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Tag: mechanical keyboards

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Yuzu Keycaps Review: Custom Keycaps for Weird Keyboard Layouts

This week I opened a box I had been waiting weeks for: my first fully custom keycap set.

Quick Answer: Is Yuzu Keycaps Worth It?

Yuzu Keycaps is worth considering if you need a custom keycap set for an unusual keyboard layout, want colors or legends that standard sets do not offer, or are trying to build something more personal than an off-the-shelf kit. It is not the cheapest way to buy keycaps, but the set I ordered looked professional enough that you would not know it was custom-made.

Best For Why Yuzu Works
Unusual keyboard layouts You can design around nonstandard key sizes and legends
Custom color schemes Yuzu offers a large color library instead of a fixed kit
PBS or PFF profiles Useful if you want newer profile options that are not common in mass-market sets
One-off personal designs Good for making a set that does not look like everyone else’s keyboard
Budget keycap shopping Probably not the best fit; generic sets are cheaper

Why Buy Custom Keycaps

If you’ve ever bought a keyboard with an unusual layout—or just wanted something no one else has—you’ve probably run into the same problem I did: standard keycap sets don’t fit your needs.

I’m a collector of keyboards and I have:

  • Ortholinear keyboards
  • Split Keyboards
  • Keyboards with Enter, Tab, Shift, and Backspace keys in atypical sizes
  • Low Profile Keyboards

But beyond that, sometimes you want to create something no one else has, or some other variation. The design sites for these services are relatively easy, but putting together an entire design is not always easy.

The Options Explored

I opted to order from Yuzu, who offers Cherry, KAM, and what prompted me to order, the recent introduction of PBS and PFF profiles. PFF is a low profile keycap profile that only recently was designed. They also offer a lot of different color choices.

There are two other purchase alternatives:

  • FKKeycaps, who offers custom MDA, Cherry, XDA, DSA, LPF, SLK and MBK. SLK and LBF are also low profile keycaps that work with MX style low profile switches, and MBK, which only works on Choc V1 switches. FKKeycaps only seems to offer one single color of keycap.
  • Thockfactory, who offer only Cherry profile. Their price for Cherry is lower than the competition, but they don’t allow for custom layouts, only several presets, but they allow a variety of colors.

The Profiles Explained

If you look down at your keyboard now, you may notice one of two things. The keycaps are all the same shape and height. This is called uniform. Where each row is a different shape and height, that would be a sculpted profile.  Typists who rely on the subtle angle changes of a sculpted profile to orient their fingers may take a short time to adjust.

Standard Switch Profiles

  • Cherry –  one of the most recognizable and popular sculpted keycap profiles. It has a maximum height of 9.4mm with a cylindrical top.
  • DSA – uniform profile with a height of 7.6mm and a spherical top
  • XDA –  uniform profile with a 9.1mm height and spherical top as well as a larger surface area than DSA
  • KAM – uniform profile with a 9.1mm height and spherical top and a surface area in between DSA and XDA
  • MDA – sculpted profile with a maximum height of 12.36mm and a spherical top
  • SLK – A 7.5mm uniform spherical keycap that extends below the typical bottom of a switch
  • PBS – uniform profile with a height of 7.5mm tall, which makes it similar in height to DSA, but combines cylindrical front-to-back curvature with a spherical scoop

Low Profile Switch Profiles

Generally speaking, low profile keycaps are uniform.

  • PFF – 5mm tall, using the same cylindrical front-to-back curvature with a spherical scoop used in PBS, which makes it one of the few low profile keycaps that isn’t flat
  • LPF and MBK – are only compatible with Choc V1 low profile switches. Choc V1 switches can be lower than low profile MX switches, which PFF supports, but there is a lot less variety in general.

Yuzu: A Review

In terms of flexibility, Yuzu can’t be beat with over 300 colors. This allows you to pick colors, fonts, icons and graphics to create sets that no one has.

It is the ultimate in customization for keyboard enthusiasts. I placed an order when they started offering PBS, and received my first custom design a few weeks later…the delay due to the popularity of the new offering creating a backlog. You would not be able to tell these were custom keycaps. They look as good as the commercial ones. Why? Because Yuzu is a project of Keyreative, a commercial keycap manufacturer. Keyreative started out as an OEM manufacturer of keycaps before branching out into direct sales, so they are already the manufacturer of many keycap sets.

At the end, custom keycaps aren’t as cheap as generic sets, but they are comparable with more boutique sets. I opted for the below custom set, which is based on the popular Space Cadet design. Space Cadet was a keyboard designed in 1978 and used on LISP machines at MIT. I made some mistakes on my first foray into this, but Yuzu created a professional grade set of keycaps for me at a price that is comparable to a high quality set.

 

A QAZ style keyboard with custom PBS keycaps based on the popular Space Cadet design

 

Published on April 23, 2026
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Compact travel keyboard with laptop and backpack, illustrating the best travel keyboards in 2026
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Best Travel Keyboards in 2026: Mechanical, Foldable, and Portable Options

updated July 21, 2026

The best travel keyboard in 2026 depends on whether you need something foldable, mechanical, ultra-light, or wireless. Here are the best portable keyboards for working on the go.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Quick answer: For most people, the best travel keyboard is the thinnest keyboard they can comfortably type on for more than a few minutes. I would start with the Keychron B1 Pro if you want something cheap, thin, and quiet. If you want a low-profile mechanical keyboard, look at the Keychron K3 QMK. If you want the more premium low-profile feel, compare the NuPhy Air75 V2.

Quick Picks: Best Travel Keyboards in 2026

Use case Best pick Why I’d choose it Check price
Best cheap thin travel keyboard Keychron B1 Pro Thin, quiet, inexpensive, and closer to a laptop-style typing feel than a compact mechanical board. Check price
Best low-profile mechanical travel keyboard Keychron K3 QMK A practical travel-friendly mechanical keyboard if you want real switches without carrying a chunky board. Check price
Best premium low-profile option NuPhy Air75 V2 A nicer-feeling low-profile mechanical keyboard for people who want a better typing experience and can spare the space. Check price
Best smaller NuPhy option NuPhy Air60 V2 Smaller than the Air75, with the same general low-profile travel-keyboard appeal. Check price
Best split travel keyboard Epomaker Split65 A budget way to try a split layout that can pack more flexibly than a one-piece keyboard. Check price
Best tiny mechanical keyboard Keychron Q9 Very small and very portable, but only a good fit if you already like compact layouts or are willing to learn one. Check price

There are a few approaches to travel keyboards. In previous years, I looked at folding keyboards as one possible solution, but a lot of them do not feel good enough for real typing. Choosing a travel keyboard usually comes down to the compromise you can live with: thinner, smaller, quieter, more mechanical, or more ergonomic.

Most of the mechanical options below use open source firmware or offer strong layout customization, and several have hotswap switch options. But if you care more about thinness than switch feel, a scissor-switch board may be the better travel keyboard than a tiny mechanical board.

Best Cheap Thin Travel Keyboard: Keychron B1 Pro

The Keychron B1 Pro is the travel keyboard I would look at first if thinness, price, and quiet typing matter more than a mechanical feel. It is closer to the kind of keyboard you might expect from a laptop or slim desktop setup, which can be a strength when you are trying to keep a travel bag light.

Buy this if: you want a thin, inexpensive Bluetooth keyboard that is easy to pack and does not need to feel like a full mechanical board.

Skip it if: you specifically want mechanical switches, hotswap options, or a heavier enthusiast typing feel.

Check the latest price on Amazon

Best Low-Profile Mechanical Travel Keyboard: Keychron K3 QMK

The Keychron K3 QMK is the more natural choice if you want a real mechanical keyboard but do not want to travel with a tall, heavy board. The low-profile layout makes more sense in a travel bag than a standard-height mechanical keyboard, while QMK support gives you more room to customize the layout.

Buy this if: you want a travel-friendly mechanical keyboard with a more serious typing feel than a scissor-switch board.

Skip it if: you mostly care about thinness, quiet typing, or the lowest possible travel weight.

Check the latest price on Amazon

Best Premium Low-Profile Travel Keyboard: NuPhy Air75 V2

The NuPhy Air75 V2 is the premium low-profile option I would compare against the Keychron boards. It is a better fit if you care about typing feel and are willing to give up a little more bag space for a nicer keyboard.

Buy this if: you want a nicer low-profile mechanical keyboard and do not need the smallest possible travel setup.

Skip it if: you want the cheapest thin keyboard or you need something smaller than a 75% layout.

Check the latest price on Amazon

Best Smaller NuPhy Option: NuPhy Air60 V2

The NuPhy Air60 V2 is the more compact NuPhy option. It keeps the low-profile mechanical feel but takes up less space than the Air75, which can matter if you are trying to build a smaller travel kit.

Buy this if: you like the NuPhy low-profile idea but want a smaller board than the Air75.

Skip it if: you rely heavily on dedicated keys and would be annoyed by the compromises of a smaller layout.

Check the latest price on Amazon

Best Split Travel Keyboard: Epomaker Split65

The Epomaker Split65 is the interesting travel option if you want to try a split layout without building a custom board. A split keyboard can pack differently than a one-piece keyboard, and it can be easier to position in a cramped hotel-room or travel-desk setup.

Buy this if: you want a split layout that is still realistic to travel with.

Skip it if: you want the simplest possible keyboard or you do not want to adjust to a split layout while traveling.

Check the latest price on Amazon

Best Tiny Mechanical Keyboard: Keychron Q9

The Keychron Q9 is the tiny mechanical option for people who are already comfortable with compact layouts. It is small enough to be genuinely portable, but the layout is part of the deal. This is not the board I would recommend to someone who wants a normal typing experience with no adjustment period.

Buy this if: you already like compact mechanical keyboards and want something very small for travel.

Skip it if: you need a conventional layout or do not want to relearn key positions on the road.

Check the latest price on Amazon

Which Travel Keyboard Should You Choose?

If I were buying a travel keyboard today, I would start by deciding whether I care more about thinness or typing feel.

The simplest answer is probably the Keychron B1 Pro. It is thin, quiet, and easy to pack. The more enthusiast answer is the Keychron K3 QMK or NuPhy Air75 V2, depending on how much space you are willing to give a keyboard in your bag.

Related Travel Tech

A keyboard is only one part of a portable work setup. If you also work from hotels, see my guide to the best travel router for hotel Wi-Fi.

How to Think About Travel Keyboard Size

The right travel keyboard is usually the smallest or thinnest keyboard you can pack and still enjoy using. A keyboard that is technically portable but unpleasant to type on will stay in your bag.

A thin scissor-switch keyboard like the Keychron B1 Pro makes sense if you want something light, quiet, and easy to carry. A low-profile mechanical keyboard like the Keychron K3 QMK, NuPhy Air60 V2, or NuPhy Air75 V2 makes sense if typing feel matters more than saving every ounce.

Split keyboards are more specialized. They can pack well because they separate into two pieces, but they also require more adjustment. Very small mechanical keyboards, including 40% layouts, are even more personal. They can be wonderfully portable, but they are best for people who already like compact layouts or are willing to learn one.

I still like tiny keyboards, and I sell supplies for them at MechDreams, but I would not tell most travelers to start there. For most people, the safer first choice is a thin keyboard or a low-profile mechanical board.

Published on February 20, 2026
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Best Keyboard for Travel: What Actually Works on the Road?

In my previous writing, about using a Mini PC on the Go, I mentioned a 60-65% keyboard as the right size in my opinion for travel. So, what are the different types of keyboards?

  • Full-size
  • Tenkeyless(TKL) – A tenkeyless is the same size as a full-size keyboard, but omits the number pad.
  • 75%  – condenses the function keys
  • 65% – usually retains the arrow keys while condensing the other function keys.
  • 60% – removes the function and navigation keys
  • 40% – the smallest keyboard

Updated note: This article is more of a practical reflection on what makes a keyboard good for travel. For a current buyer-focused guide, see my updated list of the best travel keyboards in 2026.

I have long since given up on full sized keyboards. All my home keyboards are TKL. This is something of a practical issue. I’m left-handed, and the number pad is on the right side of the keyboard, favoring right handed typists. In the rare cases when you need it, you can try for a keypad such as this inexpensive one from Kisnt, which has Red, Brown, and Blue switch options and PBT keycaps already.

40% is too small. I know people are very passionate about this size once you get used to the combinations to use it. The most economical 40% I found was at the local Microcenter.

For my latest attempt, I opted for a 65% Keychron K6 that was discounted at the time I purchased it and is still reasonable. The K6 is bluetooth and USB-C, but has a hardware rather than a software switch between wireless and wired. Some models of the K6 are hotswappable, meaning you can change the switches.. Compare that to the well reviewed Royal Kludge RK68, which has a software switch. 65% gets you the arrow keys, which I do enjoy having as dedicated functions.

I previously used a 60%, and tried several variations, but missed those arrow keys. However, if I opt to try a 60% again, I might try the Royal Kludge RK61, which is not only hot-swappable, but has QMK/VIA support…which allows you to remap the keys to a configuration of your liking. Since I’m on a Keychron kick of late, they have the K12. The Pro Version has the QMK/VIA support.

By the time you get to 75%, you might as well carry around your tenkeyless on a trip, thus making the 65% percent the perfect compromise between the two.

 

Published on March 25, 2024
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Keychron C3 Pro Review: A Budget Mechanical Keyboard That Still Makes Sense

 

I have a problem. I keep buying mechanical keyboards. I only have one set of hands, and I don’t type with my feet, so why do I keep buying new ones? Partially because I’m hard on my keyboards. I gave up on non-mechanical keyboards years ago, but I didn’t buy really expensive ones. I bought a moderately priced one. And I keep looking for new options in that, and chasing the perfect typing experience. The pictures you see are the Keychron C3 Pro Keyboard. This particular model, initially an Amazon exclusive, retails for more, but I was able to get it for $29.99 on sale, which made it worth a try. I’m typing this post on it right now.

Quick Answer: Is the Keychron C3 Pro Worth It?

The Keychron C3 Pro is worth considering if you want an inexpensive mechanical keyboard that feels better than the price suggests and gives you useful enthusiast features like QMK/VIA support. The original non-hotswap version is still fine as a budget board, but the newer RGB hotswap version is the better choice if the price difference is small.

Version Best For Tradeoff
Original Keychron C3 Pro Cheap entry into mechanical keyboards Switches are not hotswappable
RGB hotswap C3 Pro Better long-term tinkering and switch swaps Costs a little more
RGB hotswap C3 Pro 8K Upgrade on the RGB Hotswap Costs only a few dollars more than the hotswap version
Higher-end Keychron boards More features, layouts, and materials More expensive than the C3 Pro

The keyboard comes in two switch varieties, red and brown. It offers a red backlight. The keycaps are replaceable, but the switches are not. Keychron makes plenty of keyboards that allow you to swap the switches as well. It is well-built for a budget keyboard, and neither version is overly loud, something people tend to comment on with these keyboards. It has many of the features a more expensive keyboard would.

I have historically bought budget mechanical keyboards, there are too many color switches, and more types coming every day. The feature that interests me particularly is something called QMK/VIA. The feature allows reprogramming the mapping of the keyboard. Never use your Scroll Lock key? Turn it into a Mute button for Zoom. Build macros into the keyboard instead of software. Certainly an interesting thing to play with. Add a few custom keycaps to remember what the key is…you can repurpose keys you barely use.

If you are interested in quieter typing, see my guide to building a silent keyboard on a budget.

There are upgraded models from Keychron, and competing models from other companies, but for the price and features, I doubt they can beat it…especially if you get it at $30.

Update: April 2024 – Keychron is now offering the C3 Pro in an RGB hot swappable variation for only $10 more than the regular price of the variation they originally released.

Update: 2026 – Keychron has introduced an updated model of the C3 Pro with 8K polling. If you are a gamer, you probably care about that, although a polling improvement is negligibly noticeable even for gamers. The 8K version does have additional case foam which may improve the sound, and Cherry PBT keycaps over OEM ABS Keycaps…so despite being at the lower end of their lineup, several premium improvements.

Published on January 26, 2024
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