Ajazz AK680 MAX Review: High-Performance Hall Effect Keyboard Only $39.99

The Ajazz AK680 MAX is definitely something you need to know about—it’s packed with features that gamers dream of, all at a price that won’t make your wallet cry. Picture this: a compact 68% layout, magnetic switches, customizable actuation points, and an insane 8,000 Hz polling rate—all for under $39.99 on AliExpress or $43.99 on Amazon. Yeah, you heard that right. For less than the price of a decent meal, you’re getting a keyboard that feels like it belongs in the big leagues.

The first time I unboxed the AK680 MAX, I was honestly blown away by how sleek and stylish it looked. The purple gradient and side-printed legends? Super sharp. The shine-through PBT keycaps? Classy yet practical. And let’s not forget the south-facing RGB lights.

But here’s the kicker—it’s not just about looks. This keyboard is built for performance. The magnetic switches are smooth, responsive, and feel leagues ahead of what you’d expect at this price point. Plus, with features like rapid trigger functionality and advanced customization options through their software, it’s got everything a competitive gamer could ask for. Sure, there are some trade-offs, but for the price, it’s hard to nitpick too much.

Design and Build Quality

The Ajazz AK680 MAX has a design that grabs attention right away, especially if you’re into custom-looking setups. The keyboard leans toward the compact side with its 68% layout, meaning it doesn’t have a number pad or function keys. Some people might miss those extras, but the smaller form factor is great for saving desk space and keeping things minimal.

The build quality feels solid enough for something in its price range. It’s not all metal, though—most of it is made from ABS plastic. At first glance, that might sound like a downside, but honestly, it doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy. There’s an aluminum plate inside that adds some weight and stability, so it doesn’t slide around during intense gaming sessions.

The case itself is designed with a bit of thought, avoiding the boring boxy look other keyboards often have. Instead, it has a slightly curved profile and subtle angles that make it stand out. For example, the feet at the back can be adjusted to two different heights, letting you tilt the keyboard to your preferred typing angle.

The keycaps catch the eye too, with gradient colors and side-printed legends that give it a unique touch. They use PBT material, which is known for being durable and resistant to wear, so the keys won’t get shiny or feel slippery even after months of heavy use. Plus, the shine-through design works well with the RGB lighting, giving it a cool glow when turned on.

Now, let’s talk switches. The AK680 MAX uses Magnetic Rice switches, which are kind of a big deal. These aren’t your typical mechanical ones—they rely on hall-effect sensors to detect keystrokes. What does that mean? Basically, they’re super responsive and allow for fine-tuned actuation points. You can tweak how much pressure it takes to register a keypress, which is awesome for gamers who need precision.

The switches themselves feel smooth and light under the fingers, almost buttery. They don’t clack loudly like some high-end mechanical boards, but they still provide satisfying feedback without feeling mushy. And the stabilizers? Surprisingly good. Key presses on larger keys like the spacebar or shift key don’t wobble or rattle, which isn’t always the case with budget-friendly gear.

Another standout detail is the south-facing RGB LEDs. Not only do they brighten up the keycaps nicely, but they also let you see the lighting effects better compared to north-facing setups. Sure, RGB might not matter to everyone, but for those who enjoy tinkering with colors and animations, it’s a nice bonus. The lighting options are pretty versatile too—you can adjust brightness, pick patterns, or sync everything to match your setup through the software.

Speaking of software, the interface ties everything together neatly. While it’s not the fanciest program out there, it gets the job done. Adjusting settings like actuation points, rapid trigger functionality, and advanced features such as snap keys or dynamic keystrokes is straightforward once you get the hang of it.

Software and Customization

The software for the Ajazz AK680 MAX is one of those things that makes you go, “Okay, this is actually pretty cool.” It’s not perfect, but it gets the job done and then some. First off, it’s not web-based, so you’ll need to download it from the manufacturer’s website or wherever they’ve got it hosted. Once you’ve got it installed, though, you’re in for a treat because the level of control you get over your keyboard is seriously impressive—especially for something at this price point.

When you first open the software, it might feel a little overwhelming if you’re not used to tinkering with settings, but don’t let that scare you off. The interface is fairly straightforward once you spend a minute or two clicking around. You’ve got sections for everything: key mapping, RGB customization, macros, actuation settings—you name it. They didn’t skimp on features just because this is a budget-friendly option.

One of the standout parts of the software is how much you can mess with the actuation points. With magnetic switches, you can customize exactly when a key registers as being pressed. Want super-light taps to register? You can set it as low as 0.01 mm. Prefer deeper presses for typing? Go ahead and bump it up to 2.0 mm or higher. This kind of fine-tuning isn’t something you see on most keyboards, especially ones under $40. And it’s not just about setting one value for all keys—you can tweak individual keys if you want. So, if you’re gaming and need certain keys to trigger faster, while others are better suited for slower inputs during normal typing, you’ve got the freedom to make that happen.

Then there’s the rapid trigger functionality, which is basically gamer fuel packed into software form. Turning this on lets you spam keys without waiting for them to fully reset after each press. It’s great for fast-paced games where milliseconds matter—think FPS titles or anything competitive. In the software, you can adjust the sensitivity of the rapid trigger too. Set it to detect movement as small as 0.01 mm, and suddenly your reaction times feel almost unfair. Of course, keep in mind that some games (like CS:GO) might flag rapid triggers as cheating, so use this feature wisely.

For those who love RGB lighting, the customization options here won’t disappoint. You can tweak colors, brightness, effects, and even create custom profiles. There are presets available if you don’t feel like designing your own setup, but playing around with the sliders and options is half the fun. Some users have shared their own creations online, and you can import those directly through the software. That means you don’t have to start from scratch if you’re not feeling creative—just grab someone else’s cool design and slap it onto your board. Plus, since the RGB LEDs are south-facing, the lighting looks vibrant and evenly spread across the keycaps.

Macros are another big win with this keyboard. Setting up macros is simple enough, and the software lets you assign complex commands to single keys. Need to pull off a series of actions in quick succession? Record it as a macro and bind it to a key. It works seamlessly, and the process of creating these shortcuts is intuitive. Even advanced features like snap keys and dynamic keystrokes are included, giving you even more ways to optimize your gameplay. Snap keys allow you own multi-input setups to behave differently depending on what was pressed last, which sounds complicated but is surprisingly useful in practice.

Another neat trick is the ability to save multiple profiles. If you switch between different games or tasks throughout the day, having separate configurations ready to go saves time and effort. Just load up the profile you need, and you’re good to go. The software also has an auto-update feature, so you’ll always be running the latest version without needing to hunt down updates manually.

Now, does the software look fancy? Not really. It’s functional rather than flashy, and some people might find the layout a bit clunky compared to slicker programs from bigger brands. But honestly, who cares how polished it looks if it works well? For the most part, navigating the menus is easy, and everything is labeled clearly enough that you won’t get lost trying to figure out what does what.

One minor hiccup is that the software doesn’t integrate wireless connectivity management since the keyboard only operates via USB-C. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it would’ve been nice to see Bluetooth support or even a hybrid mode for added flexibility. Still, the wired connection ensures zero input lag, and the polling rate stays locked at a blistering 8,000 Hz. That’s eight times faster than standard keyboards, ensuring your inputs feel instantaneous no matter what you’re doing.

Performance and User Experience

The performance of the Ajazz AK680 MAX is where it really starts to shine, especially for gamers who are looking for something that can keep up with fast-paced action without breaking the bank. The magnetic switches are smooth and responsive, offering a level of precision that you wouldn’t normally expect at this price point. These aren’t your typical mechanical switches—they use hall-effect sensors, which means they detect key presses magnetically rather than physically. This gives you the ability to customize actuation points, letting you fine-tune how much pressure it takes to register a keystroke. For example, setting the actuation point to as low as 0.01 mm feels almost like cheating because keys trigger instantly with just the slightest touch. It’s perfect for competitive gaming where every millisecond counts.

But here’s the thing—it’s not just about making things faster. You’ve also got options to adjust the settings based on what works best for you. If you’re typing out documents or coding, you might prefer a deeper actuation point around 2.0 mm so accidental presses don’t happen. The flexibility is there, and you can tweak these settings through the software. Speaking of which, turning on the rapid trigger functionality is another game-changer.

With rapid triggers enabled, you don’t have to wait for the key to fully reset before pressing it again. This is huge in games like FPS titles or MOBAs, where spamming certain keys can give you an edge over opponents. Just be careful—some games, like CS:GO, have started banning players caught using keyboards with rapid trigger features, so always check the rules before enabling it.

Another standout feature is the polling rate. At 8,000 Hz, the keyboard sends input signals to your computer eight times faster than standard keyboards, which usually operate at 1,000 Hz. What does this mean for you? Well, the difference might not always feel massive in slower-paced games or regular typing, but in twitch-heavy shooters or reaction-based games, it can make a noticeable impact. Inputs feel instantaneous, and latency drops down to just 0.125 milliseconds. Even if you’re zipping around maps in Overwatch 2 or pulling off quick maneuvers in Valorant, everything feels snappy and responsive. Sure, some folks claim they wouldn’t notice the difference between 1K and 8K polling rates, but once you experience it, it’s hard to go back.

Now let’s talk about the actual user experience. Typing on the AK680 MAX feels surprisingly good considering its budget-friendly nature. The magnetic switches provide consistent feedback without feeling mushy or overly stiff. There’s no tactile bump like you’d find on traditional mechanical switches, but the linear feel works well for both gaming and typing. People who spend hours typing won’t necessarily hate it either; while it lacks the satisfying clack of high-end boards, the quiet operation could actually be a plus depending on your environment. And since the stabilizers are decently implemented, larger keys like the spacebar and shift key don’t wobble or rattle excessively. That alone shows attention to detail, even if it’s a budget board.

Pros and Cons

Final thoughts

The price of the Ajazz AK680 MAX is one of those things that makes you do a double-take. Depending on where you look, it hovers around $39.99 on AliExpress or $43.99 on Amazon, though prices can vary depending on the model and features. Some premium versions with fancier keycap designs or additional software bells and whistles might nudge closer to $50-$60. But even at the higher end of that range, it’s still a steal compared to other keyboards with similar specs. High-end hall effect keyboards from bigger brands can easily cost two or three times as much, so this feels like a golden opportunity for gamers or anyone who wants something reliable without emptying their wallet.

What really stands out is how much value you get for what you’re paying. At $39.99, the AK680 MAX punches way above its weight class. You’re getting magnetic switches, customizable actuation points, rapid trigger functionality, and an 8,000 Hz polling rate—all features that are usually reserved for pricier models. Sure, it doesn’t have wireless connectivity, but unless you’re dead set on cutting the cord, the wired USB-C connection works flawlessly and ensures zero input lag. The build quality may not be perfect—it’s mostly ABS plastic—but it’s sturdy enough for everyday use, and the aluminum positioning plate adds a touch of durability.

Of course, no product is completely flawless. The hollow sound profile might turn off audiophiles, and the absence of wireless support could be a dealbreaker for some. But considering the bang-for-your-buck ratio, these drawbacks feel minor. Most users won’t lose sleep over them, especially when they realize how smooth and satisfying the typing and gaming experience is. Plus, the ability to fine-tune settings like actuation points and rapid triggers means you can adapt the keyboard to fit your specific needs, which isn’t something you’d expect at this price point.

So, should you pull the trigger? Well, here’s the thing: if you’ve been holding out for a budget-friendly keyboard that doesn’t skimp on essential features, the Ajazz AK680 MAX is hard to beat. It delivers professional-grade tools to gamers and power users alike, all wrapped up in a sleek, compact design. And honestly, finding something this feature-packed for under $40 feels almost too good to be true. This isn’t just another budget keyboard—it’s a legitimate contender in the world of high-performance peripherals.