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IQUNIX F97 Keyboard Review

Tested using Methodology v1.1
Reviewed Apr 04, 2023 at 10:48 am
Latest change: Writing modified May 17, 2023 at 02:11 pm
IQUNIX F97 Picture
8.5
Gaming
6.8
Mobile/Tablet
7.3
Office
8.1
Programming
6.4
Entertainment / HTPC

The IQUNIX F97 is a wireless mechanical keyboard and a successor to the IQUNIX F96. This keyboard has a Compact (96%) form factor and comes in various color options and several TTC or Cherry MX switch options. This updated keyboard has several new features, including a longer advertised battery life, updated Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, and a hot-swappable PCB, which lets you easily change the switches.

Our Verdict

8.5 Gaming

The IQUNIX F97 keyboard is excellent for casual gaming, but the latency is higher than recommended for playing fast-paced or competitive games. That said, its build quality is excellent, and the Cherry MX Brown switches on the unit we bought and tested have low pre-travel and a light but satisfying tactile bump, providing a responsive-feeling experience in-game. This keyboard is also available in a range of other TTC or Cherry MX switch types, and has a hot-swappable PCB, so you can easily change the stock switches for another switch type if you prefer.

Pros
  • Excellent build quality.
  • Hot-swappable PCB.
  • High quality PBT keycaps.
Cons
  • Latency is only satisfactory.
  • Fairly tall profile, no included wrist rest.
6.8 Mobile/Tablet

The IQUNIX F97 is adequate for mobile and tablet use, but it's fairly large and bulky and considerably heavier than other keyboards designed specifically for use with mobile devices. That said, it feels well-built and has good wireless versatility, including the ability to pair wirelessly with up to three devices simultaneously via Bluetooth.

Pros
  • Excellent build quality.
  • Multi-device pairing with up to three devices via Bluetooth.
Cons
  • Not very portable due to its size.
  • Heavy.
7.3 Office

The IQUNIX F97 keyboard is decent for office work. It has excellent, premium-feeling build quality, and the Cherry MX Brown switch on the unit we tested provides a satisfying, tactile typing quality that isn't too loud for work environments. This keyboard is also available in a range of other TTC or Cherry MX switch types, and it has a hot-swappable PCB, so you can easily replace the stock switches for another switch type of your choosing. You can use this keyboard wired or wirelessly, either with its USB receiver or via Bluetooth paired with a maximum of up to three devices.

Pros
  • Excellent build quality.
  • Hot-swappable PCB.
  • High quality PBT keycaps.
  • Multi-device pairing with up to three devices via Bluetooth.
Cons
  • Fairly tall profile, no included wrist rest.
8.1 Programming

The IQUNIX F97 keyboard is great for programming. It has excellent build quality and feels very premium. The Cherry MX Brown switch on the unit we bought and tested provides amazing typing quality out of the box, but you can also buy this keyboard with various TTC or Cherry MX switches pre-installed, depending on the color variant you choose. Or, if you prefer, you can replace the stock switches thanks to the hot-swappable PCB. You can connect this keyboard wirelessly with its USB receiver or pair it with up to three devices simultaneously via Bluetooth. Unfortunately, there aren't any dedicated macro keys, and while it feels great to type on, it has a high profile, fixed incline, and it doesn't include a wrist rest, so it may get tiring to type on for long periods.

Pros
  • Excellent build quality.
  • Hot-swappable PCB.
  • High quality PBT keycaps.
Cons
  • No dedicated macro keys.
  • Fairly tall profile, no included wrist rest.
6.4 Entertainment / HTPC

The IQUNIX F97 is acceptable for entertainment and home theater PC setups. It feels very well-built and is available in a full RGB backlighting configuration so you can see the legends on the keys in a darker room. It also offers good wireless versatility and the ability to pair with up to three devices via Bluetooth. That said, this keyboard is fairly bulky and heavy, which makes it awkward to use from a couch. Also, it doesn't have any dedicated media keys. Instead, there are media hotkey combinations that aren't labeled on the keycaps but are listed in the user manual.

Pros
  • Excellent build quality.
Cons
  • Non-dedicated media keys.
  • Heavy.
  • 8.5 Gaming
  • 6.8 Mobile/Tablet
  • 7.3 Office
  • 8.1 Programming
  • 6.4 Entertainment / HTPC
  1. Updated May 17, 2023: We've added links to the newly-reviewed NuPhy Halo96 [Halo65, Halo75] in the Typing Noise section of this review.
  2. Updated Apr 06, 2023: We've corrected an error in the Hardware Customizability section of this review. Our initial result for the North-Facing Cherry MX Interference test result was Yes, but we've corrected this result to No as this keyboard has South-Facing LEDs that do not create potential interference with Cherry MX style keycaps.
  3. Updated Apr 04, 2023: Review published.
  4. Updated Mar 27, 2023: Early access published.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The IQUNIX F97 is available in various colorways, with or without RGB backlighting, and with various TTC or Cherry MX switches. Information on the various configurations is displayed in the table below. We bought and tested the IQUNIX F97 in the Dark Side colorway with RGB backlighting and Cherry MX Brown switches. Typically we provide an image of the keyboard's label, but this keyboard doesn't have one.

We expect our test results to apply to the following products.

 Name / Colorway Backlighting  Available Switches
Coral Sea Non-backlit/RGB

TTC Switches: Gold Pink, Speed Silver, ACE, Holy Panda
Cherry MX Switches: Red, Brown, Blue

Graffiti Diary Non-backlit/RGB 

TTC Switches: Gold Pink, Speed Silver, Holy Panda
Cherry MX Switches: Red, Brown, Blue

Hitchhiker Non-backlit/RGB

TTC Switches: Gold Pink, Speed Silver, ACE, Holy Panda
Cherry MX Switches: Red, Brown, Blue

Dark Side Non-backlit/RGB

TTC Switches: Gold Pink, Speed Silver, ACE, Holy Panda
Cherry MX Switches: Red, Brown, Blue

Black Tangerine Non-backlit/RGB TTC Switches: Gold Pink, Speed Silver, Holy Panda
Cherry MX Switches: Brown
Happy Ape Non-backlit/RGB

TTC Switches: Gold Pink, Speed Silver, Holy Panda

Lavandin Non-backlit/RGB TTC Switches: Gold Pink, Speed Silver, ACE, Holy Panda
Cherry MX Switches: Red, Brown, Blue
 Wreck Diving Non-backlit/RGB TTC Switches: Gold Pink, Speed Silver, ACE, Holy Panda
Cherry MX Switches: Red, Brown, Blue
 Camping Non-backlit/RGB TTC Switches: Gold Pink, Speed Silver, ACE, Holy Panda
Cherry MX Switches: Red, Brown, Blue
  Wintertide Non-backlit/RGB TTC Switches: Gold Pink, Speed Silver, ACE, Holy Panda
Cherry MX Switches: Red, Brown, Blue
 Cosmic Traveller Non-backlit/RGB TTC Switches: Gold Pink, Speed Silver, ACE, Holy Panda
Cherry MX Switches: Red, Brown, Blue
 Variable X Non-backlit/RGB TTC Switches: Gold Pink, Speed Silver, ACE, Holy Panda
Cherry MX Switches: Red, Brown, Blue
Typinglab Non-backlit/RGB

TTC Switches: Gold Pink, Speed Silver, ACE, Holy Panda
Cherry MX Switches: Red, Brown, Silent Brown, Blue

Compared To Other Keyboards

The IQUNIX F97 keyboard is a high-end wireless keyboard and a successor to the IQUNIX's F96. This update adds several new features, including longer advertised battery life, updated Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, and a hot-swappable PCB, which makes it easier t ohe stock switches on the keyboard. Overall, this keyboard provides a similarly high level of build quality and typing experience as other popular 'custom' style keyboards like the Keychron Q5, the GLORIOUS GMMK 2, or the Ducky One 3 keyboards. However, the IQUNIX F97 board isn't designed to be as customizable overall. While it feels very premium and is available in a wide range of eye-catching colorways, it's more expensive.

For more recommendations, see our picks for the best keyboards, the best mechanical keyboards, and the best keyboards for typing.

Ducky One 3

The Ducky One 3 and the IQUNIX F97 are mechanical keyboards available in a wide range of expressive colorways. The Ducky is a wired-only model with much lower latency, making it a better pick for gaming. It's also designed to be easier to customize overall. While the unit we bought and tested is a full-size model, several smaller models are also available. On the other hand, the IQUNIX F97 has a compact (96%) form factor. This keyboard is a wireless model you can pair with up to three devices simultaneously via Bluetooth.

GLORIOUS GMMK 2

The IQUNIX F97 and the GLORIOUS GMMK 2 are mechanical keyboards with Compact (96%) form factors. The IQUNIX is a wireless model that lets you connect via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously or with a USB receiver. On the other hand, the GLORIOUS is a wired-only model that you can purchase as a pre-built keyboard or as a barebones kit. It has better latency, making it more suitable for competitive gaming. It's also designed more with hardware customizability in mind.

Keychron Q5

The IQUNIX F97 and the Keychron Q5 are mechanical keyboards with Compact (96%) form factors. The IQUNIX F97 is a wireless model that you can connect with a USB receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously. On the other hand, the Keychron is wired-only and designed with more hardware customizability in mind. It also offers a slightly better typing experience due to its premium-feeling gasket-mounted design. The Keychron has several smaller variants in its Q Series lineup, while the IQUNIX is only available as a compact (96%) model.

Keychron Q6

The IQUNIX F97 and the Keychron Q6 are mechanical keyboards with different form factors. The IQUNIX F97 is a wireless, compact (96%) keyboard that allows you to connect with a USB receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously. On the other hand, the Keychron Q6 is a wired-only, full-size keyboard that's considerably larger and heavier than the IQUNIX F97. It's designed to be more readily customizable and offers a better overall typing experience thanks to its cushioned gasket-mounted design. The Keychron also has several smaller-sized variants available in the same Q Series lineup, while the IQUNIX is only available in a single form factor.

NuPhy Halo96 [Halo65, Halo75]

The IQUNIX F97 and the NuPhy Halo96 are wireless mechanical keyboards. While the IQUNIX F97 is only available in a 96% form factor, the NuPhy Halo line is available in 65%, 75%, or 96% sizes. The NuPhy boards also have layers of silicone sound-dampening material inside the case, an RGB strip around the exterior edge of the keyboard, and multiple incline settings. On the other hand, the IQUNIX only has a fixed incline angle, but it's available in a much wider range of expressive colorways.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Dimensions
Size
Compact (96%)
Height
1.7" (4.2 cm)
Width 14.6" (37.2 cm)
Depth
4.9" (12.4 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
N/A
Weight
2.68 lbs (1.217 kg)

The IQUNIX F97 includes nearly all the keys on a typical full-size keyboard but in a more compact package. This keyboard has conventional spacing between keys, so typing doesn't feel cramped. However, there isn't any wasted space between key zones, like the navigation cluster, arrow keys, or the Numpad. While this keyboard is smaller than most full-size options, it's pretty heavy and not very portable.

8.5
Design
Build Quality
Keycap Material PBT

Overall, this keyboard has excellent build quality and feels very premium. It has a sturdy aluminum frame that doesn't flex at all. The keycaps are made of high-quality, doubleshot PBT with a slightly textured finish that feels nice on your fingertips. Most of the keys are stable, but some of the mid-sized keys, like the Tab, Caps Lock, and Right Shift, lack stabilizers and wobble noticeably when using them. On the underside of the keyboard, there are four rubber feet that do a good job of keeping the board in place.

6.0
Design
Ergonomics
Board Design
Straight
Minimum Incline
6°
Medium Incline
N/A
Maximum Incline
N/A
Wrist Rest No

This keyboard has acceptable ergonomics. It has a fairly tall, fixed incline, and it doesn't come with an included wrist rest, so you need to bend your wrists at a fairly steep angle to use it, which can be fatiguing if you're typing for long periods.

9.9
Design
Backlighting
Backlighting Yes
Color
RGB
Individually Backlit Keys
Yes
Color Mixing
Good
Effects
Yes
Programmable
Yes

You can purchase this keyboard with full RGB backlighting or no backlighting. The RGB backlighting on the unit we tested has good distinction between colors, and its white-only backlighting is very close to pure white with only a minor greyish tint, unlike many other keyboards which typically have a blue or reddish hue when displaying white-only backlighting. However, the backlighting may differ if you get this keyboard in a different colorway variation as the light can take on different tones depending on the color of the case and keycaps.

Design
Cable & Connector
Connectivity Wireless
Detachable
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
Length 4.9 ft (1.5 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
USB type-C

This keyboard includes a fairly stiff, braided USB-A to USB-C cable, and you must use a wired connection to use the software.

10
Design
Wireless Versatility
Bluetooth
Yes
Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
3
Proprietary Receiver
Yes
Battery Type
Rechargeable

This keyboard has a 4000mAh battery that IQUNIX advertises to last up to 260 days using a Bluetooth connection with the backlighting off and 5 hours of usage per day.

8.1
Design
Hardware Customizability
Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers
No
Stabilizer Fixation
Plate-Mounted
Spacebar Stabilizer Size
6.25u
Size Of Right Mod Keys
1u
Hot-Swappable Switches
Yes
Switch Stem Shape
Cherry MX Style
Switch PCB Socket
5-pin
North-Facing Cherry MX Interference
No

This keyboard provides a decent level of customizability. It uses Costar-type stabilizers, which people typically appreciate for their typing feel, but can also produce more of a rattling sound compared to Cherry-type stabilizers. Also, Costar stabilizers make it more challenging to install keycaps because they need to be hooked into small plastic inserts inside the keycap. IQUNIX has a step-by-step video detailing how to install and remove Costar stabilizers on their YouTube channel. You can see the video here.

These stabilizers are plate mounted, which means they're fairly easy to remove if you want to lube, mod, or replace them. However, they generally don't offer the comparatively higher degree of either clip-in or screw-in PCB-mounted fixations.

4.0
Design
Macro Keys And Programming
Dedicated Macro Keys Count 0
Onboard Macro Programming
No
Macro Programming With Software
Yes
Design
Extra Features
Media Keys
Non-Dedicated
Trackpad / Trackball No
Scroll Wheel
No
Control Knob
No
USB Passthrough
No
Numpad Yes
Windows Key Lock
Yes
Lock Indicator Caps Lock

The IQUNIX F97 has several minor extra features, including a Caps lock indicator light located between the G and H keys. While this keyboard has no dedicated media keys, there are media hotkey combinations. There are also additional hotkeys for Windows Key Lock, switching between Windows and macOS modes, backlighting controls, and for checking the battery status. A list of hotkeys is provided in the User Manual.

Design
In The Box

  • IQUNIX F97
  • USB-C to USB-A cable
  • USB receiver
  • USB receiver extender
  • 4x alternate Mac keycaps
  • Keycap puller
  • Switch puller
  • Cleaning brush
  • User documentation

Typing Experience
Typing Experience
Keystrokes
Key Switches
Cherry MX Brown
Mechanical
Yes
Feel
Tactile
Operating Force
58 gf
Actuation Force
49 gf
Pre-Travel
2.1 mm
Total Travel
4.0 mm

The Cherry MX Brown switch on the unit we tested has a light but satisfying tactile bump that comes fairly early during the keypress. This keyboard is also available in various TTC and Cherry MX switches with tactile, linear, or clicky characteristics that will perform somewhat differently. Additionally, this keyboard has a hot-swappable PCB, meaning you can change the stock switch out for other switch types you prefer.

8.0
Typing Experience
Typing Quality

The IQUNIX F97 provides impressive typing quality due to its good key stability, regular spacing between keys, and high-quality PBT plastic keycaps. Some of the larger keys that don't have stabilizers wobble noticeably, including the Shift key on the right side. Also, due to the relatively thick profile of this keyboard and the lack of an included wrist rest, you need to bend your wrists upwards to reach the keys, and you may experience fatigue when typing for long periods.

7.8
Typing Experience
Typing Noise
Average Loudness
50.7 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No

This keyboard is fairly quiet to type on with Cherry MX Brown switches. This keyboard is also available in a range of other switches, which will produce similar noise levels. However, we expect the Cherry MX Blue switch option will be louder with high-pitched clicks. If you're interested in a quieter keyboard that has layers of silicone sound-dampening material inside the case, check out the NuPhy Halo96.

7.4
Typing Experience
Latency
Latency Wired
10.8 ms
Latency Receiver
11.2 ms
Latency Bluetooth
20.2 ms

This keyboard has decent latency, and you won't experience noticeable delays while working, browsing, or gaming. However, we recommend a keyboard with lower latency if you're a competitive gamer.

Software and Operating System
Software and Operating System
Configuration Software
Software Name IQUNIX
Software Windows Compatible
Yes
Software macOS Compatible
No
Onboard Memory
Yes
Profiles
No Profile

This keyboard uses IQUNIX software, which is well laid out and easy to use. This software lets you adjust several expected settings, including macros, button mapping, and backlighting. You can only access the software when you use your keyboard with a wired connection.

10
Software and Operating System
Computer Compatibility
Windows
Fully Compatible
macOS
Fully Compatible
Linux (Ubuntu 22)
Fully Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Windows, MacOS & Linux

This keyboard allows you to switch between Windows and macOS compatibility modes using a hotkey combination listed in the User Manual. On macOS, the Print Screen key doesn't work, which is normal. Furthermore, several hotkey combinations, including the calculator, don't work on macOS and Linux.

10
Software and Operating System
Wireless Mobile Compatibility
Android
Fully Compatible
iOS
Fully Compatible
iPadOS
Fully Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Android, iPhone & iPad

This keyboard is fully compatible with major mobile operating systems. However, for iOS and iPadOS devices, you'll need to activate mac mode using a long press of the Fn+Tab keys. Additionally, the secondary functions of the F keys (ex: Media functions) become the primary functions by default.