IYX MU68 Ultra Review: The Best Value Keyboard Under $150?

The IYX MU68 Ultra is proof that keyboards can combine style, precision, and cutting-edge tech into one sleek package. From its robust CNC aluminum frame to the ultra-smooth Hall Effect switches, the MU68 Ultra feels like a premium upgrade in every way. It doesn’t just focus on flashy RGB lighting or gimmicks; it dives deep into what makes a keyboard truly remarkable—customizability, responsiveness, and durability.

This compact 65% layout offers just the right balance between functionality and a minimalist design. The magnetic switches, adjustable actuation points, and rapid trigger options make it a standout choice for competitive gaming. At the same time, the premium metallic keycaps and carbon fiber plate scream durability and elegance.

But there’s more to this keyboard than meets the eye. The web-based software lets you fine-tune everything to match your style, from macros to RGB lighting. And all of this is packed into a keyboard priced surprisingly affordably for what it delivers.

Design and Build Quality

Regarding first impressions, the IYX MU68 Ultra knocks it out of the park with its premium look and feel. The moment you unbox it, you can tell this keyboard wasn’t designed to be just another run-of-the-mill peripheral. The CNC-machined aluminum case immediately stands out. It’s solid, smooth to the touch, and gives the keyboard that robust, high-end vibe you’d expect from something priced much higher. At just over 1kg, the MU68 Ultra has a reassuring weight that keeps it stable on your desk, even during intense gaming sessions or long typing marathons.

The 65% layout is compact, making it a fantastic option for those who like minimalist setups but still need essential keys like arrows and a few function keys. The design stays consistent with its predecessors in the MU68 lineup, but subtle upgrades make it feel more polished and modern.

One of the standout design features is the metallic keycaps, which are unlike anything you’d typically find in this price range. They have a unique pearlescent finish that reflects light subtly, making the keyboard look premium without being too flashy. The texture of the keycaps is smooth yet not slippery, striking a nice balance for gaming and typing. They also feel cooler to the touch compared to standard plastic keycaps, adding to the overall tactile experience. However, if you prefer a more textured, grippy feel, these might take a little getting used to.

Another detail worth mentioning is the carbon fiber plate that supports the keys. Carbon fiber isn’t something you usually see in keyboards, especially at this price point. It’s lightweight yet incredibly strong, adding to the durability of the overall build. It also contributes to the crisp, satisfying sound profile when you type—a solid “thock” rather than a hollow echo, which is often the case with cheaper keyboards.

The IYX MU68 Ultra doesn’t compromise on stability either. The case sits firmly on your desk thanks to the four anti-slip feet at the bottom. Unlike some keyboards that include foldable feet to adjust the angle, this one skips them entirely due to its weight and sloped design. The fixed angle is just right—ergonomic enough to reduce wrist strain but not so steep that it feels awkward.

As for the color options, you get three to choose from—white, blue, and pink. Each one is thoughtfully done, with a soft, matte finish that resists fingerprints and adds a subtle pop of color to your setup. The colors also extend to the braided USB Type-C cable included in the box, matching the keyboard’s aesthetic.

Moving to the underside, you’ll notice the unique engraved cross pattern on the bottom of the case. It doesn’t serve any functional purpose but adds a touch of personality to the keyboard. The MU68 Ultra also includes a sturdy strap on the side, which might seem odd at first but is surprisingly practical for carrying the keyboard around.

Software Features

The software experience of the IYX MU68 Ultra is just as impressive as its hardware. What sets it apart right from the start is its web-based software. Unlike many other keyboards that require downloading and installing bulky applications, this one operates entirely through your browser. All you need to do is connect the keyboard via its USB Type-C cable, navigate to the designated website, and you’re good to go. It’s fast, easy, and doesn’t clutter your system with unnecessary software.

Once you’re in, the software opens up a world of customization that’s both beginner-friendly and advanced-user-approved. One of the most exciting features is the ability to adjust the actuation point for each individual key. You can choose how far a key needs to be pressed before it registers an input, ranging from a feather-light 0.01 mm to a deliberate 3.5 mm. Gamers can set keys like WASD or spacebar to ultra-sensitive levels for faster response times, while typists or casual users can opt for deeper actuation to avoid accidental presses. The flexibility here ensures the keyboard can adapt to whatever style of use you prefer.

Another standout feature is the rapid trigger functionality, which allows keys to reset almost instantly after being pressed. This is a huge advantage for gaming, especially in competitive scenarios where rapid, repeated inputs can give you the edge. And since the software lets you configure this feature per key, you can enable it only where it’s most useful without compromising other keys.

For even more precision, the software includes dead zone adjustment. This allows you to fine-tune the areas at the top and bottom of a keypress where no input is registered. You can reduce these zones to make the keyboard more responsive or expand them for better control. By default, the software recommends a dead zone of 0.2 mm, but you can set it as low as 0.0 mm for maximum sensitivity or as high as 1.0 mm for stability. The ability to tweak the top and bottom dead zones separately gives you incredible control over how the keyboard responds.

The customization doesn’t stop at the physical keypresses. The key mapping and macro creation options allow you to redefine how every key works. Want to remap Caps Lock to Ctrl? Easy. Need a complex macro to automate tasks in a game or work application? Done. The macro editor is straightforward to use and offers options like recording delays and saving multiple macros for different needs.

Of course, no modern keyboard would be complete without RGB lighting customization, and the IYX MU68 Ultra delivers this in style. The metallic keycaps enhance the RGB lighting, making the colors look vibrant and clean. You can choose from over 16.8 million colors and 20+ lighting modes, ranging from static single colors to dynamic effects like breathing, wave, and reactive lighting that responds to your keypresses. You can even create custom lighting zones for specific keys, allowing you to highlight WASD or function keys, for example. The software makes it easy to adjust brightness, speed, and direction for each effect, so you can create a lighting setup that’s uniquely yours.

For those who like to switch between tasks frequently, the software offers profile management. You can save multiple profiles with different settings—one for gaming, another for work, and perhaps one for general use. Switching between profiles is as simple as a click in seconds.

One feature designed for hardcore gamers is the Super Responsive Mode, which minimizes latency for the fastest possible inputs. While the difference might not be immediately noticeable for casual users, competitive gamers will appreciate the advantage it offers in fast-paced scenarios. However, enabling this mode can slightly affect the precision of actuation points, so it’s best used strategically.

Performance

The IYX MU68 Ultra is built to deliver top-notch performance, and it does so in a way that makes it a strong contender in the competitive keyboard market. Regarding gaming, the MU68 Ultra is nothing short of a beast. The Hall Effect switches, paired with the rapid trigger functionality, provide one of the most responsive gaming experiences available in this price range. With adjustable actuation points as low as 0.01 mm, the keyboard allows for lightning-fast inputs. You can lightly tap a key, and it’ll register almost instantly, giving you an edge in games that demand quick reflexes like FPS titles or rhythm games.

Latency is another area where the MU68 Ultra shines. Its polling rate of 8,000 Hz ensures that every keypress is sent to your computer with near-zero delay. In practical terms, the keyboard delivers inputs so quickly that any lag you might experience will likely come from your system or the game itself rather than the keyboard. This makes it ideal for competitive gaming, where milliseconds can be the difference between winning and losing.

The rapid trigger functionality is particularly impressive. Unlike traditional keyboards, where keys must fully reset to their original position before being activated again, the MU68 Ultra allows keys to reset almost immediately. This means you can spam inputs faster and more consistently, which is crucial in fast-paced games like Valorant, Overwatch, or Apex Legends. During testing, there was no noticeable ghosting or missed inputs, even in scenarios that required rapid-fire actions.

For gamers who want maximum customization, the software’s ability to adjust the dead zone and actuation point on a per-key basis adds a level of precision that few keyboards in this price range can match. You can fine-tune keys like WASD to be ultra-sensitive for movement while setting keys like shift or spacebar to require deeper presses to prevent accidental inputs.

Typing Experience

While the MU68 Ultra excels in gaming, it doesn’t compromise on the typing experience either. The OKT Purple Star Hall Effect switches are linear, providing smooth and consistent keystrokes. There’s no tactile bump, so the keys glide effortlessly with minimal resistance. This makes the keyboard ideal for those who type quickly and need a fluid typing experience.

The metallic keycaps add a unique element to the typing feel. They’re smooth and slightly cool to the touch, providing a premium texture that’s different from standard ABS or PBT keycaps. However, this smoothness may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer a more textured or grippy surface. That said, the keycaps are well-made and durable, showing no signs of wear even after extended use.

In terms of sound, the IYX MU68 Ultra strikes a nice balance. Thanks to the carbon fiber plate and factory-installed foam mods, the typing noise is a satisfying “thock” rather than a hollow or plasticky clatter. It’s not completely silent but quiet enough to use in shared spaces without disturbing others. The stabilizers are well-lubed and produce minimal rattle, even on larger keys like the spacebar and shift. Overall, it offers a refined typing experience that feels and sounds premium.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

The IYX MU68 Ultra offers an impressive combination of features and build quality at a price point that feels almost too good to be true. At around $130–$150, this keyboard competes with some of the biggest names in the high-performance mechanical keyboard market. For what you’re getting—Hall Effect switches, a carbon fiber plate, metallic keycaps, and adjustable actuation points—it’s a product that punches well above its weight.

When you compare it to similar models like the Venom 60 HE or the Melgeek Mojo 68, the MU68 Ultra stands out in several key areas. For instance, the Venom 60 HE has comparable performance in terms of low latency and fast actuation, but it costs significantly more (around $180–$200). Meanwhile, the Melgeek Mojo 68 focuses more on aesthetics and casual use, but it lacks advanced features like adjustable actuation points and rapid trigger functionality. The MU68 Ultra bridges the gap by offering both premium design and top-tier gaming performance without breaking the bank.

Another worthy competitor is the Keychron Q2, which is similarly priced and offers a solid aluminum build. However, the Q2 relies on traditional mechanical switches, lacks the Hall Effect technology, and doesn’t provide the same degree of customization. If adjustability and fast response times matter to you, the MU68 Ultra easily takes the lead.

However, it’s not without its limitations. The lack of wireless connectivity may deter same of us, and the fixed typing angle might not suit everyone. Despite these minor drawbacks, the MU68 Ultra more than compensates with its robust feature set and excellent build quality, and affordability, it confidently earns its spot as one of the best keyboards of early 2025.