Ever found yourself lost in a rabbit hole of endless online shopping at 3 AM? I just did! Drenched in tab after tab dedicated to keyboard hunting, I stumbled upon something mind-blowing: keyboards have become fantastic and, dare I say, affordable!

Just five years ago, to snag a feature-rich keyboard with hot-swappable capabilities, gasket mounting, lubed switches, PBT keycaps, dazzling RGB lights, and VIA support, you'd be shelling out over S$500. Fast forward to today, and you can grab all these premium features for less than S$150! A shout-out to Chinese manufacturing for this remarkable shift.

Enter Wobkey and the Game-Changing Rainy75

The spotlight shines on Wobkey, a company that catapulted into the keyboard limelight with their crowdfunded Rainy75, a 75% layout keyboard priced around US$129 (~S$166). With an aluminum frame, hot-swappable board, factory-lubed switches, and connectivity through Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and USB-C, it’s a versatile beast! Plus, it supports VIA, allowing you to fully customize your typing experience. Unsurprisingly, it raked in over a million dollars in funding!

Why the Rainy75 is a Steal!

Beyond being a stellar keyboard at an unbelievable price, the Rainy75's arrival has triggered a wave of competitively priced options packed with premium features—making the keyboard enthusiast hobby genuinely accessible to many.

Meet Bridge75: A New Contender

One notable entry is the Bridge75 from Shortcut Studio. Like the Rainy75, it boasts a 75% layout and boasts an aluminum case, a hot-swappable PCB, and premium PBT keycaps. However, it enhances the experience with a quick disassembly ball-catch mechanism, allowing users to switch out keycaps and customize easily without any tools!

Evo80: For the Traditionalists

For those who crave a more classic setup, the Evo80 from Evoworks features the same standout specifications as the Bridge75, but with a TKL layout that includes all navigation keys. Unique to the Evo80 are its two sound profiles: the “clack” version features HMX Azure linear switches for that crisp sound, while the “thock” version uses Keygeek Oat switches for a creamy, rounded auditory experience.

Personal Favorite: The Evo80

I’ve been using the Evo80 for a few months, and it’s fast become one of my all-time favorites! Priced around S$240, its outstanding mix of features truly places it among the finest pre-built keyboards today. I even personalized mine with Haimu Benevolence tactile switches for an even deeper ‘thock’ sound!

The Future of Keyboards Looks Bright!

Remarkably, in just a few years, the keyboard market has transformed, offering high-quality and affordable options that rival even the best custom builds. The days of needing to spend a fortune for premium features are long gone; it’s truly an exhilarating time to be searching for a new keyboard!