Clean looks Check. compatible with Mac and Windows. Check Gatelon Brown switches Check White backlight" Check The Keychron K2 has all the makings of a great small wireless mechanical keyboard for office use, and at only $69, it's easy to see why it's so popular with so many people.

Over the past few years, many people have taken up new hobbies, and one of the biggest is the world of home-building keyboards with cases, switches, PCBs, and more. To do this, one needs to understand what a mechanical keyboard is, and the Keychron K2 has made its mark in the eyes of the average user as a great entry-level keyboard that serves as a gateway to the wide world of mechanical keyboards.

The design features gray ABS keycaps and a rather compact 84-key layout, with a slightly squashed numeric keypad and nav cluster. I have previously argued that a 60% compact keyboard is better suited for gamers with space to spare, but the Keychron K2's 75% key layout may make you reconsider that decision. For a reasonably priced board, the build is sturdy, with no deck deflection and a decent amount of weight. It's no Model M, of course, but for the price, I have no complaints.

As for the switches, my review sample is fitted with Cherry MX Brown clones provided by Gateron; Gateron claims they weigh 55g, but they feel much lighter than that and feel a bit hollow compared to the real thing. To make matters worse, from under the Backspace and Enter keys, one can hear the metallic stabilizers pinging the switches quite a bit.

Brown is, in essence, a switch for typists, with a handy little tactile bump in the middle of the travel. The K2 also has full NKRO and can be considered quite a useful gaming board.

The Keychron K2 also features the ability to connect to up to three devices at the same time, which we found especially useful when working or writing on a PC or MacBook Pro. speaking of MacOS and connectivity, on the left side of the K2 you can choose whether to connect via Bluetooth or the included cable, or There are several switches that allow you to choose between Windows mode or Mac mode. All changes are virtually instantaneous, and the pairing process via Bluetooth couldn't be simpler.

Battery life is also notable, with a 4000mAh capacity allowing the K2 to travel long distances with or without backlighting. At 68 hours with the lights on full and 240 hours with the lights off, it can be used for weeks without touching the USB Type-C charging cable.

The use case for the K2 as a keyboard for both Windows and Mac also lends itself to the fact that you can get various MX stem keycap sets from Keychron itself or from other online stores to completely change the look of the keyboard. Included in the box are Mac or Windows function keys that are interchangeable depending on the platform used, and can be easily removed and replaced with the included keycap puller.

If you want to swap out the switches as well, the K2 is also available in a hot-swappable version, allowing you to draft in different MX stem switches, including Gateron, TTC, and the real thing. I have never used the hot-swappable type, but it is great that KeyChron is offering this opportunity.

As for backlighting, my K2 sample keeps things simple with white lighting. Oddly enough, the first time you switch on the board and plug it in, it offers a pulsating pattern as opposed to a static one, which is a bit cumbersome, requiring you to cycle through almost every preference setting to get it. The lighting presets provided are familiar to anyone who has used Amazon's inexpensive RGB gaming keyboards, with the traditional static, ripple, and breathing styles all available. There are also four lighting levels to choose from, so it should be easy to find one that works for you.

In short, the Keychron K2 is a handy entry-level mechanical keyboard, and for around $69, you can't necessarily go wrong. It's well built, weighs a decent amount, and can connect to three devices, which is handy if you're going back and forth between devices during a work day. That said, at times it can feel like a cheap keyboard. Light switches with a ping sound and standard lighting presets don't help much in some cases.

Overall, this is a good choice if you're looking for an entry-level mechanical keyboard.