MechKeys G87 Mechanical Keyboard Review: Budget King or Overhyped?

First Impressions: A Sleek Performer

When unboxing the MechKeys G87 in "Shadow Black," its minimalist design immediately stood out. The 87-key compact layout with side-printed keycaps and a matte black finish gives it a professional, understated look—perfect for my cluttered yet aesthetics-driven workspace. The keyboard’s 19mm front height and adjustable feet (6° or 9°) made it ergonomic right out of the box, a relief for my wrists during long coding sessions.

The standout feature? The **horizontal volume knob** on the right. Unlike vertical knobs that strain your thumb, this one lets you adjust volume or mute with a natural flick—a small but genius touch. On the left, a triple-mode toggle (Bluetooth 5.0/2.4G/wired) and a hidden magnetic 2.4G receiver slot kept the design clean. No more lost dongles!

Typing Experience: Thocky Bliss on a Budget

The G87’s "Tofu V2" linear switches (45g actuation, 1.9mm travel) live up to their "marble sound" hype. They’re buttery smooth with a muted, satisfying *thock*—loud enough to feel premium but quiet enough for office use. After a week of typing and gaming, I noticed zero fatigue, and the lack of scratchiness rivaled switches twice the price.

Wireless performance impressed me too. In 2.4G mode, I hammered out documents and played *Valorant* with **no noticeable latency**. The 10,000mAh battery (claimed 111-day lifespan) is a game-changer; after two weeks of heavy use, it’s still at 80%. Most budget keyboards skimp here, but MechKeys didn’t.

Flaws? A Few Nitpicks

- **Keycap texture**: The smooth ABS keycaps attract fingerprints and lack the grippy texture of PBT. Heavy typists might crave more tactility.

- **Software**: The customization app is basic—no macro programming or per-key RGB tweaks (though the white backlight is clean).

- **Weight**: At 900g, it’s sturdy but less portable than ultra-light models.

### **Verdict: Unbeatable for Under $200?**

The G87 punches **way above its price tag**. The battery life, premium acoustics, and ergonomic tweaks (that knob!) make it a steal. While keycap and software limitations remind you it’s budget-friendly, they’re easy compromises for this performance.

**Who’s it for?** Writers, coders, and casual gamers who want a no-fuss, high-value workhorse. If you need RGB razzle-dazzle or heavy customization, look elsewhere. But for **$200**? This might be the best "entry-level" keyboard that doesn’t feel entry-level at all.

**Rating**: 4.5/5

*Pros*: Battery life, sound/feel, ergonomic design

*Cons*: Basic software, ABS keycaps