Tiny mechanical keyboard now available in Czechia for under 400 CZK! It even has RGB backlighting

A mechanical keyboard for the price of two canteen lunches. The XTRIKE ME GK-985P is on Alza for 359 CZK with AlzaPlus (449 CZK without it). For less than four hundred crowns, you get mechanical switches, RGB backlighting, and a compact 60% format — these are parameters that cost multiples just a few years ago. It is, of course, a bottom-of-the-barrel product, and no one should compare it to keyboards costing two thousand, but if you need a cheap mechanical keyboard for gaming or as a backup, this is a surprisingly decent choice.

Quick summary:
✅ Makes sense if you want to try a mechanical keyboard for minimal money, are looking for a compact 60% format, or need a cheap replacement.
⚠️ Consider if you expect premium sound, hot-swap switches, or Czech layout — the keyboard has an English layout and a plastic sound profile.
💡 For 359 CZK you get mechanical switches (50M presses), RGB backlighting with 12 modes, and plug-and-play via USB-A

What you get for the money

The keyboard has a 60% format — without a numeric keypad, function keys, and navigation block. Dimensions of 295 × 103 × 38 mm and a weight of just 480 grams make it one of the most compact keyboards on the market. For gamers, this means more desk space for the mouse; for portable use, it’s easy to pack into a backpack.

Mechanical switches have a declared lifespan of 50 million presses. Translucent switch housings and keycaps allow RGB backlighting to pass through evenly — 12 lighting modes are available. Connection is handled by a 1.5m USB-A cable; no software is needed — just plug and play. Compatible with Windows 7 to 11.

What to watch out for

One user put it precisely: it’s a rebrand of a Chinese factory, which you’ll find under a dozen different brands. That in itself isn’t a problem — but expect corresponding quality. The sound of the keys is described as “plastic,” the key between Ctrl and Fn changes lighting effects and is easy to press accidentally. The Enter key is single-row (small), which may not match the photos on the website. The cable is not detachable.

The switches are not hot-swap, so you can’t replace them. No software for advanced macro or backlighting settings exists — what the keyboard can do, you set directly on it.

Verdict

The XTRIKE ME GK-985P for 359 CZK is a keyboard from which it makes no sense to expect miracles — but for this price, it delivers exactly what it promises. Mechanical switches, RGB backlighting, and a compact format for the price of one larger restaurant meal. A rating of 4.8 out of 5, over 200 units sold, and a return rate below 1% show that it functions reliably for its price category. Anyone who wants a first mechanical keyboard to try out or a cheap backup unit won’t go wrong.

Would you give a mechanical keyboard for 359 CZK a chance?