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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 12, 2026

MCHOSE Mix 87 vs Swagkeys Transition LiteHE vs VIA

Choose the MCHOSE Mix 87 for Hall Effect switches, Rapid Trigger and RGB controls, or the Swagkeys Transition Lite for its polycarbonate barebone kit, VIA support and included carrying case.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

MCHOSE Mix 87

HE

Build quality in the top 35% of 80% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation and Rapid Trigger.
  • 8000 Hz polling rate and gaming features including SOCD, RS and DKS.
  • RGB lighting, a volume knob and custom GIF effects.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.

Get the

Swagkeys Transition Lite

VIA

Build quality in the top 25% of 80% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Polycarbonate case and plate, with a silicone pad and foam set in the kit.
  • VIA support and a barebone kit for a custom build.
  • An included carrying case and 8° typing angle.

Bottom line

Get the MCHOSE Mix 87 for Hall Effect switches, Rapid Trigger, 8000 Hz polling and RGB controls, features the Transition Lite does not list. Choose the Swagkeys Transition Lite for its VIA support, polycarbonate case and plate, and barebone kit with a carrying case, features the Mix 87 does not offer.

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.

MCHOSE Mix 87

Swagkeys Transition Lite

  • Hall effect (magnetic)

    Yes

    No

    Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing

  • Rapid trigger

    Yes

    No

    Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing

  • Knob

    Yes

    No

  • Display

    LED

    None

    A case display rather than a typing feature

  • Weight

    992 g

    1,000 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • MCHOSE Mix 87
  • Swagkeys Transition Lite
Performance
95
51
Build quality
68
74
Productivity
69
71
Customizability
65
69
Portability
56
56

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Connection: Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Mount style: Gasket Mount
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Mix 87 is the clearer pick for gaming and content creation, thanks to magnetic-switch controls and lighting features absent from the Transition Lite listing. The Transition Lite suits programming and hands-on customization, with VIA support and a barebone kit that includes build components. For office use, the Mix 87 is ready with PBT keycaps and adds a volume knob. The Transition Lite has a small travel advantage from its included carrying case, though both boards are wired and similarly weighted.

For gaming

Pick the MCHOSE Mix 87

  • Hall Effect magnetic switches support adjustable actuation and Rapid Trigger.
  • The vendor lists an 8000 Hz polling rate and gaming features including SOCD, RS and DKS.

Full specs

MCHOSE Mix 87 vs Swagkeys Transition Lite specs

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

9 of 23 specs differ

MCHOSE Mix 87

Swagkeys Transition Lite

Typing & switches

Switch options

Magnetic
—

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
No

Rapid trigger

Yes
No

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

Layout standard

—
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
No

Display

LED
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

8,000 Hz
—

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

—
Polycarbonate

Plate material

—
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

PBT
—

Weight

992 g
1,000 g

Dimensions

37 x 359 x 152 mm
17 x 137 x 335 mm

Typing angle

—
8°

Backlight

RGB, north-facing
None

Firmware & software

VIA

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2026
2024

Where to buy

Compare prices

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

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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

FAQ

MCHOSE Mix 87 vs Swagkeys Transition Lite: your questions

The MCHOSE Mix 87 is the gaming-focused choice, with Hall Effect magnetic switches, Rapid Trigger and an 8000 Hz polling rate. The Transition Lite listing does not specify gaming-focused switch features or a polling rate.

Yes, Rapid Trigger is listed as a Mix 87 feature. The vendor also describes adjustable actuation for its magnetic switches.

No, the Transition Lite is a barebone kit and does not include keycaps, switches or stabilizers. Its listed contents include a case, PCB and daughterboard, plate, gasket set, silicone pad, foam set, screws and feet, screwdriver, and carrying case.

No, its compatibility information specifies magnetic switches only, and standard MX switches will not fit. The Mix 87 is listed as hot-swappable for magnetic switches.

The Mix 87 has north-facing LEDs, and its compatibility information warns that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. Buyers considering that profile should account for this fit issue.

Yes, VIA support is listed for the Transition Lite. The vendor describes its software as a Swagkeys version of VIA.

The MCHOSE Mix 87 has north-facing RGB lighting, and its vendor description lists custom GIF effects and music-reactive modes. The Transition Lite is listed without RGB.

Both keyboards are listed as wired-only. The Mix 87 vendor description specifies a wired USB connection, while the Transition Lite listing specifies Type-C wired connectivity.

The Swagkeys Transition Lite kit includes a carrying case, used as exterior packaging. No carrying case is listed among the Mix 87 package contents.

The Transition Lite has an injection-molded polycarbonate case and a polycarbonate plate. Its kit also lists a silicone pad, silicone gasket set, PET sheet, Poron case foam, PE sheet and Poron plate foam.

Yes, the Mix 87 has a volume knob that adjusts system volume and can mute when pressed. The Transition Lite's listed features do not include a volume knob.

The Mix 87 is listed as pre-built and includes PBT keycaps. The Transition Lite is a barebone kit and does not include keycaps, switches or stabilizers.

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