The Tecware Spectre 96 is a gasket-mounted mechanical keyboard that comes with a customizable LCD display, knob, RGB backlight, tri-mode connectivity, and a 4000mAh battery. It also features a full numpad, which is a great addition to its compact form factor. Having used it as my daily driver, I’ll share my experience with its performance and determine whether it’s worth buying for under $100.
What’s in the box
Inside the Spectre 96 box, you’ll find everything you need to get started, all neatly packed. The package includes:
- The Spectre 96 mechanical keyboard
- A braided USB-C cable
- A 2.4 GHz wireless USB receiver
- A switch and keycap remover tool
- Four extra switches
- A spare LCD screen protector
- A keyboard dust protector
- A user manual
Design, Custom LCD Display, Knob and Build Quality
The Tecware Spectre 96 is available in two colors: black and white. My review model is the black one, and it looks fantastic on my desk with its clean, minimalist design. The keyboard features a 96-key layout that cleverly includes a full numpad, along with dedicated function and shortcut keys, all in a compact frame.
On the upper right corner, above the numpad, is an interactive knob with a textured grip that feels great to use. Right behind it is the customizable LCD display, which you can set to show battery status, connectivity mode, and RGB lighting effects. The software allows you to upload custom GIFs, and you can switch between volume control and display settings by pressing and holding the FN + Knob for three seconds. These premium features make the keyboard feel incredibly cool for a sub-$100 price, and I’m totally satisfied with them.
The front edge of the keyboard houses the connectivity toggle switch for easy switching between Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and wired modes. Next to it is the USB-C port for charging and wired use.
On the back, you’ll find two-stage adjustable kickstands and a clever storage slot for the wireless receiver behind the right kickstand. The underside also features a sticker with the Tecware logo and model information.
In terms of build quality, the case is made from ABS plastic. It feels solid and premium, and it doesn’t easily show dust or fingerprints. For a keyboard in this price range, the build quality and minimalist design are excellent, offering a full-featured experience for both gaming and productivity.
Switch/Keycaps and Typing Experience
The Tecware Spectre 96 features universal 5-pin hot-swappable sockets, allowing you to easily change out switches without any soldering. It comes with two pre-lubed switch options:
- COCOA Brown: A tactile switch with a 36±5gf actuation force and a 4.0±0.5mm total travel distance.
- Candy Red: A linear switch with a 45±5gf actuation force and a 3.5±0.3mm travel distance.
The keyboard is fitted with high-quality, double-shot PBT keycaps that do not allow light to shine through. As a 96% layout, it does omit some keys found on a full-size board, such as the PrntSc and other dedicated shortcut keys.
In my experience, the typing feel is fantastic. The tactile feedback is crisp, and the travel distance is satisfying for both typing and gaming. The keyboard’s sound is a deep, pleasing “thocky” tone, which makes every keystroke feel premium. To truly appreciate its sound profile, a sound test has been provided below.
RGB Backlight
The Tecware Spectre 96 comes with 19 pre-set RGB effects. You can cycle through these effects using the dedicated software or directly on the keyboard via the knob and customizable display. The south-facing LEDs provide cleaner and more vibrant RGB illumination from the keys, which can also be fully remapped and customized using the software. The brightness is excellent, and the colors really pop, making the effects look great.
Connectivity
The Tecware Spectre 96 supports tri-mode connectivity, offering Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB-C wired options. In my testing, all three modes performed exceptionally well. The keyboard connects instantly without any noticeable lag, making it reliable for daily work and writing. While wired mode is always recommended for serious or competitive gaming, the 2.4GHz wireless connection provides an amazing, delay-free response that is more than sufficient for casual gaming and general use.
Battery Life
The keyboard is equipped with a 4000mAh battery, which Tecware claims provides up to 400 hours of continuous usage. While it’s true that some competitors like Epomaker, MechLands offer batteries with higher capacities (8000mAh or more) in a similar price range, the Spectre 96’s battery still performs impressively. During my testing, with the full RGB backlight and a custom GIF running on the display, the battery drained by only 5% over four hours, confirming that it lives up to its claimed performance under normal usage.
Final Thought – Is the Tecware Spectre 96 worth to Buy?
After using it for a couple of days, I can confidently say that the Tecware Spectre 96 is worth the purchase. It boasts a sleek, minimalist design and a solid, premium build quality. The inclusion of a full numpad is a major plus, and the customizable LCD display along with the interactive knob are standout features that truly enhance the user experience.
The 4000mAh battery provides excellent performance, giving you extended periods of use for both work and gaming. The typing experience is exceptional, with a great tactile feel and a satisfying sound.
The Spectre 96 a budget Mechanical keyboard, its impressive list of features including the gasket-mounted design, hot-swappable switches, and unique display makes it a premium product that offers incredible value for its price $90.
