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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 11, 2026

HMX GB40 vs Velocifire Manta

Get the HMX GB40 for usb-c. Get the Velocifire Manta for qmk and via.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

HMX GB40

USB-C

Build quality in the bottom 50% of 40% boards under $150.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Get the

Velocifire Manta

QMK

Build quality in the top 30% of 40% boards under $300.

What actually differs

The differences that matter

Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.

HMX GB40

Velocifire Manta

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Sandwich Mount

  • QMK

    No

    Yes

    The deep option when you want to remap every key

  • VIA

    No

    Yes

    GUI remapping without compiling firmware

  • Backlight

    RGB, south-facing

    None

    RGB for looks and low light rather than speed

  • USB-C

    Yes

    No

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • HMX GB40
  • Velocifire Manta
Performance
58
54
Build quality
68
78
Productivity
57
71
Customizability
57
82
Portability
85
82

What they share

  • Layout size: 40%
  • Connection: Bluetooth, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Case material: Aluminum
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Full specs

HMX GB40 vs Velocifire Manta specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

6 of 19 specs differ

HMX GB40

Velocifire Manta

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Clicky

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Sandwich Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

40%
40%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, Wired

Battery

—
280 mAh

USB-C

Yes
No

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

—
FR4

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
—

Typing angle

6°
5°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
None

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2025

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

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HMX GB402 stores

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