How We Test

We design repeatable, real‑world tests that reflect crowded apartments, co‑working spaces, classrooms, and gaming setups. Our goal is to quantify what you feel at the desk—connection stability, switching friction, latency, and battery life—and present it in plain English.

Core Measurements

Latency (Bluetooth vs 2.4 GHz): We measure end‑to‑end keypress latency using high‑speed capture and hardware logging, reporting median, 95th percentile, and stability over time. We verify polling rate claims and note jitter.
Reconnection & Wake: From sleep, we time first input recognition over multiple cycles on Mac, Windows, Linux, iPadOS, and Android. We record failures and average recovery times.
Dropouts Under Interference: In a controlled 2.4 GHz‑noisy environment, we track dropout events at 0.5 m, 2 m, and through a wall, with dongle placement variations (rear I/O, front I/O, short USB extender).
Device Switching Friction: We measure the steps and seconds required to rotate between three paired devices, score clarity of labeled keys/LEDs, and check if profiles persist after reboots and firmware updates.
Battery Life Reality: We run scripted typing and idle cycles to estimate battery drain with backlight off, white backlight, and RGB patterns at multiple brightness levels. Results are expressed in hours/days and translated into “weeks/months” guidance.
Cross‑OS Mapping & Memory: We verify Mac/Win/Linux profiles, Fn row behavior, media keys, and on‑device memory for remaps (QMK/VIA where applicable). We note when software is optional vs required and whether accounts/cloud sync are needed.
Gaming & Rollover: We validate NKRO/anti‑ghosting and consistency at typical and high polling rates, focusing on sustained stability rather than one‑off bursts.
Acoustics & Ergonomics: We log sound pressure levels (dBA @ 30 cm) and profile feel (switch weight, pre‑travel) alongside wrist angles, tenting options, and typing posture considerations.
Portability & Build: We assess chassis flex, keycap retention, weight/footprint, and travel readiness (case options, switch security) with relevance to commuters and students.

Scoring & Badges

We convert measurements into clear role‑based badges so you can act fast:

Remote Work, Quiet Office, Coding/Creation, Travel‑Ready, Gaming‑Low‑Latency, Ergonomic Relief, Multi‑Device Pro, Mac/iPad‑Friendly, Windows/Linux‑Friendly, Budget Pick.

Each badge has threshold criteria (e.g., reconnection <2 s for Multi‑Device Pro, 95th percentile latency thresholds for Gaming‑Low‑Latency, specific dBA and pitch targets for Quiet Office). We publish notes when a product narrowly misses a badge and why.

Repeatability & Updates

Calibration: We re‑calibrate latency rigs and verify environment noise before each test cycle.
Firmware/Software: Significant firmware or software updates trigger partial re‑tests and updated recommendations.
Unit Sourcing: We prefer retail‑purchased units. Loaners receive identical treatment and no editorial guarantees.
Transparency: Methods evolve; when they do, we annotate results so readers can compare across test generations.

What This Means for You

Our numbers map to lived experience: fewer dropouts in busy Wi‑Fi apartments, near‑instant wake, predictable battery life, and switching that truly feels one‑key simple. You pick a keyboard knowing exactly how it will behave on your desk, not just in a spec sheet.