IQUNIX F97 vs HHKB Studio: Which Keyboard Is Better?

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Jun 11, 2024 02:17 PM

ConnectivityWireless

Size Compact (96%)

Switch Type Mechanical

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) Yes

Hot-Swappable Switches Yes

ConnectivityWireless

Size Compact (60%)

Switch Type Mechanical

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) No

Hot-Swappable Switches Yes

Our Verdict

IQUNIX F97

HHKB Studio

The IQUNIX F97 and HHKB Studio are high-end wireless keyboards with great typing quality. The IQUNIX has a larger 96% layout and a more conventional overall approach without any unusual features. It also has full per-key backlighting, which the HHKB lacks. Comparatively, the HHKB has a smaller compact (60%) form factor. That said, it incorporates several more unusual productivity features, including four programmable gesture pads, 'mouse buttons,' and a 'pointing stick' that acts like a mouse cursor.

Variants

F97 (Black Tangerine)
F97 (Camping)
F97 (Coral Seal)
F97 (Cosmic Traveller)
F97 (Dark Side)
F97 (Graffiti Diary)
F97 (Happy Ape)
F97 (Hitchhiker)
F97 (Lavandin)
F97 (Typinglab)
F97 (Variable X)
F97 (Wintertide)
F97 (Wreck Diving)

Studio (Charcoal)
Studio (Charcoal - Tinymakesthings Bundle)

Review

See IQUNIX F97 Review

See HHKB Studio Review

Check Price

Black Tangerine

F97

Charcoal

Studio

Camping

F97

Charcoal - Tinymakesthings Bundle

Studio

Coral Seal

F97

Cosmic Traveller

F97

Dark Side

F97

Graffiti Diary

F97

Happy Ape

F97

Hitchhiker

F97

Lavandin

F97

Typinglab

F97

Variable X

F97

Wintertide

F97

Wreck Diving

F97

Main Differences for

Gaming

Threshold

0.10

Gaming

8.0

6.5

Backlight Features

0.0

Chord Split

8.1

5.3

Backlight Clarity

4.0

0.0

Data Transmission

8.7

7.2

Full Comparison

Gaming

8.0

6.5

Office

7.8

7.7

Mobile/Tablet

6.8

7.3

Programming

7.8

7.4

Entertainment / HTPC

5.5

7.1

Raw Performance

7.9

7.4

Design

Dimensions

Top Picture

Size

Compact (96%)

Compact (60%)

Height

1.7" (4.2 cm)

1.6" (4.1 cm)

Width

14.6" (37.2 cm)

12.0" (30.4 cm)

Depth

4.9" (12.4 cm)

5.2" (13.2 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest

N/A

Weight

2.68 lbs (1.217 kg)

2.07 lbs (0.940 kg)

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Build Quality

8.5

Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material

PBT

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Ergonomics

6.0

Side Picture

Curved/Angled

Split Keyboard

Key Alignment

Staggered

Minimum Incline

6°

Medium Incline

N/A

9°

Maximum Incline

N/A

13°

Home Row Height

30.4 mm (1.2")

31.3 mm (1.2")

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Hardware Customizability

8.1

9.3

Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers

Yes

Stabilizer Fixation

Plate-Mounted

Screw-in

Spacebar Stabilizer Size

6.25u

Size Of Right Mod Keys

Non-Standard

Hot-Swappable Switches

Yes

Switch Stem Shape

Cherry MX Style

Switch PCB Socket

5-pin Cherry

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference

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Backlight Features

0.0

Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max

Backlighting

Yes

Brightness Min

RGB

Yes

Per-Key Backlighting

Yes

Effects

Yes

Software Controllable

Yes

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Backlight Clarity

4.0

0.0

White Shot

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Cable & Connector

Connectivity

Wireless

Detachable

Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)

Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)

Length

4.9 ft (1.5 m)

3.1 ft (0.9 m)

Connector (Keyboard side)

USB type-C

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Wireless Versatility

9.6

Bluetooth

Yes

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing

Proprietary Receiver

Yes

Battery Type

Rechargeable

4x AA

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Macro Keys And Programming

4.0

0.0

Dedicated Macro Keys Count

Onboard Macro Programming

Macro Programming With Software

Yes

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Extra Features

Media Keys

Non-Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball

Yes

Scroll Wheel

Control Knob

USB Passthrough

Numpad

Yes

Windows Key Lock

Yes

Lock Indicator

Caps Lock

No Indicator

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In The Box

Bundle Picture

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Typing Experience

Typing Quality

8.0

Key Spacing

19.0 mm (0.748")

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Typing Noise

7.8

9.5

Typing Sample

Average Loudness

50.7 dBA

40.9 dBA

High Pitch Clicks

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Switches

Wobble Video

Switch Name

Cherry MX Brown

HHKB Linear

Switch Type

Mechanical

Feel

Tactile

Linear

Analog

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Keystrokes

Key Switch Actuation Graph

Operating Force

58 gf

46 gf

Actuation Force

49 gf

46 gf

Pre-Travel

2.1 mm

1.8 mm

Total Travel

4.0 mm

3.1 mm

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Performance

Single-Key Latency

7.8

8.2

Single-Key Latency Graph

Best Connection

15.7 ms

11.7 ms

Best Connection Std Dev

±0.9 ms

±0.7 ms

Wired

15.7 ms

11.7 ms

Receiver

15.9 ms

N/A

Bluetooth

28.8 ms

19.4 ms

PCB (Estimated)

13.8 ms

N/A

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Multi-Key Latency

7.4

7.8

Latency Video

Multi-Key Latency Graph

Connection Evaluated

Receiver

Wired

Key Press

16.0 ms

11.7 ms

Key Release

18.5 ms

14.2 ms

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Data Transmission

8.7

7.2

Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated

Receiver

Wired

USB Polling Rate

1,000 Hz

Effective Update Rate

1,000 Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO)

Yes

Multiple Keys Per USB Report

Yes

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Chord Split

8.1

5.3

Chord Split Graph

4 Chord Split Delay

5.3 ms

14.2 ms

8 Chord Split Delay

9.9 ms

N/A

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Software and Operating System

Configuration Software

Software Tour

Software Name

IQUNIX

Happy Hacking Keyboard Keymap Tool

Software Windows Compatible

Yes

Software macOS Compatible

Yes

Onboard Memory

Yes

Profiles

No Profile

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Computer Compatibility

Windows

Fully Compatible

macOS

Fully Compatible

Linux (Ubuntu 22)

Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility

Windows, MacOS & Linux

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Wireless Mobile Compatibility

Android

Fully Compatible

iOS

Fully Compatible

iPadOS

Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility

Android, iPhone & iPad

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Check Price

Black Tangerine

F97

Charcoal

Studio

Camping

F97

Charcoal - Tinymakesthings Bundle

Studio

Coral Seal

F97

Cosmic Traveller

F97

Dark Side

F97

Graffiti Diary

F97

Happy Ape

F97

Hitchhiker

F97

Lavandin

F97

Typinglab

F97

Variable X

F97

Wintertide

F97

Wreck Diving

F97