Mechboards Lily58 vs KEEBD Sofle V2
Choose the Mechboards Lily58 for a more complete kit with controllers included, or the KEEBD Sofle V2 if you prefer to source your own microcontrollers.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Mechboards Lily58
- Offers both wired and wireless kit versions with appropriate controllers (RP2040 or nRF52840) included.
- Kit is more complete, including diodes, reset buttons, and RP2040 controllers for the wired version.
- Provides multiple purchase tiers: solder kit, pre-soldered R2G PCB, and fully pre-built options.
- The base hotswap kit requires soldering of diodes, sockets, and controllers.
- Vendor description notes that the R2G version's MCUs are baked onto the PCB and cannot be upgraded.
- Does not mention native support for rotary encoders in its kit description.
Get the
KEEBD Sofle V2
Mac & Windows
- PCB has native support for adding rotary encoders, a feature highlighted in the kit description.
- Offers a choice between FR4 or acrylic switch plates, with acrylic plates supporting a tenting configuration.
- Kit listing includes SMD diodes and hotswap sockets, though controllers must be sourced separately.
- Does not include microcontrollers (Pro Micros) in the base kit; they are listed as 'Required to Complete'.
- Only a wired configuration is mentioned in the available listing.
- A customer review notes that the 3mm acrylic switch plate may be too thick for switches to clip in securely.
Your choice hinges on kit completeness and specific features. The Mechboards Lily58 is the better option for a first-time builder or someone wanting a wireless split keyboard, as it includes critical components like controllers. The KEEBD Sofle V2 is a viable choice if you already have preferred microcontrollers to use or if rotary encoder support is a mandatory feature for your workflow. Be prepared for more sourcing and soldering with the Sofle V2 kit.
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.
Mechboards Lily58
KEEBD Sofle V2
Case material
Plastic, Steel
Acrylic, Plastic
Display
OLED
Yes
Plate material
FR4
Acrylic, FR4
Keycaps
ABS
ABS, PBT
Mac & Windows
No
Yes
- Mechboards Lily58
- KEEBD Sofle V2
- Performance
- 5545
- Build quality
- 6644
- Productivity
- 5356
- Customizability
- 7279
- Portability
- 6767
- Connection: Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Ergonomics: Split
What will you mostly use it for?
The Lily58 and Sofle V2 are tied for core typing use cases like office work, programming, and gaming, as their fundamental split layouts are identical. The primary differentiators are in their kits. The Lily58 pulls ahead for modders due to more kit options and for travelers due to its available wireless version. The Sofle V2 has a slight edge for content creation because its PCB supports rotary encoders out of the box, a feature not mentioned for the Lily58.
It's a tie
- Both are wired-only split keyboards with hotswap sockets for switch experimentation.
- Both feature per-key RGB lighting.
- Neither listing specifies gaming-oriented features like high polling rates.
Mechboards Lily58 vs KEEBD Sofle V2 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
7 of 13 specs differ
Mechboards Lily58
KEEBD Sofle V2
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Backlight
Mac & Windows
Released
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Mechboards Lily58 vs KEEBD Sofle V2: your questions
The most significant difference is component inclusion. The Mechboards Lily58 wired kit includes RP2040 controllers, while the KEEBD Sofle V2 kit requires you to source your own Pro Micro compatible controllers separately. The Sofle V2 PCB also has support for rotary encoders, which is not mentioned for the Lily58.
No, both the Mechboards Lily58 and KEEBD Sofle V2 are sold as barebones DIY kits. You must purchase 58 switches and a compatible keycap set separately to complete the build. The Mechboards pre-built option is an exception, as it includes keycaps and switches.
For the standard kits, soldering is required. However, Mechboards offers a 'Ready2Go' (R2G) version of the Lily58 where the hotswap sockets and RP2040 MCU are pre-soldered onto the PCB, eliminating the need for soldering. The KEEBD Sofle V2 kit, as described, requires soldering of diodes, hotswap sockets, and other components.
The Mechboards Lily58 is available as a wireless kit variant. This kit includes nRF52840 BLE controllers and batteries. The KEEBD Sofle V2 product description only mentions a wired configuration and does not list a wireless option.
The Mechboards Lily58 explicitly offers kit versions compatible with Kailh Choc V1 switches. The KEEBD Sofle V2 listing specifies compatibility with 'MX Switches,' and does not mention Choc switch support.
Both keyboards are compatible with the QMK and VIA firmware ecosystem. The Mechboards listing provides direct links to VIA configurator and firmware for the Lily58. The KEEBD listing for the Sofle V2 points to a location for precompiled firmware.
Both keyboards have a 58-key layout. They are split designs with a 6x4 column-staggered grid and a thumb cluster. You will need 58 switches to build either one.
According to the listing, the kit includes PCBs, FR4 or acrylic plates, acrylic bottom plates, OLED displays, hotswap sockets, SMD diodes, a TRS cable, standoffs, screws, and OLED covers. Notably, it does not include the Pro Micro controllers required to make the keyboard function.
Yes, the KEEBD Sofle V2 offers a tenting kit option. If you choose the tenting version, it includes acrylic switch plates and additional hardware like longer screws to angle the keyboard halves. A customer review notes some limitations with the included tenting hardware.
The Mechboards Lily58 is likely more beginner-friendly for its wired kit because it includes the controllers, reducing the parts you need to source. Their 'Ready2Go' version is the most beginner-friendly, requiring no soldering at all. The Sofle V2 requires you to correctly source, orient, and solder the microcontrollers, which adds complexity.
Yes, both kits include OLED screens. The Mechboards Lily58 wired kit lists 'OLED Screen and Sockets x 2' as included. The KEEBD Sofle V2 kit listing includes '2 x OLED Displays'.
The Mechboards product description for the Lily58 does not mention support for rotary encoders. The KEEBD Sofle V2 description, however, explicitly lists encoders as an optional item and the PCB has support for them, making it the clear choice if this feature is important to you.
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