Vortex Cypher vs Vortex Race 3
The Vortex Cypher and the Vortex Race 3 are close alternatives. The main differences: the Vortex Cypher is the cheaper of the two at $110 versus $150; the Vortex Cypher is a 65% layout and the Vortex Race 3 is a 75%.
- Lower priceVortex Cypher$110 versus $150
Choose the Vortex Cypher if
- you want to spend less ($110).
Choose the Vortex Race 3 if
- its overall balance fits you: the vortex race 3 is a compact 75 percent board in a hefty cnc aluminium case with a floating-key design, cherry mx switches, pbt keycaps and vortex's signature onboard programming, a cult favourite for a small-footprint arrow-cluster layout.
Vortex Cypher vs Vortex Race 3, spec by spec
| Vortex Cypher | Vortex Race 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | 65% | 75% |
| Height | Standard | Standard |
| Connectivity | Wired | Wired |
| Hot-swap | No | No |
| Keycaps | Doubleshot PBT | Doubleshot PBT |
| Case | ABS plastic | CNC aluminum |
| Mount | Tray | Tray |
| Backlight | White / none | White / none |
| QMK / VIA | No | No |
| Battery | n/a | n/a |
| Typical price | $110 (stronger spec) | $150 |
| Sound (stock) | clean MX clack | clean MX clack |
| Released | 2017 | 2016 |
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 Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.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; 61% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Vortex Race 3.
Where to buy the Vortex Cypher
Where to buy the Vortex Race 3
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