Mode Tempo vs Qwertykeys Neo80

The Mode Tempo and the Qwertykeys Neo80 are close alternatives. The main differences: the Qwertykeys Neo80 is the cheaper of the two at $173 versus $450; the Qwertykeys Neo80 runs wireless where the Mode Tempo is wired-only; stock, the Mode Tempo sounds premium gasket tkl and the Qwertykeys Neo80 depends on plate/mount choice.

Mode Tempo TKL · $450
Qwertykeys Neo80 TKL · $173

Choose the Mode Tempo if

  • you mainly want it for programming.

Choose the Qwertykeys Neo80 if

  • you want to spend less ($173).
  • you need wireless.

Mode Tempo vs Qwertykeys Neo80, spec by spec

Mode TempoQwertykeys Neo80
Layout TKL TKL
Height Standard Standard
Connectivity Wired Wired, Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz (stronger spec)
Hot-swap Yes Yes
Keycaps n/a n/a
Case aluminum CNC aluminum
Mount Gasket Gasket (also O-ring and sandwich options)
Backlight White / none White / none
QMK / VIA Yes Yes
Battery n/a n/a
Typical price $450 $173 (stronger spec)
Sound (stock) premium gasket TKL depends on plate/mount choice
Released 2023 2024

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 Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.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

Price cheapest priciest
Mode Tempo $450
Qwertykeys Neo80 $173

97% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Mode Tempo; 71% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Qwertykeys Neo80.

Where to buy the Mode Tempo

Where to buy the Qwertykeys Neo80

KeebScout is reader-supported: some links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes specs or rankings.

Still torn? The keyboard finder ranks all 502 boards for your size, budget, and use case in five quick questions.

Add a third keyboard to this comparison

Esc