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It is introducing KiiBoom, a brand whose latest keyboard, the Phantom 81, has changed the mechanical keyboard market. The Phantom 81 has a build quality that is on par with even more expensive models. It also has a lot of useful features for both hobbyists and professionals. The keyboard has a clear acrylic shell and a hot-swap 75% layout with a well-made knob that makes typing smooth and enjoyable.
The Phantom 81 also has RGB lighting that faces south, a compact design, and a solid gasket-mounted system that reduces noise and makes typing more comfortable. It has a 4400mAh battery and can be used wirelessly or with wires. This gives users who are on the go more options. The KiiBoom Phantom 81 is a high-quality keyboard that costs only $160, which is a lot less than most of its competitors.
KiiBOOM Phantom 81 SPECIFICATIONS
| Dimensions | 330 x 150 x 35 mm |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, wireless 2.4G connection, Type-C |
| Product weight | 1430g ± 20g |
| Layout | 81 keys+one knob |
KiiBOOM Phantom 81 review: Design
Even if you don’t like the clear or transparent look, you should still check out the KiiBOOM Phantom 81, especially if you have a small desk. It has a 75% layout, which means that it has 81 keys (including arrow keys) and a dedicated volume knob in a smaller size. It’s well-made and feels like a high-end product, which isn’t always the case with lesser-known brands.
Still, the clear look is the big selling point here. The Phantom 81 is not clear at all. The plate, the pad for the switch, and the PCB board are not see-through. But the keycaps and case are all clear. To finish the look, KiiBOOM even made its own see-through switches, which it calls Crystal Switches. You can get this keyboard from its official website.
KiiBOOM Phantom 81 review: Performance
Aside from the overall build and quality, the main thing people worry about when buying peripherals from brands they haven’t heard of before is whether or not they will perform as well as products from well-known brands. Even though it’s a good worry, you won’t have to worry about it in this case
The KiiBOOM Phantom 81’s biggest problem is that it takes a second to re-establish its wireless connection with the device it’s currently paired with after being in standby mode for a while. But even though that can be annoying sometimes, we’ve seen it from companies like Roccat and SteelSeries. It’s also on the thicker side, so if you don’t already have one, you’ll need to buy a cushioned wrist rest to keep your wrist at a comfortable height. If you don’t, your hands and wrists might get tired faster or hurt after a couple of hours.
KiiBOOM Phantom 81 review: Software and battery Life
The KiiBOOM Phantom 81 is ready to go as soon as you open the box. But you can install the KiiBOOM Driver to get the full experience. It’s not a very complicated software package, and it needs some work. You can only change the lighting, change how sensitive the keys are, and use macro control.
But at its core, it does the job of letting you use software to change how things work. I hope that an update will clean up the user interface and make it easier to use. The Phantom 81 really shines when it comes to how long its battery lasts.
This keyboard is heavy, and part of that is because it has a 4,000mAh battery. With RGB turned off, it can run for well over 100 hours. If you turn on the lights, that drops to about 60 hours, which is still a very long time without having to worry about the battery.
Final Words
The KiiBOOM Phantom 81 is a keyboard combo that is 75% off and is great for both beginners and pros. The keyboard has a gasket mount system, a beautiful transparent case, and a unique look that has won the hearts of many fans. It also has mechanical switches that can be changed without soldering because they are of the Gasket Mount type.
The Phantom 81 is a great keyboard for the price. At about $160, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better pre-made keyboard with all these features. It’s not always easy, and you can be sure that similar keyboards from the most popular brands cost a lot more.
KiiBOOM Phantom 81 Ratings
Pros
- Quieter than other mechanical keyboards
- Premium build
- Attractive, clear design
Cons
- Limited software support
- US layout only
FAQS
Is The Phantom keyboard good?
Yes, you can play games on the Tecware Phantom, especially if you get the Outemu Red Switch version (red switches are linear and general preferred for gaming). It has some nice gaming features, like N-key rollover (NKRO) and anti-ghosting.
Where is KiiBOOM located?
We have a central office and a core team in Guangdong, China. From there, we can keep an eye on how each product is made by the creators we work with. KiiBOOM’s goal is to come up with new ways to make products that help people enjoy the things they love even more.
How much does the KiiBOOM Phantom 81 weigh?
The keyboard has a front height of 0.83 inches, a rear height of 1.42 inches, and a total weight of slightly more than 3.25 pounds.