Recently, I got interested in the recommended Nuphy Air60 by Amazon, and even spent my entire holiday researching mechanical keyboards and organizing my findings into notes.

Introduction

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, there are several aspects to consider:

• Dual-mode support, including 2.4GHz: Dual-mode is suitable for my needs as I prefer wireless and dislike having cables on my desk.
• Hot-swappable feature: I noticed that many mechanical keyboards now support hot-swapping, which allows for changing switches without soldering. This is convenient for DIY enthusiasts.
• Switches: Red, Blue, Brown, Yellow, Black, and White. I currently prefer Red, Yellow, and White switches. I like linear switches without tactile feedback, and the lighter the keypress, the better (ideally around 35g).
  • This is a basic differentiation, and the actual experience may vary depending on the manufacturer.
• Keycaps: There are various keycap profiles, with Cherry being the most common. Most keyboards use the Cherry profile, but there are other profiles that offer different typing experiences. When buying switches, it's important to check if they are Cherry MX, which have a cross-shaped stem. I personally like XDA/DSA profiles, which have a rounder look and make the keyboard appear more lively.
• Keycap material: ABS and PBT.
• Layout: Based on the number of keys, layouts can be categorized as 30%, 40%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 80%, and 100%. Based on key positions, layouts can be ANSI, ISO, or JIS. JIS is the layout used in Japanese keyboards, while ANSI is more commonly used in Taiwan.

Regarding the number of keys, 30% and 40% keyboards only have letter keys, and the rest of the keys require key combinations to be pressed, which doesn't suit my usage scenario. Currently, I find the 60% to 65% size to be the most comfortable. These types of keyboards usually don't have dedicated F1 to F12 keys (they require key combinations to access).

My Requirements

• Dual-mode support: Bluetooth and wired connections.
• Hot-swappable PCB, allowing for occasional switch changes.
• 60% to 65% layout: I find keyboards larger than 75% to be too big and bulky.

The advantage of compact keyboards is that they sacrifice some function keys, but I rarely use them anyway. Additionally, I realized that the annoyance of a bulky keyboard outweighs the inconvenience of using key combinations for F1 to F12. These requirements vary from person to person, and for those who work with numbers daily, a separate numeric keypad may be necessary.

Points to Note When Buying Keyboards in Japan

If you want to buy a wireless keyboard or any product that supports Bluetooth or Wi-Fi in Japan, you need to check if the product has obtained the Technical Conformity Mark (TELEC). According to the regulations of the Japanese Radio Law, products must pass TELEC certification to use wireless (radio-emitting) functions, even if they already have CE certification. Although Bluetooth power is unlikely to interfere with other wireless transmissions, it's still important to comply with the law.

Violating the law can result in criminal penalties, including fines or imprisonment if caught.

Wireless Keyboard + 60% Layout

1. Keychron

If I have the opportunity, I would like to try the Keychron keyboards. Keychron has a wide range of products, and the Keychron K6 is the one that best suits my needs. It supports hot-swapping and can be upgraded to the Pro version, which allows for key remapping using QMK. The price is also reasonable. After watching many YouTube videos, I'm really tempted to try it out.

2. HHKB Type-C

I purchased this keyboard two years ago, and I really like its layout and typing experience. Although it's not a mechanical keyboard but an electrostatic capacitive keyboard, I still recommend it to everyone. It lacks arrow keys, uses Caps Lock as Ctrl, and may not offer the best value for money. These are things to consider before making a purchase.

3. Nuphy Air60

This is the new keyboard I recently purchased.

I initially saw this keyboard on Amazon at a discounted price, and it was quite affordable, so I decided to give it a try. It turned out to be a great choice. I found that I really like low-profile switches, and the typing experience is excellent. The 60% layout combined with low-profile switches makes the keyboard more compact, weighing only 482g. It's perfect for carrying in a backpack when going out. This mechanical keyboard has RGB LED backlighting, but for me, LEDs consume unnecessary power, so I prefer to turn off the backlighting.

One annoying thing is that the shortcut for switching RGB effects is Fn + ←, and the Fn key is located right next to the arrow keys, making it easy to accidentally trigger the LED effects.

4. Nuphy Halo65

I really like its appearance, and after much consideration, I finally placed an order 😭. The bottom and sides of the case have a wave-like pattern, giving it a lively look.

5. YUNZII YZ68

The mint green color scheme is very appealing. I really like the feel and sound of the Yellow switches.

There are also well-known mechanical keyboards from major manufacturers such as CORSAIR, CHERRY, FILCO, and Logitech. I used FILCO's MINILA Air before, but it lacked hot-swapping, which was a bit disappointing. Also, at that time, it only had Bluetooth 3.0 and could only pair with one device.

Interesting Switches

As mentioned earlier, I prefer lightweight and silent switches. Here are a few switches that I find interesting:

• Yushakobo Fairy Silent Linear Switch
• Durock Silent Linear Dolphin
• Gateron Silent Clear
• Gateron Ink v2 Silent Black
• Kailh Box Silent Pink: It used to be available at Yushakobo, but it's currently sold out. Importing from overseas is too expensive, so I'm waiting for now.
• Gateron Milky Yellow: 50g is a bit heavy for me, but I would like to try its sound if I have the chance.

Interesting Keycaps

I recently came across a website called Osumekeys that specializes in keyboard accessories. The keycap color schemes are attractive, and the illustrations are adorable, making me really tempted. Matcha, Tsukimi, and Winterglow are all great options.

I also found many keycaps on Amazon, so I'll list them here:

• HONANA XDA Profile Shiba Inu ￥14,987
• XVX Low Profile PBT ￥3,580
• PBT Soy Milk by Esstaa $3,599
• PBT Misty Mountains by Esstaa $3,599

Conclusion

In addition to the mechanical keyboards available on the market, you can also purchase keyboard cases, PCBs, switches, and keycaps separately and assemble them yourself. This takes the customization to a deeper level. Currently, there are options where you are provided with a case and PCB, and you need to assemble the rest yourself. Many group buys from overseas focus on metal cases with unique textures that cannot be experienced through online shopping, but they tend to be more expensive.