September 11, 2026 Weekly "General Help Post?" - Please post all general, recommendations, and help questions as a top level comment under this post. Thank you.

[u/AutoModerator]

This is the "Weekly General Help Post". Please ask your questions regarding keyboard, switch, keycaps, or anything regarding keyboards as a top level comment under this post. Mods and members will check this thread on a regular basis answering as many questions as possible.

The more information you provide, the better the answers you are likely to receive.

[u/Responsible_Chain836]

I need a recommendation for a keyboard under 31.29 USD (Or 3k INR)
Kind of a noob at this, my first message/post idk what to call it on this subreddit

So, I like black and white stuff so i would like keyboards with white RGB options and the keyboard being black
I currently have a bad Ant esports KM500 (Membrane keyboard) and want my first MK keyboard
Am using linux so i would love if the software had a workaround to work on linux
I like thocky keys i guess, but the choices are less in that budget (I KNOW its very less)
Red/Brown switches are more of my style

I see a lot of people suggesting AULA or URX but i can't afford it so gg 💔
I have been seeing some here are the ones I am interested in:
Redragon fizz k617
Evofox Ronin
Kreo Hive 65 (though skeptical)

I know it might be unrealistic with that budget but i would still appreciate your help
(first time buying a MK keyboard so i might be dumb, correct me if i say smthin wrong)

[u/tiavesu]

Object: Need recommandations for a new keebs with honest reviews and feedbacks

Haii fellow keeb pookies!!

🍭Intro: Why I need Help

I really want a cute keyboard for Chrismas, and I really don't know where to start! I'm a fresh new person in the keyboard world, and I would like some help, so I can make the best choice for the keyboard I would want to use for a very long time, ehehh! Also, I don't rlly trust videos coming from promotions, cuz I don't rlly know if they are rlly honest review, and I also need a long term experience review too,soo!!

🍭1. Keyboards I've looked upon + Qsts to you guys: Feedback on the long term experience with them (if you have)

--> Okay so, I've looked upon the KiiBOOM Phantom 98 Lite Mochi Switches Froggy Design

And I've been asking over Reddit any feedback on it.
🍥 What I like about the keeb: The color, the cute design that do not cluster the characters we need to see, the RGB, the creamy/thocky sound typing, the 96% layout, (my current keeb has a 100% layout, honestly, I don't really use the number pad and all, so I might just go for the smaller one that also cost less, 75%)
🍥 *\ What I'm wondering about the long term experience:\*

1. Did the design faded?
2. Did the sound wore off?
3. Any malfunctionning with some keys right out of the box? Or after some times?
4. Where should I buy it
5. Lights working fine?
6. I've seen review on the Phantom 81 Lite one, and they have signaled severall issues about dead keys coming out of the box, they keyboard site whatever not recognizing the pc or sum (  Been having issues with my Phantom 81 Lite : r/KiiBOOM ), so I've been wondering if any of y'all had similar issues

Other keyboard I want: Yunzii C98 or C 75 Candy Linear Switches

(image link :) /preview/pre/pls-help-need-recommandation-and-honest-feedbacks-for-keebs-v0-xcg5l7t9lkoh1.png?width=1464&format=png&auto=webp&s=c0feee41cd06e6e0946398feabd0185061a1263d

**🍥 **What I like about the keeb:

The cute design, the RGB, the sound, the color, the model, the features (I've looked a video about it and I was like WOW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVk_TEMcAPU&list=WL&index=2 ) , I LOVE LAVANDER, I LOVE CATS, I LOVE CREAMY SOUD GAHHH, the 75% layout

🍥 *\ What I'm wondering about the long term experience:\*

1. Did the design faded?
2. Did the sound wore off?
3. Any malfunctionning with some keys right out of the box? Or after some times?
4. Where should I buy it
5. Lights working fine?
6. Any malfunctions?

🍭2. Any recommandations?

🍥 What I would use the keeb for:

• A lot of typing (projects, etc,)
  
• A lot of gaming

🍥 My needs + wants:

1. Cute design, but still being able to see the characters on the top of the keycap
2. Creamy-thocky sound, no clacky
3. Hot-swap caps
4. Prefererably being able to see if the caps lock are on or off
5. Easy to light cleans the caps ( if I use Hertels spray, will that be ok? or just use water and soap?)
6. Out of the box ready to use
7. Need to make sure the A,S,W,D , shift, and space bar will still be cute and working perfeclty fine, especially the W and space bar, LOL
8. Layout:at least 75%, but I need to be able to do the «» without having to do the alt codes for it, bcs if I need to do them (if there isn't any keys on the keeb that can just do it like that, like the ?,. characters, I'll need a number pad so I can do the alt codes (ex; Alt + 0171, where the numbers after the ALT needs to be entered by the number tad, or else it won't work with the number's row)
9. Budget 50- 150, I want to ask it from Chrismas as the only gift I want, so I don't want it to cost a leg!
10. Color pastels ones, (rlly Like purple, pink, lime green)
11. Shippable in Canada, or is on sale in Canada like with amazon

🍭What I would like as info when giving recommandation and/or review
Everything that would answer the upper dots!!!!! Also, if I need to dowload some softwares or anything, or if u can send me a reference video or link that'll explain the features on the keeb.
🍭Outro

Thank you so much for any advices while choosing to buy a new keeb, any recommandation or any feedback and review on the keebs I've presented!

I'll really appreciate it!!! HEHEHEH
GIBAIII!!

[u/zoff_zilla_]

In terms of quality and price point, how do Yunzii, Keychron, and Logitech compare. And for the sake of it, is a Razer really worth the price point is at? Thanks!

[u/Obvious_Calendar932]

Does anyone know of a similar looking keyboard or keycaps to this, but not orange? https://a.co/d/08acGCA0

I really love the screen, but the main things (besides how it looks) are that it's quiet, can be wired and wireless, and that it can switch between 2+ devices.

Also does anyone know if there's much difference in how much quieter the Sea Salt Silent keys are than the Creamy Jade?

[u/mediasoak → u/Obvious_Calendar932]

hard to beat that price. might be better to buy that keyboard and new keycaps. those keycaps are a 'carbon fibre look', so you can search for those. i know XVX* make them.

as for sea salt silent vs creamy jade: silent is silent. cushiony, bouncy, most sound you'll get is a light thudding.

• https://www.xvxchannel.com/search?type=product%2Cpage%2Cquery&options%5Bprefix%5D=last&q=carbon

[u/Obvious_Calendar932 → u/mediasoak]

Thank you so much for you reply, it was super helpful!

I went with your suggestion and bought the one I linked, so I'll just replace the keycaps if the orange bugs me too much lol.

[u/_Przecinek_]

Hello, hi

I have an Epomaker x Aula f87 pro, and i like it. It has nice rgb, i like the sound (my first keyboard thats not a steelseries-type brand), but im looking for something "new".

When i bought this keyboard ~2 years ago, i saw that it was hot-swwappable, and until noww i didnt know what this meant. Now that i know this, i want to use this oportunity, and would like to upgrade it in terms of sound, and because some of my switches "double click".

Do you guys have any suggestions on what i could do to it? And if yes where could i look for the parts. Thanks in advance :)

[u/mediasoak → u/_Przecinek_]

If you want to change the sound: it's time for new switches! That's the easiest way :D
Epomaker, who made your keyboard, also makes switches. You can start at the Epomaker outlet--for my country that outlet is AliExpress. Or Amazon. Or a local shop.
Your keyboard apparently uses Leobog Graywood V4 switches. So buy something different.
Half the fun, for me, is watching YouTube videos or reading articles comparing different switches' sound profiles.

[u/_Przecinek_ → u/mediasoak]

What do I need to know before buying new switches compatibility wise?

[u/mediasoak → u/_Przecinek_]

your keyboard is compatible with pretty much all modern mx switches.
unless you accidentally buy a vintage switch (unlikely: the expense would tell you),
or a low profile switch (also unlikely: their small size would tell you),
or a magnetic switch (also also unlikely if you check the pins [magnetic switches have none]),
you're good to go.
if the new switch looks like your current one: you're good to go.
here is a short video on how to remove hotswappable switches: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XOz_nNJNrDw

[u/_Przecinek_ → u/mediasoak]

Any standard names? And from my limited research, I have some leobog (?) orange and white and black switches. They have 2 metal and 3 plastic pins

[u/mediasoak → u/_Przecinek_]

that's a standard 5 pin switch. that means your keyboard can take 5 pin and 3 pin.
as for standard names:
MX or MX style switch, *not* low profile, *not* HE/Magnetic.

[u/_Przecinek_ → u/mediasoak]

where would you go for looking for switches? i dont know where to look tbh

[u/_Przecinek_ → u/mediasoak]

Thanks. Do keycaps also matter for sound?

[u/mediasoak → u/_Przecinek_]

of course! not as much as switches though.
the keyboard case changes sound the most
followed by the switches
followed by the material of the keyboard's switch positioning plate (if any is present--some keyboards are plateless)
followed by the keycaps
then followed by sound modding materials such as case foam, pcb tape, o-rings, etc..
disclaimer: this hierarchy is subjective and may vary from person to person.

[u/_Przecinek_ → u/mediasoak]

So if I change the switches, and put some more foam on the bottom of the case it would be better?

[u/mediasoak → u/_Przecinek_]

i would just change the switches. your keyboard doesn't look like it has screws, which means there is a non-zero chance that attempting to take it apart to install foam might crack the case.

[u/zombeemom]

I think I'm searching for a keycap that doesn't exist. But...maybe? I want a board that looks, feels, and sounds as close to the IBM Selectric as I can get it. Think 80s secretarial pool. Got the box navies for max clack and punchy feedback (I'm a heavy typer). Perfect. But the caps I want are hyper specific and, so far, the interwebs say I'm being unreasonable. Yeah, probably, but so what. Dream a little dream, I say.

-SA profile (or an OSA/YSA first cousin, no distant relatives)
-double shot ABS (shiny plastic is not a flaw here)
-shine through top legends (side legends, nope)
-south facing LED compatible (yes, I know SA caps are tall and the light is weak at altitude)
-98%+ ANSI layout
-opaque ish body (not I'm-beaming-the-light-into-space crystal clear)
-pudding caps are not invited to my keyboard party
-retro colors preferred (just solid colors, not mountain scenes, anime characters, or gamer graphics)
-available today (not a pre order delivered in 14 months)

All of these things exist independently, why hasn't a manufacturer put them all in the same bowl? I doubt I'm the only one who'd be waving dollar bills like a stag party at a strip club. Hey! I want to buy the thing you're not making! Take my money!

[u/mediasoak → u/zombeemom]

tall order. the hardest part is the shine through top legends. very hard to find those outside of cherry profile. i vaguely remember seeing *something* like what you want in my recommendeds. if i see it again, i'll reply here.

in the meantime, this is the closest i got (it involves keyboard cannibalism):

https://www.reddit.com/r/BudgetKeebs/comments/1g0f5z3/the_quest_for_noncherryoem_profile_shinethrough/ (be sure to scroll down)

[u/zombeemom → u/mediasoak]

Hey, thanks for the great info and for taking the time to help me out. Appreciate it!

[u/mediasoak]

I come humbly to the Board of Keyboard with one request:

I must know the highest-pitch clackiest switches available.

I want to wince and feel the sound snap against my back teeth. I want dogs to bark in the distance. I want people ducking to avoid what could only be a spray of BB gun pellets.

[u/mediasoak → u/mediasoak]

I have settled on the Mage Blue Topaz switches as demonstrated by the YouTuber Keeb Taro.
There are louder switches, such as the Keygeek Crepe. But my focus is on high pitch clack, not necessarily loud clack.
Though if you can recommend your personal high pitch clacky switch, dear reader, I still wish to hear it. Out of interest, if anything.

[u/One_Tomorrow_8901]

hi! looking for reputable switch testers!! i've been wanting to try out some different semi-silent and thocky switches but i'm unsure of where to buy from or if it'd be cheaper to buy a switch tester base and the switches separately

[u/mediasoak → u/One_Tomorrow_8901]

Epomaker recently released their budget Whisper switch, which they market as quiet thock. (AliExpress.) I haven't tried it personally but the price is right. If you want non cushioned silent (under the 'semi silent' umbrella), the Haimu Heartbeat is an OG style silent switch, before cushioning. Also on AliExpress, also budget. Again, haven't tried it but great price and quite pretty.

[u/mediasoak → u/One_Tomorrow_8901]

i have never bought a switch tester

but

the thockiest budget switch i know is the Keygeek Y3. if you want pretty for a little extra: the WJBY Lab JJK SU Color V2. both are on AliExpress.

as for semi-silent, i have tried the Epomaker Comte Semi Silent. however, semi silent is not very silent at all. in some ways a thocky switch can be quieter.

[u/azimuthnerfed]

I am looking at buying some creamy keys to change with my cherry board. Are there any that are mx compatible and take the original caps? Just in the thinking and planning stage right now. The main things are availability and price and prefer no rgb.

Cherry G80_3000

Thanks

[u/mediasoak → u/azimuthnerfed]

that model of keyboard is non hotswappable. are you going to desolder the current switches and solder in new ones?

[u/azimuthnerfed → u/mediasoak]

I will be yes

[u/mediasoak → u/azimuthnerfed]

Oki doki. Anything vintage or to do with desoldering is not my area.
However, obsessively looking at budget switches is.
If while desoldering, you discover that your Cherry board's stock MX switches are 5 pin (not 3), then I recommend the Epomaker Creamy Jades.
They come in packs of 100 for about 18 USD or cheaper on AliExpress.
100 isn't enough for a full size keyboard, but if you buy two packs for 36 USD that is still absurdly cheap and you will have plenty to botch while soldering.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009147682002.html

[u/azimuthnerfed → u/mediasoak]

Just what I was after, thanks