Merdia 104 Keys Full Size Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Blue Switch, Hot Swappable, Wired Review (2026)

Who this full size board is aimed at

This keyboard targets shoppers who want the lowest entry price into hot swappable mechanical keyboards without giving up a full size layout and numpad. It is a sensible option for students doing data entry, gamers who also need a numpad for spreadsheets, or anyone curious about swapping switches for the first time without paying custom keyboard prices. Because it is wired rather than wireless, it also suits desktop setups where a permanent USB connection is not an inconvenience. It is less suited to anyone who wants a refined out of box feel, since budget boards at this price typically use looser tolerances and simpler stabilizers than pricier alternatives.

What the layout and switches deliver

The 104 key US layout keeps a full numpad, function row and navigation cluster, standard for a full size board. Stock switches are clicky blues, giving a tactile bump and an audible click on every keystroke, useful feedback for new mechanical keyboard users but not ideal for quiet environments. The board is hot swappable, meaning switches can be pulled and replaced without soldering, letting owners experiment with quieter linear switches or different tactile feels later without buying a new board. LED backlighting includes roughly 21 modes that can be cycled through keyboard shortcuts, and all keys support anti-ghosting with rollover for reliable input during fast typing or gaming.

Setting it up and using it daily

Setup is plug and play over the wired USB connection with no drivers required on Windows, Mac or even iPad. Backlight modes, macros and function shortcuts are all accessed through key combinations rather than a companion app, which keeps things simple but limited if you want advanced per key lighting profiles. Because it is a budget board, owners have reported some rattle from the stock stabilizers on larger keys like the spacebar and enter key, which is common at this price point and can be improved later with stabilizer lubing or replacement, a natural next step once someone has already opened the case to swap switches.

How it compares with other hot swap boards

Against Keychron's K10, a pricier full size hot swappable board, Merdia's keyboard undercuts it significantly on price but drops wireless connectivity and ships with noticeably looser stabilizers and a lighter case. Compared with Royal Kludge's RK84, which uses a smaller 75 percent layout, this Merdia board keeps the full numpad that RK84 owners give up for a more compact footprint. Within its own price tier, the tradeoff is consistent: Merdia offers hot swap flexibility and a full layout for very little money, while pricier boards refine the stabilizers, case rigidity and switch quality that budget boards like this one leave for the owner to upgrade.

Verdict and who should spend more

Choose this Merdia board if your priority is the lowest possible entry price into a hot swappable full size keyboard, and you are comfortable with stock stabilizer rattle as a tradeoff worth accepting. It is a reasonable first step into keyboard modding. Spend more if a quiet, tight, out of box typing experience matters to you, since better tuned stabilizers and tighter case tolerances only come with higher priced boards, or if you want wireless connectivity, which this wired only model does not offer. Anyone bothered by loud blue switches should also budget for a linear switch swap early on.

Frequently asked questions