The prices of mechanical keyboards have been decreasing significantly in the past few years. Considering the increasing popularity of the product, it is not much of a surprise. Many companies including Motospeed, AULA, and E-3LUE have been selling mechanical keyboards for as low as $30. I have purchased a few of these keyboards and tested them out to see if they are worth your money.

For this article, I will specifically be looking at the:

  • Aukey KM-G3 Mechanical Keyboard
  • Motospeed Inflictor CK104 Mechanical Keyboard

Are the mechanical switches any good?

Almost all mechanical keyboards under $80 do not use genuine Cherry Mx keys.

Instead, they use near identical, but cheaper versions of the MX keys. These switches are designed like Cherry MX keys but use more affordable technology. Also, the mechanical switches have a generic design, so you can add your own custom keycaps to the product. From personal experience, the keys feel very similar to their tactile Cherry MX counterparts but typically have a more pronounced sound. Overall, the mechanical switches are comfortable to use and are great for typing if you do not mind the noise.

Mediocre keycaps

As expected, the keyboard keycaps can be smoothly removed from their switches with the proper tools. This makes cleaning under the keys easier. The keys feature an ergonomic design and are indented for painless typing.

Unfortunately, the keys are not very sturdy, and easily wiggle when you press them. Another downside is some of the keys are painted on poorly, and make some of the keys appear darker than others. Another common complaint is the keycap font. I personally do not mind the blocky, retro looking letters, but I know many people who do.

In the end, the keycaps are mediocre, but can always be replaced with a new set for no more than $10.

Sleek and colorful appearance

The $50 Mechanical keyboards have a decent appearance. Firstly, they feature colorful RGB backlighting. The backlighting has many animations and colors and can be changed by pressing keys, so no software is required.

Also, the lighting is not that bright but is not awful. The keyboards appear compact and have a mechanical aesthetic to them. The keyboards are also fairly small and can fit on small desks. The keyboard plate is made out of aluminum and the casing is made out of hard plastic. This gives the keyboard a high-quality look. Overall, the keyboard has decent, customizable backlighting, and a sleek, clean outer appearance.

Super affordable price

A huge selling point of the $50 mechanical keyboards is the incredibly low price. Usually, the keyboards can be bought online from China, and take a little over a month to ship if you live in North America. In comparison to Razer or Logitech mechanical keyboards, the $50 mechanical keyboards are only half the price.

These keyboards are super affordable, especially for what they are.

Should you buy one?

If you are looking for a decent mechanical keyboard under $100’s, I think these $50 mechanical keyboards are a good choice. Firstly, they have generic mechanical switches that are tactile and good quality. Secondly, on the switches are mediocre keycaps, but can be replaced for $10 or less. Finally, the keyboards have a nice appearance, with RGB backlighting and a sleek, compact design. In retrospect, for $50 I do not think you can find a keyboard with a better value.
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