery life, which is impressive — most 8,000 Hz polling rate peripherals get less than 20 hours' worth of battery life. Keychron's newest 8K keyboards are running on ZMK firmware, which accounts for their impressive battery life, and while the Keychron V5 Ultra 8K gets 690 hours of battery life, the K3 Ultra is a very slim, low-profile board.

Typing and Gaming Experience on the Keychron K3 Ultra

It has been a long time since I have used a low-profile mechanical keyboard, so I was excited going into this review. After unboxing the Keychron K3 Ultra and setting it up, I started typing with it while working and didn’t want to stop. I genuinely love typing with this keyboard. It took me a bit to realize why, and the reason is that it reminds me of my 2013 MacBook Air’s keyboard — which got me through all of college, many reviews and ultimately over a decade of use. However, that’s just one of the reasons; the other is the banana switches.

I’m usually not a tactile switch person — almost all of my personal keyboards have linear switches, as it's just what I prefer. However, the K3 Ultra has me considering buying a low-profile switch tester kit so I can experiment with other low-profile, tactile switches — which is possible due to this board’s hot-swap PCB. So, yeah, this little low-profile plank changed my outlook on tactile switches.

The keycaps on the Keychron K3 Ultra are their own LSA profile and are double-shot PBT, ensuring durability for years and a more ergonomic shape. As mentioned above, Keychron’s history with keycaps isn’t great, but they’ve certainly improved them because the legends (minus one or two wonky ones) are solid. The LSA caps are comfy and never caused any typos and the off-white tone of them looks good with the rosewood sides.

The Keychron K3 Ultra arrived just in time for me to play Resident Evil 9: Requiem, which seemed like the perfect game to test this keyboard with. Resident Evil games aren’t the most fast-paced, but when playing as Leon, you do need to be quick — especially when parrying and swapping weapons. In addition, I didn’t need a full-size keyboard with a numberpad for the survival horror RPG, so why not use the Keychron? And, as expected, the K3 Ultra performed perfectly — I didn’t experience any switch chatter (double clicking) or latency issues.

Overall, I was very, very happy with the typing and gaming experience on the Keychron K3 Ultra, and it definitely feels like the keyboard for a combination of office use and gaming.

Software

I can’t even complain about it anymore, because other companies are doing it, but I am still going to — I can’t stand when peripherals use web-based apps instead of downloadable software, which is the case for the Keychron K3 Ultra. The K3 Ultra is supported by Keychron’s “Keychron Launcher,” which is very similar to VIA, the open-source key mapping software we know and love.

With that aside, Keychron Launcher worked really well and offered loads of features such as macro recording, 24 pre-configured RGB settings, which can be changed on the fly if the keys are remapped and a laundry list of other features.

I should also mention that when you receive the Keychron K3 Ultra, you'll need to make sure you go into “Advanced Mode” in Keychron Launcher and set the polling rate to 8,000 Hz — because it’s set to 125 by default.

Bottom Line

The Keychron K3 Ultra is, by far, one of my favorite mechanical keyboards in recent history. Keychron makes A LOT of keyboards, and I’m glad they were able to do something different here. While I am a bit disappointed in the rosewood sides, wood is wood and for $105, it really isn’t worth complaining about. The K3 Ultra is the ultimate office mechanical keyboard and is super portable thanks to its sleek frame, yet it still has the specs to compete with some of the best gaming mechanical keyboards. If you're looking for something a little more substantial, however, the Keychron V5 Ultra 8K is a little pricier but features a 96-percent layout and better battery life.

What do Google Sheets experts do for fun? In the case of the staff at sheets.works, they have built The Listening Museum for mechanical keyboard audio aficionados. This is a collection of 36 iconic to modern classic keyboards that have been multisampled and put into an interactive site. Just click on any of the keyboards represented on the page, turn up your speakers, and bash away. The museum features keyboard models, including the IBM Model M, a multitude of Cherry MX models, and popular modern product samples from the likes of SteelSeries and Logitech.

I’ve owned, and still own, some great keyboards, with some vintage models dating back to the 1980s, and newfangled models with hall-effect adjustable actuation switches. However, there are plenty of samples at the Listening Museum that I can’t recall testing/hearing.

The interface at the online museum is pretty good. Clicking on the IBM Model M (for example), a soft keyboard panel appears to the right, so you can make keystrokes by mouse clicking. I did this as I’m currently using a CoolerMaster CK720, which has pretty noisy Cherry MX Blues and Greens across its various zones.

Back to the IBM, and I do believe it would be even noisier than my compact modern input device with gaskets and foam dampening layers. The museum makers assert that the Model M is “the archetypal ‘clacky’ keyboard and the reason people collect vintage boards.”

Its characteristic sound comes from the way “the coiled spring buckles sideways and slaps a pivoting hammer into the membrane. The spring resonates like a tuning fork inside the hollow ABS barrel; the steel backplate amplifies that ring; the big case acts as a soundbox,” explains the Model M section of the museum. “That is why nothing modern sounds like it.”

Audio accuracy?

As I’m actually using Cherry MX Blues while perusing the Listening Museum, I had to check out the accuracy – in the context of my ears, speakers, and environment. There are three MX Blue sampled keyboards to check through, and I must say none of them sounded like my CK720.

That’s a bit of a shame, considering the work put into making the museum. The curators have thought about such disparity, though. If you scroll down to the bottom section of the main page, you can read the headlined plea “A note before you flame us.”

There, it is made clear that “sound tests are inherently limited: microphone, room, host board, keycap set, codec, and your speakers all color the result.” And key sound can vary a lot between hosts for numerous other reasons. Fair enough, and I was never tempted to flame the curators...

Despite those observations, The Listening Museum could still be a valid resource for understanding the plethora of keyboards and keyswitches out there – and their audible feedback, which is a major part of the experience. If you are interested in exploring keyboards and don’t have a big electronics mall handy, YouTube is another good place to hear lots of well-known and obscure keyboards in action.

Check out our frequently updated Best Gaming Keyboards 2026: We've Tested Full-size, TKL, Mini, and more features to see what the cream of the crop is right now, according to our experts.

Keychron's V5 Ultra 8K is a wireless mechanical 96-percent keyboard with a hot-swappable PCB, a programmable rotary knob, and up to an 8,000 Hz polling rate — plus up to 660 hours of battery life while using that 8,000 Hz polling rate. The battery life is the keyboard's primary selling point, as most keyboards and peripherals with an 8K polling rate have pretty abysmal battery life. The V5 Ultra 8K is available now for $120, which puts it around $40 over the price limit for the best budget mechanical keyboards, though it's still pretty affordable considering its features.

Design and Construction of the V5 Ultra 8K

The V5 Ultra 8K is a hot-swappable wireless mechanical keyboard with a 96-percent layout, which means it has almost all keys — a full function row, arrow keys, a 10-key numberpad, and a row of navigation keys, as well as a programmable rotary knob.

The numberpad and arrow keys are shifted over so they're right next to the alphanumeric keys, giving the keyboard a much smaller footprint than a typical full-size keyboard. The keyboard measures 15.41 inches (391.5mm) wide by 5.85 inches (148.7mm) deep, and is 1.17 inches (29.6mm) high at the back, not including the keycaps.

The 10-key numberpad is located next to the alphanumeric keys — it's cramped, though a little less cramped than the layout of the Asus ROG Strix Morph 96 Wireless that we looked at recently. There are three navigation keys above the numberpad (Del, Home, End), as well as a programmable rotary knob in the upper-right corner. The rotary knob is plastic, with a smooth top and textured side, and is notched and clickable.

The keyboard features a plastic case, so it's not too heavy — but it's still pretty solid, weighing in at 2.17lbs (983g). It's a simple, well-made keyboard with a squared-off plastic top case with a matte black finish and a moderate bezel. It comes in just one color (black) and just one style (fully-assembled), with your choice of Keychron's Silk POM switches (red, brown, banana) already installed. It also features OSA-profile double-shot PBT keycaps in black and dark gray, with brick-red accent keys (Esc, Enter). The keycaps are not shine-through and feature white, printed legends. The Function row features white printed secondary legends for Mac users. Keychron also includes alternate keycaps for Windows users.

On the back of the keyboard, you'll find two sets of flip-out feet for angle adjustment — the default typing angle sits at 3 degrees, and can be adjusted to 8 degrees or 10 degrees with the flip-out feet. Along the top of the keyboard, on the left side, you'll find a USB-C charging port and two switches — a power switch, for switching between 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity; and a Windows/Mac switch. On the right side, there's a small storage slot for the keyboard's 2.4GHz wireless dongle.

The keyboard comes with several accessories, including a 6-foot braided USB-C to USB-C cable with a USB-C to USB-A adapter attached, a USB extender, and a 2.4GHz wireless dongle (located in the storage slot along the top of the keyboard). It also comes with tools for customizing the keyboard, including a dual keycap/switch puller, a screwdriver, a hex key, and extra case screws.

Specs

Typing and Gaming Experience on the V5 Ultra 8K

The V5 Ultra 8K comes with Keychron's Silk POM mechanical switches in red (linear), brown (tactile), or banana (tactile). Our review unit came with banana switches, which have an actuation force of 57g and a total travel distance of 3.4mm. While I didn't love the extremely light tactility of the brown tactile switches in the Keychron Q6 Ultra 8K, the banana tactile switches have a more traditional tactile feel, with a light but noticeable tactile bump on the way down, and no audible "click."

Typing on the V5 Ultra 8K was a relatively pleasant experience — the switches still weren't my favorite, but they were smooth and stable and relatively easy to get used to. The OSA profile of the keycaps also helped — OSA keycaps are relatively close to OEM height, but slightly lower than KSA-profile keycaps (like we saw on the Q6 Ultra 8K), with wider, flatter tops and less aggressive angling. Typing on the V5 Ultra 8K wasn't quite like typing on a keyboard with Cherry-profile keycaps, but it was much more comfortable, for me, than typing on the Q6 Ultra 8K.

Of course, the V5 Ultra 8K features a hot-swappable PCB and comes with a keycap/switch puller, so it's pretty easy to swap in your own switches and keycaps, if you like. Keycaps and switches aside, the V5 Ultra 8K feels nice, thanks to its flexible gasket mount, and sounds decent, too — the case is pretty well-dampened, and the polycarbonate plate gives you a bright, crisp sound.

Gaming on the V5 Ultra 8K is solid, thanks to its N-key rollover and high 8,000 Hz polling rate, though serious gamers will probably want to opt for red (linear) switches instead of tactile switches. The V5 Ultra 8K does have plenty of extra keys thanks to its 96-percent layout, but if you're used to a full-size board, the layout may still throw you off. (I can't really get used to the location of the arrow keys on 96-percent boards, no matter how much I use them).

Features and Software of the V5 Ultra 8K

The V5 Ultra 8K is configurable via Keychron's web-based Keychron Launcher, which you'll need to connect to via a wired connection. You can use the Keychron Launcher to remap keys, set up "Snap Action" (Keychron's software-based version of SOCD), and customize the backlighting.

There are several customizable lighting presets you can pick from, or you can choose per-key lighting, which lets you pick the color (and effect, though the effects are more limited) of each key individually. There's also an option for "mix RGB," which lets you set up two different RGB zones on the keyboard.

While it's not quite as robust as the layered lighting effects you can get from gaming peripherals apps, such as Razer's Synapse or Corsair's iCUE, the ability to customize per-key RGB is more advanced than you'll find on keyboards that rely on QMK / VIA for customization.

You can also use the Keychron Launcher to update the firmware, test keys after hot-swapping switches, and record and manage macros.

Of course, one of the big selling points of the V5 Ultra 8K is its battery life — it gets up to 660 hours of wireless battery life over a 2.4GHz wireless connection with an 8,000 Hz polling rate (with the lighting turned off). Unlike the Q6 Ultra 8K, the V5 Ultra 8K ships with a standard 1,000 Hz polling rate out of the box — you'll need to connect to Keychron Launcher and switch the polling rate to 8,000 Hz manually (and you'll need to do this for both the wired and wireless connections, which have separate polling rates). Of course, if you want to use the keyboard with the backlighting turned on, the battery life drops significantly, even at the lowest brightness setting, to just 200 hours — which is still pretty good, considering.

The Bottom Line

If you don't mind the cramped 96-percent layout, the Keychron V5 Ultra 8K might just be everything you want in a keyboard — it's got all the keys you could ask for, an unnecessarily high polling rate, crazy-long battery life, and it's not too expensive, at just $120. And there's not a ton of competition, because 96-percent layouts aren't terribly common. There's the recently-launched Asus ROG Strix Morph Wireless, which has a similar all-plastic build and hot-swappable PCB, but lacks the 8K polling rate and somehow still manages to get worse battery life (590 hours vs. the V5 Ultra 8K's 660, so it's not that much worse) — and costs $20 more. And there's our long-time favorite Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless, which has a better build and a higher price tag (though it's currently on sale for just $136 at Amazon).

As we saw at CES, Keychron is all about making keyboards entirely out of unusual materials. Before it announced its upcoming designs in concrete, resin, and marble, Keychron launched a keyboard — the Q16 HE 8K — made (almost) entirely of ceramic.

The Keychron Q16 HE 8K is a 65-percent wired magnetic keyboard with an enclosure and keycaps made of ceramic. It features a hot-swappable PCB, RGB backlighting, built-in PC/Mac modes, and up to an 8,000 Hz polling rate. Keychron may not (really) be a gaming company (or, well, it has a separate gaming division — Lemokey), but this keyboard is clearly designed with gamers in mind. Gamers who live for the aesthetic, that is.

Of course, the aesthetic doesn't come cheap — the Q16 HE 8K is available now in navy blue or light green colorways, and it costs $229.99.

Design and Construction of the Q16 HE 8K

The Q16 HE 8K is a 65-percent wired magnetic switch keyboard with a ceramic case and ceramic keycaps. It has a 65-percent layout, with alphanumeric keys, arrow keys, and a single column of navigation keys (Delete, End, Page Up, and Page Down) on the right side. It's small, but many gamers are looking for something small — it doesn't take up too much desk space, so you have plenty of room to make big mouse swipes, and a lot of games don't require more than a handful of alphanumeric keys, anyway. (A 65-percent keyboard at least has arrow keys; 60-percent keyboards ditch even those and take some getting used to.)

The keyboard measures 12.4 inches (315mm) wide by 4.36 inches (110.8mm) deep, and is 1.54 inches (39.09mm) thick at its thickest point, including the keycaps. This is close to the same size as the Arbiter Studio Polar 65 — one of my favorite 65-percent magnetic switch keyboards, which measures 12.4 x 4.29 x 1.57 inches (315 x 4.29 x 40mm). The Q16 HE 8K weighs slightly more than the Polar 65 at 2.34 pounds (1,060g) versus 2.2 pounds (990g).

The keyboard is made entirely of glossy-coated ceramic, which looks nice as long as you don't touch it. If you're thinking that glossy ceramic keycaps sound like they'd be a nightmare for fingerprints, you are correct — this keyboard attracts fingerprints instantly. I basically had to wipe it down for every single picture, and handle it with white gloves otherwise. Keychron does include a microfiber cleaning cloth in the box, which is good because you'll use it more often than you use the keyboard. I think the color might also play into this — the navy blue is darker and seems like it shows fingerprints more easily.

Also, while the glossy ceramic is definitely a look, I wouldn't necessarily say it's the super-premium look of ceramic that I assume Keychron is going for. The high shine and uniform color was a little underwhelming for me. The keycaps feature a Cherry profile (lower-profile, with sculpted rows), and feel like... well, what you expect something very glossy to feel like: not too different from regular keycaps with a gloss coat. They are very slippery, but the low profile and the sculpted rows helped keep my fingers in place. Still, I'm not sure I love this texture for fast-paced gaming where you're darting between keys.

The back of the keyboard looks about like what you'd expect — four rubber strips for keeping the board in place, and... not much else. Like many enthusiast keyboards, it's on the heavier side, so it doesn't come with flip-out feet for adjusting the angle. There's a USB-C port at the top center, with a PC/Mac switch for switching between modes next to it.

In the box, the Q16 HE Pro comes with a few accessories: a 5-foot (1.5m) braided USB-C to USB-C cable, a USB-C to USB-A adapter, a dual keycap/switch puller, a screwdriver, extra screws and feet, the alternate Mac OS keycaps, and a microfiber cleaning cloth.

Specs

Typing and Gaming Experience on the Q16 HE 8K

The Q16 HE 8K comes with Keychron's "Ultra-fast" Lime magnetic switches, which are pre-lubed linear switches with a starting force of 30g and an ending force of 55g and an actuation range of 0.1 - 3.35mm. The keyboard features a hot-swappable PCB, so you can swap in your own switches, though, like most magnetic switch keyboards, you can only use other magnetic switches — and Keychron warns that it's not compatible with Gateron, Jade, or other magnetic switches. So that leaves you... with Keychron's magnetic switches? Let's just say that you probably shouldn't consider this board if you hate the sound of the switches it comes with.

Typing on the Q16 HE 8K is... well, let's just say it wasn't my favorite typing experience. Now, I'll point out that I haven't tried a lot of ceramic keycaps — and I haven't tested any for longer than a quick feel. But I have tested other non-ceramic keycaps and keyboards, and given that the allure of ceramic is supposed to be a better feel and sound, I can confidently say I was not impressed.

As I mentioned earlier, the keycaps don't feel much different from extremely glossy non-ceramic keycaps on the surface. Of course, there aren't a lot of extremely glossy keycaps (because extreme gloss attracts fingerprints, I assume), so I suppose they're somewhat unique-feeling in that sense. I can feel the difference when I'm typing, however — the ceramic keycaps feel a little heavier and thicker.

Keychron describes these keycaps as offering a "uniquely cool and silky-smooth touch, while delivering a clear, resonant sound with every press." And while they are smooth (too smooth), I'm not getting this "clear, resonant sound." They're clacky, but not in a good way — my keypresses are very loud for how hollow and rattly they sound. This is not only the keycaps' fault, of course, and the board does have sound-absorbing foam and a latex bottom pad to tune the acoustic profile, it's... not really working. I just didn't expect this keyboard to be so... noisy — and again, not in a good way.

As for feel, since the keycaps don't feel particularly good (or bad), the only takeaway there is that they're a little too heavy — I'm definitely starting to feel some fatigue, and I write a lot, so that's saying something. The switches, at least, feel good — they're very smooth, stable, and responsive, and the lighter starting actuation is perhaps the main thing that's keeping my fingers from tiring.

As for gaming — the Q16 HE 8K has all the hot gaming features thanks to its magnetic switches — Rapid Trigger, SOCD, dual-actuation, long-press actuation, and adjustable actuation by individual key. It also gets up to an 8,000 Hz polling rate, which you can change using Keychron's web app (Keychron Launcher); it ships with a default polling rate of 1,000 Hz. But there are a lot of magnetic switch gaming keyboards with 8K polling rates out there — some of which are also from Keychron. Switch performance aside, these keycaps are just too slippery for gaming. While I didn't slip and miss keys a crazy number of times, I couldn't help thinking that I wouldn't have missed any if I'd been using regular keycaps.

Features and Software of the Q16 HE 8K

The Q16 HE 8K is configurable with Keychron's web-based software, Keychron Launcher. While I don't love most non-web-based peripheral apps, I also don't love web-based apps — after all, it seems a little ridiculous to have to connect to the internet to remap a couple of keys or switch your polling rate.

That said, Keychron Launcher at least worked smoothly for me, unlike some web-based apps I've used recently. The app has a lot going on, but what you need to know is that this is where you can remap keys, customize the lighting, and adjust various magnetic switch features, such as actuation distance, Rapid Trigger, SOCD, and dual-actuation. You can program up to four layers on the keyboard, though you'll have to figure out which key you're using to switch between them. The keyboard comes with a handful of preset Fn key shortcuts, mostly for configuring the RGB lighting on the board; you'll probably need to set a few of your own, since you're working with fewer keys than most.

The RGB backlighting is moderately bright but the ceramic keycaps are of course not shine-through, so you'll only see the lighting as it filters through the gaps. Keychron includes 22 preset lighting effects that you can cycle through without even using the software. You can also set the keyboard's per-key RGB and layer multiple effects — more than you can do with QMK / VIA (the open-source software many boutique keyboard companies, including Keychron, use for their non-magnetic keyboards), so that's nice.

The Bottom Line

For the world's first all-ceramic keyboard, the Keychron Q16 HE 8K is definitely underwhelming – at least to me. It looks nice if you like the ultra-glossy finish, but you'll need to wipe it down every time you want to look at it. And while I'm not necessarily a connoisseuse of ceramic keycaps, this keyboard didn't sound or feel as good as most of the non-ceramic keyboards I've tested recently. (The Corsair Makr Pro 75, which is also a magnetic board that costs way more than it should, sounded better than this.)

If you're looking for that premium ceramic keycap feel, you unfortunately won't get it here. But if you're looking for a 65-percent magnetic switch gaming keyboard that you can also enjoy typing on, I still love the Arbiter Studio Polar 65.

Razer has just refreshed its iconic Huntsman lineup with a new addition, the Huntsman Signature Edition. The company's latest flagship keyboard is $499.99 directly from Razer's website. The highlight feature here is the updated design, featuring a CNC-machined aluminum chassis with a PVD mirror finish on the back. It includes all the customary high-end gaming features you'd expect.

• Check out the Razer Huntsman Signature Edition at Razer

This keyboard still uses the Huntsman V3 Pro platform and just builds upon it with some luxury refinements; most of the upcharge is associated with its construction. We gave the V3 Pro a very positive score, so this should be even better.

You get the same internals —Razer's custom 'Gen 2' optical switches, which enable an insane 8,000 Hz polling rate, but the board is wired-only to enable it.

Since these are analog switches, the board also supports Snap Tap, aka SOCD, which allows you to quickly actuate different keys without ever fully depressing one. It's a borderline cheat code for strafing that's banned in most esports. You get all the other analog goodies like customizable actuation points, rapid trigger, and analog input for emulating dynamic controls on racing games and such.

As you can see in the pictures above, the back is where most of the upgrade lies. The standard V3 Pro wasn't exactly a looker, but this one is fully deserving of the bespoke label. Gone are the cheap-feeling feet and the gaudy text; instead, you get a clean and minimal design that looks more like a custom keyboard's weight. There's a tasteful Razer logo in the middle, but you do lose the dual-stage height adjustment.

The chassis is milled out of 6063 aluminum, both the anodized top and the PVD bottom, which should make the keyboard weigh a lot more. Lastly, the keycaps seem to be the same shinethrough doubleshot PBT that came with the standard V3 Pro. Even though the press material is very monochrome, the board, of course, fully supports RGB, and it's available to buy from February 22, only at Razer.com.

Old-timers around here will remember the ill-fated Optimus keyboards with LED displays underneath the keys. They were quite ahead of their time, but alas, never widely produced. The advent of streaming and the growing popularity of shortcut pads revitalized the notion, though, and Corsair's Galleon 100 SD combines the best of both worlds.

Describing the Galleon in one sentence is simple: it's a near-full-sized keyboard, except the usual numeric pad is instead an Elgato Stream Deck. The trick here is that it's all one unit, thus obviating the need for separate cabling, configuration utilities, and desk space.

The Galleon's Stream Deck contains 12 keys, each with its own LED display, resting underneath a main 720x1280 screen along with two dials. Each key is fully customizable, and although the Galleon seems targeted at streamers first, the pad can be used with many apps and games, from Spotify to Final Fantasy.

In fact, not only has Corsair posted multiple guides detailing the extensive software controls, but the Galleon also supports plugins from the Elgato Marketplace, so once you have a Galleon, you can sail there right away for customization booty. Notable application-specific plugins include Twitch, YouTube, Discord, OBS Studio, and a multitude of games.

As for the keyboard itself, it's a pretty fancy unit all of its own. It has pre-lubed Corsair MLX pulse linear switches, resting on a gasket-mounted PCB and six layers of sound dampening. The switches are hot-swappable, and you can employ three- or five-pin switches as the board supports both.

All that should provide quite a comfortable and quiet gaming experience, and it's further improved by the 8 KHz polling rate and Flash Tap SOCD. That's Corsair's take on prioritizing the last pressed movement key so that, for example, it's easy to counter-strafe in Counterstrike 2 by pressing the opposite direction without releasing the first.

The Corsair Galleon 100 SD is pricey at $349.99, but it seems like decent value, as a Stream Deck is about $135 all on its own. Corsair says these will ship between January 30 and February 2, essentially two-upping every other potential competitor by actually existing in the market and arriving with an application ecosystem ready to roll.

There are other options, but none quite as solid. The Finalmouse Centerpiece Pro keyboard is similarly priced but only expected to materialize in September, while the Flux keyboard seemingly never went into full production. And although the aforementioned Optimus keyboards from Art Lebedev looked fantastic, very few made their way onto users' desks.

Mechanical keyboard maker Keychron is going all in on wireless with its new Q Ultra series — which will have ZMK (rather than QMK) firmware — launched Monday at CES 2026.

The Q Ultra series will be, according to Keychron, the "first mass-produced ZMK mechanical keyboard series of its kind, offering up to 660 hours of battery life in 8K polling rate in wireless mode."

Yes, you read that correctly — 660 hours of battery life with an 8K polling rate, thanks to the ZMK firmware. ZMK is, like QMK, open source — but it uses a different license (the MIT license), and is developed with wireless keyboards in mind (QMK doesn't natively support any wireless microcontrollers; QMK-based wireless keyboards like Keychron's Q1 HE or the Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro use dual- or hybrid microcontrollers, and still need to be wired for configuration). Anyway, all this to say that ZMK is (much) more power-efficient than QMK, as evidenced by the fact that Keychron's upcoming Q Series will have 660-hour, 8K polling rate battery life.

It's not just the firmware that's improved, of course. The Q Series will also feature Keychron's new Silk POM switches, which the company says is made from a new material that "delivers a richer sound and improved typing feel favored by typing enthusiasts." The keyboards will also have full aluminum bodies with layered acoustic foams and double-gasket structures for improved typing sound and feel, and double-shot PBT keycaps in a KSA profile. You'll be able to get that ultra-high 8K polling rate over both the wireless and wired connections.

The Q Ultra series, launched today, comes in three layouts: the Q6 Ultra (100-percent / full-size), the Q3 Ultra (TKL), and the Q1 Ultra (75-percent). The Q6 Ultra retails for $239.99 and the Q3 and Q1 Ultra both retail for $229.99.

Keychron is also updating its V Series with new V Ultra models, which have the same improvements seen in the Q Ultra series — up to 660 hours of battery life with an 8K polling rate thanks to the ZMK firmware, updated switches to Keychron's Silk POM switches, as well as a new 1MB Flash microcontroller. The V5, V3, and V1 Ultra all have both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connectivity (and wired), and will be available later this month. The V5 Ultra (96-percent layout) will retail for $119.99, while the V3 Ultra (80-percent TKL layout) and the V1 Ultra (75-percent layout) will both retail for $114.99.

Finally, Keychron also announced a few fancy special edition luxury keyboards that are (literally) rock-solid. The Keychron K2 HE Resin and the Keychron K2 HE Concrete will both launch this Feb. — both are 75-percent layout boards with Hall Effect magnetic switches and 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connectivity. And yes, they are made of resin and concrete.

The Q1 HE 8K Marble Version will launch in April 2026, and will feature an 8K polling rate and Hall Effect magnetic switches (also a 75-percent layout), and will be made out of marble. We're not sure if the keycaps will also be made of marble, but my colleague Matt Safford said the keycaps on the concrete board did not feel like normal plastic.

No word on pricing for these, but I'm sure they will not be cheap.

The self-proclaimed “keyboard dream from the future,” the Norbauer Seneca mechanical keyboard, is one of the most expensive production input devices we have seen. Despite its sky-high price range, spanning $3,600 to $8,090 plus extras, the Seneca is currently out of stock. Moreover, the wait list is a luxury sports car-esque six to nine months, according to the official site.

We first reported on the Seneca back in May 2024, ahead of the First Edition’s touted release schedule. At that time, we summed up this premium keyboard’s design as offering a retro-futuristic electro-capacitive keyboard with purportedly silent stabilizers – at a price. We also deep dived into Ryan Norbauer’s quest to optimize key stabilizers, without any trade-offs. And, of course, we stared slack-jawed at the cost of this thing. Who would have guessed that Norbauer & Co. would end up not being able to keep up with the pace of demand?

Above: Adam Savage of MythBusters fame recently interviewed Ryan Norbauer.

So, to help fill the time while you wait for your Seneca order to be fulfilled, let’s take a look at what your (potentially) high-four-figure outlay gets you. In addition to the underlying keyswitch and stabilizer tech, which is a signature feature of the Seneca, Norbauer doesn’t shy away from the use of premium materials and manufacturing methods.

There are four finish options for the First Edition TKL keyboard, and they are all based on a metal chassis. Three aluminum finishes are available, and these are Oxide Gray, Travertine, and Heatshield. They all look matte and are fingerprint-resistant, providing a solid case for the keyboard mechanism. If you want to push the boat out further, there’s also a raw, uncoated titanium chassis option, with a sandblasted surface.

For keycaps, Norbauer has looked to the aesthetics of the first personal computers, with a slightly sculpted finish, which is also known as MTNU. The material of choice is double-shot PBT, as used on many of the best mechanical keyboards we see in our test labs.

All these material choices and refinements sound appealing, but even at this astronomical price, there seem to be some compromises that might mean the money-is-no-object Norbauer Seneca isn’t for you.

Missing features

Let’s start by considering whether you might like to tilt the keyboard forward a little. Would you type more comfortably by increasing the keyboard rake? Norbauer eschews adjustable feet built into the keyboard, and instead offers a “beautiful teak wood” riser that slots under the keyboard, adding a 3° incline and $290. It is claimed this sliver of wood is "precision CNC machined in South Africa." In terms of woodcraft, CNC may be accurate, but it isn't a premium production method (hello IKEA). Norbauer's keyboard riser is basically a kitchen chopping board with an incline.

As a writer who has been working professionally on PCs and Apple devices since the mid-1990s, I’ve been through a lot of keyboards. However, a fondness for one, which was actually released back in 1990, has stuck with me to the present day. I’m referring to the Apple Extended II mechanical keyboard, also known as the AEKII model M3501. The model you see in the photos is the third I have personally owned.

AEKII details

This substantial 3.75 pounds (1.70 kg) input device is a fulsome sized mechanical keyboard, with F-keys up to F15, a comprehensive set of navigation keys, and a numpad. There’s even a power key to the upper right. Other notable features are its twin quick-keys hanger pegs, which let you overlay shortcut reference sheets around the F-key area. There are two ADB ports (Apple Desktop Bus, a proprietary DIN interface introduced on the Apple IIGS), left and right (so you could plug an ADB mouse either side), and there’s a large elevation slider to its rear, which adjusts the tilt of the keyboard deck by raising an almost full-width rubber tipped foot.

The majority of keycaps are PBT, but the tell-tale touch-smoothed and yellowed space bar uses ABS plastic. These mechanical keyboards came with a variety of Alps switches, which are no longer in production, and are distinctly different from modern alternatives like Cherry MX switches. Modern keyboard aficionados seem to suggest the nearest equivalent switches are made by Matias.

The sample I am currently typing this article on has what I think are the cream/ivory damped switches. Lifting a keycap to see the color stems shows they are kind of off-white, but I can’t be 100% sure if they have darkened from simply being so very old.

DIY is better

For some reason, I sold my previous AEKII, which was in perfect working condition with a genuine ADB cable, and a commercial solution to adapt it to USB. That adaptor was the Griffin Technology iMate Universal ADB to USB Adaptor, complete with its original packaging. Getting just £38 (~$50) for this keyboard, cable, and adaptor bundle in 2017 was a tragedy, as I now see the iMate alone is selling for $90 to $200.

However, the iMate wasn’t as good as the DIY solution that I will take you through. That commercial plug-it-and-forget-it dongle didn’t offer the online configurator you will be able to use if you go ahead and make this homebrew converter yoruself.

Get all the parts together

Before duplicating this project, you will need the following things:

• An Apple ADB keyboard
• A Pro Micro 5V (Arduino compatible), ATmega32U4. Make sure the listing confirms it runs at 5V and 16 MHz.
• An Apple ADB cable, or an SVHS S-Video 4-pin lead, like I used.
• A 1 Kilohm resistor (Brown-Black-Red, we've got a cheat sheet to help.)
• Soldering equipment
• A multimeter

I was lucky enough to get the keyboard you see in an “untested” condition for under £20 posted (~$27), the ATmega32U4 was £7.35 ($9.90), and the SVHS cable was £3.25 ($4.38), delivered. I already had a box of hundreds of different resistors, soldering bits and pieces, and a multimeter.

If you are in the market for some soldering equipment, please check out our extensive best soldering irons buying guide, where we have tested many different models.

Software for firmware and flashing

Getting the software set up and successfully flashed as firmware is my recommended first step. The firmware can be verified after it is flashed, so you know this side of the equation is correct. Then, you can plug in your DIY adaptor to confirm that you’ve soldered everything correctly.

I pondered over a few firmware choices before going with TMK converter firmware, which was successful. Rather than distract you with tales that led down a blind alley, or just veered off in the wrong direction (for me), I'll keep things simple and share what did actually work for my setup.

The winning choice, in my case, for this ADB to USB converter is known as the TMK converter firmware. This firmware seemed more focused on my retro keyboard converter needs than others, and thus felt like a better fit for the project. Some of the notes on the updates in the forum caught my eye, such as “ISO keys should be correctly supported.” TMK offered an online configurator and flasher, too.

One worrying thing about the TMK firmware, for my build, was that the project originator warns against using microcontrollers like the one I had already purchased. "Please don't ask help for problem specific to Pro Micro here," writes TMK project founder Hasu on the above-linked forum.

Nevertheless, after a brief visit to the online TMK Keymap Editor and a couple of mouse prods to adjust key positions, I downloaded my tweaked TMK firmware file (default named unimap.hex, and just 68KB in size) moments later.

Subsequently, I’ve only edited (then reflashed) my TMK firmware once - to change the power key into a shortcut key that launches a calculator. Maybe I'll repurpose some lesser-used keys for media keys later, or add a 'layer' full of such functionality.

Testing the web-based flashing ‘Flash on Web’ for TMK, I haven’t got it to work in any browser. But as I already had the QMK Toolbox, from earlier experimentation, which works very nicely with the ATmega32U4 hardware, that's what I used.

Flashing firmware with QMK Toolbox

QMK Toolbox (run in Administrator mode) can be used to flash new firmware to the ATmega32U4. This connects via Micro-USB, and once you plug it into the PC, you will see a red light as evidence that it is powered up. If this is your first use of the microcontroller, you should be prompted by QMK Toolbox to install the necessary drivers to communicate with the tiny developer board.

Once you see your MCU recognized in the toolbox, go and select your *.HEX file from wherever you saved it. The 'unimap.hex' we saved earlier from TMK’s online configurator will have been saved, by default, in the Downloads folder.

Next, click the Auto-Flash checkbox in the Toolbox UI. You are about to reset your ATmega32U4, so it will be receptive to uploading the selected firmware. While it is still powered and connected to the USB, get a small conductive instrument, perhaps the end of a blade screwdriver, to bridge the PCB holes marked GND and RST.

A brief touch of those two holes, simultaneously, will reset the board and, in the QMK Toolbox window, you will see text scrolling by saying things like “Attempting to flash… Flash complete.” On my PC, this process took just a few seconds.

Using this software, you can also confirm your current firmware by selecting Tools > HID Console from the top menu. This is a good way to check your current firmware is actually what you think it is.

Windows Device Manager also confirms the freshly flashed ATmega32U4 is now recognized as a new keyboard. You will see the extra keyboard entry appear and disappear as you plug and unplug the microcontroller. To be clear, even if you don't have the actual Apple ADB keyboard plugged in at this point, it is still listed as an HID Keyboard Device.

Your ATmega32U4 is now ready for wiring up, another process with plenty of potential wrong turns, pitfalls, and issues. Hopefully we can keep you on the straight and narrow.

Preparing the hardware

Successful wiring of the cut-in-half SVHS lead to the ATmega32U4 took me three attempts. There are several guides out there on blogs, and in forum posts - but the most common pitfall is wiring the Data (labeled ‘3’ on this microcontroller's PCB), 5V (VCC), and Ground (GND) wires in a mirror image to what you actually need. I fell victim to this error, too.

So, I went from rev.1 wiring – just wrong, to rev.2 wiring – unintentionally mirrored, to rev.3 wiring – bingo. Sorry, but my soldering got worse over subsequent revisions – just in case I had to change it all again. But I’m from the school of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” so as rev.3 was functional, without any flakiness, it wasn’t finessed.

Please follow these steps closely if you are using an SVHS lead chopped in two like I did. This will remove any doubts about whether you should be looking at the Male or Female ADB pinout (mirrors of each other) for wiring guidance.

Switch your multimeter into continuity mode (probes touched together will make a beep sound). We are going to connect up the stripped and tinned wires in a mirror of what is suggested in the ‘Build Converter Yourself’ section of the TMK forum, linked above. Instead, follow the diagram below.

So, following my ‘Male’ connector example, and checking your multimeter in continuity mode to confirm which wire is which, your success should be guaranteed. Again, this is as long as you use the same cabling choice and microcontroller as I did.

As a first microcontroller-side soldering step, I tinned the stripped wires to get them ready for soldering. Next, I decided to thread the 1K resistor across the Data (labeled ‘3’ on the PCB) and VCC holes, around the back. A bit of solder got the resistor nicely seated. Then I fluxed and tinned the resistor legs, poking upwards, ready to accept the wires from the cable.

Next, it was a cinch to solder the SVHS cable wires to the Data and VCC points. Lastly, the GND you found on the SVHS cable connects to the GND on the ATmega32U4 PCB to create a common reference to ground. Perhaps check your soldering again now, using your multimeter's continuity function, to make sure all is connected correctly.

If all has gone as planned (and hopefully anyone following this will feel the benefit of my many mistakes) you should be able to use your gloriously vintage AEKII (or other Apple ADB keyboard) with this adaptor on your modern computer.

Now, you are familiar with fiddling with TMK’s online configurator and QMK’s Toolbox for flashing, any subsequent tweaks should be very easy. You can even go and set up oodles of keyboard layers, packing multitudes of media control keys, web navigation keys -- there are lots of other options.

A box for the ugly dongle

Last but not least, somewhat envious of my colleagues with the best budget 3D printers at home, I decided to make a simple wooden receptacle for the ADB to USB adaptor I’d put together.

What you see in the gallery is just a sawn-off bit of old pine that was lying around the garage. I drilled an appropriately sized hole to hide the ATmega32U4 inside. Then, the piece was sanded, stained, and polished.

Lifestyle computer peripheral brand, Higround, has launched what it describes as its “most unconventional design” yet. The new BLUR Basecamp 75+ keyboard seeks to recreate a highly stylized retro video game artifact, made real, for your desk (h/t PC Gamer). Don’t be fooled by the potato-mode graphics, though; underneath the hazy and distorted keycap legends, this is a hot-swappable, pre-lubed, dampened, thocky, enthusiast keyboard with customizable RGB.

Coming from a brand which was set up by enthusiasts “unsatisfied with the plain keyboards marketed to us,” Higround is no stranger to strange. The majority of the firm’s prior keyboard designs feature undulating or other abstract etchings atop the keycaps, with the meaningful legends visible on the front face. It looks like there is no such luxury on the BLUR Basecamp 75+, but the character blurring seems to be at the precise level where the glyphs remain distinguishable without too much squinting.

Of course, touch typists and even seasoned hunt-and-peckers only need the occasional glance at their hands, assuming there are finger nubs on the usual F and J home row keys. The keycaps are made from 1.5mm thick PBT with 5-sided dye-sub printing, making them relatively durable.

While the makers mention that the look of this product is inspired by the graphics rendered by Sony’s revolutionary PS1 console, I can also vividly imagine one of the white-coated scientists in Golden Eye on N64 typing on something like this. PC Gamer thought the BLUR Basecamp 75+ looks like something out of Half-Life 1, naturally.

Enough about this input device’s appearance. What do you get under the blurriness? As we mentioned in the introduction, the BLUR Basecamp 75+ build appears to have significant appeal to keyboard aficionados.

Atomic Keyboards is on the cusp of launching its MDR Dasher Keyboard on Kickstarter. In April, we reported on this sci-fi thriller-inspired input peripheral remake becoming a limited-edition product. However, it now appears that Atomic Keyboards is targeting a wider audience for its Apple TV+ Severance-inspired device via Kickstarter.

Key points include that the product will be crowdfunded, starting at $599 (a touted $300 discount compared to retail), the product design and components are taking a premium route, and that three swappable layouts will be available to buyers. Units should ship starting in November.

For a brief recap of the MDR Dasher Keyboard from Atomic Keyboards, it is a design inspired by the hit Apple TV+ Severance series. We must also point out that this TV-audience-targeted concoction of technology was itself inspired by the Data General 6053 ‘Dasher’ terminal, an archaic terminal keyboard design from 1977.

Bringing the old to an alternative sci-fi future, and then back a little bit

Atomic Keyboards appears to have undergone several design iterations since we last reported on the MDR Dasher Keyboard. From the Kickstarter blurb and images, it now looks like the product includes three alternative layout options. The Innie Layout, Outie Layout, and Dasher Layout are all very adequately explained by the images below. However, whichever you choose, it will still be a huge presence on your desk.

We aren’t sure at this pre-Kickstarter stage whether every backer will receive all the components necessary for the three layout options shown, although it is hinted that this is the case. Another hint at this flexibility is the price increase since the announcement of the limited edition. Back in April, we saw Atomic tease a crossed-out $399 price, suggesting a lower price. Now the firm is telling sci-fi keyboard aficionados to ‘secure your best price’ with crowdfunding offers starting at $599, which is claimed to be a $300 discount compared to the eventual retail pricing.

Construction and configuration details

The Atomic MDR Dasher Keyboard product page provides additional information about the finished form of the Kickstarter product. The case, which houses the keyboard deck and (optionally) the trackball, is made from fully CNC-machined aerospace-grade aluminum and weighs 7kg. This should provide an undeniably steady platform, characterized by Atomic as “thocky, firm, and deeply satisfying.”

We also learn that the layouts are quickly swappable thanks to a magnetic top sheet. Moreover, it is intriguing to read that “All switch positions are hot-swappable, so you can easily create your custom layout. Just add switches and keycaps, and you’re ready to go.” So that means the three layouts shown are just curated examples. Switch configurations can be set, as well as macros and more, via a simple configurator web app – no software/driver is required.

The trackball, if you choose to use it, offers a 50mm profile with “two CNC-machined custom keycaps paired with MX switches” for clicking duties.

We don’t wish to be critical of this ‘Mysterious & Important’ design, so we hope for the best, but this niche product probably won't make the ranks of the best keyboards here on Tom's Hardware, mainly due to its niche appeal and price. However, it would be pleasing if this initial impression were to be proved wrong.

Creator uwo’s lab built the world’s loudest mechanical keyboard live on his Twitch channel, where he adds several noisemakers to liven up the typing experience. You can see in the preview shared on X (formerly Twitter) that he started with a 65% keyboard attached to a breadboard, which is then attached to relays and linear actuators that hit a steel plate. Apparently, the tinkling sound is not enough, so he added a steel tongue drum with two rubber mallets powered by compressed air, which hit the drum with every key press you make.

As for the finale, uwo’s lab wanted to add something special —a heating coil that would activate when you hit a certain typing speed, which gets so hot that it would ignite a short burst of machine-gun firecrackers. Unfortunately, he did not want to reprogram the breadboard, so he manually activated it with a battery. He tried doing it again a second time, but the fuse failed, so he just lit it up with a lighter and then typed while the firecrackers were blowing up.

The Twitch stream to create this doohickey, which, according to uwo’s lab, is below contraption but above thingamajig, took almost five hours, and the result was quite chaotic but fun. Aside from that, the build itself had wires, cables, and pneumatic hoses all over the place, adding to the mayhem, but you can still see the keyboard and the visual and aural pandemonium that happens when he starts typing.

Tom’s Hardware dropped by Royal Kludge’s booth at Computex 2025, where our team explored all the layouts and designs the mechanical keyboard specialist has to offer. We’ve seen several models on display, ranging from a near-full 96% layout to the most compact 60% keyboard. So, whether you like a compact design that gives you a lot of space to move your mouse or prefer the functionality of a Num pad and extra function keys, there’s a suitable RK keyboard for you.

Some of the smallest keyboards on display include a 60% keyboard, which drops all the extra keys (including the function and arrow keys) and only leaves you with the alphanumeric keys. But the keyboard on display replaces the stock keycaps with a unique swirl design, making it an excellent addition to any minimalist workstation. The corresponding keys are still printed on the south side of the keycap, though, so you won’t get lost when typing.

There’s also a 65% keyboard, which is similar to the 60%, but gives you back your arrow and some control keys. The one on display looks like the RK68, but the case includes a built-in strap, making it easy to carry around with you. This makes it the perfect companion for those who love going to LAN parties, as it’s easy to lug around. It also has a unique purple and white theme, making it stand out from the usual all-black or all-white keyboard builds.

We get several more options if we move up one size to 75%, ranging from slim, low-profile builds to models with five extra macro keys, a volume control knob, and even an LCD screen. As usual, you get a myriad of color options — from the usual monochromatic light or dark keys to retro-style beige, red, and brown combinations. Speaking of keycaps, RK also has a unique keycap design on display in a frame. This may not be for everyone, but if you’re tired of the usual plain letters on your keyboard, this will definitely catch your attention.

The biggest keyboard we’ve seen is a 96% layout that smushes the Num pad closer to the main alphanumeric keys. You lose some keys, like Scroll Lock, Pause, Print Screen, and Insert, while some keys become smaller with this design. However, you still mostly retain the full functionality of a full-size keyboard and get a few more inches of space on your desk. It also has a large LCD screen on the upper right corner next to the volume control knob, showing you different information.

Cherry has today announced "a bold new chapter" in its history at Computex 2025, debuting its new IK inductive switch, as well as three new MX mechanical switches, MX Honey, MX Blossom, and MX Falcon. The move heralds Cherry's inaugural inductive switch technology, with promises of no mechanical wear and power use reduction in wireless keyboards.

Starting with the headline, Cherry's new IK is a next-gen analogue switch that uses patented inductive sensing technology. Cherry says this enables true contactless actuation through electromagnetic field detection. Cherry says the result is no mechanical wear, "even after millions of keystrokes. IK also reportedly consumes 50% less power than magnetic switches and only 5% of the power of Hall effect switches, which could drastically improve the battery life of the best wireless keyboards. Cherry IK also features RGB lighting and customizable actuation, and is expected to debut in Fall 2025.

Coming in June 2025, Cherry's MX Honey switch is the company's first silent tactile MX switch, perfect for those who don't want to disturb their office neighbours but still want the tactile response that only the best mechanical keyboards deliver. Featured in the MX2A family, they feature a newly optimized spring and factory-applied premium lubrication. 36-switch consumer kits will also follow at a later date.

The new Cherry MX Blossom is the company's lightest linear mechanical switch ever, apparently, with an actuation force of just 35 cN. This features the same mechanical improvements of the MX2A series mentioned above, and will be available in June 2025, with consumer switch kits "coming soon."

Finally, there's the MX Falcon, which Cherry says is a "community-inspired tactile switch" for heavy typists and enthusiasts, inspired by retro designs and "the crisp snap of typewriters", this one is not for the faint-hearted and definitely not for the office.

It's Cherry's first long-pole stem switch, with a sharper bottom-out and richer sound. Again, this will be available in early June with 36-switch kits coming soon after.

Firebrand Linux creator and kernel maintainer Linus Torvalds has returned to using a mechanical keyboard packing his preferred Cherry MX Blue (clicky, tactile) keyswitches. In a post about the latest Linux 6.15-rc6 on LKML.org (h/t The Register), the developer admitted he had been "using a quieter low-profile keyboard" for the last six months. However, the unnamed 'board has now been consigned to the spare parts bin in favor of an input peripheral boasting a "noisy clackety-clack" character. Perhaps Torvalds just isn't old enough yet for the keyboard warriors' equivalent of a quiet life with pipe and slippers.

Torvalds can't actually remember why he switched to a quieter, low profile keyboard. He isn't based in a shared office space, where a noisy mech keyboard would potentially disturb others, he muses. Nevertheless, he'd decided to give the switch half a year to stick, but has now judged the endeavor to be a failure.

Too many typos

The main reason for his return to the noisy side, other than some emotional preference, appears to be based upon a perceived increase in the amount of typos his prose was afflicted with. "It seems I need the audible (or perhaps tactile) feedback to avoid the typing mistakes that I just kept doing," pondered the Linux creator. Humorously, Torvalds says that he has for the last six months been able to blame the switch of keyboard for his typos. "Anyway, going forward, I will now conveniently blame autocorrect since I can't blame the keyboard," was the punch line.

The choice of keyboard is certainly an individual one, and beyond the basic mass market devices you will find in non-specialist stores there are now significant businesses devoted to custom, esoteric, and even artisan input devices and accessories.

Even if you have got to the stage where you have found your favorite keyswitch from the host of linear, tactile, clicky alternatives and based on different technologies, there remains the question of your favorite keyboard layout and size. That's not to mention all the kinds of extras that now get added to a humble keyboard, such as OLED displays, touchscreens, knobs, wheels, selectors, sliders, and so on.

We recently took a look at Wobkey's Rainy 75 Pro, which sounded great — and cost a mere $139 (or $99 for the Lite version). Wobkey promises its new Crush 80 Reboot Pro is like the Rainy 75 Pro, but better. Specifically, the company says it has a new sound profile that sounds "more firm and crisp," thanks to re-optimized foam layering in the case and additional PCB film "to create a more consistent sound for the wider keys." If that's the case, this might be one of the best mechanical keyboards we've tested.

The Crush 80 Reboot comes in both a Lite version and a Pro version, both of which are available now — the Lite version ($159) has a smaller battery and no RGB lighting, and comes with HMX Frost switches and a PP switch plate. The Pro version ($169) has twice the battery life, RGB back- and side-lighting, and comes with Kailh Cocoa switches and a FR4 switch plate. The Pro version also comes in 10 different colors, while the Lite only comes in silver or black. We reviewed the Pro version.

Design and Construction of the Crush 80 Reboot Pro

The Crush 80 Reboot Pro is a wireless mechanical keyboard with a TKL layout, which means it has a full function row and 3 x 3 navigation cluster (but no numberpad). We've been seeing a lot of 75-percent keyboards lately, so it's nice to see a true TKL (some of us use those navigation keys — albeit, not for navigation). The Crush 80 Reboot Pro comes in 10 colorways: black, white, navy, silver, warm silver, red, blue, pink, purple, and yellow. Our review unit came in "warm silver," which is sort of a very light champagne color, with off-white keycaps and beige and salmon accent keys. It also features a bronze-colored backplate with light decorative texturing and a shiny, mirror-like PVD coating.

The Crush 80 Reboot Pro has a hefty, precision-engineered full CNC aluminum case with a matte, anodized aluminum finish. It features a tiny bevel around the edges and a heartbeat-shaped cutout under the navigation cluster, for the keyboard's RGB lighting to shine through. It's also a toolless case, which means that you don't need any tools to open it — the case is held together with magnetic ball-catch structures (a little more secure than the Drop CSTM80's interchangeable top-plate). To make it even more tinker-friendly, the PCB connects to the battery via magnetic POGO pins instead of a flex cable.

The Crush 80 Reboot Pro's case is moderately compact for a TKL, measuring 14 inches (355mm) wide by 5.43 inches (138mm) deep, and is 1.34 inches (34mm) thick at the back (its thickest point), making it close in size to (but slightly smaller than) the Mode Loop TKL. It measures 0.75 inches (19mm) thick at the front, which isn't too bad but you may still want to use a wrist rest. The keyboard is pretty heavy, however, weighing a whopping 5.25 pounds (2,380g) — nearly a pound heavier than similarly built keyboards, like the Meletrix Boog75 (4.28lbs / 1,941g).

Aside from the heartbeat light, the keyboard is fairly simple — it doesn't even have a rotary knob (which might be a dealbreaker for some). The sides have a stepped design where the case hangs over the battery. This design gives the keyboard a slightly smaller footprint and, more importantly, makes it easy to pick up and move — Glorious' GMMK 3 has a bottom case that flares out slightly and is unnecessarily difficult to pry off of a desk. There's a small strip of RGB lighting under each side.

On the bottom of the Crush 80 Reboot Pro, you'll find four anti-slip rubber feet and the board's decorative keyboard weight with built-in dongle storage. The backplate on our review unit had a shiny, mirrored finish over an interesting stonewash texture; it is certainly pretty to look at (if a little difficult to get good pictures of). In the middle of the backplate there's a magnetic metal door that pops off to reveal storage for the keyboard's 2.4GHz USB-A dongle, which is a nice touch but probably not all that necessary given that this keyboard comes with its own storage case (and also weighs over five pounds — you're probably not going to travel with it all that often).

Speaking of which, the Crush 80 Reboot comes packed in its own protective carrying case — a hard-sided zipped case with Wobkey's logo embossed on the front. Inside the case, you'll find a mesh compartment with the keyboard's accessories, which include a 6-foot (1.8m) braided USB-C to USB-A cable, a keycap and switch puller, extra screws, gaskets, silicone bumpers and feet, and switches, and an alternative aluminum positioning plate, as well as an optional IXPE pad.

The keyboard comes packed in a soft, microfiber cloth bag in a "separate" compartment. While you're probably not going to be doing a lot of traveling with a keyboard that weighs over five pounds, the case is a nice touch — the keyboard compartment is separated from the accessories by a panel, and has velcro straps to keep the board securely in place. The case is pretty large — not really convenient for travel, but it's big enough to keep all of the keyboard's accessories (and more) in one place.

Typing and Gaming Experience on the Crush 80 Reboot Pro

The Crush 80 Reboot Pro comes with Kailh Cocoa switches, which are linear switches with an operating force of 45g and a bottom-out force of 55g, and 3.6mm of total travel. These are the same switches we saw in Wobkey's Rainy 75 Pro, and they felt just as good here as they did there — ultra-smooth and consistent, with a crisp but creamy sound. The switches are factory-lubed and have just the right combination of operating force and travel to make me reconsider my general dislike of linear switches. The keyboard's PCB is also hot-swappable, however, so you can swap in your own mechanical switches if you're looking for something other than Kailh Cocoa switches.

The Crush 80 Reboot Pro has a gasket-mounted flex-cut FR4 switch plate, which makes for a very comfortable typing experience. The thick, double-shot PBT keycaps combined with the Cocoa switches and the FR4 plate gives this keyboard excellent typing acoustics — crisp and firm from the plate material, but also deep and thocky. Wobkey has added additional poron case foam for better sound, as well as extra PCB film for a more consistent sound on wider keys. This appears to work well, as larger keys sounded very consistent, with no hollowness, instability, or rattle. The keycaps have a lower profile with sculpted rows, and the slightly matte texture of double-shot PBT.

This keyboard isn't really built for gaming — it comes with a 2.4GHz wireless receiver, but only offers a 250 Hz polling rate (3ms latency) over that connection. You can get a higher 500 Hz polling rate (2ms latency) over the keyboard's wired connection, but that's still not fast enough to meet the gaming industry standard of 1000 Hz (1ms latency). That's not to say you can't use it for gaming, as it's fine for games where speed is not a maximum priority, but it's not what I'd recommend picking up for first-person shooters or eSports.

Specs

Features and Software of the Crush 80 Reboot Pro

The Crush 80 Reboot Pro is configurable with VIA, which is an open-source QMK-based web app that most custom mechanical keyboards use. It's fairly versatile, but it doesn't have some of the extra features you'll find on custom peripheral software (such as the ability to switch profiles by program/game). You can remap keys up to three layers deep and record and save macros, and Wobkey provides separate JSON files for the board's wireless and wired modes.

The Crush 80 Reboot Pro has a south-facing PCB with aRGB backlighting, as well as "secret side lighting" (downward-facing RGB along the sides of the case). You can control the lighting directly from the keyboard using Fn shortcuts, and each of the keyboard's three "zones" (backlighting, heartbeat cutout, and side lighting) can be controlled individually. You can also control the backlighting (not the heartbeat cutout or the sidelighting) in VIA, but it's not any more in-depth than what you can do on the keyboard — pick from 18 preset effects, and adjust color/brightness/speed.

Wireless and Battery Life of the Crush 80 Reboot Pro

The Crush 80 Reboot Pro offers three forms of connectivity: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, and wired (via USB-C). It comes with its small 2.4GHz wireless dongle stored under a metal plate on the back, which is attached with magnets.

Like the Rainy75, the Crush 80 Reboot Pro's wireless power switch is hidden under its Caps Lock key — you'll need to take the key off to turn the board on and off. This isn't very convenient, and it's sort of unclear if leaving it on affects battery life — the keyboard sports a 7,500 mAh battery, but Wobkey doesn't give any numbers for how long it will last on Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless. I've been using the keyboard for about a week off and on, and the battery is down to about halfway (you can check the battery life by pressing Fn + spacebar — the number keys will light up to indicate an estimate of your remaining battery life).

You can switch between connections using Fn + Tab — this is important, because the keyboard doesn't automatically switch to wired mode unless you manually do this after plugging it in, for some reason. The keyboard can pair with up to three Bluetooth devices simultaneously.

The Bottom Line

The Crush 80 Reboot sounds even better than Wobkey's Rainy 75 Pro — which sounded great in our testing — and it's got a great, toolless case that comes in a ton of different colors. At $169, it's priced a little lower than expected, but not so low that it's really budget-friendly. Also, while it's easy to customize yourself, it doesn't come with a lot of customization options aside from color — it lacks a rotary knob or media keys, and it only comes in one switch option.

This is a great keyboard for someone new to the mechanical keyboard hobby — it gives you a great out-of-the-box experience and is relatively easy to customize yourself. But if you already know what you want, you're better off going with a board that offers options, like the Mode Loop TKL. And if you're a gamer, Lemokey's L3 offers extra keys and a rotary knob, while the Meletrix Boog75 and the Arbiter Studio Polar 75 both feature excellent builds and magnetic switches.

There aren't a ton of low-profile mechanical keyboards on the market — after all, the best mechanical keyboards are about trying to achieve an amazing typing experience, and low-profile keyboards tend to be about compromising said experience for something slim, lightweight, and travel-friendly. But not everyone wants to travel with a paper-thin Apple Magic Keyboard, so it's always nice to see a well-built low-profile board that delivers a fantastic typing experience — and it's even nicer to see one with a sub-$100 price tag.

Chilkey's ND75 LP is the brand's popular ND75 keyboard in low-profile form, and it comes with all the bells and whistles: wireless, with a full-aluminum body, double-shot PBT keycaps, a hot-swappable PCB, and tri-mode wireless connectivity. It even has a little LCD screen that shows you the time, battery life, and various settings like system and Caps Lock (and can, of course, be configured to display a picture or gif of your choosing — because that's important). The ND75 LP is a little heavy to be a travel-friendly low-profile keyboard, but it's nice to have the option of traveling with something that prioritizes typing feel and sound over portability.

The ND75 LP is available now, for $99 (black and white versions) or $105 (color versions).

Design and Construction of the ND75 LP

The ND75 LP is a wireless low-profile mechanical keyboard with a 75-percent layout, which means it has arrow keys and a function row, but no number pad and only a few of the navigation keys (Del, Ins, PgUp, and PgDn).

It also features a small 1-inch screen on the right side, which shows the time, battery life, and connection status by default and can be used to configure some of the keyboard's lighting effects. (You can also, of course, upload an image or gif to play on the screen, but we'll get to that later.)

The ND75 LP is slim and low-profile, but it's also hefty — it weighs a solid 2.88 pounds (1,305g), which is about 4.5 ounces heavier than the Asus ROG Azoth. It is slim, though, measuring just 1.05 inches (26.6mm) thick at the back and 0.37 inches (9.3mm) thick at the front. The keyboard is 12.68 inches (322mm) wide by 5.45 inches (138.5mm) deep, which makes it just slightly larger than the Nuphy Air75 V2 (12.5 x 5.2 x 0.59 inches / 316.4 x 132.5 x 13.5mm) — though it is, of course, 1.5 pounds heavier than the 1.31lb / 598g Air75 V2. It does have a roomier layout than the Air75 V2 — the function keys are separated into clusters of four, and the arrow keys are offset slightly from the alphanumeric keys.

The keyboard is so heavy because it features a fully aluminum case with a decorative keyboard weight on the back. The keyboard comes in six colors, starting at $99 for pure white and jet black (both of which come with black and white keycaps and black keyboard weights on the back). The more colorful options cost an extra $6: lavender, baby blue, silver, and milk tea (a light orange-beige color). These options all come with matching keycaps and silver keyboard weights on the back.

Our review unit came in baby blue, which has white alphanumeric keycaps with light blue printed legends, and light blue accent keys with white printed legends. It's an attractive keyboard, with a finely-machined two-part case, thick, double-shot PBT keycaps, and concentric circles etched on the backplate for style.

The back of the keyboard features four small silicone anti-slip feet in addition to the backplate. The feet fit into the grove on the wrist rest, in the event you want to use the wrist rest as a keyboard stand to adjust the board's typing angle from its standard 6.5 degrees to 10 degrees. This probably isn't necessary, but it's a nice touch, especially for people who shy away from full-aluminum mechanical keyboards because they're concerned about not being able to change the typing angle. It's not the most advanced solution, but it works well enough.

In the box, the ND75 LP comes with a handful of accessories, including a 5-foot rubber USB-C to USB-A cable, a dual keycap/switch puller, and a slim rubber wrist rest. It also comes with a screwdriver, three extra switches, a 2.4-GHz dongle, and the parts you'll need if you want to switch the keyboard's mounting system from gasket-mount to top-mount. The company also includes a replacement flexible flat cable, because you can pretty easily rip the one that connects the screen to the PCB if you yank the top cover off too aggressively.

Speaking of which, the ND75 LP's case is tool-less. The top case is held on magnetically, so all you have to do to open up the keyboard is apply some pressure and pop it off (but not too far off, or that cable will rip). The magnets are fairly strong — I tossed this in my bag and went traveling with it, and not once was I worried the top case might separate or get jostled loose — but it pops off easily enough. (For what it's worth, the flat cable that attaches the screen is pretty long — you'd be unlikely to accidentally rip it unless you just forgot that there was a screen altogether. Once inside, you can switch the keyboard's mounting system using the included accessories, or, well, do whatever else you want before you pop the top back on.

Specs

Typing and Gaming Experience on the ND75 LP

The ND75 LP sounds and feels great out of the box — and not just for a budget-friendly, low-profile keyboard. The keyboard features Chilkey's self-developed Aster switches, which are full POM linear switches with a total travel of 3mm — pretty close to the standard switch travel of 3.5 - 4mm.

The switches have an actuation force of 45g with a bottom-out force of 52g, and are rated for up to 50 million keystrokes. They're super smooth, thanks to their pre-lubed full POM construction, and, combined with the premium double-shot PBT keycaps, they sound great. The board also features five layers of sound-dampening material inside, and the plate-mounted stabilizers are well-lubed, so you won't get any hollowness or rattle.

The keycaps have an LSA profile — low-profile, with large, rounded tops that let you slip smoothly between keys while still giving you plenty of room to prevent typos. The rows aren't sculpted, but I'm not sure that would do much on a low-profile keyboard like this, anyway. The keycaps have a smooth, lightly textured finish, and sound and feel premium. The keyboard does have backlighting, but the keycaps aren't shine-through — so, while there's enough light to give you a pretty lightshow, it's not all that useful for actually seeing the keys, if that's important to you.

This is a low-profile keyboard, so it's fairly short in the front (0.37 inches / 9.3mm), but it also comes with a wrist rest... just in case. The wrist rest is small, and can either be used as wrist rest or as a way to angle the back of the keyboard toward you; I'm not sure it's terribly useful either way, but it's a nice inclusion — especially on a budget board — and it has a nice, soft rubbery feel.

The ND75 LP comes with a gasket-mount structure that's flexible enough to be comfortable while still delivering crisp, thocky sound. But if you're looking for even crisper, thockier sound, you might want to switch the board to a top-mount, which you can do by popping the top case off and using the screws Chilkey includes with the board to switch over. It's a surprisingly easy board to tinker with — not that most boards are difficult, but the magnetic top case is a nice touch.

The ND75 LP features N-key rollover and a 1,000 Hz polling rate over both its wired and 2.4-GHz wireless connections, so while it's not necessarily designed for gaming it will absolutely work in a pinch. Its low-profile linear switches are also excellent for gaming, as they're quick and snappy and it's easy to move around the board quickly. The board's 75-percent layout also makes it a great gaming option, as it's not so small you'll be missing keys, but it's also not so large you won't be able to make big mouse swipes on a small desk or table.

Features and Software of the ND75 LP

The ND75 LP is configurable — to some extent — on the board itself using Fn shortcuts and the built-in screen. You can navigate through the screen with Fn + the plus/minus/enter keys, and you can do things like change the keyboard's lighting effects, color, and brightness. You can also switch connections and system types from this screen. Of course, you can also do these things using Fn shortcuts — you don't technically need the screen, it's just a nice thing to be able to look at for confirmation.

As for keymapping, macro recordings, and putting the image or gif of your choice on the keyboard's screen, you'll need to use Chilkey's online configuration software for that. The online software is fairly straightforward:

Connect your keyboard and you can remap keys (two layers), adjust the backlighting, and upload your own picture to the keyboard's screen. There is a macro recorder, but otherwise the software is fairly basic — remapping is limited to keyboard and mouse functions (and macros), and lighting is limited to preset effects. But it does save directly to the board, and you can make up to three configurations.

While you can use the screen to switch between connections, you'll probably just end up using the built-in shortcuts — Fn + Q, W, and E for Bluetooth, FN + R for 2.4Ghz wireless, and Fn + T for wired.

The power switch for wireless connectivity is located under the right shift key, which is a little annoying, especially if you were thinking of traveling with this keyboard. But this is perhaps not the most travel-friendly keyboard — it's fairly heavy and there's no place to store the tiny 2.4GHz wireless dongle, so you'll need to depend on Bluetooth or a wire for connection when you're on the road.

While this shouldn't be too much of an issue, I definitely had some problems with the keyboard's Bluetooth connection — specifically, whenever I connected to another Bluetooth device (such as a mouse or a headset), the board's Bluetooth would disconnect and then be unable to reconnect for some reason.

This was frustrating mostly because I'd forgotten to bring all but one USB cord with me, so when I was trying to charge my other devices I would occasionally find the keyboard was just no longer connected to my laptop, and then I had to decide whether I was going to type on my laptop's built-in keyboard or hope my mouse could work on a 5-minute charge.

On top of that, the board's battery life is not great (especially given its weight). It has two 1,800 mAh batteries, but both the backlighting and the screen will drain those faster. I found the keyboard lasted about one full day of typing (8 - 10 hours), which is... well, not great. It almost makes me wonder if, given the weight and screen, this would have made more sense as a wired-only keyboard (perhaps it would have been cheaper, too).

The Bottom Line

The ND75 LP is a very impressive board for the price — it looks, sounds, and feels like a premium mechanical keyboard, features a customization-friendly magnetic case and hot-swappable PCB, and tri-mode wireless connectivity (sort of) — and it's under $100 (unless you want it in a pretty color, in which case it's $105). Other similar low-profile keyboards looking to deliver a premium typing experience, like the Lofree Edge and the Nuphy Air75 V2 are pricier (though they are lighter weight, thinner, and more travel-friendly) — and don't sound as good.

That said, this isn't the most travel-friendly keyboard, for more reasons than just its weight. The ND75 LP's battery life is mediocre at best; its Bluetooth connectivity leaves something to be desired; and there's nowhere to store the 2.4-GHz dongle. So if you're traveling with it, it'll mostly be a wired keyboard. It's far from the thinnest or lightest low-profile keyboard, and while Chilkey's Aster switches are excellent, they are the only option — it would be nice to see a tactile switch option, for that ultimate typing experience.

The mechanical keyboard market has been flooded with pre-built keyboards featuring magnetic switches over the past year — it seems like a new 75-percent magnetic switch keyboard boasting Rapid Trigger and Snap Tap comes out every week. But because magnetic switches are largely aimed at gamers, we haven't seen a lot of magnetic switch gaming keyboards that are larger than 75-percent.

We've seen some — like Glorious' wildly-expensive custom-built GMMK 3 series. And now, the Keydous NJ98-CP V2 HE, which is a much more budget-friendly option. This almost-full-size keyboard (96-percent layout, or 98 keys), may not have a full aluminum case, but it's got a numberpad that turns into a calculator, a programmable rotary knob, and a programmable, detachable screen. (Just because.)

It's wireless and features a hot-swappable PCB that accepts both magnetic switches and mechanical switches, which is handy considering the lack of standardization in the magnetic switch market at the moment — you can always fall back on your favorite mechanical switches.

Designed to compete with the best mechanical keyboards, the NJ98-CP V2 HE is available now for $150 — not exactly budget-priced, but less than half the price of other full-size options.

Design and Construction of the NJ98-CP V2 HE

The NJ98-CP V2 HE is a wireless magnetic switch keyboard with a 96-percent layout — it's designed to give you almost all of the functionality of a full-size keyboard in a more compact form. The keyboard has a full function row and a full numberpad, as well as three of the navigation keys (Delete, PgUp, and PgDn), as well as a dedicated calculator key. The numberpad is also squeezed closer to the arrow keys, and has a 1u 0 key to fit. The keyboard also features a volume knob (programmable) in the upper right corner, which is next to a detachable magnetic docking screen.

By default, this screen displays a number of stats (Num lock, Caps lock, battery life, connection, and time), as well as a gif of a cat (which is cute, I guess). You can customize this screen with your own images or gifs using the keyboard's companion software, similar to the screen seen on the Asus ROG Azoth and ROG Azoth Extreme.

This screen also acts as a screen for the keyboard's built-in calculator function, which you can access by hitting Fn + Numpad Enter. I'll admit this is pretty handy if you... well, frequently need a calculator, though I wish the shortcut was easier to hit one-handed (I can hit it one-handed, but it's not convenient). Also, the dedicated calculator key, which opens up your PC's onscreen calculator, seems like overkill in addition to this feature (how many calculators do you need?!).

The screen is easily removable — it just pulls off, though the magnet is strong enough that you shouldn't have to worry about accidentally knocking it loose. I'm not sure why the screen is removable, as it doesn't work on its own, but Keydous does sell replacement screens in different colors (light pink, light green, and khaki) on its website for $20, so I suppose it's just another way to customize your build.

The keyboard is housed in a plastic chassis with a slightly textured matte finish, which is not the fanciest-looking (or feeling) chassis material. The keyboard comes in six colorways: white (white case, white keycaps, light blue and orange accent keys), black samurai (black case, black keycaps, yellow accent keys), pale green (white case, cream keycaps, green accent keys), star dream (white case, gray-to-black ombre keycaps, translucent teal accent keys), and shadow (gray-to-black ombre keycaps with shine-through side legends) with either a white or a black case. Our review unit was in star dream, which has dye-sub PBT keycaps in a Cherry keycap profile.

The keyboard measures 15.87 inches (403mm) wide by 5.43 inches (138mm) deep, and is approximately 1.57 inches (40mm) thick at its thickest point (including keycaps). It's slightly larger than the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless (14.84 x 5.16 x 1.57 inches / 377 x 131 x 40mm), because it adds the navigation keys in a column next to the numberpad (instead of along the top, like the Strix Scope II 96 Wireless does).

The roomier layout is nice for those who frequently use the numberpad, though the overall compact layout will still take some getting used to if you're moving from a full-size keyboard. You can get this keyboard with either an aluminum or a brass positioning plate (brass costs $15 more); our review unit with its aluminum plate weighed in at 2.52 pounds (1,144g) — solid, but not particularly heavy.

On the back of the keyboard, you'll find four small anti-slip rubber pads, as well as a set of flip-out feet to change the keyboard's typing angle. This is a nice feature, as a lot of the magnetic switch keyboards we've been looking at recently have had aluminum cases and no angle adjustment. The power switch is also located on the back of the keyboard, which is a little inconvenient if you frequently turn your keyboard on and off — but at least the keyboard is fairly lightweight and so the switch is not too much of a hassle to get to. Finally, there's a little slot for the keyboard's 2.4GHz wireless USB-A dongle, which is small and unassuming (a little too unassuming — there's no label on the USB dongle at all, and I immediately forgot what it belonged to).

In the box, the keyboard comes with a keycap puller, a switch puller, and a 5-foot (1.5m) rubber USB-C to USB-A cable. It also comes with extra keycaps (Mac keys and accent key replacements), a 2.4GHz wireless USB-A dongle, and a USB extender.

Specs

Typing and Gaming Experience on the NJ98-CP V2

The NJ98-CP V2 HE comes with magnetic switches, but the hot-swappable PCB supports both magnetic and mechanical switches (3- and 5-pin) — like Glorious' magnetic GMMK 3 — and you can mix magnetic and mechanical switches.

It comes with Kailh Ice Cream Magnetic Switch V2 switches, which are linear magnetic switches with an initial force of 30gf and a total travel of 4mm. They have all the features that magnetic switches have: adjustable actuation (between 0.1 and 4.0mm), Rapid Trigger, Dynamic Keystrokes, and SnapTap, which you can set up and configure in the Keydous Driver companion app.

Typing on the NJ98-CP V2 HE feels and sounds quite good — the switches are smooth, consistent, and stable, and the stabilizers are well-lubed. The case comes with three layers of foam inside, which do a very good job of dampening sound and absorbing any case ping.

While it's not the absolute best-sounding keyboard we've tested, the aluminum positioning plate combined with the sound-dampening foam makes for a nice, crisp, consistent overall sound — except for the space bar. The space bar has a deeper, somewhat out-of-place "thock" to it, which is noticeable but not so much so that it's overly distracting.

The keycaps that came with the star dream colorway are made of dye-sublimated PBT and have a Cherry keycap profile. The Cherry keycap profile is relatively low-profile with sculpted rows, for a comfortable, easy-travel typing experience. These keycaps have slightly curved tops and a lightly-textured finish that's just slippery enough for speedy typing — I was able to consistently hit around 130 wpm with 99% accuracy on this keyboard right out of the box.

The keycaps vary slightly depending on which colorway you get — the star dream, pale green, black, and white colorways have Cherry profile keycaps, while the two shadow colorways have OEM profile keycaps.

For productivity, this keyboard's built-in calculator does seem to be pretty handy. However, when you go into calculator mode by pressing Fn + Numpad Enter, you can't enter any input on the keyboard until you leave calculator mode — so you can't enter the numbers into your PC without exiting calculator mode, and exiting calculator mode clears the calculator. I suppose maybe that's why there's also a dedicated calculator button on this keyboard — in case you need to enter in your numbers on your computer.

But, of course, this is a keyboard — how often are you not going to be using your computer when you're using this calculator? While I did think this feature was pretty neat at first, I now think you probably don't really need it alongside a dedicated calculator button. But maybe there's some use case I'm not considering.

For gaming, the NJ98-CP HE V2 is as solid as any other magnetic switch keyboard. It has a solid, 1,000 Hz polling rate over both its 2.4GHz wireless connection and its wired connection, and game mode (Fn + Windows Key) is built in.

It also offers adjustable actuation, which lets you adjust the point at which the key actuates (individually for each key, if you like), as well as Rapid Trigger, which matches the key's actuation point to its de-actuation point, so you can press it down as soon as you let go of it, without having to wait for it to pass a specific de-actuation point. The keyboard's low,

Cherry profile keycaps and linear magnetic switches make it easy to quickly glide across the keyboard, but the keyboard itself is perhaps a little too big for most gamers. However, if you're a gamer like me and you need all the buttons, the NJ98-CP V2 HE is probably one of your only options on the market.

Features and Software of the NJ98-CP V2 HE

You can configure the NJ98-CP V2 using the Keydous Driver, which is available both as a download and a web app. It is pretty clearly translated from Chinese, and all the documentation is also translated from Chinese, which makes it a little confusing and convoluted at times.

You can turn on and adjust the keyboard's magnetic switch settings — actuation point, Rapid Trigger, Dynamic Keystrokes, Toggle Keys, Snap Tap, etc. and also calibrate the switches when you've swapped in new magnetic or mechanical switches. The software also lets you remap and configure keys (on multiple layers) and the rotary knob, and includes a built-in macro recorder.

You can also customize the screen with your own pictures or animations. The software is actually pretty impressive here, if perhaps a little unnecessarily detailed — you can upload your own images or gifs, or you can draw things on the "draw board" and save them to the hardware — and your drawings can have colors and multiple frames.

I didn't spend too much time exploring this, but it is kind of neat if you love customization. You can also upload and share your presets — whether they're keymaps, drawings, or lighting effects — with others in the Keydous Driver community.

The keyboard has bright RGB lighting with per-key configuration using the app. It comes with several presets (and you can also do some limited customization directly from the keyboard using shortcuts), but you can also change each individual key's lighting (if you like) and you can save lighting effects to different layers (so, for example, you know what profile you're currently using).

Wireless Performance and Battery Life of the NJ98-CP V2 HE

The NJ98-CP V2 offers three forms of connectivity: low-latency 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired via USB-C. It offers a solid 1,000 Hz polling rate over both 2.4GHz wireless and wired connections, which is the standard for gaming keyboards — though we've recently seen a few magnetic switch keyboards with ultra-high polling rates (such as the Luminkey Magger 68 HE and the Lemokey L5 HE 8K).

Keydous rates the NJ98-CP V2 HE's battery life at around 800 hours in power saving mode — that is, with the screen and the lighting turned off. With the screen and the lighting set to "always on," the keyboard gets just 29 hours (which is pretty respectable considering "always on" means never sleeping). The screen displays the battery life by default, but if you change the screen or turn it off, you'll still get a low battery warning at less than 10% thanks to a red light under the F12 key.

The Bottom Line

There really aren't very many full-size magnetic switch gaming keyboards on the market — and this technically isn't even full-size, either. So if you're the kind of person who needs a numberpad or just a lot of extra keys, your options are pretty limited.

Luckily, the Keydous NJ98-CP V2 HE is such a solid contender that you may not even want to look further — it's wireless, with smooth magnetic switches and great out-of-the-box performance and sound, and its hot-swap PCB accepts both magnetic and mechanical switches. At $150, the NJ98-CP V2 HE isn't dirt-cheap, but it costs quite a bit less than most mainstream full-size gaming keyboards (let alone magnetic ones) — Glorious' full-size GMMK 3 magnetic switch keyboard currently starts at $191 for the wired version and $320 for the wireless version.

If you're looking for an easily customizable keyboard but don't want to build your own, Drop's aptly named CSTM line has you covered.

The CSTM80 is — as you might expect from the name — a mechanical keyboard that's designed to be customized. Just about everything, from the top plate to the case weight, can be swapped out, and Drop sells additional case plates, switch plates, keycaps, and case weights on its site. The keyboard comes with Gateron Brown Pro 3.0 or Milky Yellow KS3 switches and a polycarbonate top plate, as well as ABS keycaps with shine-through side legends. It's not designed to be a gaming keyboard, necessarily, but it does boast a 1,000 Hz polling rate and N-key rollover. And its TKL layout is the perfect size for most gamers.

The CSTM80 is available now for $149, but you can also pick up a barebones version (no keycaps, switches, or top case) for $99.

Design and Construction of the CSTM80

The CSTM80 is a wired mechanical gasket-mount keyboard with a tenkeyless (TKL) layout, which means it has a full function row, arrow keys, and a 3 by 2 navigation cluster. It also has an extra F13 function key, but no rotary knob.

The CSTM80 has a polycarbonate case with a decorative magnetic top case. The base keyboard comes with a black ABS top case and matching black ABS keycaps with shine-through side legends. Drop sells additional top cases in various colors, patterns, and materials, which you can find on their CSTM80 collection page. Drop shipped us a couple of extra top cases to swap out for our review, including the polycarbonate Overgrowth case ($35, currently on sale for $19) and the aluminum decorative case in silver ($59, currently on sale for $39). The case is extremely easy to change — it just pops off. The top case fully covers the sides of the keyboard as well.

The black case that the keyboard comes with is nicely made, if a bit boring, with a half-inch bezel that surrounds the keyboard and a chamfered edge. The keyboard measures 14.7 inches (374mm) wide by 5.8 inches (148mm) deep, and is 1.3 inches (34mm) thick at its thickest point. It weighs about 2.8 pounds (1,272g) with the included ABS top case and keycaps installed, but you can change the weight by adding a heavier top case or replacing the keyboard's standard aluminum case weight with one of Drop's custom options (replacing the case weight is slightly trickier than replacing the top case, as you'll need to unscrew it from inside).

The keyboard measures about 0.74 inches (18.7mm) at the front, so it's high enough that some people might want a wrist rest, though I didn't feel the need to use one. The board has a typing angle of 6 degrees.

The back of the keyboard has four anti-slip rubber feet and a standard silver brushed aluminum keyboard weight, which is replaceable.

In the box, the CSTM80 comes with a braided USB-C to USB-A cable, a keycap puller, a switch puller, optional Mac keycaps, and extra gaskets.

Specs

Typing and Gaming Experience on the CSTM80

The CSTM80 comes with your choice of Gateron switches — either Brown Pro 3.0 (tactile) or Milky Yellow (linear) switches. Our review model came with Brown Pro 3.0 switches, which are pre-lubed and have an operating force of 55gf and a total travel distance of 4mm. They have a mild tactile bump and no click, though they're moderately loud switches — perhaps not ideal if typing in a quieter office environment. The keyboard also has a hot-swappable PCB that accepts both 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches, so you can swap in your favorite switches.

The Brown Pro 3.0 switches feel very good, though they're not quite as tactile as I expect from tactile switches (perhaps I'm just used to the heavier bump of the Glorious Panda Standard HE switches I've been using recently on the GMMK 3). Despite the switches' operating force being slightly heavier than most switches at 55gf, the extra weight wasn't noticeable.

The CSTM80 comes with black ABS keycaps with smooth, lightly-curved tops and shine-through side legends. They have a Cherry profile, which means they have sculpted rows and are lower profile than traditional OEM keycaps. The keycaps are very comfortable to type on, and I do like the smooth feel of the ABS tops, though ABS usually means you'll start seeing shininess in a few months. The shine-through side legends make for an attractive overall look, and while it would be nice to see PBT keycaps, I suppose this keyboard is designed to be customized.

The combination of the smooth, low-profile keycaps, the mildly tactile switches, and the gasket mount makes for a very comfortable and pleasant typing experience. The case does have built-in foam and silicone for sound dampening, and it's a nice sound overall — not the absolute best, but it's a great-sounding keyboard out of the box, especially with its overall polycarbonate construction. The switches and stabilizers (Gateron screw-in PCB-mounted) are smooth, lubed, and I had no issues with rattle or scratchiness.

While this keyboard is designed for typing, it does have a low-latency 1,000 Hz polling rate and N-key rollover — so you'll have no issues using it for gaming. The switches are very responsive and snappy, perfect for almost all games — though you'll probably want to look at something with linear switches (perhaps magnetic) if you're primarily into competitive first-person shooters.

Features and Software of the CSTM80

You can configure the CSTM80 using Drop's Keyboard Configurator, which is not the most user-friendly software. The keyboard is also compatible with QMK / VIA, however, so you can use those to remap keys and adjust the board's lighting if you're more familiar with them.

To use the Drop Keyboard Configurator, you'll first need to flash the board with firmware. But this is a fairly simple process and the Configurator will walk you through it. Once the board has been flashed, the software should recognize your keyboard, though I needed to unplug and replug each time I opened the software for this to work. The board comes with three layers of programming (the base layer, a media key layer, and a test layer), and you can remap keys or switch layers around in the software. You can also customize the keyboard's lighting and link different lighting effects to specific layers. While you can program different layers, there's no real way to set up different profiles.

The Bottom Line

The Drop CSTM80 is a very solid keyboard for both typing and gaming, and the easily swappable top case is cooler than I expected — it's nice to be able to change the look of your keyboard on a whim, without having to remove all of the keycaps (and makes for a much easier cleaning experience). While I don't use on-keyboard media controls, some people will definitely miss the rotary knob.

The CSTM80 isn't necessarily aimed at gamers, but the 1,000 Hz polling rate and snappy switches make it a great choice for anyone looking for a keyboard that can move seamlessly between work and play. The CSTM80 may not be quite as premium as the Mode Loop TKL (2024), which starts at $299, but it's a very solid alternative and even easier to make your own.

Custom keyboard maker Mode Designs has built its name on consistency. The brand blends elegant, minimalist designs with fine attention to detail, for impeccable quality both physically and in the typing experience. While the world of custom mechanical keyboards has, in many ways, become tumultuous since many workers no longer work from home, Mode has sailed full steam ahead with new products that keep a solid focus on the brand's identity within the desk setup space.

The Mode Loop TKL isn’t a new keyboard anymore, but it’s still wet behind the ears in the company’s line-up. It’s the largest keyboard the company offers and its tenkeyless layout makes it a comfortably familiar choice for anyone considering jumping into the hobby. Starting at $299 and extending to well over $700 in its most expensive configuration, which is fully built at Mode HQ for you ($550 if you bring your own switches and keycaps), the Loop TKL is an eminently premium option. Yes, you'll pay for the boutique design, multitude of customizable options, and impressive craftsmanship — it's an impressive offering in virtually every way.

Mode Loop TKL (2024) Specs

Design of the Mode Loop TKL (2024)

The Mode Loop TKL is the kind of mechanical keyboard I imagine being sold along Rodeo Drive, where a fine gentleman in a suit holds it up so you can look — but not touch. I doubt that any mechanical keyboards are actually sold on Rodeo Drive (or that most people shopping there even know what a mechanical keyboard is), but in its highest-tier configurations, the Loop would fit right in. There’s a level of quality inherent in the keyboard's identity — and that of the brand proper — that should be downright aspirational for other brands in the custom keyboard space.

This sense comes from the Loop itself, yes, but also in the process of acquiring it. Mode isn’t a brand you’re likely to seek out without some word of mouth (or a friendly Tom’s Hardware review). You'll have likely stumbled across it from a review in which the critic extols its virtues, or perhaps you'll see it on Instagram, where the company routinely garners attention for its alluring photography and stylized build shorts.

The point is, when you come to it, you’re likely approaching it with a level of expectation based on this idea that Mode has expertly seeded throughout the community. The brand has done an impressive job of crafting an identity as a purveyor of “finer things” in the world of mechanical keyboards. By the time you click "purchase," you'll have customized a keyboard matched to your preferred colors and materials, and there's a sense of having "leveled up," assuming you're not already using a fancy custom keyboard. (If that's the case, you’re probably already fairly deep into the hobby and looking to expand your collection.)

I'm sharing this because it’s relevant to understanding exactly what the Loop TKL sets out to be, and where it exists in the market. It’s not the absolute highest of the high-end, but it’s estimable, and unless you’re willing to wait on a group buy and take on the risk of paying months before a keyboard even exists, it's one of the best custom mechanical keyboards you can find today.

It's also important to highlight that, despite the Loop TKL's premium positioning, it’s also one of the most accessible custom mechanical keyboard options currently available. It starts at only $299 — which is expensive, but not crazy for a premium keyboard in this space, and Mode gives you the option of purchasing everything you need in one place. For $80 and a week or so of lead time, its team will even build it for you, complete with tuning, so you can have a ready-to-use keyboard straight out of the box without needing to learn a thing about how to do it yourself.

And these guys are good. I’ve built dozens of keyboards and tested well over a hundred at this point, and the stabilizers were some of the absolute best-tuned for sound and feel I’ve ever tested — I couldn’t have done better if I'd built it myself. I opened it up, and there weren’t even any stray marks or fingerprints on the PCB from the little bits of lube that get on your fingers — ask any keyboard builder and they’ll tell you how easy that is to do. The person assembling the board either showed an incredible amount of care during assembly, changed gloves halfway through, or, most likely, did both to make sure the build was clean inside and out, knowing that the user opting for build service may never even see that level of care.

The Loop TKL is a classic custom mechanical keyboard: a heavy aluminum case, fancy weights and accents, layers of foam, and a dedication to the sound and feel of typing in a way most normal keyboard users would consider obsessive. The Loop TKL doesn’t take many liberties with its layout. It’s a standard TKL, which means it has everything but a numpad. You can opt to have the Windows key or go WinKeyLess (WKL) and have those keys filled in with “blockers” that add a better sense of symmetry to its appearance. It has a 7u spacebar for this purpose too, which is a little less than one key longer than a normal 6.25u spacebar.

Aesthetics matter a lot in the custom mechanical keyboard hobby and the design of the case is both unique and alluring, without being overstated or garish. It’s common to see badges or screens on keyboards these days, but instead, the Loop TKL uses an accent bar on the very top, just above the function row. The two halves of the case are split with a second accent in the form of a ring, or loop, from which the keyboard takes its name. Around the back is a large ovular weight inset with two circular silicone feet that hide the case screws. With no screws exposed, there’s a unity and flow to its design. In a word — it’s clean.

Using the online configurator, you can choose from an impressive range of materials and colors – and here, what you choose can be a bit more important than pure aesthetics. The case is available in eight colors (white, cream, green, silver, black, elderberry, and mirage), in either anodized or e-coated aluminum. The top accent, ring, and rear weight can all be configured individually and come in several different materials and finishes, including aluminum, copper, stainless steel (mirror finished), and, in the case of the top accent only, walnut or maple wood.

Each of the case options has a direct impact on the sound of the keyboard by virtue of mixing materials and creating layers within the case. Combining materials of different densities, such as aluminum and copper, impacts how well vibrations travel through the case. When everything is the same, those vibrations can resonate through and create a ringing sound after you stop typing. Copper, in this example, acts like a brick wall and deadens that right out.

The options so far define the look of the keyboard, but the tool also allows you to choose the materials of the plate the switches will be mounted in across eight choices (in order of firmness): polypropylene [PP], POM, polycarbonate [PC], nylon, FR4, carbon fiber, aluminum, and copper. Each of these impacts the sound and feel of the typing experience. You can opt for a hotswap or solderable PCB (the $299 option features the solderable PCB, which most newcomers will probably want to avoid). You can also opt to include a Foam Kit, which adds plate foam, IXPE switch foam, and case foam to fine-tune the sound of your keystrokes.

As I mentioned earlier, you can choose to pick up switches, keycaps, and stabilizers when you purchase the board, and you’ll get a bit of a discount if you purchase all three. Our review sample was sent with the gray Tomorrow keycaps and tactile Tomorrow switches — though you can also choose white and gray Anthracite, white on black Obscura, or pale green Lotus keycaps. For switches, you can opt for Obscura or Lotus linears, Tomorrow tactiles, or Anthracite silent tactiles. Every switch is pre-lubed and designed for a pleasant sound and feel. There are no clicky switch options, which is probably disappointing for clicky fans, but because the clicks mask the acoustic design of the keyboard, I understand why they're left out.

The Loop TKL also makes use of Mode’s lattice block mounting system. It’s a form of gasket mounting though uses a unique 3D printing process to create silicone blocks with precise amounts of give when pressed upon. There are several sets included in the box, including one that allows you to take advantage of isolated top mounting, which screws the plate directly into the top case but with the blocks acting as a vibration buffer. The others include mid-sections that almost look like they’re made of webbing. The different patterns of this web, or lattice, impacts the amount of give which in turn impacts how soft or firm typing will be.

Taken as a whole package, the Loop TKL feels like an exceptionally refined version of the classic TKL. There are no fancy additional features like a rotary knob or pass-through USB; there isn’t even RGB lighting. Instead, Mode lets the design language speak for itself. Frankly, as a lover of RGB, this is one of the rare cases where I believe adding it would actually diminish the look of the keyboard.

Typing Experience of the Mode Loop TKL (2024)

The typing experience on the Loop can vary quite a bit, but I found every lattice block configuration to be rather firm. I came to the Loop from the “new” Sixty-Five, which provides a bit more flex in its softer configurations. With that in mind, nothing about the typing experience is harsh thanks to those isolating lattice blocks, and if you look closely, there’s still a bit of visible flex under normal keystrokes to keep things comfortable over long typing sessions.

How the typing experience will feel to you will greatly depend on your switches. In my case, I found the Tomorrow tactiles offered a more noticeable tactile bump than popular tactile switches such as Cherry MX or Gateron Browns, without being quite as prominent as Drop Holy Panda Xs. I found them to be very smooth and felt responsive thanks to the springs used in their design.

Though there are clear differences that come with different switches, there are some commonalities I found even swapping several different types of switches over my testing period. In every case, resonance wasn’t an issue. My sample came with copper accents and rear weight, and there was absolutely no reverberation or hollowness, even without any foam being used.

The mixed materials and lattice blocks allow this keyboard to sound great even without the benefit of foam. There’s no need to mod anything at all – and there shouldn’t be on a keyboard at this level. But, I would recommend spending the extra $12 on the foam kit regardless because, though you may not need it, it provides you even more options to tune the sound to exactly what you enjoy most.

I also have to commend Mode on its Tomorrow keycaps. At $59.99 purchased with the keyboard, they’re a great value for the investment. They’re made of a mix of PBT and ABS and use doubleshot legends, so you’ll never need to worry about their chipping or fading. They have bold legends, and I’m a big fan of the bits of color used on the modifier keys. It reminds me very much of Oblotsky’s GMK CYL Oblivion keycap set but at a fraction of the price. You also get the rest of the set included with your keyboard if you take advantage of Mode’s build service, so you’re not missing anything compared to buying the kit on its own.

Since the keyboard featured such a traditional layout, adapting to it was easy. The front height is 0.77 inches (19.5mm), which is low enough that I didn’t find a wrist rest to be necessary, and I was able to type comfortably without any learning curve. I maintained my average of around 110 WPM on MonkeyType almost immediately and didn’t have any setbacks or issues arise over the testing period.

Gaming Experience of the Mode Loop TKL (2024)

The Mode Loop TKL isn’t designed to be a gaming keyboard, but it works perfectly well for gaming. It connects with an ever-reliable USB Type-C cable and utilizes a 1,000Hz polling rate for speedy responses. In addition, the software (which I’ll get to next), allows you to remap up to four layers of key maps and macros, so you can have unique layouts for different games at your fingertips.

I’ve been big into World of Warcraft again, which isn’t the fastest-paced game in the world. It’s a hallmark example of needing to map lots of different abilities. With a gaming keyboard, I would usually assign keys to dedicated macro buttons but I didn’t find that to be necessary here. Instead, I used one of the layers to turn the right side of my keyboard into a macro pad. From there, I used the additional two layers to change the skills under my right hand when I held Shift or Ctrl. It worked flawlessly.

I also played a little Call of Duty and the Mode TKL lacked nothing in responsiveness. That’s not a demanding game when it comes to keymaps, but you do want it to respond precisely when you’re peeking around corners and taking advantage of the new action-movie-esque Omni Movement system. Just like World of Warcraft, the Loop TKL performed perfectly.

What you won’t find here are some of the advanced options built into apps like Razer Synapse or Corsair iCUE. There’s no lighting to flash when your cooldowns or up and there aren’t as many predefined shortcuts that you can match to each key. Beyond macros and layouts, I honestly don’t use those features much anyway, but if you're looking for that then the Loop TKL (and any other custom keyboard) probably isn’t for you.

Software for the Mode Loop TKL (2024)

The Loop TKL uses VIA for all of its programming. VIA is a QMK-based online configuration tool that allows you to program your keyboard on the fly from any computer. You don’t need to run anything locally on your computer and all of your changes are saved as soon as they’re made and stored on the keyboard. For productivity and gaming, that means macros and layer assignments will work on any computer regardless of your company’s IT policy and even OS (though how well they’ll function outside of Windows will depend on exactly what you’re trying to do).

VIA is a fantastic tool. You’re able to record and edit macros with a simple record button, re-assign any key without limitations, change the keyboard’s lighting, and more simply by clicking the available options. It’s easy to wrap your head around.

Since it’s designed to work with many different keyboards and to run within a web browser, there are some limitations as I described in the gaming section. There are only a handful of Windows shortcuts that can be assigned (launching the File Explorer, Calculator, Email, Sleep, Wake, etc.). Though it doesn’t apply to the Loop, RGB lighting customization is also limited to the whole keyset and not individual keys. It allows you to dial in exact hues with Hue, Brightness, and Saturation settings on supported keyboards, but there’s no completely custom static layout.

Overall, the ease of use, flexibility, and the freedom from having to download anything is well worth it. If you do prefer a download, that’s also available but offers no additional functionality.

Also, kudos to Mode for making sure the Loop TKL worked with VIA right out of the box. There was no need to load a JSON file for the site to recognize it like virtually every other enthusiast keyboard, removing a small but meaningful pain point to smooth out the customization experience.

Bottom Line

Mode Designs' Loop TKL mechanical keyboard isn’t going to be for everyone, but anyone who gives it a try is almost sure to find it to their taste (unless you like clicky switches and don’t want to bring your own). The craftsmanship and intentional attention to minute details throughout the keyboard's design really elevate the experience. Also, before you even try it, you'll have chosen every part to make sure it’s to your taste.

It's not a small keyboard, so if you’re looking for something with a smaller footprint, the Mode Sonnet and Mode Sixty-Five (2024) are both just as high quality and configurable. For something more affordable, the Nuphy Gem80 with tactile Lemon switches is a great alternative you can pick up for around $200.

Given the company’s history, I wasn’t surprised that the Loop TKL impressed in just about every way. The brand has demonstrated that it clearly knows its stuff by now (though even the best companies miss from time to time). I didn’t expect this to become one of my favorite keyboards of 2024, nor did I expect that I'd be checking the Mode Store for accessory restocks regularly so I can rebuild it in an entirely different style. But it definitely lives up to the hype, and you don't even have to risk the potentially lengthy wait of a group-buy. It's stellar.

MORE: Best Gaming Keyboards

MORE: How to Pick Keycaps for Your Mechanical Keyboard

MORE: How to Build a Custom Mechanical Keyboard

The market is flooded with mechanical keyboards that are focused on gaming, but there aren't enough that are made specifically for writers. Enter the Freewrite Wordrunner, an upcoming wireless keyboard that's designed to help those of us who write for a living. 

The 88-key, tenkeyless Wordrunner has a raft of unique, writer-friendly features including a electromechanical "wordometer" that counts your words like your car's odometer counts miles (or km). There's also an electromechanical timer for writing sprints, a set of dedicated macro keys and a function row that's been redefined specifically to do things that writers need. 

Set to launch as a Kickstarter campaign in February, the Wordrunner is made by Freewrite, a company known for making word processors (aka smart typewriters), small devices with just LCD screens and keyboards that are meant to help writers ply their trade without the distraction of using full-fledged computers. This is the company's first standalone keyboard and it's meant to connect to a PC or Mac using either Bluetooth, for which it can support 3x profiles, or USB-C wired mode. Its all-metal body and plain white backlight have a writer's aesthetic rather than a gamer's.

I had a chance to see and touch a prototype of the Wordrunner at Kickstarter's CES 2025 booth. I loved the premium aluminum chassis and the old-fashioned mechanical look of the wordometer and the timer. The unit I touched was not plugged in so I didn't get to see all the features in action, but I did feel the keys, which were using Kailh Box Brown switches and they felt pretty snappy. 

I'd prefer a clicky switch such as a Kailh Box White, but Freewrite execs told me that they are going with brown switches, which they liked in their testing. To be fair, tactile brown switches are favored by many users who don't like the noise of clicky switches like I do. The keyboard will not be hot-swappable. 

The Wordrunner will not require any special software to be installed as the wordometer and timer will get all of their intelligence from the hardware. The company says to measure wordcount it will use a simple algorithm that identifies when you hit the space bar or enter punctuation marks such as a period. The timer is customizable using buttons on the keyboard itself and it can either go for a 25-minute Pomodoro session or a custom length. 

There's a bright red joystick / knob in the upper left corner of the keyboard that you can use for media controls and three macro keys labeled as Zap, Pow and Bam that you can customize. These live above the Page Up / Page Down block on the upper right side. 

Instead of function keys labeled F1 - F12, the Wordrunner has keys dedicated to functions writers might want when editing such as Paragraph Down, Paragraph Up, Find, Replace, Undo and Redo. We don't know whether these keys will require customization to work properly in every app as functions such as Find and Replace sometimes use different hotkeys in different programs. However, it's refreshing to see Freewrite put these use cases front and center.

There's no word yet on pricing, but you can reserve the Wordrunner now by putting $1 down and guarantee that you'll get the lowest price for it when it does go live on Kickstarter. The keyboard is expected to ship to backers in late 2025. If it lives up to its promise, this looks like a unique and compelling device for anyone that has to write and edit documents. 

The custom mechanical keyboard hobby has lulled a little with orders to Return to Office, but Mode Designs hasn't. The company has launched several new models in the last few years, including the Loop TKL, the Envoy and Encore, the Sonnet and, most recently, the “new” Sixty-Five — which we’re reviewing today.

Designed to compete with the best mechanical keyboards, the Mode Sixty Five is one of the company’s most classic keyboards, and the new model has been refreshed with its latest innovations and a brand new selection of colors and materials. Unlike with most mechanical keyboard kits, you can buy everything you’ll need for the Sixty Five all at once — and even enlist the company to build it for you, so it’s ready to use out of the box.

Starting at $250 for the barebones version and extending up to $850 fully built and decked out with the most expensive options, the Sixty Five is an enthusiast keyboard that can become anything you want (and can afford).

Mode Sixty-Five (2024) Specs

Design of the Mode Sixty-Five (2024)

The Mode Sixty-Five is a compact 65-percent custom mechanical keyboard (no function row, but dedicated arrows and a column of navigation and editing buttons) that can be purchased pre-assembled, barebones, or as an unassembled kit with all of the parts necessary to complete the build yourself.

And what parts there are — one of the biggest reasons to go with a Mode keyboard is the incredible amount of customization options they offer.

Mode allowed me to go through the configuration process ahead of this review just like a normal customer, so I could get the full experience. The Sixty-Five uses an online configurator to visualize the final product as you’re deciding on what materials and colors you prefer, and there are a lot to choose from.

You can customize both halves of the case, opting for aluminum or polycarbonate (PC) on the top, with additional options for brass, copper, and mirror-finished electroplated aluminum on the bottom. The top case is available in in six colors: black, blue/grey, white, crema (cream), green, and silver while the bottom comes in black, white, or crema with PC, brass, copper, and silver mirror standing in as additional color options via the natural hue of each material.

The Sixty-Five also features a stylish accent bar along the top. There are even more options here, and you can even pick out extras if you want to change the look of your keyboard in the future. The accent bar is held in place by magnets and smartly hides the screws holding the case together.

I love this design. It keeps the keyboard looking clean and screw-free while also delivering and elegant bit of customizable contrast that shows your personal flair. It can be purchased in dawn (light gold aluminum), multicolor (rainbow anodized stainless steel), fluted copper, brass, silver mirror, black mirror, and even natural wood with finished Maple and Walnut standing in as accents.

Around the rear, you’ll find a ring inset into the bottom case. This is the weight and, yes, there is more material within the case. Here, you can choose from aluminum colors above, brass, copper, silver mirror, and black mirror. It’s an aesthetic touch but a nice one.

The options don’t end there, but every step of the way, a graphic of your keyboard updates so that you can see exactly how your final product will look each step of the way. You can choose the plate material from six different materials, a hotswap or solder PCB, whether you want an acoustic foam kit, and even the color of the feet. If you want to purchase switches, keycaps, and stabilizers, you can also add those to your cart before proceeding to the build service.

It’s a very, very rich tool that’s intended to take the guesswork out of purchasing an enthusiast-level mechanical keyboard. In addition, the shipping time on the Sixty-Five is almost immediate whereas purchasing something like this from a group buy would leave you waiting in limbo for months.

If you choose to purchase it pre-built, you can count on a keyboard that’s assembled and tuned by an expert. Mode also regularly posts videos of its builds on its Instagram page, so there’s even a chance that you might get a behind-the-scenes look into the creation of your exact build. The stabilizers come pre-tuned and lubricated. The switches and keycaps are installed and tested functional. You don’t have to do anything other than enjoy your new keyboard.

Internally, Mode has updated the Sixty-Five to include its new lattice block mounting system. In short, it’s a variation on gasket mounting but instead of using solid foam or silicone pieces, small “lattice blocks” slide on to tabs around the PCB and are sandwiched between both halves of the case. These blocks come in different densities and use silicone webs in their center. These are precisely 3D printed to deliver more or less resistance when typing. There are also some mostly and completely solid blocks that can be used for top mounting, isolating the PCB from the case to eliminate unwanted resonances. As with the color and materials choice, it’s all about the options.

There are no additional features worth noting. There are no additional ports, wireless, RGB, or quirks. It’s a keyboard designed to look good and earn its keep without those additional features (though, I admit to missing wireless as I write this on my Surface Pro 11). The Sixty-Five is about its feel, sound, and aesthetic. It is designed to be one the finer things.

Technically, there is some RGB lighting on the underside of the keyboard that can spill down on your desk but I didn’t find that it added much. They’re short strips on the right and left side, but without more, they honestly looked a little out of place when I turned them on.

Overall, the Mode Sixty-Five is a minimalist keyboard but with an exquisite attention to detail. It’s quietly showy and isn’t ostentatious. It’s “clean” and made to fit into “clean” desk setups. The small details, and its typing experience, make the keyboard.

Just beware the price ticker on the configurator. It climbs fast. For $250, you’ll get a barebones keyboard made entirely of aluminum, and you’ll need to solder the switches you source elsewhere. Once you begin customizing, the prices can skyrocket if you want the best of the best. Then, if you want Mode to build it for you, there’s an $80 fee (which is pretty reasonable, to be honest, given the size of the team and how much it would cost to have a private builder assemble it for you).

It’s a premium product that has an accessible entry point and is designed, manufactured, and assembled in the U.S.A. If you’re looking at some of the fancier options, like full copper bottoms, you should be prepared to pay.

Typing Experience of the Mode Sixty-Five (2024)

The typing experience on the Mode Sixty-Five is exceptional. The specifics will depend on several factors, most notably your switches, but the company has made significant advancements coming from the original Sixty-Five. The new materials and mounting options make way for a customizable typing experience that can deliver everything from soft and flexible to firm and isolated.

Since my sample came pre-assembled, I received it with the softest mounting blocks in place. This is something that you could indicate if you choose to take advantage of the build service so they can make sure it fits your preferences without any further adjustments needed. I also opted to have the foam kit installed. For switches, I opted for Mode's own Tomorrow tactile switches. Like its other options, it's a long pole switch that comes pre-lubed for added smoothness.

The switches have a relatively light tactile bump in the pleasant poppy sound signature. The switches have a 60g bottom out force, which is heavier than Cherry MX Brown switches but not so heavy as to cause early fatigue in the fingers. Their added weight helps to ward off typos and miss-clicks for gaming. They also sound great under the larger stabilized keys like the Spacebar. Though their poppiness is enhanced by the layer of IXPE switch foam, their design maintains this characteristic even if you choose not to use it.

Typing on the switches is frankly excellent. Their heightened tactility compared to Cherry MX Browns makes them feel much more reactive under the fingers. There is also something to be said for the quality of the sound. While this is an often overlooked quality in keyboards, within the enthusiast mechanical keyboard community is considered quite important. If you are a regular typist, I'm confident that you will come to agree that a pleasant sounding keyboard is a nice upgrade from the usual low-end office keyboards and even most gaming keyboards. And, let's be honest here: if you are spending a large amount of money on a keyboard, it had better sound good. The Tomorrow Tactiles really do the keyboard justice.

It didn't take long for me to get up to my usual typing speed. There is very little to adapt to with the Sixty-Five, so you can get up and running quickly. Over the last year, I have spent a considerable amount of time learning to type with correct technique. The tactility of the switches helped to increase my accuracy, which was a pleasant surprise. The only thing I'm left wishing for is that the spring on the switches were also lubed as there is the faintest amount of "crunch" present. But unless you have spent an inordinate amount of time testing different switches and are sensitive on top of that, you likely won't even notice this quality.

I also have to give props to Mode for how versatile the Sixty-Five actually is. While I ultimately stuck with the softest lattice blocks, the different options it includes have a direct impact on both sound and feel. If you don't like flex, anything above the softest lattice block minimizes this during normal typing. The isolated top mount blocks do a great job of delivering that firm and consistent top mount experience while eliminating the undesirable resonance that can come from directly screwing a plate to a metal case. The new Sixty-Five is well-considered and well-upgraded.

Gaming Experience of the Mode Sixty-Five (2024)

The Mode Sixty-Five isn’t a gaming keyboard but works quite well as one in several ways. Its compact layout is perfect for big mouse movements and its programmability lends itself to macros and shortcuts that match your unique playstyle. It also supports 1,000Hz polling, so your keystrokes will register immediately after pressing them.

I tested the keyboard with both World of Warcraft and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. I didn’t notice any drawbacks in either game when it came to responsiveness. In WoW, having a larger layout would have been beneficial, but that’s a case of choosing the right keyboard for your needs, and with some quick layer remapping, I was able to easily map three action bars of abilities under my fingers.

I’ve long contended that a great gaming keyboard is about more than responsiveness. The best gaming keyboards feel good to use. They make you want to come back and engage with them, supporting your gaming in a different way than any other element of your PC. The Mode Sixty-Five does exactly that. It’s a joy to use, which makes gaming even more fun.

Software for the Mode Sixty-Five (2024)

The Sixty-Five uses VIA for all of its programming options. VIA is a popular open-source programming tool available on many enthusiast level mechanical keyboards and has become a staple of keyboards of this type. It offers easy remapping across four layers of keys — similar to having four different keyboards accessed with a hotkey — macro and lighting controls, and the benefit of being web accessible so you don’t need to install anything.

Since the software is open source and designed to be used with multiple keyboards through a web browser (there's also a downloadable version), it doesn't have quite the same level of polish and flash as something like Logitech G Hub or Razer Synapse, but it offers an impressive array of WYSIWYG options.

You are presented with a graphical layout of your keyboard with different tabs for its four different layers. Below this are all of the possible options you can choose to remap each key. There are all of the standard keys, as well as many different shortcuts for accessing things like your email, calculator, and file explorer.

You can also assign advanced functions like recording and assigning macros, mouse control or an array of different ways to access each layer. My favorite is called Layer Tap, which allows you to tap the key to send its original function or hold it to activate a layer of your choosing. You can also choose classic standbys like Momentary or Toggle Layers, which activate secondary layers when held or tapped On and Off.

The biggest drawback to VIA compared to some of the popular dedicated gaming software suites is that its lighting options are limited to animations and whole-keyboard colors. Since the Sixty-Five only has minor lighting on the bottom of the PCB (and it seems like an afterthought), this isn’t a big drawback in this case.

Bottom Line

This year’s Mode Sixty-Five refresh is a fresh take on a classic keyboard and a welcome update in more ways than one. The new colors and material options allow you more options than just about any other manufacturer (excluding Meletrix and QwertyKeys, which are both targeting the mid-range and don’t allow you to buy the keyboard all-in-one usually). The lattice block mounting system is great and enhances both the sound and feel from the original. Put simply: Mode made a great keyboard better.

If you need a few more keys, the Mode Sonnet may be a better fit for you. Or, if budget is a concern, the Nuphy Gem80 is worth considering, though you’ll need to sign on with a very different look and layout, and you simply won’t find such high-quality materials on a factory line keyboard in general.

Overall, the Mode Sixty-Five is a pricey but excellent option for anyone interested in the custom mechanical keyboard hobby that a) doesn’t want to wait on a group buy, b) doesn’t want to build it themselves, or c) wants a known commodity that’s guaranteed to be good by users and critics alike. It’s a winner.

The holiday deal for today comprises a traditional mechanical keyboard paired with software that looks to turn the RGB per-key lighting into visual notification alerts for the user instead of more conventional PC notifications that you may choose to ignore from excessive bombardment. It's an interesting idea, and I'm sure it has its uses, but, more importantly, the keyboard itself is a quality-built device that's on sale for a fraction of its original MSRP.

Today's deal on the Das Keyboard 5QS is available at Woot for just $49. Direct from Das Keyboard, the 5QS is $129, with retailers such as Amazon having it listed at $119, so today's holiday deal price is great for money in comparison. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get free delivery on this keyboard. This is a limited-time sale, with the offer expiring in the next 10 days or when the item becomes out of stock.

The Das Keyboard 5QS is a full-sized mechanical keyboard with a wired USB Type-A connection and full NKRO rollover for gaming. The keycaps are double-shot ABS, and the switches used are Gamma Zulu switches made by Omron (soft tactile feel) with impressive 100 million actuation durability. The top panel of the keyboard is aluminum with a volume control knob that also doubles as a function control for previewing your notifications. There is also a detachable soft-touch wristrest for added comfort while typing.

The main gimmick of the Das Keyboard 5QS is the smart RGB software, where you can set RGB profiles and small applets to assigned keys for subtle peripheral notifications or alerts. You can use the volume (Q) knob and assigned key to preview the set notification once you've noticed it.

At just $49, this is a great deal for a quality keeb if you want to get into mechanical keyboards. It does, however, lack hot-swapping, so there isn't much in the way of upgrading or modding in the future apart from different keycaps.

Dry Studio has opened pre-orders for "the first fluffy custom mechanical keyboard in the world," debuting the Dry Studio Petbrick 65 mechanical keyboard. This input peripheral comes with various cat-themed color combinations (but just two are immediately available at launch).

These cat-inspired 65% mechanical keyboards with aluminum frames are currently available to pre-order for $239.00 USD on the official Dry Studio store page, with there being only 14 Calico and 17 Odd-eye-themed units left available at the time of writing. Besides cat-themed fur and key coloring, these keyboards come with three RGB backlighting modes.

According to the official product page, the artificial fur texture is provided by a "100% handmade fluffy outer shell with a plush texture similar to Jellycat toys," made of premium short-pile fabric that can be cleaned via gentle hand-washing with mild detergent.

As for the actual keys, the Dry Studio Petbrick 65 mechanical keyboard leverages Angry Miao's "patented Leaf-Spring mount," which includes several components including an IXPE 8 switch pad and two layers of ultra-low-density EPDM sound-dampening foam. This is paired with a Dry Studio-developed Crystal Pink Switch, which is also known for its transparent shell-enhancing RGB lighting. If these are like other Crystal Pink Switches, this should result in a keyboard that has some pleasant clicks while still not being excessively noisy thanks to the construction including sound-dampening foam.

As far as connectivity goes, the unit is capable of using a wired USB connection or going fully wireless in favor of Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz operation modes. If using wireless and doing something like gaming, 2.4 GHz wireless is recommended over regular old Bluetooth wireless. Since the unit weighs about ~3.3 pounds and is built to be so... fluffy, using it wireless while interacting with your pets is likely the ideal use case, though of course, you'll still want to keep them off the keyed surface if at all possible.

For most users, we imagine a keyboard like this is simply a novelty, and not worth considering the asking price for. Most will likely be better served by something from our Best Gaming Keyboard or Best Mechanical Keyboard roundups, particularly with pricing in mind.

But for those who adore and can afford that novelty, or who find the idea of an already-fluffy keyboard to pair or recall a real house pet particularly appealing, the Dry Studio Petbrick 65 does seem like a well-built albeit high-novelty mechanical keyboard.

Serene Industries has finally pulled the veil off its long-anticipated Icebreaker keyboard, featuring a 65% design with the main chassis and keycaps constructed entirely from Aluminium. The main body is CNC-machined using a solid block of 6061 Aluminium, shaped in a rather unconventional wedge design. Now available at their online store, the Icebreaker will set you back $1,600, but most of this cost is due to the intricate design process and aesthetics.

Custom mechanical keyboards nowadays, especially ones made of Aluminum, cost around $100-$200. They're generally pretty sturdy and sound impressive. What makes the Icebreaker stand out among other luxurious keyboards is its unorthodox design and Aluminum keycaps, which cost $415. Serene Industries explains that the keycaps had to undergo about 800 micro-perforations to allow for visible legends and RGB light functionality. Moreover, the minimalistic design embellishes the overall look, lending it a slight retro feel.

The keyboard is available in clear and black colors, though the latter costs significantly more at $2,100. The PCB comes in a few variations: hot-swap (wired), hall-effect (wired), wired (presumably non-hotswap), and wireless. The switch plate, which sits atop the PCB and ensures the switches are appropriately aligned, is offered in aluminum, polycarbonate, and FR4.

The Icebreaker sports a dual dampening system to absorb unwanted noise and vibrations and a 4,000 mAh battery that should last a few months. In addition, it has proper VIA support, and you may also use the firm's own Serene Industries Configurator tool for customization. However, we weren't able to find any details about it.

Despite its 65% layout, the added wrist rest and EC11 rotatory knob increase its overall footprint landing it in full-sized keyboard territory, length-wise. While their website doesn't detail the exact switches used, it is reported that the Icebreaker employs full-height MX switches.

Being an extremely niche product, we doubt many will be interested in dishing out over one and a half grand for just a peripheral. While it practically does the same job as other custom mechanical Aluminium keyboards, the eccentric design philosophy can make it a worthwhile collectible for hobbyists.

I first looked at the Das Keyboard 5Q back in 2018, and while so much has changed in the keyboard realm since then, there aren't a whole lot of new features to talk about with its latest 5QS Mark II model. This is largely the same solid and comfortable notification-focused keyboard (letting you dedicate the RGB backlighting of any key to things like inbox notifications, CPU use, and stock prices) with "new" Cherry MX2A switches that launched last summer.

The switches are indeed an improvement (they're lubricated now for a smoother feel), and the keyboard itself still looks and feels good (thanks to an aluminum top panel, sound-dampening foam, and a large volume knob). 

But after six years, the software still only has about 40 applets for notifications. The $219 starting price is wildly high for a wired keyboard in late 2024. And I'm still not sold on the idea of my keyboard's keys as a notification platform. Maybe it's just me, but since the keyboard is a thing I'm using throughout the day and not, you know, staring at, I find it easy to miss the fact that one or two keys have changed color.

Specs

Design and Construction of the Das Keyboard 5QS Mark II

Das Keyboard and its parent company Metadot have been churning out solid mechanical keyboards since 2005. In fact, I own a Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate from 2011 that still functions flawlessly. So it's no surprise that the design and build quality of the Das Keyboard 5QS Mark II is mostly good. The keyboard feels extremely solid thanks to its metal top plate and hefty 3.4-pound weight, and the soft-touch coating of the magnetically attached wrist rest also feels pleasing. I still prefer gel or foam rests like the HyperX wrist rest, but there's no doubt that a solid plastic model will last a lot longer and be easier to clean.

The keyboard sports a pretty typical full-sized layout, with a few extra buttons above the number pad. Here you'll find track play / pause and advance keys, and a button to adjust the ten levels of RGB backlight. The sides of the keyboard also feature a light bar that compliments the RGB on the keys. The volume knob in the upper-right corner is large and has a slight ratcheting feel, making it easy and enjoyable to use.

The slick, shine-through ABS keycaps feel OK but are nothing to get excited about, especially at the keyboard's price. If you want nicer double-shot PBT keycaps, the company will happily sell them to you for $29.99 (current sale price), but PBT keycaps should come standard at this price. The permanently attached braided cable carries over from previous models. It is quite long at 6.5 feet, and I haven't had any cable issues with my Das Keyboard from 2011, but I'd still prefer a removable cable.

The bottom of the keyboard is made of high-quality plastic and has a pair of single-level flip-up feet for those (like me) who like a bit of an angle to their keys.

Software of the Das Keyboard 5QS Mark II

Das Keyboard's Q software is what you'll use to both set standard RGB lighting settings and set up any notifications that you want to receive through color changes and color flashing on the keyboard. The software is both surprisingly intuitive and extremely limiting because, as of this writing, there were only around 40 applets available for getting notifications or monitoring the status of things via the Das Keyboard 5QS Mark II. 

These applets include basic things like weather, timers, and monitoring CPU and GPU usage, as well as services like Gmail, Twitch, and Stack Overflow. You can also set notifications for multiple individual stocks, the weather, and regular reminders to do things like stand up and drink water.

Setting these notifications up is as simple as going to the Configure section of the software, adding an applet, dragging it onto the location of the keyboard where you want it to display, and setting any necessary settings, like your city name or the stock you want to track. 

During testing, I set up a CPU usage meter in my Function row, a four-day weather forecast at the end of my number row, and four stocks (Nvidia, Intel, AMD, and Microsoft) across the top row of the number pad. This all was simple to set up and worked well during my testing. But it also doesn't give you a ton of info, with the stock notifications green for up and red for down, and the weather keys turning yellow for sun, pink for clouds, blue for rain, red for thunderstorms, and white for snow – all of which isn't exactly intuitive. 

For some notifications, you can get more information by going to the Q Software, but if you have to do all that you might as well opt for some kind of text notification in your OS of choice, or open a browser window to get much more detailed info.

The limited info that comes at you through key colors is one issue, but a larger one is simply the limited number of applets that are available in the software. I counted around 40 applets available when we wrote this, which is far from encouraging considering the software has been around since at least 2018. In short, most people interested in getting notifications via their keyboard will likely find one or two options here that are useful, but not nearly as many as you might want or expect. There is also the whole aspect of how busy the keyboard actually looks when set up to receive notifications.

Those who like their keys to be a particular color or display a specific pattern may be put off by, say, a flashing "s" key reminding you to stand up, a few yellow keys for weather, and various green and red keys informing you of a mixed day for your stock portfolio – all floating in an otherwise purple ocean of RGB.

Typing and Experience on the Das Keyboard 5QS Mark II

Das Keyboard offers the 5QS Mark II with three Cherry MX2A switch options: linear Red, a Red Silent with extra sound dampening (for $10 more, or $229), and a tactile Brown switch. All the switches are lubed, and the red switches are rated to 50 million keystrokes, while the brown switches are rated to 100 million – though I really don't think you have to worry about wearing either of them out unless maybe you plan to use the keyboard for decades.

Considering the company isn't aiming this keyboard specifically at gamers, it's surprising that there is no blue / clicky key option (which is what I prefer for working). The company sent me a model with MX2A Brown switches, which at least offer some tactility. These switches felt smoother than older MX switches, likely thanks to the keys' ring lubrication. And despite a slightly higher 56 grams of actuation force compared to the 46 grams of the red switches, my fingers didn't feel fatigued while working or gaming across several days of use.

I still prefer the feel and the thockier sound of the magnetic switches on the Keychron K2 HE, and I personally prefer a smaller keyboard since I don't really use a keyboard numpad for work or gaming. But through days of gaming and productivity, the 5QS Mark II felt comfortable and familiar – perhaps because I reviewed nearly this same keyboard in the original 5Q model six years ago.

The RGB lighting was plenty bright for gaming and work, and I do appreciate the 10 levels of brightness. But for the purposes of this keyboard's main differentiating feature, it would be easier to see notifications on the keys during sunny days if the backlighting were even brighter.

The Bottom Line

To Das Keyboard's credit, the company is trying something different with this notification approach to keyboards — but the company has also been trying it for about six years now. And the fact that none of the many other keyboard makers have tried to copy this design might be a good indication that this is a pretty niche concept – especially when we have so many different ways to receive notifications, and cheaper keyboards are available with multiple screens.

Since I spend most of my day staring at a computer monitor while using my keyboard, and not actually looking at it much, I don't find getting notifications via key color changes particularly useful. But that doesn't mean you won't. 

But even if you're dead set on the idea, the fact that the software only has about 40 applets for monitoring system stats and receiving notifications from third-party services means there's a very good

chance that multiple things you'd want to get notifications about just aren't offered via the Q Software applets. And after six years of the software being available, it's hard to believe there's going to be a sudden surge in supported sites and services.

The keyboard itself feels premium and looks good if you like its stealth aesthetics and can live with just a few Cherry switch options. But unlike most premium keyboards these days, the switches aren't swappable (unless maybe you want to get out your soldering iron). There's also no wireless option, and there aren't other fancy hardware features to justify the $219 starting price. In fact, Cherry itself sells a wired 100% keyboard using the same switches as the 5QS Mark II for less than half the price of the Das keyboard. 

And sure, with that model, you don't get a nice knob, media controls, or some notification software. But with the money you'd save by foregoing this Das model and opting for one of the many (many) mechanical keyboards under $100, you could easily buy a whole second (or third or fourth) monitor and dedicate it just to your notifications. Yes, that would also take up more desk space than a single keyboard, but you'd certainly be able to see more info about a given notification on a screen than what you can glean from a blinking key on an overpriced Das Keyboard. 

MORE: Best Gaming Keyboards

MORE: How to Pick Keycaps for Your Mechanical Keyboard

MORE: How to Build a Custom Mechanical Keyboard

Noted peripherals manufacturer 8BitDo has opened up pre-orders for its Retro 108 Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon. This new keyboard builds on its prior NES and Famicom-themed TKL mechanical keyboard designs by integrating a numpad instead of selling them separately. Both the "N Edition" and "Fami Edition" models cost $119.99, utilize N-key rollover, boast Kailh Box White V2 mechanical switches, and come with a pair of 8BitDo's giant programmable buttons. Compared to the prior trimmed-down "8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard", which is nearly identical in every way besides numpad inclusion and a $99.99 price point, the Retro 108 Mechanical Keyboard only costs $20 more.

Like prior 8BitDo keyboards and keypads, the 8Bitdo Retro 108 is built on an aluminum plate with PBT keycaps. Like the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard, Retro 108 also supports swappable PCBs to allow for a full replacement of all the underlying key switches, not just keycaps up above. So if you ultimately decide that the key switch feel or sound aren't to your liking, you can replace the switches using your ideal PCB replacement and then place the original keycaps back on like nothing happened.

Other nifty features of the 8BitDo Retro 108 carried over from the Retro include a tri-mode toggle between Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, or USB connectivity in the top-left corner. There is also a volume control dial here. Over on the top-right above the new numpad, there are dedicated shortcuts and function key shortcuts, including a Screen Lock key.

If you're looking for worthwhile gaming keyboards in general and don't necessarily need a swappable PCB or 8BitDo's retro aesthetics, you may be better-served by one of our existing Best Gaming Keyboards picks.

At a price of $119.99 for a mechanical keyboard without any lighting features, some users may be deterred. But for those who enjoy the retro aesthetic and are attracted by the premium build quality, wireless features, or even swappable keyswitch friendly PCB on offer, the 8BitDo Retro 108 Mechanical Keyboard could end up being a fairly good option. Bonus points if your PC setup is already themed around retro hardware in other ways, of course.

Whether you were an '80s kid growing up or just love the retro aesthetics of those early days of home console gaming, there's just something about 8BidDo's retro mechanical keyboard that brings the nostalgia flooding back. Maybe it's the included giant button accessory reminiscent of the old Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) controller or the color scheme of the keyboard, but whatever it is, it makes me want one. 

Woot comes under the Amazon umbrella, so you can use your Prime membership here, too for free shipping. Snag the 8Bitdo retro mechanical keyboard for just $59 at Woot, which is the lowest price that I've seen this keyboard available for. 

Although 8Bitdo's keyboard may take its inspiration from '80s consoles it's a modern mechanical keyboard with all the trimmings. It uses a TKL layout with the number pad removed; The keeb has 87 keys with perfectly matched Nintendo-colored dye-sub PBT keycaps giving that awesome aesthetic. The keyboard uses Kailh box white V2 switches,  although you can always swap to a preferred switch if the included Kailh box white switches aren't to your liking as the PCB is hot-swappable.

You can use Ultimate Software V2 to customize keyboard mapping and macros, including mapping keyboard functions to the included dual super-buttons. The 8Bitdo NES keyboard is wireless via either a 2.4GHz or Bluetooth connection and can also connect via a cable for charge and play. A handy selector switch on the keyboard lets you select the mode you prefer. 

So if you're looking to inject some '80s retro gaming nostalgia into your life this is the perfect time to pick up the 8Bitdo retro-NES keyboard for a fantastically low price in the October Prime Day 2024 sales. 

The popular Aula F75 75% gasket mechanical keyboard is now available for $63.99 on Amazon via the Epomaker x Aula listing, which is Epomaker just reselling the existing Aula F75 keyboard design. The cheapest Epomaker x Aula F75 keyboard variant is the "Green" design, which employs naturalistic blues and greens on several function keys and the space bar while leaving most remaining keys with more typical grayish colors. Otherwise, this keyboard is pure Aula F75, with all of the boons that entails.

The Aula F75 mechanical keyboard design employs full key and switch-swapping functionality, RGB backlighting, and five layers of noise reduction (including Poron silencer cotton and a LEOBOG Reaper Switch) to provide a quiet but comfortable mechanical keyboard design. For those who want a quieter mechanical keyboard but demand the increased accuracy and improved feel of tactile feedback, the wireless Aula F75 design seems to be a good match— especially at this price point from Epomaker.

If the green and blue color scheme doesn't appeal, a collection of other Epomaker x Aula F75 keyboards is also available at the same listing, with the others representing the rest of Aula's pre-defined F75 keyboard designs. These include a Black Aula F75 with gold highlights and a Black Gradient Aula F75 for a subtle and refined aesthetic. There are also Light Blue, Sea Salt Blue, and Purple variants.

The Epomaker x Aula F75 is a fairly fully-featured keyboard, particularly if you have a soft spot for mechanical keyboards with quieter switches. The RGB is present but limited to what you can change with a few function keys, and it is not quite as in-depth as software options from Razer or Corsair. If suppressing noise levels and swapping keys or switches don't matter much to you, you may be comfortable spending more or less on one from the list of best gaming keyboards— but if these hardware features are what you need, it's nice to find the complete package at just $63.99.

Today's deal is one of our favorite keyboards that we've reviewed, packed with the quality and features of an enthusiast keyboard, but from a well-known PC gaming component and peripheral manufacturer. The Asus ROG Azoth combines form and function for a superb keyboard that includes all the bells and whistles from OLED screens to multiple layers of sound-dampening foam and pre-lubed switches, all packed in a luxurious chassis with superb build quality.

You can find today's deal at Amazon, where the cost of the Asus ROG Azoth has dropped to $159, one of the lowest prices this keyboard has ever been. Originally priced at $249 when launched the Azoth was an expensive proposition for a non-enthusiast keyboard, but the attention to detail and quality of this keyboard impressed our reviewer.   

This 75% keeb features a small OLED display that can host pictures and GIFs configurable through Asus's Amory Crate software and comes with an included switch kit which comprises a switch opener, keycap puller, switch puller, lube station, brush, and a bottle of Krytox GPL-205-GD0 lubricant for fully customizing your switches.

The Asus ROG Azoth uses Asus's SpeedNova wireless technology with a low-latency 2.4 GHz connection and sports a battery life of up to 2,000+ hours when the RGB and OLED screen are disabled.

At this reduced sale price, the Azoth is much more in line with other mid-range keyboards and is a much more affordable proposition for the average PC enjoyer who wants a quality keyboard for both gaming performance and a good typing experience. It's also a fraction of the price of the latest Asus ROG Azoth Extreme, which is a jaw-dropping $500.

Budget keyboard brand MCHOSE has seemingly produced a super-sized working version of its upcoming X75 V2 keyboard, measuring over 5 feet long. Hong Kong news outlet HKEPC's editorial department uploaded a 40-minute video demo to X (formerly Twitter), sharing a hands-on demo of the novelty.

The mega keyboard is one of the best-looking oversized keyboards since Alienware's 16-footer, thanks to its blue, white, and pink keycap set and per-key RGB lighting, complete with color splash and other RGB modes. The keyboard also seems to function smoothly, with no visible input lag while playing a litany of games. One USB-C cable connects the keyboard to a power bank battery, with the keyboard wirelessly connected to the PC, just like its real-life counterpart.

Tested games in the video include the classic arcade typing game The Typing of the Dead and the two-player pixel-based beat-em-up Little Fighter 2. Testing a mega-sized keyboard with a speed-typing game is a novel way to review a keyboard whose size turns writing words into an extreme sport. We can't accurately read the reviewer's reactions in Cantonese, but smiles and laughs are a fairly universal positive rating.

HKEPC's X account is the first to cover the large X75 V2 keyboard, with none of MCHOSE's social media accounts sharing anything about it. The "X75 V2" is also confusing, with MCHOSE's website only featuring the X75 V1. The X75 does have some visual discrepancies compared to the 5-footer, like a different F-row, typeface, and colors used to label keys. We would expect to see a new X75 V2 product announced soon that looks more like the super-sized version.

MCHOSE has made some small waves in the mechanical keyboard community due to its good quality and low prices. The brand operates retail outlets in China and is currently running a successful Indiegogo campaign for its next keyboard, raising $75,000 in one month. However, as with all crowdfunding efforts, remember that crowdfunding a project does not guarantee receiving a finished product. Backing a crowdfunded project is akin to an investment; you believe in the project and want it to succeed. You are not purchasing a retail product. 

Happy Labor Day, and I hope you're making the most of the festivities and enjoying yourself. If you happen to be online and shopping for a bargain, look no further than this fantastic keyboard deal. As one of the best mechanical keyboards, it has many of the features you'd find on a keyboard treble the price or more. Today's deal features a gasket-mounted mechanical keyboard, complete with sound-dampening foam layers for a quieter typing experience and more "thocky" sound.

You can find the Keychron C3 Pro for just $24 at Amazon - it's the lowest price ever. I've double-checked the Camelizer plugin and it's the new lowest-ever price the Keychron C3 Pro has been listed for. For only $24 you get an awful lot of keyboard for the money, and just because it's cheap, doesn't mean this keeb won't perform for gaming, with 1000Hz polling for responsive key-press registration, making sure your inputs register in the game. 

The Keychron C3 Pro might not come with full RGB but it does have 14 types of red backlighting to illuminate your keys in the dark and add a bit of that gamified flare. The keycaps are double-shot ABS with shine-through legends to let the red light glow through. Keychron uses Red Switches for a linear typing and gaming experience on the C3 Pro.

Connect to your computer with the provided USB-C cable, with the ability for the C3 Pro keyboard to switch between use on a Mac or Windows OS easily. You can even further configure your keyboard for use with either of these operating systems thanks to the added Mac or Windows keycaps that are included in the box.

Another day, another magnetic gaming keyboard. But Arbiter Studio's latest release — the KITSUNE Polar 75 Pro — is not just any magnetic gaming keyboard. It's an amazing magnetic gaming keyboard that sounds fantastic, feels great, and has features like "Snap Tap" (SOCD), which is, some have argued, so good in certain games that it's basically cheating. 

The Polar 75 Pro is a wired mechanical gaming keyboard with magnetic Hall Effect switches (Arbiter-exclusive Fuji Pro), a new PCB design that separates the LEDs from the Hall sensors to deliver a "2x boost in performance by lowering input latency and increasing Rapid Trigger accuracy," and high-quality dye-sub PBT keycaps in Arbiter's own AOP profile. It's a great-sounding, great-feeling keyboard for both gaming and typing, and it's surprisingly budget-friendly: $165 alone or $175 bundled with a memory foam wristrest.

Design and Construction of the Polar 75 Pro

Although the KITSUNE Polar 75 Pro doesn't immediately look like it deviates too much from the brand's Polar 65, we reviewed earlier this year, the keyboard actually has quite a few design tweaks — it's not just a 75-percent version of the Polar 65. The Polar 75 Pro comes in one color: black, with white keycaps (and black accent keys). Like the Polar 65, the Polar 75 Pro sports a CNC aluminum frame with a black matte anodized finish over a semi-translucent plastic case.

The Polar 75 Pro comes with dye-sub PBT keycaps in the brand's new AOP (Arbiter Original Profile) profile, which is lower overall, and has more aggressively-sculpted rows, than the KOP profile keycaps seen on the Polar 65. The AOP keycaps also have a wider surface area and 1.5mm-thick walls for an even more premium feel. The keycaps are white with black printed legends, and the keyboard comes with two black accent keys (Enter and Esc) installed. The box includes three extra keycaps: white Enter and Escape keys for those who don't like the accent key aesthetic, and an alternate Spacebar with a more understated geometric design (vs. the default Spacebar's oversized '75').

The Polar 75 Pro, as its name suggests, features a 75-percent layout — which is like a slightly more compact TKL. The keyboard has all alphanumeric keys, a full function row (separated into four-key groups for convenience), a row of four navigation keys (Home, Delete, PgUp, and PgDn), and a rotary knob. The knob is small, notched, clickable, and has the same black matte anodized finish as the rest of the top case. It's a standard volume/mute knob, and is not programmable.

It's pretty compact even for a 75-percent layout, measuring 12.4 inches (315mm) wide by 5.24 inches (133.15mm) deep. The back of the keyboard, including keycaps, is 1.6 inches (40.85mm) thick, while the front is 1.16 inches (29.38mm); the keyboard sits at a fairly standard five-degree angle and does not come with any way to adjust that angle.

The front of the Polar 75 Pro is lower than that of the Polar 65 (1.22 inches / 31mm), but most users could still probably benefit from a wristrest. For an extra $10 ($175), Arbiter Studio will bundle a cloth-covered cooling gel-infused memory foam wristrest with the keyboard; you can also purchase the wristrest separately for $15.

The bottom of the Polar 75 Pro is made of semi-translucent plastic and has two rubber strips that run the full length of the keyboard to help keep it stable when you're aggressively gaming (or typing). These probably aren't all that necessary, however, as the keyboard is pretty sturdily-built with its aluminum frame — it weighs 2.72 pounds (1,236g), which is decently hefty (though not nearly as heavy as something like the 4.28lb Meletrix Boog75).

The Polar 75 Pro comes with a handful of accessories: a 5.9-foot (1.8m) detachable, braided USB-C to USB-A cable, a dual keycap/switch puller, and three alternate keycaps. The keyboard has one USB-C port for connectivity, located along the top on the left side.

Specs

Typing and Gaming Experience on the Polar 75 Pro

The Polar 75 Pro is different from the Polar 65 on the inside as well as the outside. It sports a new PCB design, which has its hall sensors separated from the LEDs. According to the company, this lowers input latency and increases rapid trigger accuracy. It also comes with new switches — "next-gen" Fuji Pro magnetic switches.

The Fuji Pro magnetic switches have similar specs to the Fuji switches we saw on the Polar 65: linear, with an initial force of 36g and an end force of 60g, an actuation range of 0.1 - 3.8mm, and 4mm of total travel. The Fuji Pro switches have a walled stem design to help eliminate stem wobble and have redesigned housing that offers "superior light guide and diffusion" for "stunning RGB lighting effects." They're also rated for 150 million keypresses instead of 100 million. I assume these are also custom-built for the brand by Gateron, even if the housing now says "Fuji" instead of "Gateron." Of course, the Polar 75 Pro is also hot-swappable, but as the magnetic switch market is a little wild right now, don't expect to find a ton of compatible switches.

Typing on the Polar 75 Pro is a very, very satisfying experience. The Polar 65 was one of the best-sounding out-of-the-box keyboard we've ever tested, and the Polar 75 Pro manages to sound — and feel — even better.

This is partly thanks to the switches, which are factory-lubed and stable, offering a consistent, linear keypress with no tactile bump or audible click. I'm not normally a big fan of linear switches for typing, but the smoothness of the Fuji Pro switches combined with the satisfying thockiness of the keyboard is fantastic. The switches aren't too different from the first gen, however: stem wobble wasn't a big issue on the Polar 65, and so the improvements aren't all that noticeable.

Inside its case, the Polar 75 Pro has two layers of dampening silicone, which do a great job of absorbing sound and minimizing case ping. The screw-in stabilizers are decent — you can still hear some rattle in the Spacebar and in some of the larger keys, but, like the Polar 65, the Polar 75 Pro is one of the best-sounding prebuilt keyboards I've tested right out of the box. The new keycaps also play a part in the typing experience — the lower profile is much more comfortable, and the wider, slightly more curved tops seem to hit my sweet spot for speed and accuracy.

Of course, magnetic switches are all the rage for gamers, not typists. The Polar 75 Pro is also an excellent gaming companion, though most of the magnetic switch features are going to be most useful for eSports and first-person shooters (rather than MOBAs, MMORPGs, and non-shooting single-player games). Like other magnetic switch keyboards, the Polar 75 Pro features adjustable actuation (0.1 - 3.8mm, in 0.1mm increments) which can be set per-key, as well as Rapid Trigger support for when you need to be able to press keys again the instant you stop pressing them.

The keyboard also supports Super Tap (SOCD), which lets the keyboard take the input of the last-pressed key — and only the last-pressed key. In other words, if you press A to go left and then press D to strafe right, you won't need to worry about potentially going nowhere if your keypresses overlap — the keyboard will only take the last-pressed key, so it's great for games like CS:GO (and it borders on what many might consider to be cheating — I'll leave those judgments up to you guys, though). This feature isn't unique to Arbiter Studio, however — Razer's Snap Tap and Wooting's Rappy Snappy features are similar.

Features and Software of the Polar 75 Pro

The Polar 75 Pro is programmable via Arbiter Studio's online Arbiter Web App. The app has improved a lot since we last took a look at it, but that's not really saying much — when we last played around with it in February, you couldn't even remap keys (but now you can). The app has three sections: for adjusting the magnetic switch settings, changing the RGB backlighting, and remapping keys.

The magnetic switch settings are, for the most part, fairly standard: You can set per-key actuation level (between 0.1 and 3.8mm) and you can turn on and adjust Rapid Trigger, which dynamically adjusts the reset point of a key to match its actuation point. This lets you trigger another keystroke immediately upon releasing a key, instead of having to wait for it to travel past a fixed reset point. You can also turn on Super Tap, which, when enabled, causes the keyboard to only accept the last-pressed key's input.

The Polar 75 Pro's RGB backlighting is nice and bright — bright enough that it's easily visible, even without shine-through keycaps. It's not per-key, however, and you're limited to one of the 10 preset effects in the Arbiter Web App.

You can use the Arbiter Web App to remap keys — all of the primary layer and most of the secondary layer can be remapped. Remapping is still somewhat limited, however — you can only remap keys to perform keyboard, mouse, and a handful of media functions. There's no macro recorder.

The Polar 75 Pro has room for up to three onboard profiles, which you can set up in the Web App and switch between using keyboard shortcuts.

The Bottom Line

Arbiter Studio's first keyboard, the Polar 65, was very impressive — and this second iteration makes almost all of the right improvements: a bigger, more convenient layout (who's using 60- and 65-percent keyboards? Really?!), better switches and keycaps, and an app that works... slightly better. If Arbiter Studio makes a full-size keyboard and adds macro recording to its app (or even on-the-fly macro recording to the hardware?), I'll have found my holy grail. Until then, the Polar 75 Pro is my new favorite. (Don't get me wrong, I also loved the 75-percent Keychron Q1 HE, and I thought the Meletrix Boog75 sounded fantastic out of the box, too. But both of those keyboards are over $200, while the Polar 75 Pro is just $165.)

MORE: Best Gaming Keyboards

MORE: How to Pick Keycaps for Your Mechanical Keyboard

MORE: How to Build a Custom Mechanical Keyboard

Low profile mechanical keyboards have experienced a renaissance over the last few years. Brands such as Nuphy have reinvigorated the space with keyboards like the Air75 V2, and have shown that it’s possible to enjoy a great low-profile typing experience without resorting to chiclet keys or scissor switches. And Kinesis has been taking notes.

The $199 Kinesis Form is a low profile mechanical keyboard with an ergonomic twist. Its keys are split, which allows you to keep your arms in an ergonomic posture. Between its two halves is a big touchpad for mouse control. It’s also wireless and features a full aluminum case for an extra premium feel. Part ergo keyboard and part media PC controller, the Kinesis Form is a very targeted product that the users in its crosshairs are sure to love.

Kinesis Form Specs

Design of the Kinesis Form

Kinesis is an ergonomic peripheral company, first and foremost. Its keyboards have always included health-first design elements intended to ward off repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. The Form is no different in that regard — but I have to admit that the design surprised me. That's no small feat from a company that also developed the Advantage360, a two part keyboard where the keys literally form bowls for your fingers. 

The reason I was surprised is that the Form really seems targeted toward media PC and SmartTV users. It can connect over USB or Bluetooth LE with up to two devices. The large touchpad between its halves provides you with pointer control in situations where a mouse would be inconvenient, such as when you're sitting on a couch with no desk in sight. And it’s not the kind of product where laptop use seems to be the end goal, though it's certainly possible to use the Form with a laptop. If you’re kicking back in a recliner, the Form makes it easy to use a PC, Android, or other streaming device without the awkwardness of having a mouse slide around on the cushion next to you.

The Form also serves another audience: low profile fans who simply want a split without going all in on non-staggered keys and ultra compact layouts that rely on thumb clusters (I’m looking at you, ErgoDox). Here, it’s serving an entirely different audience — and it pulls it off very well. The keyboard is honestly very pleasant to use and provides a more ergonomic, high-quality spin on what’s currently on the market.

Apart from its split format, the Form is simple and high quality. It’s a compact keyboard, adopting what is colloquially known as a 75% layout. This means that it includes a full function row, arrow keys, and has a dedicated column — plus a few extras — of navigation and editing keys along the right side. Because the split format affords it slightly more space, there are three additional buttons to the right of F12: an Fn button (for secondary commands), Delete, and Insert. 

The keys are split down the middle, between G and H, with about four-and-a-half inches of space between them. There are spacebars on both sides, so you’re covered no matter which thumb you use for space. There’s no additional “B,” like we see on many Alice-style keyboards, such as the Akko ACR Pro — and it’s on the left, so if you don’t type the “proper” way and hit it with your right hand, you’ll have a bit of extra learning to do.

The Windows Precision Trackpad is large and easy to use. It measures 2.5 x 4.5 inches (63.5 x 114.3 mm), and works exactly like a trackpad on a laptop, including gestures, with one big exception: there are no clickable buttons or haptic feedback. For right click, you’ll need to two-finger tap, and to click and drag you'll double-tap and slide. It’s not difficult, but clickable buttons would have been nice for clicking and dragging, at least. 

There are no dedicated media buttons, but there are secondary keys for volume and track control on the left side's function keys. The right side has brightness controls for the white backlight, a laptop display, Bluetooth clearing, and checking battery level. Indicator lights shine through the bottom of the touchpad in green, yellow, orange, and red to indicate how much battery you have left. A Caps Lock indicator is positioned in the opposite corner.

If you had any doubts about whether the Form had entertainment in mind, its hidden controls will put those to rest. Kinesis notes that different TVs offer varying levels of support for mouse and keyboard control, but the Form also offers the following un-legended commands:

• Fn+B: Back
• Fn+H: Home
• Fn+T: Launch TV
• Fn+W: Launch Browser

I’m unsure why these keys lack legends, since they are present for other secondary functions — and, depending on your use case, they could be pretty important.

One thing is for sure: this keyboard is made to last. Unlike many of its competitors, it features a solid aluminum case. Not a thin aluminum top and plastic button — no. The Form is metal through and through, which makes the entire keyboard feel more premium. It’s hefty, weighing in at two pounds (907.12 g), which hurts its portability a tad, but this doesn't seem intended as a travel keyboard, anyway.

Interestingly, the Form handles Bluetooth switching with a physical switch instead of a key combo. Along the back edge of the keyboard are two switches and the USB port. Both are unlabeled, but are colored red and blue when toggled. I surmised that red indicated power but had to look up the other. Having only two Bluetooth connections is a bit more limiting than most wireless keyboards these days, but I liked the physicality of it. Other keyboards use key combinations, and this is more tactile and real.

There aren’t any additional ports or buttons on the Form. The keyboard as a whole feels minimalist and purpose-driven. There are no tilt feet, which I would have liked to have seen, but the flat profile is driven by ergonomics — which is Kinesis’ thing. And it’s thin enough, at 0.75 inches (19 mm), that you can approach it without a palm rest and type comfortably. It’s slightly thicker than my Nuphy Air 75 V2, but I found it easy to adapt to.

I was impressed with the switches and keycaps. The Form is only available with Gateron KS-99 red switches. They’re linear and pre-lubricated for a smooth key press. Linear switches on a low-profile keyboard can be difficult to use because of their reduced travel, but the KS-99s are quite good. They have a heavier actuation force of 60gf, so they’re harder to trigger by accident. They also have a longer travel distance of 3mm, which is only 1 mm shorter than a full height switch. Even though they’re low profile, they feel closer to a normal mechanical switch than you would expect, given their height. Still, it would have been nice to see tactile brown or clicky blue switches as options for people who prefer them.

The keycaps are pretty standard fare — they’re made of thin ABS plastic, and have shine-through legends that are perfect for use in a dark room. The simple white backlighting looks elegant and saves battery life compared to the RGB rainbow many keyboards now offer. Given the low-profile nature of the keyboard, their ABS construction is less impactful to the sound and feel of the keyboard — though it does lend it a higher-pitched sound profile. 

What impressed me most about the keycaps was how resistant they were to finger oils. This style of keycap is usually very prone to smudging and looks shiny rather quickly, but the Form didn't seem to have as big of an issue with this. The keycaps did eventually pick up a bit of sheen that was easily wiped clean, and seem like they'll last a little longer than your average keycap. Kinesis did a good job here.

Typing Experience of the Kinesis Form

The Form’s layout can be intimidating at first, especially if you’ve never used a split keyboard before. In the user manual, Kinesis says that most users will feel productive after only a few hours and will be close to (around 80% of) their typical typing speed by that point. It goes on to say that most users will be back to their normal speed within three to five days, but that some people can take two to four weeks “for some keys.”

In my experience, both with the Form and other split keyboards in the past, this timetable sounds accurate if not a bit long. Kinesis is setting expectations accordingly but if you’re a touch typist, the learning curve will likely be much lower. The timeline will also be impacted by your typing style — how you approach keys in the center of the keyboard can be a stumbling point if you’ve developed that habit of pressing them with the wrong hand.

In my testing, I was back to 80% of my normal typing speed on the Form in less than an hour. Getting used to having my hands spaced out was the most difficult part. The trick, at least for me, was to not think about my hand positioning and to just trust my fingers. I was back to normal after a day, averaging around 80 words per minute — which has been my average since I learned to type “properly” earlier this year.

Typing on the Form feels good. I expected to miss the PBT keycaps and tactile switches of my go-to Nuphy much more than I did. The red switches were heavy enough to avoid the incorrect or accidental presses I've found on other low-profile linear switches, and were very smooth and responsive. They’re clearly low profile but the 3 mm travel distance and 1.7 mm actuation point felt deep enough that the transition wasn’t nearly as jarring as swapping to a chiclet keyboard — or even to Cherry’s new ultra-low profile mechanical switches.

The split is interesting and, I think, proved its worth over a couple of weeks of steady use. At first, it didn't seem to do very much. The documentation even warns you not to expect immediate changes if you’re already suffering from an RSI. The spacing is a better match for the natural spacing of your hands and is definitely more comfortable once you get used to it. I’m not someone who feels hand and arm fatigue, even after writing for several hours, but I preferred typing on the Form when I knew I would be writing for several hours — it just worked. 

The trackpad also works well. I tested it with both my PC and TV, and it was responsive and accurate. As I mentioned in the previous section, I did wish for physical buttons when I wanted to click and drag, but the taps and gestures worked well. If you're used to using a laptop’s trackpad, you’ll have no trouble at all adapting to the Form. When I had a mouse nearby, I tended to use that, but since my cat also likes to sit on my mousepad, the trackpad came in handy more than once.

Gaming Experience of the Kinesis Form

The Kinesis Form isn’t a gaming keyboard and doesn’t make any claims about how good it is to game on. It’s not programmable (yet, Kinesis may release software in the future) and over Bluetooth, it is noticeably less responsive than most wireless gaming keyboards that use 2.4GHz. There’s a massive latency difference between the two, so for any kind of gaming, you’ll definitely want to remain plugged in.

You can play games with it and it actually works well. Most games allow you to remap keys in their configuration menu, so the current lack of software isn’t as big of an issue as it might otherwise be — but check the games you’re considering ahead of time to be sure they support this feature. 

Playing Battlefield 2042, my keystrokes went through well and felt instant when using a wired connection. Its added width isn’t great for mousing space, however, so if you’re a competitive gamer, you might be better suited looking into one of the best gaming keyboards.

Bottom Line

The Kinesis Form is an interesting unique keyboard that feels good to use. During my testing period, it wasn’t just the keyboard I had to use, it was the keyboard I wanted to use for long writing sessions. It’s well-designed and well-built and I like that I can take it to the couch and have an easier time than finagling a mouse on an uneven surface.

Of course, it won’t be for everyone. Its $199 price point is on the expensive side compared to many low profile wireless mechanical keyboards. The Nuphy Air75 V2, for example, is only $139, though obviously lacks the split, integrated touchpad, and all metal construction. Which is really the crux here: there really isn’t anything else like this keyboard at the moment, so you’re paying for the innovation and uniqueness of the keyboard.

There are still options worth considering if you’re after some features and not others. If you’re not a fan of low-profile keys, the Akko ACR Pro Alice ($130) might be more up your alley with its own ergonomic layout. Or, if you’re a gamer that loves the split but wants more gaming-oriented features, the Dygma Raise ($349) and Cloud Nine C989 ErgoFS ($179) are both worth a look.  

But if you're an ergonomic office worker with a love of low-travel key presses , the Form hits true to its mark. It works well with long battery life and reliable wireless, its keys feel good to type on, and it’s better for your body in a way that’s noticeable after you’ve used it for a while. It accomplishes its most important goals, which is a win for anyone who looks at it and decides they need a little bit more Form in their life.

MORE: Best Gaming Keyboards

MORE: How to Pick Keycaps for Your Mechanical Keyboard

MORE: How to Build a Custom Mechanical Keyboard

One of the best gaming keyboards we've seen in recent years, the Asus ROG Azoth combines form and function for a superb keyboard that includes all the bells and whistles. When launched, the Azoth had a rather large barrier to entry with its costly price tag of $250, and even though it's a super keyboard, justifying that kind of spend on a non-enthusiast board puts many people off. Although still racking up a lofty price even on sale, the Azoth is much closer in reach if you're looking for a highly-rated keyboard that now costs more in line with what a mid-ranged gaming keyboard usually costs. 

You can find today's deal at both Amazon and Newegg, where the cost of the Asus ROG Azoth has dropped to $164, one of the lowest-ever prices this keyboard has been spotted at. This 75% keeb features all the bells and whistles in its design, including a small OLED display and boxed extras that help to customize your keyboard such as the EDIY Switch Lube Kit - a complete set of tools for DIY switch lubing.

The Asus ROG Azoth uses Asus's SpeedNova wireless technology with a low-latency 2.4 GHz connection necessary for a gaming keyboard. A long battery life offers up to 2,000+ hours of connectivity if the RGB and OLED screen are disabled. The small OLED panel measures 2 inches and can display everything from a customized personal image to keyboard menus and settings or system resources.

We reviewed the Asus ROG Azoth and gave it 4.5 stars along with an Editor's Choice award for its impressive performance, build quality, and included accessories. We especially liked the sturdy build quality, sound, and feel of the keeb and also the included switch kit which includes a switch opener, keycap puller, switch puller, lube station, brush, and a bottle of Krytox GPL-205-GD0 lubricant for fully customizing the feel of your switches. We were not fans of the Asus Armory Crate software and the original MSRP price.

Today's deal is an absolute bargain and one of the best discounts I've seen in a while. Although I must confess I am a little biased on this one as I personally own the Mountain Everest 60 along with the connectable number pad - although this deal doesn't include the number pad. I use the Mountain Everest 60 every day as my daily driver for work and for some gaming when I get a chance. It's a great-feeling keeb, that comes with pre-lubed switches that were all perfect, and the dulled typing sound was exactly what I wanted.

If you head over to Newegg's store you can pick up the Mountain Everest 60 for just $19. I can't believe how cheaply they are selling such a fantastic keyboard. Maybe it doesn't have the latest Hall-Effect magnetic switches, but the PCB is hot-swappable so you could always upgrade later if you wanted to, and how can you even go wrong for under $20?

When we tested this keyboard our reviewer was impressed with its performance. See our review of the Mountain Everest 60 for more details on this Editor's Choice award-winning keyboard. Garnering 4.5 stars, the Mountain Everest 60 not only manages to squeeze in the arrow keys on a 60% board but also comes with pre-lubed Mountain switches, double-shot PBT keycaps, and pre-clipped Cherry stabilizers for a rattle-free experience. The only negative here - and I had trouble getting used to it too - is the 1u right shift button. I was forever clipping the up arrow to begin with which isn't great for typing.

The Keyboard connects via a USB Type-C cable and there are 3 USB C ports on the back of the keyboard giving you options for connecting your cable in different positions for your preferred cable routing. The other special thing about this keyboard is that it comes with magnetic USB-C ports on the left and right of the keyboard for connecting a number pad module. 

The Machenike KT84, an 84-key mechanical keyboard, has launched on Kickstarter in a major way. Meeting its funding goal of $10,001 in only 14 minutes, the see-through keyboard is now at 450% only 3 days later and promises a host of features to excite any mechanical keyboard aficionado. 

The keyboard's most obvious attraction is its pair of screens; a 490-dot pixel matrix spanning most of the top row, and a 1.47-inch TFT LCD display in the corner. The pixel matrix can be fully customized with static displays or animations, which can be shared on Machenike's community site; out of the box, it displays a classic RGB waterfall. The corner screen is also customizable, with advertised use cases including showing hardware temps, a clock, RGB settings, or whatever else the settings allow. Both screens will be controllable with downloadable software for Windows or a web-based driver for Mac/Linux users. 

The other extra features of the keyboard are a side-mounted volume roller/button and a cute toggle switch in the top-right corner, set to immediately minimize all tabs and windows by default — though this will also be customizable for those who don't have to worry about bosses peeking over their shoulders. 

The keyboard will come in black or white colorways, with the black version providing a solid black frame and the white providing a clear see-through case. Both colorways have transparent keycaps in their respective colors, paired with fully transparent Gateron North Pole 2.0 Yellow or White switches. The Gaterons are silent-feeling linear switches, with the Whites offering an extremely light 35g activation force and the Yellows offering a heavier 50g. The keycaps are fully hot-swappable. 

The Machenike KT84 can be preordered on Kickstarter now for as low as $199 in the Super Early Bird tier; it will become slightly more expensive as the Kickstarter continues, with an eventual MSRP of $249. An optional $20 palm rest can also be wrapped in with your pledge. Machenike is a China-based gaming company that has been manufacturing gaming computers, laptops, keyboards, and mice for 10 years; we previously covered its leak of Intel's Raptor Lake Refresh launch date last year on a product listing page.

Machenike has a previously successful Kickstarter under its belt and a few years of mass-produced products in the market. But even with this good track record, remember that crowdfunding a project is not a guarantee of receiving a finished product. Backing a crowdfunded project is akin to an investment; you believe in the project and want it to succeed. You are not purchasing a retail product.

It has been nearly two years since Nuphy released the Halo75, the first in its line of full-height enthusiast mechanical keyboards. We now have the Halo75 V2 in hand and it packs some big changes, nearly all for the better. At only $130, it’s vying for a spot in our list of the Best Mechanical Keyboards and — spoiler alert — it might just earn it.

Halo75 V2 Specs

Design of the Halo75 V2

The Nuphy Halo75 V2 is an enthusiast grade compact mechanical keyboard. It features a 75-percent layout, which means that it’s one to two inches smaller than a tenkeyless (which is 80-percent) but still has a full function row, arrow keys, and a column of navigation and editing buttons. Nuphy also has a 96-key version of this keyboard, which is available to pre-order for just $10 more than this keyboard's $130 asking price.

The Halo75 V2 is available in black or white, and is exceptionally stylish with a lean toward minimalism. Both colors maintain their theme: the white versions use white and gray keys, while black uses black and dark gray. Both versions come with colorful accent keys pre-installed: Escape is teal, Enter is red, and the spacebar is yellow. This combination has become a staple of the brand and gives the keyboard a sense of playfulness and personality.

The keycaps are not backlit, but a rather unique touch (borrowed from the Gem80) is that the F, J, and Up keys each have tiny backlit strips under the legend. This allows you to easily reorient yourself if you’re typing in the dark. It’s a minor feature, and not one I personally use — but if you’re still learning to touch type, it will definitely come in handy. 

There have been quite a few changes made to the Halo75 V2 from the Halo75, and, in my opinion, they’re all for the better. The biggest change is that the unibody aluminum case is now an aluminum top with a frosted ABS plastic bottom. While this at first seems like a downgrade, it actually turns out to be an asset.

RGB has been a big highlight of this series and Nuphy has amped it up with the Halo75 V2. The skinny RGB strip that wrapped around the original has been replaced with a fully-illuminated bottom half. Not only does each key have LEDs behind it, the bottom of the PCB is rimmed with LEDs that light up the bottom of the case.

The intent is to create a “halo” around the keyboard on your desk, and it looks great from the front — but it is a little inconsistent in how much light it throws. While I could easily see the illumination from the front, there’s little if any light spill from the back and sides. The case itself lights up all the way around, though even there you can discern some dark spots within.

There’s also a small RGB strip on the upper left, which shows Caps Lock and battery status and can be color customized. In the right corner, the V2 borrows the magnetic badge from the Gem80, which is also backlit. Per-key RGB, the bottom halo light, and the RGB strip can all be customized with different colors and effects. You can’t create your own custom effects, but the switch LEDs can be set to more than 40 different effects, most of which offer customization in color, brightness, and speed. 

The keycaps have also been upgraded from the original Halo75. They’re made of doubleshot PBT plastic, which won’t chip, fade, or shine like cheaper gaming keycaps and they come in a new, taller profile. Nuphy calls this an mSA profile, which has the rounded edges of Nuphy’s nSA low-profile keycaps, the spherical shape and pronounced contouring of vintage SA keycaps, and a height that’s closer to traditional OEM keycaps (found on most gaming and office keyboards).

More changes have taken place under the hood. The keyboard is still hot-swappable and can be equipped with your choice of Nuphy switches out of the box — mint (linear speed switch), raspberry (linear), or lemon (tactile) — as well as Cherry MX Silent Red. The plate the switches snap into is now made of soft polycarbonate instead of the rigid frame of the original. This gives it a deeper sound and a softer feel when bottoming out. Beneath this, you’ll also find:

• A layer of white plate foam to isolate the sound of the switches
• A layer of IXPE switch foam to add a poppiness to the typing sounds
• A sheet of PET plastic that also goes beneath the switches, enhancing the effect of the IXPE that sits on top of it
• A layer of white PCB foam, which acts as an acoustic filter, deepening the sound of typing and reducing volume
• A layer of silicone that sits in the bottom of the case, removing any hollowness or reverberation, quieting the keyboard down further, and adding a nice heft when picked up from the desk

The keyboard also uses Nuphy’s Ghostbar, which is the company’s name for its pre-dampened spacebar. If you flip it over, you’ll find that it looks like there’s a second keycap built into its underside. This silicone insert virtually eliminates the loud clack that makes spacebars stand out. And the company takes it a step further with two more silicone inserts on either side of the switch, so any thumps can’t make their way into the case itself. 

Around the back of the keyboard you’ll find two switches and a slot for the USB dongle. These switches control the connection mode (wired or wireless) and the operating system you’ll be using between Windows and Mac. There are matching keycaps for each OS in the box, as well as standard white and gray (or black and gray) keys that you can swap in if you don’t like the colorful accents. 

The keyboard supports tri-mode wireless connectivity. You can connect to up to three Bluetooth 5.0 sources and swap between them with a simple keystroke. These connect at a standard 125 Hz polling rate, which is fine for typing and web browsing. The keyboard can also connect using an included 2.4GHz dongle which provides it with a wired-like connection speed of 1,000 Hz. While that’s not particularly remarkable against the rest of the market, it is twice the speed of the Halo75 V1 and is competitive with most mainstream wireless gaming keyboards.

Battery life swings wildly. With all of the lighting on, Nuphy rates it as lasting anywhere from nine to 91 hours. With just the homing bars illuminated, that estimate jumps to 140 to 200 hours, and with no lighting at all, peaks at 307 hours. Nine to 307 hours is quite a range, but since this keyboard is almost as much about RGB as it is its typing experience, you should probably plan on plugging it in overnight — especially if you’re using the 2.4GHz dongle.

There are few other features in the Halo75 V2, and I do want to give a nod to the small touches Nuphy adds. If you flip it over, you’ll find colored tilt feet and anti-slip pads that match the keycap theme. There’s also some visible ribbing on the bottom and sides, and a small mirrored badge for flair. 

Overall, it’s a very well done, great looking keyboard, but it’s not perfect. Oddly, the combination of the PC plate and the yellow housings of the Lemon switches my model came with act as a filter for blue backlighting. I initially thought I had a firmware bug because blue looks like a cool white by the time it shines through.

The case is also painted and isn’t coated using electrophoresis for a more durable finish. It scratches easily, so you’ll want to take extra care to ensure nothing hard, such as a switch puller, scrapes against it.

Typing Experience of the Halo75 V2

The typing experience of the Halo75 V2 is sublime. It’s a big improvement over the original, which was no slouch itself, but smart improvements to its internal construction and materials give it a better sound, softer feel, and improved ergonomics for a comfortable typing experience. 

The exact experience you’ll have will vary depending on the switches you choose. For this review, I used Nuphy’s Lemon switches, which are long pole, pre-lubed, tactile switches. If you’re a fan of Cherry MX Brown switches, but are looking a refined experience, the lemons are a solid choice. They have a more pronounced tactile bump, are much smoother, and have a more defined sound when bottoming out, all of which make them appealing to me as both a gamer and a writer.

No matter which switch you choose, there will be some similarities across the board. The Halo75 V2 has a new polycarbonate plate and new gasket mounting style, which gives a softness to the typing experience that’s more comfortable and less fatiguing than the original. Both of these also help it to have a deeper sound signature when typing quickly. 

The keycaps are smoother than most you’ll find on enthusiast-tier prebuilts, but that’s not a knock on their quality. On the contrary, I very much enjoyed typing on them and I expect them to last many years into the future. The new mSA profile felt immediately familiar to me, coming close to the height of the OEM profile, which most people will have used at some point in their life. Their contouring guides your fingers toward the center of each key, which helps minimize accidental presses. 

The change to a plastic bottom, dampened with silicone, works well with the new plate and gasket mount structure. The Halo75 V2 is one of the best-sounding keyboards you can find at this price without turning to smaller brands such as Chillkey or Womier (with their ND75 and SK75 models, respectively). And even so, neither offers anything close to the Halo75 V2’s style and backlighting effects.

The layers of sound dampening and acoustic foam refine the sound substantially from the original. Keystrokes are crisper, with a more pronounced pop, that I found to be a great match for the switches. It’s still louder than a membrane keyboard but the overall volume really isn’t too bad — I wouldn’t think twice about using it in an office. 

The stabilizers are also excellent and are perfectly tuned right out of the box. There’s no rattle or undue noise to distract you while you’re typing. The GhostBar is also implemented better this time around — it sounds closer to a traditional spacebar but its volume is more in line with the other keys. 

All of these enhancements push the sound and feel closer to a pricey custom mechanical keyboard, rather than what we usually see from a $130 prebuilt keyboard. This makes it especially nice to use and it's the type of keyboard that will have you logging into MonkeyType to try for a new PR when you really should be going to be for the night.

Incidentally, I actually found this keyboard improved my typing speed. I usually hover around 110 wpm but over the last several weeks of testing I've been averaging between 115 and 120 wpm. It’s not huge, but it's most likely due to the keycaps warding off typos that I would usually need to go and fix.

Gaming Experience of the Halo75 V2

While the Halo75 V2 isn’t what most people would consider a “gaming keyboard,” it still offers a solid and enjoyable gaming experience. This is mostly thanks to the same qualities that make it a great keyboard for typing: it feels very good under the fingers and is responsive enough for competitive games.

In fact, I play first-person shooters more than anything else these days. When I tested the keyboard, I played a mix of Battlefield 2042 and Call of Duty, as well as a light dabbling of Baldur’s Gate 3. Using the wireless dongle, my keystrokes went through instantaneously. I wasn't able to discern any difference in speed or latency when I swapped between using it over 2.4GHz and over a wired connection. 

The form factor and programmability of the keyboard are also good for gaming. With support for up to eight layered key sets, you can easily have custom layouts for individual games and apps. Or, if you're like me, you can map skills and abilities to a secondary layer that’s only accessible when you're holding another key of your choice. This freeform, deep programming allows you to map tons of functions — well in excess of a full-size keyboard — on a keyboard that's smaller than a TKL and leaves ample space for your mouse hand.

What you won’t find in the Halo75 V2's software are gaming-specific features. Since it uses open-source software that's intended to work with a variety of keyboards, you won’t find features like RGB syncing or custom timers, like you might find in downloadable software from gaming brands.

Software for the Halo75 V2

Unlike the original Halo75, the Halo75 V2 utilizes VIA for all of its programming needs. This open-source firmware has proven to be quite popular over the last several years and it’s easy to see why. It lets you remap literally any key across eight layers, record macros, assign shortcuts, and customize the backlighting, all using a simple web tool. It’s simple, intuitive, and more powerful than most downloaded software you’ll find, and the changes instantly save to the keyboard’s onboard memory so they'll carry across to any machine — no downloads required.

The magic of VIA is in how deeply customizable it is with its layer system. Think of layers as additional virtual keyboards that you can access by tapping or holding down another key. VIA provides lots of options for how you can access secondary functions, including actions — such as holding a key to access a layer (while tapping it will retain its original function). I set mine to switch to a custom layer when I hold down the Caps Lock button, but the Caps Lock button still functions normally when tapped.

Recording macros and assigning key functions is very simple. Like most gaming software, you check a box to indicate whether you’d like to record delays, press a record button, and go. Assigning it is just like any key: you click the key you would like to remap, choose the macro or function from a selection below, and you’re done.

The biggest limitation of the software is with RGB lighting. Though the Halo75 V2 has extensive RGB backlighting, you can’t assign colors to individual keys. Instead, you can choose from around 40 different animations and customize each for color, speed, and brightness. Unlike most downloadable software, you’re able to dial in precise colors with mappable hue and saturation controls. It doesn’t replace per-key customization but it’s a nice feature nonetheless.

Bottom Line

There are a couple of things I wish the keyboard did better — like addressing the lemon switches that alter its lighting — but there’s no mistaking this keyboard's value. At $130, the Halo75 V2 offers top-tier typing without demanding any mods or extra work. And with the improvements to its halo lighting and wireless connectivity, it's a solid option for both typing and gaming.

If you’re looking for a fully aluminum keyboard, the Womier SK75 is a great alternative that will also save you a little money. If you like these features but are looking for something a little more portable, Nuphy’s own Air75 V2 is well worth a look.

It’s not that the Halo75 V2 is the absolute best. There are definitely better options available if you spend more — or if you don't particularly care for the RGB lightshow. But it's hard to beat the Halo75 V2's price for how much you get.

MORE: Best Gaming Keyboards

MORE: How to Pick Keycaps for Your Mechanical Keyboard

MORE: How to Build a Custom Mechanical Keyboard

8BitDo has made its Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad available for preorder on Amazon at $44.99. This number pad pairs perfectly with the firm's own NES-inspired keyboard, which is only available in a TKL layout. Aside from working as a mechanical number pad, the Retro 18 also sports a retro LED display, and wireless connectivity, allowing you to use it as a standalone calculator.

The Retro 18 is compatible with both Windows and Android, so you can use it on your laptop and smartphone. It has Bluetooth, 2.4G, and a USB-C port, giving you the flexibility to choose your preferred connection. The 2.4G dongle slots neatly and securely into the magnetic compartment at the bottom of the numpad, ensuring you will never lose it. Unfortunately, it’s not yet certified for macOS, iPads, and iPhones, so you must find an alternative if you’re an Apple fan.

Aside from the screen and the number keys, you also get the following buttons on the top row: a themed CAL button to turn on calculator mode, a dedicated Windows calculator launch key, a wireless connection button, and a rotary knob to select its connection mode. As with the 8BitDo retro mechanical keyboards, this mechanical numpad also uses hot-swappable switches and supports N-key rollover. It uses Kailh Box White Switches V2 and PBT or double-shot ABS keycaps, all mounted on an aluminum plate for durability and stability.

All variants of the Retro 18 are priced at $44.99, and you can now pre-order them on Amazon. Currently, the following versions are available: the Nintendo-inspired N Edition, the C64 Commodore 64-look alike, and the classic M Edition. You can order them now and 8BitDo will start deliveries on July 15. We will also get a Famicom-inspired Fami Edition, but we have no word yet on when it will come in stock.

The Retro 18 is the perfect companion to the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboards, with their available colorways and aesthetics matching each other. So, if you’re after a retro build, these are the perfect peripherals for your desk. You can also pair it with the Lofree Retro Mouse to complete the look, as 8BitDo is yet to release a companion mouse for its retro accessories.

The HyperX Alloy Rise takes its cues from the world of custom mechanical keyboards. It’s designed around customization and top-tier typing, offering one of the best typing experiences of any gaming keyboard from a major brand available today. With pre-lubed, hot-swappable switches, swappable top cases and badges, and a soft, gasket mount structure, as well as 8kHz polling and full software programmability, the Alloy Rise splits the distance between gaming and custom keyboards, and is remarkably good overall. 

While not quite perfect in fit and function, the Alloy Rise is a prime contender to be one of the best gaming keyboards of the year. Its biggest drawback, however, is its price. At $199.99 for the full-size version and $169.99 for the more compact 75-percent layout, its MSRP undermines its features. It’s good, but when keyboards such as the  Drop CSTM80 and the ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 exist for less, the Alloy Rise doesn't feel like the best deal. 

HyperX Alloy Rise Specs 

Design of the HyperX Alloy Rise

At first glance, the HyperX Alloy Rise appears to be a pretty standard full-size gaming keyboard. It has a traditional black chassis that isn’t afraid to throw a rainbow wave at you the moment you plug it in. When you look a little closer — and especially when you type on the Alloy Rise — it quickly becomes apparent that there’s more happening here than meets the eye.

It’s 2024, post- the COVID-19 custom keyboard trend, and pretty much all of the big brands have released enthusiast-grade gaming keyboards that take inspiration from the custom mechanical keyboard community. The Alloy Rise is the latest to jump on this trend and this keyboard embraces customization and quality typing in a way that HyperX’s keyboards have never done before. 

Like the Drop CSTM80, the Alloy Rise uses a magnetic alloy top case that can be pulled off and swapped with another without using a single tool. There’s also a swappable metal badge that attaches along the right side. This can also be pulled off or set back in place with a satisfying snap — tool-free.

It’s a neat feature, but as of this writing you can’t really do anything with it just yet. I was sent an alternative top and badge set to try, but the alternatives aren't yet available to purchase.  The documentation I was sent says that there should at least be navy and white tops to consider, as well as three different sets of badges (Abstract, 8-Bit, and Cute, sold in sets of four). I do hope they release more in time — as Drop has done — because it’s a neat way to change-up the look of your keyboard. 

As you might imagine from a keyboard themed around customization, the Alloy Rise features hot-swappable switches and uses a completely standard layout that lets you easily add your own aftermarket keycaps. The PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches, so just about any switch or keycap set will work with it.

At least — if you pick up the full-size version. HyperX is launching this keyboard in both a traditional 104-key layout, as well as a compact 75-percent version for those who prefer mousing space over a dedicated number pad. The 75-percent version takes some liberties with its keys (the Right Shift key is a bit shorter and there’s an extra F13 key to consider), but most aftermarket keycaps sets will still support it. 

You may not want to change either, however, because both are very good by gaming keyboard standards. The keycaps are made of double-shot PBT, which is resistant to wear and tear for increased durability. They’re also very thick, which enhances their sound and how solid they feel under your fingers. And, because lighting is a core aspect of customization, they also feature backlit legends that allow the keyboard’s per-key RGB lighting to shine through, bright and consistent, across the entire keyset.

The Alloy Rise comes with your choice of linear or tactile switches. Both options are pre-lubed for smoothness and acoustics and have a faster 1.8mm actuation difference. Is it enough that you can feel the difference? That's debatable, but the difference is there. The switches also have box-style stems to help with wobble, so they’re as stable as they are smooth. 

The construction of the keyboard is layered — literally. The swappable top cases are made of metal but the bottom, including its single-stage tilt feet, are plastic. Internally, it uses a plastic switch mounting plate on top of a layer of foam for soft bottom-outs. I didn’t disassemble this keyboard (there are enough screws where it seems clear that you’re not intended to), but I suspect there’s an additional layer of foam or silicone in the bottom of the case, too.

The combined effect of these foams is to remove any errant vibration or hollowness from the case, isolating the sound of the switches. This makes the keyboard sound more crisp, clean, and quiet. The Alloy Rise is arguably volume-matched to a typical membrane keyboard, which is pretty impressive for a mechanical set of keys. 

The circuit board and plate assembly rests on flexible gaskets surrounding the keys. This gasket mount structure isolates keystrokes and provides a cushion for each press. Full-size gasket mounted keyboards aren’t common and those that exist tend to offer minimal reaction when typing normally — but that’s definitely not the case here. Looking closely, you can see that each key gives, subtly, under normal typing pressure, making it easy to type on without experiencing the early fatigue — typical of most gaming keyboards — from slamming against a rigid structure.

On the gaming front, HyperX has designed the keyboard to be exceptionally responsive. In addition to its smooth, faster-actuating switches, the Alloy Rise also features an 8,000Hz polling rate. The majority of gaming keyboards operate at 1,000Hz, which means they report key presses to the computer every millisecond (1ms response time). This keyboard reports key presses eight times more frequently, or every 0.125 milliseconds. Beyond 1ms, we're into the range of “you need to be a machine to tell the difference.” But if you’re a competitive player, it makes sense to get the highest performance peripheral you can afford — there's no blaming the keyboard for a delay with the Alloy Rise, which is as fast as it gets currently.

Apart from its gaming prowess, the Alloy Rise also features an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the backlight brightness to match the lighting in your environment. In a bright setting, it will ramp it up, and in a dark setting it will decrease the brightness so as not to distract you.

The keyboard's braided cable is also detachable, so you can swap it out with one of your own. HyperX is happy to sell you (separately, of course) an eye-catching coiled aviator cable to impress all of your fellow keyboard enthusiast friends. 

The Alloy Rise's onboard controls are surprisingly limited. There’s a click-to-mute volume knob and three media keys for controlling tracks, but there’s no way to cycle lighting effects unless you tie a different preset to each of its ten profiles. Instead, you can adjust brightness, enable or disable the ambient light sensor, turn on game mode, and swap profiles. You can add more Fn commands using the software — but, out of the box, that's it.

For $200, I really expected this keyboard to be wireless. The ASUS Strix Scope II 96 Wireless offers a similar typing experience, better programmability, and both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connectivity for $180. The Alloy Rise is unmistakably great to use, but it really feels like you're paying a premium for the swappable cases (which the Drop CSTM80 has for $130) and 8K polling (which you likely won't even notice).

The typing experience of the HyperX Alloy Rise is outstanding. It is genuinely one of the best-feeling gaming keyboards I have used all year, and it easily ranks among the best currently on the market — including high-water marks such as the ASUS ROG Azoth, Strix Scope II 96, Corsair K65 Plus Wireless, and the Razer Blackwidow Pro V4 75.

HyperX clearly paid attention to what keyboard enthusiasts have been clamoring about over the last several years. The Alloy Rise is designed to deliver a typing experience that makes you want to come back to your computer for another round — or, as is usually the case with me, an extra page of writing.

The Alloy Rise's impressive typing experience starts with the keycaps, which are an impressive 1.5mm thick and have a solid, deep sound when bottomed out. They’re also textured to provide a bit of extra grip and they feel nice under the fingertips. 

Next up are the switches, which are very good. I was able to test both the linear and tactile switches and both are pre-lubed and are noticeably smoother than their Cherry MX Red and Brown counterparts. There’s no spring noise to speak of when typing, so all you hear are crisp, full-bodied keystrokes. As a bonus, they let enough light through the legends that you can easily type in the dark, even if you’re not a touch typist. 

The gasket mounting structure is the best implemented of any “big brand” gaming keyboard I’ve seen. It’s right up there with Keychron Q-series in how reactive it is to normal keystrokes. There’s noticeable movement when typing normally (which isn’t always the case), but it isn't so noticeable as to be distracting. Rather, the keystrokes are soft and responsive.

HyperX also did a great job with the stabilizers. They’re not the least bit rattly and are very stable. Though I didn’t disassemble the keyboard, it’s clear that the company took the time and applied a consistent coat of lubricant on the wires beneath the larger keys to make them sound as good as they do. 

Needless to say, I really enjoyed typing on the Alloy Rise. Between its solid build, thick keycaps, and smooth switches, it definitely achieves the same middle ground between gaming and enthusiast keyboards as its competitors. While I wouldn’t say the experience is “better” than the others, due to how subjective that term is at this level, it’s certainly on par with them — and it isn’t likely to disappoint with the quality of its keys.

During my time with the Alloy Rise, I played a heaping helping of Baldur’s Gate 3, but also dipped my toes into Battlefield 2042’s latest season, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and the classic, World of Warcraft. In every circumstance, the Alloy Rise rose to the occasion and carried me through.

I’ll tell you right now: I’m not a pro gamer, but I do enjoy competitive first-person shooters. I play games on a 240Hz monitor and I am sensitive to input lag and delay. There’s not an ounce of sluggishness in this keyboard. It transmits inputs instantaneously. When it came to running around the alleyways in COD’s Favela map or peeking from cover and rushing the flag on Battlefield 2042’s Exposure, I would put this keyboard up against any magnetic or optical gaming slate.

Much of the reason it feels so good to play games on the Alloy Rise is thanks to its switches. HyperX’s linear switches are a hair lighter and faster to actuate than Cherry MX Reds, which adds to their responsive feeling. The pre-lubing makes it easy to prime yourself for movement and — in my opinion, just as importantly — allows you to forget about the feeling of the switches in the moment and focus on your play. The lack of telltale Cherry scratchiness makes them feel more fluid when pressed.

The full-size layout isn’t the best for gamers that enjoy big mouse sweeps. The additional space to accommodate the number pad forces you to space your hands out more and leaves less room for mousing. If you’re a sweep-styled player but you like everything else about this keyboard, I recommend going for the 75-percent version to enjoy the best of both worlds. 

For MMOs, the number pad comes in handy as a macro pad. With NGENUITY (or even WoW’s in-game settings), I was able to map all of my skills and abilities to it. For my additional action bars, I tied those skills to modifier keys and the numbers (Shift+1, Shift+2, and so on). If you’re playing anything where you need extra remappable keys, the numpad comes in clutch. 

The Rise uses HyperX’s NGENUITY software for all of its customization options. As of this writing, this includes being able to remap most of the keys, assign macros, Windows shortcuts, multimedia functions, and mouse controls. The lighting for each key is also programmable and can be assigned in layers to create a wide array of custom effects and animations. 

While the software gets the job done and is decently polished, it feels very barebones. There are only two tabs — Lighting and Keys, and three toggles in the upper right that control brightness, enable game mode, and to choose one of your previously made presets. The NGENUITY software is sparse, but it's also pretty lightweight; it took up only about 210MB of my system’s memory.

NGENUITY gets the job done quickly for most things you would want to do. Changing a keymap is done by clicking the key you would like to change and then choosing what type of assignment you would like (Keyboard, Mouse, Macro, etc.). From there, you simply choose the option or press the key you would like mapped to that position. If you’d like to assign a macro (and you haven’t already recorded it) the Macro menu gives you an option to record a new one on the spot — it’s streamlined and straightforward.

The software allows you to map functions to either the Base or Fn layer. The former replaces the normal key matching the keycap. The Fn layer allows you to map actions as secondary functions, whenever that key is held. You can’t overwrite the built-in commands, but most keys are still free. My biggest gripe is that you can’t remap the Fn to another location. Versions of this functionality have been available in gaming keyboards for years (Razer’s HyperShift, for example), and it allows you to free up how you access different commands to a way that works for you.

Programming the Alloy Rise's RGB lighting is straightforward and intuitive. There are 11 lighting effects (12, if you count static colors) that can be assigned to the whole keyboard or to individual keys. The effects can also be layered — so you can have a background effect, such as a rainbow wave, and also set each key’s lighting to respond when pressed.

NGENUITY was mostly stable and it didn’t outright crash on me but it did break at least once. After recording, then canceling a macro, it stopped registering inputs at all inside the recording window. Only restarting the program made it work correctly again.

I was also surprised that there was no option to configure the Alloy Rise's polling rate. 8,000Hz is intensive and can eat CPU resources, so it’s common for manufacturers to provide an option to set it back to 1,000Hz. I didn’t notice any performance strain on my system, but I also have a high-powered rig. Without any way to lower its connection speed, gamers with older processors may want to think twice about picking the Rise up.

Bottom Line

The HyperX Alloy Rise is an excellent gaming keyboard that feels great to use and performs just as well in games. Its pre-lubed switches and well-implemented gasket mount structure make it smooth, soft, and reasonably quiet for use in an office or with roommates. It’s easy to customize, whether you want to pop on an alternate top case or side badge, or swap in your  own switches, keycaps, or detachable cable. The Alloy Rise is designed to be made your own.

But for all of its strengths, the asking price just feels too high. The keyboard's hallmark feature — the swappable case — is already readily available on the Drop CSTM80, which is a fantastic keyboard and is much cheaper. And the ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 goes toe-to-toe with the Alloy Rise when it comes to sound, feel, and gaming functionality, while also saving desk space and offering excellent wireless performance for $20 less. 

What it comes down to is how much you value having that top case be metal (most of the CSTM80’s are plastic), and how important 8K polling is to you. If you don’t mind playing wired and you want a keyboard that feels as premium as its price, lets you customize its aesthetic, and puts a premium on speed, the HyperX Alloy Rise is absolutely worth considering. For everyone else, it's safe to consider the alternatives while you wait for a sale.

MORE: Best Gaming Keyboards

MORE: How to Pick Keycaps for Your Mechanical Keyboard

MORE: How to Build a Custom Mechanical Keyboard

There's always room for some funky-looking gadgets on any geek's desk, and if you're into gaming — especially retro gaming — then this deal may pique your interest. This keyboard from 8Bitdo brightens up any setup with its nostalgic retro look and additional giant button accessory. But it's not just for looks, this keeb comes complete with an array of keyboard features.

At Amazon, you can pick up the 8Bitdo retro mechanical keyboard on sale for $79, which is the cheapest price that it's been available direct from Amazon according to the Camelizer price checker. Sporting the same color scheme as that of a retro Nintendo games console from the 80s, it includes two oversized buttons reminiscent of the ones on the NES controller.

The layout of the keyboard is similar to a TKL with the number pad removed. There are 87 keys, with perfectly matched Nintendo-colored dye-sub PBT keycaps giving that awesome aesthetic. The switches used are Kailh box white V2s, although the PCB is hot-swappable. You can always swap to a preferred switch if the included Kailh box white switches aren't to your liking.

The dual super buttons are programmable and can be mapped to any key or shortcut you desire. The same goes for the keyboard, where you can use Ultimate Software V2 for all your custom keyboard mapping and macros. You can choose to connect the keyboard via a wired cable, Bluetooth, or 2.4GHz wireless, and a handy switch on the keyboard for selecting modes.

This really is an attractive keyboard. And when you can grab a few extra dollars off the overall price — makes for a very tempting deal. 

Japanese manufacturer XYZA has debuted its Tiny Keyboard Custom 2.0, which is a 3-key programmable mechanical keyboard with an attached dial wheel for precision interaction and LED lighting. It's priced at 3,980 yen officially, has a pre-sales Amazon.JP page at the time of writing, and most importantly for our U.S. readers, costs roughly ~$25 USD at the current transfer rate before shipping and other fees.

The mechanical keys in question seem to be Cherry MX Red switches or some other kind of Red switch (linear) variant. Even the key switches are removable and thus swappable, though, so the possibilities with these three keys combined with the easy-swap transparent caps really seem like a recipe for wider appeal. The dial also functions as a horizontal/vertical-toggle scroll wheel, which could be used as a look/move left/right function in-game, or a pan/zoom function on the desktop. 

You could even probably play Doom with it, come to think about it.

XYZA Tiny Keyboard Custom 2.0 specs

• Weight: 70 Grams
• Default Key Type: Red Switches.
• Default Key Caps: Transparent Plastic Shells, BYOD.
• Dial Radius: Not Given; But width of shortest side (longer than dial) is 32 mm. So, likely mid-20 range.
• Keys (Programmable): 3
• Ports: USB-C Port (Power and Data); includes USB C-to-A cable

Overall, the sheer customization of this device seems to offset any concerns there may be about the ~$30-$50 a U.S. buyer would need to part with for such a specialized peripheral. Devices that let you replace so much this easily aren't that common. However, even the feel of the keyboard is easily changeable through swappable switches, so this seems like a mini keyboard with which you can do anything you like.

If nothing else, it seems like it has some utility as a Nintendo Switch Joy-con-esque hand remote uniquely suited for PC productivity and gaming due to its programmable functionality. For example, it can easily be used for macro functionality in image and video editing workloads, or for macros in single-player games and other titles where macros don't get you banned. The unique rotating dial also recalls the volume wheel on some high-end keyboards, so this could add this functionality to a PC that otherwise doesn't have it.

Nuphy made its name with stylish, low-profile keyboards like the Air 75 V2, but the company has shown that it isn’t afraid to take risks. The Nuphy Gem80, which comes in both wired and wireless variations, is the company’s take on a custom mechanical keyboard. It comes mostly built, only requiring switches and keycaps — which you can conveniently buy at the same time — and offers one of the best typing experiences you can find for under $200. 

More than that, Nuphy gives you the tools and customization options to make the Gem80 a foundation to build on for years into the future. It’s a custom keyboard kit for users who like the idea of the custom keyboard typing experience, but who don’t want the hassle of putting the whole thing together themselves. In short — it’s a gem.

Nuphy Gem80 Specs

Design of the Nuphy Gem80

The Nuphy Gem80 is designed to be an introduction to the world of custom mechanical keyboards, a one-stop-shop to get what you need and not have to worry about assembling every little part. It lowers the barrier to entry: You don’t really need to know anything going in, nor do you need to spend a ridiculous amount of time reading how-to guides or lubing switches. You get a taste of the building experience — enough to potentially wet your whistle for the future. Either way, it offers one of the best typing experiences in 2024 so far.

The keyboard is available in either wired or tri-mode wireless configurations, starting at $150. It features a standard TKL layout with an extra F13 key, but does take some liberties with the keys above the navigation cluster. It’s a layout most people will be immediately familiar with and will find more accessible than the more compact keyboards many keyboard enthusiasts have come to prefer.

By design, the Gem80 doesn’t come with switches or keycaps and is what the keyboard community refers to as a “barebones” kit. Switches and keycaps can be added for an additional $15 each, pushing the price for the wireless version to $200. These add-ons are so cheap, and designed to match the keyboard perfectly, that it really seems like you’re supposed to purchase everything together — and the barebones option is just there as a cheaper alternative for enthusiasts that already have these things.

The upfront cost might seem like a lot but it's actually pretty reasonable when you consider what you’re getting. Unlike the majority of custom keyboards, to say you need to “build” it yourself is a stretch. The keyboard comes entirely assembled except for the switches and keycaps. It supports hot-swapping switches, so both can simply be pressed into place. “Building” the keyboard can be done with zero experience within 30 minutes and doesn’t require you to do any of the fiddly extras such as tuning the stabilizers. It’s just enough to make you feel accomplished, and give you that extra sense of ownership over the final product. You don’t need any tools, nor do you need to open the case.

That is, unless you want to. The Gem80 is a very intentional foundation designed to help foster a love for custom mechanical keyboards. It’s made to be opened and tinkered with. Nuphy gives you the tools to change the Gem80's sound and feel with four different “mounting styles.” These consist of layers of silicone or traditional screws placed around the plate to create a softer or firmer typing experience and deeper- or higher-pitched sound.

These mounting styles range from “top mount,” which fastens the plate to the top case, to three forms of gasket mount. The firmest uses long strips of silicone on tabs around the plate but can be swapped to silicone “beans” (barbell-like nubbins that fit into slots around the plate), or silicone socks (small tabs that fit on the ends of the tabs), for a progressively softer and bouncier typing experience. Each also has an impact on the sound, slightly deepening it with each step into softness.

You could play with the mounting styles for ages but it also comes with a full array of foams and pads that also tune its sound and feel. Each comes pre-installed by default but can be removed to match your taste. In total, there are six different pads in the keyboard — and each makes a noticeable difference.

Underneath the switch plate is a layer of Poron foam that isolates the sound of the switches. Beneath that, on top of the PCB, is a layer of PE foam and a sheet of PET plastic which lend the keyboard a pronounced pop that makes typing sound almost like marbles in a pouch. Beneath the PCB is a layer of Poron PCB foam to deepen the sound, and a thick layer of silicone to remove any hollowness from the case.

Between the mounting styles and foam options, there are literally hundreds of combinations to try. This is without considering staples, such as changing keycaps or switches or plate materials — and Nuphy gives you plenty of options for each, though you may not want to swap out keycaps (if you buy them in the first place).

Nuphy has an incredible sense of style across all of its keyboards. It has embraced a very fresh, vibrant aesthetic with pops of color and always offers a consistency in visual appeal while still providing options for the more minimalist typist. The Gem80 is available in five colors for its top case: Cosmic Mocha (beige), Mystic Indigo (blue), Obsidian Black, Airy Lilac (purple), and Inca Rose (pink). Each has a custom-matched set of keycaps to guarantee an appealing final product. The bottom of the case is made of frosted polycarbonate, which gives the keyboard an interesting, two-toned appearance.

The keycaps are great. Made in Nuphy’s own mSA profile, they’re spherical with large concave surfaces and centered legends. They’re composed of doubleshot PBT plastic, so the legends are crisp and you’ll never have to worry about them shining or fading over time. Each set has colorful accent keys to add that iconic Nuphy personality. You’ll also get its GhostBar spacebar which uses a silicone insert to lower its volume compared to the other keys. Interestingly, the F, J, and Up Arrow homing keys also have illuminated indicator bars to help you find them in the dark. The keycaps do not have shine-through legends, so it’s a helpful add-on if you’re not a touch typist.

There are four total switch packs to choose from, three of which are new options made by Nuphy. There are two linear switches: Mint and Raspberry. Raspberry has a high actuation point of 1.2mm while the standard is 2mm, making them a good choice for gaming. There’s also a tactile Lemon switch. Each of these is pre-lubed and uses a long-pole stem for a clackier typing experience. There is no clicky option, but it’s possible to order Cherry MX Silent Red switches if you prefer something quieter. Since the keyboard is hot-swappable, you can change switches at any time or bring your own and save $15.

The keyboard supports tri-mode wireless connectivity with an optimized chipset for reduced latency. It can connect to up to three devices over Bluetooth 5.0 and a single 2.4GHz host using the included USB dongle and a switch on the back. Switching is fast once the keyboard is initially paired, and I found that it reconnected in only about a second after waking from sleep. It’s also natively compatible with macOS using another switch and has alternate keycaps for both it and Windows.

Battery life is decent, with about 45 hours total with RGB backlighting turned on and around 70 with only the homing bars lit. The keyboard looks so good that you may find that you don’t need RGB, in which case that figure should extend into the triple digits. I can’t live without backlighting, though, so I had to plug in about once a week.

Typing Experience of the Nuphy Gem80

Like any mechanical keyboard, your typing experience will vary depending on the type of switches you use. My sample was sent with Nuphy's Lemon tactile switches, which I found to be exceptionally smooth with a light tactile bump. Their weight and tactility are similar to Cherry MX Brown switches, but the overall experience is much better thanks to their smoothness and much better sound — I love the pop they provide. Cherry should be taking notes.

The typing experience is also directly impacted by the exact mounting style and foam configuration you’re using. Top mount will be firmer and higher pitched than using gasket socks, for example. Using all of the foams will sound deep, marbly, and slightly muted, while using none will sound thin and clacky.

Since it’s possible to keep the keyboard completely as-is and still have a great experience, that’s what I did. With the silicone gasket socks and all of the foams, the typing experience is relatively quiet — a decent pick for an office keyboard — while still offering a crisp typing experience. The keys have a softness to them that’s subtle when typing normally but perceptible with every keystroke. You can see the smallest amount of movement with the keys as the plate gives slightly under your fingers. The GhostBar is also great, as it gives you a nice, deep thud to accompany your faster presses.

As a result, the Gem80 is completely non-fatiguing to type on. And that’s good, because if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to type on it a lot. It quickly earned a spot in my rotation of mechanical keyboards (what, you mean you don’t have a rotation?!) because of how nice it feels to use. The switches feel like what Cherry MX Browns should have been — and with a far better sound. The keyboard has a front height of only 21.5mm, so I didn’t need a palm rest to type comfortably.

With all of the foams, there’s a definite pop to each press, which we can attribute to the mix of PE foam, PET sheeting, and long pole switches. The silicone pad does a good job of rounding out that sound so it’s not too loud. If you don’t mind a little extra volume, removing the PCB foam would likely increase its volume and presence, which will be the next step in my own journey with the Gem80.

In a nutshell, the Gem80 offers a level of typing quality that you'll typically only find on custom mechanical keyboards you have to build yourself. And while that’s technically the case here too, Nuphy has done 90% of the work for you and has done a great job of turning the Gem80 into something special.

Gaming Experience of the Nuphy Gem80

Nuphy has a dedicated gaming keyboard with the Field75, and it’s far more outspoken in its design language than the Gem80 (plus it has macro keys), so it’s safe to say that gaming isn’t the primary purpose of this keyboard. But I’ve always said that a great gaming keyboard is a keyboard that’s responsive and feels great to use.

That’s exactly the case here — and as far as custom mechanical keyboards go, it’s not a bad effort. Using its wireless dongle, the Gem80 is able to utilize a 1,000Hz polling rate for 1ms of input latency. Nuphy also claims to have used a chip which optimizes the scan rate of the keyboard to reduce the overall travel time to send signals to your PC.

The Gem80 feels just as responsive in wireless mode as it does wired. I also didn’t notice a difference between it and the Corsair K95 XT I happened to have out. The Gem 80 is also programmable using VIA, which allows you to record macros and assign hotkeys across eight layers of keys. That’s enough to have set layouts and macro layers for multiple games and applications. It doesn’t allow you to perform advanced gaming features, like mapping the lighting to timers and cooldowns, nor does it let you quickly map every Windows shortcut under the sun, but it’s powerful enough to get the job done and is customized through a web browser — so you don’t even need software.

Software for the Nuphy Gem80

The Gem80 uses the open-source VIA software for all of its programmability. This software is very popular among custom mechanical keyboards due to its ease of use, exceptional depth, and uniformity across different models of keyboard. You don’t have to download anything to use it, thanks to the browser version, and the changes take effect immediately.

While it lacks some of the flair and RGB programmability of custom software suites like Nuphy’s prior Nuphy Console, VIA allows you to remap the entire keyboard and create multiple “layers” of keymaps. Think of these like virtual keyboards, accessible by holding or tapping a button of your choice. With it, you can change every single keymap and secondary function to be positioned exactly where you prefer. While custom software suites usually place some limits on what can be changed and remapped, VIA removes all of them and gives you total freedom. It also allows you to record macros with a simple record button. 

Where it falls a little short is with RGB. On one hand, it gives you extra controls for Hue and Saturation, so you can find the exact color you’re looking for. There are also a number of preset animations that encompass rainbow waves, breathing effects, reactive typing, and more. But static, per-key lighting schemes are currently off the table.

Bottom Line

The Nuphy Gem80 is great. For around $200, you get a keyboard that’s stylish, types like a dream, and offers plenty of options to customize the experience if you care to tinker. You do have to do a small amount of building, but it’s the easiest and final step — just enough to inspire a deeper sense of ownership over the final product.

If you’re not interested in installing your own switches and keycaps, the Nuphy Halo96 is a strong alternative that offers a similar attention to detail. For something with a heavier duty case, closer to the cases on much more expensive keyboard kits, the Keychron Q3 may be the keyboard for you.

Ultimately, there aren't many faults to find with the Gem80, which makes its price feel all the more fair. You can use it as-is forever or turn it into a little project — rebuilding it with a different mounting style, switches, or keycaps. It’s one of the best premium TKLs you can buy today, excelling even beyond Keychron with its quality: Nuphy nailed it.

MORE: Best Gaming Keyboards

MORE: How to Pick Keycaps for Your Mechanical Keyboard

MORE: How to Build a Custom Mechanical Keyboard

The superb Keychron C3 keyboard is back on sale. You have a choice between linear Red switches or tactile Brown switches. But whether it's a preference for a gaming keyboard or a keeb aimed more for work, this budget-priced Keychron is a fantastic offer. 

For only $29, yes you read it correctly $29, you can own the Keychron C3 Pro keyboard. Available from Amazon the Keychron C3 Pro is a mechanical gaming/work keyboard with a choice of either Red or Brown switches. Featuring an 87-key tenkeyless (TKL) layout the C3 Pro uses double-shot ABS keycaps with shine-through for illuminating your keys in low-lit environments and letting the red backlighting help you see the keys in the dark without straining your eyes - perfect for late-night gaming sessions. 

What impresses me the most about this keeb is the amount of quality you get for the sale price. For a sub-$30 keyboard, you're getting a gasket-mounted structure to reduce sound resonance and includes sound-absorbing foam in the chassis to reduce any hollow sounds if you bottom out your keypresses. For gamers, there's the 1000Hz polling and n-key rollover for simultaneous key presses - essential in a lot of games, and the ability to remap keys and functions with the fully customizable QMK / VIA open-source software.

The Keychron C3 Pro is a wired (via USB-C) mechanical keyboard compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. Included are extra universal keycaps in the box for either Mac or Windows to configure the keyboard to your setup preference. Is this the best keyboard you can get for sub $30? It's certainly giving some stiff competition in this price range, with the only stand-out negative being the lack of a hot-swappable PCB.

Hi-Fi mechanical keyboards: it’s a term that not long ago would have sounded like snake oil, right alongside audiophile-branded network switches and SSDs. But with the Fiio KB3 in my hands and its biggest competitor at my second PC, I can say that there’s some genuine appeal here and that this new product category is a lot more practical than you might first think.

The Fiio KB3 brings the mechanical keyboard and audio hobbies together in a showy package that brings flair to your desktop and your ears.  Featuring a built-in DAC and headphone amplifier, the keyboard acts as an external sound card that can deliver high resolution audio to everything from sensitive IEMs to demanding over-ear headphones. It’s a pretty great mechanical keyboard, complete with smooth, pre-lubed, hot-swappable switches, and other enthusiast features. It’s not perfect, nor is it cheap at $149.99 — but with everything it offers, it still manages to feel like a solid value.

Fiio KB3 Specs

Design of the Fiio KB3

The Fiio KB3 is a compact tenkeyless mechanical keyboard with more than a little bit of flair. Its 81 keys are topped with translucent keycaps that allow its bright RGB to shine through. (If you’re looking for something subtle, this isn’t the keyboard for you.) 

It has a compact layout, known as a 75-percent or compact TKL, which includes most of the keys you would find on a standard tenkeyless. There’s a full function row and dedicated arrow keys, as well as a column of navigation and editing buttons on the right side for Insert, Delete, Page Up, and Page Down. Other functions, such as Print Screen, can be accessed by holding Fn and pressing the associated key.

The 75-percent layout is a form factor that’s become popular over the last two years. Both ASUS and Razer have released keyboards using it, and it’s easy to see why. It combines the best of both worlds, offering nearly all of the functionality of a productivity-friendly TKL with a gaming-friendly smaller footprint. Its reduced size leaves more room for big mouse swipes, but, if you’re like me, it’s really the cleaner, smaller look that you’ll find the most appealing.

The keyboard is mostly made of plastic but has a metal top case for heft and a more premium feel. The plastic tray is enhanced with a thick layer of silicone inside to remove the hollow sound usually attributed to taller plastic keyboards. Fiio has also taken some cues from the enthusiast community as there are layers of sound dampening foam between the plate and PCB and under the switches. It also uses silicone gasket mounting to dampen keystroke vibrations. The keyboard might be mostly plastic but it sounds quite nice.

Oddly, you can only buy the keyboard with linear Gateron G Pro Yellow 3.0 switches, but they’re a good, popular choice that should please linear fans. If you prefer tactile or clicky switches, you’ll need to source those yourself. It would have been nice to see options for each at checkout, but the KB3 supports hot-swappable switches, so changing them out for a set of your own is as straightforward as ever.

The biggest reason you would consider this keyboard is that it also doubles as a Hi-Fi listening device. Fiio is one of the biggest names in the world of Chinese personal audio and it has incorporated a full balanced amp and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) directly into the keyboard. It’s actually not the first company to attempt this, that honor goes to Moondrop with its Dash mechanical keyboard (which I reviewed for MMORPG.com when it was released). It’s certainly one of the first, however, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see more follow suit.

It seems crazy at first. A hi-fi keyboard? But when you actually begin to dig into what the KB3 is, it makes a lot of sense. In essence, it combines two accessories into one. You don’t need extra desk space or wiring, you just get a high quality keyboard and external sound card in one tidy package. The KB3 even includes a two-port USB hub along its rear, adding even more functionality, and freeing up extra ports on your computer. It’s the perfect place for wireless dongles.

The DAC promises, and delivers, on exceptional sound quality. One of the things audiophiles will always tell you is to move your audio processing out of the electrically noisy confines of your PC. This does that, but it’s also purpose-built for impressive sonics. Its Cirrus-Logic processors are capable of receiving high-res audio up to 32-bit, 96kHz and even decoding DSD audio files up to DSD256. There’s no Tidal MQA support, but with that particular standard falling back in the wake of heavy criticism, its absence means much less than it might have two years ago.

The amplifier is also quite impressive. Along the left side of the keyboard you’ll find not one but two headphone jacks. One is for a standard 3.5mm single-ended connection, befitting most headphones and earbuds. The other is a larger 4.4mm balanced audio jack for driving more demanding headphones and in-ear monitors with separate audio processing for the left and right channel.

Offering balanced audio support and high-res audio already puts it a cut above other keyboards with headphone jacks, but the amount of clean, non-noisy juice it actually offers is impressive. The keyboard can output 170mW into 32 ohms from its single-ended port and 550mW through the 4.4mm jack. That’s enough to drive all but the most demanding headphones and puts popular streaming cans like the Beyerdynamic DT-990 PRO or Sennheiser HD6XX within reach and headroom to spare.

It’s also worth noting that the hybrid DAC/amp at play here is purpose built for sound quality. While every modern desktop motherboard also has a DAC and amp built in, they’re almost never the priority for motherboard designers. Speed, stability, and actual computing features understandably rise much higher on the priority list. Even when manufacturers boast about its audio capabilities, integrated audio is usually only fine at best. 

The KB3, on the other hand, takes all of that processing out and puts it on its own separate mainboard. From the particular components used, to the topology of how they’re laid out and linked together, everything is designed to make sure that the sound that reaches your ears is clean, high dynamic range, and pushing the potential of your headphones to their limit. 

Fiio includes a knurled metal volume knob on the opposite side. It’s smartly positioned to be used with a one finger but can also be grabbed for finer control. There are no other dedicated media keys, which is a bit disappointing, but F9 through F12 act as secondary media controls. 

Overall, the Fiio KB3 is a solidly built, well-designed mechanical keyboard. Its over-the-top RGB won’t be for everyone but — as always — it can be turned off if you’re not a fan. The heart of the keyboard lies in its internals, from its gasket mounting to its integrated DAC. 

Typing Experience of the Fiio KB3

I admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the KB3 before it arrived. There’s a big cross-section between the audiophile and mechanical keyboard hobby, so it would make sense that Fiio would embrace the enthusiast angle and include features that make typing sound and feel exceptional. At the same time, the keyboard itself looks much closer to one of the best gaming keyboards with its bright RGB. 

It could have tipped either way, and it landed somewhere in the middle. It sounds and feels very nice, with a sound profile that’s smooth, rounded, and significantly quieter than most mechanical keyboards. It’s a clear step-up over the average gaming keyboard while not going all in on the custom keyboard meta with the poppy, marbly sound that’s been popular over the last couple of years.

The KB3 comes with only one type of switch: the Gateron G Pro Yellow 3.0. It’s a pre-lubed linear switch that’s slightly heavier than Cherry MX Reds with an actuation force of 50 grams. It takes 67 grams to bottom out, so they encourage quick typing with a responsive, springy feel. They’re pre-lubed and slide without any scratchiness whatsoever and have a deeper sound signature than Reds. 

Typing on the keyboard was comfortable, if slightly stiff. The gasket mount implementation isn’t about bounce so much as it's about dampening your keystrokes and tuning the acoustics. There is a small amount of give when pressing intentionally, but nothing visible when typing normally. The stabilizers were all pre-lubed and completely free of any rattle.

Taken as a whole package, the overall experience is quite good. It doesn’t quite reach the level of some of the more dedicated “pre-built custom keyboard” options that are out there, but it strikes a balance and acts as a stepping stone to both the mechanical keyboard and audio hobbies. 

The Moondrop Dash, on the other hand, leaned much more heavily into the enthusiast end with its CNC-milled aluminum case and plethora of pre-applied mods. If you’re after the marbly sound, that will get you there without any additional tinkering, but at twice the cost — assuming you can even find one in stock!

Gaming Experience of the Fiio KB3

The KB3 isn’t a gaming keyboard but will work perfectly well for it. The wired version I tested connects with a 1,000Hz polling rate, giving it the same responsiveness of most gaming keyboards. The Gateron Yellow Pro switches are also excellent with their smooth linearity and soft typing feel. I also appreciated that they were quieter, so I didn’t wake my kids during late night gaming sessions.

Its layout and programmability also enhance its gaming prowess. The 75-percent layout is compact enough to provide a bit of extra mouse space for shooters, but you still have a function row and right column that are perfect for shortcuts and macros. Remapping through VIA is also easy and allows you to create custom key maps for individual games and even tie multiple commands to a single key.

The KB3 isn’t the keyboard I would choose for pure gaming, but if you’re looking to kill two birds — upgraded sound and quality keys — with one stone, it’s certainly an option worth considering.

Sound Impressions of the Fiio KB3

Fiio is best known for its IEMs, DACs, amps, and other listening equipment, so if there’s one thing this keyboard should do well, it’s sound quality. Its audio capabilities are, after all, its biggest reason for existing. Thankfully, Fiio has brought its experience to bear and the KB3 sounds just as good as a standalone or internal DAC and puts integrated audio solutions to shame.

The first thing I noticed about the KB3 is the tremendous headroom it offers compared to integrated audio. Both the single-ended (3.5mm) and balanced (4.4mm) jacks output enough power to drive any gaming set or in-ear monitor, as well as the majority of mainstream over-ear headphones. As you get into more inefficient cans, such as the Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro or HIFIMAN Ananda, the balanced jack has a clear advantage, offering more than twice the power. 

This headroom is important because it allows your cans to run at full performance. With ample energy behind them, the best headphones almost seem to open up, offering improved bass and a wider perception of space and detail. The KB3 absolutely offers this, and I enjoyed going through my collection of headphones and IEMs and seeing just how well it would handle them.

The sound is rich and deep, with a hint of low-end warmth. The noise floor is imperceptibly low without any white noise beneath your music or game. This blackness allows the dynamic range and detail of your headphones to shine through. Even compared with my PC’s integrated audio — which MSI boasts about — removing audio processing from the mainboard into its own, sound-quality-first, self-enclosed unit pays dividends.

You shouldn’t expect the KB3 to reinvent the sound of your headphones. A great DAC/amp doesn’t overly color the sound and overtake the listening experience. Instead, it interprets sound with exceptionally high resolution and sends it back to your listening device to translate with its own tonal character. It’s about bringing your listening to potential and the KB3 is a success. It is indeed a “Hi-Fi Mechanical Keyboard.”

Software for the Fiio KB3

The KB3 doesn’t have downloadable software of its own and instead uses QMK and VIA for its programming needs. This open-source firmware works with a wide array of keyboards and has become quite popular over the last couple of years. There’s a good reason for this: though it lacks some of the advanced gaming features of downloadable suites like Razer Synapse, it provides easy and intuitive remapping of the entire keyboard across multiple layers.

In fact, you don’t even need to download the VIA app onto your computer anymore. The developers have made a web version that works identically, allowing you to remap your keyboard from anywhere and have those changes apply immediately, even after it has been unplugged. Changes are stored at the firmware level, which means that anything you set follows the keyboard from machine to machine, regardless of OS or workplace IT policy.

The true high point of VIA is its ability to program keymaps across layers. Accessible by holding designated keys, you’re able to store up to four separate commands or macros on a single key. VIA gives you plenty of options on how to access these layers (tap a key, tap and hold, toggle keys, multi-function keys, and more). The degree of freedom you’re given is more than just about any other keyboard software.

It’s also worth mentioning that the developers have finally improved VIA’s macro capabilities. Previously, you had to type in key commands, which made them impractical to actually use. I was very pleased to see that the web client officially sports a record button and the ability to remove delays, bringing it much closer to downloadable gaming softwares.

The biggest limitation in customization is with the RGB. Programming per-key lighting isn’t possible. Instead, you can cycle through nineteen different preset animations that encompass all of the expected effects: rainbow waves, spectrum cycling, pulsing, and reactive typing. You can also map commands to control hue, saturation, and brightness, allowing you to set any static color you would like.

Bottom Line

Though you might not guess it from the “Hi-Fi” in the name, I really don’t think you have to be an audio-head to find a lot of value in the KB3. At its core, it’s a good mechanical keyboard that also upgrades your audio far beyond what your computer can produce on its own. It gives you room to grow with new headphones and headsets, and saves you ports on the back of your computer. What’s not to like? It’s multiple upgrades in one.

The biggest hang-up is really its aesthetic, which leans much more into RGB than any kind of minimalism. You could turn it off or change the color, but to really make this keyboard start looking classy, you need to replace the keycaps. While you’re at it, a set of switches would also help bring its sound in-line with other enthusiast-grade mechanical keyboards. Before you know it, you can easily go down a rabbit hole that ends with you spending $100+ on customizations.

The thing is, there really aren’t many other options out there for a keyboard that offers what the KB3 does. You have the Moondrop Dash and, well, that’s about it. Instead, you’ll need to pick up a great mechanical keyboard and pair it with a sound card or external controller (such as the Schiit Fulla 4). By the time you’re done, you'll end up paying much more than $150 and you'll have less desk space.

The Fiio KB3 is both a proof of concept and a quality product in its own right. If you’re looking for a new mechanical keyboard and you want to upgrade your audio at the same time, it’s well worth considering.

MORE: Best Gaming Keyboards

MORE: How to Pick Keycaps for Your Mechanical Keyboard

MORE: How to Build a Custom Mechanical Keyboard

The custom mechanical keyboard hobby has expanded tremendously over the last few years, but one staple has remained the same: the best keyboards are almost always locked behind the group buy model, forcing you to pay sometimes upwards of a year in advance. Mode Designs has bucked that trend with its online configurator, replacing those extended wait times with a (mostly) ready-to-ship operation, more customization options, and a level of quality that competes with the very best custom keyboards.

The Sonnet may just be Mode’s most beloved keyboard. First launching in mid-2022, it has made the rounds on r/mechanicalkeyboards and has had its praises sung far and wide by prominent keyboard influencers. After trying it for myself, it’s no wonder why. Not only does it look great fully built on a desk, the level of refinement in everything from its construction to its typing experience is nothing short of class-leading for a (mostly) readily available custom keyboard. 

Prices start at $299 and escalating quickly. Our review unit is close to the most expensive configuration and comes in at $661, assuming you provide your own switches, keycaps and stabilizers. If you buy these with the keyboard, Mode provides a $35 discount, but the total cost comes to $781. You certainly don’t need to invest in all of the most expensive options, however, and the average Sonnet should come in around $400 to $450. The Sonnet isn’t cheap, but it still manages to feel like a good value in most configurations — especially if you’re itching to elevate your typing experience and desk aesthetic in a way that feels safe and lacks the dramatic wait times. Just be prepared to pay for its customization options.

Mode Sonnet Specs

Design of the Mode Sonnet

 The Mode Sonnet is all about aesthetics. It’s the first thing you’ll appreciate when you take a tour of its online configurator. The keyboard uses a compact 75-percent layout, which means it has arrow keys, a function row, and a single navigation and editing column but lacks a numpad. But from there, the design details take over. 

The keyboard uses a three-part design for its case, each of which can be mixed and maxed to taste. You have the aluminum top case, which is available in nine different colors (black, lavender, green, silver, gray, white, navy, crema, and ice blue).  An accent bar runs along the top edge and is available in 11 colors, including different materials like brass, copper, and even walnut. The bottom comes in eight colors and five materials: aluminum (black, gray, gold, and white), brass, copper, and polycarbonate. 

Using the configurator, you can mix and match colors and materials to design your perfect fit and see how it looks in real-time. Our review sample was sent with a navy top with a copper accent and bottom. The results look even better in person. The accent bar seems like a small detail on paper but, sitting in front of you, really makes the design pop. There’s also some really nice contouring along the sides, where the bottom color is visible when viewed at an angle, which looks nice and makes the keyboard easier to pick up and reposition.

These choices impact more than just the keyboard’s aesthetics. Your choice of material will directly impact its sound. Denser materials, like brass or copper, will lead to higher-pitched keystrokes, while softer materials like polycarbonate will sound deeper.

This is also true for the other configuration options. During the design process, you’re presented with options for your switch mounting plate (FR4, carbon fiber, aluminum, brass, polycarbonate, POM, or copper), and can even choose to use a “half-plate” to increase flex. This option leaves a large cut-out around the alpha keys for the most flex, though is highly recommended for a soldered build so the switches don’t wobble in their sockets — a soldered and hot-swap PCB is another option at check-out. 

You’ll also choose your internal weight and whether you’d like to have a silicone base for a second build option. The weight has less of an impact on sound and is more about giving the keyboard heft and solidity. Changing materials from the bottom case can also help mitigate any ringing noises or reverberations when typing.

The base, on the other hand, is directly tied to the keyboard’s mounting options. The Sonnet can be built in two ways: stack mount or isolated top mount. Stack mount involves adding a silicone insert into the bottom of the case, which the PCB and switches “stack” on top of. Isolated top mount leaves out the base and instead screws the PCB into the top case with silicone tabs to isolate your keystrokes and enhance its acoustics. There is no right or wrong, and I would encourage anyone considering the Sonnet to buy the base so they have the option. Stack mount has a more muted sound profile and less flex, while isolated top mount is more pronounced and is slightly softer under the fingers.

Mode also offers the option of purchasing everything you’ll need all at once — another nice feature for builders that don’t want to cobble together their keeb from multiple sites. You can choose to add switches, keycaps, stabilizers, and even lubricant, though the latter is available elsewhere on the site. The keycaps are also used in the renders on the configurator, so you can achieve that exact look you're going for.

Prices for the Sonnet begin at $299 but they go up quickly. Choosing any color other than black for the top and bottom case adds $10 to $50. Any other internal weight is $50. Alternate plates run anywhere from $5 to $45. A hot-swap PCB instead of solder is $10. That silicone base? $15, and if you want a foam kit to tune its acoustics (something usually built into the price of custom keyboards), that’ll be another $12. The most expensive configuration tops out at $736. Add switches, keycaps, and stabilizers to that and you’re upwards of $850. It’s quite a range.

This isn’t to say that the Sonnet is exorbitant. It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. Much like the keyboard itself, Mode provides an array of options to cater to a wide swath of customers. If you’re a dedicated keyboard enthusiast who wants fancy, Mode has options for that. If you’re new to the hobby and want something safe (Mode isn’t a fly-by-night company) and that you know will be good, the starter $299 configuration is a great foundation to build on. 

When I unboxed our sample, I was struck by how good it looked. Mode sent ours fully built with its own Obscura Linear switches and Anthracite keycaps. There’s a seductiveness to its minimalism, something that draws you in for a closer examination. It doesn’t have per-key RGB and it doesn’t need it. It’s refined and elegant in a way I haven’t seen on any other keyboard. It’s also clearly a “Mode” keyboard. The design language is unique enough that, if you know keyboards, you can look at it and tell: that’s a Mode.

Typing Experience of the Mode Sonnet

Like all custom keyboards, the exact typing experience will depend on how you choose to build it. My sample was sent with Mode Obscura linear switches and Anthracite keycaps. The switches are long-pole, pre-lubed linears, with no tactile bump or click throughout the key press. The keycaps are made from a blend of PBT and ABS plastic for enhanced durability and use doubleshot legends for crispness and longevity.

Simply put, I was blown away by the quality of the typing experience. My last experience with a Mode keyboard was the Sixty-Five back in 2021 and the company has made leaps since that time. While the Sixty-Five was very good, the Sonnet is noticeably better with Mode’s Obscura switches. Keystrokes are smooth with just enough give to feel soft and non-fatiguing while still offering a crisp and pronounced sound profile.

There’s a classic long-pole sound from these switches. Long pole switches have a longer center stem than traditional switches like Cherry’s MX line. Rather than having the rails on either side of the switch bottom out, the Obscura’s center pole hits first, giving each press a more crisp, poppy sound profile, even without PE foam. 

Trying both isolated top mount and stack mount, it's clear to me that each style will have its fans. The firmer, more muted sound profile of the stack mount may be a better fit for the office, but the isolated top mount felt and sounded better to me overall. Neither option is especially flexy under the fingertips, so it comes down to whether you prefer iso-top’s more open sound profile. 

One of the things I have to give Mode credit for is designing a case that can sound good in multiple configurations. Many keyboards, especially those bought outside of the group buy model, rely on foam to sound good. Designing a case structure that doesn’t have hollowness or reverberation and can bring out the best in switches is a much more intricate process than it first seems. But that’s what Mode has done here. I tested it with multiple switches and configurations, and there wasn’t a single one that didn’t sound good. That means that no matter how you choose to build it, you can be confident that you’ll have an end product you can be proud of.

Gaming Experience of the Mode Sonnet

 The Sonnet isn’t designed to be a gaming keyboard but it works perfectly well for it. You sacrifice some of the advanced programmability of gaming apps like Razer Synapse, but it’s responsive enough for everything from single-player RPGs to competitive shooters. It’s also worth noting that you can still program key remaps, multiple layers (similar to profiles on many gaming keyboards), and simple text macros, so it’s possible you may not even find it lacking significantly depending on your programming needs. 

Since this is a keyboard you customize from the ground up, it’s also likely that you’ll derive more satisfaction from gaming with it than a run-of-the-mill gaming keyboard. Beyond basic responsiveness and programming, it comes down to how nice the keyboard is to use, and the Sonnet is excellent, and caters to your particular tastes in a way traditional mechanical keyboards cannot be.

Over my testing period, I played everything from Battlefield 2042 to Baldur’s Gate 3 and even dabbled in Alan Wake 3. I don’t use complicated macros for gaming, but I do like to keep multiple profiles so I have keymaps right on hand. The Sonnet worked perfectly for that. The layout is also a boon to gaming, leaving more space for the mouse hand in first-person shooters. 

 Software for the Mode Sonnet 

The Sonnet doesn’t have software of its own and instead uses VIA for all of its programming options. VIA is an open-source configurator that now has a handy online tool that can instantly detect the keyboard without the need to load a JSON file like most other custom keyboards. Once it does, remapping keys is as simple and straightforward as keyboard software comes.

VIA works by giving you a visual layout of your keyboard with all of the existing keymaps. Below this diagram are all of the potential options you can place there instead, broken into tabs for different functions. You simply click the key you’d like to change and click what you’d like there instead. Changes are saved automatically and will work on any PC, regardless of OS or IT security policy.

The Sonnet supports up to four layers of keymaps. Think of these like whole extra key sets that can be accessed by tapping or holding a function button — not unlike Razer HyperShift, except you’re not limited to a single layer. This allows you to map media controls, buttons for specific apps or games, lighting controls, and macros without losing the functionality of any key on your top, physical layer.

What’s wonderful about VIA is that it allows you to get creative with how you access these layers. You can tap and hold a function key, tap it once to activate that layer, activate it only for a single keystroke, and more. My favorite function is Layer Tap (which doesn’t have its own button but can still be applied using the “any” option), where your function key only activates when held, but when it’s tapped, will still work as the standard key. Caps Lock becomes the perfect function key in this case, giving you instant access to another layer of keys with your pinky while still working like normal when tapped and re-tapped. 

Using this, have separate layouts for different games or applications that can be swapped on the fly. You can have up to four commands tied to a single key. Or, returning to my Layer Tap example, have all of your arrows, navigation buttons, media and lighting controls, and more positioned directly around Home Row, making the entire keyboard feel more efficient.

The biggest downside to VIA is that macro functionality is more limited than you’ll find on the best gaming keyboards. Because the software is designed to work identically with hundreds of different keyboards, advanced functions like record-buttons macros are out. You can input text strings but even key combinations (Alt+F4, for example) require typing in keycodes. It’s technically possible, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll find tools like Bartel’s Macro Recorder Pro to be much easier and more efficient. 

Bottom Line

The Mode Sonnet is truly something special in the custom mechanical keyboard world. It’s much more readily available than the majority of its competitors and the final product is just as high-quality and well-designed as the very best options in this hobby. The online configurator makes designing your perfect keyboard easy and its case will keep your keys sounding good no matter what you build it with.

There’s no way around its price creep, though. The Keychron Q1 doesn’t have the same refined look or feel as the Sonnet, but at $179.99, it’s still a compelling alternative. If gaming keyboards are more your speed, the Azoth ROG Azoth offers class-leading keys and excellent wireless connectivity.

But if you’re looking for a keyboard with grown-up looks and an even better sound and feel, the Mode Sonnet is simply one of the best choices available today. It’s a big step forward from the Sixty-Five and, even now, a year after launch, still has lessons to teach the mechanical keyboard industry. It gets expensive fast with add-ons, but it’s a winner even in its most basic configuration.

MORE: Best Gaming Keyboards

MORE: How to Pick Keycaps for Your Mechanical Keyboard

MORE: How to Build a Custom Mechanical Keyboard

Audiophile keyboards are now a thing: Fiio has integrated a dual DAC+ dual op-amp into a new HiFi variation of its KB3 keyboard. Fiio has one major edge over other keyboard makers- it can integrate one of its own headphone DAC/amps within the keyboard. The KB3 is listed for sale in AliExpress, with the HiFi wired version selling for $149.99 and the wireless version, which does not have the built-in DAC+amp, for $129.99. The KA13 headphone dac+amp costs $79.99. Let's cover the details.

Audio-functionality of the AMP+DAC

Armed with dual Cirrus Logic CS43131 DACs with two low-noise SGMicro SGM8262 op-amps, the FiiO HiFi Wired KB3 is a 75% mechanical keyboard with a fully functional DAC and AMP for headphones, supporting up to PCM384KHz/ 32-bit and DSD256 output via the Savitech SA9312L DAC USB chip. FiiO makes some of the best headphones, IEMs, amps, DACs, and all-in-one units for audiophiles. Of course, they would like both components to be good enough for the price while being able to power their headphones.

This patented design enables the KB3 to provide 500mW high output power through 3.5mm single-ended +4.4 balanced headphone outputs. Fiio doesn't mention if it integrated components from a headphone DAC+amp it sells, but the main features and components match the one on the FiiO KA13 headphone DAC+amp. It also has the desktop power mode enabled by default, a function you can switch on or off on the KA13 as it is meant to be a portable device for smartphones. 

The built-in desktop DAC+amp function is exclusive to the HiFi wired version of the KB3. There is a barebone version without the keycaps and switches, enabling users to customize their choices with the KB3. 

The Bright Side of this Keyboard

Nothing looks to be compromised on paper with this mechanical keyboard. The KB3 uses all the features you expect on a mechanical keyboard in 2023 - silicone gaskets with sound absorbing and IXPE switch foam with a silicone dampener to give more comfortable actuation and give a more 'thockier' sound profile when typing. Naturally, that would also depend on the switch and keycap paired with this keyboard, and hence, having the barebone HiFi wired option helps users choose preferred switches and keycaps widely available in the market - another two huge rabbit holes.

That isn't the only selling point, as the keyboard also provides dual USB outputs. The fully built FiiO KB3 uses a gasket mount design for a more comfortable typing experience. The fully built KB3 has a Gateron GPro3.0 linear switches rated with 50±15 gf operation force and transparent keycaps. The KB3 uses an aluminium-magnesium allow casing with a textured finish with an integrated step-less volume knob on the right. The keyboard uses VIA firmware and is compatible with both Windows and Mac. The wireless version is integrated with a large 4,000 mAh battery.

The keyboards are pretty chunky, weighing 1060g for the wired and 1115g for the wireless. It should be noted that JadeAudio mentioned Andriod OS support with Windows and macOS, while FiiO only lists dual OS Win/ macOS support. Both FiiO and Jade Audio need to be on the same page, especially since it is usually a typical feature with many desktop mechanical keyboards. 

Fiio will sell these keyboards in four versions- a fully built HiFi Single Mode, which is a wired keyboard with the built-in desktop DAC+amp; a wireless three-mode version, which lets you switch between three wireless devices; and a barebone version with no keycap or switches. All three versions use black faceplates. The fourth is simply the same three-mode wireless keyboard with a silver faceplate. There's also a limited Founder's edition, which uses Kailh Deep Sea Whale switches. It is not known if the fully built and barebone HiFi wired version will have a silver faceplate variation at the time of writing. 

For now, the KB3 is listed for sale in AliExpress, with the HiFi wired version selling for $149.99 and the wireless version, which does not have the built-in DAC+amp, for $129.99. The KA13 headphone dac+amp costs $79.99. On this keyboard, you get its main functions and full features with power output typically from the KA13's desktop mode, which is enabled by default. This explains why a HiFi wired version costs more than the wireless version since you get the main bits from the KA13. 

Potential Userbase

Considering the mechanical keyboard's 75% form factor, one of the few types of users interested in such keyboards will be those who want a better typing and listening experience on a laptop without needing to have multiple devices to add the bulk. Naturally, they would need both the keyboard and the dac+amp to be good enough. This will appeal to both keyboard and audiophile enthusiasts who would like to try the best of both worlds. Sure, PC gamers would consider this keyboard while playing in tournaments, but it largely depends on its performance and overall experience, something that can only be determined in testing.

Of course, it will also appeal to everyday users as it enables them to get a desktop dac+amp-like integration with a dual Type-A USB hub.  The combination helps to have a cleaner output. Since the KB3 uses the main function of the KA13 headphone, which has the option to turn on desktop mode for more power, it makes absolute sense to have the same components, functions, and features from it while having the desktop power mode enabled by default. 

Not the First HiFi Keyboard

Seeing FiiO stretch its wings over the keyboard market may seem bold, but it is not the first to do so. The Moondrop Dash75 keyboard with the same 75% keyboard layout was released a few months ago. It uses an aluminum housing with Poron dampening and more layers below the PCB just like the KB3. It uses its own Moonriver 2 headphone DAC/amp, as it was identified by the system once plugged in. There are some unique selling points as it has QMK/ VIA support, making the whole keyboard programmable. This looks to be more appealing to many as its design is inspired by the Commodore 64. 

Despite the saturation in the keyboard market, we've noticed an influx of companies making new keyboards, such as OnePlus, which is typically known to make Android smartphones. What differentiates between them all is the key features multiple keyboard makers have brought forward- programmable QMK/ VIA keyboards, programmable knobs, additional switches, gasket mounts with foam panels, three-mode wireless with built-in battery, the ability to swap between multiple devices on the fly and various others. Many of these were streamlined and integrated by default based on user feedback and modders who share multiple ideas, such as the duct tape and foam method. 

HiFi keyboards are surely a niche and we'll simply have to see if the overall keyboard community is willing to accept these as options. This shouldn't be an issue, as both keyboard and audio enthusiasts love innovation and the space-saving options available on the market. With companies like FiiO and Moondop being the ones to start HiFi keyboards, it is off to a good start. 

Minisforum has entered the mechanical keyboard market with its new MKB i83. As a mini PC specialist, it comes as no surprise that the firm’s first input peripheral offers a compact layout. The keyboard’s name suggests this is a compact 83-key layout, and indeed it is. Other highlights of the MKB i83 are its anodized aluminum body, RGB lighting, double-shot PBT keycaps, Kailh MX Red switches, hot-swap keyswitches, and triple-mode connectivity.

In an email we received, Minisforum stated that the impetus behind the new MKB i83 mechanical keyboard was the desire to provide its users with a “complete desktop environment.” Perhaps there will be mice and other keyboards on the way too.

A press release emphasizes that the Minisforum MKB i83 is a premium quality offering. With such a frequently touched peripheral, carefully selected materials like aluminum and PBT are highly welcome. Some diagrams show the keyboard checking other design tick boxes like the use of a wraparound metal base (in silver, blue, or orange), sound-dampening foam, and a silicon mat within the sandwich of components.

Enhancing things further are customization options such as hot-swap keyswitch changing (linear Kailh reds are supplied) and RGB lighting configuration. A keycap and keyswitch changing tool are provided in the box.

While the keyswitches are a known quality, we would have to get hands-on time with an MKB i83 sample to consider things like build quality, feel, acoustics, and so on.

Above are the key specs of the Minisforum MKB i83 for you to scan for strengths and weaknesses. The keyboard’s flexible connectivity looks like a particularly attractive feature, if you would be using this peripheral with a variety of devices. Of course, the built-in battery will play a role when in wireless mode, but Minisforum hasn’t shared battery life figures for Bluetooth / 2.4G connected modes with RGB lighting applied. All we know is that with RGB-off the keyboard battery should last about 300 hours.

Minisforum is offering the MKB i83 for $99 direct. Buyers will find appropriate shipping and taxes added to this price at checkout time. Though some images show silver, blue, and orange case models, sales choices seem to be limited to models in silver, blue, and black.

We have already seen that Minisforum is looking beyond the Mini PC market with its recently teased Hawk Point APU packing tablet / convertible. It also regularly comes up with boundary-pushing Mini PCs like its external GPU hosting Mini-ITX design, an open air design, and a mini motherboard plus mobile CPU offering.

How To Choose A Gaming Keyboard

Alienware recently crafted a monstrous 16-foot-long fully-functional mechanical keyboard and mouse, and to demonstrate its functionality, they even had a professional eSports team play a few competitive DOTA 2 matches with the behemoth, with all five members required to operate the setup.

The keyboard and mouse are based on the Alienware AW420K mechanical keyboard and AW720M gaming mouse, and the company constructed the project by scanning the peripherals and upscaling them to a 14:1 scale, with each key being one foot long with an actuation travel distance of 4 inches. Naturally, some parts had to be hand-built.

The Method Behind the Madness

The AW420K is a tenkeyless mechanical keyboard that uses Cherry MX switches. With this 14x monstrosity, the team had to make their own custom linear-like mechanical actuation using PVC pipe shafts for each switch. The PVC pipe interfaces with a normal-sized mechanical switch connected to the keyboard, and the shaft uses an internal rubber band mechanism to create the mechanical keyboard-like actuation. They also used copper pipes for stabilizers, including the space bar. It is unknown if Alienware used the r/MK's preferred Krytox 205g0 lubricant.

Each switch creates the tell-tale mechanical key click sound via a piece of metal measuring tape that's mounted at the bottom of the shaft. 

All 84 switches are 3D printed, and the space bar weighs almost 20 pounds and took three days to print. That's a lot of filament! The Alienware AW720M mouse is also functional, including the click switches and a scroll wheel.

Suffice it to say this keyboard and mouse requires multiple people to operate. Alienware roped in its Team Liquid's DOTA 2 team, ranked #3 in the world, and the five members worked together to operate the keyboard and mouse while playing a match. 

The training was tricky. Since the mouse needs at least two people to move and actuate the keys, the team of five was divided into two groups. They first tried to practice with non-gaming applications like trying to draw in MS Paint and a typing test. The team first managed to get a score of six words per minute with 94% accuracy on the first try and later 14 WPM with 88% accuracy. Team Liquid later played a match in DOTA 2 with bots. After several attempts, the team was able to achieve a win.

As with most of these sorts of efforts, the massive keyboard and mouse aren't meant to be practical, but Alienware did score a few marketing points with the endeavor — the YouTube video currently has 150,000 views.