Substrate & Stem
How we compare products
Our comparisons are built from documentation, not from hands-on trials. This page explains what we weigh, and where that approach stops being useful.
The short version
We compare published specs against standard definitions so you can spot mismatches before checkout. We do not rank boards by sound, durability or speed, because documentation cannot prove those things.
What we compare
| Area | What we look at | Evidence type |
|---|---|---|
| Build and mount | Gasket versus tray construction, plate material, dampening described | Seller Advertised |
| Switches and PCB | 3-pin or 5-pin sockets, north/south-facing LEDs, hot-swap claims | Advertised + Standard Specification |
| Layout | Form factor, key count, split or ergonomic shape | Standard Specification |
| Connectivity | Wired, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, stated battery capacity | Seller Advertised |
| Firmware | QMK, VIA or proprietary mapping as named by the seller | Advertised + Standard Specification |
The limits of evidence
A spec sheet cannot tell you how a board feels
Two boards with identical plate material and mount type can sound very different once switches, keycaps and desk surface vary. We describe the configuration; we cannot predict your result.
Seller numbers stay seller numbers
Phrases like “zero latency”, “real thock” or a battery figure in milliamps-hours are reproduced as the listing states them. We do not convert them into pass/fail results.
Fitment is a checkpoint, not a promise
Socket and orientation details are flagged so you can confirm compatibility yourself before buying. A listed match is not a guarantee that your parts will fit.
How to read a comparison
- Treat every [Seller Advertised] label as a claim to verify, not a settled fact.
- Check that layout and PCB caveats are shown on the page itself — not tucked away.
- Expect no star scores or fictitious sound-level numbers; their absence is deliberate.
Corrections and source rules are set out in our editorial policy. Commission handling is explained in our affiliate disclosure.