TurboVS
Chilkey ND104 specifications and in-depth review

Chilkey ND104

Manufacturer: Chilkey

The Chilkey ND104 is a full-size mechanical keyboard that covers the complete 100% layout in a standard profile form factor. It supports both wireless and wired operation, connecting via Bluetooth 5.3, 2.4GHz wireless, or USB, giving users flexibility depending on their setup. The board ships in four colorways — White, Black, Pink, and Blue — and features a mixed plastic and aluminum case with RGB backlighting in a south-facing orientation. Adjustable feet and a detachable cable round out the physical feature set.

Under the hood, the ND104 uses WS Silent Linear switches with a 45g actuation force, a 2mm actuation point, and 3.5mm total travel, mounted on an FR4 plate in a plate-mount configuration. The switches are hot-swappable, and the board supports VIA for keymap customization. Additional highlights include N-key rollover, a rotary dial, dedicated media keys, an onboard display, and double-shot PBT keycaps in an OEM profile with a standard ANSI layout. The keyboard polls at 1000Hz and carries a one-year warranty.

Pros
  • Hot-swappable switches allow for easy switch replacement without soldering
  • Three connection options — Bluetooth 5.3, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB — offer flexible setup choices
  • 118-hour wireless battery life reduces how often the keyboard needs to be charged
  • VIA support enables keymap customization directly without flashing firmware
  • Includes an onboard display and a rotary dial for added control and visibility
  • Double-shot PBT keycaps in an OEM profile offer durability and a standard typing feel
Cons
  • At 2225 g, the keyboard is notably heavy, which can be a drawback for portability
  • No wrist rest is included, requiring a separate purchase for users who need wrist support
  • Lacks QMK and ZMK firmware support, limiting customization options for users who rely on those ecosystems
  • Does not support rapid trigger or adjustable actuation, which may matter to users seeking precise input control
  • Not designed for Mac, so Mac users may need to remap certain keys manually
Who is this for?

This keyboard suits users who want flexible connectivity across multiple devices, given its support for Bluetooth 5.3, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB in a single board. The 118-hour wireless battery life makes it a practical choice for those who prefer cordless setups without frequent recharging. Users who like to experiment with switches will appreciate the hot-swappable design, and those who want basic keymap customization without flashing firmware will find VIA support sufficient for their needs. The full 100% layout with dedicated media keys and a rotary dial also makes it well-suited for users who rely on a complete key set in a desktop environment.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who require advanced input features such as rapid trigger or adjustable actuation — common expectations in competitive gaming scenarios — will find this keyboard lacking in that regard. At 2225 g, it is not well-suited for users who regularly transport their keyboard, as the substantial weight makes portability inconvenient. Additionally, those who depend on QMK or ZMK firmware for deep, code-level customization will need to look elsewhere, since neither is supported. Mac-focused users may also find the lack of dedicated Mac key labeling a minor but persistent inconvenience.

General info:

Keyboard type Mechanical
Keyboard layout size Full (100%)
Profile Standard
connectivity Wireless & wired
connection type Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, USB
polling rate 1000 Hz
Mount type Plate mount
Battery life 118 hours
designed for Mac ✕
has a detachable cable ✓
height 140 mm
width 437.6 mm
thickness 34.4 mm
weight 2225 g
Bluetooth version 5.3
warranty period 1 years

The Chilkey ND104 is a full-size mechanical keyboard with a standard profile, covering the complete 100% layout and measuring 437.6 mm wide, 140 mm deep, and 34.4 mm thick at a weight of 2225 g. It uses a plate-mount construction and supports three connection modes — Bluetooth 5.3, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB — with a detachable cable included for wired use. When running wirelessly, the keyboard delivers up to 118 hours of battery life and polls at 1000Hz. The board is not designed specifically for Mac and comes with a one-year warranty.

Design:

has RGB lighting ✓
Has a backlit keyboard ✓
Case material Plastic, Aluminum
Plate material FR4
Case colors White, Black, Pink, Blue
has adjustable feet ✓
includes a wrist rest ✕
Backlight facing direction South-facing

The keyboard features a case constructed from plastic and aluminum, with an FR4 plate, and is available in four color options: White, Black, Pink, and Blue. It includes RGB backlighting with a south-facing LED orientation, which directs light toward the front of each keycap. The case has adjustable feet for typing angle customization, though no wrist rest is included in the package.

Switches:

Switch type Mechanical
Switch feel Linear
Hot-swappable switches ✓
Switch name WS Silent Linear Switch
Actuation distance (min) 2 mm
Actuation distance (max) 2 mm
Actuation force 45 g
Total travel distance 3.5 mm

The keyboard ships with WS Silent Linear switches, a mechanical linear type known for smooth, quiet keystrokes. Each switch has a fixed actuation point of 2 mm, a total travel distance of 3.5 mm, and requires 45 g of actuation force. The switches are hot-swappable, allowing them to be replaced without soldering.

Features:

has analog input ✕
has rapid trigger ✕
has dual actuation ✕
has adjustable actuation ✕
has NKRO ✓
has USB passthrough ✕
Has a display ✓
has QMK support ✕
has ZMK support ✕
has VIA support ✓

The keyboard supports N-key rollover (NKRO) for simultaneous keypress registration, and includes an onboard display for at-a-glance status information. Keymap customization is handled through VIA support, while QMK and ZMK firmware are not supported. The board does not offer analog input, rapid trigger, dual actuation, adjustable actuation, or USB passthrough functionality.

Keys & layout:

Keyboard layout ANSI (United States)
Keycap type Double-shot, PBT
Keycap profile OEM
uses a standard key layout ✓
Media keys Dedicated media keys
has a rotary dial ✓

The keyboard uses an ANSI (United States) layout with a standard key arrangement, fitted with double-shot PBT keycaps in an OEM profile. It includes dedicated media keys for direct playback and volume control, along with a rotary dial for additional input convenience.

Final Verdict

The Chilkey ND104 is a well-rounded full-size mechanical keyboard that covers the essentials for desktop users who value connectivity flexibility and a complete layout. Its standout quality is the combination of triple-mode wireless support and a 118-hour battery life, which together make it a genuinely practical option for users who want a reliable cordless experience without compromise. Hot-swappable switches and VIA support add a layer of personalization that will satisfy most users looking to fine-tune their setup. That said, the keyboard's weight and the absence of advanced input features like rapid trigger or QMK support mean it is better positioned as a versatile daily driver than a specialized tool for competitive or power users. Overall, the ND104 delivers a solid, feature-conscious package for those who need a full-size board with flexible connectivity and room for modest customization.