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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 28, 2026

Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2 vs Meletrix ZOOM TKL ESSENTIAL EDITION

Choose the QK80 Mk2 for ISO support, 2.4 GHz and its customizable screen, or the ZOOM TKL if you specifically want its stated 1000 Hz polling rate.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2

Battery

Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Supports ANSI, ISO-DE and ISO layouts.
  • Offers wired, Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connectivity with an 8000mAh battery.
  • TFT screen supports custom GIF animations and images.

Get the

Meletrix ZOOM TKL ESSENTIAL EDITION

Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Lists a 1000 Hz polling rate.
  • Supports hot-swapping and VIA.
  • Includes a PC plate, WS Standard switches and WS stabilizers in the vendor listing.

Rules this board out

  • No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.

Bottom line

Choose the QK80 Mk2 if you need ISO layouts, 2.4 GHz wireless or a customizable screen, and its larger listed battery is useful for your setup. Choose the ZOOM TKL if its 1000 Hz polling-rate listing is your deciding factor and ANSI is the layout you want.

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.

Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2

Meletrix ZOOM TKL ESSENTIAL EDITION

  • Connection

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Bluetooth, Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Battery

    8,000 mAh

    2,250 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Ergonomics

    Standard

    Split Backspace, Split Spacebar

  • Case material

    Aluminum, Copper, Steel

    Aluminum, Plastic

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

    Gasket Mount

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2
  • Meletrix ZOOM TKL ESSENTIAL EDITION
Performance
68
52
Build quality
89
82
Productivity
84
82
Customizability
85
62
Portability
87
73

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Hot-swappable
  • VIA
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The QK80 Mk2 takes the broader office, programming, travel, modding and content-creation case, mainly through its layout choices, battery, screen and connectivity options. The ZOOM TKL has the gaming edge on the basis of its listed polling rate. Both remain viable for general desk use, with wired and Bluetooth connectivity, hot-swap support and VIA.

For gaming

Pick the Meletrix ZOOM TKL ESSENTIAL EDITION

  • The ZOOM TKL lists a 1000 Hz polling rate.
  • The QK80 Mk2 adds 2.4 GHz wireless and RGB backlighting if those features are priorities.

Full specs

Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2 vs Meletrix ZOOM TKL ESSENTIAL EDITION specs

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

12 of 22 specs differ

Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2

Meletrix ZOOM TKL ESSENTIAL EDITION

Typing & switches

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Split Backspace, Split Spacebar

Display

TFT
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, Wired

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

Battery

8,000 mAhBetter
2,250 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum, Copper, Steel
Aluminum, Plastic

Plate material

Aluminum, FR4, Plastic, POM
Aluminum, Polycarbonate

Keycaps

PBT
—

Weight

—
1,580 g

Dimensions

19 x 362 x 137 mm
—

Typing angle

7°
5°

Backlight

RGB
None

Firmware & software

VIA

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
No

Extras

Released

2025
2025

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

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

Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2

  • MonacoKeys

    ISO-DE

    In stockDoes not ship to you

Meletrix ZOOM TKL ESSENTIAL EDITION

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

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

Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2 vs Meletrix ZOOM TKL ESSENTIAL EDITION: your questions

Yes. Its listed layout standards include ANSI, ISO-DE and ISO. The ZOOM TKL Essential Edition is listed as ANSI only.

No, its compatibility rule says ISO, ISO-DE, UK and other ISO variants are not offered. The QK80 Mk2 lists ISO and ISO-DE options.

The QK80 Mk2 lists Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz and wired connectivity. The ZOOM TKL Essential Edition lists Bluetooth and wired connectivity.

Its listed polling rate is 1000 Hz. No polling-rate figure is listed for the QK80 Mk2, so the stated figure alone does not establish a direct performance comparison.

The QK80 Mk2 is listed with an 8000mAh battery, and the ZOOM TKL Essential Edition with a 2250mAh battery. Battery capacity alone does not establish actual runtime.

Yes, both list VIA support and hot-swappable switches. The QK80 Mk2 is also listed as a DIY kit/barebones option as well as pre-built.

Yes, it has a TFT screen. Its vendor description says the screen supports custom GIF animations and images, and lists a code-themed option.

No, its RGB field is listed as No. The QK80 Mk2 is listed with RGB backlighting.

The QK80 Mk2 lists FR4, aluminum, POM and plastic plate materials. The ZOOM TKL Essential Edition lists polycarbonate and aluminum.

Its vendor listing includes a carrying case, USB cable, switch puller, keycap puller, 2.4 GHz receiver, extension adapter, silicone gasket, Mac modifier keycaps and extra switches. The listing also specifies a multi-layer foam kit.

The vendor listing includes a carrying bag, coiled USB-C cable, PC plate, WS Standard switches, stock WS stabilizers and WS doubleshot PBT keycaps. It describes the keyboard as ready to use out of the box.

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