Drop ALT vs Drop CSTM80
The Drop ALT and the Drop CSTM80 are close alternatives. The main differences: the Drop CSTM80 is the cheaper of the two at $149 versus $180; the Drop ALT is a 65% layout and the Drop CSTM80 is a TKL.
- Lower priceDrop CSTM80$149 versus $180
Choose the Drop ALT if
- its overall balance fits you: the drop alt is a compact aluminum 65% programmable keyboard with hot-swap and qmk, the smaller sibling of the drop ctrl for users who want arrows without a tkl footprint.
Choose the Drop CSTM80 if
- you want to spend less ($149).
Drop ALT vs Drop CSTM80, spec by spec
| Drop ALT | Drop CSTM80 | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | 65% | TKL |
| Height | Standard | Standard |
| Connectivity | Wired | Wired |
| Hot-swap | Yes | Yes |
| Keycaps | doubleshot ABS / PBT variants | n/a |
| Case | aluminum | aluminum |
| Mount | Plate | Gasket |
| Backlight | RGB | RGB |
| QMK / VIA | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | n/a | n/a |
| Typical price | $180 | $149 (stronger spec) |
| Sound (stock) | aluminum 65% stock | n/a |
| Released | 2018 | 2022 |
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 Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.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
75% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Drop ALT; 59% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Drop CSTM80.
Where to buy the Drop ALT
Where to buy the Drop CSTM80
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual keyboard retailers.
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