TurboVS
Kreo Hive 98 specifications and in-depth review

Kreo Hive 98

Manufacturer: Kreo

The Kreo Hive 98 is a full-size mechanical keyboard aimed at gaming use, built around a gasket mount construction that sits within a plastic housing available in white, black, and gray colorways. It connects via a detachable USB cable, supports N-key rollover for simultaneous keypress registration, and includes a rotary dial alongside media function layer access. Adjustable feet allow for tilt customization, and the board ships without a wrist rest.

The keyboard uses the Kreo Purple Linear Switch, a hot-swappable mechanical switch with a 50 g actuation force, 2 mm actuation point, and 4 mm total travel distance. Keycaps are double-shot PBT in the Cherry profile, laid out in a standard ANSI configuration. The polycarbonate plate and per-key RGB lighting round out the build, while the polling rate sits at 1000 Hz. At 737 g and measuring 392 × 142 × 40 mm, it carries a one-year warranty.

Pros
  • Hot-swappable switches allow for easy switch replacement without soldering
  • Gasket mount construction provides a more flexible and dampened typing feel compared to rigid plate mounts
  • Full N-key rollover ensures every simultaneous keypress is accurately registered
  • Detachable cable adds convenience for transport and cable management
  • Double-shot PBT keycaps in Cherry profile offer durability and a familiar typing surface
  • Includes a rotary dial for additional input control beyond standard key functions
Cons
  • No support for QMK, ZMK, or VIA, limiting firmware and keymap customization options
  • Media functions are only accessible via the Fn layer rather than dedicated keys
  • Does not include a wrist rest, which must be sourced separately
  • Rapid trigger and adjustable actuation are absent, restricting advanced switch input features
  • Plastic case material may feel less substantial than aluminum or other rigid materials
  • Only a one-year warranty period is included
Who is this for?

The Kreo Hive 98 is well suited to users who want a full-size mechanical keyboard for everyday gaming or general desktop use without giving up the number row or numpad. The hot-swappable gasket mount design makes it a practical choice for those who enjoy experimenting with different switches or want a softer, more forgiving typing feel out of the box. Mac compatibility and a detachable cable also make it a reasonable fit for users who work across different setups or operating systems.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who rely on advanced firmware customization through QMK, ZMK, or VIA will find this keyboard limiting, as none of those platforms are supported. It is also a poor match for competitive players who specifically seek rapid trigger or adjustable actuation functionality, since neither feature is present. Additionally, those who prefer a compact or tenkeyless form factor, or who need dedicated media keys without relying on an Fn layer, will likely find the layout and feature set insufficient for their workflow.

General info:

Keyboard type Gaming, Mechanical, Standard
Keyboard layout size Full (100%)
Profile Standard
connectivity Wired
connection type USB
polling rate 1000 Hz
Mount type Gasket mount
designed for Mac ✓
has a detachable cable ✓
height 142 mm
width 392 mm
thickness 40 mm
weight 737 g
warranty period 1 years

The Kreo Hive 98 is a full-size (100%) mechanical gaming keyboard with a standard profile, connecting to a host system via wired USB at a polling rate of 1000 Hz. It features a gasket mount design and comes with a detachable cable, offering some flexibility in cable management. The board is compatible with Mac and measures 392 × 142 × 40 mm at a weight of 737 g, making it a full-layout option with a relatively compact footprint for its class. It is covered by a one-year warranty.

Design:

has RGB lighting ✓
Has a backlit keyboard ✓
Case material Plastic
Plate material Polycarbonate
Case colors White, Black, Gray
has adjustable feet ✓
includes a wrist rest ✕

The Kreo Hive 98 features a plastic case with a polycarbonate plate and is available in three colorways: white, black, and gray. It includes per-key RGB backlighting, giving users control over lighting customization. Adjustable feet are present to allow typing angle changes, though the keyboard does not include a wrist rest.

Switches:

Switch type Mechanical
Switch feel Linear
Hot-swappable switches ✓
Switch name Kreo Purple Linear Switch
Actuation distance (min) 2 mm
Actuation distance (max) 2 mm
Actuation force 50 g
Total travel distance 4 mm

The Kreo Hive 98 is equipped with the Kreo Purple Linear Switch, a mechanical switch with a smooth, linear feel and an actuation point of 2 mm. It requires 50 g of actuation force and offers a total travel distance of 4 mm. The board supports hot-swappable switches, allowing the switches 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 Kreo Hive 98 supports N-key rollover (NKRO), ensuring every simultaneous keypress is registered accurately. It does not include analog input, rapid trigger, dual actuation, or adjustable actuation functionality. USB passthrough and an onboard display are also absent, and the keyboard does not offer QMK, ZMK, or VIA support for open-source firmware customization.

Keys & layout:

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

The Kreo Hive 98 uses an ANSI (United States) layout with a standard key arrangement, making it compatible with widely available replacement keycap sets. The keycaps are double-shot PBT in the Cherry profile, offering a familiar low-to-medium height typing feel. Media functions are accessible via the Fn key rather than dedicated keys, and the board includes a rotary dial for additional input control.

Final Verdict

The Kreo Hive 98 presents itself as a straightforward full-size mechanical keyboard that covers the essentials without overreaching. Its hot-swappable gasket mount build gives it genuine appeal for users who want a customizable, comfortable typing experience without committing to a single switch type. Double-shot PBT keycaps, N-key rollover, and a rotary dial round out a feature set that feels practical and considered for its intended use. Where it falls short — namely the absence of open-source firmware support and advanced actuation features — reflects a design aimed at accessible versatility rather than enthusiast-level tunability. For users seeking a reliable, customization-friendly full-size board for gaming or daily use, the Kreo Hive 98 is a competent and well-rounded option.