5075S VIA

I can't speak to the sound quality, but pretty much all wireless keyboards also work wired so you shouldn't rule it out. Looking at Amazon AU I see the [Keychron V1](https://www.amazon.com.au/Keychron-Mechanical-Programmable-Hot-swappable-Compatible/dp/B0DPPJBQ67), [Royal Kludge RK R75](https://www.amazon.com.au/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R75-Mechanical/dp/B0CWGR5KM9), [Womier Q75](https://www.amazon.com.au/Womier-Keyboard-Topographic-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0DQV22S2T), and [Akko 5075S VIA](https://www.amazon.com.au/Akko-5075S-Mechanical-Programmable-Accessories/dp/B0CWX6Q4XH). All of these are boards I have tried or tried a different board in the same line, and can recommend. The Akko board is a barebones so you will have to add switches and keycaps... I would suggest the Akko Creamy Purple Pro for the switches if you go that way.

With a PS5 you want a keyboard that lets you turn off NKRO. The safest option there is QMK firmware, but the only manufacturer with QMK firmware on a magnetic board is Keychron and they have disabled 6KRO support in recent firmware updates. So a magnetic board would be a risk. On Ali Express I have mostly gotten 60% universal PCBs and cases like the Y&R 6095 and the YMDK DK61. * https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804503651503.html * https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805636824523.html * https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807595731218.html And cases: * https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806679743340.html * https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832568535422.html The Rule60 is a very nice complete 60% board with an acrylic case I've been looking at: * https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808073127468.html For larger boards, you can't go wrong with the Akko 5075 VIA or Monsgeek M1 VIA * https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808543685563.html * https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807755427727.html

Assembling a barebones into a complete board is not hard, it's like a kind of boring Lego kit. For a PS5 where you're going to set it in your lap, I would recommend the Akko 5075 VIA. If you like tactile switches the Akko Creamy Purple Pro are good. I don't know enough about linear switches to really advise you on them.

Anything with QMK firmware, it's 2026, there's so many great keyboards with QMK firmware it seems a shame to put up with proprietary firmware restrictions and weirdness. Keychron: I have a K2 Pro and it's a lovely tank. I have a couple of J2s and have been hacking on the firmware. The Q and V have had quality problems and if they start losing keystrokes a few months in the support is completely pants, abusive. Akko: Monsgeek M1/M2 v5 VIA or Akko 5075 VIA. Magnetic: Keychron K or J series. They're the only QMK magnetic option other than Sunder who are even more always sold out than Keychron. Electromechanical: Glencreag WK84 or Womier WD75 because wood is such a lovely case material. Or: * [Monsgeek M1 v5](https://www.monsgeek.com/product/m1-v5-via-rapid-disassembly/) * ($80 barebones) * [Akko 5075B VIA](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FLDJZPH9) * ($60 barebones) * [YMDK YMD75](https://ymdkey.com/collections/75-diy) * ($64-$110 diy) * [Womier RD75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-RD75-Pro-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0DG82QD1X) ($95 w/ coupon) * [Womier WD75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Mechanical-Swappable-Translucent-Keycaps-POM/dp/B0DT8SP79R) * (wood! $90) * [Glencreag WK84](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYDM9N49) * (wood! $95 w/ coupon) * [Redragon K715](https://redragonshop.com/products/finke-k715-pro) * ($30) * [Royal Kludge RK R75 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R75-Mechanical/dp/B0CWGR5KM9) * ($51 with coupon) * [Womier Q75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Keyboard-Topographic-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0DQV22S2T) ($59) * [Womier Era75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Wireless-Mechanical-Pre-lubed-Swappable/dp/B0FGD7HWPW) ($63) * [Womier SK71 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Keyboard-Mechanical-Swappable-PRO-Black/dp/B0DSFWXFV7) ($65) * [Yunzii AL80](https://www.amazon.com/YUNZII-AL80-Wireless-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0DT73C6VP) ($84) * [Keychron J2](https://www.amazon.com/Keychron-Mechanical-Bluetooth-Hot-swappable-Compatible/dp/B0GLNSP4BN) * ($69) * [Kiiboom Phantom 81 Lite](https://www.amazon.com/KiiBoom-Mechanical-Programmable-Backlights-Hot-Swappable/dp/B0FB93MCLG) * ($91) * [Redragon k739](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-Mechanical-Programmable-Pre-Lubed-Swappable/dp/B0G38YZ8M1) * ($65) PS: the official "best keyboard" is the Norbauer Seneca but it starts at $3600. :)

It takes a long time to figure out what your preferences are. So I'll share mine, and tell you what you should look out for. First start paying attention to how you grip your mouse. If it's claw-grip or fingertip-grip then you'll likely want an egg-shaped mouse. Like for me, I use the mouse with a relaxed-fingertip grip and I exert force onto the mouse solely through my fingertips to 'flick' the mouse around. So having a mouse that is well-balanced with huge glass skates is important; I need to it to glide smoothly. If you're like me then I suggest picking up a VXE Mad R Major during one of the Aliexpress sales. You can get them for like $80, reduce the price further via cashback/coupons/coins. The VXE/VGN brand was created by ex-Zowie co-founders so they absolutely know how to make mouses. I wish more brands were like them, where the software is completely browser-based and you don't need to install some weird properitary software (No bloatware on my PC thx). Also I suggest picking up a braided 2m long type-C cable to go along with it just incase you need to use it wired in emergency situations -- like when you forget to charge lol. As for keyboards, I prefer tactile keyboards. So anything that sounds poppy is good enough for me. An Akko 5075S is an extremely good bang-for-buck keyboard, it's just under $100. If you end up paying more than $100 for a keyboard, make sure it supports QMK/Via. It's an important modern featureset to have so you can rebind the keyboard layout to whatever keystroke or macro you want. If you belong in the other keyboard camp and can stomach linear switches. Then chances are you may enjoy HE keyboards. But those do come at a premium.

I have an Akko DIY 5075 with penguin silent switches, and it's so quiet. The switch feedback is great too.

This. For big brands you pay for the name on the product, the quality is often not there anymore. I had keyboards from Cooler Master, Logitech, Corsair and none appeal to me anymore when I see them on a display. Loving my 75% Akko.

For your budget you should check out the neo75 or neo98 depending on your preferred layout. Akko and keychron are both great in their own ways, but keychron is not what it used to be, and is generally overpriced for the quality. Akko is generally a bit better priced with decent quality, but there are still much better boards out there. The neo boards run about $150 barebones so you'd have 100 left over to choose switches, keycaps, and stabilizers(optional, the neo series come with them, but I'll explain later) The new neo75 and 98 boards blow akko and keychron out of the water. I have a neo 98 that i use at work and I'm astounded at the level of quality you can get now for $150. I got the taupe grey which looks awesome.  I will say that if you do get a neo board, spend an extra$10-15 dollars and get some good stabilizers for it. The stabilizers that come with the board aren't great, though they are on par with what you would get with a keychron or akko board. I've been loving the typeplus x yikb stabilizers. They're amazing. There's nothing worse than having a beautiful keyboard that sounds amazing, except for the rattling enter or space bar.

If you can drop the function row, Machina Overture65 V2 (prebuilt) while it's still in GB. Keychron and Akko don't have great QC because they use cheap factories and mass produce, while companies that make primarily custom boards have a better QC checking system and use better materials + design. Another option would be the QK Evo80 for prebuilt or Hex80 for hall effect.

Most wireless boards are fire hazards unless they employ a small scale battery (which is primarily used by the ZMK system). I've seen a lot of OEM keychron and akko boards have case warping, plate inconsistencies, and just bad tolerances on even their $200 aluminum boards. They're also just designed pretty terribly from an acoustic standpoint because they rely on foam to mask hollowness, instead of allowing for one to choose the config. Also, some akko boards are OEMs also used by ajazz, attack shark, and aula, all of which have cases of shady firmware that either bricks the board or contains malware. Not an issue with keychron but keychron firmware is just buggy in its own way (crashes, random connectivity drops). IMO the best OEM board is the Shortcut Bridge75 because it actually uses a decent factory, but tldr I'd pay the premium for a Machina or QK prebuilt (and it's within your budget). https://youtu.be/7hHq6jCyVX0?si=lOGWcbT43ytrvvwJ https://youtu.be/cG6N0I5WuSo?si=52J13CXrT2e424q6

Akko mechanical keyboard, some random ancient gaming mouse off Amazon from when I was 14

A mechanical keyboard is fun but by no means necessary. I do think a decent mouse really ups the experience over a touchpad for ergonomic reasons. But it should be whatever makes you happy. I personally quite like my [capybara mouse](https://en.akkogear.com/product/akko-capybara-mouse/), they have some other fun cat and hamster ones too. Their mechanical keyboards are also nice but again, I don't think that's required. Especially if you're on a laptop, I think an extra keyboard is pretty pointless unless you're connecting it to a TV or something, otherwise it just clutters your setup.  Edit: can't read lol, didn't realize its a desktop. Again, I don't think either is a dealbreaker but if you're in the market to upgrade, I like akko quite a lot. The main things you'll want to look into is keyboard layout and switch types. The switch type will mostly be force needed for the key and how clicky your keys are. None of that affects game play but you may get more enjoyment if it fits your preferences.