The space of value-focused mechanical keyboards is getting quite contentious, we are spoiled with the amount of good stuff coming out. That’s KiiBoom is a brand that should be given kudos for the addition to the space. Especially with its distinctive mechanical keyboard known as KiiBoom Phantom 81 which is the very first model produced by this brand.
The Phantom 81 is a new mechanical keyboard equipped with all comforts and a build quality worthy of even more expensive products. And it is not limited, from an aesthetic point of view to being only transparent by an acrylic case and hot-swap 75% layout with a knob, that feels great to type on with fantastic build quality. It also packs enthusiast-oriented features like hot-swappable switches, south-facing RGB, Compact, and Solid Gasket-Mounted system that offers noise reduction and cushioned typing feel. You can use it wired or wireless with a 4400mAh battery. All at a price of around ~160 USD. So, If you’re eyeing something along different from the ordinary, know that the KiiBoom Phantom 81 is a solid choice that undercuts the competition heavily in price, it’s a keyboard you should consider.
KiiBOOM Phantom 81 Features
- Very solid and completely transparent
- 75% of the layout in a pre-made
- Multi-Function Knob With One Button
- Hot-swappable, good-quality keycap
- Fantastic stabilizers
- Gasket Mount keyboard structure
- Driver program for Customize
- Triple Mode Connection. Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C, 2.4Ghz
What’s in the Box?
KiiBOOM clearly paid a lot of attention to its packaging. If I saw this on a shelf, I’d probably buy it just for its packaging. The case is all in purple and a very attractive simple rectangle with the nameplate on the front and the brand name on Almost All Sides, and on the back, we have some contact information about the company. Inside, our keyboard is very well packed in soft plastic. I must say the accessories included with this keyboard are rather modest and they are a fabric USB-C to USB-A cable (braided), Keycap And Switch Puller, Kiiboom Stick, and User Manual. Also, The 2.4Ghz receiver is embedded in the keyboard case.
Design & Build Quality
The KiiBOOM Phantom 81 is an acrylic case keyboard with a 75% layout for the perfect balance of functionality and portability creating an incredibly compact keyboard that fits perfectly in your backpack, on your desk, and even on your lap for typing on the go. It features 81 keys for a fully functional yet compact and portable design with a knurled metal knob on the top right that acts as a volume wheel. Despite being 75%, it has dimensions of 330 x 150 x 35 mm and a weight of 1.5 kg.
It doesn’t have a numeric keypad, but we still found the Del, Home, PgUp, and PgDn keys in a bar on an island separate from the rest with a space featuring different status LEDs: CapsLock, battery status, Wi-Fi usage, and Bluetooth usage.
The body of the Phantom 81 comes with a choice of three colors: Clear Black, Clear Yellow, and Clear. It is a completely transparent mechanical keyboard unlike any other keyboard on the market. This is what gives it a modern, somewhat distinctive look that I really like. Manufactured using additional boron foam layers, the gasket’s mounted structural design is strengthened and acoustically enhanced for a responsive and quiet typing experience.
On the bottom side, we have the 2.4GHz dongle slot, which comes in black. There is also a golden container on its side that contains the buttons to change between the modes of Windows and Mac, in addition to the modes to switch between Bluetooth, USB, dongle, and finally the USB Type-C port. At the corners are the heavy-duty white rubber feet, so you don’t have to worry about the KiiBOOM Phantom 81 moving around your desk during furious typing sessions.
On the back, there is also a metal plate with a KIIBOOM logo that increases the weight and thus stabilizes the keyboard on the surface you place it on.
Crystal Keycaps
KiiBOOM has done a very good job with its pre-lubricated crystal keycaps that I find soft, comfortable, and precisely defined are strong, smooth, and completely transparent, which actually generate RGB lighting effects perfectly. The material type was not specified, but it is almost certainly a transparent polycarbonate to allow you to see the entire keyboard, with a long section where the key stem is inserted which is immediately visible under the symbol printed on the pressed surface. However, its transparency allows the backlight to illuminate the entire keyboard. And don’t lose a lot of clarity either! The font is quite classic, and all of the letters, numbers, and symbols have a strong black color.
You can simply take out the mechanical keys and replace them with the keys of your choice, which makes the final design customizable so you can easily change the feel of typing and sounds without having to purchase another keyboard.
Switches
KiiBOOM keyboard switches are special models called KiiBOOM Crystal Switch. These are hot-swappable MX 5-pin linear mechanical switches compatible with 3-pin or 5-pin-type switches Each slot has south-facing LEDs with over 19 RGB lighting presets and additional customization in the software, you can make your environment Lighting is suitable for any setting. Which is another point in favor of this keyboard. And since it’s also completely transparent, the readability of the keyboard is good even with the LEDs turned off. it’s clear that it has been meticulously chosen to match the aesthetics of the keyboard.
These crystal switches have the same durability and technical specifications as any other mechanical switches available from other major manufacturers, but with a special KiiBOOM style. KiiBOOM Crystal Switches are linear style switches, which have much lower noise than other tactile switches, making them suitable for office and study settings. Moreover, the Linear key is the mechanical switch of choice for players who need speed and accuracy without any hindrance in their typing. It’s pre-lubricated and feels great.
Typing Experience of KiiBOOM Phantom 81
The typing experience on this keyboard is really amazing, the keys are perfectly spaced apart and I have no problem pressing another key accidentally as I do on other keyboards. The stock fasteners and switches were already a little oiled at the factory, and are just as usable. It has a nice clean touch, and the stab is better than the cherry stab that comes with many cheaper keyboards.
Inside The Keyboard
And to build don’t worry, since the keyboard is transparent and everything is really easy to take apart, and you can guess what components are and where they are without taking them apart, just remove the 8 screws that hold 2 body sections together and the other 4 screws on the board (once you remove the part upper body), then be careful to disconnect the cable that holds the connected PCB.
It is a Gasket Mount keyboard. This means that the aluminum bronze plate has silicone gaskets placed between the two sections of the body to absorb sound (about 7 mm) and underneath again we find the PCB. There is nothing else under the PCB to be clearly visible from the back. In fact, it is enough to turn on the keyboard to observe the back of the printed circuit and the various LEDs running along the entire edge, and in fact, even the body, as well as the keys, are all lit and customizable using a keyboard shortcut or software.
Connectivity
The KiiBOOM Phantom 81 can be used in three different ways to connect: wired via a USB-C cable, via Bluetooth 5.0, or via a 2.4GHz USB dongle that you find built into the back of the keyboard. You can connect up to 3 devices at the same time and the transition is smooth and with a simple click. As we all know Bluetooth is great for efficiency and pairing with multiple devices like smartphones, but 2.4GHz wireless has the upper hand when it comes to latency.
To switch between different devices via the three modes, you can use the physical key next to the USB port, or use the keys FN + 1,2, and FN + 3 to enable you to switch between devices connected via Bluetooth. As for compatibility, the keyboard can be used with any computer, tablet, or smartphone with a Bluetooth, USB, or Type-C port on Windows and macOS, or on Android. Next to the USB port, there is also a button to switch from Windows to macOS mode.
KiiBOOM Driver Software
KiiBOOM Phantom 81 comes with KiiBOOM Driver for Mac and Windows that you can download directly from the official website by following this link. This program allows you to fully customize RGB effects, program custom keys, and assign macro functions.
The keyboard is already programmed with a whole series of shortcuts that you will find in the manual. Including the classic shortcuts that can be activated by pressing FN, you can start applications, control the playback of multimedia content, modify laptop parameters (such as screen brightness), and so on. There are also several shortcuts for adjusting backlight parameters, including patterns and brightness for the LEDs that run along the edges of the keyboard called Sidelight. Moreover, it is possible to adjust the standby parameters from the program, which makes it possible, for example, to turn off the LEDs after 1 minute of inactivity and for the keyboard to go into complete sleep mode after 10 minutes.
On the main page of the software, there is an FNLayer key to manage the functions to be activated by pressing FN, and through it, you can also adjust the sensitivity of the keys in addition to reprogramming the knob to press but to rotate.
Recording macros, thanks to a fairly classic interface with delay indicators, a macro menu, and other classic functions. There’s a lot more to it than creating fully custom backlit effects, using existing ones, and changing standby parameters for both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Battery Autonomy
With a large 4000mAh battery, you can take the Phantom 81 with you wherever you go without worrying about battery life. It’s even better than I expected and given the number of always-on LEDs, 80 for the keys plus all those running along the edge, I expected the keyboard to turn off soon. Indeed, if you want to take it away, you do not need to recharge it, and even in extreme cases by completely turning off the backlight, the complete autonomy will reach hundreds of hours. On a single charge, work and play longer to improve your time no matter where you are!
KiiBOOM Phantom 81 – Verdict
KiiBOOM Phantom 81 is a 75% off keyboard combo that is perfect for beginners and veterans alike. The keyboard features a gasket mount system, a beautiful transparent case, and a unique look that has won the hearts of many fans, and thanks to the hot-swappable mechanical switches of the Gasket Mount type, users can switch different switches without the need for soldering. If I wasn’t clear enough the Phantom 81 is a great keyboard for the price I think at ~$160 you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better pre-made keyboard with all these features it’s not always easy, and you can rest assured that similar keyboards of the brands the most famous pay a lot more.
Even if you plan on getting the KiiBOOM Phantom 81 and using it out of the box without any modifications, I think it’s an option where it can last forever. Only the keys can be replaced when they wear out, and even if the battery fails and you can’t find a replacement, the Phantom 81 actually works via USB-C, without the battery connected. More importantly, it has RGB with good software and although this keyboard is a bit heavier than the other options, but it offers great performance on it, and with the color of the panel clean, it is really worth the price.
KiiBOOM Phantom 81 Price And Where To Buy
The KiiBOOM Phantom 81 is currently available on the Official Website, Aliexpress Store, and Amazon for a very good price and is sure that you’ll be netting yourself some of the best value-for-money keyboards around, So don’t miss out on this great deal. And to view its price or buy it, you can access the offer by clicking on the store icon.
aliexpress.com
