Womier - SK87

75%: * [MonsgeekM1 v5](https://www.monsgeek.com/product/monsgeek-m1-v5-via-1980s-mechanical-keyboard/) ($95) * [Akko 5075B VIA](https://en.akkogear.com/product/5075b-via) ($60 barebones) * [YMDK YMD75](https://ymdkey.com/collections/75-diy) * ($64-$110 diy) * [Inland Gaming MK Pro 75](https://www.microcenter.com/product/664376/inland-gaming-mk-pro-75-barebones-keyboard) * (~~$85~~ $40 barebones, in-store only) * [Womier RD75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-RD75-Pro-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0DG82QD1X) ($95 w/ coupon) * [Kiiboom Loop75](https://www.amazon.com/KiiBoom-Loop-75-Structure-Mechanical/dp/B0D62RNXXM) * ($85 w/ coupon) * [Womier WD75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Mechanical-Swappable-Translucent-Keycaps-POM/dp/B0DT8SP79R) * (wood! $96) * [Glencreag WK84](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYDM9N49) * (wood! $95 w/ coupon) * [Redragon K715](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K715-Programmable-Mechanical-Dedicated/dp/B0DKXLDJ24) * ($32.50) * [Royal Kludge RK R75 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R75-Mechanical/dp/B0CWGR5KM9) * ($51 with coupon) 80%: * [Royal Kludge RK R87 Pro QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R87-Pro/dp/B0D5B2LRB5) (hotswap knob(!), $55) * [iLoveBee B87](https://www.amazon.com/iLovBee-B87-Mechanical-Keyboard-Swappable/dp/B0DFG91F96) (hotswap knob, $40) * [Jamesdonkey J4](https://www.amazon.com/JamesDonkey-Mechanical-Bluetooth-Hot-swappable-Compatible/dp/B0F62ML1BT) ($53) * [Weikav Stars80 v2](https://www.amazon.com/BOYI-Aluminum-Mechanical-Keyboard-Programmable/dp/B0F6VQ7J94) ($99) * [Womier SK87](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ6ZTBGH) * (*$49 with coupon*, seems identical to Stars80 v1) * [Yunzii B87](https://www.amazon.com/YUNZII-Wireless-Mechanical-Keyboard-Programmable/dp/B0DLKZ4HBW) ($70)

But it's got QMK firmware, it's rapid disassembly, CNC aluminum case, gasket mount, and hotswap. It's absolutely a better board. Or you can get the Womier SK87, which is the same board as the Stars80 v1, for $70. It's got basically everything but the rapid disassembly feature... there's 8-10 screws holding the case together. Fully kitted out. Edit: firmware source [here](https://github.com/womierkeyboard/qmk_firmware/tree/womier/keyboards/womier/sk87). The Jamesdonkey J4, again $70, has a plastic clipped case, but again it's got QMK firmware, it's gasket mount and hotswap. And the firmware source is online [here](https://github.com/james-donkey/qmk_firmware/tree/wireless_playground/keyboards/jamesdonkey/j4). That's two far better boards for little more than half the price. And, damn. I didn't notice first time around that the K70 seems to be a soldered board, that should be a war crime. Any board that costs more than $20 and doesn't have hotswap sockets is customer abuse.

Weikav Stars80/Womier SK87 is a really nice aluminum QMK trimode with a corner LED ornament. The Stars80v1 and SK87 are basically the same board and available from Amazon for $70 with the Womier label. The Stars80v2 has a rapid-disassembly case and is about $100. Firmware is by jonylee and is already in Github. * https://github.com/womierkeyboard/qmk_firmware/tree/womier/keyboards/womier/sk87

OK, here's half a dozen I have on hand and kept: * Redragon k717 Pro - a handsom tiny board that's smol and cheap and very fine. Switches are hard to pull out tho. * YMDK DK61 - About the middle of the range, it's also smol but so so versatile and the wooden case is smashing. An adventurous choice. [Mine](https://imgur.com/OJAqBwv) * XVX MU68 - Another slightly larger wooden board * Akko 5075B VIA - A budget plastic 75% that's just all around competent. * Glencreag WK84 - A midrange 75%, another wooden boy. * Womier SK87 - A premium aluminum board for a budget price.

That's still like $250 which is at least twice as much as I would consider paying for a keyboard. I suspect my Womier SK87 which set me back about $50 is a much better board.

* [Womier SK87](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ6ZTBGH) $42 Amazon US Black Friday if you hurry. Kind of amazing construction with an aluminum case, gasket mounted plate on spring arms and silicone socks. QMK/VIA hotswap all the mod cons.

I would avoid Keychron for conventional keyboards, they have had quality and production problems more or less continually for the past couple of years and customer support has gotten abusive. They do have the best magnetic board software, though, because even their magnetic boards are QMK- or ZMK- based and their web app is based on VIA. Most magnetic boards have software that's mediocre at best. So despite the issues they're probably your best choice for magnetic devices. Also they recently bought Jamesdonkey and the J series (ex-Jamesdonkey) boards don't seem to share the problems. Other companies to avoid: Epomaker, Wobkey, Attack Shark. Actual suggestions. You want a dual- or tri-mode 75-80% board with no frills? * [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) Monsgeek M1 is kind of the platonic ideal of a 75% aluminum board, and the Akko 5075 VIA is the plastic little cousin. I have both the v3 and v5 and I think the older board is a better design, the case changes to support the "rapid disassembly" latch in the v5 kind of reduced the space available for the gasket mount supports. The newer one is still very good. * [YMDK YMD75](https://ymdkey.com/collections/75-diy) * ($64-$110 diy) YMDK are like the heathkit of keyboards. All DIY, you can buy PCBs and they have multiple and quite distinct cases. Many of their kit is also interchangeable with KPRepublic. I have a YMD75 in a KPrepublic case though it took some minor surgery with a dremel tool. * [Womier RD75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-RD75-Pro-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0DG82QD1X) ($95 w/ coupon) * [Womier SK71 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Keyboard-Mechanical-Swappable-PRO-Black/dp/B0DSFWXFV7) ($65) * [Womier WD75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Mechanical-Swappable-Translucent-Keycaps-POM/dp/B0DT8SP79R) * (wood! $90) Womier have a bunch of boards of varying style and substance. These are good. The WD75 has a wooden case which is kind of lush. * [Womier QK87](https://www.amazon.com/Rainy75-Multimedia-Mechanical-Swappable-Switch-Gray/dp/B0DTKDD1VK) ($46) * [Womier SK87](https://womierkeyboard.com/products/womier-sk87) * ($70? $110? Price varies a lot) * [Weikav Stars80 v2](https://www.amazon.com/BOYI-Aluminum-Mechanical-Keyboard-Programmable/dp/B0F6VQ7J94) ($100) The SK87 is a relabeled version of the Weikav Stars80 v1. The Stars80s both have this kind of "crystal" plastic light insert on two corners which may be too gimmicky for you, but I have the SK87 and it's really an amazingly well-made board with a spring-arm mounted gasket, and I suspect is actually a better design than the magnetic-latch v2.