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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 13, 2026

Ajazz AK35i V3 vs AK980

Choose the AK35i V3 for wired, Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connections, a media knob and a customizable TFT display, or the AK980 for its gold-plated FR4 plate.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Ajazz AK35i V3

Knob

Build quality in the top 35% of 100% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Three connection modes: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless and wired USB-C.
  • Multimedia metallic knob, dedicated multimedia keys and a customizable TFT display.
  • Full-size 104-key layout with a numeric keypad and five-layer internal padding.

Rules this board out

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

Get the

Ajazz AK980

If you want

  • Gold-plated FR4 double-sided slot plate.
  • Linear switches are listed as the switch type.

Bottom line

Get the AK35i V3 for its three connection modes, multimedia knob, customizable TFT display and specified 104-key layout. Choose the AK980 if its gold-plated FR4 double-sided slot plate and listed linear switches are the features you want to prioritize.

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.

Ajazz AK35i V3

Ajazz AK980

  • Connection

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wireless

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Knob

    Yes

    No

  • Sound dampening

    Yes

    No

  • Screw-in stabilizers

    Yes

    No

    Easier to tune than the plate-mount stabs you get prebuilt

  • Backlight

    RGB, south-facing

    RGB

    RGB for looks and low light rather than speed

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Ajazz AK35i V3
  • Ajazz AK980
Performance
50
42
Build quality
65
49
Productivity
79
42
Customizability
77
57
Portability
59
57

What they share

  • Hot-swappable
  • Battery: 8,000 mAh
  • Case material: Plastic
  • Mount style: Gasket Mount
  • Display: TFT
  • Plate material: FR4
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The AK35i V3 leads for gaming, office work, programming, travel and content creation based on its documented connection choices, controls and full-size layout. Modding is a closer call: both support hot-swappable switches, and each has a distinct construction detail worth considering. The AK980’s clearest differentiator is its gold-plated FR4 plate, while the AK35i V3 offers more explicit feature detail overall.

For gaming

Pick the Ajazz AK35i V3

  • The AK35i V3 offers 2.4 GHz wireless and wired USB-C connections.
  • Its vendor description identifies customized Avocado switches with a 1.5mm pre-travel and 45gf trigger force.

Full specs

Ajazz AK35i V3 vs AK980 specs

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

7 of 21 specs differ

Ajazz AK35i V3

Ajazz AK980

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Linear

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
No

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
No

Layout

Layout size

100%
—

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
No

Display

TFT
TFT

Media keys

Yes
No

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless

Battery

8,000 mAh
8,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
No

Build & materials

Case material

Plastic
Plastic

Plate material

FR4
FR4

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

1,230 g
—

Dimensions

23 x 448 x 148 mm
—

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB

Extras

Released

2024
2024

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.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

Ajazz AK9802 stores

FAQ

Ajazz AK35i V3 vs AK980: your questions

The AK35i V3 lists Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz and wired USB-C connectivity, plus multimedia keys and a knob. The AK980 listing identifies a gold-plated FR4 double-sided slot plate and linear switches.

Yes, its listed connection options include Bluetooth. It also supports 2.4 GHz wireless and wired USB-C connections.

The AK980 is listed as wireless, but its product details do not specify Bluetooth or a wired USB connection. Check the product listing or seller for the connection modes you need.

Yes, the AK35i V3 is described as a full-size 104-key keyboard with a numeric keypad. The AK980’s layout size is not specified here.

Both keyboards are listed with hot-swappable sockets. The AK35i V3 vendor description specifies full-key hot-swappable sockets, while the AK980 description calls its sockets all-key hot-swappable.

The AK35i V3 vendor description says its TFT display can show keyboard information and can be customized with static images or animated GIFs. The AK980 listing confirms a TFT screen but does not describe those customization options.

The AK35i V3 vendor description names customized Avocado mechanical switches. It gives a 1.5mm pre-travel and a 45gf trigger force for those switches.

The AK980 product details list its switch type as linear. No particular switch name or actuation measurement is listed.

The AK35i V3 has a multimedia metallic knob, which its vendor says can adjust volume. The AK980’s listed features do not include a knob.

Both are listed with an 8000mAh battery. The AK35i V3 vendor description also gives estimated battery life of up to 140 hours with RGB off and up to 28 hours with RGB on.

The AK35i V3 has south-facing LEDs, and its compatibility notes warn that shine-through legends stay dark. Some sculpted keycaps may also clip against the LEDs.

The AK980 vendor description specifies a gold-plated FR4 double-sided slot plate. The AK35i V3 is listed with an FR4 plate, and its vendor description calls it a single-key slotted positioning plate.

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