Author: Panghu (胖虎) — Engineer specializing in keyboards, mice, and digital products
If you type for long periods, consider trying an electrostatic capacitive keyboard.
Some people go through every mechanical keyboard on the market and ultimately cure their obsession with an electrostatic capacitive. (Others start with membrane keyboards and end with membrane keyboards.)
Part 1: Features of Electrostatic Capacitive Keyboards
Electrostatic capacitive keyboards use changes in capacitance to determine whether a key is pressed or released. When a key is pressed, the capacitance inside the switch changes — triggering the keystroke without requiring physical contact between the switch terminals. Because there is no physical contact point, wear is minimized and lifespan is extended. They are more stable, more responsive, offer N-key rollover, and are extremely sensitive.
In terms of feel, an electrostatic capacitive keyboard is like a “premium membrane keyboard” with longer key travel — better than membrane, but with a somewhat similar character.
Electrostatic capacitive keyboards come in silent and standard versions. The silent version costs more, but even standard versions are very quiet and won’t disturb others nearby.
Biggest characteristic: expensive!
Part 2: Keyboard Recommendations
For a long time, electrostatic capacitive keyboards were monopolized by Topre (a Japanese company), keeping prices high — RealForce, TYPE HEAVEN, HHKB, etc. In recent years, Chinese domestic electrostatic capacitive keyboards have slowly emerged, bringing prices down.
First, the domestic options (relatively lower prices). Note: RK, noppoo, Fuler (富勒), Cooler Master (酷冷) are not covered here — only Niz Plum and Varmilo (阿米洛) are recommended from the domestic side.
1. Niz Plum — Highly Recommended
The flagship representative of Chinese electrostatic capacitive keyboards. “Plum” is the early brand name of founder admurder (known as “A-da”). Among capacitive keyboards dominated by the word “expensive,” Plum is arguably the best value on the market.
1) Plum Series Overview
| Spec | Details |
|------|---------|
| Layouts | 66, 68, 82, 84, 87, 108 keys |
| Actuation Force | 35g (not tiring to type) and 45g |
| RGB | Yes |
Recommendation: 35g version!
White shell with classic white-gray keycaps — clean and minimalist. Keycaps use dye-sublimation printing for clear, durable legends.
Compared to a mechanical red switch, 35g is lighter. The NIZ electrostatic capacitive feel is on the softer side — long typing sessions won’t fatigue your fingers.
Bluetooth latency is very low.
68-key layout
66-key layout
Plum compact version — wired + Bluetooth dual-mode. The wired-only version is cheaper.
Because of the 35g actuation force, long typing sessions are comfortable and less tiring. All product links below default to the 35g version.
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108-key: Plum 108-key, wired + Bluetooth dual-mode (wired version is cheaper)
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87-key: Plum 87-key, wired + Bluetooth dual-mode (wired version is cheaper)
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87-key wired, 35g — if wireless is not a requirement, this version is well worth buying.
2. HHKB
Recommended for macOS users.
The HHKB removes keys found on standard PC keyboards that aren’t strictly necessary — including the number row function keys, dedicated arrow keys, etc. — leaving only the essential minimum. Function keys, Page Up/Down, Print Screen, and similar special keys are accessed via Fn + key combinations (similar to macOS behavior).
This minimizes hand movement during typing, though it does sacrifice some operational convenience.
HHKB keyboard
English layout version
Professional HYBRID Type-S — Dual-Mode Silent Flagship
| Spec | Details |
|------|---------|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth + USB |
| Key Travel | 3.8 mm |
| Bluetooth OS | Windows 8.1/10, macOS v10.14+, Android 4.4+, iOS 11.4+, iPadOS 13.0+ |
| USB OS | Windows 7/8.1/10, macOS v10.12+ |
| USB Port | Type-C |
Can connect via Bluetooth and USB (Type-C), freely switching between wireless and wired.
Blank (no-legend) version:
Blank (no-legend) version
Professional HYBRID — Dual-Mode
| Spec | Details |
|------|---------|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth + USB Type-C (cable not included) |
| Key Travel | 3.8 mm |
| Bluetooth OS | Windows 8.1/10, macOS v10.14+, Android 4.4+, iOS 11.4+, iPadOS 13.0+ |
| USB OS | Windows 7/8.1/10, macOS v10.12+ |
Bluetooth protocol optimized to v4.0 — stronger anti-interference connectivity.
Professional HYBRID spec sheet
Professional Classic
| Spec | Details |
|------|---------|
| Connectivity | USB Type-C (with Type-C to Type-A cable) |
| Key Travel | 4 mm |
| OS | Windows 7/8.1/10, macOS v10.12+ |
Continues HHKB’s classic wired configuration. USB interface updated to Type-C.
Professional BT
| Spec | Details |
|------|---------|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth only |
| Key Travel | 4 mm |
| OS | Windows 7+ (except 8), Android 4.0+, Mac OS X v10.5+, iOS 7.1+ |
Wireless Bluetooth version of the Professional series. Inherits the early HHKB traditional English layout.
Professional2 Type-S
| Spec | Details |
|------|---------|
| Connectivity | USB |
| Key Travel | 3.8 mm |
High-end version of the HHKB series. Continues the early traditional English layout. 30% quieter than the standard Professional2.
Professional2
| Spec | Details |
|------|---------|
| Connectivity | USB |
| Key Travel | 4 mm |
Keycaps use dye-sublimation printing (vs. laser printing on the Lite2) for improved wear resistance and appearance.
3. Realforce (燃风)
A Topre product. As one of the pioneers of high-end electrostatic capacitive keyboards, REALFORCE has been on sale since 2001 — over two decades of history — and has earned a large following through its exceptional comfort and durability.
Standard Version
LED indicator with 7 color options.
Models equipped with APC (Actuation Point Changer): press the APC key to select from three key travel levels:
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Blue LED = 1.5 mm
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Green LED = 2.2 mm
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Red LED = 3.0 mm
Standard version spec table
Standard version spec table (continued)
Silent Version
Silent design reduces disturbance to others. Compared to the standard version, the silent version has slightly shorter key travel and produces less sound.
7 LED color options.
Comes with key shims — place a 2mm or 3mm shim under keycaps to fine-tune travel in conjunction with APC for faster input.
Silent version spec table
Collaboration Version (PFU)
Silent design reduces disturbance to others.
7 LED color options. Full APC support — each individual key’s actuation point is adjustable at 1.5mm / 2.2mm / 3.0mm for optimal response speed.
Comes with key shims. Using shims together with APC achieves both finer travel tuning and better silent performance.
Collaboration version spec table
RGB Version
7 LED color options, 7 lighting effect modes, 3 brightness levels, 16.8 million color settings.
APC function supported.
Comes with key shims. Using shims together with APC achieves both finer travel tuning and better silent performance.
Special Limited Editions
REALFORCE 2019 Limited Edition:
Non-contact electrostatic capacitive switch + PBT wear-resistant keycaps + one-button key travel adjustment (APC) in the top-right corner. The first limited edition keyboard released after the REALFORCE R2 series launch.
REALFORCE 2019 Limited Edition
REALFORCE × Hello Kitty Collaboration:
Electrostatic capacitive wear-resistant switch. Supports key shim travel adjustment. N-key rollover — suitable for both typing and gaming.
REALFORCE × Hello Kitty collaboration
Special limited edition spec table
4. Varmilo (阿米洛)
Compared to the simple black-and-white color schemes of the keyboards above, Varmilo’s offerings are far more colorful and stylish. Worth considering if you prefer that aesthetic.
Cherry Blossom Series EC V2 — Night Color (夜色)
Cherry Blossom EC V2 — Night Color
Many other color options are available — browse the official flagship store for the full range.
References
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Wikipedia — Happy Hacking Keyboard: Happy Hacking Keyboard - 维基百科，自由的百科全书
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HHKB Official Site: http://pfu.com.cn/HHKB/
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Realforce Official Site: http://www.pfu.com.cn/REALFORCE/
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NIZ Official Site: https://www.nizkeyboard.com/
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Leopold Official Site: http://www.leopoldchina.com/
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Additional Reference: 工作狂＋码农的靠谱选择：Leopold利奥博德FC980C静电容键盘 | 数字尾巴 分享美好数字生活
Last updated: June 19, 2021 · Copyright belongs to the original author.