Mechboards NIBBLE vs PocketType65% Kit vs Ortholinear Macro Pad
Choose the NIBBLE for a primary keyboard, or the PocketType for a soldering practice project or macro pad.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Mechboards NIBBLE
65% Kit
Build quality in the top 40% of 65% boards under $100.
- Includes components for extensive customization: rotary encoder, FR4 plates, acrylic case pieces, and underglow LEDs.
- Supports both ANSI and ISO layouts, offering regional flexibility.
- QMK firmware and source code are provided for deep programmability.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
Get the
Mechboards PocketType
Ortholinear Macro Pad
- Extremely compact dimensions (135mm x 60mm) make it genuinely pocketable.
- The complete kit includes switches and keycaps, reducing the number of extra parts to buy.
- Very low cost, making it a low-risk project for learning soldering.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Select the Mechboards NIBBLE if you are building a serious, customizable primary keyboard. Opt for the PocketType only if you want an affordable soldering practice kit or a uniquely compact macro pad. The NIBBLE's superior layout and expansion capabilities justify its higher price for most users.
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 PocketType
Ergonomics
Standard
Ortholinear
Knob
Yes
No
QMK
Yes
No
The deep option when you want to remap every key
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 PocketType
- Performance
- 5342
- Build quality
- 7151
- Productivity
- 5344
- Customizability
- 7746
- Portability
- 5940
What will you mostly use it for?
The NIBBLE is the clear choice for any use case requiring a primary input device, from gaming to office work. Its traditional 65% layout and greater feature set make it versatile. The PocketType wins only for extreme portability, but its vendor reviews suggest it's better as a macro pad or soldering practice project than a daily typist.
Pick the Mechboards NIBBLE
- The NIBBLE's standard 65% layout includes arrow keys and a dedicated cluster, which are commonly used in games.
- Its standard row-staggered layout is more familiar for gaming keybinds compared to the PocketType's ortholinear grid.
- The NIBBLE kit includes support for a rotary encoder, which can be mapped to volume or other in-game controls.
Mechboards NIBBLE vs PocketType specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
6 of 13 specs differ
Mechboards NIBBLE
Mechboards PocketType
Mount style
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Case material
Plate material
Dimensions
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 PocketType
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 PocketType: your questions
No, the NIBBLE is not a hot-swap keyboard. It is a DIY kit that requires soldering. The listing specifies that components like diodes and the controller must be soldered to the main PCB.
Vendor reviews for the PocketType suggest it is not practical for normal typing. One reviewer states a finger covers two buttons, making touch typing impossible, and recommends its use as a macro pad instead.
According to the vendor, the NIBBLE kit includes the main PCB, a wired RP2040 controller, PCB components (diodes, ICs, capacitors, LEDs, TRRS jack), a rotary encoder with knob, and FR4 and acrylic case pieces. Switches, keycaps, stabilizers, and a USB cable are not included.
Yes, the PocketType kit listing states it includes a wired RP2040 controller. One reviewer, however, mentioned needing to source a microcontroller separately, which may refer to an older version of the kit.
Only the Mechboards NIBBLE has RGB lighting. Its specifications list RGB support, and the vendor description mentions it includes underglow LEDs. The PocketType specifications list no RGB.
Both the Mechboards NIBBLE and PocketType are DIY kits that require assembly. They are listed as barebones kits, and the vendor descriptions confirm components must be soldered.
Both keyboards support QMK firmware. The NIBBLE vendor listing explicitly mentions QMK firmware and source code are provided. The PocketType reviews mention using QMK Toolbox to flash the firmware.
Yes, the Mechboards NIBBLE supports a rotary encoder. The kit includes an encoder with a knob, and its feature list notes knob support.
The NIBBLE uses a standard 65% row-staggered layout. The PocketType uses an ortholinear grid layout, similar to a Planck, with all keys aligned in a matrix.
The PocketType is often cited in reviews as a good first soldering project due to its lower cost and smaller size. However, the NIBBLE's vendor states its use of a Pro Micro (RP2040) reduces build difficulty compared to soldering a discrete USB connector.
Yes. The vendor listing for the NIBBLE explicitly states that screw-in PCB mount stabilizers are required and are not included in the kit.
Based on vendor reviews, the primary use cases for the PocketType are as a macro pad for shortcuts, a display item, or a practice project to develop soldering skills. It is not designed as a primary typing keyboard.
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