Bakeey YK75 84 Keys Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard for Accessories Review
Bakeey YK75 84 Keys Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard for Accessories Review
While Apple’s Magic keyboard is a great option for Mac users, many people prefer mechanical keys because of their superior typing feel and durability. They also have a sizable enthusiast community that likes to customize and modify their look and feel.
The Keychron V1 is the best budget pick, with hot-swappable switches and full remappability via VIA (a slick software that runs on top of QMK). It also has south-facing RGB backlighting and durable double-shot PBT keycaps.
Keycaps
The AK966’s PBT keycaps have crisp legends, and its MDA profile and stabilizers feel smooth and don’t rattle. Its build quality isn’t as high-end as the more expensive keyboards in our lineup, but it feels better than the cheaper Epomaker TH80 and Keychron V1. The AK966 comes with linear Gateron Pro Yellow switches and durable double-shot keycaps. It also has a switch that lets you easily toggle between Windows and Mac layouts. However, the software that controls its layout, lighting, and other features is only available on Windows.
The LTC Nimbleback is a great choice for a budget-friendly mechanical keyboard. Its South-facing RGB backlighting, durable double-shot keycaps, and solid build quality are hard to beat for under $100. It doesn’t have hot-swappable switches or a numpad, and its switches have a non-standard profile that might require you to buy different keycaps if you want to swap them out. However, it’s fully reprogrammable with QMK and VIA, an intuitive but powerful app for configuring keyboards that runs on both Windows and Linux.
Switches
Unlike the rubber membrane switches in most laptops and modern keyboards, mechanical switches create an audible click when each key is pressed. These clicks can range in volume from soft to loud, and different switches have varying characteristics that create unique sounds. While not necessarily silent, they’re far more advanced than the $10 keyboards at big box retailers and have a large enthusiast community that tinkers with their look and feel.
These little legs on the top of each switch are known as PCB mount legs. Depending on the switch, these may or may not exist, and they help make a good quality keyboard feel more rigid and stable on your desk. This is important because, as mentioned in the gif above, one of the largest benefits to using a mechanical keyboard is reducing RSI injuries over long periods of usage. The other sub-benefits include comfort, durability and customizability. This makes them a great choice for people with weak or sensitive fingers, or hand conditions like arthritis.
Backlighting
While backlighting isn’t as important on low-profile keyboards, it can be a nice design feature for some. NuPhy’s Air75 has RGB lighting with a bright glow that’s easy on the eyes, and you can choose from multiple colors and brightness settings.
Bakeey YK75 84 Keys Low Profile Switch Mechanical Keyboard
On the flip side, some low-profile keyboards don’t offer backlighting at all, including Keychron’s V1. That said, the V1 offers many features you’d find on more expensive keyboards, such as hot-swappable switches, full remappability with VIA (a slick software that runs on top of QMK), and a great typing feel thanks to durable double-shot PBT keycaps with MDA profile and smooth stabilizers.
The Epomaker TH80 is another great low-profile option, offering a 75 percent layout with a numpad and a more traditional, less smushed design than some of the other ergonomic options on our list. It also has a solid typing feel, and you can choose between linear Gateron Pro Yellow or clicky MX Black switches.
Design
In our testing, we found the V1’s switches and stabilizers felt well-damped and smooth; they also feel more tactile than clicky Cherry-style keys (which rely on a physical contact to trigger). The keycaps are double-shot PBT, which is a nice touch for an affordable keyboard. The keyboard is fully programmable using VIA software, and the switches are hot-swappable. It has both Bluetooth 5.2 and 2.4 GHz wireless connections, so it’s compatible with most modern laptops, desktops, and gaming mice.
This is one of the most affordable mechanical keyboards we’ve ever tested, and it feels much better than cheap 60%-layout models from Royal Kludge or Hexgears. It’s also quieter in operation than other top-rated low-profile keyboards we tested. Its slim design is a perfect fit for any contemporary desk, and it has the programmability of a gaming keyboard in a sedate form factor that would work nicely in an office environment. It supports Mac-specific layouts, too, so you can use it with a MacBook Pro or other Apple devices.