Ajazz AK820 vs AK820 Pro: Two Budget Keyboards With Very Different Switches

Introduction

The Ajazz AK820 has become one of the most requested budget keyboards on Amazon, and it is easy to see why. At $36 for the base version, it promises features that usually cost much more: a gasket mount, multiple layers of foam, a rotary knob, RGB lighting, and hot-swappable switches. But a long list of features does not always translate into a great typing experience.

This review covers both the wired Ajazz AK820 and the wireless AK820 Pro. The two keyboards share the same case, the same layout, and the same internal foam, but they differ in one critical area: the switches. That difference changes the sound and feel enough to make the Pro a much more compelling buy.

What to Look For in a Budget Keyboard

When evaluating a keyboard in this price range, a few things matter more than others. Build quality determines whether the board feels solid or hollow. Sound quality comes down to the switches, the case material, and the amount of dampening foam inside. Typing feel depends on switch weight and smoothness. Software support affects how much control you have over remapping and lighting. And extra features like wireless connectivity, a knob, or a screen can add convenience, but only if they work well.

Budget keyboards often cut corners in one or two of these areas. The question is whether the Ajazz AK820 and AK820 Pro cut the right corners.

Ajazz AK820: The $36 Wired Baseline

The base Ajazz AK820 starts at $36 on Amazon, with other versions going up to $49 and $56. The $36 version is the baseline here, and it is about as bare bones as it gets. The box includes a cable, a keycap and switch puller, and nothing else.

The case is plastic, and it feels thin and inexpensive. That is not automatically a problem, since plastic can actually improve the sound of a keyboard, but in this case the material just feels cheap. The back has flippy feet for adjusting the angle, plus what looks like a spot for a wireless dongle that does not exist on this version. The base AK820 is wired only, so you have to plug it in with the included cable.

The layout is a slightly exploded 75% design. It keeps all of the F keys, and the arrow keys are slightly offset to the side. This is one of the most versatile layouts because you do not give up important keys, though you do lose the number pad.

What Is Inside the Case

The base version makes some impressive claims, starting with a gasket mount. Pressing on the keyboard reveals a tiny bit of flex, which dampens some of the reverberations of typing. That is genuinely surprising on a $36 keyboard, because the gasket performance here is better than what some keyboards costing several times more deliver.

The inside is packed with foam. There is PORON foam, EVA foam, a PET sheet, and even a silicone bottom pad. Budget keyboards usually ship with almost no dampening, forcing owners to mod them for a better sound. Here, most of that work is already done.

Keycaps and Switches

The keycaps are double-shot PBT, but they are thin, the legends do not look great, and the colors are underwhelming. They are also not shine-through, which means the RGB lighting underneath cannot really be appreciated.

The switches are what Ajazz calls custom prelubed linear switches, marketed as Starry Night gray switches. They are incredibly lightweight, meaning they are very easy to press, which can be good or bad depending on preference. More importantly, they just do not feel great. They are clacky, and as you bottom them out, they start to feel a little scratchy. The overall typing experience is better than a terrible stock gaming keyboard, but it is not very good, especially compared with other options in the same price bracket.

The keyboard does have hot-swappable switches, which means you can remove and replace them without soldering. That is a genuinely useful feature at this price.

The Verdict on the Base Version

The base AK820 does so many things right. It has the foam, a decent case, a knob for volume control, RGB, and hot-swappable switches. But the switches themselves are the weak link. For $36, it is hard to recommend the wired AK820 when a few dollars more buys noticeably better options.

Ajazz AK820 Pro: The Wireless Upgrade

The AK820 Pro costs $58, which is $23 more than the base version. At a glance, it looks nearly identical. The box and accessories are the same, and the case is still plastic. But this version is white with purple keycaps, and it has a few important upgrades.

The Pro adds wireless connectivity. It can switch between Windows and Mac, and between Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz mode, so you can use it across multiple devices. The wireless performance is decent, though not exceptionally fast.

In addition to the knob, the Pro has a small screen. This is one of the worst screens seen on a keyboard. It looks tacky, and the hotkeys listed in the manual to program it do not really work, so it is hard to use effectively. It is a neat gimmick for the price, but it does not make the experience better.

The Gift Switches Make the Difference

The most important upgrade is the switches. The Pro is available with either the Ajazz Gift switch or the Ajazz Flying Fish switch. The Flying Fish is a lighter weight linear similar to the ones in the regular version. The Gift switches are a heavier weight linear that are described as creamy.

Typing on the Pro with Gift switches sounds and feels substantially better than the base AK820, despite having the same foam inside. That means the switches are making a meaningful difference. The stabilizers on both keyboards are well lubed, with no ticking. Overall, the AK820 Pro sounds and feels creamy, and the switches are a genuine upgrade over the base version.

The Pro is also hot-swappable, so you can replace the switches at any time. However, neither keyboard is easy to mod. The case uses a clip structure, which means there is a chance of breaking the keyboard every time you take it apart.

Software and Trade-Offs

The software is the Epomaker Ajazz software, which is a weak point. It is not intuitive and has been a recurring issue across different keyboards. The general experience is one of cut corners. The Pro might sound creamy, but it does not sound as creamy as some cheaper competitors, and other options in the same range offer better software support.

If you have the extra money and you really want the Ajazz, the Pro is a good upgrade. But it is worth looking at other options first, especially since aluminum keyboards start to appear around the $80 to $120 range.

Which One Should You Buy?

The choice between the two keyboards comes down to budget and priorities. The base AK820 at $36 is hard to recommend because the switches drag down the whole experience. The Pro at $58 is a much better keyboard, with wireless connectivity, better switches, and a creamier sound and feel.

That said, the Pro is not the only option in its price range. Some competitors offer creamier sound for less money, and others offer better software support. If you are set on the Ajazz, the Pro is the version to get. If you are open to alternatives, it is worth comparing a few other budget keyboards before committing.

Conclusion

The Ajazz AK820 and AK820 Pro share the same frame, the same foam, and the same layout, but they deliver very different experiences. The base version is let down by its switches, making it hard to recommend even at $36. The Pro, with its Gift switches and wireless connectivity, is a genuinely pleasant keyboard that sounds and feels creamy. It is not perfect, and the software and screen leave something to be desired, but for the price, the Pro is a solid choice for anyone who wants a budget keyboard that already sounds good out of the box.