Some time ago, I had the chance to try out the IQUNIX Magi75, and it genuinely managed to surprise me in a good way. So when I got the opportunity to test their flagship low-profile model, the IQUNIX MQ80, I was honestly pretty excited.
In this review, I’ll go through my hands-on experience with the IQUNIX MQ80 – focusing on how it performs in everyday use, what really stands out, and whether it actually lives up to the expectations.
Main Features and Specifications
Notable Features:
- Le-Tray Mounting System
- Rich Package Contents
- Anti-Oil Coating on the Keycaps
Brief technical specifications:
Specifications are based on official information and expanded with data from my own testing and observations.
- Layout: 75% ANSI, 84 Keys
- Case Material: : CNC Aluminum, 180-grit CNC Finish
- Finish Technology: Anodizing
- Keycaps: Dye-sub PBT with Anti-Oil Coating
- Switches: Kailh POM Gold Red, Linear, Pre-Lubed
- Stabilizers: Plate-Mounted, Pre-Lubed
- Mounting: Le-Tray Mount
- Plate: FR4, Flex Cuts
- PCB: 1.2 mm, Horizontal Flex Cuts
- Hot-swappable: Yes, Supports Choc V2-Compatible Low-Profile Switches
- Sound Dampening: 5 Layers
- Backlight: RGB, North-Facing LEDs
- Software: VIA
- Connectivity: Wired, 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.1
- Polling Rate: 1000Hz (Wired & 2.4GHz), 125Hz (Bluetooth)
- Anti-Ghosting: N-Key Rollover
- Battery: 4000 mAh
- Dimensions: 321 x 124.5 x 10.2 mm
- Weight: ~ 1180g
- Price: $159 (5% off with code HLPLANET)
Available colors:
- Shadow Black
- Moonlight Silver
Unboxing: What’s Inside?
IQUNIX definitely knows how to make a strong first impression before you even get your hands on the keyboard itself. Instead of the usual retail packaging, the MQ80 comes in a nice black hard-shell carrying case. Honestly, I think this is a brilliant move from IQUNIX. Why spend money on fancy full-color printed cardboard packaging that ends up in the trash anyway, when you can include a functional travel case instead? It feels much more premium and, more importantly, it’s a practical accessory that adds real value to the overall package, turning what would normally be disposable packaging into something actually useful.
The case itself feels sturdy, with a solid outer shell that gives you confidence it can easily handle everyday use and travel. The inside of the case is also very well designed. On the top, there’s a convenient pocket for storing additional accessories, while the bottom section securely holds the keyboard. It even has two Velcro straps to keep the keyboard firmly in place so it won’t slide out of the case.
Personally, I really like when companies do stuff like this. Inside, the bundle is also more generous than usually expected.
In the carrying case you’ll find:
- MQ80 keyboard
- Braided USB-C to USB-A cable
- USB-C/A converter
- 2.4GHz USB receiver
- 4 extra OS-specific keycaps (Win/Mac modifiers)
- 2-in-1 keycap and switch puller
- Cleaning brush
- Dust cover
- IQUNIX stickers
- Manual
- Safety and warranty brochure
For me, a dust cover is an essential accessory, so it’s great to see it included in the package. Another nice and practical addition is a small cleaning brush for keeping the keyboard in good condition. Overall, I’d say the IQUNIX MQ80 comes with a very thoughtful and practical set of extra accessories.
Beyond these extras, the included USB-C cable is also pretty high quality. It’s a braided cable with solid metal housings around the connectors, which gives it a sturdy, reliable feel in hand. It also includes a ferrite core, which helps reduce electromagnetic interference and maintain a more stable connection overall.
I think it’s fair to say that such a generous accessory kit is one of the keyboard’s highlights.
Design and Build Quality
The MQ80 is a 75% keyboard with 84 keys in an ANSI layout. The typing angle is fixed at about 4 degrees. It uses a “floating keycaps” design, but because it’s a low‑profile board, the effect is subtler than on a standard mechanical keyboard – especially from the usual viewing angle when you’re sitting in front of the keyboard.
The case is CNC-machined from aluminum alloy, and the build quality is top notch. It’s quite heavy for a 75% low-profile keyboard – almost 1.2 kg, so if you enjoy the pleasant weight of aluminum and the luxury feel it brings, you’ll definitely be satisfied. Combined with the firm rubber feet, this also ensures excellent stability on the desk. In the hand it feels extremely solid and very well put together. There are no creaks, no flex, and the whole thing just feels rock-solid. The surface finish is smooth and silky to the touch. Overall, it’s one of those boards where you immediately understand you’re dealing with a premium product.
The IQUNIX MQ80 has a sleek, refined look with some stylish touches. It features thinner bezels at the top and bottom, and slightly wider side bezels. On the right bezel, there is a removable metal accent piece in red that pairs nicely with the red accents on the keycaps.
On the left bezel, there is an LED indicator. And I have to say, this indicator is thoughtfully designed here. It’s not just a decorative LED strip like you sometimes see on other keyboards. Instead, it works as a full-status indicator: it shows Caps Lock status (glowing white when Caps Lock is on), connection status (it blinks during pairing, then turns solid in a specific color for a few seconds to indicate a successful connection and the active connection mode), and battery status (flashing red when low). I use the keyboard with the backlight turned off, so for me it also serves as an indicator of whether the keyboard is in sleep mode or not. Of course, this indicator can still be used as a decorative LED strip, with customizable modes and colors, even independently of the keyboard’s backlight.
The bottom of the case looks really beautiful. It features a nice machined geometric pattern that adds visual depth and gives the board a more sophisticated appearance. There’s also a decorative panel with IQUNIX branding that further enhances the keyboard’s refined aesthetic. And to complete the picture, there are four X-shaped rubber feet – simple in form, yet visually appealing and they fit well with the overall style.
Looking at the back, there’s only a single USB port positioned on the left side of the keyboard. This restrained approach keeps the design clean and minimalistic, without any unnecessary clutter or distracting elements.
Overall, it’s clear that a lot of attention has been paid to the design, right down to the smallest details, resulting in a keyboard that feels really premium.
The MQ80 has north-facing LEDs. Overall, the backlighting is quite bright, but most importantly, I didn’t notice any flickering or strobing – which can be a dealbreaker for users like me who are sensitive to backlight flicker.
Connectivity and Battery
This keyboard offers tri‑mode connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired via a detachable USB‑C cable. In both wired and 2.4 GHz modes, it runs at a 1,000 Hz polling rate, delivering a fast and responsive experience. For multitaskers, Bluetooth mode is especially handy – you can pair up to three devices at once and switch between them seamlessly. Changing connection modes is handled entirely through keyboard shortcuts:
- Fn + 1/2/3 = Bluetooth channel 1/2/3
- Fn + 4 = 2.4G
- Fn + 5 = Wired Mode
As mentioned earlier, the package includes a USB-C/A converter, which you can attach to the cable and plug the 2.4 GHz dongle into. That way you can position the dongle closer to the keyboard, boosting signal stability and slightly reducing latency. It also helps reduce interference from other wireless devices nearby – a real bonus if your desk is crowded with different wireless gadgets. It’s one of those small but thoughtful touches that shows genuine attention to the user experience.
During my time with the keyboard, the connection was perfect – fast, stable, and completely free from any hint of lag or dropouts.
Inside, you’ll find a 4,000 mAh battery. The battery life is genuinely impressive – in my usage scenario (backlight off, LED indicator on), it lasted for about a month on a single charge. Naturally, with the backlight turned on, battery life drops significantly, which is expected.
To check the battery level, press FN + B. The LED indicator will flash white to show the battery level. Each flash represents 10% of the charge. For example, if the indicator flashes four times, the battery level is 40%. You can also check the exact battery percentage by connecting the keyboard to your PC over Bluetooth. Just open the Bluetooth tab, and you’ll see the current battery level displayed right next to the keyboard’s name.
For power saving, the keyboard automatically enters sleep mode after about 10 minutes of inactivity. What I really appreciate here is how quickly it wakes back up – it’s basically instant, with no noticeable delay or missing inputs when you start typing again.
I also noticed that the keyboard goes into a deep sleep mode after a longer period of inactivity, so there’s no need to manually turn it off overnight. Overall, the power management is really well done here.
But if you want to turn off the keyboard – for example, to prevent it from accidentally turning on in a backpack – you can use the Fn + Esc shortcut. Hold it for 3 seconds, and the keyboard turns off and won’t respond to any key presses until you turn it on again using the same shortcut or by plugging it in via USB.
Typically, keyboards that don’t have a dedicated connection mode toggle on the back don’t have a feature like this, which often forces you to look for a hidden ON/OFF switch under a key like Caps Lock to prevent it from turning on due to accidental key presses while in a backpack. Having the ability to turn off the keyboard with a simple key combination is definitely a plus in my opinion. It saves you from having to reach for that physical switch under the Caps Lock key, which can get annoying pretty quickly if you carry your keyboard with you to work or study, or use it in different places. Personally, I found this solution very smart, since it allows you to get both – being able to easily turn the keyboard off while keeping the back of the keyboard clean, without any physical switches.
However, there is also an ON/OFF switch under the Caps Lock key. It is used to completely cut off battery from the PCB. It’s intended for situations like long-term storage or extended periods of inactivity – for example, if you’re not going to use the keyboard for several months.
Note that the battery charges automatically as long as the keyboard is plugged in via USB, regardless of whether wired or wireless mode is selected.
Software – Unlocking the Potential
The keyboard is compatible with VIA.
Not familiar with VIA? Here’s a quick explanation:
VIA is essentially a web-based driver that lets you remap keys in real time, set up layers, assign macros, change preset lighting effects, and create profiles – all without needing to install any extra software. It works directly in your browser regardless of whether you’re using Windows, Linux, or macOS. It’s incredibly user-friendly and convenient. For more experienced users, there is a wide range of advanced keycodes for creating complex key combinations, implementing media controls etc.
However, on the product page, IQUNIX very clearly states that the MQ80 runs on custom firmware and does not support Mod-Tap, Layer-Tap, or KC_MEH/KC_HYPR modifiers.
To have VIA detect your keyboard, you’ll need to be in wired mode and upload a JSON configuration file (only once), which you can easily download from the manufacturer’s website.
I also had to update the keyboard firmware by following the instructions on the IQUNIX website in order to use VIA, which is a bit unusual.
The MQ80 offers four layers for customization.
Keycaps
The IQUNIX MQ80 comes with low-profile keycaps made from high-quality PBT plastic. The surface of the keycaps also features an anti-oil coating, which helps keep them looking clean. As expected from good-quality PBT, the surface is slightly textured, and I have to say, they genuinely feel great under the fingers. The legends are dye-sublimated for long-term durability, so they won’t fade or wear off over time. They’re also clean and well-sized, making them very easy to read. Visually, the keycaps lean into a futuristic aesthetic thanks to these gray and red accents.
They come in a uniform profile, meaning all the keycaps share the same shape and height instead of being sculpted in rows. This makes them highly versatile. Whether you’re using Colemak, Dvorak, or any other custom layout, you can easily rearrange the keycaps to match your preference without any hassle.
Overall, I’m very satisfied with the quality of these keycaps, but what I love most is their shape. They feel incredibly comfortable to type on.
The package also includes four extra OS-specific keycaps (Win/Mac modifiers), which is a nice bonus and a small but highly practical touch that shows the keyboard is equally well considered for both Windows and Mac users.
When it comes to the Moonlight Silver colorway, I must admit, there’s something genuinely striking about the combination of paper-white keycaps with those red and gray accents. It immediately gives me futuristic sci-fi vibes and brings to mind that clean aesthetic you often see in movies and games, especially space-themed.
Anyway, the MQ80 uses switches with MX-style stems, so finding other compatible low-profile keycaps shouldn’t be an issue.
Switches and Stabilizers
Straight out of the box, the MQ80 features Kailh POM Gold Red low-profile switches. Here are the specifications for those who are interested:
- Name: Kailh POM Gold Red
- Switch type: Low-profile, linear
- Total Travel: 2.8 ± 0.25 mm
- Pre Travel: 1.2 ± 0.3 mm
- Actuation Force: 40 ± 10 gf
- Stem Material: POM
These are light linear switches that come pre-lubed from the factory. And despite the “Gold Red” branding, you’re actually getting a white stem, clear top housing, and a black bottom. Honestly, I don’t mind that at all – the clear housing does a great job letting the RGB shine through, which makes the whole board look really lively. They’re smooth, snappy, and fast, with zero noticeable scratchiness or spring ping. Another thing I appreciate is that the stem wobble is really minimal, which makes the keystrokes feel pleasantly stable.
The board is fully hot-swappable, so you can replace switches without any soldering. It supports Choc V2-compatible low-profile switches, giving you access to a pretty wide selection of modern low-profile switches if you want to change the feel or try different options.
If you’re not familiar with what “Choc V2 compatible” means, here’s a quick explanation: Choc V2 is a type of low-profile switch. Unfortunately, unlike traditional mechanical keyboards, the low-profile market doesn’t have a single unified switch standard, which also means there’s no universal hot-swap socket for low-profile switches. As a result, different manufacturers use different types of low-profile switches that aren’t interchangeable. So, in practice, this means that low-profile keyboards are usually only compatible with a specific “family” of low-profile switches.
Personally, I think Choc V2 is currently the best low-profile ecosystem out there, as it provides access to some of the best and most popular low-profile switches on the market right now. So it’s great to see that the MQ80 supports them. Definitely a plus in my book.
As for the stabilizers, they’re plate-mounted and come well-tuned out of the box, with very little rattle and decent factory lubrication.
Structure and Mounting
The MQ80 uses a flex-cut FR4 plate. Interestingly, the Moonlight Silver version features a white plate with silver accents, while the Shadow Black variant uses a classic black plate with gold details. I especially liked how well the white plate fits the overall light aesthetic of the Moonlight Silver colorway, and how nicely it pairs with the white keycaps.
It literally changes the visual perception of the keyboard for me. On most light-colored keyboards, a black plate is typically used, and the gaps between keycaps tend to look like dark “slits”, revealing the plate underneath. But with the white plate on the MQ80, those dark areas almost disappear visually – instead of contrasting black lines, you get the impression of a more continuous light surface beneath the keycaps, as if there’s no “void” underneath, and the whole keyboard looks more unified and clean.
Between the plate and PCB, you get three layers of sound dampening:
- PORON Foam
- IXPE Switch Pad
- PET Film
The PCB comes in a matte black and features horizontal flex-cuts. Underneath it, there are two additional dampening layers:
- PORON Foam
- IXPE Bottom Case Pad
Altogether, the MQ80 packs in five layers of sound dampening. There are also extra dampening pads underneath the spacebar, which help keep it sounding deeper, softer, and nicely muted while typing.
Probably the most unique aspect of the MQ80 is its Le-Tray mount. It features 6 standoffs placed in the bottom case to support the PCB. On top of these standoffs, or let’s call them “support arms” if you prefer, there are rubber rings that act as dampeners. The PCB rests on these standoffs through the rubber rings. As a result, the PCB has no direct contact with the case, much like a gasket-mounted keyboards. This might remind you of an O-ring tray mount at first, but there’s more to it.
The PCB also features special cutouts around the contact points with the standoffs. This design makes it possible to achieve a noticeable yet well-balanced flex – just enough to absorb keystroke force and cushion the typing experience, while still keeping the overall feel stable.
With so many keyboards using the standard gasket mount these days, it’s refreshing to see a different approach. I always appreciate it when manufacturers experiment and bring us something new instead of repeating the same design.
Typing Feel and Sound
Typing on the IQUNIX MQ80 feels soft, smooth, and genuinely satisfying. Keystrokes are snappy and consistent, and the board has a surprising amount of flex for a low-profile keyboard, which makes the typing experience feel slightly bouncy and more cushioned.
The Kailh POM Gold Red switches feel incredibly responsive thanks to their short travel, light actuation force, and solid factory lubrication. They make the MQ80 genuinely enjoyable for both typing and gaming. I’d even say that if you spend a lot of time typing, the low-profile design paired with these lightweight switches can be a real advantage, since it helps reduce finger fatigue during longer sessions.
As for the typing sound, the MQ80 has a soft, marble-like creamy tone. It sounds deep and rich, with a clean and well‑defined character. The softer profile keeps it pleasant without becoming overly loud, while each keystroke still sounds pure and not muffled. That balance between softness and clarity makes the MQ80’s sound profile very refined.
Pros and Cons
Good:
- Excellent build quality with premium materials
- Creamy typing sound right out of the box
- Choc V2 hot-swap sockets, giving you access to modern low-profile switches
- The Le-Tray mount delivers a satisfying, cushioned typing experience
- Great keycaps with anti-oil coating
- Long battery life and good power management overall
- Generous set of included accessories
- VIA support
Not so good:
- No adjustable feet
Final Verdict
IQUNIX once again proves that low-profile keyboards can deliver a typing experience that doesn’t fall behind traditional mechanical boards – and can even surpass many of them.
Thanks to its Le-Tray mount and extensive internal dampening, it offers a soft, cushioned typing feel that’s genuinely pleasant for long typing sessions. Combined with Kailh Gold Red POM switches, the MQ80 delivers a rich, creamy sound profile. On top of that, the beautifully machined aluminum case that feels heavy and exceptionally sturdy, combined with an unusually generous (and very practical too) accessory set, only reinforces an already excellent overall impression.
So, in the end, I can say that, in my opinion, the MQ80 is one of the top-tier choices for anyone looking for a high-end low-profile keyboard.
IQUNIX MQ80 is available for purchase from the official IQUNIX store for $159.
Controller and mechanical keyboard enthusiast. Tech reviewer, regularly sharing thoughts about gadgets and computer peripherals.
