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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

8BitDo Retro87 vs KEEBD Contra

Get the 8BitDo Retro87 for hot-swappable and knob.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

8BitDo Retro87

Hot-swappable

Build quality in the bottom 40% of 80% boards under $150.

Rules this board out

  • No numpad.
$109 at Mechkeys

Get the

KEEBD Contra

Build quality in the bottom 5% of 40% boards under $150.

Rules this board out

  • Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
  • Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
$25 at KEEBD

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.

8BitDo Retro87

KEEBD Contra

  • Layout size

    80%

    40%

  • Hot-swappable

    Yes

    No

    Switch changes without soldering

  • Case material

    Aluminum, Plastic

    Acrylic, Plastic

  • Switch options

    Clicky

    Tactile

  • Knob

    Yes

    No

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • 8BitDo Retro87
  • KEEBD Contra
Performance
63
55
Build quality
53
41
Productivity
73
48
Customizability
68
53
Portability
77
60
See every spec side by side

Full specs

8BitDo Retro87 vs KEEBD Contra specs

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

12 of 22 specs differ

8BitDo Retro87

KEEBD Contra

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky
Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
No

Mount style

Top Mount
—

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
40%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
No

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
—

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
—

Battery

4,000 mAh
—

USB-C

Yes
No

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum, Plastic
Acrylic, Plastic

Plate material

Aluminum
FR4

Keycaps

ABS
—

Weight

1,100 g
—

Dimensions

46 x 169 x 376 mm
—

Backlight

RGB
None

Firmware & software

N-key rollover

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

Yes
No

Extras

Released

2024
2021

Where to buy

Compare prices

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

Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

8BitDo Retro873 stores
KEEBD Contra2 stores

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