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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

AULA F99 vs GravaStar Mercury K196% Layout vs 75% Aluminum

Choose the AULA F99 for a full numpad and deep sound tuning, or the GravaStar Mercury K1 for a more portable, premium aluminum build.

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96% Layout

AULA F99

EPOMAKER x AULA F99

4.8 (33)

$63at Epomaker

90-day low

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

AULA F99

96% Layout

Build quality in the bottom 40% of 96% boards under $100.

If you want

  • 96% layout includes a numpad and arrow keys in a compact form.
  • Comprehensive five-layer sound dampening with specific foams and films.
  • Includes rapid trigger functionality for gaming.

Rules this board out

  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
  • Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.

Get the

GravaStar Mercury K1

75% Aluminum

Build quality in the top 50% of 75% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Aluminum alloy case exoskeleton for a premium, sturdy feel.
  • Compact 75% layout maximizes desk space.
  • Vendor description highlights a unique three-sided streamer lighting effect.

Rules this board out

  • No numpad.

Bottom line

Your primary need dictates the choice. If you require a numpad, value a deeply tuned acoustic profile, or want more features for the price, the AULA F99 is the clear pick. Opt for the GravaStar Mercury K1 if you prefer a smaller, metal-built keyboard with a distinctive aesthetic and are willing to sacrifice the numpad for a cleaner desk setup.

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.

AULA F99

GravaStar Mercury K1

  • Layout size

    96%

    75%

  • Rapid trigger

    Yes

    No

    Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing

  • Case material

    ABS, PBT, Plastic

    Aluminum

  • Weight

    1,023 g

    1,080 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

  • Sound dampening

    Yes

    No

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • AULA F99
  • GravaStar Mercury K1
Performance
58
66
Build quality
56
67
Productivity
86
67
Customizability
65
64
Portability
62
92

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Battery: 8,000 mAh
  • Switch options: Linear
  • Mount style: Gasket Mount
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The AULA F99 is the more versatile choice for productivity-focused tasks like office work, programming with a numpad, and content creation, thanks to its layout and software. It also leads for modders due to its detailed internal foam layers. The GravaStar Mercury K1 wins for travel due to its smaller 75% form factor. For gaming, the AULA F99's rapid trigger feature gives it an edge, while programming is a tie based on connectivity and hot-swap features.

For gaming

Pick the AULA F99

  • The AULA F99 includes a rapid trigger feature for faster actuation.
  • Its north-facing RGB lighting is less likely to interfere with certain keycap profiles.
  • The vendor description mentions a single-key slotted PCB which may aid in gaming responsiveness.

Full specs

AULA F99 vs GravaStar Mercury K1 specs

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

10 of 21 specs differ

AULA F99

GravaStar Mercury K1

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear
Linear

Rapid trigger

Yes
No

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
No

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
No

Layout

Layout size

96%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Battery

8,000 mAh
8,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS, PBT, Plastic
Aluminum

Plate material

FR4, Plastic, Polycarbonate
POM

Keycaps

PBT
—

Weight

1,023 g
1,080 g

Dimensions

43 x 147 x 391 mm
46 x 343 x 156 mm

Backlight

RGB, north-facing
RGB

Firmware & software

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2023
2024

Where to buy

Compare prices

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

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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

AULA F994 stores

FAQ

AULA F99 vs GravaStar Mercury K1: your questions

The AULA F99 has a numpad. It uses a 96% layout that incorporates a numpad, arrow keys, and navigation cluster into a compact design. The GravaStar Mercury K1 is a 75% layout and does not include a numpad.

The GravaStar Mercury K1 features an aluminum alloy exoskeleton, according to its product listing. This gives it a premium and sturdy feel compared to the ABS plastic case of the AULA F99.

Yes, the AULA F99 can be customized with the AULA Driver software. The manufacturer states this software allows for key remapping, RGB effect adjustment, and macro creation. The driver is noted to only support Windows.

Yes, both the AULA F99 and the GravaStar Mercury K1 feature hot-swappable sockets. This allows you to change the mechanical switches without soldering. The Mercury K1 listing specifies it supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches.

The AULA F99 is likely better for a quiet environment due to its focused sound dampening. Its product description details five layers of sound-improving materials, including foam and silicone pads, specifically designed to reduce noise and echo.

Both keyboards are equipped with large 8000mAh batteries. This capacity should provide extended usage time between charges for their wireless modes, making both suitable for cord-free setups at home or the office.

Yes, both keyboards list Mac and Windows support in their specifications. This means they should be compatible with Apple computers, though specific function key mappings may vary.

Both keyboards use a gasket mount style. This mounting method uses rubber or silicone gaskets to isolate the plate from the case, which typically results in a softer, more cushioned typing feel and can help reduce vibration noise.

The product listing for the GravaStar Mercury K1 does not mention the type of stabilizers used. The AULA F99, however, explicitly includes screw-in stabilizers, which are generally more stable and less prone to rattle than clip-in versions.

The GravaStar Mercury K1 is more compact. Its 75% layout is significantly smaller than the 96% layout of the AULA F99, making it easier to fit into a backpack or laptop bag for travel, despite both having similar weights.

Rapid trigger is a feature listed for the AULA F99. It allows a key to be re-pressed immediately after release without waiting for it to fully return to its resting position, which can be beneficial for fast-paced gaming where rapid keystrokes are needed.

The AULA F99 offers a choice between a polycarbonate (PC) plate and an FR4 plate. According to the vendor, the PC plate is more flexible for a deeper sound, while the FR4 plate provides a softer, more neutral sound profile.

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