Verdict
The bead CSTM80 is a grotesque mechanical keyboard which extend lots of promiscuous customisation and an otherwise strong bag for a good price , gross with snappy tactile switches , powerful software system and microcode reinforcement , and sturdy structure . For the price , it ’s laborious to beat .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Drop CSTM80 is a keyboard all about customisation , with the name of the game make it as light as possible for a fair price .
To this ending , the $ 149 asking price for Drop ’s late keyboard is on the lower death of the musical scale for partizan - level customs duty keyboard , play off it up against the likes of theLemokey P1 Proand more mainstream choice such as theAsus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless , and it aids in making the CSTM80 a worthy option to consider at once .
I ’ve been testing it for the last few weeks to see how well it performs , and as to whether it ’s one of thebest mechanically skillful keyboardswe’ve tested .
Design
In its nonpayment , pre - build configuration , the CSTM80 score for an interesting looking keyboard . It ’s quite mean , with an all - black form thanks to its formative top case and matted keycaps , complete with side - mount caption . The metal entrails also make this a sturdy board , with no deck flex in its thick frame , while a weight of 1.27 kilo make it hefty for a board of its size .
The TKL layout is arguably a little more familiar than the enthusiast - favourite 75 percentage layout we ’re used to seeing , with a more standard layout of keys , specially with a full nav clump and pointer key . The only affair escape here is a turn pad .
While the TKL layout is n’t my favourite , it ’s still running , comfortable and easy to use , especially if you ’re coming from a more standard non - mechanical keyboard and you do n’t want to jump in at the deep end with a slenderly odd layout . As with Drop ’s other offering though , you are limited to an ANSI US layout with its exclusive - stature Enter key .
The keycaps on offer here , even for the asking price , are both interesting and disappointing at the same prison term . For the interesting part , see the side - climb key legends . These are n’t something you see too often , even in 2024 , and it ’s nice to have legends that are n’t where they conventionally should be . It does mean you have to know where keys are , though , as if you look at the keycaps straight down , they are white .
As for the more or less disappointing element , the CSTM80 ’s keycaps are matted ABS , which experience smooth and light . They lack the textured finish and tot up strength of the PBT keycaps present in the competition , and sacrifice the use of goods and services of ABS , they are also more prone to smoothen after a period , which does n’t reckon smashing .
To give them some dues however , they are at least double - barb moulded , allow for backlighting to radiate through with ease .
Those keycaps can be changed with ease for other first - party options , given Drop offer a shedload of different keycap option , some even in coaction with Lord of the Rings . However , the CSTM80 ’s customisation also run further to the spicy - swappable top case . That ’s right – the pliant top subject can be removed , so it can be trade out with a different colour that completely modify the smell of the keyboard . For my sample distribution .
I choose the empurpled display case . interchange one with the other is simple , as you simply pop off the existing one to reveal the keyboard ’s metal innards and small indents for magnets that the top case attaches to . Then , line the new fount ’s attracter up with those on the keyboard and it should neatly meet over the top of the keycaps . It ’s a unsubdivided but efficacious modification that works a treat .
As well as offer hot - swappable top denture , the CSTM80 can also be feel in a barebones configuration for $ 99 , which comes with everything apart from keycaps and permutation , meaning you’re able to build the keyboard you need to , using the CSTM80 as a pedestal . That ’s ready to hand if you ’ve already got keycaps and switches around to place in . If you require to commute smaller pieces , then different permutation plate and weight can also be purchase , which can change both the acoustics and looks of the keyboard alone .
The interface around the back is keep remarkably simple with a solitary USB - C port for the CSTM80 ’s wired connection . It ’s a pity that this is n’t a wireless keyboard , even if it was just Bluetooth as the the likes of of theKeychron Q1 Proare . A slightly dissatisfactory matter here is that the CSTM80 comes wrapped in a plastic bag , which is n’t the good environmentally .
Performance
The CSTM80 comes with a alternative of Gateron switches inside , with either Gateron Yellow KS3s or Gateron Brown Pro 3.0s . My sample came with the Brown switches , which are a soft tactile switch with a 55 g force , and come pre - lubed , giving them a smoother palpate . I ’ve had a bit of a erotic love - hatred kinship with Gateron switch over the years , but these Browns are some of the good options from the blade I ’ve tested .
The lubrication makes the switches placid without sacrificing much in the way of life of skin perceptiveness , although there is an element of inconsistency as some keys finger smoother than others , and it can muffle the tactile point down to the point where it ’s barely noticeable .
For bang out lot of words in one sitting , these Browns were well-heeled and nicely burden , while the fluent type AB keycaps were with child to type on . The CSTM80 , with those lubed switching and wads of poron foam inside , also benefits from fantastic acoustics with no rattle or Ping River .
As well as offering square soft tactile switch , the CSTM80 is also gasket - mounted , meaning it extend a slightly peppy feel under finger . It is n’t one of the more absolvitory gasket - get on experiences , as with some of the competition I ’ve try out , but volunteer an ever - so slim amount of flex , aiding in ease .
If neither of the stock electric switch selection are to your sense of taste though , then it is helpful to know that the CSTM80 is hot - swappable . This intend you may change permutation out at will , without any need for bonding or desoldering , which is commodious . The CSTM80 ’s PCB supports both 3 and 5 - pin switches , pass you more alternative for permutation to mount up with .
The pumped connection on offer means you wo n’t have to occupy about blame the CSTM80 , and with both my Windows gaming PC and MacBook Pro , it worked plug and play without a tour . Drop also bundles Mac - specific keys in the box for alter over if you ’re a Mac drug user . The cable is of a decent length , and is also braided , which is a nice touching .
Software and Lighting
Unlike with the Shift V2 , Drop ’s CSTM80 dial thing back a tad with the RGB lighting , opt for round-eyed under - key lighting thanks to the south - facing LEDs present . The presence of light shift trapping on the Gateron Brown Pro 3.0s also avail to diffuse the light well , resulting in crisp and vivid RGB that elevates the overall look of the keyboard . The side - mount caption also aid the overall effect , too .
As with other partizan - grad keyboards , this special one from Drop also comes with sustenance for both VIA and QMK microcode flashing , too . VIA offer up a lightweight but powerful suite for addressing RGB lighting effects , as well as remapping keys on several levels . It ’s a seriously clever piece of music of kit . The CSTM80 also supports Drop ’s own Keyboard Configurator where you’re able to swank changes for key maps and perch directly onto the keyboard itself . As much as I may not see myself indulge in firmware flashing much , it ’s still a nice - to - have for those that wish it .
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Should you buy it?
The dip CSTM80 excels with its high amount of customisation , both in terms of forcible changes such as the hot - swappable top plate , as well as with both VIA and QMK reinforcement . If you want a keyboard you’re able to fiddle with for a long time , this is one to count .
Where the CSTM80 go down down against the competitor is its lack of wireless connectivity options and if that ’s a deal ledgeman , then you may want to depend elsewhere .
Final Thoughts
Drop ’s CSTM80 proves that the playfulness of a custom keyboard does n’t have to hail at an expensive Leontyne Price , and even at $ 149 , you do n’t need to give on build quality or overall features , as some cheaper options do .
This is a fully - feather custom alternative with pot of commodious means of making it your own , such as changing the weight , switches , keycaps and top shell . The latter selection is really what sets the CSTM80 asunder , and it can transfer the look of your keyboard in an New York minute .
Otherwise , this is , quite just , an first-class mechanical keyboard with responsive soft - tactile switches and antic build quality . In addition , the CSTM80 come with an interesting invention with side - mounted keycaps that sets it apart from the competitor , as well as immense keep for software and firmware - based customisation if that ’s what you ’re into .
It ’s only small things that get the CSTM80 down compared to similarly - price rivalry such as both theLemokey P1 ProandAsus ROG Strix Scope II 96 tuner . Both of those keyboards come with more undestroyable PBT keycaps and a wireless connecter for standardized money to the CSTM80 , but they do n’t extend as much chance for customisation as Drop ’s option . If you ’re all about customisation and a brilliant all - rounder , the driblet CSTM80 is the keyboard for you . For more options , check out our list of thebest mechanical keyboardswe’ve try .
Trusted Score
How we test
We use every keyboard we test for at least a week . During that clip , we ’ll check over it for ease of usance and put it through its paces by play a variety of different genres , including FPS , strategy and MOBAs .
We also check each keyboard ’s software to see how comfortable it is to customise and set up .
FAQs
The Drop CSTM80 connects via a USB - one C pumped-up connection , as oppose to offering any wireless means .
The Drop CSTM80 uses a TKL , or tenkeyless , layout .
