Lighting
From none at all to a full RGB light show.
Lighting is purely aesthetic and entirely down to taste. Per-key RGB lights each switch individually (great for visualising layers on small boards, and needs shine-through keycaps to really show); underglow lights the case from beneath for ambient effect; a single-colour backlight is subtle and classy. On wireless boards, heavy RGB noticeably shortens battery life.
Clean, distraction-free and best for battery life on wireless boards. The choice of many purists who care about sound and feel over flash.
One colour (often white) behind the keys. Subtle, useful in dim rooms, and far less flashy than RGB.
Each switch has its own addressable LED. Pair with shine-through keycaps so legends glow. Genuinely useful for showing active layers on compact boards.
Underglow lights the desk beneath the board for ambience; combining it with per-key RGB is the full light-show. Looks best with a translucent case.
Every choice you'll see for this decision in the builder.
Keeps things clean, focused, and maximises wireless battery life. Many enthusiasts skip lighting entirely.
- Best battery life
- Clean, distraction-free
- Cheaper PCB
- No light in dark rooms
- Less visual flair
Understated illumination, usually white, that helps in dim rooms without the rainbow.
- Subtle and classy
- Useful in the dark
- Lower battery draw than RGB
- Single colour only
- Needs shine-through caps to pop
Full colour control per key — great for showing layers on small boards. Best with shine-through keycaps.
- Per-key colour & effects
- Great for visualising layers
- Eye-catching
- Drains wireless battery
- Needs shine-through caps to shine
A soft glow around and under the board. Subtler than per-key and stunning with a translucent case.
- Ambient, tasteful glow
- Great with clear cases
- Does not need special caps
- Does not light the legends
- Still uses battery
Per-key RGB plus underglow for maximum effect. Best paired with shine-through caps and a translucent case.
- Maximum visual impact
- Fully customisable
- Best with clear cases
- Heaviest battery draw
- Can be too much for some