I bought this with my own money. Every product here did weeks of my workdays before I scored it. If you buy through a link on this page, I may earn a commission. How I test
How I used it
I bought the Fire Phoenix BK-F75 Pro myself and used it for two weeks. It's a tri-mode wireless mechanical keyboard, and I tried all three modes: Bluetooth, a cable, and the little 2.4 GHz USB receiver that comes in the box.
I run a Windows PC and a Mac at the same time, so I constantly move between them. Whatever keyboard is on my desk has to follow me from one to the other, and that's where this one's real problem shows up.
What it gets right
The keyboard itself is great. I liked how the keys feel. Here’s what it sounds like when I type on it, so you can judge for yourself. The clip is trimmed, and the volume is raised.
I like the volume knob. It sits in the top-right corner, and I use it.
It’s kind of heavy, which I like. The maker lists it at about 880 g (1.9 lb). That weight adds to the quality. It gives the impression it’s well built.
It connects three ways: Bluetooth, the 2.4 GHz receiver in the box, or a cable. I tested all of them.
What could be better
- Bluetooth switching is inconsistent. I move between my Windows PC and my Mac constantly, and moving the keyboard from one to the other doesn’t always work. Sometimes I have to forget the Bluetooth connection and reconnect it.
- It happened a few times in two weeks. I can’t put a number on it, but it was definitely annoying.
- The maker publishes very little. There’s no switch type for the black model, no battery capacity and no Bluetooth version. I don’t know which switches are in mine, so I won’t guess.
- It isn’t sold in the US. There’s no listing on Amazon US.
How it compares
I haven’t used the boards below, so I can’t tell you how they type or whether they switch between computers any better. They’re the US-available keyboards that do what the Fire Phoenix does: a 75% layout, a knob, and Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz and a cable. Check the listing for today’s price.
The AULA F75 Pro is the closest. It looks a lot like the Fire Phoenix, but the published specs aren’t the same: 81 keys and PBT keycaps against 80 keys and ABS, plus hot-swappable switches and a listed 4,000 mAh battery. Don’t buy it expecting the same board.
The Keychron V1 Max is the better-known name. It’s a 75% board with a knob and the same three connections, Keychron lists it for both Mac and Windows, and it also comes as a barebone kit if you want to pick your own switches.
Should you buy it?
Yes, if you can get it. It’s a great budget keyboard in my opinion, and I would definitely use it.
If you switch one keyboard between two computers over Bluetooth all day, go in knowing that sometimes you’ll have to forget the connection and pair it again.
If you’re in the US, you can’t buy it. Look at the AULA F75 Pro instead.
Specs
- Layout
- 75%, 80 keys plus a volume knob
- Connections
- Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz USB receiver, wired USB
- Keycaps
- ABS
- Backlight
- RGB
- Switches
- Not specified by the maker
- Weight
- About 880 g (1.9 lb), maker's figure
- Size
- 32.5 x 14 cm (12.8 x 5.5 in)
- Works with
- Windows and Mac
Final verdict
It's a great budget keyboard in my opinion, and I would definitely use it. I liked how the keys feel, I used the knob, and the weight gives it the feel of a well-built board.
The catch is Bluetooth switching. With a Windows PC and a Mac on the same desk, moving it from one to the other was inconsistent. A few times I had to forget the connection and pair it again. I can't put a number on it, but it was definitely annoying. If you stay on one computer, it's not your problem. If you work across two, like I do, it's the thing to know.
If you can buy it where you live, buy it. If you're in the US, you can't, and the AULA F75 Pro is the closest thing on sale.
