Vortex Cypher vs Vortex Pok3r
The Vortex Cypher and the Vortex Pok3r are close alternatives. The main differences: the Vortex Cypher is the cheaper of the two at $110 versus $130; the Vortex Cypher is a 65% layout and the Vortex Pok3r is a 60%.
- Lower priceVortex Cypher$110 versus $130
Choose the Vortex Cypher if
- you want to spend less ($110).
Choose the Vortex Pok3r if
- its overall balance fits you: the vortex pok3r (pok3r) is a foundational 60 percent board that helped popularise the compact layout, packing genuine cherry mx switches, thick pbt caps and deep onboard layer programming into a screw-together aluminium case with no software required.
Vortex Cypher vs Vortex Pok3r, spec by spec
| Vortex Cypher | Vortex Pok3r | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | 65% | 60% |
| Height | Standard | Standard |
| Connectivity | Wired | Wired |
| Hot-swap | No | No |
| Keycaps | Doubleshot PBT | Doubleshot PBT |
| Case | ABS plastic | Aluminum |
| Mount | Tray | Tray |
| Backlight | White / none | White / none |
| QMK / VIA | No | No |
| Battery | n/a | n/a |
| Typical price | $110 (stronger spec) | $130 |
| Sound (stock) | clean MX clack | clean MX clack |
| Released | 2017 | 2015 |
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 Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.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
42% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Vortex Cypher; 52% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Vortex Pok3r.
Where to buy the Vortex Cypher
Where to buy the Vortex Pok3r
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