If you’re done with the classic old membrane keyboards and want to get a high-quality mechanical compact keyboard for your gaming needs and professional requirements, then we’ve got a pretty promising option in the form of the Tada 68 Mechanical Keyboard.
You might be wondering, is the Tada 68 Compact Mechanical Keyboard good or bad for its price, and what does it have to offer? Well, that’s precisely what I’m here to tell you.
In this article, I will talk about the design, build quality, features, pros, cons, and everything in between related to the Tada 68 Mechanical Keyboard. So, make sure you read this article till the end before you make a final buying decision.
In a hurry? Get the Tada 68 at Mechanicalkeyboards.com or Amazon.com!
What’s in the Box?
One thing that fascinated me about the Tada 68 was that you could either order it pre-assembled or in parts to have a full customizability option with you. I ordered mine pre-assembled for the sake of checking out the assembly work, and I was thoroughly impressed.
The packaging was decent, and the case is pretty straightforward too. Here are some of the things that I found in the box of the Tada 68 Compact Mechanical Keyboard:
- The Tada 68 Keyboard
- Mini USB Cable (Detachable)
- User Guides and Manuals
- Keycap Puller
I was very impressed with the keycap puller add-on that came with the keyboard because it helps a lot if you’re planning to put customized keycaps onto the Tada 68 keyboard yourself.
Beautiful Design and Build-Quality
The Tada 68 Compact Mechanical Keyboard is a 65% keyboard with 68 individual dedicated keys, including the arrow keys and a few command keys with Cherry-profile keycaps.
It has a fairly compact design with thin-bezels, amazing ergonomics, superb look, and all the keys you’d want in a compact form-factor mechanical keyboard, in my opinion.
The frame of the keyboard that I got was aluminum, but there’s also a cheaper version with ABS plastic back available, but I think if you’re spending this much money, it’s better to go all the way to get that premium feel.
There are 4 rubber feet on the back of the keyboard that helps keep the keyboard firmly held on the desk, and there’s no flex whatsoever in the frame of the Tada 68.
I believe both the design and the build quality are top-notch and justifies the price of this keyboard. I’m sure that if kept well-maintained, it can last for quite a while on your desk as your faithful typing and gaming companion.
PBT Keycaps and Dye Sub Legends
Let’s get into the details of the Tada 68 now. The first thing I noticed once I took out the keyboard and held it in my hands was the crisp look and quality of the keycaps, and I knew they were high-quality PBT plastic.
One more thing about the keycaps was that they’re Cherry-profile which means they’re shorter and much more angular, and easy to press than standard OEM keycaps.
And if you think that’s it, get ready to be shocked in a good way. The keycaps have Dye-Sublimated Legend imprints on them. They’re super-cool-looking and are fade-resistant completely. Since they’re engraved into the plastic, they have that premium look to them as well.
Overall, both the keycaps and the legend imprints are finer than you’d think, but since the price of this bad boy is high, I expected nothing less. It’s good to say that I’m not disappointed, though.
Exceptional Gateron Brown Switches
The Tada 68 keyboard that I ordered came with Gateron Brown Switches in it. Well, I know I’m not the only one who believes that in certain areas, Gateron switches are actually a step above their Cherry MX counterparts.
Gateron Browns switches are tactile mechanical switches that are highly responsive and offer great tactility. They come with a low actuation force of 55g and have a high-actuation point.
One of Gateron Brown’s switches is that they have shallow acoustics and have a significant tactile bump associated with them, and that’s what I like in my keyboard switches.
When I pressed the keys, they were incredibly smooth and felt super nice to press. All in all, I really enjoyed the Gateron Brown Switches on the keyboard, but if you’re not a fan, there are many different options, including Cherry MX, that you can choose for yourself.
4 Feet Detachable Mini USB Cable
Let’s talk about the Mini USB cable that comes with the Tada 68 compact mechanical keyboard. It is high-quality, well-insulated, and is detachable, so that’s great for portability.
If you’re curious about the length of the cable, it is 4 feet which might not seem like a lot, but it is surely enough to use the keyboard without any tugging or struggling comfortably, I believe, so we’re good.
Exciting Features of the Tada 68
We’ve taken a look at the ins and outs of the Tada 68 Mechanical keyboard. But what does it have to offer when it comes to features? A lot. Let’s take a look at all the features that the Tada 68 Compact Mechanical Keyboard comes with.
- Sleek Design – The design of the Tada 68 keyboard is streamlined, sleek, thin bezel, and perfectly ergonomic for long hours of usage whether you’re working professionally or gaming with your buddies.
- White LED Underglow – If you’re thinking about using the keyboard in the dark, don’t worry about not being able to see the keyboards. The Tada 68 keyboard comes with a white LED underglow that makes it easy to see your keycaps so you can use the keyboard perfectly.
- Compactness – One of the best features of this keyboard is compactness. If you’re using a smaller desk setup and don’t have space for a full-sized keyboard, but you still want all the essentials, getting the compact but functional Tada 68 would be a great choice.
- Gateron Switches – When it comes to mechanical switches, Gateron Brown switches are on-par with the Cherry MX browns, and they offer amazing tactile feedback.
- Arrow Keys and Commands – Unlike 60% keyboards, this 65% keyboard comes with an additional column of keycaps with the arrow keys and a few major command keys so you can easily assign your functions to the extra keys on the keyboard.
Tada 68 Pros and Cons Table
Sure, the Tada 68 comes with an array of exciting features, but you shouldn’t make your final buying decision before you take a look at the pros and cons it comes with. Here are the pros and cons of the Tada 68 that you’ll encounter if you choose to buy it:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Portability – One of the best advantages that come with this keyboard is the ease of portability. It is super compact in itself, and two, it comes with a detachable USB power cable that you can detach when you’re planning to travel with it. | ABS Frame Version is flimsy – If you choose to get the ABS plastic frame instead of the aluminum frame upgrade, you will experience flimsiness and a significant bend in the keyboard, which isn’t cool. |
| Great keycaps and legends – The quality of the elements of the Tada 68 is super-high. The PBT keycaps, along with the Dye Sub legend imprints, are the perfect example of what a keyboard in this price range should offer. | Expensive – The Tada 68 is extremely expensive compared to many other keyboards having similar functionality with a few minor problems and demerits. |
| Amazing Functionality – From the alphanumeric keys to the extra arrow keys and command keys, there’s a lot of functionality in this keyboard and just what you need. |
Programmability with QMK
Arguably, the best feature of the Tada 68 keyboard, in my opinion, is the programmability option it comes with. From the function keys to the alphanumeric keys, you can redesign and change the mapping of all the keys according to your choice.
The Tada 68 is readily compatible with QMK. You can use it to remap and reassign all the keys and functions on the keyboard just the way you like for your professional office application usage or your gaming needs, so in terms of programmability, you’ve got all the options in the world with the Tada 68 Mechanical keyboard.
Is the Tada 68 Worth the Money?
Finally, the million-dollar question you might be thinking about is, is the Tada 68 mechanical keyboard worth the high price? Yes, I believe it is completely worth it.
From the sleekness of the build to the quality of the components, design, keycaps, LED lighting, aluminum frame, and everything in between, the Tada 68 is the cream of the crop when compact keyboards. So, if you choose to buy it, you’re making the right decision.
Interested? Get the Tada 68 at Mechanicalkeyboards.com or Amazon.com!
Frequently Asked Questions
I wanted to make sure I covered all the grounds for the Tada 68 mechanical keyboard. There were many unanswered questions regarding the Tada 68 on Google, so I ended up answering some of them myself. Here are some FAQs regarding the Tada 68 that needed attention:
Is the Tada 68 Compatible with Mac?
Yes, the Tada 68 is completely compatible with Mac OS, and if you’ve any other concerns, it is also compatible with Linux OS. Hence, there’s no problem in terms of compatibility with the Tada 68 if you’re thinking of getting it.
Can I reprogram the Tada 68?
Of course, you can! The Tada 68 is completely reprogrammable. I personally would recommend using QMK because it is one of the best programs you can use to remap the keyboard according to your usage.
Do I have to build the Tada 68 myself?
It’s not necessary. If you like the experience of building the keyboard yourself and you have custom keycaps and whatnot you want to use in the build, then yes, surely you can. But you can also get the Tada 68 pre-built before shipping.
Does the Tada 68 come with LED backlighting?
Yes, the Tada 68 comes with LED backlighting, but it’s not RGB. The keyboard comes with a White LED under glow which is helpful if you’re using the keyboard in a dark space.
Is the Tada 68 good for gaming?
The Tada 68 is amazing for gaming. In fact, the Gateron Brown switches are epic when it comes to both gaming and office usage. So, don’t worry about anything when you’re buying the Tada 68 for gaming purposes.
Conclusion
The Tada 68 is one of the best premium-quality typing and gaming mechanical keyboards you can find on the market right now. We discussed in this post some of its great features as well as a few pros and cons. I hope that you learned a lot from this guide, and you’ll surely go for it if you’ve got the budget for a high-quality premium compact keyboard. Have a blast with your Tada 68, and make sure you have a wonderful keyboarding experience!