Drop CTRL Mechanical Keyboard Review: Tenkeyless and Hot-Swappable

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In this video, Betty from Switch and Click reviews the Drop CTRL mechanical keyboard that is hot-swappable, has a full aluminum frame, and has Halo Clear switches for around $200. It includes a Drop CTRL Halo Clear sound test and stabilizers modded. This mechanical keyboard used to be called the Massdrop CTRL (before Massdrop became Drop).

[@Oridemos]

Hey everyone I just wanted to say that I am a drop ctrl high profile owner and I bandaid modded, lubed with krytox 205g0, clipped, and put dielectric grease on zeal pc stabs and put them in. I also lubed my halo trues with trybosis 3203, lubed springs with krytox 205g0 bag method, and put in txkeyboard 1.5mm switch films. AS OF NOW THIS KEYBOARD FEELS LIKE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT KEYBOARD. I would 100% recommended doing all of these mods if you have a drop ctrl high profile profile. I am extremely satisfied with the result. Approximate time spent modding- 7 hours Approximate cost spent on modding- $65 Websites used- Divinikey- for lube Zeal pc- for stabs Txkeys- for films

[@andarkge]

Thank you for the honest review.

[@Tracks777]

lovely stuff

[@forthosewhodare7325]

Nice review! I love the CTRL/ALT keyboard too. Your keyboard is pinging. I can hear it through my computer's speakers when you were typing. Try add some dense foam like Soborthane foam on the bottom plate to your PCB. It will help a lot. I believe it's a 2 MM gap from the PCB to the bottom plate. It will sound much better. But the only down side is Sorborthane foam is very costly. But that's the best foam for sound dampening.

[@y3kinvictus]

Watching this 3 years later is crazy! Still good content!

[@SwitchandClickOfficial]

aw thank you

[@biggiegrande]

Love your honest review. I have been eyeballing this as well as the GMMK tkl to replace my Corsair k70 rapidfire. With rgb seemingly better with the Ctrl it troubles me to hear that everytime I start up my PC it will go to it's rainbow default. Any thoughts on which would be better between both on build ? Also I am assuming silver switches are close to what Corsair uses in their rapidfire keyboard? I have become accustomed to that style and didn't want a huge learning curve if they are even more sensitive. Thanks for the help.

[@CasualTS]

I bought mine when they went on sale for $150, and have been using it for about 2 months. No problems at all, but of course you wouldn't expect any after only 2 months :) I swapped the switches for Gateron Pro Yellows and put in new stabs. Definitely needs stabilizer modding. The spacebar sounds like dropping a bucket of legos, it is the loudest, rattli-est thing I've ever heard from a keyboard. If you don't want your neighbors to file a police report about you "offensively dropping spacebars", mod the stabs. The QMK stuff seems very powerful but complicated. Typing feels great on this board! I also have a Womier K87 and even with the same switches I can tell you this board feels GREAT. Typing on the Womier just isn't the same. Not even close. This thing makes typing fun!

[@SwitchandClickOfficial]

That's awesome!

[@docholliday6296]

Great video, thank you! I would love to see a review on the ABKONCORE AR87 from your prospective. Almost a 7lb keyboard in all cnc aluminum!

[@monx]

In my case the key chattering was due to bad solder joints of the hotswap sockets on the PCB. You can get a soldering iron and touch them up easily.

[@kennethtan8726]

Hey Betty, amazing video. Mind if I ask if low profile switches are compatible with this keyboard? Thanks!

[@edwarddodge7937]

You’ve got the absolute best voice for this. Could listen all day.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Aw that's cute how you hold your foot up when you type. : )

[@SwitchandClickOfficial]

Gotta be comfy to type fast

[@manuborja640]

I'm really looking forward to buying this because of the design mostly. but first, I need to figure out how much is the import tax shipping to the Philippines as I don't want to be overpaying for it.

[@natashafranckroyer8105]

Regarding the issues you encountered. Does it happen regardless of the switches you use?

[@NickEnchev]

Been using the high-profile CTRL for 3 years now, I love this keyboard, with the box-white switches. I used to have more key-chatter, it would bug me, but I'm sure when I played with updating the firmware it all just went away. I haven't had key chatter in a very long time. The biggest issue I found with it is the power-draw, the fact that my particular computer will not really recognize it until I have basically fully booted up into Windows, quite frustrating if I'm dual booting into Linux. I've tried disabling fast-boot and all that, nothing seemed to help.

[@li6o9reckmiles]

I really want to buy this keyboard, but I heard of the issue like double typing? Is this problem already fixed? Any alternative keyboard that is much cheaper that has the same quality?

[@beanwithbacon]

In terms of the case, the height and typing angle the CTRL is perfect for me but after attempting to build my first one and going through 3 PCBs all of which had multiple switches that didn't work I don't understand how anyone can reccomend their products at all.

[@cookiejarseattle]

Thanks for the review. That was very helpful. I was on the fence on getting the barebone version of Ctrl. But the key chattering is a big turnoff :( Do you have any recommendation for a keyboard that meets these criteria: Hard requirements: TKL, swappable, QMK compatible Strongly preferred: aluminum frame, low profile (floating keycaps) Strongly preferred: standalone LED indicators for capslock and scroll lock. (so that I don't need to use shine through keycaps) I hate RGB backlights. I can live with white ones. I know I can turn them off but prefer not having them in the first place. Thanks!

[@mistywalters]

they fixed it thru firmware upgrade

[@lbeetech]

You can fix the board to allow your rgb pattern to he saved. That is all over the internet...

[@TechWookie]

I want this keyboard but I need wireless support for 2-3 devices : ( . If it had that and n-key rollover and anti-ghosting for gaming I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

[@TechWookie]

Switch and Click what can I say I just want the world lol

[@jeggzzzz]

Ive tried the keychrons. I like them for gaming typing and general use. ✌️

[@germophobic5407]

is the high profile better

[@josejimenez896]

Hey Betty, silly question, did you turn on NKRO mode? For some reason the default mode is 6KRO, that was causing issues when I was tying at first. Don't know why they would do that. After doing that I haven't seen any key chatter.

[@---vv3qz]

i live in indonesia and i want to buy this, but no one sell this beast here T^T

[@SleepyGC]

Does it require the use of a USB C on the motherboard for this keyboard?

[@dfuelleman]

Did you say the CTRL has gotten better (the key chatter)? I've been looking at pulling the trigger on this for months but am just scared because of that. I really like the HyperX alloy core boards but I want a slightly heavier switch-- I find myself accidentally pressing my space bar on cherry reds all the time.

[@dfuelleman]

@@SwitchandClickOfficial Cool thanks! If I can stand to wait for the current Drop shipments on the black CTRLs I think I'll grade one and throw some box jades in it or something loud and annoying!

[@TonyThomas10000]

A keyboard that is that expensive should not have those kinds of issues. Is there a warranty? They should repair or replace it or at least provide a fix that works.

[@MTB-Goalkeeping]

Hi I just bought a set of cherry mx blacks (2 pins) and now it does not work when I put it in because my keyboard is 0 pins. I have tried clipping the two legs BUT STILL it doesn’t work! Could someone please help me with this

[@SwitchandClickOfficial]

It's probably an optical keyboard

[@MTB-Goalkeeping]

@@SwitchandClickOfficial I may sound like an idiot but what does on optical keyboard mean?

[@carnivorouswarm]

Man, I was seriously considering buying this until you talked about the key chattering issue. Unacceptable on a dirt cheap oem piece of crap board, but on a $200+ board??? Classic “you had one job,” a keyboard needs to be able to type.

[@lbeetech]

I have the keyboard and have had no key chattering...

[@carnivorouswarm]

@@lbeetech good for you? Gold star. I actually got a great deal on one used on mechmarket and have used one myself regularly for work and I’m happy with it. That said, just because you and I have lucked out and not had issues, it’s still shameful that a board with this price tag at MSRP to have such basic issues. I would hope Drop has resolved the issue and replaced any boards with the issue, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they haven’t.

[@saadkabirprottoy1501]

The key problem is also in the next drop or they have already fixed it?

[@saadkabirprottoy1501]

@@SwitchandClickOfficial what is the actual problem? Is this a software issue or a hardware issue?

[@saadkabirprottoy1501]

@@SwitchandClickOfficial you mean if i pick mx switches it wont happen? I am planning to get it.

[@saadkabirprottoy1501]

@@SwitchandClickOfficial thanks a lot. Really appreciate it

[@ImKindaPanda]

" next one"

[@Rhunzzz]

Thanks for the review. Chatter... nope.

[@SwitchandClickOfficial]

Fair enough!

[@DarkPa1adin]

the down keycap is misaligned

[@SwitchandClickOfficial]

Oh well

[@birkin8402]

why u sit like datt, *dislikes video*