Verdict
The Drop Shift V2 is an excellent mechanical keyboard . It ’s well - built and comes with a ambit of fancier - stage features which help to justify its disbursal . The Holy Panda X Clear switches inside supply a responsive typing spirit , while VIA compatibility ensures earnestly sinewy software . It may not be wireless , but the break V2 is a brilliant keyboard .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Drop Shift V2 is the 2nd generation loop of one of Drop ’s most popular and recognisable keyboard .
Much like with theDrop Alt , this second - gen Shift V2 fuddle the kitchen cesspool at a mechanical keyboard by offering all of the partizan - level feature film in a premium package . This young model has received some updates , including an important new PCB rise , as well as new stabilisers and a calamitous colourway , which attend first-class .
At $ 250 , it is n’t punk , especially with key competitors including theKeychron Q5 ProandAsus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wirelesscosting less and offering wireless connectivity . The Shift V2 has to do a fortune to become one of thebest mechanically skillful keyboardswe’ve tested . I ’ve been putting it through its pace to see how well it stack up .
Design
Drop ’s sack V2 has been updated with a novel colourway with this second - gen version with it now coming in fateful alongside the more typical grey . With its two - tone grey and black PBT keycaps , it works a goody and helps the switching V2 to bet both smart and stylish , reach it an excellent pick for modern business office environment .
Combined with this , the machined aluminium case feels fantastic in deal and mean the Shift V2 offers no deck flex , even under intensive imperativeness at the corners . As far as its chassis goes , it ’s a keyboard that does rather well in warrant its high price .
The shimmy V2 also utilises an interesting layout , which is known as a 96 % layout . This moves the nav cluster where the function rowing would be and brings both the pointer keys and number launching pad closer to the independent alphamerical keys . It may be a bit of an singular layout at first , but it ’s worth remember this is a layout that has been around for the past 25 year .
This keyboard come with an ANSI USA layout , consummate with its single - height go into fundamental and different legend for the number key . It is n’t available in the ISO layout us UK kinsfolk will be mostly used to , but if you ’ve used an ANSI layout before , then using the break V2 should n’t be too much trouble .
There are n’t any additional extras on top of the Shift V2 , such as a rotary bulk dial or a cover , but it at least has desegregate lock light beside the moved nav cluster . Around the back , this keyboard also benefits from a duet of USB - blow porthole , with one for plug the keyboard into , and the other for plug in other gadget , such as a mouse , for spare a port elsewhere .
The Shift V2 also help to justify its disbursement with doubleshot PBT keycaps , which feel brilliant with a textured finish . PBT is also a much more lasting plastic than the more unremarkably rule AB , and being doubleshot also means the keycap fable will never fade , as they are part of the keycap itself . ,
Otherwise , the Shift V2 ’s thoughtfulness is kept with its promotion , with no plastics used , as well as what Drop bundles inside . You get both a switch puller and keycap tugger for repose of use , as well as a small screwdriver inside the shaft of the keycap puller . There are also two small magnetic feet that attach to the keyboard ’s underside to evoke its slant to be more well-off .
Performance
within , the Shift v2 comes with Drop ’s own Holy Panda X Clear switches . These are diffused haptic switches with a 60 g-force weight and are some of the best tactile switches I ’ve used . The Holy Panda X clear offer some fantastical tactility , with an extremely positive propulsion making them an idealistic pick for typists .
I roll in the hay using the Holy Panda X Clears in my day - to - day work , using the transmutation V2 to write up legion reviews and other articles . While they ’re brilliant for typing , the eminent propulsion force-out mean they are n’t as antiphonal for gambling as other , more suitable keyboard with optical or parallel switching , such as the similarly pricedRazer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL . If you ’d prefer a linear choice , then it is potential to get the Shift V2 with Gateron Yellows , too .
The Shift V2 also adds some noteworthy things to this a brainy keyboard for typewrite . The bragging change is a new PCB which add livelihood for 5 - thole electric switch for hot - swapping , while there is also more froth inside and new Phantom stabilizer for better acoustics . On that point , the Shift V2 sounds excellent in its line of descent form with a inscrutable sound , and no guinea pig rattling or Ping River .
This is also a hot - swappable keyboard , intend you may change the switches out for a broad range of others if neither option is to your liking . The addition of financial backing for 5 - pin switches as well as 3 - peg choice is also commodious here , giving you more option to pick out from . Swapping them out is simple with the bundled shift and keycap tugger , too . Take the keycap off with the keycap dragger , and then rive the switch out with its dedicated tugger .
Elsewhere , this is a wired keyboard , so there ’s no need to worry about pairing or barrage animation , and cause the extra USB - 100 interface was utilitarian for connecting a DAC I had for using wired earphone with my microcomputer , redeem a configuration of cable television clutter .
Software and Lighting
The Shift V2 ’s RGB light is vibrant and vivid , offering excellent coverage across all keys in a rainbow of colours . There is n’t just RGB underneath the keys , though , as Drop ’s keyboard also comes with a small sandwich of light up between the top and bottom of the case .
It reckon excellent and provide a little more panache than compete options .
It is n’t just the RGB lighting that is powerful , either . The Shift V2 also amount with support for VIA , for remapping keys and messing around with the keyboard ’s light in a lightweight port .
This is a notable climb compared to the first - gen manakin . If you prefer more of a manual experience , then there is also full QMK firmware flashing support as well as support for the Drop Keyboard Configurator where you’re able to flash changes with lighting or key single-valued function to the keyboard directly .
For me , flashing the firmware can be a bit fiddly , specially when you could change thing on the fly with VIA , although for those who care to be a little more involved , I can see the collection .
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Should you buy it?
The Holy Panda X Clear switches inside the Shift V2 are some brainy tactile electrical switch , and if you require a wild set of switches for day - to - twenty-four hour period workload , there are n’t many better than these .
As fantastic as the Drop Shift V2 is , the vainglorious thing about is it that it is n’t wireless , whereas other likewise - sized and price mechanically skillful option are . If you want no cable or just a mo more desk - base exemption , this may not be the keyboard for you .
Final Thoughts
Drop ’s fault V2 is a masterclass in how to make a stylish mechanical keyboard for enthusiasts . It ’s an excellent alternative with circumstances of top - course features let in its V2 PCB with support for more electrical switch , as well as its newfangled Phantom stabilisers and fantastic acoustics .
combine with this , its doubleshot PBT keycaps finger excellent , and the case both looks brilliant and feels especially sturdy .
The actual high spot here though are the Holy Panda X Clear switches which make for some of the most responsive soft - tactile switch I ’ve used in a long time , and were a joyfulness to use for day - to - day workloads . The Shift V2 also offers some of the most vivacious and inventive RGB lighting , as well as some seriously powerful computer software integration with the introduction of VIA .
However , it is n’t all rosy , give the lack of wireless connectivity means it falls behind key challenger such as theAsus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wirelessand theKeychron Q5 Pro , while they are also cheap and tender very similar feature article sets . There ’s no deny that the Shift V2 is a brilliant mechanical keyboard , although that $ 250 price shred is quite unvoiced to eat up . For more options , check out our lean of thebest mechanically skillful keyboardswe’ve prove .
Trusted Score
How we test
We use every keyboard we test for at least a calendar week . During that time , we ’ll check it for repose of use and put it through its pace by playing a variety of dissimilar genre , include FPS , strategy and MOBAs .
We also retard each keyboard ’s software to see how easy it is to customise and set up .
FAQs
The Drop Shift V2 uses a 96 percent layout , with a moved nav cluster , arrow keys and number stamp pad , otherwise known as an ‘ 1800 ’ layout .
The Drop Shift V2 works with VIA , as well as offering flashable firmware with QMK support and Drop ’s own configurator .
Test Data
Full Specs
