Cidoo V65 V3 vs Vortex HellcatWireless or DIY?
Choose the Cidoo V65 V3 for a ready-to-use keyboard with wireless and a knob, or the Vortex Hellcat for a DIY kit with VIAL support.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Cidoo V65 V3
Knob
Build quality in the top 45% of 65% boards under $150.
- Pre-built 65% ANSI keyboard with a multi-function volume knob.
- Bluetooth, wired and wireless connectivity, plus a 3000mAh battery.
- CNC-machined aluminum case and gasket mount.
Get the
Vortex Hellcat
Build quality in the top 25% of 65% boards under $150.
- DIY, hot-swappable kit with an FR4 plate and tray mount.
- VIAL support, with QMK and VIA also listed by the vendor.
- Frosted acrylic CNC case and internal silicone dampener.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Choose the Cidoo V65 V3 if you want a pre-built keyboard with wireless connectivity, a volume knob and an aluminum case. Choose the Vortex Hellcat if assembling a DIY kit and using VIAL support matter more, and you are prepared to source switches separately. Check your keycap preferences before buying the Hellcat because its south-facing LEDs can affect shine-through legends and some sculpted keycaps.
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.
Cidoo V65 V3
Vortex Hellcat
Case material
Aluminum
Acrylic, Plastic
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Tray Mount
Knob
Yes
No
VIA
Yes
No
GUI remapping without compiling firmware
Plate material
Plastic, POM
FR4
- Cidoo V65 V3
- Vortex Hellcat
- Performance
- 4954
- Build quality
- 6877
- Productivity
- 8469
- Customizability
- 7985
- Portability
- 8970
- Layout size: 65%
- Hot-swappable
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Cidoo is the more convenient pick for gaming, office use, travel and audio-focused work, mainly because it comes assembled and includes wireless connectivity. The Hellcat suits hands-on builders and users who want its DIY format and VIAL support. Programming is a closer decision: both support keyboard customization, with the Hellcat adding QMK in its vendor description and the Cidoo offering a pre-built VIA setup. Both are compact 65% ANSI keyboards with hot-swap sockets and RGB.
Pick the Cidoo V65 V3
- The Cidoo V65 V3 includes linear switches, while the Hellcat kit does not include switches.
- The Cidoo supports Bluetooth, wired and wireless connectivity; the Hellcat is listed without wireless connectivity.
Cidoo V65 V3 vs Vortex Hellcat specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 22 specs differ
Cidoo V65 V3
Vortex Hellcat
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Typing angle
Backlight
VIA
VIAL
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Cidoo V65 V3 vs Vortex Hellcat: your questions
The Cidoo V65 V3 is a pre-built keyboard with Bluetooth, wired and wireless connectivity, plus a volume knob. The Vortex Hellcat is a DIY kit that requires assembly and does not include switches.
Yes. Its listed connectivity includes Bluetooth, wired and wireless options, and its vendor description specifies Bluetooth and USB-C wired connectivity. The keyboard also has a 3000mAh battery.
No. The vendor describes it as a DIY kit and explicitly says switches are not included. Its hot-swap sockets allow switch changes, but buyers need to obtain switches separately.
The Cidoo V65 V3 is listed as pre-built. The Vortex Hellcat requires assembly, so it is the kit option for buyers who want to put a keyboard together.
Yes, both are listed with hot-swappable sockets. The Cidoo comes with linear switches, while the Hellcat vendor listing says the kit does not include switches.
The Vortex Hellcat is listed with VIAL support, and its vendor description also names QMK and VIA. The Cidoo V65 V3 is listed with VIA support.
Yes. Its vendor description identifies a multi-function volume knob, and the product metadata lists knob support. The Vortex Hellcat's listed features do not include a knob.
The Cidoo V65 V3 has an aluminum case and a plate listed as plastic and POM. The Vortex Hellcat has a plastic and acrylic case with an FR4 plate.
Both have RGB lighting. The Hellcat vendor describes per-key RGB and underglow, while the Cidoo vendor specifies full-key RGB and multiple built-in lighting effects.
The Hellcat has south-facing LEDs, and its compatibility note warns that shine-through legends stay dark. It also warns that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
The Cidoo V65 V3 has Bluetooth and wireless connectivity plus a 3000mAh battery, which makes it the more self-contained option for wireless use. The Hellcat vendor lists an included carrying case, but it is a DIY kit without switches.
Yes. Both are listed as 65% keyboards with an ANSI layout. The Cidoo vendor further describes its layout as a 64-key arrangement with arrow and alphanumeric keys.
Not sold on either?
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