Mechanical keyboard with hotswap switches for a thousand bucks! It has a rotary knob and RGB backlighting

A mechanical keyboard under a thousand bucks with hotswap switches? The MageGee SKY81 offers great features and looks fantastic. Just be aware of the US keyboard layout.

Hotswap and RGB for a steal

The keyboard has a 75% layout (83 keys) – a compact format without a numpad, saving desk space. The switches are blue with a characteristic click, but thanks to the hotswap socket, you can replace them with other 3-pin or 5-pin switches without soldering. The RGB backlighting has about 20 modes; the control knob serves both for volume and for changing lighting effects.

Two-stage foldable feet allow for three different tilt angles. Connection is via a detachable USB-C cable. The package also includes spare keycaps.

Budget with compromises

On Alza, the keyboard has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 11 customers, with 91% recommending it. They praise the price/performance ratio, the sound of the switches, and the volume knob. One user wrote: “I didn’t expect to get used to that knob so quickly.” Criticism is directed at the non-transparent keycaps – the RGB backlighting only shines around them. For light-colored keycaps, the legends are also harder to read.

Note: this is a US layout, so if you type a lot in Czech, consider if it suits you. One user also reported an issue with non-functional keys – but that’s more bad luck than a rule. The regular price is 1,299 CZK, with discount code ALZADNY20 you can now get it for 1,039 CZK.

Do you use US or CZ keyboard layout?