Best Custom Keyboard Kits (2026)
Updated How we research
GMK104 Barebones Keyboard Kit with Screen & Knob, QMK/VIA, Tri-Mode Gasket Hot Swap RGB Full Size DIY (Black)
The GMK104 is a black full size barebones kit with a screen, knob, QMK/VIA, tri-mode wireless and a gasket hot-swap design.
BOYI GMK67 Barebones Keyboard Kit, VIA, Tri-Mode Gasket Hot Swap RGB 4000mAh Wireless 65% DIY Kit with Knob (White)
BOYI's white GMK67 is a 65% barebones kit with VIA, tri-mode wireless, gasket mount, a knob and a 4000mAh battery.
A custom keyboard kit gives you the foundation of a board, usually the case, PCB, plate, and stabilizers, and lets you add your own switches and keycaps. This is the entry point to building a keyboard that feels and sounds exactly how you want. When comparing kits, look at the mounting style, since gasket, top, and tray mounts change the typing feel, plus hot-swap support, connectivity, and whether stabilizers come pre-installed and tuned. Good documentation and community support make assembly far smoother. These kits suit hobbyists who enjoy the building process and want control over every component of their board. They reward patience and a willingness to learn about mounting styles, foam, and switch choices. If you just want a great keyboard out of the box, a prebuilt hot-swap board saves time and still allows switch changes. But if the build itself is part of the appeal and you want a truly personal result, a custom kit is the most rewarding route into the hobby.
The short version
We compared 7 picks. Our scores range from 7.6 to 8.9 out of 10.
- Best overall:GMK104 Barebones Keyboard Kit with Screen & Knob, QMK/VIA, Tri-Mode Gasket Hot Swap RGB Full Size DIY (Black). Highest overall score in this guide at 8.9/10.
- Also great value:BOYI GMK67 Barebones Keyboard Kit, VIA, Tri-Mode Gasket Hot Swap RGB 4000mAh Wireless 65% DIY Kit with Knob (White). Value score of 10/10, overall 8.8/10.
- Solid build:LEOBOG Hi75C Upgraded Wired Mechanical Keyboard Kit - Aluminum Alloy 75%. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.0/10.
- Feature-rich:GTSP 75% Custom Barebones Keyboard Kit, Blank DIY PCB with Gasket, Hot Swappable 3pin/5pin, RGB (V400 White). Features score of 8/10, overall 7.8/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.GMK104 Barebones Keyboard Kit with Screen & Knob, QMK/VIA, Tri-Mode Gasket Hot Swap RGB Full Size DIY (Black)8.9/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.BOYI GMK67 Barebones Keyboard Kit, VIA, Tri-Mode Gasket Hot Swap RGB 4000mAh Wireless 65% DIY Kit with Knob (White)8.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.LEOBOG Hi75C Upgraded Wired Mechanical Keyboard Kit - Aluminum Alloy 75%8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.GLORIOUS Custom Gaming Keyboard - GMMK 85% Percent TKL Barebone - USB C Wired Mechanical Keyboard Kit - RGB Hot Swappable Switches & Keycaps - Black Metal Top Plate7.9/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.GTSP 75% Custom Barebones Keyboard Kit, Blank DIY PCB with Gasket, Hot Swappable 3pin/5pin, RGB (V400 White)7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.GMK108 Barebones Mechanical Keyboard Kit, VIA Programmable, Tri-Mode Wired Hot-Swap RGB Full Size DIY (Black)7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.Sanpyl DIY Mechanical Keyboard Kit, 87 Key RGB TKL, Hot Swap, ABS Aluminum Alloy Modular (White)7.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1The GMK104 is a black full size barebones kit with a screen, knob, QMK/VIA, tri-mode wireless and a gasket hot-swap design.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 10/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + QMK and VIA give deep remapping on a full size wireless custom board
- + Screen and knob add status info and fast volume control
- + Gasket mount and tri-mode connection bring premium features to a kit
- - Full size kits need more switches, which raises the total build cost
- - Many features mean more firmware setup than a simple kit
#2BOYI's white GMK67 is a 65% barebones kit with VIA, tri-mode wireless, gasket mount, a knob and a 4000mAh battery.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 10/10
- + 4000mAh battery gives long wireless use between charges
- + Gasket mount and knob make it one of the best value compact kits
- + VIA support allows easy remapping on the compact layout
- - Kit ships without switches and keycaps, so plan those purchases
- - Plastic case is light and can feel hollow before adding foam or mods
#3LEOBOG Hi75C is a wired 75% keyboard kit with a CNC-machined aluminum case, gasket mount, hot-swap PCB and a volume knob. It is a step up in price and materials from plastic budget kits.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + CNC-machined aluminum alloy case gives the build a metal frame instead of a plastic shell
- + Gasket mount structure and a refined PCB compared with the original Hi75, per the listing
- + Hot-swap PCB takes 3-pin and 5-pin switches, with an integrated volume knob and mute button
- - Wired only and a 75% layout, so there is no number pad for builders who wanted a full-size kit
- - The listing does not spell out whether switches and keycaps are included, so confirm before ordering
#4Glorious GMMK TKL barebone: a wired tenkeyless kit with hot-swap sockets, RGB and a black metal top plate. Add your own 3-pin plate-mounted switches and standard ANSI keycaps.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Hot-swap sockets let you plug switches in and out without any soldering
- + Standard ANSI layout with a standard bottom row, so most third-party keycap sets fit
- + Metal top plate, built-in tilt stand and a 1 year limited manufacturer warranty
- - Sockets do not support 5-pin switches unless you clip the extra plastic legs, per the listing
- - Listed as a barebone, so plan on buying switches and keycaps separately before it can be used
#5GTSP's white V400 is a 75% barebones kit with a gasket design and hot-swap sockets supporting 3pin and 5pin switches.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 3pin and 5pin socket support accepts almost any MX style switch
- + Gasket design gives a softer, more cushioned typing feel
- + RGB and white case make a clean base for pastel keycap sets
- - Blank kit means extra cost for switches, keycaps and possibly stabilizer tuning
- - Lesser known brand with fewer build guides and support resources
#6The GMK108 barebones kit is a black full size VIA board with tri-mode connection, hot-swap sockets and RGB.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + VIA programming makes key remapping simple without firmware compiling
- + Tri-mode connection gives wired, Bluetooth and dongle use on a full layout
- + Extra keys beyond a standard full size give room for macros
- - Tray style build is described without gasket, so the feel may be firmer
- - Unfamiliar layout extras may need custom keycaps to fill properly
#7Sanpyl's white DIY kit is an 87-key RGB TKL hot-swap board with an ABS and aluminum alloy modular body.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Aluminum alloy parts add rigidity over all-plastic budget kits
- + Hot-swap TKL layout keeps navigation keys in a custom friendly build
- + White modular body pairs well with colorful keycap sets
- - Mixed ABS and aluminum construction feels less premium than full metal
- - Kit needs switches and keycaps bought separately
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Full size kits need more switches, which raises the total build cost (GMK104 Barebones Keyboard Kit with Screen &...)
- Kit ships without switches and keycaps, so plan those purchases (BOYI GMK67 Barebones Keyboard Kit, VIA,...)
- Wired only and a 75% layout, so there is no number pad for builders who wanted a full-size kit (LEOBOG Hi75C Upgraded Wired Mechanical...)
- Sockets do not support 5-pin switches unless you clip the extra plastic legs, per the listing (GLORIOUS Custom Gaming Keyboard - GMMK 85%...)
- Blank kit means extra cost for switches, keycaps and possibly stabilizer tuning (GTSP 75% Custom Barebones Keyboard Kit, Blank...)
- Tray style build is described without gasket, so the feel may be firmer (GMK108 Barebones Mechanical Keyboard Kit, VIA...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among custom keyboard kits (2026)?
GMK104 Barebones Keyboard Kit with Screen & Knob, QMK/VIA, Tri-Mode Gasket Hot Swap RGB Full Size DIY (Black) is our top overall pick. The GMK104 is a black full size barebones kit with a screen, knob, QMK/VIA, tri-mode wireless and a gasket hot-swap design. It earns our score of 8.9/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
BOYI GMK67 Barebones Keyboard Kit, VIA, Tri-Mode Gasket Hot Swap RGB 4000mAh Wireless 65% DIY Kit with Knob (White) is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. BOYI's white GMK67 is a 65% barebones kit with VIA, tri-mode wireless, gasket mount, a knob and a 4000mAh battery.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
MechKeeb Lab independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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