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Ajazz AK820 Keyboard Review: Is the Hype Real?The video reviews the Ajazz AK820 and AK820 Pro keyboards, assessing their build, sound, and overall value. The base AK820 is deemed disappointing due to its cheap feel and subpar switches, while the AK820 Pro offers improvements with better switches and wireless connectivity but still faces strong competition from other budget keyboards.
1. ⌨️ Introduction to the Ajazz AK820: A Budget Keyboard Under Scrutiny
- ✅ The reviewer is testing the Ajazz AK820 and AK820 Pro, highly requested budget keyboards, to determine if they live up to their positive reviews.
- ✅ Key aspects for evaluation include build quality, sound, typing feel, and features.
- ⚠️ The reviewer anticipates potential compromises due to the keyboards' low price point.
00:00 - 00:46
1. ⌨️ Introduction to the Ajazz AK820: A Budget Keyboard Under Scrutiny
- ✅ The reviewer is testing the Ajazz AK820 and AK820 Pro, highly requested budget keyboards, to determine if they live up to their positive reviews.
- ✅ Key aspects for evaluation include build quality, sound, typing feel, and features.
- ⚠️ The reviewer anticipates potential compromises due to the keyboards' low price point.
00:48 - 02:40
2. 📦 Unboxing and Initial Impressions of the Base AK820
- ✅ The base AK820 ($36) includes a cable, keycap/switch puller, and the keyboard itself.
- ⚠️ The keyboard's plastic build feels cheap and thin.
- ✅ It features flippy feet for angle adjustment and a spot for a missing wireless dongle.
- ✅ The layout is a versatile 75% design with function keys and offset arrow keys, but lacks a number pad.
02:41 - 03:37
3. 🧰 Internal Design and Key Features of the AK820
- ✅ The keyboard surprisingly incorporates a gasket mount for slight flex and dampened reverberations.
- ✅ It's packed with multiple layers of foam (PON, EXP, PET, bottom silicone) for sound dampening, a rare feature in budget keyboards.
- ⚠️ Budget keyboards typically lack foam, requiring users to mod them.
03:38 - 05:58
4. 👎 Keycaps and Switches: Where the Base AK820 Falls Short
- ⚠️ The keycaps are thin, doubleshot PBT with unimpressive legends and colors, and are not shine-through.
- ⚠️ The custom pre-lubed linear switches (marketed as "Starry Night gray") are lightweight but feel clacky and scratchy.
- ❌ The reviewer does not recommend the base AK820 due to its subpar switches, suggesting alternatives like the Kissant KN85 or Epomaker G84.
05:59 - 07:31
5. ✨ Ajazz AK820 Pro: Upgrades and New Features
- ✅ The AK820 Pro includes a wireless dongle, switch for Windows/Mac/Bluetooth/2.4 GHz modes, and a small screen.
- ⚠️ The screen is considered tacky and its programming hotkeys don't function correctly.
- ✅ It still features a volume knob, which is a positive.
07:32 - 09:02
6. ⬆️ Switch Upgrade: The Key Improvement in the AK820 Pro
- ✅ The Pro version offers better "gift" switches (or Ajazz Flying Fish), which are heavier linear switches.
- ✅ The gift switches provide a substantially better sound and feel compared to the base AK820.
- ✅ Stabilizers are well-lubed, eliminating ticking.
- ✅ The AK820 Pro is a good upgrade if you specifically want an Ajazz keyboard.
09:03 - 09:57
7. 🤔 Final Verdict and Alternatives to the AK820 Pro
- ⚠️ The AK820 Pro's software is the same as Epomaker/Ajazz software, which the reviewer finds poor.
- ⚠️ The keyboard still feels like it has cut corners and isn't as creamy as the Kissant KN85.
- ✅ Saving more money could get you into aluminum keyboard territory.
- ✅ The AK820 Pro is decent, but consider other options first.