8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard vs Lofree Block
The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard and the Lofree Block are close alternatives. The main differences: the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is the cheaper of the two at $90 versus $169; the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is a TKL layout and the Lofree Block is a 96%; stock, the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard sounds loud and clicky and the Lofree Block creamy, muted.
- Lower price8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard$90 versus $169
4.82,500 ratings· Amazon
Choose the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard if
- you mainly want it for gaming.
- you mainly want it for budget.
- you want to spend less ($90).
Choose the Lofree Block if
- you mainly want it for office.
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard vs Lofree Block, spec by spec
| 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard | Lofree Block | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | TKL | 96% |
| Height | Standard | Standard |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired | Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired |
| Hot-swap | Yes | Yes |
| Keycaps | dye-sub PBT, MDA-like profile | n/a |
| Case | n/a | plastic (retro two-tone) |
| Mount | Top | n/a |
| Backlight | White / none | White / none |
| QMK / VIA | No | No |
| Battery | 2000 mAh | 2000 mAh |
| Typical price | $90 (stronger spec) | $169 |
| Sound (stock) | loud and clicky | creamy, muted |
| Released | 2023 | 2023 |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 509 boards we track
26% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard; 68% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Lofree Block.
7% of the 172 wireless boards tracked here carry a smaller battery than the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard; 7% of the 172 wireless boards tracked here carry a smaller battery than the Lofree Block.
Where to buy the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard
Where to buy the Lofree Block
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