After reviewing the Mechlands Vibe99 we are back with Mechlands Vibe75! At first glance, this mechanical keyboard packs a punch with unique features you don’t typically see at its $70 price point. The Vibe75 has some tricks up its sleeve that make it hard to ignore. With its 75% compact layout, it’s perfect for those looking for a balanced setup—not too big, not too small. What really sets this keyboard apart is the modular design. Yep, that’s right! It has a swappable TFT screen and volume knob. Want a small screen to display battery life or connection status? You’ve got it. Prefer a volume knob for quick adjustments? It’s an easy swap. That level of customization is usually only found in higher-end keyboards, so seeing it here is a pleasant surprise.
A few more standout features caught my attention: the tri-mode connectivity, the substantial battery, and the overall sleek, sturdy design that blends plastic and metal for a stylish look. The Vibe75 even has those Cherry profile double-shot PBT keycaps, known for durability and a smooth typing feel. So, is this $70 keyboard really as good as it sounds? Let’s get into the details and find out if the Mechlands Vibe75 truly delivers!
Design and Build Quality
The Mechlands Vibe75’s design strikes a great balance between functionality and aesthetics, especially for its price. This is a 75% keyboard, which means it keeps all the essentials without taking up too much desk space. Despite being mostly plastic, the build feels solid and premium. It has metal accents running along the edges, which give the keyboard a bit more durability. These metal sides add some flair, giving off a cool, industrial vibe that reminds me of high-end tech gear. The keyboard’s weight—around 900 grams—also adds to the premium feel, making it stay put during use without sliding around.
One of the most exciting aspects of the Mechlands Vibe75 is its modular functionality. The ability to swap between a TFT screen and a knob is something you don’t often see at this price range. This feature lets you customize not only the look but also the functionality of your keyboard, adding a level of personalization that makes the Vibe75 feel unique.
The Screen Module: If you choose to use the screen, it sits in a dedicated slot at the top right of the keyboard. This small TFT display can show basic information like battery level, connectivity mode, and even simple custom animations or images. Unfortunately, it doesn’t support complex updates like changing the date and time directly on the screen, but it’s still a useful feature for quick, glanceable info.
The Knob Module: If prefer tactile control, swapping in the knob is a breeze. It works great for volume adjustments, media control, or any function you prefer for a more interactive experience. Just pull out the screen module, pop in the knob, and you’re ready to go. Unlike the screen, the knob is more straightforward in its function.
Switching between the two is incredibly simple. Both modules are magnetic, so you just pull one out and slot in the other. However, to fully enable the new module’s functionality, you’ll need to restart the keyboard using the power switch located on the top. This restart is a minor step, but it ensures that the keyboard properly recognizes the new module you’ve chosen.
Beyond that, the keyboard includes other thoughtful design features. It has two-level kickstand feet and rubber pads on the bottom, which make it easy to adjust the typing angle to your liking. There’s also a slot on the bottom to store the wireless dongle.
Switches and Keycaps
Let’s talk about the heart of any mechanical keyboard—the switches and keycaps. The Mechlands Vibe75 comes equipped with Mechlands’ proprietary Cream Mint switches, which deliver a smooth typing experience with a nice blend of responsiveness and quietness. These switches are linear, meaning they don’t have a tactile “bump” or click sound. Instead, they offer a clean, uninterrupted press to enjoy seamless typing and gaming sessions without excessive noise. The 45g actuation force is light enough to be comfortable for long typing or gaming sessions but substantial enough that you won’t accidentally press keys.
Out of the box, the Cream Mint switches come pre-lubed, which is a great bonus for those who want a buttery-smooth feel without having to go through the process of lubing them manually. Pre-lubing cuts down on any scratchy feel, which can be common in budget keyboards, so you’re getting a smoother experience right from the start. Additionally, the keyboard’s hot-swappable PCB allows you to easily replace the switches if you prefer different ones, making it easy to customize the feel and sound of the board.
The Vibe75 uses Cherry profile double-shot PBT keycaps, a big plus for durability and feel. PBT plastic is known for being more resistant to wear and shine than standard ABS plastic, so these keycaps will maintain their matte finish and texture even after heavy use. The double-shot molding process also ensures that legends (the characters on the keys) won’t fade or wear out over time.
The Cherry profile of these keycaps provides a comfortable, slightly lower height and a natural curve that many find ideal for extended typing. The result is a consistent and satisfying typing feel across the board, with keycaps that stay in place firmly on the switches without wobbling.
Stabilizers and Lubing
The Mechlands Vibe75 doesn’t overlook the smaller details, like stabilizers and lubing, which can significantly impact the typing feel. Stabilizers are particularly important for the larger keys like the spacebar, enter, and shift keys. Cheap or poorly implemented stabilizers can lead to rattling or uneven keypresses, which can be annoying and affect the overall typing experience. Thankfully, Mechlands paid close attention here, pre-lubing the stabilizers to create a more stable, rattle-free typing experience.
Straight out of the box, the stabilizers are impressively tuned. There’s no rattling on the bigger keys, and they have a consistent, smooth feel across the board. The spacebar, in particular, sounds solid and has a satisfying “thock” without any hollow noise—a pleasant surprise at the price range. The careful lubing means that even if you are from those who are picky about sound and feel might find little need for further tweaking.
Sound and Typing Feel
The Vibe75 is tuned to deliver a deep, satisfying “thock” sound with each key press, which keyboard enthusiasts love. This particular sound profile is often associated with premium, custom-built keyboards, but the Mechlands Vibe75 captures this feel quite well, especially considering it’s a plastic board at a budget-friendly price.
The gasket-mounted structure contributes to both the sound and typing feel by providing a softer, cushioned bottom-out. Instead of rigidly holding the plate in place, the gaskets allow a bit of flex with each key press, which can help reduce typing fatigue and improve comfort over longer sessions. This slight flex enhances comfort and helps dampen the sound, reducing the “ping” that sometimes accompanies more rigid keyboards.
Software and Customization
The Mechlands Vibe75 comes with dedicated software that, while not groundbreaking, gets the job done, and provides essential tools for configuring key functions, RGB settings, and even the TFT screen. Although it’s a bit basic, it covers most of what you need. While the Mechlands software may feel a bit dated and lacks some of the polish of higher-end software suites, it still provides all the essential functions for configuring and personalizing the keyboard.
The software allows you to remap keys on the main layer as well as set up a function layer. While it doesn’t have the extensive functionality of open-source tools like VIA or QMK, it still provides enough flexibility to create a comfortable, personalized layout for work or play. You can export and import configurations, making it easy to switch between setups or back up your custom layout.
The RGB lighting on the Vibe75 is vibrant, and the software provides several modes and color options. You can tweak everything from brightness and speed to specific RGB effects that cycle through colors, pulse, or stay static. For those who prefer hardware control, you can also cycle through these modes using keyboard shortcuts without opening the software, which is handy for quick adjustments.
A unique feature of the software is the ability to customize the TFT screen. You can upload static images or simple animations (GIFs) to the screen. This allows you to display visuals like battery life, time, or even your favorite character or logo. Customizing the screen is a straightforward process within the software, although more advanced customization options would be a welcome addition.
For productivity, the software supports macros, allowing you to create shortcuts for frequently used functions or sequences. You can include mouse inputs in your macros. The macro setup is user-friendly, though not as feature-rich as some more advanced keyboard software.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The Mechlands Vibe75 goes beyond just being a wired keyboard; it offers full tri-mode connectivity. This means you can connect via USB-C, Bluetooth, or 2.4GHz wireless.
The wired mode offers the best performance for gamers, as it provides a stable, low-latency connection and powers the keyboard directly, so you never have to worry about battery life. The Vibe75’s 2.4GHz mode is also excellent, It offers a solid, almost lag-free experience that makes it great for both gaming and productivity. The 1000Hz polling rate in this mode ensures quick responsiveness, so you get nearly the same performance as a wired connection, just without the hassle of a cable.
Bluetooth connectivity is ideal for multi-device setups or casual use. While the response rate is a bit slower than in 2.4GHz mode (capped at 125Hz), it’s still smooth enough for regular tasks like typing, browsing, and light productivity. Switching between devices in Bluetooth mode is straightforward, so it’s easy to use the Vibe75 with multiple computers, tablets, or even smartphones.
The Vibe75 is powered by a hefty 4000mAh battery, which can last between 2 to 3 weeks on moderate use, even with RGB lighting. If you’re using it solely in Bluetooth mode with the RGB turned off or dimmed, you could stretch that to nearly a month. The keyboard’s TFT screen conveniently displays battery life, giving you real-time status updates so you know when it’s time to recharge. Recharging is also fast and straightforward. The keyboard charges via USB-C, and a full charge takes just a couple of hours.
Verdict: Is the Mechlands Vibe75 Worth It?
The Mechlands Vibe75 is a refreshing take on the budget mechanical keyboard market, delivering features typically found in more premium models. Considering all its features and drawbacks, the Mechlands Vibe75 is a solid choice, feature-packed with some unique perks. Its modular screen/knob option, tri-mode connectivity, and quality typing experience make it a standout at its $70 price point.
While the software is basic and the teardown process could be smoother, these are minor drawbacks compared to the overall value this keyboard provides. The Vibe75 shines in its build quality, with smart design choices that make it stable and durable, ideal for both typing and gaming. Its pre-lubed stabilizers, quality keycaps, and impressive sound profile are bonuses that make it satisfying to use right out of the box. Don’t miss out on the Mechlands Vibe75, a $70 keyboard that offers premium features without the premium price! Grab yours now on Amazon or shop directly on the official site.
