Summary

• Ajazz AK820 Max is an affordable, high-quality mechanical keyboard with a compact layout and versatile knob.
• Its design features side-printed keycaps and 5-layer foam construction with pre-lubed switches for a satisfying typing experience.
• With wireless connectivity, hot-swappable switches, and software customization, the AK820 Max offers great value at $80.

I've sort of been on a mission to find the best affordable mechanical keyboards on the planet. So, when I saw the Ajazz AK820 Max online, I knew I had to experience it. Ajazz is known for its excellent, value-for-money keyboards, such as the very popular AK820 Pro. The AK820 Max is supposedly an improved version of that keyboard, only without the LCD display of its predecessor.

After a week of daily driving this keyboard, I can happily report that even without factoring in its attractive price, it's easily one of the best keyboards I've used. It succeeds in all the critical parameters — a convenient layout, pleasant sound and typing feel, impressive looks, and useful quality-of-life features. Whether you're looking for your first-ever mechanical keyboard or an addition to your already impressive collection, the AK820 Max will not disappoint.

About this review: Ajazz sent me the AK820 Max for the purposes of this review. The company had no input in its contents.

Pricing and availability

The AK820 Max is easily available on Amazon as well as on the Ajazz website. There's a difference though — on Amazon, you'll only find the White & Blue and the Black color options, whereas on the brand's own website, you'll find a lot more colorways. The price will vary depending on the design you choose, but mostly the AK820 Max costs $80 (without sales). You can often find it discounted to $70 or even less on the Ajazz website.

Design and build quality

No complaints here

The first thing that strikes you when you unbox the AK820 Max is the fantastic design, thanks to the clean white case and blue gradient keycaps. I used the White & Blue variant, but I find the black one equally fascinating. The gradient and the side-printed legends play a large part in making this design pop, and it fits excellently with the compact 75% layout.

Although there's no aluminum body here, the ABS plastic feels extremely sturdy, high-quality, and lacking any creaks.

At this price, you might expect certain compromises to be made with the build quality. And although there's no aluminum body here, the ABS plastic feels extremely sturdy, high-quality, and lacking any creaks. The metal knob at the top-right is smooth to the touch, has a grippy exterior, and the per-step control is flawless. It has some lateral movement, but it doesn't feel flimsy by any means. I found myself using it frequently to instantly lower or increase the volume when gaming or listening to music.

I wish the LEDs were brighter, as I sometimes struggled to make out the legends.

It's great to see PBT keycaps and side-printed legends at this price — I especially love it when the keycaps can make full use of the RGB lighting during nighttime hours. I wish the LEDs were brighter, as I sometimes struggled to make out the legends. You also get a dual-step kickstand to customize the typing angle to your needs (I always use the maximum tilt). Lastly, there are three light indicators for Caps Lock, Win Lock, and battery level.

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I was pleasantly surprised to see a transparent keyboard cover in the box.

The AK820 MAX features both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity in addition to a wired connection, which you can switch between using the slider at the back of the keyboard. You'll also find a Win-Mac slider to switch between the Windows and Mac modes. The 4000mAh battery seems long-lasting from what I have seen on other keyboards that I've used.

You also get a switch puller, keycap puller, two extra switches, and a white USB-C to USB-A charging cable. I was pleasantly surprised to see a transparent keyboard cover in the box. Besides adding to your desk aesthetics, it keeps your keyboard dust-free for a little longer.

Sound and feel

It doesn't feel like a "budget" experience

This is what most people buy mechanical keyboards for — the typing experience. And suffice it to say, the AK820 Max hits it out of the park. The keyboard sounds soft and satisfying, yet maintains that desirable "clack" that many of us look for. Thanks to the gasket mount and pre-installed, 5-layer foam, including a silicone layer, two cotton layers, and an IXPE switch pad, the feedback on this board is top-notch.

The flex-cut PCB also adds to the elasticity and therefore, the soft feel when typing.

For those who'd like to know about the internals a bit more, the plate used is FR4, which balances density and flexibility. The flex-cut PCB also adds to the elasticity and therefore, the soft feel when typing. The Sea Salt switches are pre-lubed, 3-pin, linear switches that I felt are hefty enough to give you a sense of quality yet easy enough to actuate, so they don't stress your fingers when typing

Seeing a gasket mount, pre-lubed switches and stabilizers, and tons of sound-dampening material at this price is achievement enough.

The stabilizers on this board are pre-lubed as well, which is again a welcome addition at this price point. I've grown accustomed to linear switches after using tactile ones for about a year, but if you want to customize the sound and feel to your liking, you can easily swap the switches, thanks to the hot-swappable PCB.

Overall, seeing a gasket mount, pre-lubed switches and stabilizers, and tons of sound-dampening material at this price is achievement enough. Naturally, they all result in a deep-sounding keyboard that isn't completely silent, retaining that desirable "clack".

Software and customization

Not perfect, but enough for most users

Whenever we talk about keyboard software, the first instinct is to see whether QMK/VIA support is present. The AK820 Max, unfortunately, isn't detected by VIA, so you need to work with the Ajazz software available on the website (third result from the top). I downloaded the software, installed it, and launched it without any issues — unlike some other keyboards I've tested, the software here immediately recognized the AK820 Max. And no, a wired connection isn't necessary for your board to be detected.

The AK820 Max software provides enough options for remapping keys, editing macros, and customizing RGB lighting, despite lacking VIA support.

The main sections you should pay attention to here are "Key assignment" and "Macro edit panel". Others like "Light effect" and "Effect" were mostly unnecessary for me, as I prefer to keep RGB lighting turned off or select an effect I like, and keep it unchanged (I can do that directly from the keyboard). The "Key assignment" lets you click any key on the keyboard diagram and assign it to any of the keys, mouse functions, multimedia functions, custom commands, or macros that you record in the "Macro edit panel".

I'm not the kind of user who uses macros or keyboard layers, so I didn't spend a lot of time customizing the software. However, if you're so inclined, the AK820 Max software provides enough options for remapping keys, editing macros, and customizing RGB lighting, despite lacking VIA support.

Should you buy the Ajazz AK820 Max?

A resounding yes for most users

As I mentioned before, the AK820 Max manages to succeed on all counts (mostly), and it does that while costing less than many inferior keyboards. It sounds soothing, has great feedback, comes with a great feature set, and has exceptional quality construction (5-layer foam and pre-lubed internals).

For most users, this value proposition coupled with the 75% layout and the many gorgeous designs available should seal the deal, especially if they're looking to enter the world of mechanical keyboards. I'm even contemplating moving permanently from my TKL board to this one — that should be a good indication of how impressive this one is.

You should buy the AK820 Max if:

• You want a high-quality wireless and hot-swappable keyboard
• You don't want to spend a lot
• You like side-printed keycaps and don't want to buy aftermarket ones
• You don't need a numpad

You should skip the AK820 Max if:

• You can't do without VIA support
• You prefer a perfectly silent keyboard