Top 5 Keyboards of 2025, So Far
I am back with another Top 5 list — this time, I’m taking a look at some keyboards that really caught my attention in Q1 of 2025. To be frank, the year has been busy, and there have been a lot of great keyboards (perhaps too many to fit into one post).
A few of these picks shine in specific categories, but for the most part, this is just what personally stood out to me! Some are still in stock and being sold right now, while some have had sales end already — either way, I think they’re worth highlighting.
If you want to keep up with the latest keyboard releases, deep dives, and sound tests, feel free to stop by my Twitch or YouTube. I stream 3–5 times a week and cover a lot of keyboards. Oh, and I’ve been building boards for clients, companies, and the community for almost four years now in case you’re curious about my credentials.
Before we Begin
I am going to set some expectations, there will be no variety of layouts for the sake of variety. I’m going to talk about the keyboards that I actually use and stuff that (hopefully) is available to pick up when reading this article. To stress, these are boards I have personally tested, built, and used. Not just ones I picked off a list.
Full Disclosure and Affiliations
For clarity and transparency, this is not a paid article and none of these brands or companies have asked me to write this. However, there are some affiliate links included in this article to support content creation – your support is greatly appreciated.
Neo60 Core
Best Value
The best value custom board I’ve had the pleasure of taking a look at this year is the Neo60 Core from Qwertykeys — a board that really punches above its price point. Starting at just around $79.90, it offers the basics done very right and it doesn’t break the bank doing it.
You’re getting a unibody aluminum case with ultra-thin side bezels and subtle cherry lip that give it a clean, modern look. It feels solid on the desk, and the design has that nice “less is more” vibe. Which maybe isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for those wanting something ‘low key’, look no further.
Functionally, it supports both PCB gasket mount and O-ring mount, so you’ve got options when it comes to tuning the feel and sound of your build. Both sounded good in my testing but I felt the stock o-ring was a bit too soft so you may need to source something stiffer to really get the board to sound full with that mounting style. Oh, and the PCB selection is solid. You’ve got tri-mode support with USB-C, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz — which is great to see at this price point, but that does come at an extra cost.
There are a few little touches that make the whole experience better too: POGO pin connectivity is a community favourite for easy swapping in and out parts. Qwertykeys also boasts a “Lock-n-Pull” mechanism that makes disassembly a breeze, which is a fancy way of saying they have a tool to help pull out the PCB assembly.
For the price though, it’s honestly a really strong offering — especially for folks who want a great base to build off of without going all-in on a high-end board. Seriously, this may be the best offering I’ve seen in a while.
Pros:
- Affordable entry point for an aluminum keyboard
- Sleek, minimal design with slim bezels
- Supports multiple mounting styles (gasket & O-ring)
- Tri-mode connectivity (USB-C / Bluetooth / 2.4GHz)
- Easy assembly with POGO pins + Lock-n-Pull system
Cons:
- Tri-mode PCB comes at an added cost
- A bit more “utilitarian” — less flair compared to some higher-end customs
Polygon 7
Most Unique Design
Next up is the Polygon 7 by Daring Run! Coming in at around $109, this thing is kind of wild for what it offers at that price point. At first glance, it’s a clean, modern 65% layout, however there’s more to it. You get three macro keys on each side, and below those are circular, programmable push buttons. At first, I thought they were just for sure, but they are fully functional! You can map them to media controls, layer switches, pretty much anything you want. It’s a super functional layout without going full battleship.
The case is 6063 aluminum (which is pretty standard these days) and has a solid, weighty feel, thanks in part to the mirror-polished PVD stainless steel weight on the bottom. Which, by the way, is the eye candy of this entire custom board with its absolutely gorgeous pattern and shape. And the mounting options are super flexible. You can go with PCB gasket, top mount, or even plateless depending on the vibe you’re going for. You also get multiple plate options — PP, FR4, aluminum — and foam is available if you want to tune the acoustics. However, these are sold outside of the base kit.
On the connectivity side, it’s fully stacked: tri-mode with USB-C, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz, paired with a 4000mAh battery. VIA-compatible PCB makes remapping easy, and the build process is friendly — magnetic PCB, quick-release case, all the good stuff a lot of the community has been asking for.
And honestly? For what it costs, it feels like something that should be priced way higher.
Pros:
- Competitive price for a feature-packed kit
- Extra macro keys + programmable push buttons = big win for functionality
- Flexible mounting options (gasket, top, plateless)
- Tri-mode support with a huge battery
- Clean aesthetics with a polished PVD weight
Cons:
- Plate and foam are sold separately, which is confusing
- No RGB if that’s your thing
- Demand is high, so availability might be limited
Agar
Now comes one of my favourite releases of the year, the KBDFans Agar. Starting at $115, the Agar offers a lot of value for its price point, a very unique design, and feature set.
The Agar features a curved, unibody aluminum (or polycarbonate) case that gives it a distinctive and elegant look. This design isn’t just for aesthetics; it also contributes to a comfortable typing experience. Those curves on the front of the case and side are just gorgeous and I couldn’t stop commenting on them when I took a look at the board for the first time. I do prefer the aluminum body myself.
The keyboard supports both MX and electro-capacitive (EC) switches, which is a big stand out feature of this board and oh boy did the EC version feel good. In terms of connectivity, the Agar offers wired options, but nothing wireless this time around, which may be a bummer for some folks.
Overall, the KBDFans Agar stands out as a gorgeous board with some fun ways to build it up. Seriously, the EC version was so much fun to use.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing
- The curved, unibody aluminum case is just gorgeous and unique
- Switch Compatibility: Supports both MX and EC switches for user flexibility
Cons:
- Limited Availability: Sadly the EC version seems to sell out quick for it’s preorder phase, but I was told there will be extras soon, so keep an eye out
- Lacks wireless connectivity options.
Neo65 Cu & Neo60 Cu
Most Popular
Now we have one of the more popular releases of the year, the Qwertykeys’ Neo Cu lineup — specifically the Neo65 Cu and Neo60 Cu. The Neo series of boards has always been clean cut and minimal and now with the Cu line we have a major material upgrade: a full copper bottom case that gives them a serious presence, both visually and physically.
Right out of the box, you’ll notice how much more substantial these feel compared to other boards in the same price range due to that copper or brass bottom. Oh, and speaking of which, depending on your selections, the total price can range from $165 to approximately $320.
Design-wise, both boards stick with the Neo lineup’s signature minimalism — super slim bezels, soft curves, and clean top cases that let the materials speak for themselves. It’s understated but confident. And this is the prettiest side profile on a Neo board to date.
Inside, they share the same flexibility: support for both PCB gasket mount and isolated top mount means you can tune the feel to your preference. Want more flex and bounce? Gasket it. Prefer a firmer, more classic feel? Top mount has you covered. I am seriously so relieved they decided to not do that strange bottom mount like the Neo75 Cu.
On the connectivity front, both boards are tri-mode — USB-C, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz wireless — which is great to see, especially with VIA support for easy remapping and customization. Super handy whether you’re wired in at your desk or switching between devices on the go.
Where the boards differ is in layout and form factor:
- The Neo65 Cu gives you a compact 65% layout with full arrow keys and a few navigational keys — a great balance between functionality and footprint. It also supports both ANSI and ISO, so it’s friendly to a wide range of users.
- The Neo60 Cu dials it back to a classic 60% form, with support for WK, WKL, and HHKB layouts, giving it a bit more customization for die-hards or folks who want a tighter, more minimal build.
Pros:
- Gorgeous copper bottom case that looks and feels ultra-premium
- Tri-mode support (USB-C / Bluetooth / 2.4GHz)
- Flexible mounting styles (gasket & top mount options)
- Multiple layout support (ANSI/ISO for Neo65; WK/WKL/HHKB for Neo60)
- Clean, minimal design that works in almost any setup
Cons:
- Weighty — the copper adds a ton of heft (not ideal for portability)
- Premium pricing — you’re paying for those materials
- Limited drops — like most high-demand customs, you’ll need to be quick on extras or pre-orders
Cinque 55
Let’s talk about the Cinque 55 from Tea House — a compact custom board that really leans into premium materials and a simple thoughtful design. It’s an HHKB styled 60% layout similar to the Agar on the list, hence the 55 namesake.
The case design is minimal and elegant, and sports colorways that pair extremely well with the gorgeous copper weight on the bottom. And that weight doesn’t just look great, it adds a solid, planted feel to the board that really elevates the typing experience.
Perhaps the big stand out feature of this board is the crazy low front height of 14.5mm (With front lip 12.5mm), making this very slim while maintaining a 7 degree typing angle. The build quality is clean, and the board has a boutique, low-production feel to it — in a good way.
The Cinque 55 is firmly in the premium price tier, making this the most expensive board on this list. This was priced at $325 to start and sadly is not available anymore, unless you wait for extras. For boards like this I’d seriously consider keeping up with newsletters some people run or watching keyboard content to see more boutique products being showcased.
Pros:
- HHKB layout
- Clean, minimalist case design with standout copper bottom weight
- Boutique, detail-oriented aesthetic
- Ultra low front height
Cons:
- Pricey — firmly in enthusiast-level territory
- Hard to find — group buys and secondhand market are the main routes to acquire boards like this
Wrapping up.
That’s going to wrap up my list for the Top 5 Keyboards of 2025 so far. And honestly? It’s been a really solid start to the year. To get to see value-focused builds like the Neo60 Core, to more boutique designs like the Cinque 55, there’s been a little something for everyone and more than a few that really surprised me this year.
Boards like the Polygon 7 and Agar remind me why I love this space so much. Not everything needs to reinvent the wheel, but when something brings new ideas or nails the little things, it really stands out. And then you have the Neo65/60 Cu, which is just breathtaking. It’s almost like Qwertykeys took all the community feedback and said, “Yeah, let’s level this series of boards up.”
Of course, this list is based on the boards I’ve built, tested, and used myself. It’s not a spec sheet comparison or a highlight reel of what’s trending. These are the keyboards that genuinely stood out to me in terms of design, build quality, typing experience, and overall execution.
There’s still a lot of 2025 left, and I’m sure there are even more exciting releases just around the corner. If you want to keep up with all of that — whether it’s new builds, sound tests, or just hanging out and talking keyboards — you can always find me live on Twitch or over on YouTube. I stream 3–5 times a week, and this hobby is something I’ve been lucky enough to share with the community for nearly four years now.
Appreciate you all for reading — and I’d love to hear what boards have stood out to you so far this year.
Until next time. 👋