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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 13, 2026

LUMINKEY Luminkey98 vs Niz PLUM C103Hot-Swap or EC Keys

Get the Luminkey98 for its hot-swap switches, aluminum case, ISO options, and movable numpad; choose the Niz PLUM C103 for its 35gf electro-capacitive switches and lighter stated operating force.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

LUMINKEY Luminkey98

Hot-swappable

Build quality in the top 30% of 98% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Aluminum case with a 1.5mm polycarbonate plate and top-mount design.
  • Hot-swappable switches and a movable numpad that can sit on either side of the alpha block.
  • ANSI and ISO layout options, plus a stated 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.

Get the

Niz PLUM C103

Build quality in the bottom 5% of 98% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Electro-capacitive switch construction using a rubber dome, slider, coil spring, and printed circuit board.
  • A stated 35gf operating force and 2±0.2mm travel.

Rules this board out

  • Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
  • No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.

Bottom line

Choose the Luminkey98 if you want hot-swap switches, an aluminum case, ISO options, a movable numpad, or its specified 1000 Hz polling rate. Choose the Niz PLUM C103 if its electro-capacitive switch construction and stated 35gf operating force are the features you prefer. Buyers who need ISO or want to change switches without soldering should opt for the Luminkey98.

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.

LUMINKEY Luminkey98

Niz PLUM C103

  • Hot-swappable

    Yes

    No

    Switch changes without soldering

  • Ergonomics

    Southpaw

    Standard

  • Case material

    Aluminum, Plastic

    Plastic

  • Layout standard

    ANSI, ISO

    ANSI

    ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit

  • Screw-in stabilizers

    Yes

    No

    Easier to tune than the plate-mount stabs you get prebuilt

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • LUMINKEY Luminkey98
  • Niz PLUM C103
Performance
50
40
Build quality
70
38
Productivity
77
51
Customizability
70
43
Portability
57
48

What they share

  • Layout size: 98%
  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Switch options: Linear
  • Keycaps: PBT
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Luminkey98 has the clearer edge for gaming, office work, programming, modding, and content creation, with its polling-rate specification, movable numpad, layout options, and hot-swap design. The Niz PLUM C103's defining distinction is its electro-capacitive switch construction and stated 35gf operating force. Travel is harder to call: both offer the same listed connection types, while the C103 has no weight figure to compare against the Luminkey98. Buyers who need ISO should choose the Luminkey98.

For gaming

Pick the LUMINKEY Luminkey98

  • The Luminkey98 specifies a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
  • Its vendor listing describes Gateron Sylva linear switches with 48g operating force and 3.7mm total travel.

Full specs

LUMINKEY Luminkey98 vs Niz PLUM C103 specs

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

8 of 21 specs differ

LUMINKEY Luminkey98

Niz PLUM C103

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear
Linear

Hot-swappable

Yes
No

Mount style

Top Mount
—

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
No

Layout

Layout size

98%
98%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO
ANSI

Ergonomics

Southpaw
Standard

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
—

Battery

4,400 mAh
—

USB-C

Yes
No

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum, Plastic
Plastic

Plate material

Aluminum, Plastic, Polycarbonate
—

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

2,600 g
—

Dimensions

20 x 136 x 400 mm
159 x 390 mm

Typing angle

7°
—

Backlight

None
None

Firmware & software

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2022

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.

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

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

LUMINKEY Luminkey98

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

Niz PLUM C103

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

FAQ

LUMINKEY Luminkey98 vs Niz PLUM C103: your questions

The Luminkey98 specifies a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes. Its vendor listing also identifies Gateron Sylva linear switches with 48g operating force and 3.7mm total travel.

The Luminkey98 is listed as hot-swappable. The Niz PLUM C103 has soldered switches, so switching them requires soldering.

Yes, the Luminkey98 is listed with ANSI and ISO layout standards, and its vendor description details ISO and ANSI configurations. The Niz PLUM C103 is listed as ANSI only.

No ISO layout is offered for the Niz PLUM C103, including ISO-DE and UK variants. The Luminkey98 is the option here that lists ISO support.

The Luminkey98 vendor listing identifies Gateron Sylva linear switches. It specifies 48g operating force, 55g bottom-out force, and 3.7mm total travel.

The Niz PLUM C103 is described as an electro-capacitive keyboard. Its vendor description says the switch construction uses a rubber dome, slider, coil spring, and printed circuit board, with 35gf operating force.

Yes. The Luminkey98 vendor description says its numpad can move to either side of the alpha block within the case.

Both keyboards list Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, as well as wired use. The Luminkey98 vendor description specifies a 4400mAh battery.

The Luminkey98 has hot-swap switches and is listed as a DIY kit/barebones option. Its vendor description also lists ANSI and ISO configurations and several alternate key layouts; the C103's switches are soldered.

The Luminkey98 is listed with an aluminum case and a polycarbonate plate. Its vendor description specifies a 1.5mm polycarbonate plate, top-mount design, and dye-sublimated PBT keycaps.

The Niz PLUM C103 is listed with PBT keycaps. Its vendor description says the model has two-color keycaps.

The Luminkey98 is listed as 20 x 136 x 400 mm and 2600g; the Niz PLUM C103 is listed as 159 x 390 mm, with no weight figure specified. Both list Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity, so the available dimensions alone do not establish which is lighter to carry.

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