Notebookcheck Logo

Deal | Vissles V84 Bluetooth mechanical keyboard is strong on features and performance, but it's lacking one small thing ↺

Vissles V84 mechanical keyboard is strong on features on performance, but it's lacking in one small area
Vissles V84 mechanical keyboard is strong on features on performance, but it's lacking in one small area
The 75 percent Vissles keyboard is one of the better small form factor keyboards we've tried and it comes with plenty of features to justify the $89 to $99 price tag. However, a specific design choice prevents it from being an instant favorite.
Accessory Chinese Tech

Small keyboard form factors seem to be all the rage as of late. Razer and HyperX each launched their own 60 percent keyboards earlier this year complete with attractive features like mechanical keys, RGB backlighting, and USB charging. Now, lesser-known manufacturers like Vissles are offering their own small keyboards with surprisingly good results.

The Vissles V84 is the company's 75 percent keyboard that, unlike the aforementioned Razer and HyperX models, includes directional keys and a few more additional keys because of the extra length. The company sent us a unit for our honest impressions and we certainly have way more positive things to say about our experience than any negatives.

ABS plastic keys with 19 backlight styles. The deck is weighty for the size
ABS plastic keys with 19 backlight styles. The deck is weighty for the size
Lots of extras including a palm rest, key cap remover, USB-C to USB-A charging/data cable, swappable Mac keys, sticky pads, and two magnetic feet
Lots of extras including a palm rest, key cap remover, USB-C to USB-A charging/data cable, swappable Mac keys, sticky pads, and two magnetic feet
Magnetic feet off
Magnetic feet off
Magnetic feet on. Note the USB-C port
Magnetic feet on. Note the USB-C port

Firstly, the V84 is loaded with useful features that we wish were present on other portable keyboards. In particular, its ability to alternate between wired USB or Bluetooth 5.1 with a simple switch is invaluable. Users can connect up to five different devices wirelessly and freely switch between them with the key combination fn+Q/W/E/R/T/Y. If you happen to have multiple PCs in a room, then this one feature can be quite handy.

The removable magnetic feet are the second notable feature. Whereas most other keyboards have two fragile feet that pop open to angle the keyboard, the V84 has two magnetic feet that should prove longer-lasting and more reliable. There's no place on the keyboard itself to store the feet when not in use, however, and so owners should be careful not to lose them.

Outer frame removed
Outer frame removed
Key cap removed to expose the mechanical switch underneath
Key cap removed to expose the mechanical switch underneath
Outer frame off. Note that the keyboard base becomes easier to clean
Outer frame off. Note that the keyboard base becomes easier to clean
Outer frame on
Outer frame on

The next feature we like is the removable frame around the perimeter to level the keyboard base. Cleaning the keyboard and all the gunk between the keys is therefore made much easier. The frame adds rigidity to the keyboard base, but we're comfortable typing without the frame as well. 

It's highly recommended that owners install the Vissles software. The different per-key RGB lighting styles, macro options, and other customizations are significantly easier to control via software.

The per-key RGB lights do not shine through the symbols on any key cap
The per-key RGB lights do not shine through the symbols on any key cap
Space bar glows red when charging
Space bar glows red when charging

There is perhaps one aspect of the keyboard that might be a deal breaker for some. The black printing on the plastic key caps are solid and not translucent meaning that the underlying RGB colors will never shine through the letters or symbols. This contrasts most other RGB keyboards where the key printing is lit. It's a relatively minor superficial drawback that's also hard to overlook.

The Vissles V84 is now available for $99 USD retail or $89 after applying the coupon code "V84" at checkout.

  • Brand: Vissles
  • Model: V84
  • Layout: 75% ANSI layout
  • Number of Keys: 84 keys(one of the few mechanical keyboards featuring Mac layout media keys)
  • Switches: Linear switches
  • Switch Brand: VS Mechanical Switch
  • Bounce Time: ≤5msec
  • Operating Force: 45 ± 5gf
  • Total Travel: 4mm
  • Pre-Travel: 2mm ± 0.5mm
  • Switch Lifespan: 60M 
  • Switch Compatibility: Hot-swap socket design, compatible with any MX-style switch (brands like Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, and Outemu)
  • N-Key Rollover: NKRO on wired mode and 6KRO on wireless mode
  • Keyboard Compatible System: Windows/Android/Mac/iOS
  • Software Program Compatibility: Windows
  • Connectivity: Pair up to 5 devices (simply tap Fn+Q/W/E/R/T to seamlessly switch between 5 devices)
  • Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1
  • Materials: PBT
  • Dynamic Backlit Types: 19
  • Monochrome Backlit Types: 9
  • Color: White
  • Inclined Angle: 6-degree angle stand
  • Interface: Detachable USB-C Interface
  • Battery: 3750mAh Lithium Battery--lasts up to 180 hours (backlight off)
  • Weight: 824g (keyboard) + 8g (foot pad)
  • Dimension: 316mm × 126mm × 39mm
  • Input: 5V/1A
static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2021 06 > Vissles V84 Bluetooth mechanical keyboard is strong on features and performance, but it's lacking one small thing
Allen Ngo, 2021-06-23 (Update: 2021-06-23)