At a look

Expert’s Rating

Pros

• Amazing typing expertise
• High-quality components
• Bluetooth and a couple of.4GHz wi-fi
• Long battery life

Cons

• Clunky software program
• Plastic case
• A bit heavy

Our Verdict

Under its unassuming “sleeper” seems to be, the Keydous NJ80-AP hides versatile wi-fi, high-quality components, and a fully unbelievable typing really feel, all for a surprisingly low value. The solely draw back is its janky software program.

Price When Reviewed

$150

Best Prices Today: Keydous NJ80-AP wi-fi mechanical keyboard

$130

$135

There are lots of variables that go into evaluating a mechanical keyboard. One of probably the most coveted, and the toughest to quantify, is the “feel.” Arguably the sensation of tactile typing, and the way a lot better it’s than keyboards that use cheaper membranes or different builds, is the rationale mechanical boards at the moment are the usual. If a top quality really feel is what you’re after, then you definitely owe it to your self to take a look at this entry from Keydous. 

There are lots of little issues that carry down the NJ80-AP’s expertise: a considerably retro look, a plastic case, and software program that’s simply plain unhealthy. But with a surprising quantity of consideration and care given to the typing expertise, plus “under the hood” elements which can be swinging method out of this factor’s value vary, it’s a compelling different to semi-custom choices from the likes of Keychron or Glorious. 

Further studying: See our roundup of the best wireless keyboards to find out about competing merchandise.

Keydous NJ80-AP design 

In the automotive group there’s an idea known as a “sleeper.” It’s a automobile that appears unassuming on the skin, one thing that avoids consideration and blends into visitors, however hides a roaring engine and different zoom-zoom components below the hood. In that sense, the NJ80-AP may be known as a sleeper keyboard. Its plain white plastic case and 75% structure may very well be mistaken for one thing from the ’90s at a look, particularly in the event you take away the splashes of colour on the house bar, Enter, and Escape keys and go together with the white replacements that come within the field. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Not that there’s something unsuitable with the 75% structure. It’s extremely practical and environment friendly, combining the complete functionality of a TKL keyboard (minus a number of not often used keys like Insert) right into a board that’s barely wider than a 60%, and the one non-standard keycap is the fitting Shift key. I additionally like the way in which the Delete, Page Up, and Page Down keys get somewhat separation, the higher to keep away from errant presses in livid typing classes. The quantity dial is a bit boring, plastic the place most boards on this value vary go for steel, however it serves its function and may “click” in (assigned to mute by default). 

The keycaps are high-quality PBT plastic, as seen on the perfect keyboards (and withheld from among the stingier designs…Razer). In comparability, the case is somewhat underwhelming. It’s ABS plastic by and thru, a fairly boring white, and held in place with clips and really tough to open. You might argue that it’s saving weight versus a extra premium aluminum construct, however that is already a reasonably hefty board because of its premium inside elements and a beefy battery.

The different massive function for this keyboard is wi-fi. Keydous was bold on this space, boasting each Bluetooth and a couple of.4GHz wi-fi choices, with a tiny USB dongle that slides out of a devoted slot within the case. Dual wi-fi assist elevates the NJ80’s choices over extra area of interest contemporaries like Keychron’s Bluetooth-only boards, and equals (a minimum of in purely technical phrases) the multi-mode wireless keyboards from Logitech and different mainstream manufacturers. 

Michael Crider/IDG

It additionally signifies that the board is a good (if not best) possibility for PC gaming, one thing that Bluetooth-only boards can’t boast. Combined with a fully large 4,800mAh battery, it ought to final for months with the RGB lights turned off—I couldn’t drain the battery fully throughout my testing interval. 

On the underside of the case you’ll discover the plastic fold-out toes—only one stage—and a devoted on-off change which, whereas definitely appreciated, would have been higher positioned on the aspect. The keyboard is fairly aggressive with its battery-saving, taking a second or two to get up in the event you haven’t been round. Of course, in the event you choose not to consider it, you may plug within the included USB-C cable to go full wired. 

How’s the typing on the Keydous NJ80-AP?

At this level I’ve reviewed dozens of mechanical keyboards, purchased one other couple dozen for my private assortment, and hand-built another half-dozen by myself. So once I say that the Keydous NJ80 has the perfect typing expertise I’ve ever had from a pre-built keyboard, it’s no feint reward. This factor feels marvelous to make use of. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Why? It’s all right down to the components. High-quality keycaps, which I’ve already talked about, are the beginning. They’re a bit slicker than regular PBT plastic, however pleasantly thick and heavy. Underneath them Keydous gives a surprisingly “exotic” number of switches with strange-sounding names. For overview they provided me a alternative of “BOX Blueberry Ice Cream Pro” and “BOX Strawberry Ice Cream” switches from Kailh, and I went with the previous. 

What makes these switches particular, and significantly extra fascinating and costly than your backyard selection Cherrys, is a mixture of strategies. The linear switches ({smooth}, no click on) are constructed out of yet one more kind of plastic, the costly and high-quality POM (polyoxymethylene) normally seen in precision machining and gears. The switches are additionally pre-lubed from the manufacturing facility, with ever-so-slightly lighter springs and shorter journey than normal Reds. Add on prime of that the superb stability and smoothness of Kailh’s BOX stems, with their corridor impact (the little circle across the cross) that additionally makes them immune to water and mud. 

Michael Crider/IDG

On prime of that, this keyboard makes use of premium stabilizers which can be additionally pre-lubed from the manufacturing facility, which eliminates the standard “rattle” you get when urgent bigger keys. (Yes, even the house bar!). Directly below the switches is a full brass plate, providing additional weight and stiffness, with a layer of sound- and vibration-damping foam between the plate and the circuit board. Under the circuit board is a second layer of froth, additional insulating the sound and vibration from the case itself. 

Keydous

That’s lots of actually dense, keyboard-nut jargon. But all of it boils right down to this: The keyboard feels improbable when you’re typing. The high-quality switches and stabilizers make it buttery-smooth, and the plate and layers of froth give it a satisfying “thock” really feel in the event you’re a heavy typer who bottoms out every keypress, like me. I’m not exaggerating once I say it’s the best-feeling pre-built keyboard I’ve ever used, regardless of missing extra fancy parts like a gasket mount. It’s even higher than something I’ve been capable of construct for myself, with an analogous (or increased!) degree of high-quality, {custom} components. 

Keydous gives a wide array of unique switches with the NJ80, with weirder names like “Gateron Pro Milky Yellow.” Whichever you select, you may attempt one thing else, or go together with a “barebone” construct with out switches or keycaps, as a result of the change sockets are hot-swappable. As all premium keyboards needs to be. 

How is the Keydous NJ80-AP’s software program? 

The typing expertise on the NJ80 is its excessive level, and what a excessive. Unfortunately it has an identical low level, and that’s the software program. Instead of the far more standardized and fascinating QMK or VIA firmware, Keydous went with a {custom} driver and structure program out there for Windows or Mac, which downloads from a considerably worrying Google Drive folder on its website. It’s truly gone by a number of revisions throughout my overview interval, with solely somewhat enchancment—the primary model was fully in Chinese with no apparent language possibility. 

Michael Crider/IDG

The software program boots up slowly, and takes even longer to detect the keyboard. There’s nonetheless a little bit of Chinese textual content floating round, however it appears to have efficiently detected the English system setting in Windows, so a minimum of it’s pretty apparent the place to go. Remapping is a painfully sluggish course of, so it’s a great factor that most individuals received’t want a lot past the 75% structure. I remapped Page Up and Page Down to Print Screen and Play/Pause, respectively, which was far lower than easy. Each change must be “confirmed,” which seems to be a full flash to the keyboard, and clicking on one other key will attempt to apply that setting there. 

You can go into the Function layer and laboriously see which capabilities are assigned to the perform row. But extra complicated keyboard operations, like switching Bluetooth gadgets (Fn+1/2/3, 4 for the two.4GHz dongle) seems to be locked. Ditto for the RGB lighting controls, that are completed with a mixture of the Escape, Backspace, and Arrow keys. You can regulate {custom} lighting within the driver program with the same old mixture of distracting “gamer” lights, however I didn’t discover any significantly interesting. Your mileage could differ, however even in the event you’re a fan, you’ll have to maintain the guide helpful to study the controls. 

Michael Crider/IDG

There seems to be an choice to add and obtain {custom} profiles through the “share” menu. These are sluggish, and albeit, probably not price it. There’s nothing so attention-grabbing or complicated which you could’t do it your self, although I assume in the event you actually wish to make your keyboard flash in a pink coronary heart sample, this can be a quicker method to handle it. All in all, I want Keydous had saved lots of effort and time and simply gone with QMK or VIA software program. The instrument isn’t so unhealthy that it tanks the entire expertise—I managed what few modifications I needed and didn’t have to open it once more till overview time. But I’d a lot fairly have one thing standardized. 

Should you purchase the Keydous NJ80-AP?

The closest factor to the Keydous NJ-80, with a 75% wi-fi construct and a concentrate on high quality components, is the excellent Keychron Q1 Pro. And that keyboard has a number of distinct benefits over this one: a full steel physique, higher customization choices, and much better software program (once more, normal QMK/VIA). 

But the Keydous has its personal professionals, specifically the choice for much less laggy 2.4GHz wi-fi, an insanely lengthy battery life, and that great, great typing really feel from super-high-quality switches and pre-lubed stabilizers. Which one you like will come right down to which features of a keyboard you worth. 

And talking of worth: The Keydous NJ-80 prices anyplace from $100-200, relying on the place you purchase it and whether or not you get it with keycaps and switches included. But on Amazon this specific mannequin, full with spare keycaps and premium BOX Blueberry Ice Cream Pro switches, is $150 (with a reduction right down to $135 on the time of writing). That’s a substantial financial savings over comparable premium designs, even factoring within the plastic case. 

Michael Crider/IDG

So in the event you can stay with a considerably janky programming instrument, and also you don’t need an aluminum-cased keyboard that may double as a bludgeoning weapon, the NJ-80’s improbable typing expertise and extra versatile wi-fi choices give it a particular edge.