Iqunix Magi 65: Stylish and Compact Mechanical Keyboard

The Iqunix Magi 65 series offers a refreshing take on mechanical keyboards, standing out from the sea of “me too” options flooding the market today. While many mechanical keyboards on the market work seamlessly with both Macs and PCs, they often look and feel quite similar. The Magi 65 keyboards, however, break away from the crowd with their stylish design and exceptional build quality. Available in two variations, the basic Magi 65 and the enhanced Magi 65 PRO, these keyboards cater to different needs. The PRO version adds extra features, including a volume control, a superb music controller, and a 2.4GHz RF dongle, making it an ideal choice for gamers.

The Iqunix Magi 65 boasts an ultra-compact 65% ANSI layout, perfect for users who appreciate minimalist designs. The keyboard is equipped with full RGB backlighting, which illuminates each low-profile keycap, offering a wide range of lighting effects and color options to suit any mood. The design and craftsmanship of the Magi 65 are exceptional, with keycaps that exude modern elegance. Available in two color options—Shadow Black and Ochre White—the keyboards come equipped with Gold Red switches, offering a smooth typing experience. Despite being a compact design, the keyboard maintains a front height of just 11mm, making it incredibly slim. Though it lacks height-adjusting feet, its compact size makes it easy to carry, perfect for gaming tournaments.

Both the Magi 65 and Magi 65 PRO feature cases made from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, CNC machined for precision before being coated with an anodized and electrophoretic finish. This construction gives the keyboard a premium feel while ensuring it can withstand daily wear and tear. The matte finish helps protect the keyboard against scratches and fingerprints, ensuring it retains its sleek appearance over time. For those who are into music, the Magi 65 PRO is a standout option, offering a dedicated add-on ledge with media controls. This model includes a rotary knob for precise volume control and an X key that allows for easy music playback management, including controls for play, skip, rewind, and mute. These features make the PRO version particularly valuable, as 65% layouts typically lack separate rows of function and media keys.

The keycaps on the Magi 65 keyboards are made from durable PBT material and feature an anti-oil coating to prevent them from becoming shiny over time. PBT is known for its toughness and resistance to wear, ensuring that the keycaps stay clean and functional even with long-term use. Internally, the Magi 65 uses a Le-tray mount design with four separate support arms for the circuit board, alongside silicone rings that enhance typing comfort by reducing fatigue during extended use. With seven layers of design, the keyboard ensures good isolation, improving the overall typing experience.

Connectivity options for the Iqunix Magi 65 are varied, offering three methods to connect to a computer. The first is the traditional wired connection, with a high-quality custom cable that matches the keyboard’s aesthetic. The second option is Bluetooth, allowing users to connect to up to three devices and switch between them easily. Finally, for low-latency wireless gaming, the PRO version comes with a 2.4GHz RF dongle that provides a seamless connection. The RF dongle is cleverly hidden under a magnetic tile below the music controls, contributing to the keyboard’s sleek design. Both versions of the Magi 65 support a range of devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, allowing for easy switching between hosts.

For those using the keyboard wirelessly, the Magi 65 comes with a rechargeable battery that offers up to 300 hours of use in Bluetooth tri-mode, provided the backlighting is off. If you prefer to use the customizable RGB backlighting, it can be adjusted using specific key combinations, allowing users to personalize the lighting to their preferences. The keyboard’s Gold Red switches are designed to offer a satisfying typing experience with a smooth feel and positive tactile feedback. The switches have an actuation force of 45gf, which is light enough to avoid accidental presses but firm enough to provide a satisfying response. Additionally, the switches are hot-swappable, allowing users to easily replace them with different switches if they prefer a different feel.

The Iqunix Magi 65 uses QMK VIA firmware, providing extensive customization options for users. This includes the ability to remap keys, record macros, and set up custom RGB lighting profiles. The firmware is accessible through browsers like Chrome and Brave, allowing users to easily tweak the keyboard’s settings. There are a few minor criticisms of the keyboard. For instance, it lacks a dedicated power switch, requiring users to press the Fn and Esc keys for five seconds to turn it off. Also, when connected via USB, the keyboard cannot be powered off, which can cause issues with devices like Macs that might have trouble staying asleep. Despite these minor inconveniences, the Iqunix Magi 65 is an impressive keyboard overall.

The Iqunix Magi 65 and Magi 65 PRO are among the best 65% mechanical keyboards available this year. Their compact size, premium finish, and stylish design make them a top choice for those seeking a high-quality keyboard. Iqunix has certainly established itself as a brand to watch, and with their commitment to quality, they are poised to compete with industry giants like Nuphy, Logitech, and Keychron. These keyboards are highly recommended for users who value aesthetics, functionality, and performance.

The Iqunix Magi 65 is priced at $119 / £93.49 / €113.35, while the Magi 65 PRO is available for $139 / £109.09 / €132.27. While the PRO version offers additional features that make it worth the extra investment, the standard Magi 65 remains an excellent option, particularly for those who prioritize a compact footprint for gaming.