Hotswap TKL - Cosmic Candy V1
Best compact mechanical keyboard for gamers who love aesthetic customization.
Elevate your gaming with the Alpherior Keys Hotswap TKL Mechanical Keyboard. Engineered for superior comfort and quality, this keyboard boasts a striking Cosmic Candy v1 colorway and vibrant RGB lighting. It features fully customized PBT Doubleshot backlit keycaps for a premium feel and enhanced durability. The Full Hotswap PCB allows for effortless switch customization, letting you tailor your typing experience. Choose from Kailh Silver Speed, Bronze Speed, or Speed Copper switches to match your playstyle. Essential keycap and switch pullers are included for your convenience.
$134.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.3
/ 5
Category Rank
3020
/ 3798
#3020 in Keyboards
Price vs Category Average
-3%
Below average
Keycap Material
PBT Doubleshot
/ PBT Doubleshot
Who it's for
- Keyboard hobbyists wanting to experiment with different switch types
- Desk setup enthusiasts prioritizing a bold and colorful aesthetic
- Gamers needing extra mouse space without sacrificing essential navigation keys
Who should skip it
- Typists preferring the premium weight and acoustics of metal cases
- Power users requiring advanced macro programming and open-source firmware support
- Tech enthusiasts seeking modern features like south-facing LEDs and dampening
Performance breakdown
Switch Customization
Full hotswap compatibility makes swapping switches effortless for any user.
Aesthetic Appeal
The Cosmic Candy colorway offers a vibrant, standout look for setups.
Keycap Durability
PBT doubleshot construction ensures legends remain crisp through heavy daily use.
Gaming Responsiveness
Kailh Speed switches provide the rapid actuation required for competitive play.
Desk Ergonomics
Compact TKL layout saves valuable desk space for wider mouse movements.
Feature Set
Lacks dedicated media keys and palm rests for a minimalist profile.
Key Specs
Keycap Material
PBT Doubleshot
PCB
Full Hotswap
Layout Size
Tenkeyless (TKL)
Switch Options
Kailh Silver Speed (Linear), Kailh Bronze Speed (Clicky), Kailh Speed Copper (Tactile)
Kailh Silver Speed Actuation Point
1.1mm
Kailh Bronze Speed Force
50g
Kailh Copper Speed Travel
3.5mm
Backlighting Type
RGB
Features
- Full Hotswap PCB for easy switch customization
- Striking Cosmic Candy v1 Colorway design
- Customized PBT Doubleshot backlit keycaps
- Vibrant RGB Lighting effects
- Includes essential keycap and switch pullers
- Available with Kailh Speed switches
- Tenkeyless (TKL) compact layout
What customers say
The Hotswap TKL Cosmic Candy V1 earns praise primarily for its striking aesthetic. Users love the vibrant, themed design, noting the keycaps and chassis colorway are beautifully executed and highly distinctive in the TKL market. The hotswap feature is a significant advantage, offering easy customization for newcomers exploring different switches. While the stock sound profile is surprisingly pleasant, some users find the build quality lightweight due to its plastic construction, desiring a more substantial feel. Additionally, the stock stabilizers often require immediate lubrication to eliminate rattle. Overall, the keyboard delivers an excellent balance of eye-catching design and functional customization, making it a strong recommendation for aesthetic focused buyers and hobby beginners.
Know before you buy
The full hotswap PCB allows you to remove and replace mechanical switches without any soldering. This makes it easy to swap out your switches if you want to try a different feel or replace a faulty one later on.
The Silver switches are linear for smooth, fast keystrokes, the Bronze switches provide a clicky, audible feedback, and the Copper switches offer a tactile bump without the loud click. All three are designed for rapid actuation, making them ideal for gaming.
Yes, the keycaps are made from PBT plastic using a doubleshot molding process. This ensures the legends will never fade or wear off, and the PBT material resists the shine that often develops on standard ABS keycaps over time.
The Cosmic Candy V1 features vibrant onboard RGB lighting effects. You can cycle through various lighting modes directly using the keyboard's function keys, providing a plug-and-play experience without the need for additional software.
The TKL layout removes the numeric keypad, resulting in a more compact footprint. This provides more desk space for your mouse, which is particularly beneficial for gamers who prefer lower sensitivity settings and wider arm movements.
Yes, the keyboard comes with both a keycap puller and a switch puller. These tools are essential for safely removing your keycaps and switches during maintenance or customization.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$135