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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 11, 2026

GravaStar Mercury K1 vs Qwertykeys Neo65Prebuilt vs DIY Kit

Choose the GravaStar Mercury K1 for a complete, portable package, or the Qwertykeys Neo65 for deep customization and a premium build.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

GravaStar Mercury K1

Prebuilt

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

If you want

  • Includes a large 8000mAh battery for extended wireless operation.
  • Comes as a complete, pre-built unit with RGB lighting.
  • Features a gasket mount design with a POM plate for a potentially softer typing feel.

Rules this board out

  • No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
  • No numpad.

Get the

Qwertykeys Neo65

DIY Kit

Build quality in the top 5% of 65% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Sold as a highly customizable DIY kit with extensive material options for the case and plate.
  • Includes a comprehensive accessory pack with a carrying case, foam kit, screwdriver, and stabilizers.
  • VIA compatible for easy key remapping and macro programming.

Rules this board out

  • 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.

Bottom line

Your choice comes down to convenience versus craftsmanship. Buy the GravaStar Mercury K1 if you want a stylish, fully-assembled keyboard with strong wireless battery life for immediate use at home or on the go. Choose the Qwertykeys Neo65 if you are an enthusiast who enjoys the process of building, tuning, and customizing a keyboard with premium materials and deep programmability, and are willing to wait for it.

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.

GravaStar Mercury K1

Qwertykeys Neo65

  • Layout size

    75%

    65%

  • Battery

    8,000 mAh

    2,200 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    Aluminum, Brass, Copper

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    PCB Mount

  • Weight

    1,080 g

    2,500 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • GravaStar Mercury K1
  • Qwertykeys Neo65
Performance
65
57
Build quality
67
87
Productivity
67
62
Customizability
63
68
Portability
92
85

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The GravaStar Mercury K1 is the clear choice for users who need a keyboard for office work, travel, or gaming right out of the box, thanks to its complete package, long battery life, and lighter weight. Programmers may also prefer its more functional 75% layout. The Qwertykeys Neo65 dominates for modding and customization, offering extensive material choices and a kit-based approach. For content creation, the decision splits between visual appeal and acoustic potential.

For gaming

Pick the GravaStar Mercury K1

  • The Mercury K1 includes per-key RGB lighting, which the Neo65 lacks.
  • Its 75% layout retains dedicated arrow and function keys for quick access.
  • It is a pre-built unit, requiring no assembly before use.

Full specs

GravaStar Mercury K1 vs Qwertykeys Neo65 specs

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

14 of 22 specs differ

GravaStar Mercury K1

Qwertykeys Neo65

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear
—

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
PCB Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
65%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI, ISO

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

Battery

8,000 mAhBetter
2,200 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum, Brass, Copper

Plate material

POM
Aluminum, CarbonFiber, Plastic, Polycarbonate

Weight

1,080 g
2,500 g

Dimensions

46 x 343 x 156 mm
19 x 292 x 109 mm

Typing angle

—
8°

Backlight

RGB
None

Firmware & software

VIA

No
Yes

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
No

Extras

Released

2024
2025

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

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

GravaStar Mercury K1

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

Qwertykeys Neo65

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

Where to buy

Compare prices

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

Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

FAQ

GravaStar Mercury K1 vs Qwertykeys Neo65: your questions

The GravaStar Mercury K1 is better for beginners. It comes pre-built with switches and keycaps installed, so you can start using it immediately without any assembly or technical knowledge required.

Yes, both keyboards support hot-swappable sockets, allowing you to change switches without soldering. The Neo65 kit even offers a choice between hotswap and solderable PCBs when ordering.

No, the Qwertykeys Neo65 is sold as a barebones DIY kit. According to the vendor listing, it includes the case, PCB, plate, foam, and tools, but you must supply your own switches and keycaps separately.

The GravaStar Mercury K1 has a significantly larger 8000mAh battery compared to the Neo65's 2200mAh battery. This suggests the Mercury K1 will last much longer on a single charge during wireless use.

The vendor description for the Neo65 does not explicitly state Mac/Win support. The GravaStar Mercury K1 vendor description does list Mac/Win support as a feature.

The GravaStar Mercury K1 uses a gasket mount style. The Qwertykeys Neo65 uses a dual mounting system, offering both PCB gasket mount and isolated top mount options within the same kit.

The GravaStar Mercury K1 is more portable. It weighs 1080g, which is less than half the weight of the 2500g Neo65. It also has a larger battery, reducing the need to carry a charger.

Yes, the Qwertykeys Neo65 supports tri-mode connectivity. The vendor specifies it works with wired USB-C, Bluetooth, and a 2.4GHz wireless dongle, depending on the PCB you select.

The GravaStar Mercury K1 uses a 75% layout, which includes function keys and a column of navigation keys. The Qwertykeys Neo65 is a 65% layout, which typically lacks the function row and dedicated navigation cluster for a more compact size.

Yes, the Qwertykeys Neo65 is VIA compatible. VIA is a popular, easy-to-use software that allows for real-time key remapping and macro creation without flashing firmware.

The GravaStar Mercury K1 has an aluminum alloy case. The Qwertykeys Neo65 offers an aluminum top case with a choice of a brass or copper bottom case, contributing to its substantial weight.

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