Note: This review was first published on 25 September 2021.
Made for those on a budget
Tecware has done it again. The company best known for making incredibly affordable peripherals has created a Bluetooth mechanical keyboard for just under a S$100, and still managed to include almost all the features nearly anyone could want. The Tecware B68 mechanical keyboard sports a compact 65% form factor, and its all-white design and minimalist design give it a sleek look that fit in with any setup.
I'm rather glad that Tecware hasn't gone with a floating key design here, and I enjoy the more business-like aesthetic. Build quality is solid, and there's no noticeable creaking and flexing. The 65% form factor leaves more space for your mouse movements, and it's also easier to keep centred for better ergonomic alignment. I find the 65% layout to be the sweet spot when it comes to keyboards — you still have plenty of space, while retaining the arrow keys that so many people are reluctant to do away with.
My review unit came with linear Gateron Yellow switches, but you can also get the keyboard with either Black or Brown switches. The doubleshot PBT keycaps have a nice matte texture to them, and will resist shine over time better than ABS keycaps. The denser plastic also produces a deeper, more satisfying “thock” sound when typing. The PCB features modular Kailh switch sockets too, so you can change the switches at any time. A sturdy plate sits between the switches and the PCB, which reduces the amount of flex while typing. There is minimal key wobble too, further adding to the impression of quality.
The RGB backlighting is bright and even, and the secondary legends are located right beside the primary ones so they are both properly lit. Multiple different lighting presets are available, with names like Windmill, Snake, Sine Wave, and more. There is also the option to customise the lighting. You can select either Custom 1 and Custom 2 in the keyboard's software, each corresponding to different key clusters by default. However, you can select individual keys to tweak the lighting on a per-key basis if you wish.
There are several nifty shortcuts on the keyboard itself if you don't want to bother with downloading the driver. For instance, you can toggle between the various LED modes by hitting Fn + right Ctrl. There are brightness and lighting speed adjustments available too, and an LED color switch in the form of Fn + right Shift. Finally, you can also disable the Windows key with Fn + Win if you don't want to risk tabbing out in game.
The keyboard also comes with baked-in Bluetooth 5.0 functionality and a 2,000 mAh battery. Pairing the keyboard with my PC via Bluetooth was easy. All I had to do was flick the switch at the back to set the keyboard in Bluetooth mode, and then long-press Fn + Q. You can pair the keyboard with three different devices using the Q, W, and E keys. The Esc key will blink fast when the keyboard is in pairing mode, and it's just a matter of setting your PC to pairing mode as well.
However, you'll likely require a dedicated Bluetooth dongle for a more reliable connection. I wasn't able to get a good connection using the onboard Bluetooth on my motherboard, and there was considerable input lag. I should point out that this isn't a problem unique to the Tecware B68, and I have trouble getting a reliable Bluetooth connection on other devices as well, which is why I've picked up a Creative BT-W3 transmitter that works flawlessly.
However, I wouldn't use the Bluetooth connection for gaming as it's still not up to par with a wired or 2.4GHz wireless connection in terms of responsiveness.
There's also a really useful way to check the battery level on-the-fly. Pressing Fn + backspace will display the power level in the form of keys 1-0 lighting up in green. The backspace key will also blink red when battery is low.
The B68 ships with a dyesub PBT keycap that goes really well with the white keycaps, a detachable braided USB-C cable, and a 2-in-1 switch and keycap puller. The detachable cable means that you can easily pair the keyboard with a custom cable of your choosing too.
Conclusion
At S$99, the Tecware B68 wireless mechanical keyboard crams a whole lot into a really affordable package. Tecware has long been excellent at delivering great bang for your buck, and this keyboard is no exception. For just under a hundred bucks, you get a keyboard that looks and feels great, complete with features like hot-swappable switch sockets, PBT keycaps, and per-key RGB lighting. The Bluetooth capability simply adds to its versatility, and together with its compact form factor, it should be a really handy travel keyboard as well.
For the price, I can't think of any glaring omission when it comes to this keyboard, and it should be at the top of your list if you're looking for an affordable, wireless mech board.
Keyword: Tecware B68 65% Bluetooth Mechanical Keyboard review: Wireless on a budget