Video summary

I Tried 70 Keyboards Last Year... (So You Don't Have to)

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product(s) reviewed / theme of the video

This video isn’t a single product review—it’s a “best keyboards” roundup based on the host testing 70+ keyboards in 2025, with strict inclusion rules:

  • Must be in stock or in stock soon
  • Must be hot-swappable
  • Must be something the host personally tried
  • Links are provided in the description (not included in the subtitles)

Key guidance (how to pick a keyboard)

The host uses a 5-part checklist that drives most recommendations:

  1. Budget Generally $30–$300+

  2. Layout Common targets: 96%, full-size with numpad, 75% Also mentions ergonomic/Alice layouts. Note: ISO/European layouts reduce available options.

  3. Software programmability Look for VIA / Vile / QMK if you want easy customization/tinkering.

  4. Sound preference Targets include: silent, deep/thocky, creamy, marbly/clacky.

  5. Feel / switch type Linear vs tactile vs clicky. Also mentions switch weight in grams:

    • Higher grams = heavier
    • Lower grams = lighter (may bottom out more easily)

Hot-swappable keyboards are repeatedly framed as the fastest way to experiment with switches, and therefore sound + feel.

Main product recommendations mentioned (with notable details)

Best overall / favorite

  • Yunzi C75 (75%)
    • Described as the host’s favorite keyboard of last year
    • Unique “cat macaron” design
    • “Sounds like absolute heaven”
    • Price cited: ~$75

Best TKL pick (host personal pick)

  • Crush 80 (TKL)
    • “Incredibly modable” with ball clasp closure (fast disassembly)
    • “Relatively fairly priced”
    • Great color options
    • Solid switch options
    • Makers: from the makers of Rainy75

Solid alternative (lower budget, works but mod-friendly)

  • Rainy75
    • Recommended as a “keyboard that works” if you have less money than the Crush 80
  • Wi RD75
    • Presented as a recommended step: “basically the same exact thing” as Rainy75
    • Adds rapid disassembly to make modding easier

Gaming / gaming-relevant keyboard tech

General advice: any mechanical keyboard with < 5 ms latency is “good enough” for 99% of games.

The video references rapid trigger / hall effect (TMR) and warns against marketing hype.

TMR / Hall-effect style gaming example

  • Fun60
    • Starts at $48
    • Includes TMR functionality
    • Host describes it as enabling Hall effect with mechanical switches (modular/swap approach)
  • Were SK75 TMR
    • Mentioned around ~$150 for gamers wanting TMR features

Keyboards for number pad users

The host specifically highlights number pads, saying it wasn’t covered previously.

  • Epomaker Galaxy 100 Lite — ~$109
    • Has a number pad
    • “Sounds, feels really good”
    • Decent build quality and good software support
    • Criticized later for its prebuilt linear switch option
  • ND104 — “best with number pad” (host’s claim)
    • Built-in screen + calculator button
    • “Best silent switch option of any keyboard” (as stated on the list)
    • Price not clearly stated in subtitles, but introduced as premium (+$)
    • Tradeoff: pre-built linear switch option “kind of sucks”
    • Comparison:
      • If you like “thocky”/“thiesy” linear sound, the host says Galaxy 100 Lite is better

Low-profile keyboard direction (Amazon-led trend)

Low-profile keyboards are framed as a major 2025 trend, especially for portability/backpacks and working off laptops.

Examples mentioned:

  • Kick 75 (design-focused, “cute and quirky,” 8-bit vibe)
  • lowfre[e] flow light (budget option with numpad; price not stated in subtitles)
  • IQX Magic 96 (high-end “absolute best” low-profile option with numpad)

Also: low-profile keyboards are described as “gateway drugs” for laptop/Mac users.

Budget / Amazon value example

  • AJazz AK820 — ~$26–$30
    • Called “one of the most reviewed” on Amazon
    • Host says it was nowhere near the best
    • Used to show you still need research
  • AJazz AK820 Pro — ~$55
    • “Much better” than the base model
    • Includes the basic features the host considers necessary
    • “Really decent switches”
    • “Plastic build quality,” but still praised overall
    • Positioned as strong budget value

Value at $50–$100 / aluminum chassis trend

  • Epomaker RT82 / RT85 — ~$85
    • “Weird quirky little design with screens” (one described as having a “nipple”)
    • Wireless support, hot-swappable sockets
    • Return-friendly on Amazon (noted 30-day return window for some models)
    • Framed as midrange boards that “check most boxes”
  • Yunzi / Uni AL line / AL75 series
    • Host calls Uni’s AL series “absolute heat”
    • Claims aluminum chassis for not much more than plastics
    • Yunzi AL75 is specifically mentioned
  • “Uni AL80 wireless” and “almost the whole Uni AL line”
    • Recommended as strong choices around $100–$150 for a safe 75% bet

“Build your own” honorable mention

  • Neo 98 — barebones kit (you choose switches/keycaps and assemble)
  • Zoom 98 — described as a “very solid build” (more complete than Neo 98)

Pros / cons themes mentioned

Pros (repeated across picks)

  • Hot-swap compatibility for tailoring switches to desired sound/feel
  • Good value at common budgets (especially $100–$150 for 75% boards)
  • Amazon availability and (as stated) convenient returns (notably 30-day returns for some Epomaker models)
  • Many picks emphasize wireless support and being beginner-friendly in feature set

Cons / tradeoffs called out

  • Not every cheap/popular model is good (example: AJazz AK820)
  • Prebuilt linear switch options may be limited or disappointing on some picks (notably ND104 for linear preference)
  • ISO/European layout support is more limited
  • Programmability (VIA/QMK-style) may not matter if you don’t care—but matters if you want customization
  • Host mentions Keychron’s purchasing process as too confusing and generally recommends avoiding it unless layout support is a deciding factor
  • Mentions a ceramic keyboard as a “disaster” (full review not included here)

Comparisons made

  • AJazz AK820 vs AK820 Pro
    • Base model isn’t best; Pro is “incredibly good.”
  • Keychron
    • Not “bad,” but not “best” due to overwhelming/confusing purchasing
    • Layout support is the main positive
  • Galaxy 100 Lite vs ND104 (number pad)
    • ND104: best silence + screen/calculator + silent package
    • Galaxy 100 Lite: better for linear “thocky/thiesy” sound because ND104’s linear prebuilt is weak
  • Wireless midrange comparison
    • Midrange boards (Epomaker RT82/RT85, Uni AL series) are grouped as strong around $50–$100

Numerical values / ratings mentioned

  • Budget ranges: $30–$300+
  • Latency guidance: < 5 ms = good enough for 99% of games
  • Price points cited:
    • AJazz AK820: ~$26–$30
    • AJazz AK820 Pro: ~$55
    • Epomaker RT82 / RT85: ~$85
    • Yunzi C75: ~$75
    • Epomaker Galaxy 100 Lite: ~$109
    • ND104: described as “$90 more” than Galaxy 100 Lite → implied ~$199
    • Fun60: starts at ~$48
    • Were SK75 TMR: ~$150
    • Low-profile mentions: Kick 75 (no price), lowfre[e] flow light (no price in subtitles), IQX Magic 96 (no price in subtitles)

Overall verdict / recommendation (from the video)

  • Safe, exciting “just buy it” favorite: Yunzi C75
  • TKL + high modability: Crush 80
  • Number pad + best silence: ND104
  • Number pad + better linear sound: Epomaker Galaxy 100 Lite
  • Strong value 75% range: host implies the market is “solved,” pointing repeatedly to Uni AL series and similar $100–$150 offerings
  • General warning: don’t rely on popularity alone—use the 5-step checklist and prefer hot-swap capability

Unique points mentioned about the product category (keyboard-related)

  • Inclusion rules: in stock soon, hot-swappable, and host tested
  • Keyboard choice is preference-driven, guided by budget/layout/software/sound/feel
  • Layout matters (ISO/European reduces options)
  • Switch type + gram weight affect feel (risk of finger strain if too heavy; easy accidental bottom-out if too light)
  • Low-profile is a major 2025 trend for laptop/backpack use
  • Amazon distribution and fast shipping/returns are big factors by 2026
  • Gaming marketing caution: latency under 5 ms is usually “good enough”
  • TMR/Hall effect is niche—don’t buy purely based on marketing
  • Number pad options have expanded beyond Keychron

Speaker breakdown

Only one primary speaker is clearly present in the subtitles (the host, “Hippotech/Hippo”). There aren’t distinct secondary reviewers offering different product opinions beyond occasional brief audience/joke interjections.

Original video