Compare KEEBD Contra vs Mechboards Gherkin Kit Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for builders choosing between two budget-friendly, ortholinear DIY keyboard kits. The decision is difficult because both are soldering projects with similar price points but drastically different key counts. The Contra offers a more conventional 40% layout, while the Gherkin is an extreme 30-key board. Your choice hinges on how many physical keys you need versus your desire for the smallest possible footprint.

Model
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Rating	0.0 stars (0 reviews)	0.0 stars (0 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Has Tactile switch options Available in a 40% layout Offers Normal ergonomics Includes screw-in stabilizers Made with a Acrylic, Plastic case	Available in a Numpad layout Offers Ortholinear ergonomics
Score	Scores Performance: 54.6 Build Quality: 40.8 Productivity: 46.6 Customizability: 52.4 Portability: 60.1	Scores Performance: 42.4 Build Quality: 53.1 Productivity: 44.7 Customizability: 49.4 Portability: 62.5
Name	Name KEEBD Contra	Name Mechboards Gherkin Kit
Release year	Release year 2021	Release year 2021
Switch Options	Switch Options Tactile	Switch Options -
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 40%	Layout Size Numpad
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI	Layout Standard ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Ortholinear
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection	Connection
Polling Rate	Polling Rate -	Polling Rate -
Battery capacity	Battery capacity -	Battery capacity -
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style -	Mount Style -
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight	Backlight
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Acrylic, Plastic	Case Material -
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material -	Keycaps Material -
Dimensions	Dimensions -	Dimensions -
Weight	Weight -	Weight -

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Pros and Trade-offs

For most users, the KEEBD Contra is the more practical DIY kit due to its more usable 40% key count. It is the better choice for a first ortholinear build that you intend to use daily. Only choose the Mechboards Gherkin if your goal is specifically to build the smallest possible keyboard, you are comfortable with intense layering, and you value its included controller.

KEEBD Contra

+Includes more components: FR4 plate, acrylic bottom plate, brass standoffs, screws, diodes, and a tactile switch.
+Supports a 2u spacebar layout with a stabilizer (not included but specified).
+Larger 40% ortholinear layout with 47-48 keys for more direct key access.
+Optional EZ-Solder Header allows for controller hot-swapping post-build.

−Requires a separate Pro Micro controller purchase to complete.
−Is a larger and less portable 40% size compared to the 30-key Gherkin.
−Build may require sourcing a reset switch, as mentioned in a customer review.

Mechboards Gherkin Kit

+Extremely compact 30-key ortholinear layout for maximum portability.
+Kit includes the RP2040 controller, so no separate microcontroller purchase is needed.
+Uses a single 'Plate Case' unit, potentially simplifying the assembly process.
+No stabilizers are required, simplifying the build for beginners.

−Only 30 keys require heavy reliance on function layers for all typing.
−The kit may not include enough standoffs, as noted in a customer review.
−Lacks the separate plate and bottom construction of the Contra, offering less modding depth.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The KEEBD Contra is the more versatile choice, winning in scenarios that benefit from more keys, such as gaming, office work, programming, and content creation. Its 40% layout strikes a balance between minimalism and usability. The Mechboards Gherkin only takes the lead for travel, where its ultra-compact 30-key size is the primary advantage. For modding, the Contra offers a slightly more featured starting point with its two-piece construction.

GamingKEEBD Contra

•The Contra has 48 keys, providing more direct access to gaming controls without layers.
•Its layout supports a 2u spacebar with an included stabilizer, a more standard gaming key.
•The Gherkin's 30 keys require heavy layer use for gaming functions like numbers and F-keys.

OfficeKEEBD Contra

•The Contra's 40% layout is more practical for office tasks than the Gherkin's 30-key layout.
•It includes a stabilizer for a spacebar, a standard office keyboard feature.
•Typing numbers and symbols will require fewer layer taps on the Contra compared to the Gherkin.

ProgrammingKEEBD Contra

•The Contra provides more physical keys for brackets, symbols, and numbers used in coding.
•Its 40% size is a more manageable transition from a standard keyboard for a programmer.
•The Gherkin's extreme minimalism necessitates memorizing complex layers for common programming symbols.

TravelMechboards Gherkin Kit

•The Gherkin Kit is a 30-key board, making it significantly more compact and portable.
•Its all-in-one 'Plate Case' design, as described by Mechboards, may offer a slimmer profile.
•The Contra, while small, is a larger 40% board with a separate acrylic bottom plate.

ModdingKEEBD Contra

•The Contra kit includes an FR4 switch plate and an acrylic bottom plate, offering a two-piece construction.
•It supports a 2u stabilizer, adding a modding element for the spacebar.
•The vendor description mentions an optional EZ-Solder Header for controller hot-swapping.

Content CreationKEEBD Contra

•The Contra's additional keys can be mapped to more direct shortcuts for editing software.
•A 40% layout is more feasible for using function keys and number rows via layers in creative suites.
•The Gherkin's 30-key layout is extremely limiting for shortcut-heavy workflows.