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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 21, 2026

AULA F99 vs Machenike K500Wireless Gasket vs Wired Budget

Choose the AULA F99 for its premium wireless features and sound-dampened gasket mount, or the Machenike K500 for a strictly wired, more affordable entry point.

EPOMAKER x AULA F99

Wireless Gasket

AULA F99

4.8 · 33 reviews

from$79at Epomaker

Shop nowCompare 2 stores

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

AULA F99

Wireless Gasket

If you want

  • Tri-mode connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired) for versatile device pairing.
  • Gasket mount structure with a five-layer sound dampening system including specific foams and films.
  • Large 8000mAh battery for extended wireless use.

And can live with

  • Heavier at 1023g, making it less portable.
  • Higher price point compared to the K500.
  • Driver software is listed as only supporting Windows.

Get the

Machenike K500

Wired Budget

If you want

  • More affordable price point.
  • Lighter weight (650g) and slightly more compact dimensions.
  • Offers a choice between linear and tactile switch types out of the box.

And can live with

  • Wired-only connectivity, lacking wireless options.
  • Uses a steel plate, which typically offers less flex than polycarbonate or FR4.
  • Vendor listing states system compatibility is for Windows only.

Bottom line

Your choice fundamentally depends on the value you place on wireless connectivity and a premium typing experience. The AULA F99 is the comprehensive package, justifying its higher cost with tri-mode wireless, a long-lasting battery, a sophisticated gasket-mount design, and extensive sound dampening. Opt for the Machenike K500 if your budget is strict, you exclusively use a wired connection, and you prioritize a lighter, more compact keyboard for a desk that doesn't move.

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

Machenike K500

  • Rapid trigger

    Yes

    No

  • Connection

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wired

  • Case material

    ABS, PBT, Plastic

    ABS

  • Switch options

    Linear

    Linear, Tactile

  • Weight

    1,023 g

    650 g

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • AULA F99
  • Machenike K500
Performance
58
81
Build quality
57
55
Productivity
87
62
Customizability
65
65
Portability
62
46

What they share

  • Layout size: 96%
  • Hot-swappable
  • Keycaps: PBT
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The AULA F99 is the more versatile choice, winning in most categories due to its wireless freedom, extensive feature set, and mod-friendly construction. Its advantages in connectivity, battery life, and acoustic engineering make it suitable for gaming, office work, programming, and content creation. The Machenike K500's primary victories are in portability, due to its lower weight and smaller size, and as a cost-effective option for users who strictly prefer a wired connection or have a tighter budget.

For gaming

Pick the AULA F99

  • The AULA F99 offers tri-mode connectivity including a 2.4GHz wireless option for a cable-free setup.
  • It includes a rapid trigger feature, which is listed among its extra capabilities.
  • Its gasket mount and multi-layer foam may provide a more consistent, damped typing feel during long sessions.

From real owners

What owners say

Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.

AULA F99

4.8

33 owner reviews

Praise
“I am really enjoying using AULA f99! UX is 10/10 The only negative thing is the battery indicator, I find it quite confusing therefore I turned it off alltogether.”
Aleksandar V.Verified buyer· via Epomaker
Critique
“Good product - poor service. The order wasnt filed and the stock ran out. Then for the replacement item to be filled it took way too long for the order to arrive and complete a customer build.”
Geoffrey P.Verified buyer· via Epomaker

Machenike K500

No owner reviews collected yet.

Full specs

AULA F99 vs Machenike K500 specs

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

12 of 22 specs differ

AULA F99

Machenike K500

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear
Linear, Tactile

Rapid trigger

Yes
No

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
—

Sound dampening

Yes
No

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
No

Layout

Layout size

96%
96%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired

Battery

8,000 mAh
Wired only

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS, PBT, Plastic
ABS

Plate material

FR4, Plastic, Polycarbonate
Steel

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

1,023 g
650 g

Dimensions

43 x 147 x 391 mm
34 x 127 x 353 mm

Backlight

RGB, north-facing
RGB

Firmware & software

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
No

Extras

Released

2023
2023

Where to buy

Compare prices

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

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

AULA F994 stores
  • EpomakerUS

    In stock
    $79Visit
  • MechkeysCN

    In stock
    $109Visit
  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    Visit
  • WhatGeekCN

    Out of stock
    $89Visit
  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    ~$39Visit
  • WhatGeekCN

    Out of stock
    $39Visit

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FAQ

AULA F99 vs Machenike K500: your questions

Only the AULA F99 offers wireless connectivity. It supports Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and wired USB-C connections. The Machenike K500 is a wired-only keyboard with a USB-C cable.

Yes, the AULA F99 is equipped with an 8000mAh battery. The manufacturer states this high capacity ensures efficient multitasking and sustained performance across all connection modes.

Yes, both the AULA F99 and Machenike K500 are hot-swappable. This allows you to change the mechanical switches without soldering. The K500 listing specifies compatibility with 3-pin switches like Cherry, TTC, and Outemu.

A gasket mount uses rubber or silicone gaskets to suspend the plate and PCB inside the case, reducing vibration and noise for a softer typing feel. The AULA F99 uses a gasket mount. The Machenike K500 uses a different, unspecified mount style with a steel plate.

The AULA F99 is designed for a quieter sound profile. It features five layers of sound-dampening materials, including sandwich foam, an IXPE switch pad, PET film, bottom foam, and a silicone case pad. The Machenike K500 includes EVA foam on its plate, but lacks the multi-layer construction.

Both keyboards use PBT plastic for their keycaps, which is more durable and resistant to shine compared to ABS plastic. The AULA F99 uses Cherry profile keycaps, while the Machenike K500 uses OEM profile keycaps.

The AULA F99 listing includes Mac/Win support in its extra features, indicating basic compatibility. The Machenike K500 vendor description only lists Windows compatibility for its software and does not mention Mac support.

Rapid trigger is a feature that allows for faster key actuation by resetting the keystroke trigger point immediately after a key is released, beneficial for fast gaming. This feature is listed as an extra capability of the AULA F99. It is not mentioned for the Machenike K500.

Based on vendor listings, the AULA F99 includes the keyboard, a 2.4G receiver, a switch puller, two spare switches, and a USB-C cable. The Machenike K500 includes the keyboard, a USB-C cable, a keycap puller, and a user manual.

Both keyboards have RGB backlighting. The AULA F99's lighting can be customized through its dedicated AULA DRIVER software. The Machenike K500 also has programmable RGB, but its vendor page only mentions a driver download for Windows without detailing the customization scope.

The plate material influences stiffness and sound. The AULA F99 offers a choice of a more flexible polycarbonate plate or a neutral-sounding FR4 plate. The Machenike K500 uses a steel plate, which is stiffer and typically produces a higher-pitched, more resonant sound.

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