Dwarf Wangchuan Photon Tamer vs Qwertykeys Neo65 CUISO or QMK
Get the Photon Tamer for QMK support and its 5000mAh battery, or the Neo65 CU for ISO layouts, 2.4GHz connectivity, and selectable plate materials.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
No reviews
from$279at Velocifire
5.0 (12)5.0 · 12 reviews
from$245at MonacoKeys
Which one should you get?
Get the
Dwarf Wangchuan Photon Tamer
Battery
- QMK support alongside VIA support.
- 5000mAh battery capacity.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Qwertykeys Neo65 CU
Build quality in the top 5% of 65% boards under $300.
- ISO and ANSI layout options.
- Listed 1000 Hz polling rate and 2.4GHz connectivity option.
- Plate choices include POM, aluminum, carbon fiber, and plastic.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
Choose the Photon Tamer if QMK support and its 5000mAh battery are priorities. Choose the Neo65 CU if you need ISO layouts, want a listed 1000 Hz polling rate, or value its range of plate and mounting options.
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.
Dwarf Wangchuan Photon Tamer
Qwertykeys Neo65 CU
Layout size
67%
65%
Connection
Wireless
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
5,000 mAh
2,200 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
Aluminum
Aluminum, Brass, Copper
QMK
Yes
No
The deep option when you want to remap every key
- Dwarf Wangchuan Photon Tamer
- Qwertykeys Neo65 CU
- Performance
- 4869
- Build quality
- 7992
- Productivity
- 5577
- Customizability
- 8278
- Portability
- 8387
- Hot-swappable
- Mount style: Gasket Mount
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The Neo65 CU is the more feature-rich fit for gaming, office use, modding, and content creation, particularly when polling rate, ISO support, or plate and mount choices matter. The Photon Tamer is a sensible programming pick for QMK users and a travel option for buyers prioritizing its listed battery capacity. Both kits use compact layouts, so neither includes a function row or numpad. The Neo65 CU's 65% format is explicitly listed as omitting both.
Pick the Qwertykeys Neo65 CU
- The Neo65 CU offers a listed 1000 Hz polling rate.
- Its Tri-Mode option includes 2.4GHz connectivity, while the Photon Tamer's metadata lists wireless connectivity without specifying that option.
Dwarf Wangchuan Photon Tamer vs Qwertykeys Neo65 CU specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 22 specs differ
Dwarf Wangchuan Photon Tamer
Qwertykeys Neo65 CU
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Released
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.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Dwarf Wangchuan Photon Tamer
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Qwertykeys Neo65 CU
Listed on the product, not split by store: ISO.
Dwarf Wangchuan Photon Tamer vs Qwertykeys Neo65 CU: your questions
The Neo65 CU lists a 1000 Hz polling rate and offers a Tri-Mode option with 2.4GHz connectivity. The Photon Tamer's metadata lists wireless connectivity but does not specify a polling rate.
Yes, QMK support is listed as an extra feature for the Photon Tamer. The Neo65 CU's vendor description lists VIA compatibility, but does not identify QMK support.
Yes, the Neo65 CU supports both ISO and ANSI layouts. The Photon Tamer is ANSI only, with no ISO variants offered.
The Photon Tamer has a listed 5000mAh battery, compared with the Neo65 CU's 2200mAh battery. Battery capacity alone does not establish how long either keyboard runs between charges.
The Neo65 CU has south-facing LEDs, and its compatibility note says shine-through legends stay dark. It also cautions that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
The Neo65 CU vendor description lists aluminum, PP, carbon fiber, and PC plate choices. The Photon Tamer's supplied specifications do not list plate options.
The Neo65 CU vendor description offers isolated Top Mount and PCB Gasket Mount configurations. The Photon Tamer is listed with a gasket mount.
Both products are described as barebones kits, and the Photon Tamer vendor page explicitly says switches and keycaps are not included. The Neo65 CU vendor description also says they must be purchased separately.
The Photon Tamer is a 67% keyboard, while the Neo65 CU is a 65% keyboard. The Neo65 CU's compatibility note specifies that its layout has no function row or numpad.
The product metadata lists south-facing RGB for the Neo65 CU. Its vendor description says the available PCBs have no per-key RGB, so check the specific configuration before purchasing.
Not sold on either?
![[In Stock] ESU67 Aluminum Pre-built Magnetic Switches HE Keyboard Wrist Rest Cover 2-in-1](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0549/0262/0278/files/20250916110403_467_259.jpg?v=1757994731&width=3840&quality=75)
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.