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Gear Talk #1
- Authors
- Name
- Emerald_Void
Gear Talk: Falling in Love with the Ajazz AK870
Next up on the dev blog — something a little personal. It’s not strictly about game development, but if you’re working with computers all day (like most devs), it definitely matters: keyboards.
I’m a bit of a keyboard nerd. I don’t eat, sleep, and breathe switches, but I love the hunt — especially when it comes to finding the perfect combo of form, function, and feel. Recently, I picked up the Ajazz AK870, and let me just say: I’m absolutely loving it.
Why the AK870?
My previous board, the Akko 3060B+, needed a little TLC and is currently on the bench. That left me needing a solid daily driver, and I stumbled across the Ajazz AK870 via a YouTube recommendation rabbit hole. It checked off more boxes than I expected:
Feature Rundown
- Tri-mode connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB-C
- Impressive battery life
- Linear switches: I’m a huge fan of linear switches. This board uses Maillard switches, which feature a unique front housing piece that enhances RGB diffusion. Sounds gimmicky, but the effect is gorgeous in person.
- Double-shot PBT keycaps
- Layered internal foam and padding for better sound and feel
- Removable volume knob + customizable 3-key slot
- Built-in LCD screen (More on that in a second)
Setup & Software
The Ajazz software was a bit of a pain to track down — I eventually found it on Epomaker along with the PDF manual. The annoying bit? The software won’t detect the board unless it’s directly connected via USB-C.
That said, the included braided cable is high quality, so it wasn’t a total hassle.
The LCD Screen (Why I Love It)
I currently have the screen set to display a simple clock, and honestly, that’s been a productivity game-changer. I lose track of time constantly when I’m deep in project work or, let’s be honest, binging anime or gaming. Having a subtle clock right on the keyboard is a low-key lifesaver.
Build Quality & Feel
This board feels amazing. It’s got some solid weight to it — thanks to the internal padding and layers — but that’s a plus in my book. It doesn’t slide around on the desk and gives a very premium vibe when typing.
Ergonomically, it’s fantastic. The dual-stage adjustable feet let you choose between two typing angles. I’ve got mine propped all the way up, and it feels just right.
Design & Aesthetics
The color combo is slick:
- 58 white keycaps
- 26 black keycaps
- 3 mint green keycaps on the Esc, Enter, and Spacebar keys
It uses an 87-key compact TKL layout, which is a bit bigger than my previous board but still much more compact than a full-size keyboard. It hits the sweet spot between minimalism and function.
Value for Money
This keyboard was 100% worth it — and I snagged it on discount!
Here’s a quick look at current pricing (as of May 28, 2025):
Note: These prices may have changed since writing this.
Here's the version I went with:
The Score
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Switches | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Typing Experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sound | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Included Software | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Extra Features | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Build Quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ergonomics | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Aesthetics | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Overall Score: 4.78 / 5
An excellent mechanical keyboard with a premium feel and awesome features. The only real drawback is the clunky software — it’s not intuitive and hard to find. But aside from that, the AK870 is a top-tier board in this price range.
Bonus: Mouse Mini Review
My wife picked up this wireless mouse for me on Facebook Marketplace for just $8 — and it pairs surprisingly well with the AK870.
It’s responsive, has great battery life, and offers decent programmability for the price. I'm really enjoying the combo!
Final Mouse Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A great budget-friendly addition to the setup.