When it comes to consumer electronics, Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi has its hands in almost everything that you can image. While the company may just be known for its affordable smartphones worldwide, it’s more than just a smartphone manufacturer in China and makes everything from apparels to personal transportation solutions. So when Xiaomi released a mechanical keyboard under its Yuemi brand, it was hardly a surprise for us. With the Yuemi MK01 mechanical keyboard, the company promises a clean, aesthetically pleasing design at a rather affordable price of 289 Yuan, which is approximately Rs. 3,010. However, the keyboard is available at Chinese eCommerce websites like Banggood for Rs. 5,175. So yes, it’s a little pricey if you are planning to buy it in India but how does the Yuemi MK01 stack up against other budget mechanical keyboards in the market today? Well, lets jump right into the review and find out:
Before we proceed any further, let’s take a look at the general specifications of the Xiaomi Yuemi MK01 mechanical keyboard:
Design & Build Quality
The Xiaomi Yuemi MK01 mechanical keyboard has a very Apple-esque design with a white and silver color scheme, much like Apple’s own Magic keyboard. However, unlike Apple’s keyboard, the Yuemi MK01 offers mechanical switches, which have a more satisfying feel than Apple’s low-profile membrane switches. The keyboard feels very premium in the hand, thanks to its metal backplate which gives it a bit of heft. The deck is made up of polycarbonate, which has minimal to no flex and a glossy finish that looks and feels really premium.
Switches
Xiaomi has used doubleshot ABS/polycarbonate keycaps on the Yuemi MK01 with backlit legends (characters that identify a key) that lie flush with the keycaps. The ABS/polycarbonate doubleshot molding make the keycaps rather durable, yet affordable. However, ABS keycaps are known to turn yellow with age, which might be a significant issue with this particular keyboard, considering it’s completely white. The keycaps have a matte finish, unlike the keyboard deck, which feels rather smooth and enjoyable to type on.
Cons:
See Also: Zebronics Max Plus Keyboard Review: Best Budget Mechanical Keyboard?
Xiaomi Yuemi MK01: Definitely Not for Gaming
The Xiaomi Yuemi MK01 is a great budget mechanical keyboard for typists who are looking for a minimal, yet premium design, and a satisfactory typing experience. However, the keyboard isn’t great for gaming as it only support 2-key rollover and has problems registering quick double taps, which are a major hindrance for gamers. The keyboard is only available for purchase in China, which is another major issue, but you can order it from popular Chinese eCommerce websites like Banggood (Rs. 5,175) at a premium of a little over Rs. 2,000 with additional shipping charges wherever applicable. In case you don’t want to go through the hassle of ordering the keyboard from a Chinese eCommerce website, you can look at other budget options like the Zebronics Max Plus (Rs. 2,644) or the Cosmic Byte Black Eye (Rs. 3,499) which offer great performance and build quality for the price range, along with support for N-key rollover and RGB lighting.
