Latest news with #Wobkey
Tom's Guide
11 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Is it raining outside or am I just typing? The Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro is the nicest-sounding keyboard I've tested so far
I won't lie, I love a keyboard that sounds just as good as it looks. Many of the best mechanical keyboards sound downright great, but I've never tested one that sounds as outstanding as the Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro. This is, as the brand claims, a keyboard made for audiophiles, thanks to its raindrop-like sound profile. Not just that, but the keyboard is a beast for productivity, with its Kailh Cocoa linear switches and gasket mount design working together to deliver a smooth and comfortable typing experience. The Rainy 75 Pro sports a sturdy all-metal build and a gorgeous, colorful design, and it's got a massive 7,000mAh battery. Also, web-based companion software makes customization a walk in the park. To find out if this is the right keyboard for you, read my full Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro review. Specs Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro Price $139 / £151 Switches Kailh Cocoa (linear) mechanical Keycaps Double-shot PBT Construction Full CNC machined aluminum Mount Gasket Layout 75%, 81 keys Operating system macOS, Windows Backlighting Per-key RGB Polling rate 500Hz Paired devices max 3 Connectivity Bluetooth, 2.4GHz dongle, wired Battery 7,000mAh Measurements 12.5 x 5.5 inches x 1.48 inches Weight 4.4lbs Colors Several including Yellow, Pink, Red and Purple From its beautiful raindrop-like typing sound and heavy-metal construction to its wonderful Kailh Cocoa linear switches, the Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro is a force to be reckoned with. Here's a sentence I've never heard before: the Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro is a keyboard made for audiophiles. Now, I am a self-proclaimed audiophile, and I wouldn't exactly describe this as an 'audiophile's keyboard,' but I'd be lying if I said it didn't sound gobsmackingly fantastic. I am a self-proclaimed audiophile, and I wouldn't exactly describe this as an 'audiophile's keyboard,' but I'd be lying if I said it didn't sound gobsmackingly fantastic. I tested the Rainy 75 Pro variant, which features Kailh Cocoa linear switches, and it retails for $139 / £151. There are cheaper variants available, too: the Lite model costs $99 while the Standard retails for $109, and both come with HMX Violet linear switches. Now that that's out of the way, let's talk about the Rainy 75 Pro. Its Kailh Cocoa switches require 45g of force to activate, so they're a little on the heavy side. Combined with the double-shot PBT keycaps, the switches make a lightweight 'thock,' which sounds lovely. The keyboard features five layers of sound-dampening foam and case padding, and Wobkey says that these layers, combined with the PBT keycaps, make a raindrop-like sound. Well, very heavy raindrops, in my opinion, but still lovely. I do enjoy the sound of rain when I'm trying to nap in the afternoon, so I may be biased here. Similar to Keychron's Q-Series keyboards, such as the Keychron Q65 Max ($209) and the Keychron Q3 HE ($239), the Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro's case is made entirely of full CNC-machined aluminum, with a stainless steel support frame and multiple layers of impact damping and sound insulation. This means that the keyboard is extremely well built and will stand the test of time. This also means that the keyboard is heavy, weighing 4.4lbs, making it heavier than the Q3 HE (3.91lbs) but lighter than the Q65 Max (5.33lbs). The Rainy 75 Pro's 75% layout should help you easily carry it in a backpack, but you'll have to deal with the very heavy weight. Adding to the Rainy 75 Pro's durability are its double-shot PBT keycaps, which are more durable and resistant to wear and tear compared to ABS keycaps. The keyboard is available in a few colorways, like Yellow, Blue and Purple, to name a few. I tested the Pink variant, which sports a combination of pink and lavender keycaps, and it looks stunning. South-facing RGB also adds a stunning pop of color to the board. The Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro is primarily a productivity keyboard (it's got a 500Hz polling rate, so not meant for gaming), and it's a beast for typing. This might be the best keyboard I've used for work so far. The keyboard is fully hot-swappable and is compatible with 3- and 5-pin MX switches, so you can change them without de- and re-soldering them to the PCB. As I mentioned up top, I tested the Kailh Cocoa linear switches, which require 45g of force to activate. Although I'm more accustomed to lighter switches, like the 30g Dawn switches in the McHose X75 V2 ($89), I still enjoyed typing on the Kailh Cocoa linears. The keyboard also features a gasket mount design and a flexible PCB, both of which contribute to the comfortable typing experience. I've been using the Rainy 75 Pro for three weeks now and not once have my hands felt fatigued. Keyboard Type test speed (WPM) Type test accuracy Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro 110 96.48% 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard 102 93% Epomaker TH99 101 94.91% Epomaker RT100 99 92.89% Keychron K10 V2 99 92.61% Royal Kludge S98 98 94.48% Nikita's overall averages (all keyboards) 88.75 91.35% I took a typing test at to see how the Rainy 75 Pro fared against other mechanical keyboards I've tested, and lo and behold, I achieved my best typing test speed and accuracy to date, as you can see in the table above. This is a huge deal for me, as my bread and butter relies on typing, so I'm happy to see the Rainy 75 Pro is up to the mark. To top it all off, the Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro is fitted with a gigantic 7,000mAh rechargeable battery, as opposed to the Standard model having just a 3,500mAh battery. Wobkey claims the Rainy 75 Pro can last for up to 900 hours with RGB turned off. This, of course, drops significantly with RGB lighting turned on all the time — although Wobkey doesn't specify the exact mileage. It only occurred to me three weeks into testing the Rainy75 that I hadn't yet charged the keyboard. I'd kept the RGB lighting on throughout the testing process, and the Bluetooth icon on my MacBook indicated the keyboard's battery percentage at 80%. My company-sanctioned MacBook Air M2 comes with a few restrictions, including not being able to download third-party software for security reasons. This is why I need to test Mac-specific software on my personal MacBook Pro M1, or use our shared Windows 11 laptop for software testing. The good news is that you don't need to download any external software or bloatware to customize the Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro! The Rainy 75 Pro, similar to many other QMK-enabled keyboards, is compatible with the web-based VIA app. All you need to do is download the JSON file from Wobkey and drop it into VIA's 'Design' tab, plug the keyboard into your computer with the included (or any) USB-C cable and et voilà: you'll be able to remap keys, record macros, customize the board's lighting and more. VIA is extremely easy to use, too, thanks to its clean interface. The Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro is a fantastic keyboard and there isn't much wrong with it. However, there are no tactile switches to choose from, and annoyingly, the wireless switch is located under the Caps Lock key. If you like mechanical switches that have a tactile bump and nature, I have bad news for you: the Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro comes with linear stock switches only. This means that if you want tactile switches, you'll have to spend a little extra as these cannot be configured when you're purchasing the keyboard. Good news is that there is a plethora of tactile switches to choose from, and they don't always cost a lot either. For instance, a 120-pack of Kailh Box White tactiles is available for $33 / £44 at Amazon, but a 105-pack of Gateron Baby Kangaroo 2.0 heavy tactiles will cost you $63 (£27 for 35 pieces in the U.K.). Just make sure the MX switches are 3- or 5-pin and the LEDs are south-facing. The Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro is a wireless keyboard, so you can use either the included 2.4GHz dongle or Bluetooth for wireless connectivity… but it can be confusing if you're connecting it wirelessly for the first time. Where's the wireless switch? Usually it's located on the back of the board, right? Wrong, not this time. You'll first need to find the switch, which, after reading through the manual, I discovered is located under the Caps Lock key. You'll then need to pull it out with the included keycap puller (or your fingernails if you have long ones). Then you'll need to flip the switch and pop the keycap back on. Then you'll need to press Ctrl + Tab to switch between wired, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz. To me, this feels like an unnecessarily long process for something that could have been easily done via a switch near the keyboard's USB-C port. This could also drain the Rainy 75 Pro's battery as you may forget the keyboard is still on even though you've gone home for the day… there's no physical, easy-to-reach switch, after all. As mechanical keyboards go, the Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro is the undisputed king of the best-sounding decks out there. It sounds downright beautiful, especially if you like a 'thocky' profile. The Rainy 75 Pro offers a wonderful typing experience, thanks to its smooth Kailh Cocoa Switches, double-shot PBT keycaps and gasket mount design. I also really appreciate the keyboard's gigantic 7,000mAh battery life. Web-based companion software also means you don't need to download bloatware onto your machine, and the keyboard's full CNC machined aluminum build means it'll last the test of time. I am, however, disappointed with the fact that the wireless connectivity switch is located under the Caps Lock key, which feels cumbersome. Also, if you like tactile switches, you may be disappointed that the Rainy 75 Pro comes with linear switches only. But these shortcomings seem minute compared to all the things the Rainy 75 Pro does right. It has quickly become my daily driver and, with its raindrop-like sound profile, I feel like a wave of calm washes over me every time I type on it.
Forbes
04-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Wobkey Zen65 Premium Feature Keyboard With A More Affordable Price Tag
Wobkey has announced its latest custom keyboard with a compact 65% layout. The Zen65 and launched on Kickstarter on June 3. The keyboard comes in two versions with a choice of stabilizers and it won't take up too much of your precious desk space. Despite its compact size, the Zen65 is probably one of the heaviest and most solid keyboards I've ever come across. Despite its heft, it has a soft and gentle typing action thanks to its factory-lubed hot-swappable switches. The Zen65 is the third keyboard from the Wobkey brand and its launch follows on from the Rainy75 and the Crush80 models. Made from high-quality materials, the new keyboard has wired, 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity. Up to three Bluetooth hosts can be paired and switching between any connection is simple. A quick assembly ball-catch mechanism on the case makes it easy for modifiers to disassemble the keyboard for customization. And considering its starting price of $89, the Zen65 offers a lot of features for the money. The top case of the Zen65 has chamfered internal edges for a touch of refinement not often seen in many keyboards. An internal brass weight enhances the overall feel and improves the acoustics. For keyboard tweakers, there are four different mounting options enabling users to fine-tune their typing experience. The brass plate on the Zen65 Ultra's bottom case acts as a stabilizing weight as well as a useful cover for the keyboard's battery chamber. The brass plate is cut out to produce a larger gap between the printed circuit board and the bottom housing that sits beneath the mechanical switches. Wobkey says the Zen65's design produces a 'more refined typing sound.' Most mechanical keyboards use a flat ribbon cable to connect the PCB to the bottom case. However, the Zen65 has a unique magnetic pogo pin connector that makes it easy to assemble and disassemble the keyboard without the need for tools or screws. It's a thoughtful design that reduces the risk of damaging the PCB when modding or maintaining the keyboard. The top case of the Zen65 has thinner bezels on the sides and slightly thicker bezels on the front and back. Chamfered internal edges on the top case are anodized, an unusual and classy touch even on a premium keyboard. A range of multiple mounting options means the Zen65 can be modded to produce a unique sound profile. The gasket mount has a more open and soft typing sound while the top mount produces a tighter and more clacky sound with the modifier keys being emphasized a little more. Because the Zen65 has an option for a PCB-mounted design, it's possible to put together a plateless configuration of the keyboard, although Wobkey doesn't recommend that if using hot-swappable switches. The Zen65 is fitted with pre-lubed switches and dye sublimation PBT keycaps. Wobkey offers two switch options: the Lite version has HMX Violet switches while the Ultra model has Kailh Box switches. The stock switches and stabilizers used on the keyboard create a premium feel with minimal stem wobble. Offering compatibility with QMK firmware, the Zen65 keyboard can be fully customized and programmed using VIA software or the VIA web portal. Individual keys can be remapped or set up with special macros and system shortcuts to suit the way you like to work. The Wobkey Zen65 custom mechanical keyboard is on Kickstarter now with prices starting at $89 for the Zen65 Lite model and $129 for the Sen65 Ultra version.
Forbes
09-05-2025
- Forbes
Wobkey Rainy 75 Is A Heavyweight Player In The Mechanical Keyboard Market
The Rainy 75 keyboard is a 75% and 81-key mechanical keyboard available with a range of specs and ... More finishes. If ever there were to be a prize awarded for the world's heaviest computer keyboard, I think the new Wobkey Rainy 75 would have a strong chance of picking up an award. Despite being made from an aluminum alloy case, this 75% mechanical keyboard with 81 keys is built like the proverbial tank, weighing in at an impressive 2kg. The outer shell of the Rainy 75 is made from CNC-machined aluminum alloy with an oxidized surface and glass-steel decoration. There is a variety of colors and designs available with the price of the Rainy 75 increasing with the fancier finishes and specs. For those people who enjoy customizing their keyboard, the Rainy 75 is available in nine colors including White, Purple, Blue, Pink Luna, Yellow and Redvel Yellow. There is also a choice of plates to alter the keyboard's layout with up to 16 options and 5 accessories to give each keyboard a more individual finish. The 75% layout of the Wobkey Rainy75 offers a full row of function keys, separate cursor cluster and ... More navigation keys in a compact form factor. With the Rainy 75, Wobkey buyers get the option of choosing between factory-lubricated linear HMX Violet switches or Kailh Cocoa switches, depending on the model ordered. A five-layer foam and flex gasket structure increases comfort when typing and helps to reduce fatigue. The PBT double-shot keycaps used on the Rainy 75 offer a smoother typing experience and the material stays clean for longer, resisting the buildup of oil and grime. There is the option of connecting with the host device using a 2.4GHz wireless dongle, Bluetooth and USB. The USB option has a latency of 2ms, while the 2.4GHz wireless dongle manages an impressive 3ms with Bluetooth bringing up the rear with a 7ms latency. The built-in battery comes in sizes ranging from 3500mAh to 7000mAh depending on the model ordered. The stability of this new keyboard and its heft is partly down to the use of enhanced foams and a pro-structural design with a key sound that Wobkey describes as 'like raindrops.' There is a Poron foam layer with an 8x foaming density, while PET foam and EPMD bottom foam are insulated with a PET sheet to dampen the sound still further. The Rainy75 from Wobkey is available in a wide range of finishes with a choice of switches and ... More lighting. The keyboard also uses an FR4 plate with flex cuts but users can specify a different kind of plate for various layouts and acoustic properties. There is no doubt that the Rain 75 is designed to be one of the most tactile mechanical keyboards and promotes typing accuracy. To customize the Rainy 75, Wobkey has used QMK firmware so the keyboard can be programmed and customized with VIA software or the VIA website where keys can be modified and macros added along with other advanced features. The Rainy 75 can adapt to macOS or Windows layouts although there are no macOS modifier keys supplied. That said, with a standard MX keycap fit, users can always choose and fit their own keycaps to further customize the look of the keyboard. Pricing and Availability: The Wobkey Rainy 75 keyboard is available now and costs from $99 depending on the specification and model chosen. Orders can be placed at Tech Specs:
