無線機械鍵盤調查

Recently, I got burned by Amazon's recommendations and picked up a Nuphy Air60. I even spent the whole weekend diving into mechanical keyboards and gathered some insights into notes.

Introduction

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

• Support for dual-mode or even tri-mode (2.4GHz): Dual-mode refers to support for both wireless and wired connections (usually wireless means Bluetooth), although Bluetooth tends to have higher latency. More and more keyboards now also support 2.4GHz.
• Hot-swappable support: Many mechanical keyboards have started to support hot-swapping recently. Hot-swapping means that the switches are not soldered to the PCB, allowing users to change them out themselves, which is a convenient option for DIY enthusiasts.
• Switches: Red, Blue, Brown, Yellow, Black, White. Personally, I prefer Red, Yellow, and White switches—linear with no tactile bump, and the lighter the actuation force, the better (ideally around 35g).
  • This is a relatively basic distinction; the actual feel can vary based on the manufacturer.
• Keycaps: There are many profiles for keycaps, with Cherry being the most common. Most keyboards use Cherry profile, but there are other profiles as well, which can feel different. When buying switches, make sure they are Cherry MX with a cross-shaped stem. I like the XDA/DSA profiles for their rounder appearance, which gives the keyboard a livelier look.
• Keycap Material: ABS vs. PBT
• Layout: Depending on the number of keys, keyboards are generally categorized into 30%, 40%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 80%, and 100%; by key position, they can be classified as ANSI, ISO, or JIS. JIS is the layout for Japanese keyboards, while most users in Taiwan mainly use ANSI.

To elaborate on the key count, 30% and 40% keyboards only have letter keys, with the rest accessed via key combinations, which doesn't quite fit my usage scenario. I currently find the 60% to 65% layout to be the most comfortable size; keyboards of 75% and above feel too large and cumbersome.

My Requirements

• At least dual-mode: Support for Bluetooth and wired connections
• PCB must support hot-swapping to occasionally change switches
• 60% to 65% Layout: I find keyboards larger than 75% too bulky

The advantage of a smaller keyboard is that it sacrifices some function keys, which I rarely use anyway. I've found that the annoyance of a bulky keyboard far outweighs the inconvenience of using key combinations to access F1 through F12. These requirements can vary from person to person; for those who work with numbers daily, a numeric keypad might be essential.

Considerations for Buying Keyboards in Japan

If you want to buy a wireless keyboard or any product that supports Bluetooth or Wi-Fi in Japan, be aware that the product must have received Technical Conformity Certification (commonly known as Giteki). According to Japan's Radio Law, products must pass Giteki to utilize wireless (radio wave emitting) functions, even if they already have CE certification. While Bluetooth power levels should not interfere with radio transmissions, it's still a legal requirement you need to follow.

Violating this can result in criminal penalties, and if caught, you could face fines or even imprisonment.

Wireless Keyboards + 60% Layout

1. Keychron

I'm eager to get my hands on one to try out. Keychron offers a wide range of products, and the Keychron K6 seems to meet my needs perfectly. It supports hot-swapping, and upgrading to the Pro version allows for QMK key remapping, all at a reasonable price. After watching numerous YouTube videos, I find myself quite tempted.

2. HHKB Type-C

I bought this keyboard two years ago, and I really love its key layout and typing feel. Although it's not a mechanical keyboard but a capacitive keyboard, I still recommend it. It lacks arrow keys, uses Capslock as Ctrl, and has a less favorable cost-performance ratio—these are all factors to consider before purchasing.

3. Nuphy Air60

This is my latest keyboard purchase.

I first saw this keyboard on Amazon at a discounted price and thought I would give it a try. Turns out, it became my go-to! I discovered I really enjoy low-profile switches, and the typing feel is fantastic. The 60% layout combined with low-profile switches makes the whole keyboard look lighter, weighing only 482g, perfect for slipping into my backpack for outings. This mechanical keyboard features RGB LED lighting, but for me, LEDs just drain battery life, so I keep the backlight off.

One annoying aspect is that the shortcut for switching RGB effects is Fn + ←, and since Fn is right next to the arrow keys, it's easy to accidentally trigger it, and suddenly, the LEDs pop on!

4. Nuphy Halo65

I love its appearance; the shell has a wavy texture on the bottom and sides, giving it a very lively look! Inside, it includes silicone for the keycaps, PCB, bottom, and spacebar, which is great for reducing typing noise. I purchased it with Red switches; the sound isn't too loud, so at least I won't get side-eyed by coworkers in the office.

Later, I swapped the switches for the Yushakobo Fairy Silent Linear Switch from Yushakobo, customized from the Kailh Midnight Silent V2 Switch/Linear.

The result is excellent! The typing sound is very subdued. I discovered that mechanical keyboards can indeed provide a typing feel similar to that of the HHKB. If you enjoy a light (35g) typing feel, you would likely love this switch. Not just for the office, but it could even work in a library!

5. YUNZII YZ68

The mint green color scheme is beautiful. I really enjoy the tactile feel and sound of the Yellow switches in this keyboard.

Other notable brands for mechanical keyboards include CORSAIR, CHERRY, FILCO, and Logitech. Previously, I used the FILCO MINILA Air, but it lacked hot-swappable capability, which was a bit disappointing, and at that time, it only supported Bluetooth 3.0 and could pair with just one device.

Interested Switches

As mentioned earlier, I prefer lightweight and silent switches. Here are a few I'm interested in:

• Yushakobo Fairy Silent Linear Switch: As mentioned before, if you like a lightweight feel and silent operation, you must give this a try!
• Durock Silent Linear Dolphin
• Gateron Silent Clear
• Gateron Ink v2 Silent Black
• Kailh Box Silent Pink: Previously sold at Yushakobo, but it's been discontinued. Now, I can only wait for a second-hand option or pay a premium for resale.
• Gateron Milky Yellow: 50g feels a bit heavy for me, but after hearing sound tests on YouTube, if tuned well, the sound is very creamy and addictive.
• Gray Wood Switch v3: Quite a famous switch in the keyboard community. I really enjoy its tactile feel and sound, and the actuation force is 40g, which isn’t too heavy.

The typing feel and sound of switches are highly subjective, so I recommend searching YouTube for sound tests or buying a few to try out before making a decision.

Interested Keycaps

I recently found a website dedicated to keyboard accessories, Osumekeys, featuring beautiful keycap designs and adorable illustrations that are truly tempting. Matcha, Tsukimi, and Winterglow are all great options.

In the keyboard world, GMK and NicePBT are quite well-known. While their keycaps are expensive, the craftsmanship is excellent.

Conclusion

In addition to the mechanical keyboards available on the market, you can also purchase a case, PCB, switches, and keycaps separately to solder and assemble your own. This area can be even more intricate. Currently, there are options that provide you with a case and PCB, leaving the rest for you to assemble. Many overseas group buys focus on metal cases, and the quality of the back casing with additional treatments isn’t something you can experience through online shopping—the downside being that it tends to be more expensive.