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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 2, 2026

Geon F8X vs PlayKeyboard Smurve80Aluminum Build or Wireless?

Choose the Geon F8X for its aluminum case and broader build options, or the Smurve80 for wireless connectivity and a distinctive curved design.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Geon F8X

Build quality in the top 15% of 80% boards at any price.

If you want

  • Anodized aluminum case with external brass or stainless steel weight options listed by the vendor.
  • QMK/VIA-compatible PCBs, with hot-swap and solder ANSI options and solder ANSI/ISO support.
  • Wide range of vendor-listed plate materials, including aluminum, carbon fiber, PEI, ABS, PC, PP, and FR4.

Get the

PlayKeyboard Smurve80

Build quality in the top 40% of 80% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Tri-mode connectivity includes USB-C wired, 2.4 GHz, and Bluetooth.
  • The injection-molded ABS case has a continuous curve and a curved aluminum plate.
  • Hot-swap PCB, gasket mounting, and a full foam set are listed by the vendor.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.

Bottom line

Pick the Geon F8X if you want an aluminum case, QMK/VIA support, and the option to choose among multiple plate and PCB configurations. Choose the Smurve80 if wireless connectivity, a curved typing shape, and a lighter listed weight matter more. If you need an ISO layout, the F8X is the option that lists ISO support.

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.

Geon F8X

PlayKeyboard Smurve80

  • Connection

    Wired

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    ABS

  • Mount style

    Top Mount

    Gasket Mount

  • Display

    LED

    None

    A case display rather than a typing feature

  • Weight

    3,800 g

    1,384 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Geon F8X
  • PlayKeyboard Smurve80
Performance
73
64
Build quality
81
61
Productivity
77
76
Customizability
91
61
Portability
52
87

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The F8X has the edge for buyers prioritizing firmware support, PCB choices, and a metal case. The Smurve80 is the more flexible pick for wireless setups and carrying between workspaces, though both remain substantial 80% keyboards. Office use leans toward the Smurve80 for its curved design and silent switch options, while programming is a close choice shaped by whether customization or wireless convenience matters more. Content creators who switch between connection modes may prefer the Smurve80.

For gaming

Pick the Geon F8X

  • The F8X lists a 1000 Hz polling rate and wired-only connectivity.
  • It supports QMK and VIA, while the Smurve80's 1000 Hz rate is specified for wired and 2.4 GHz use, not Bluetooth.

Full specs

Geon F8X vs PlayKeyboard Smurve80 specs

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

13 of 23 specs differ

Geon F8X

PlayKeyboard Smurve80

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Linear, Silent, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Top Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

LED
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

Wired only
8,000 mAh

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
ABS

Plate material

Aluminum, CarbonFiber, FR4, Plastic, Polycarbonate
Aluminum

Keycaps

—
PBT

Weight

3,800 g
1,384 g

Dimensions

18 x 358 x 141 mm
38 x 387 x 179 mm

Typing angle

9°
—

Backlight

RGB
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
No

VIA

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2026
2026

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Geon F8X

Listed on the product, not split by store: ISO.

PlayKeyboard Smurve80

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

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.

Geon F8X2 stores

FAQ

Geon F8X vs PlayKeyboard Smurve80: your questions

The PlayKeyboard Smurve80 supports Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless as well as wired USB-C. The Geon F8X is listed as wired-only.

The Geon F8X lists ANSI and ISO layouts, and its vendor describes solder ANSI/ISO PCBs. The Smurve80 is ANSI-only, with no ISO variants offered.

The Geon F8X explicitly lists QMK and VIA support, and the vendor says its compatible PCBs support both. The Smurve80's listed features do not include QMK or VIA.

The Smurve80 is listed at 1,384 g, while the Geon F8X is listed at 3,800 g. The Smurve80 also offers Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless, unlike the wired-only F8X.

Both list hot-swap support. The F8X vendor also describes wired hot-swap and wired solder PCB options, while the Smurve80 has a hot-swap PCB.

The F8X offers QMK/VIA support and vendor-listed plate options spanning aluminum, carbon fiber, PEI, ABS, PC, PP, and FR4. The Smurve80 supports hot-swapping and has a curved aluminum plate, but has fewer documented build options.

The Smurve80 is offered with silent switch configurations, including Cherry MX Silent Red in the vendor description. The same description says silent switches are not completely silent, and its solenoid can add typewriter-style feedback when enabled.

The F8X metadata lists an aluminum case, and its vendor describes the case as anodized aluminum. The vendor also lists external brass or stainless steel weights.

The Smurve80 uses an injection-molded ABS case with a continuous curve, according to its vendor. It also has a curved aluminum plate and a full foam set.

Both keyboards list RGB. The Smurve80 has south-facing RGB, and its compatibility notes warn that shine-through legends may stay dark and some sculpted keycaps may clip the LED.

The Smurve80 vendor lists 1000 Hz when wired or connected through 2.4 GHz, and 125 Hz over Bluetooth. The F8X metadata lists a 1000 Hz polling rate and wired-only connectivity.

The Smurve80 is offered in ANSI only, and its compatibility notes say ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are unavailable. Buyers who require an ISO layout should consider the F8X, which lists ANSI and ISO support.

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