Keeping a Low Profile
How low (profile) can you go?
Havit is a Chinese company with a unique product for the enthusiast PC segment: the thinnest mechanical keyboard on the market at 22.5 mm. Their slim HV-KB395L keyboard offers real mechanical switching via Kailh low-profile blue switches, and full RGB lighting is thrown in for good measure. For a keyboard that retails for $79.99 this is certainly an interesting mix, but how in the world does low-profile mechanical feel? I will attempt to translate that experience into words (by… typing words).
Specifications:
- 104-key Mechanical Keyboard
- Customizable RGB backlighting
- Kailh PG1350 Low Profile Blue Switch
- 3mm of total travel, 45g of operating force
- N-Key Rollover
- Detachable USB Cable
- Weight: 0.57 kg
- Dimensions: 43.6 x 12.6 x 2.25 cm
First impressions of the keyboard are great, with nice packaging that cradles the keyboard in a carton inside the box. The keyboard itself feels quite premium, with a top panel that is actually metal – unusual for this price-point.
The base of the keyboard offers rubber feet to keep it from moving on your desk or table, and there are the usual flip-out feet (also rubber tipped) for adjusting the angle.
The cable is detachable; a standard microUSB of the type that ships with smartphones, and is not particularly long.
Now for the important stuff: the keys. This really is a low-profile design, looking to the naked eye like any number of membrane keyboards.
The clicky nature of the first presses instantly confirm that we are indeed looking at a mechanical keyboard, and it’s kind of a weird sensation. The key travel is pretty shallow at 3 mm, but there is a distinct tactile feeling followed by a clicky sound – just as you would expect from a blue switch.
The keyboard feels very fast thanks to that low travel, and the keycaps feel solid.
The lighting is not the brightest I’ve encountered, but is fully customizable – though the included instructions are a little convoluted if you are doing things strictly on the keyboard (a driver is in the works for OS-based customization).
Conclusion
- HAVIT Ultra-Thin RGB Mechanical Keyboard: $79.99 – Amazon.com
I was immediately impressed with the build quality of the HV-KB395L, and found the low-profile typing experience to be a nice change from the usual mechanical keyboard. This shallow but clicky experience is very conducive to comfort over long periods with less finger travel and a shallower wrist angle. Havit has come out of nowhere with a great product here, and once RGB lighting can be controlled via the OS it will be even better.
Saw this Keyboard at IFA,
Saw this Keyboard at IFA, sadly no UK layout with a numb pad 🙁
though, these Low profile Kailh switches are legit
Ill stick withMade in Japan
Ill stick withMade in Japan Topre keyboards. Made in China is a plague.
Had this for a few weeks to
Had this for a few weeks to test. It was a lot better than I expected it to be, considering it’s low profile and that Khailh makes some of the worst Brown switches imaginable. But these worked just fine. Shame there’s no media controls on it.
Also, there wasn’t any software for it when I had it, I guess that’s still in development. I know the ten-keyless version has it.