- Black design with gold details and a very striking translucent base.
- Soft, deep sound with no annoying resonances when typing.
- 75% compact format, although without a numpad or physical Ñ key.
- 8.000 mAh battery and highly reliable 2,4 GHz connection.
Some mechanical keyboards are justified by their specifications, others by their sound, and still others simply by the feel they give you when you place them on your desk. The KiiBOOM Phantom81 V4 belongs largely to this last group. It's a keyboard that's visually appealing, but it also improves significantly when you start using it for days on end.
The question I had before trying it was quite clear: does it make sense to pay nearly $200 for a compact keyboard like this? Because nowadays there are many mechanical keyboards with good sound, RGB lighting, and a more than adequate typing experience for considerably less money.
After using it for several weeks for work, writing, and gaming, I think the answer isn't a simple yes or no. If you're simply looking for a comfortable mechanical keyboard for typing, you can probably find cheaper options. But if you also want a product with a very solid build, a distinctive design, good finishes, and that premium feel designed to last for years, then the Phantom81 V4 starts to make a lot more sense.
And that's precisely what caught my attention the most: there are details we don't always consider when buying a keyboard, such as weight, rigidity, stability, the volume wheel, or how the backlighting complements the design. However, when you spend many hours in front of the computer, all those details end up adding up.
A compact keyboard that feels much more premium than usual
The unit I tested is the Black version , with a black finish and gold accents . Personally, I think it's one of the most attractive combinations I've seen lately on a mechanical keyboard. It has a gaming feel thanks to the RGB lighting, but it doesn't fall into an exaggerated or aggressive aesthetic.
In fact, I find it a beautiful keyboard even when it's off. This is important because some models rely too heavily on RGB lighting to attract attention. In this case, the design itself is already quite striking. The black and gold tones, the translucent base, and the overall finish make it a perfect fit for a well-maintained desk , especially if you're looking for an elegant setup rather than just a flashy one.
This is also noticeable in the weight. The Phantom81 V4 weighs around 1,5 kg , a very high figure for a compact keyboard. In my case, I used it on a large leather mousepad, and when I tried to move it, the mousepad moved before the keyboard itself. That feeling of a heavy, solid block is one of the things that most contributes to it seeming like a high-end product.
The acrylic chassis barely flexes either. It doesn't creak, twist, or feel fragile, despite its sophisticated design. It's a smooth keyboard to type on, but not delicate . That blend of refined aesthetics and robust construction is, for me, one of its strongest points.
However, it's also important to consider the other side of the coin: this isn't a keyboard designed for portability . It's compact, but not lightweight. I wouldn't recommend it for someone who wants to carry it in their backpack every day, commute between home and the office, or travel with it regularly. This is a keyboard meant to stay put on your desk and be enjoyed there.
The lighting is powerful, but the design doesn't rely solely on RGB.
The RGB lighting on the KiiBOOM Phantom81 V4 is quite spectacular. It features per-key south-facing backlighting , semi-transparent Cherry profile PC keycaps , and a translucent base that allows the light to shine through the underside of the keyboard as well.
At high brightness, it illuminates the desk quite well. This isn't just subtle or purely decorative lighting. It's clear the lighting is integrated into the keyboard's design , not simply added to provide light between the keys.
During the first few weeks, I used it extensively with different effects to thoroughly test it, but ultimately, the configuration that convinced me the most was a fixed backlight in gold or yellow tones. It complements the keyboard's details very well and maintains the more elegant aesthetic of the Black version.
Even so, I've also used it with the RGB lighting off, and I think that's one of its best qualities: it doesn't need the RGB to look special . The basic design is already attractive enough. The lighting adds to it, but it doesn't single-handedly define the keyboard's personality.
75% format: convenient, compact and easy to understand
The Phantom81 V4 uses a 75% form factor with 81 keys . In practice, this means it retains the function row, cursor keys, and some navigation keys, but removes the numeric keypad to reduce size.
For me, it's one of the most well-balanced compact keyboard formats. It doesn't take up as much space as a full-size keyboard, but it's not so small that you're constantly forced to rely on secondary key combinations. Coming from 100% traditional keyboards, the transition has been quite easy.
Even so, there are some trade-offs worth being aware of. It doesn't have a numeric keypad , it doesn't have a right Control key , and it uses an ANSI layout , so there's no physical Ñ key either. You can type in Spanish by configuring the system language, but the labels and some symbols don't match up as they would on a Spanish ISO keyboard.
The biggest personal difficulty I've had has been the Delete key. It's located in the upper right corner, right next to the volume wheel, and for the first few days that position felt a bit strange . I don't think it's a universal problem, but it's a good example of what happens when you switch from a full-size keyboard to a compact one: every user will find a key, a combination, or an area that doesn't quite fit their muscle memory.
I also miss having adjustable rear legs . The fixed height has been comfortable for me, even when using the keyboard for many hours, but on a model of this caliber, I would have appreciated at least a second tilt option. Not all hands, wrists, and desks are the same, and that small margin of adjustment always helps.
It's when you're typing that you really notice it's not just any keyboard.
The typing experience is probably what I liked most about the KiiBOOM Phantom81 V4. The keystrokes are very smooth, light, and stable. It's one of those keyboards that allows you to type at a very high speed and for quite a while without the keys feeling soft or imprecise.
The current configuration uses KiiBOOM Crystal Switch linear switches , and the feel is exactly what I expected from a keyboard of this type: smooth key travel, comfortable keystrokes, and a very pleasant sound without needing any modifications. In fact, the sound reminds me quite a bit of the Phantom 98 Lite , although here it sounds somewhat drier and more controlled. It has depth, but it doesn't try to sound excessively bassy or artificial. I haven't noticed any metallic popping , strange resonances, or a hollow feel in the chassis.
This is where its gasket mount structure and internal damping system come in. We could go into detail about each layer and material, but the important thing is the result: the keyboard sounds compact, clean, and very well executed.
The stabilizers are also excellent . The spacebar, Enter, Shift, and Backspace keys respond well even when pressed from the side. There's no annoying play or strange rattling . This should be a given on a keyboard at this price, but it's not always the case, so it's appreciated that it's been handled so well here.
The keycaps also maintain a very good feel. After several weeks of use, I haven't noticed any wear, strange shine, or loss of tactile sensitivity. They still look as sophisticated as the first day.
The volume dial is one of those details you end up missing.
One of the features I've enjoyed most in daily use is the metal volume dial . It might seem like a minor detail, but when you work long hours with music, videos, calls, or constantly changing audio levels, having direct physical control is incredibly convenient.
Turning the wheel to raise or lower the volume is faster than using shortcuts or opening the Windows sound panel. Plus, pressing it lets you pause or resume playback . It's a simple but very practical feature.
It also makes perfect sense within the keyboard's design. It doesn't look like an afterthought, but rather a piece that complements the whole . The only drawback, as I mentioned before, is that its proximity to the Delete key might make that area feel a little strange at first.
Even so, I think it's one of those details that justifies part of the premium feel . Not because a volume wheel is revolutionary, but because when it's well integrated, it greatly improves daily use.
Reliable 2,4 GHz connection, good battery life, and one detail that could be improved with the dongle.
During these past few weeks, I've been using the Phantom81 V4 primarily with the 2,4 GHz dongle . The experience has been completely plug and play : connect the receiver, turn on the keyboard, and start working. I haven't noticed any dropouts, disconnections, or input lag while gaming.
I've also used it wired for charging without any issues. Bluetooth hasn't been my primary connection method, so I won't claim I've thoroughly tested it on multiple devices. However, the keyboard offers Bluetooth 5.0, 2,4 GHz, and USB-C , so it's well-equipped in terms of connectivity.
On a technical level, the KiiBOOM Phantom81 V4 features NKRO and 1000Hz polling via cable and 2,4GHz . In practice, I haven't experienced any lag or unresponsiveness while gaming. I've tested it with shooters, fighting games, and management titles, and it has performed very well.
The battery is 8.000 mAh , quite high for a wireless keyboard. I can't give an exact battery life because I've used it for a mix of work, gaming, RGB lighting on and off, and wired charging when needed, but I can say that it hasn't caused me any concern. It holds up well under heavy use, and I haven't had that feeling of constantly worrying about the battery.
However, there is one detail that I find strange: I haven't found an integrated compartment or slot to store the 2,4 GHz USB dongle . It's true that there's a small protector or accessory to hold the receiver next to the cable, but it's not the same as having a dedicated space inside the keyboard itself.
On a model this heavy and designed for a fixed desktop, it's not as critical as on a laptop keyboard, but I still find its omission odd. In a product with such meticulous design and finish, it would have made sense to include a small compartment to store the receiver and prevent losing it.
My recommendation for the KiiBOOM Phantom81 V4
After several weeks of using the KiiBOOM Phantom81 V4, the main idea is quite clear: it's an expensive keyboard, but its value isn't solely based on typing quality . If you're only looking for a good typing experience, there are cheaper mechanical keyboards that can also perform very well.
Where this model truly sets itself apart is in its premium feel . The weight, the acrylic chassis, the translucent base, the black design with gold accents, the backlighting, the metal scroll wheel, the stabilizers, and the sound all contribute to a meticulously crafted overall experience . These are details you might not appreciate at first glance, but they become noticeable once the keyboard has been a fixture on your desk for weeks.
Does that justify the price? For me, the answer is yes and no. It wouldn't justify it if you just want a pretty mechanical keyboard for work or gaming. In that case, it's probably too expensive. But if you're looking for a compact, very solid keyboard with a premium aesthetic and the feeling that it will last for many years, then the investment starts to make a lot more sense.
The best things about the Phantom81 V4 are its build quality, design, sound, smooth typing experience, and the convenient volume dial. On the other hand, its less compelling aspects include the lack of adjustable feet, the absence of a physical Ñ key, the lack of a numeric keypad and right Control key, its considerable weight, and the minor detail of the dongle not having its own compartment.
I would especially recommend it to anyone with a fixed desk, who takes great care with their setup , and wants a keyboard that not only works well but also adds presence and personality . I also think it's a good option for those who work remotely, do a lot of typing, and play PC games without wanting a keyboard with a traditional gaming aesthetic. On the other hand, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for something lightweight, cheap, easily portable, or with a Spanish ISO layout . Nor would I recommend it to anyone who absolutely needs a numeric keypad for work.
The KiiBOOM Phantom81 V4 isn't the most sensible purchase for everyone. But it doesn't pretend to be. It's a keyboard for those who want the luxury of owning a compact, robust, and very attractive peripheral with a truly refined user experience . And in that regard, it delivers exceptionally well.