AJAZZ AK680 MAX

8.6

SCORE

8.6/10

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AJAZZ AK680 MAX

| Mechanical Keyboard | Magnetic Switches | 8000Hz Polling Rate |

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AJAZZ AK680 MAX, the latest compact, gaming keyboard from AJAZZ with hall-effect switches.

We have reviewed plenty of AJAZZ keyboards (like the AJAZZ AK820 MAX HE, AJAZZ AK820 PRO, AJAZZ AK870) and every model tested so far has offered a superb value for money, putting competitors in a difficult position to justify their bloated prices.

The AJAZZ AK680 MAX is part of their catalog, designed and aimed to serious gamers and even professional gamers.

We will find out throughout our AJAZZ AK680 MAX review, why this could be one of the best gaming keyboards right now.

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AJAZZ AK680 MAX Review

Tests & Scores

Scores

AJAZZ AK680 MAX Scores

Accessories - 7.25/10
7.3/10
Design - 9.25/10
9.3/10
Ergonomics - 9/10
9/10
Construction & Build - 9/10
9/10
Keycaps - 10/10
10/10
Switches - 10/10
10/10
Connectivity - 7.5/10
7.5/10
Customization - 10/10
10/10
Typing - 9/10
9/10
Gaming - 10/10
10/10
Productivity - 6/10
6/10
Office - 6/10
6/10
Tablet-Mobile - 5/10
5/10
Programming - 7/10
7/10
Sound - 9.75/10
9.8/10
Durability - 10/10
10/10
Lighting - 10/10
10/10
Software - 8.75/10
8.8/10
Value for Money - 10/10
10/10

Summary

Pros

✅ Class leading 8000Hz polling rate

✅ Magnetic switches

✅ Insane value for money

✅ Nice keycaps

✅ Hot-swappable

Cons

❌ Wired only

❌ No extra switches included

CONCLUSION

The AJAZZ AK680 MAX has proved to be best budget gaming keyboard that you can get right now, including pro-gaming level specs like magnetic switches and 8K polling rate but with such a cheap asking price that is difficult to believe that is not a pricing error.

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8.6/10

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ACCESSORIES & PACKAGING
^3.75^_/5

AJAZZ keyboards do not have the fanciest packagings and the AJAZZ AK680 MAX is no exception with a simple cardboard box – yet the box is sufficient to protect the keyboard during shipping if the seller packs it well.

With the AJAZZ AK680 MAX you will also get:

• USB-C cable
• Switch puller
• Dust keyboard cover

Unfortunately, the brand does not include any extra switches with the keyboard.

DESIGN
^4.75^_/5

The AJAZZ AK680 MAX has a compact 68% layout with a more-compressed design in comparison with other small keyboards yet including more keys than a 60% keyboard.

If you get the specific model of the AJAZZ AK680 MAX that we have, you will immediately see an unique aesthetic with mesmerizing keycaps thanks to the pattern for the printed design.

Due to the all-black case and keycaps, the AK680 MAX looks sleek and minimalist but refreshingly original.

On the top left corner of the shell, you will find 3 small LED lights that indicate status details like Caps Lock, OS, Win Lock.

From an ergonomic point of view, the small size of the AJAZZ AK680 MAX allows all the keys to be reached without needing to strain or over-stretching the hands/fingers, while also the inclusion of 3 height levels with the 2-step adjustable feet can optimize the angle and fulfill the position preference of each user.

If we would had to highlight one design “flaw” is the lack of separation between the arrow keys and extra keys from the main keys, which can have the potential of inducing some “keys seeking” when quick typing and trying to be sure to hit the right key.

The AJAZZ AK680 MAX can be bought with much more color and keycaps themes options than most other keyboards on the market, including:

• AJAZZ AK680 MAX black, side-printed keycaps – model that we are reviewing
• AJAZZ AK680 MAX black, front printed keycaps
• AJAZZ AK680 MAX white, side-printed keycaps
• AJAZZ AK680 MAX white, front-printed keycaps
• AJAZZ AK680 MAX pink
• AJAZZ AK680 MAX blue white
• AJAZZ AK680 MAX grey
• AJAZZ AK680 MAX black, no-RGB

CONSTRUCTION & BUILD

^4.5^_/5

The ridiculously low price and non-metal shell can make consumers think that this will be a flimsy and cheap-constructed keyboard, instead, the AJAZZ AK680 MAX surprised the team with premium internal components.

Indeed, as soon as you get the AJAZZ AK680 MAX in your hands you will understand that something is going on inside of it, as the unit is heavier than other non-battery-powered, ABS plastic keyboards.

Inside, this AJAZZ gaming keyboard includes a hot-swappable board, aluminum alloy positioning plate, PCB plate, top-mounted design and multi-dampening layers with Poron foam.

KEYCAPS

⁵^_/5

As we mentioned in the Design section, the variant of the AJAZZ AK680 MAX has a special look that sets it apart from the rest of classic-looking keyboards and this is given by its unique side-printed keycaps.

Moreover, this are not only side-printed but have a white over black pattern design that looks like a modern art piece.

The only drawback of any side-printed keycaps is that the fonts are only visible when the RGB LED backlights are turned on.

The keycaps set do not only look nice but are also made of quality PBT material to ensure long-lasting, fade-free use and oil resistance.

SWITCHES
⁵^_/5

When you see the price of the AJAZZ AK680 MAX you will might get confused or think that the listing has a pricing error as the AJAZZ AK680 MAX includes hot-swappable magnetic switches and 8000Hz of polling rate.

The installed switches inside the AK680 Max are of hall-effect type and are called Rice switches.

Thanks to its magnetic design, these switches unleash all the advanced customization and settable versatility of any hall-effect switches, such as:

• Actuation travel customization from 0.01mm to 2mm with 0.01mm precision
• Rapid Trigger (RT)
• DKS (Dynamic Keystroke)

On-hand, these magnetic Rice switches offer a completely scratch-free travel and feel a bit heavier than others that we have tested and than some linear switches but without feeling fatiguingly heavy; to be honest, we kind of like the sensation while typing and find that the bit heavier personality is a great ally to avoid unwanted keypresses and to reduce typing errors.

Magnetic Rice Switch Specifications
Total Travel: 3.5±0.1mm
Switch Life: 100 million times
Full stroke pressure: 40±5gf
Initial magnetic flux: 95±15gf
Bottoming-out flux: 580±50gf

CON

CONNECTIVITY
^3.75^_/5

The AJAZZ AK680 MAX has a wired-only design and no offering for wireless connection as there is no internal Bluetooth module nor 2.4G wireless system.

On the other hand, the wired design is detachable and not fixed as soon on most mainstream-branded keyboards.

Despite this, if you need a wireless connection, you can purchase the variant of the AJAZZ AK680 MAX that includes also wireless connection – it is called AJAZZ AK680 MAX Wireless.

P&E

PERFORMANCE & USE

TYPING
^4.5^_/5

As long as you do not require the extra keys of larger keyboards, the AJAZZ AK680 MAX can be a very good daily driver with unique typing experience thanks to the fully personalization of the magnetic switches and the possibility of creating any switch operational style as wanted.

GAMING
⁵^_/5

The AJAZZ AK680 MAX is kind of unbeatable as a gaming keyboard, ticking all boxes required for pro-gaming level and hardcore online tournaments.

The most important specs/features that set the AJAZZ AK680 MAX from the competitors as a superior gaming keyboard, include:

• 8000Hz polling rate
• Magnetic hall-effect switches
• NKRO
• Hot-swappable
• 0.125ms low-latency
• Compact
• Quality internal design

We would even give it a score of 15 out of 10 if we could to both its Gaming score and also to the Value for Money score.

PRODUCTIVITY
³^_/5

Thanks the to the more useful 68% layout over a compact 60% keyboard, the AJAZZ AK680 MAX becomes much more usable outside of the gaming-exclusive world.

In fact, this is achieved thanks to the inclusion of dedicated arrows keys and the most used navigation extra keys seen on TKL, 75% and larger keyboards.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a daily office working keyboard we would suggest not going smaller than a 75% keyboard or match this compact AJAZZ keyboard with a good Numpad like the CIDOO V21 PRO or this other one.

TABLET/MOBILE
^2.5^_/5

This specific variant of the AJAZZ AK680 MAX does not make it a wise choice for mobile/tablet setups as it is a wired-only version but you can buy the wireless version if you are looking to match it with your smartphone or tablet as you can benefit from the internal Bluetooth module.

You can always use and OTG adapter or plug it directly to your mobile device if it is compatible with wired peripherals but it is not the most “mobile” setup.

LIGHTING
⁵^_/5

If you get your AJAZZ AK680 MAX with the same superb side-printed keycaps as our model, the lighting of this keyboard will look beautiful and no comparable to any other “normal” backlit keyboard.

The effect generated with the combination of the design pattern, side-print style and south-facing LED results in a popping and lovely RGB showcase.

SOUND
^4.75^_/5

The sound dampening internal design and superb switches inside the AJAZZ AK680 MAX presented a clean and premium-styled sound profile.

Of course, as most keyboards with hall-effect switches, the AK680 MAX does not have a typical thock sound but it could be rated as quality-poppy flavor.

On top of that, this AJAZZ model comes with nearly-pristinely lubed stabilizers from factory, offering rattle free but smooth and responsive performance.

In fact, the stabs in this budget keyboard are way better lubed than on high-tier keyboards that cost 5 to 8 times more – such as the AKKO MOD007B, AKKO MOD007 anniversary, AKKO MU01, NocFree Lite. The only detail is the presence of a clack sound when the spacebar hits the plate of the keyboard when fully pressed; a bit of extra lube here will probably fix it though.

SOFTWARE
^4.25^_/5

The AJAZZ AK680 MAX makes use of an own-branded software to personalize the keyboard.

This is not a QMK/VIA keyboard but the software is robust and versatile enough to access the full customization potential of the magnetic switches, RGB effects and all main programming options like macros and reprogram of keys.

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AJAZZ AK680 MAX Technical Specifications

Model
AJAZZ AK680 MAX
LAYOUT
68%
Number of Keys
68 Compact
Connectivity
Type-C Wired
Case Material
ABS
Hotswappable
Yes
Keycaps Material
PBT
Polling Rate
8000Hz/1000Hz (No RGB Version)
Plate Material
Aluminium alloy
Anti-Ghosting
NKRO
RGB
South-facing RGB
Driver
Web/App
Keyboard Dimensions
324 x 115 x 43mm (±5mm)
Keyboard Weight
Around 0.72kg
Inside the Box
• Keyboard
• Switch Puller
• Cable
• Manual