tldr; Budget full-size from Akko. Aluminum case, hot-swap, QMK/VIA. Rare good value 100%.
$125.99 on AmazonScores based on sentiment analysis of topic-related comments
Best praise vs top criticism for MonsGeek M5
“These are my work keyboards: 1. **Monsgeek M5** (on-site office) - black aluminum case, pc plate, gazzew boba u4 silent tactile switches, goblintechkeys blue pottery matte pbt keycaps with Hangul sublegends. *My coworker loves how "creamy" it feels. Quiet enough.* 2. **Monsgeek M5W** (WFH office) - silver aluminum case, pc plate, force break + tape mod, TTC Venus linear switches, cerakey crazed blue ceramic keycaps. *My cloppy board. Too loud to bring to work. Also my favorite board.* 3. **Keychron Q6 special edition** (on-site office) - purple aluminum case, steel plate, HMX silent sakura linear switches, original pbt keycaps. *Waiting on an osume pbt keycap set. Also waiting for brass plates restock.* 3. **Meletrix Zoom98** (on-site office) - *en route, eta 20+ days* - Lilac aluminum case, pc plate, switches TBD, keycaps TBD. *I thought it looked neat. I'll probably put my durock shrimps in here and look for a tall profile pbt keycap. Also considering TTC silent frozens. Open to suggestions for keycaps.*”
“Of course I say all this, but I still haven't bought the prettier MonsGeek M5 only because it doesn't have a knob. Keychron's 108+knob layout has spoiled me and I don't think I would settle for less at this point. Wind Studio, please make a 108+knob keyboard.”
470 Reddit opinions analyzed • Last updated 4/4/2026