This $69 mechanical keyboard has features that usually cost $200
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24 days of our favorite hardware, gadgets and technologies
If you want the most satisfying typing experience and a decent gaming keyboard, you should go for a mechanical keyboard.
While mechanical keyboards were traditionally quite expensive without offering many extra features, today it’s the opposite: you can get a fantastic mechanical keyboard at an incredibly low price.
A perfect example is the Ajazz AK820 Pro. As one of the best-selling mechanical keyboards on Amazon, it offers the perfect balance of price, features, and performance.
It checks all the boxes you could want in a mechanical keyboard: a compact 75% layout, hot-swappable sockets with support for 3- and 5-pin switches, wireless connectivity (Bluetooth and 2.4GHz via the included dongle) and wired options, and compatibility with Mac and Windows.
No matter what device you plug or connect the keyboard to, you’ll have a great time typing on the Flying Fish or Gift pre-lubricated linear switches.
The keyboard’s construction also contributes to its satisfying typing feel. It offers a smooth, damped response thanks to the joint support and flexibly cut PC plate and PCB, while multiple layers of foam and a silicone mat inside the case enhance the pleasantly marbled sound of the keyboard.
The keys are also surprisingly decent. They’re double-shot PBT, which means they have a grippy matte finish, and the callouts won’t wear off even after several years of use. Granted, not all PBT keyboards are created equal, but after nearly a year of actively typing on these, I can say that they don’t show the slightest sign of wear.
The Ajazz AK820 Pro also goes beyond the basics.
It has a satisfying volume button that you can press to mute, as well as 1.6 million color RGB backlighting. The LEDs face south, ensuring compatibility with the keys printed on the side.
Now for the elephant in the room: the TFT screen to the right of the arrow keys. It’s customizable through the keyboard software, meaning you can upload your own images and GIFs. This lets you, for example, upload a festive GIF and pair it with a rainbow RGB effect that perfectly complements the rest of your holiday decor.
If you don’t like the screen and don’t need wireless connectivity, you can opt for the non-Pro variant of this keyboard, which comes with slightly low-end switches. I have both, and each is a great deal for what it offers.
The cheaper model can be a great choice if you want to spend the rest of your budget on nicer switches, such as the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro, while the AK820 Pro is a great all-in-one package on its own.
- Form factor
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75%
- Switching options
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Ajazz Gift Switch, Ajazz Flying Fish Switch
The Ajazz AK820 Pro is a gasket-mounted mechanical keyboard with pre-lubricated switches and PBT keycaps. It supports 2.4GHz, Bluetooth and wired modes, and has a built-in TFT screen that can display GIFs.
HTG Wrapped 2025: 24 days of technology
24 days of our favorite hardware, gadgets and technologies
