QwertyKeys keycaps

QwertyKeys keyboards ship with Cherry profile PBT keycaps featuring dye-sublimated legends, manufactured primarily by MilkyWay Keys. The QK65 comes with a 91-key set specifically designed for 65% layouts, while other models include appropriately sized sets matched to their form factors. Material is PBT plastic throughout, offering durability and resistance to shine compared to ABS alternatives. The dye-sublimation printing method ensures legends won't fade with heavy use.

Most QwertyKeys keyboards feature color-matched keycap sets designed specifically for each colorway option. For example, the QK65 Mk3 offers five distinct colorway-specific keycap sets (Console Eclipse Grey, Retro White, Basalt Grey, White Peach Pink, and others), each coordinated with the case finish. This attention to aesthetic cohesion extends across the Neo series as well, where copper-bottom Cu models receive keycaps that complement the metallic accents.

Layout support is comprehensive. Both ANSI and ISO layouts are available across most keyboard lines, with UK ISO specifically mentioned for the QK65 keycap sets. The standard bottom row configuration uses a 6.25u spacebar with 1.25u modifiers, and the 1.75u right shift required for 65% and 75% layouts is included. All keycaps use standard MX stems, making them compatible with Cherry MX switches and MX-style clones.

QwertyKeys sells replacement and addon keycap sets separately through their website and authorized retailers. The QK65 keycap set, for instance, retails around $45–60 USD depending on region and includes 91 keys total. Sets like the QK Taro Balls demonstrate the brand's willingness to offer themed aesthetic options beyond stock colorways. Importantly, QwertyKeys maintains a reputation for stocking replacement parts for years after a keyboard's initial release—a significant advantage over group-buy-only manufacturers.

Customization compatibility is straightforward. All QwertyKeys keyboards accept standard MX-compatible aftermarket keycaps without restriction. The Cherry profile stock caps can be swapped for any other profile (DSA, XDA, SA, MT3, etc.) as long as the keycap set includes the correct sizes for the board's layout. The 1.75u right shift on 65% and 75% models is the primary compatibility consideration—any modern enthusiast keycap base kit or 65%/75% addon kit will cover it.

QwertyKeys emerged in late 2020 as a direct response to what its founders perceived as excessive "brand premiums" in the custom mechanical keyboard market. Based in Guangdong, China—the global hub for electronics manufacturing—the collective of designers and manufacturing specialists leveraged local supply chain advantages to bring custom keyboards to market at aggressive price points without sacrificing quality. The brand's founding philosophy, stated candidly on their "About Us" page ("hiya didn't think someone would really check this"), emphasized transparency and value over marketing hype.

The Owlab Voice65, released in late 2020 or early 2021, served as the brand's entry into the enthusiast space. The 65% keyboard gained immediate traction for its rotary encoder, compact design, and refined build quality—many enthusiasts drew favorable comparisons to the more expensive Graystudio Space65. But Owlab's true breakthrough arrived with the Jelly Epoch 75% keyboard in 2021. The Jelly Epoch introduced a distinctive acoustic signature the community described as "marble sound"—a deep, resonant typing feel that became instantly recognizable and highly sought-after. Group buys sold out rapidly, cementing Owlab's reputation for delivering premium experiences at accessible prices.

Following the Jelly Epoch's success, Owlab released the Mr. Suit TKL as a more refined, premium iteration of the marble-sound philosophy. The keyboard's group buy sold out immediately, demonstrating sustained community enthusiasm. Around the same time, the brand launched the Neo series under the QwertyKeys storefront, positioning these keyboards as value-oriented alternatives to Owlab's premium-tier products. The Neo65, Neo75, and Neo80 offered gasket mounting, VIA firmware support, wireless connectivity options, and CNC aluminum construction at prices typically $100–200 below comparable competitors.

The Neo Cu series, introduced around 2022–2023, represented QwertyKeys' push into premium materials while maintaining value positioning. The Neo65 Cu and Neo75 Cu feature copper or brass bottom cases (instead of aluminum), producing richer, deeper acoustics without foam fillers. Extended mirror-finished PVD stainless steel weights add mass and vibration damping. The Cu models demonstrated QwertyKeys' ability to deliver enthusiast-tier materials and acoustics at prices competing with mid-tier boards from established brands.

Recent developments include the Neo65 Sonic HE+ (a Hall Effect magnetic switch keyboard targeting competitive gaming at budget pricing), the QK65 Mk3 (third revision of the popular QK65 with refined gasket mounting and colorway-specific keycap sets), and expansion into full-size (QK101) and Alice layouts (QK Alice Duo). The brand continues to emphasize long-term parts availability—a rarity in the group-buy-dominated custom keyboard market—and maintains active Discord and Reddit communities for build support.

As of 2025, QwertyKeys operates as one of the most recognized Chinese keyboard manufacturers alongside KBDfans, with a reputation for exceptional value-to-price ratios, responsive community engagement, and a willingness to stock replacement parts years after initial releases. The brand's trajectory mirrors the broader democratization of custom keyboards, where premium features (gasket mounting, wireless connectivity, QMK/VIA, CNC aluminum) have migrated from $400+ group-buy exclusives to $100–200 in-stock products accessible to enthusiasts worldwide.