When it comes to mechanical keyboards, there’s always something new and exciting popping up in the market. But every once in a while, a keyboard comes along that really grabs your attention—not just because it looks cool or has flashy RGB, but because it brings something genuinely different to the table. That’s exactly what happened when I got my hands on the AJAZZ ALUX68. This little powerhouse is a 60% layout keyboard that’s packed with features you’d normally expect from much pricier models. Magnetic switches? Check. Fully aluminum case? Double check. Customizable side panels and double-shot PBT keycaps? Oh, it’s got those too.
What makes the ALUX68 stand out isn’t just its specs—it’s the vibe it gives off. It doesn’t feel like just another budget-friendly keyboard trying to blend in. Nope, this one wants to be noticed. From its unique geographical-themed keycap design to the ability to 3D print your own side panels, it’s clear that AJAZZ put some serious thought into making this keyboard feel special. And let’s not forget about the sound—it’s clicky, sure, but in a way that feels satisfying rather than annoying.
But here’s the kicker: despite all these premium touches, the ALUX68 doesn’t break the bank. Depending on where you look, you can snag one for anywhere between $50 and $80. That’s pretty impressive for a keyboard that offers magnetic switches, an 8K polling rate, and customizable RGB lighting with 16 million color options.
Design and Build Quality
When you first look at the AJAZZ ALUX68, it’s hard not to be impressed by its design. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill black plastic keyboard that blends into the background of every other desk setup out there. Nope, the ALUX68 is bold, unique, and unapologetically different. It’s like AJAZZ said, “Let’s make something that people will actually notice,” and they nailed it. The standout feature here is the fully aluminum case—yep, no cheap plastic here. Both the top and bottom frames are made of aluminum, giving the keyboard a premium feel that’s sturdy and durable.
But what really sets it apart are the customizable side panels on the left and right sides of the keyboard. These panels aren’t just for show—they’re removable, and you can swap them out for different designs if you want to switch things up. Even cooler? You can 3D print your own panels if you’re into that kind of thing. Imagine having custom panels with your favorite patterns, logos, or even your name on them. For someone who wants their setup to feel truly theirs, this is a game-changer.
Now let’s talk about the keycaps because they deserve their own spotlight. The ALUX68 comes with double-shot PBT keycaps, which is a fancy way of saying they’re high-quality and built to resist wear and tear. If you’ve ever had a keyboard where the legends (the letters and symbols on the keys) start fading after months of use, you’ll appreciate this. But what makes these keycaps even more special is the side-printed legends. Instead of the usual top-facing printing, the legends are on the sides of the keycaps, so they shine through beautifully when the RGB lighting is on. It’s a subtle yet striking detail that gives the keyboard a futuristic vibe. And speaking of details, the keycap set has this cool geographical theme underneath—like a little hidden Easter egg for anyone who flips the keys over. It’s quirky, fun, and just another example of how much thought went into the design.
Underneath all those keycaps lies the aluminum positioning plate, which adds to the overall durability and helps with sound dampening. Speaking of sound, the ALUX68 uses TTC Aquarius magnetic switches, which are mounted on a PCB sandwich. This setup ensures that the keyboard feels solid and doesn’t flex or rattle when you type. Plus, the south-facing LEDs under the switches ensure that the RGB lighting shines evenly through the side-printed legends.
The ALUX68 keeps things simple but effective from a portability and usability standpoint. The USB-C port is located on the left side, which might take some getting used to if you’re accustomed to rear-mounted ports, but it works fine once you adjust. On the bottom, you’ll find rubber feet that keep the keyboard stable during intense gaming sessions or long typing marathons. There’s no wrist rest included, but the compact 60% layout means it doesn’t feel cramped or awkward to use without one.
Switches and Typing Experience
What makes these switches special? Well, instead of relying solely on traditional metal contacts to register key presses, magnetic switches use, you guessed it, magnets. Each switch has a central magnet that interacts with a sensor on the PCB (the brain of the keyboard) to detect when a key is pressed. This setup allows for something called “Rapid Trigger Precision,” which is basically a fancy way of saying the keyboard can detect incredibly small movements—down to 0.01mm. That’s insanely precise, especially if you’re into competitive gaming where every millisecond counts.
Now, let’s get into the feel of these switches. The TTC Aquarius switches in the AJAZZ ALUX68 are linear, meaning there’s no tactile bump or audible click when you press a key. They’re also pre-lubed, which is a huge plus because it means they’re smooth right out of the box. No scratchy, gritty feeling here—just a buttery-smooth keystroke that glides effortlessly. And while they’re technically linear, the magnetic mechanism adds a unique sensation that feels slightly different from your standard Cherry MX Reds or Gateron Yellows. It’s hard to describe, but it’s like the keys respond faster and more consistently than you’d expect. You don’t have to bottom out (press the key all the way down) to register a press, which is great for both gaming and typing efficiency.
Speaking of sound, the ALUX68 has a pretty distinct acoustic profile. Because of the aluminum switch plate and the magnetic switches, the sound leans toward the clicky side, but it’s not overwhelming or harsh. Think of it as a pleasant “clack” rather than an ear-piercing “click.” It’s satisfying without being obnoxious, so you won’t feel like you’re annoying everyone in the room when you’re hammering away at the keys. That said, if you’re super sensitive to noise or work in a quiet office, you might want to keep that in mind. But honestly, most people will find the sound profile quite enjoyable—it’s got a certain charm to it.
From a performance standpoint, the AJAZZ ALUX68 really shines when you start tweaking its settings. Using the web-based driver (which I’ll touch on later), you can adjust parameters like actuation point and reset point to fine-tune the rapid trigger functionality. For example, during my testing, I ran a few quick benchmarks using default settings, rapid trigger mode, and extreme custom parameters. With the default settings, the keyboard performed well but didn’t blow me away. However, once I turned on the rapid trigger feature, the difference was noticeable. The response time felt snappier, and the pattern of inputs became smoother, especially in fast-paced games where precision matters. Interestingly, cranking up the settings to their maximum extremes didn’t yield much improvement over the rapid trigger mode, so I’d recommend sticking with that for most use cases.
One thing worth mentioning is the polling rate. The ALUX68 boasts an impressive 8K polling rate, meaning it communicates with your computer 8,000 times per second. In theory, this should result in near-instantaneous input registration. And for the most part, it does. However, during my tests, I did notice some occasional spikes where the polling rate dipped slightly below 8K. While this isn’t a dealbreaker by any means, it’s something to be aware of if you’re looking for absolute perfection in performance. That said, for the vast majority of users—whether you’re gaming, typing, or doing a mix of both—you probably won’t even notice these minor fluctuations.
As for the typing experience, the AJAZZ ALUX68 strikes a nice balance between comfort and speed. The linear nature of the switches makes them ideal for long typing sessions since there’s no tactile bump to fatigue your fingers over time. At the same time, the rapid trigger precision ensures that every keystroke is registered accurately, so you won’t miss a letter or command. Whether you’re writing an email, coding, or drafting a novel, this keyboard keeps up without skipping a beat. And because the switches are so smooth, you won’t feel like you’re fighting against the keyboard after hours of use.
Software and Customization
First, the AJAZZ ALUX68 uses a web-based driver interface called qk.toop. Now, if you’ve been around the mechanical keyboard scene for a while, you might have seen this driver pop up in other models too. It’s not exclusive to AJAZZ, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The interface itself is pretty straightforward and gets the job done, though there are a few steps you need to take before you can start customizing.
Here’s the catch: unlike some other keyboards where you just plug in and go, the ALUX68 requires you to download additional software to connect your keyboard to the web driver. This extra step feels a bit clunky, especially since most modern keyboards aim for a seamless plug-and-play experience. Once you’ve got everything installed, though, you’ll have access to a range of customization options.
So, what exactly can you do with the software? Well, quite a bit, actually. Here’s a breakdown of the key features:
1. Rapid Trigger Precision
One of the standout features of the ALUX68 is its Rapid Trigger Precision, which lets you adjust the actuation point and reset point of the magnetic switches. For those unfamiliar, the actuation point is how far you need to press a key before it registers, and the reset point is when the key resets so it can be pressed again. With the ALUX68, you can fine-tune these settings.
For example, if you’re a gamer who wants lightning-fast response times, you can lower the actuation point so the key registers almost instantly. On the flip side, if you’re a typist who prefers a more deliberate keystroke, you can raise the actuation point slightly to avoid accidental presses. During my testing, I found that turning on the rapid trigger mode made a noticeable difference in performance, especially in fast-paced games where precision matters. However, cranking the settings to their extremes didn’t yield much improvement over the default rapid trigger mode, so I’d recommend sticking with the middle ground for most use cases.
2. RGB Lighting
As mentioned earlier, the AJAZZ ALUX68 comes with 16 million ARGB color options, and the software lets you customize them to your heart’s content. You can choose from a variety of pre-set lighting effects like breathing, wave, or rainbow, or you can create your own custom patterns. The south-facing LEDs ensure that the RGB shines through the side-printed legends beautifully, giving your keyboard a vibrant, eye-catching glow.
One thing I really appreciate is how easy it is to adjust the brightness and speed of the lighting effects. If you’re working in a dimly lit room or want to tone things down during late-night gaming sessions, you can quickly dial back the brightness without losing the overall aesthetic. Plus, the ability to sync the RGB with other devices (if supported) adds another layer of personalization to your setup.
3. Key Remapping and Macros
If you’re into productivity hacks or gaming shortcuts, the AJAZZ ALUX68 lets you remap keys and program macros through the software. This is super handy if you want to reassign certain keys to perform specific functions or create complex macros for repetitive tasks. For example, you could map a single key to execute a series of commands in a game or automate a workflow in your favorite software.
The process of setting up macros is fairly intuitive, even if you’re not a tech wizard. Just select the key you want to remap, assign the desired function, and save your changes. The only downside is that the software doesn’t offer as many advanced options as some of the more premium brands out there. If you’re looking for deep customization—like layer switching or advanced scripting—you might find the ALUX68’s capabilities a bit limited. But for most users, the available options should be more than enough.
4. Profiles
Another cool feature is the ability to save multiple profiles. This means you can create different configurations for different scenarios—say, one profile for gaming, another for typing, and a third for work. Switching between profiles is quick and easy, so you don’t have to constantly tweak settings depending on what you’re doing. It’s a small touch, but it adds a lot of convenience to the overall user experience.
Gaming and Typing Performance
Gaming Performance
If you’re a gamer, the AJAZZ ALUX68 has features that cater to your needs. The standout here is the TTC Aquarius magnetic switches with their Rapid Trigger Precision. These switches are designed to register key presses with incredible accuracy—down to 0.01mm. That means you don’t have to press a key all the way down for it to register, which can make a huge difference in fast-paced games where every millisecond counts.
During my testing, I ran a few benchmarks using different settings to see how the keyboard performs under various conditions. First, I tested it with the default settings—no tweaks, no rapid trigger mode. The results were solid but not mind-blowing. The keyboard performed well, but it didn’t feel like it was fully utilizing its potential.
Then I switched on the rapid trigger mode, and that’s when things got interesting. The pattern of inputs became noticeably smoother, and the distance between registered actions (think firing a weapon or casting a spell) was minimal. It felt like I had an edge in games that require quick reflexes, like first-person shooters or battle royales. For example, in games like Valorant or Apex Legends, where split-second decisions can mean the difference between victory and defeat, the rapid trigger feature gave me a noticeable boost in responsiveness.
I also tested the keyboard with extreme custom parameters—cranking the actuation point and reset point to their limits. Interestingly, this didn’t yield much improvement over the default rapid trigger mode. In fact, it felt almost identical. So, unless you’re a hardcore competitive gamer who wants to fine-tune every little detail, sticking with the rapid trigger mode should be more than enough for most people.
One thing worth mentioning is the 8K polling rate. On paper, this sounds amazing—a polling rate of 8,000 Hz means the keyboard communicates with your computer 8,000 times per second. In theory, this should result in near-instantaneous input registration. And for the most part, it does. However, during my tests, I noticed some occasional spikes where the polling rate dipped slightly below 8K. While this isn’t a dealbreaker by any means, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking for absolute perfection in performance. That said, for the vast majority of gamers—whether you’re playing casually or competitively—you probably won’t even notice these minor fluctuations.
Another aspect that enhances the gaming experience is the compact 60% layout. The smaller size frees up valuable desk space, making it easier to position your mouse without feeling cramped. Plus, the absence of a numpad means your hands stay closer together, reducing strain during long gaming sessions. And let’s not forget the RGB lighting—while it doesn’t directly impact performance, having customizable backlighting adds to the overall immersion, especially if you’re into games with dark environments where the glow of the keys can help you locate important buttons quickly.
Typing Performance
Switching gears to typing, the AJAZZ ALUX68 continues to impress. The linear TTC Aquarius magnetic switches provide a smooth, consistent keystroke that feels great whether you’re typing short messages or working on long documents. There’s no tactile bump or audible click, which makes them ideal for extended typing sessions. Your fingers glide effortlessly across the keys, and there’s no sense of resistance or scratchiness that you sometimes get with cheaper switches.
The pre-lubed switches also deserve a shoutout here. They come ready to go right out of the box, so you don’t have to worry about any annoying squeaks or rattles. This attention to detail ensures a quiet and comfortable typing experience, even after hours of use.
One of the standout features for typists is the rapid trigger precision. While this feature is primarily marketed toward gamers, it also benefits typists by ensuring that every keystroke is registered accurately. You don’t have to bottom out (press the key all the way down) to register a press, which reduces finger fatigue over time. This is especially useful if you spend hours typing every day—your fingers will thank you.
The double-shot PBT keycaps also play a big role in the typing experience. These keycaps are durable and resistant to wear, so they’ll look and feel great even after months (or years) of heavy use. The side-printed legends add a unique touch, and the south-facing LEDs ensure that the RGB lighting shines through beautifully, giving the keyboard a futuristic vibe. But beyond aesthetics, the keycaps are comfortable to type on, with a slightly textured surface that helps prevent accidental slips.
Sound Profile
Let’s talk about sound for a moment because it plays a big role in both gaming and typing. The AJAZZ ALUX68 has a clicky yet pleasant sound profile, thanks in part to the aluminum switch plate and magnetic switches. It’s not overly loud or harsh, but it does have a satisfying “clack” that lets you know your keystrokes are being registered. If you’re someone who enjoys the auditory feedback of mechanical keyboards, you’ll appreciate the sound of the ALUX68.
That said, if you’re in a shared space—like an office or a quiet library—the sound might be a bit much for those around you. While it’s not as ear-piercing as some other clicky keyboards, it’s still noticeable. If you’re concerned about noise, you might want to consider using O-rings or dampening materials to tone it down a bit. But for most users, the sound profile strikes a nice balance between satisfying and tolerable.
Final thoughts
The AJAZZ ALUX68 is one of those keyboards that makes you stop and think, “Wait, how are they offering all this for this price?” It’s not often you find a mechanical keyboard with magnetic switches, an aluminum case, and customizable RGB lighting in the $50-$80 range.
Depending on where you look and which version you’re buying (base, Plus, or Max), the ALUX68 typically retails between $50 and $80. That’s pretty impressive when you consider what you’re getting. For context, many keyboards in this price range are made of plastic, have basic switches, and lack advanced features like rapid trigger precision or 8K polling rates. The ALUX68, on the other hand, feels like it’s punching way above its weight class.
The Max version , which includes magnetic switches and RGB lighting, is particularly appealing. Even at the higher end of the price spectrum ($70-$80), it still feels like a steal compared to other keyboards with similar specs that can cost $120 or more. Sure, there are some compromises—like the occasional polling rate spikes or the need to download additional software—but for most users, these aren’t dealbreakers. When you factor in the overall build quality, performance, and design, the AJAZZ ALUX68 offers incredible bang for your buck—it’s hard not to recommend.
