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AULA F87Pro Tri-Mode Wireless Mechanical Keyboard
I was on the hunt for a sleek, silent mechanical keyboard that didn’t sound like a construction site, and the AULA F87Pro grabbed my attention with its promise of “5-layer silencing filling.” I’ve used both gaming and office keyboards before, but they were either too loud or too stiff. This one seemed like the middle ground.
Shipping took about 11 days to the Midwest US, which isn’t bad at all. Packaging was solid, and the keyboard came fully intact with a Type-C cable, a keycap puller, and a bilingual manual.
Using it has been a dream. The keystrokes are incredibly smooth, and the silent switches really live up to the promise. I use it for work during the day and gaming at night, and it fits both roles perfectly. The tri-mode connection (2.4G, Bluetooth, USB-C) lets me switch between my work laptop and desktop without a hitch.
Pros:
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Extremely quiet yet tactile
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Compact 87-key layout
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Tri-mode is seamless
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Solid build quality
Cons:
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No dedicated volume/media keys
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RGB lighting is a bit basic compared to higher-end boards
I compared it to Logitech’s MX Mechanical Mini ($150+), and honestly, this AULA board at around $45 felt like a steal. It definitely met—and even exceeded—my expectations.
US $59.7
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Machenike K500A-B84 Wired Hot-Swappable Keyboard
I was intrigued by the Machenike K500A-B84 mostly because of its hot-swappable switches and unique six-color backlight. I wanted something budget-friendly to experiment with different switches without soldering.
It arrived in just under two weeks. Plug-and-play setup was flawless, and it instantly lit up with vibrant (though not RGB) lighting. The switches it came with are linear and light—perfect for long typing sessions.
Pros:
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Hot-swappable switches
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Compact 75% layout with arrow keys
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Budget-friendly (around $30)
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Great for switch modding
Cons:
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No wireless mode
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Limited lighting control
Compared to the Keychron C1 (~$70), this keyboard felt more like a hidden gem. It’s not flashy, but it’s functional, solidly built, and mod-ready. Met my expectations and more.
US $28.01
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Ajazz AK820 Pro Tri-Mode Mechanical Keyboard with Knob
The Ajazz AK820 Pro caught my eye because of the volume knob and gasket mount. I use a MacBook and a gaming PC, so the tri-mode Bluetooth/2.4G/USB-C combo was ideal.
It took around 12 days to get to me. Build quality is outstanding—heavy, stable, and premium-feeling. The volume knob is responsive, the RGB lighting is crisp, and the sound dampening is excellent. Feels like a $150+ custom board.
Pros:
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Beautiful gasket mount sound
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Excellent volume knob
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Tri-mode is flawless
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Hotswap-ready and super mod-friendly
Cons:
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Keycaps feel a bit thin
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RGB software isn’t very intuitive
It goes head-to-head with boards like the Keychron Q1 Pro ($180), but this one cost me only $60-ish. Definitely exceeded my expectations.
US $29.99
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104-Key Luminous Mechanical Keyboard & Mouse Combo
Needed a backup gaming keyboard and mouse for my nephew, and this 104-key luminous set was dirt cheap and waterproof. That combo? Irresistible for under $25.
Delivery took about 15 days. It’s a full-size layout with a wired mouse, both of which glow with rainbow LED lights (not RGB, but decent). Great plug-and-play set for casual gaming or students.
Pros:
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Full-size layout
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Surprisingly responsive keys
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Mouse is ergonomic
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Price is unbeatable
Cons:
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No software or customization
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LEDs aren’t adjustable
This set feels comparable to budget combos from Redragon (~$40). It does what it promises and is way better than I expected at this price.
US $5.5
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Aula F99 Tri-Mode 99-Key Keyboard with PBT Keycaps
The Aula F99 stood out because of its rare 99-key layout and PBT keycaps. I wanted something compact yet not cramped, and this layout delivers.
Shipping was just over 10 days. The keyboard feels substantial, and the keycaps are top-notch—textured and durable. Connectivity is flawless across all three modes.
Pros:
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PBT keycaps feel premium
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Solid build with gasket mount
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Tri-mode wireless
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Clean layout
Cons:
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Slightly larger footprint than 75%
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Lacks knob or macro keys
It stacks well against the Akko 5075B Plus ($90), but this was under $60. Met my expectations and then some.
US $59.71
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MUCAI MKA610 61-Key Gaming Keyboard
I was just curious about the MUCAI MKA610 because it’s super compact and dirt cheap. I needed a small board for traveling and occasional use.
It arrived in 14 days and works perfectly. It’s basic but surprisingly sturdy. Red switches are smooth, and the detachable cable is a nice touch.
Pros:
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Ultra-compact 60% layout
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Red switches are responsive
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Detachable USB-C
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Great for portability
Cons:
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No arrow keys or F-row
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No wireless
At around $20, it’s way more usable than I expected. Can’t compare to premium 60% boards like Ducky One 2 Mini, but great value.
US $20.69
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EPOMAKER x AULA F75 Hot-Swap Gasket Wireless Keyboard
This F75 by Epomaker & AULA was a bit of a splurge, but I wanted a gasket mount board with premium stabilizers. The collab branding sold me.
It shipped in 11 days. The sound profile is deep and thocky, and the case is heavy and high quality. Keycaps are beautifully made.
Pros:
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Thocky sound thanks to gasket mount
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Bluetooth + 2.4G + USB-C
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Top-tier build quality
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Custom feel right out of the box
Cons:
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Price is a bit high for AliExpress (~$80)
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Needs software for lighting/mapping
Still cheaper than similar Drop or Keychron boards, and absolutely met my expectations.
US $68.28
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iPazzPort Mini Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad
Got the iPazzPort Mini for my Android TV and Raspberry Pi. I wanted something small, wireless, and with a touchpad. This one ticks all the boxes.
Took 13 days to arrive. It’s very compact but does the job well. Keys are a little mushy but usable, and the touchpad works decently.
Pros:
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Ultra-portable
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Built-in touchpad
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Works over Bluetooth & 2.4GHz
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Ideal for media setups
Cons:
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Small keys
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Not ideal for long typing sessions
Comparable to Logitech K400 Plus ($40), but this one was only $15. Totally worth it.
US $3.59
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Ajazz AK35I V3 MAX Tri-mode 104-Key Keyboard
I wanted a full-size gasket keyboard with wireless features, and the Ajazz AK35I V3 MAX had rave reviews. I use spreadsheets a lot, so I needed the numpad.
Shipping took 9 days—fastest of the batch. The build feels luxurious, the typing sound is soft and satisfying, and the RGB is excellent.
Pros:
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Full-size with tri-mode
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Great stabilizers
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Amazing build for the price
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Hot-swappable
Cons:
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Slightly bulky
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No included wrist rest
This board is on par with the Epomaker TH100 ($130), but I paid half that. Loved it from the first keystroke.
US $44.96
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AULA F99PRO Wireless 99-Key Keyboard with Media Knob
Last but not least, the AULA F99PRO—I just had to try it after falling in love with the F87. The F99PRO adds a knob and gasket mount, and it’s become my daily driver.
It got here in about 12 days. The knob is tactile, the sound is beautiful, and the keyboard just looks and feels premium.
Pros:
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Media knob
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Gasket structure
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Great switch feel
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Good weight and build
Cons:
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Software isn’t the best
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Slight learning curve with layout
It rivals the Keychron V6 with knob (~$120), but I paid about $65. Definitely exceeded expectations.
US $67.98
Final Thoughts
I was honestly surprised—pleasantly!—by how good these AliExpress mechanical keyboards turned out. I expected a few duds, but all of them were functional, solidly built, and incredibly well-priced. Some of them outperform mainstream US brands at a fraction of the cost. Would I recommend them? 100%. I already have a few more in my cart. If you’re a keyboard enthusiast on a budget, this is where you should be shopping.
