Custom keyboards are expensive (but fully worth it)

If you have fallen below the custom mechanical keyboard rabbit hole, you have probably seen the Reddit post or video of the $ 500+ build. Sometimes, the base kit alone costs more than a high-end prebtt. So, is this keyboard so expensive, and are they really worth it?

What is a custom keyboard?

Before diving into the subject, let us first define what a custom keyboard is. Hardcore enthusiasts will tell you that this is a keyboard that you have made completely with scratches. This involves choosing each component individually: case, PCB (printed circuit board), backplates, sound-dumping materials, and more. Some people even go to the 3D print your own parts or use CNC machines and resin.

A more accessible definition also includes keyboards collected using “bare kit kit”. These kits usually come with all the necessary components- case, PCB, sound-dumping materials, stabilizers, gaskets, etc. Only two components that are left are switches and kicaps, which you are considered to buy and install yourself.

In some cases, they will come with different types of materials or room for them so that you can fix the sound of your keyboard, like Corsair Makr 75, Fantastic gmmk 3And Drop cstm80,

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The advantage of these kits is that you get everything necessary to make the keyboard. You can release headaches to correct the fun part of assembled to your new custom keyboard. I believe that these keyboards are still counted as a custom keyboard and are not fully inferior to the custom build; They differ from taking a pre-ecstacre keyboard and leaving custom switches, kicaps and modifications.

Why are custom so expensive to make keyboard?

Assembleing different keyboard parts in a single unit usually costs the most, especially if you are sourcing items from various manufacturers and sites. Shipping costs alone can easily add to the price of a cheap mechanical keyboard.

The barebuon kits are much more beginner-ordeal and accessible, but they are also on the more expensive side. For example, Keychron Q5 Barebells Keyboard The cost of $ 185 (currently on sale for $ 129.99) with a knob, while a fully assembled Q5 is only $ 205 more expensive at $ 205 (on sale for $ 149.99). You only find a set of switches, kicaps and labor involved in collecting the keyboard for $ 20.

Another way to see it is, if you were using this keyboard for a custom build, you are leaving the labor while saving $ 20 that you can put forward in your switch and kicap – and this is where there is another major part of a custom keyboard expenses.

At the top of purchasing a barebuilding kit, the cost of which is a very decent keyboard, you will also have to invest in switch and kicap. When you can buy inexpensive switches such as outemu red switch, which are decent switches, which cost around 26 cents per switch, to construct a custom keyboard means that you are more likely to choose for high-quality components.

Switches are the most important part of a mechanical keyboard, so in reality, you should spend at least 50 cents epicin when you are already deep in a build. Personally, I will not be cheaper than something like the Garter Oil King V2 switch, which is priced at $ 0.67 per switch. Premium end, some of the most expensive switches that I have received ExcitementCurrently selling to $ 11.20 for a pack of 10 – a standing $ 1.12 each!

Keycaps is another part where submergence costs often kick. You have already spent $ 130 for the kit and $ 60 on the switch, so you can spend only another $ 60, which you actually touched when typing.

While womier double shot pbt keycaps provide impressive quality for cheap set price, many keyboard enthusiasts prefer to invest in more boutique sets, such as Drop DSA Astroloces,

Obviously, you are not getting too much beyond a cooler beauty and better craftsmanship (I have felt very good at any PBT kicaps), but it is difficult to deny that these high-end kicaps look impressive.

Custom keyboards are still worth investing

While nakedbones kits can be expensive, you are essentially investing in better parts rather than paying for pre-government. You get an accurate-mounted aluminum case for premium feel, a high-quality PCB with a high-quality PCB support and hot-swapable sockets that can live through thousands of switch changes, pre-lobbed stabilizers that are “tune” (straight) out of the box, and a case is designed.

The money you invest in high-end switches and cakep pays, especially when it comes to feeling and aesthetics. Premium made of high quality materials enhance both your keyboard look and feel with unique artisan design. Meanwhile, nylon, pom, and, recently, with housing and stems made of materials such as PoK, the Lubari Switch, after all satisfactory “Joint” you can give you after you.

In fact, some people like to convert this hobby into a profitable venture by collecting the custom keyboard completely and selling them on the sites. Facebook marketplace, EtsyAnd EbayEven if you do not plan to sell your new-sock keyboard, it is probably going to maintain your resale price, so you can always sell it in a small loss so that you can re-install the money in another custom build yet.

More affordable options for a completely custom keyboard

Building a completely custom keyboard is a very expensive attempt, and it can be difficult to finance especially if you are buying everything at once. Heck, you would not even know what you want to switch from what you expect from a keyboard and until you try some different people.

Fortunately, there is a different and very cheap way to create a semi-custom keyboard-I create my own keyboard using a pre-made model with a hot-swollen switch. Right now, I have two cheap keyboards, Ajaz AK820 Pro and non-non-version, which cost me less than $ 100 on Temu.

I ordered them with two different types of switches (linear and tactics) and used them for several months. I bought several sets of cheap kicap and switch, and each time I swap them, the sound and experience of the keyboard will completely change. My current setup is still best – I am quite fond of Akko switch and use Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro And Akko Dracula Switch, which are great values.

My Temu PBT Kaikaps cost only $ 12 per set, so I have spent a total $ 35 per keyboard, and the investment is well worth it. While these setups are not technically “custom” keyboards, the experience comes very close. In addition, I still have the original kicap and switch, which I can use in future building or sell some costs to recur.

Mechanical keyboard is an expensive hobby, but I still think that custom keyboards are worth moving forward. Once you know what kind of characteristics, sounds, and feel that you expect from your keyboard, you can build one-band keyboard that is unique to your desk and is perfectly conforming to your preferences, both functions and aesthetics.

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