Mechboards NIBBLE vs Plaid Kit65% vs 40% Ortholinear DIY
Choose the NIBBLE for a more traditional 65% layout with a knob, or the Plaid for a compact, challenging ortholinear build.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Mechboards NIBBLE
65%
Build quality in the top 40% of 65% boards under $100.
- Includes a rotary encoder and knob for additional input control.
- Supports both ANSI and ISO layouts for broader keycap compatibility.
- Comes with components for RGB underglow lighting.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
Get the
Mechboards Plaid Kit
40% Ortholinear DIY
Build quality in the bottom 40% of 40% boards under $150.
- Extremely compact 40% ortholinear layout maximizes desk space.
- Fully through-hole design, as described by the vendor, offers a classic DIY soldering experience.
- Generally more affordable than the NIBBLE kit.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Your choice depends primarily on layout preference and project goals. Opt for the Mechboards NIBBLE if you want a more familiar 65% keyboard with practical extras like a volume knob and RGB, and are willing to source stabilizers. Choose the Mechboards Plaid Kit if you seek the challenge of building a minimalist, space-saving ortholinear keyboard and prioritize ultimate portability over immediate key access.
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 NIBBLE
Mechboards Plaid Kit
Layout size
65%
40%
Ergonomics
Standard
Ortholinear
Knob
Yes
No
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
- Mechboards NIBBLE
- Mechboards Plaid Kit
- Performance
- 5342
- Build quality
- 7158
- Productivity
- 5347
- Customizability
- 7854
- Portability
- 5960
- QMK
What will you mostly use it for?
The NIBBLE is the more versatile choice, winning for gaming, office use, and content creation due to its larger layout and included encoder. The Plaid Kit's extreme compactness makes it the clear winner for travel. For programming, the decision is a tie and comes down to personal preference for a standard or ortholinear layout, as both support QMK macros. Modders may prefer the NIBBLE for its included lighting and case design files.
Pick the Mechboards NIBBLE
- The NIBBLE's 65% layout provides dedicated arrow keys, which are commonly used in gaming.
- It includes a rotary encoder that can be mapped to in-game functions like volume or zoom.
- The standard staggered layout may be more familiar for gamers transitioning from full-size boards.
Mechboards NIBBLE vs Plaid Kit specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
6 of 12 specs differ
Mechboards NIBBLE
Mechboards Plaid Kit
Mount style
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Case material
Plate material
Backlight
QMK
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Mechboards NIBBLE
Listed on the product, not split by store: ISO.
Mechboards Plaid Kit
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Mechboards NIBBLE vs Plaid Kit: your questions
The NIBBLE is a 65% keyboard with a standard staggered key layout, offering arrow keys and more physical keys. The Plaid Kit is a 40% ortholinear keyboard, meaning its keys are arranged in a grid without stagger, and it sacrifices the number row and many punctuation keys for extreme compactness.
No, both the Mechboards NIBBLE and Plaid Kit are barebones DIY kits. The NIBBLE listing states you need 72 switches, while the Plaid Kit requires 50. Keycaps and stabilizers for the NIBBLE must also be purchased separately.
The NIBBLE may be slightly more beginner-friendly. Its vendor description highlights that it uses a pre-assembled RP2040 controller to avoid difficult USB connector soldering. The Plaid Kit is a fully through-hole build, and vendor reviews mention the assembly can be tricky, especially with firmware.
Yes, both the Mechboards NIBBLE and Plaid Kit support QMK firmware. This allows you to fully reprogram every key, create multiple layers, and set up macros directly via code.
Yes, the NIBBLE kit includes components for RGB underglow LEDs, as listed in its contents. The Plaid Kit does not include or mention any form of RGB lighting in its provided description.
Based on the vendor description, the Plaid Kit includes the through-hole components needed to build a 4x12 ortholinear keyboard. It comes with an Atmega328p microcontroller pre-flashed with a bootloader. You must supply 50 switches, keycaps, and a USB cable.
The NIBBLE uses an acrylic and FR4 sandwich case, consisting of FR4 bottom and plate layers with acrylic top and middle pieces. The vendor description for the Plaid Kit does not specify included case materials, focusing on the through-hole PCB.
Only the Mechboards NIBBLE includes a rotary encoder and knob. The Plaid Kit does not have support for or include an encoder based on the provided specifications and description.
No, the NIBBLE kit's 'NOT INCLUDED' list explicitly states that screw-in PCB mount stabilizers are required and must be purchased separately.
This is subjective. The Plaid's ortholinear layout offers consistent key spacing, which some users find reduces finger stretching and improves accuracy. However, it requires significant relearning if you are used to a standard staggered layout, and the 40% size necessitates heavy layer usage.
The NIBBLE specifically supports both ANSI and ISO layouts, allowing for ISO keycap sets. The Plaid Kit is listed as ANSI only, limiting keycap compatibility to ANSI-style sets.
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