HEX Keyboards HEX.4B vs Realforce hololive GX1 La DarknesssKit or RGB TKL?
Choose the HEX.4B for a compact build-it-yourself kit, or the Realforce GX1 for a ready-to-use TKL with RGB and adjustable actuation.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
HEX Keyboards HEX.4B
Build quality in the bottom 20% of 75% boards at any price.
- Compact 75% ANSI layout with arrow and function keys, as described by the vendor.
- DIY kit includes the top and bottom case, brass inner weight, PCB, gaskets, accessories, and carrying case.
- Vendor describes an O-ring mounting system and two O-ring options for adjusting the feel.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- No numpad.
Get the
Realforce hololive GX1 La Darknesss
N-key rollover
Build quality in the bottom 30% of 80% boards at any price.
- Prebuilt TKL keyboard with wired USB-C connectivity.
- Dual APC adjusts actuation across 30 levels from 0.1mm to 3.0mm, according to the vendor.
- Topre 45g tactile capacitive switches, PBT keycaps, and aluminum plate.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- No numpad.
Pick the HEX.4B if you want a smaller 75% kit, its included carrying case, and the hands-on build process. Choose the Realforce GX1 if you prefer a prebuilt TKL with RGB, Topre switches, and adjustable actuation. If changing switches without soldering is essential, neither product fits that requirement.
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.
HEX Keyboards HEX.4B
Realforce hololive GX1 La Darknesss
Layout size
75%
80%
Mount style
PCB Mount
Plate Mount
Layout standard
ANSI
ANSI, ISO
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
Backlight
None
RGB
RGB for looks and low light rather than speed
N-key rollover
No
Yes
- HEX Keyboards HEX.4B
- Realforce hololive GX1 La Darknesss
- Performance
- 4675
- Build quality
- 5150
- Productivity
- 4552
- Customizability
- 5048
- Portability
- 5952
What will you mostly use it for?
The Realforce GX1 takes the edge for gaming and general ready-to-use office work, with adjustable actuation, RGB, and prebuilt convenience. The HEX.4B is the more travel-oriented option on format, and its included carrying case is a practical distinction. For modding, the HEX.4B's kit format and alternate O-rings make it the more build-focused choice, though both boards require soldering for switch changes. Programming is a close call, since the HEX.4B offers a smaller 75% layout while the Realforce has ANSI and ISO variants.
Pick the Realforce hololive GX1 La Darknesss
- The Realforce lists Dual APC actuation adjustment across 30 levels from 0.1mm to 3.0mm.
- Its vendor description includes a kill switch function and full N-key rollover.
- The HEX.4B is a 75% kit and requires soldering, rather than arriving prebuilt.
HEX Keyboards HEX.4B vs Realforce hololive GX1 La Darknesss specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
7 of 13 specs differ
HEX Keyboards HEX.4B
Realforce hololive GX1 La Darknesss
Mount style
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Backlight
N-key rollover
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
HEX Keyboards HEX.4B
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Realforce hololive GX1 La Darknesss
MK
ISO
In stockShips to you
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
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HEX Keyboards HEX.4B vs Realforce hololive GX1 La Darknesss: your questions
The Realforce GX1 has the clearer gaming-focused feature set, including Dual APC actuation adjustment, full N-key rollover, and a kill switch function. These features are listed by its vendor, while the HEX.4B is a solder-required kit.
Yes. Its Dual APC feature adjusts the actuation point across 30 levels between 0.1mm and 3.0mm, according to the vendor description. The HEX.4B listing does not identify an actuation adjustment feature.
Yes, the HEX.4B is listed as a DIY kit and barebones product. The vendor says the kit includes the case, brass inner weight, PCB, gaskets, accessories, and a keyboard carrying case.
Neither is listed as hot-swappable. Both have soldered switches, so replacing switches requires soldering.
The HEX.4B is a 75% keyboard, while the Realforce GX1 is an 80% TKL. Both are listed without a numpad.
Yes. The HEX.4B vendor lists a keyboard carrying case among the kit contents. The Realforce GX1 vendor description instead lists an instruction manual and acrylic stand.
Yes, RGB backlighting is listed for the Realforce GX1. The HEX.4B is listed without RGB.
The Realforce product description lists both ANSI and ISO variants. The HEX.4B is listed as ANSI only, with no ISO layout offered.
The vendor lists Topre 45g tactile capacitive switches for the Realforce GX1. Its switches are soldered, so changing them requires soldering.
The HEX.4B vendor lists the top and bottom case, brass inner weight, PCB, gaskets, accessories, and keyboard carrying case. The product is described as a kit rather than a prebuilt keyboard.
The HEX.4B is the smaller layout at 75%, compared with the Realforce GX1's 80% TKL layout. The HEX.4B vendor also describes its format as compact and says it retains arrow and function keys.
No, it is listed as wired only and has USB-C connectivity. The HEX.4B is described as a kit, and its listing does not specify wireless connectivity.
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