Top 5 Budget Keyboards in 2024!

Summary

In 2024, custom keyboards entered a new era with the Rainy 75, a $99 keyboard offering premium features like aluminum construction and hot-swappable sockets. This triggered a wave of similar budget keyboards like the ND 75 S and Bridge 75, often based on OEM sets and featuring minor branding differences. While this era offers more affordable options, it may lead to a lack of unique keyboard personalities. The video reviews several models, with the Rainy 75 scoring an 8/10 and the Bridge 75 a perfect 10/10, highlighting the importance of personal preference in choosing a keyboard.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The Rainy 75 is recognized as the pioneer in the new era of budget custom keyboards, offering a comprehensive feature set at an affordable $99.
• 🔩 This new wave of keyboards is characterized by their aluminum construction, triple mode connectivity, hot-swappable sockets, and pre-assembled experience.
• 💸 The market has seen a significant price drop with features previously unheard of in budget keyboards, making custom keyboards more accessible.
• 📈 The influence of the Rainy 75 is evident in subsequent keyboard releases like the ND 75 S, K75, Bridge 75, and others, indicating a trend in the industry.
• 🏭 The rise of OEM-based keyboard kits has led to a decrease in unique keyboard designs, with companies focusing on branding and minor customizations.
• 🤔 There's a concern that the personality of keyboards may become generic as many use the same OEM base, potentially leading to less diversity in the market.
• 🎮 The Bridge 75 stands out with a perfect score for its enhancements like the ball catch system and hall effect switches, catering to both enthusiasts and gamers.
• 🛠️ The Zoom 65 V3 offers a unique approach with various mounting styles and a magnetic dobard, appealing to those who enjoy modding and upgrading their keyboards.
• 🏆 The TKD Cycle 8 is praised for its unique personality and high quality, earning a top score and being the reviewer's favorite keyboard of 2024.
• 🌐 The reviewer emphasizes that personal preferences play a crucial role in choosing a keyboard, as individual tastes vary widely.

Q & A

What is considered the starting point of the new era of custom keyboards in 2024?

The Rainy 75 keyboard is considered the starting point of the new era of custom keyboards in 2024, as it was the first budget keyboard under $100 with all the main features desired by users.

What are the main features that the Rainy 75 keyboard offers?

The Rainy 75 offers features such as full aluminum construction, triple mode connection, a perfect PCB with south-facing hot-swap sockets, support for screwing stabilizers, and a pre-assembled experience right out of the box.

How did the Rainy 75 impact the keyboard market?

The Rainy 75 impacted the keyboard market by offering all the desired features in a budget keyboard at $99, which was considered a game-changer and led to a new era of custom keyboards with similar offerings.

What is the significance of the month of June in the context of the custom keyboard market?

In June 2024, there were numerous keyboard releases that were heavily influenced by the Rainy 75, indicating a surge in the market influenced by this particular keyboard.

Why do some custom keyboards from 2024 lack unique personalities?

Custom keyboards from 2024 may lack unique personalities because many of them come from base OEM sets, with companies adding only slight customizations for branding, leading to less diversity in design and features.

What is the advantage of companies using OEM kits for custom keyboards?

The advantage of using OEM kits is that it allows for more affordable prices for budget keyboards, making high-quality custom keyboards accessible to a wider range of consumers.

What is the reviewer's rating for the Rainy 75 keyboard?

The reviewer rates the Rainy 75 keyboard an 8 out of 10, praising it for its features and quality but noting a minor issue with the type of screw used for the case.

What unique feature does the Bridge 75 keyboard offer that sets it apart?

The Bridge 75 keyboard offers a unique ball catch system and an option for hall effect switches, setting it apart and earning it a 10 out of 10 rating from the reviewer.

Why does the Zoom 65 V3 receive a rating of 8 out of 10 from the reviewer?

The Zoom 65 V3 receives an 8 out of 10 rating because it offers a unique approach with seven different mounting styles and a magnetic dobard, making it a fun keyboard to tinker with for those interested in modding.

What makes the TKD Cycle 8 stand out among the other keyboards reviewed?

The TKD Cycle 8 stands out due to its unique personality and aesthetics, as well as its higher quality compared to most other boards, earning it a 10 out of 10 rating from the reviewer.

What advice does the reviewer give to those looking for the best budget custom keyboard?

The reviewer advises that the choice of the best budget custom keyboard depends on personal preferences for sound, look, and feel, and also suggests considering shipping costs when making a decision.