I've gone down the custom keyboard rabbit hole, and there's no climbing back out. So when I wanted a full-size board I could build exactly to my taste, I grabbed the Goblintechkeys Alpha 108 — a 100% layout wireless mechanical keyboard barebone kit. I assembled it, swapped switches, typed on it for weeks, and here's my honest take.
The Alpha 108 is a barebone kit, not a finished keyboard. It gives you the foundation — a hot-swappable PCB, plate, and case in a full-size 108-key layout — and leaves the switches and keycaps up to you. That's the whole appeal: you choose the feel and the look. It connects three ways (2.4G wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, and USB-C wired), has north-facing RGB, and is built to take almost any MX-style switch on the market without soldering.
If you actually want to pick your own switches and keycaps, a barebone kit is exactly the right starting point. Hot-swap sockets mean you can rebuild the feel anytime.
This is a true 100% layout with all the function and multimedia keys. If you crunch numbers or live in spreadsheets, the dedicated numpad matters.
With Bluetooth 5.0 connecting up to 5 devices plus low-latency 2.4G, switching between a laptop, tablet, and desktop is painless.
It's a barebone kit — at minimum you'll need to add switches and keycaps before it's usable. If you want plug-and-play, this isn't it.
A 100% board takes real estate. If you prefer TKL or 60% layouts, look elsewhere.
This is the star. The sockets accept almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches — Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, Panda and more — with no soldering. I swapped from linears to tactiles in a few minutes and completely changed the typing feel.
2.4G wireless gives lower latency and higher stability for gaming and editing; Bluetooth 5.0 pairs with up to 5 devices for multitasking; and USB-C wired is there whenever you want zero-latency or to charge. That flexibility covers basically every desk scenario.
The RGB is north-facing and tuned to push as much light through the keycaps as possible. There's a wide range of color effects you can cycle through with key combinations — no software wrestling required.
The case has an ergonomic typing angle and high-quality materials that feel solid and durable. It retains every multimedia and function key, so nothing is sacrificed for the wireless form factor.
On the official Goblintechkeys store, the Alpha 108 barebone kit is listed at 2.937.000 VND (the storefront prices in Vietnamese đồng). There are optional add-ons at checkout — you can add switches and upgrade to a coiled cable — and several colorways including White, Black, Red, Blue, Yellow, Baby Blue, and Pink. Because pricing shows in VND and may vary by region and promotion, I'd check the live listing for the exact current price and any add-on costs before ordering.
Pros: Fully hot-swappable, no soldering needed; three connection modes (2.4G, BT 5.0, USB-C); true full-size 108-key layout; north-facing RGB with onboard effects; broad switch compatibility; seven color options; solid, durable build.
Cons: It's a barebone kit — switches and keycaps are extra; large footprint on the desk; storefront pricing shown in VND, which can be confusing if you're shopping from another region; RGB and effects are hardware-key controlled rather than deep software customization.
A prebuilt board is cheaper to start and works immediately, but you're locked into whatever switches and caps the maker chose. The Alpha 108 costs a bit more once you add components, but you get a board tuned exactly to your preference and the ability to re-tune it forever via hot-swap. For anyone who cares about typing feel, the barebone route is far more satisfying long-term.
If you enjoy the build-it-yourself side of mechanical keyboards, the Alpha 108 is a genuinely good full-size foundation. The hot-swap PCB, triple connectivity, and full layout cover the essentials, and the seven colorways let you match your setup. Just go in knowing it's a kit — budget for switches and keycaps on top. For tinkerers and number-pad users, it's an easy yes. For anyone wanting something that just works the moment it arrives, a prebuilt board is the smarter pick.
No — it's a barebone kit (PCB, plate, case). You add switches and keycaps yourself, though switches can be added as a checkout add-on.
Yes. It accepts almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches with no soldering.
Three ways: 2.4G wireless, Bluetooth 5.0 (up to 5 devices), and USB-C wired.
Yes — a true 100% layout with 108 keys, including the full number pad and all function/multimedia keys.
White, Black, Red, Blue, Yellow, Baby Blue, and Pink.
👉 You can check the latest price, colorways and add-ons on the official Goblintechkeys store here: Get the Goblintechkeys Alpha 108 Barebone Kit.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains an affiliate link. If you buy through it, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I've genuinely tested.
