Keebwerk Synth Labs 060 vs Meletrix Zoom98 SE
Choose the Synth Labs 060 for its compact layout and broader plate choices, or the Zoom98 SE for a numpad and wireless connectivity.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keebwerk Synth Labs 060
Build quality in the top 5% of 60% boards under $300.
- Five plate material options: aluminum, brass, FR4, polycarbonate, and POM.
- Vendor-listed case foam, plate foam, and Poron gaskets in two hardnesses.
- Aluminum case with brass accents and a brass internal weight, according to the vendor.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Get the
Meletrix Zoom98 SE
Build quality in the top 5% of 98% boards under $300.
- Offers Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired USB-C connectivity.
- 98% layout includes a numpad.
- Supports hot-swap, QMK, and VIA, with a programmable LCD display.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Pick the Meletrix Zoom98 SE if you want a numpad and the option to use Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless. Choose the Keebwerk Synth Labs 060 if a smaller wired board and a wider range of plate and gasket choices matter more. Check the Zoom98 SE's south-facing LED caveat if you plan to use shine-through legends or sculpted keycaps.
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.
Keebwerk Synth Labs 060
Meletrix Zoom98 SE
Layout size
60%
98%
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Ergonomics
Standard
Split Spacebar
Case material
Aluminum, Brass
Aluminum
Display
LED
LCD
A case display rather than a typing feature
- Keebwerk Synth Labs 060
- Meletrix Zoom98 SE
- Performance
- 7679
- Build quality
- 9185
- Productivity
- 8593
- Customizability
- 9390
- Portability
- 7655
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Mount style: Gasket Mount
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Zoom98 SE takes the office, programming, travel, and content-creation picks, mainly through its numpad and wireless options. Gaming also leans toward the Zoom98 SE for flexible connectivity, though both list a 1000 Hz polling rate. The Synth Labs 060 is the more compelling modding choice because it offers more plate materials and gasket hardnesses. Neither wins every category, so layout and build customization are the key deciding factors.
Pick the Meletrix Zoom98 SE
- The Zoom98 SE supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connections, while the Synth Labs 060 is wired only.
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate, and both support N-key rollover.
Keebwerk Synth Labs 060 vs Meletrix Zoom98 SE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 24 specs differ
Keebwerk Synth Labs 060
Meletrix Zoom98 SE
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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Keebwerk Synth Labs 060 vs Meletrix Zoom98 SE: your questions
The Synth Labs 060 is a wired 60% keyboard kit with five plate material options. The Zoom98 SE is a 98% keyboard with a numpad and Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity.
Yes, its listed connection modes are Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired USB-C. The Synth Labs 060 is wired only.
The Meletrix Zoom98 SE has a 98% layout with a numpad. The Keebwerk Synth Labs 060 uses a 60% layout and has no numpad.
Both keyboards list QMK and VIA support. The Synth Labs 060 vendor description also specifies that its keys can be programmed with QMK or VIA.
The Synth Labs 060 has five listed plate choices: aluminum, brass, FR4, polycarbonate, and POM. The Zoom98 SE is listed with a polycarbonate plate, while its vendor description offers flex-cut and non-flex-cut PCB options.
Both product specifications list hot-swap support. The Synth Labs 060 vendor description says buyers can choose a hot-swap RGB PCB or a solder PCB.
The Zoom98 SE is listed at 1000 g, while the Synth Labs 060 is listed at 1900 g. The Zoom98 SE is also the only one of the two with wireless connectivity.
The Synth Labs 060 vendor description says switches and keycaps are not included. The Zoom98 SE vendor listing also describes it as a barebones item that does not include switches or keycaps.
Its south-facing LEDs may leave shine-through legends dark. The product compatibility note also warns that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LEDs.
The vendor lists Poron gaskets in two hardnesses, along with case foam and plate foam. These are specified as part of the Synth Labs 060 kit.
Yes, the Zoom98 SE lists a programmable LCD display. The Synth Labs 060 also has a screen, listed as an LED display.
The Zoom98 SE supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired USB-C connections. The Synth Labs 060 uses a wired USB-C connection only.
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