Mechanical keyboards · owner-verdict comparison

Halo75 V2 vs RK84: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Halo75 V2: 53% of 15 owners recommend it, vs 32% of 41 for the RK84.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Halo75 V2

53%of 15 owners recommend
53% recommend · 34% neutral · 13% don't
Owners praise
  • Owners rave about the typing sound and switch feel, thocky, creamy, and noticeably better than the previous Air V2, with several calling it the best-sounding board they've tried
  • Widespread overall satisfaction, many call it the best keyboard they've ever owned or used and say they'd buy it again
  • Strong out-of-box quality and reliability for most units, arriving "almost perfect" with no setup issues
Owners complain about
  • A subset of units suffer reliability problems, dead boards or keys that double/triple-type, with some tracing it to the stock NuPhy switches and hoping firmware fixes the debounce issue
  • Keycap changes disappoint returning owners, the new MSA profile and colorways replace the old KOP profile and color schemes, and some call the new caps "cheap" looking
  • Complaints that the switch to south-facing LEDs and loss of the outer Halo RGB ring is a step back from the original Halo look
Full owner report →

RK84

32%of 41 owners recommend
32% recommend · 31% neutral · 37% don't
Owners praise
  • Standout value for the price, frequently called one of the best budget or entry-level mechanical keyboards available
  • Stock switches feel smooth and pleasant right out of the box, with several owners saying they skipped lubing entirely
  • Holds up reliably over months or years of daily use with no connectivity, battery, or input problems reported
Owners complain about
  • 2.4GHz wireless connectivity is unreliable, with dongle dropouts, interference, and short range, though Bluetooth and wired hold up better
  • Battery, charging, or wired-mode reliability degrades over time, with some units failing outright after about a year
  • Firmware and companion software are clunky or buggy, and some firmware updates have bricked the board entirely
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Halo75 V2 if
  • ✓Buyers who want a great-sounding, thocky prebuilt without modding or custom-building
  • ✓First mechanical keyboard upgraders uninterested in the hobby side of things
  • ✓Fans of VIA/QMK customization who still want gasket mount out of the box
  • ✓Budget-conscious buyers who want near-custom quality without spending $200+
Skip it if
  • Buyers wanting the old Halo v1 look, keycap profile (KOP), or full ring lighting
  • Anyone needing rock-solid reliability, since some report dead units or double/triple-typing keys
Get the RK84 if
  • ✓First-time mechanical keyboard buyers wanting a budget-friendly entry point
  • ✓Enthusiasts who want to mod switches, keycaps, and stabilizers on a hot-swap board
  • ✓Office users who need the F-row and 75% layout for work
  • ✓Buyers prioritizing value and build quality over premium software or firmware polish
Skip it if
  • Anyone relying on stable 2.4GHz wireless, since range and dropout issues recur
  • Users who need reliable long-term firmware/software support without bricking risk

What Halo75 V2 owners say

“I love the feel, I started with Browns in my first keyboard and then like the Moss on the air series, but the raspberry is a pretty moderate feeling linear.”
— @NickM86 on YouTube
“This so fare is the best keyboard I have ever tried .I love the feel of this keyboard and the sound of the Raspberry switches.”
— @DanielDChannel on YouTube
“Battery capacity disappointing.”
— @kickin123 on YouTube

What RK84 owners say

“I own this keyboard. Absolutely love it, i use it for gaming and at work for my software engineering job.”
— @matthewcorbett8637 on YouTube
“Keyboard works great, no input lag, no issues.”
— @shervinaryan2631 on YouTube
“if you grew up learning how to type fast on standard layout, this will drive you crazy”
— @HOWYOUDOIN884 on YouTube

Halo75 V2 vs RK84: frequently asked questions

Is the Halo75 V2 or the RK84 better?

Real owners lean toward the Halo75 V2: 53% of 15 owners recommend it, vs 32% of 41 for the RK84.

Who should get the Halo75 V2?

Owners point the Halo75 V2 at buyers who want a great-sounding, thocky prebuilt without modding or custom-building, and first mechanical keyboard upgraders uninterested in the hobby side of things.

Who should get the RK84?

Owners point the RK84 at first-time mechanical keyboard buyers wanting a budget-friendly entry point, and enthusiasts who want to mod switches, keycaps, and stabilizers on a hot-swap board.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Halo75 V2 is a subset of units suffer reliability problems, dead boards or keys that double/triple-type, with some tracing it to the stock NuPhy switches and hoping firmware fixes the debounce issue. For the RK84, it's 2.4GHz wireless connectivity is unreliable, with dongle dropouts, interference, and short range, though Bluetooth and wired hold up better.