Full Specifications
| Layout | 65% |
| Vendor | NovelKeys |
| Mount Style | Tray Mount |
| PCB | Hotswap, QMK/VIA |
| Connectivity | Wired (USB-C) |
| Hotswap | Yes (5-pin) |
| RGB | South-facing RGB |
| Firmware | QMK/VIA |
| Stock Status | In Stock |
| Price | $79 |
| Last Verified | Jul 26, 2026 |
Editorial Review
The NK65 Entry Edition strips the NK65 line down to essentials — a straightforward tray-mount 65% case at a price aimed squarely at first-time builders. NovelKeys, better known for switches and keycaps, brings its usual community-facing pricing to the board side with this release.
Tray mount means a firmer, more direct typing feel than gasket-mounted alternatives, with less inherent sound dampening — a legitimate choice for buyers who prefer a stiffer, more precise keystroke over a bouncier one, or who plan to add their own foam mods regardless.
As an entry point specifically, the NK65 Entry Edition's main selling point is simplicity: hotswap, QMK/VIA, and a recognizable 65% layout without extra frills, at a price that makes experimenting with switches and keycaps for the first time low-risk.
At $79, the NK65 Entry Edition ties the KBD67 Lite R4 as the cheapest board KeebTracker tracks, but the two take different approaches to hitting that price — the KBD67 Lite uses gasket mount with an FR4 plate for a softer feel, while the NK65 uses tray mount for a firmer, more direct one. Buyers deciding between the two are really deciding which typing feel they'd rather start with, not comparing quality tiers.
Against the Ikki68 Aurora and Tofu65 2.0, both also 65% and both meaningfully pricier ($129 each), the NK65 Entry Edition's appeal is purely the combination of low price and a known, respected brand name (NovelKeys) rather than any feature advantage — it's a deliberately stripped-down offering.
Bottom line: a legitimate low-risk entry point for someone who specifically wants to try tray mount, or who plans to add their own foam mods regardless and doesn't want to pay extra for factory gasket tuning they'll modify anyway.
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Build Quality & Value for Money
Tray mount at this price point is a reasonable trade — the NK65 Entry Edition doesn't attempt to compete with gasket-mounted boards on bottom-out cushioning, and NovelKeys doesn't market it that way. What buyers get instead is a direct, consistent keystroke with less flex-related variance between builds, which some typists genuinely prefer over a bouncier gasket feel regardless of price. South-facing RGB and 5-pin hotswap put it on par, spec-for-spec, with boards costing two to three times as much.
At $79, the NK65 Entry Edition is priced closer to a barebones kit than a finished boutique board, and it shows in areas like exterior finish consistency rather than in the core electronics — hotswap and QMK/VIA both work exactly as they would on a $150+ board. For a first build where the goal is learning to lube switches, tune stabilizers, and experiment with keycap sets without risking an expensive case, this is one of the lower-friction entry points on KeebTracker's tracked list, alongside the similarly-priced KBD67 Lite R4.
QMK/VIA firmware and wired USB-C connectivity match the specification most other 65% boards on this list carry, so switching to or from the NK65 Entry Edition doesn't require learning a different remapping workflow. Given its price and tray-mount feel, it's best suited to buyers prioritizing a low-cost, no-frills entry into custom keyboards over a boutique typing feel — buyers who already know they prefer a gasket-mounted bounce should look at the similarly-priced KBD67 Lite R4 instead.
The 5-pin hotswap PCB is arguably the single most useful spec for a first build specifically — it lets a new builder try multiple switch types on the same board without any soldering risk, which is exactly the kind of low-stakes experimentation this board is priced for.
KeebTracker verifies stock status manually rather than via an automated feed — the In Stock label reflects our most recent check, so buyers should still confirm live availability directly with NovelKeys before finalizing an order, since inventory on budget-tier boards like this one can move quickly once a batch is discovered by the wider community.