M6
$65.99 – $79.99
MonsGeek M6, a dream come true for keyboard enthusiasts!
This aluminum barebone kit boasts unique 65% alice-style layouts, setting it apart from traditional designs. Embrace ergonomic bliss as it alleviates strain and fatigue during extended typing sessions, making it the perfect choice for work, gaming, or general use, ensuring optimal comfort and efficiency.
Disclaimer: we do NOT sell domestic non-VIA/QMK version kits on global store. All M series wired kits you see are international versions exclusive.
Aluminum Case
Customizable RGB
Gasket Mount
N-Key Rollover
5-Pin Hot-Swappable
Mac & Windows & Linux
M6
65% 68-Key Alice-style Aluminum DIY Kit.
M6 features the Alice-style layout, renowned for its ergonomic design that promotes a natural hand position, effectively reducing strain and discomfort during extended typing sessions. Additionally, the compact design of the Alice-style layout saves valuable desk space and enables easy access to all keys without the need for stretching or straining.
M Series QC Guide
Learn about what to expect with the order. MonsGeek provides its standard on how we manage aluminum finishes during QC process. Click icon on the left to download.
Stabilizers
PCB Mount/Screw-in stabilizers tend to vibrate less. M6 QMK uses Akko screw-in stabilizers (un-assembled/random color) with nylon housing in case users want to lubricate.
South-facing PCB
The south-facing PCB of the M6 avoids causing interference with Cherry profile keycaps, offering more compatibility and flexibility.
N-Key Rollover
The N-Key Rollover technology allows all keys to work simultaneously and ensures every keystroke is recorded and prevents ghosting.
New Silver Accent
While M6 silver comes with golden accent, MonsGeek has picked the new silver accent on other models. MonsGeek will start to offer standalone accents for sale to better personalize each unit based on user preference.
Engraved Back Design
M6 QMK version has adopted the new engraved back design with re-sized sticker for aethestics purposes.
Customizable RGB
M6 offers approximately 18 preset backlight modes, which allow users to adjust the brightness and flowing speed levels. Moreover, it supports a wide range of RGB effects, with over 16.8 million colors available. Users can also install an upcoming JSON file to access even more lighting effects and configurations.
QMK/VIA
MonsGeek M6 supports VIA for cross-platform (Linux/Mac/Windows) advanced keyboard configuration.
This feature is exclusively for the international version of M6.
Need More Foam?
Monsgeek has undergone an upgrade, transitioning to Poron case foam with superior elasticity. Meanwhile, MonsGeek M6 comes with an additional sponage case foam to reduce case ping.
*Disclaimer: Using thicker foam may reduce flex, whether to include it or not is down to your personal preference.
PET Insulation Layer
A PET insulation layer has been added to the bottom case in order to prevent any short circuit issues. It’s rare for these issues to occur but we want to add extra protection.
Accessories to Play With
Extra teflon pads included for users who wish to perform a force break mod.
Extra tape for users who wish to perform a tape mod.
MonsGeek includes a default 3mm custom-made foam for a balanced feeling. Disclaimer: the foam will affect the overall sound profile and flex.
Demonstration
| Model | M6 (international QMK/VIA ver) |
| Mount | Gasket |
| Case Material | Aluminum CNC |
| Color | Black/Silver/Purple |
| Compatible System | Mac & Windows & Linux |
| Connection | USB-C Wired |
| LED | RGB |
| Hotswap | Y |
| PCB Thickness | 1.2mm |
| Plate | PC |
| Plate Foam | Y (Poron) |
| Switch Pad | Y |
| Case Foam | Y (Poron) |
| Drying Agent | Y |
| Tape | Y (not pre-installed) |
| Stabilizer | Akko Screw-in Stabilizer (pre-clipped, but not pre-installed, 4*2u+1*6.25u) |
| Force Break Mod Stripes | Teflon Pads (not pre-installed) |
| Software | QMK/VIA |
| Cable | Coiled Cable |
| Size | around 36.7*14.5*3.7cm |
| Barebone Weight | around 2150g |
iambelet (verified owner) –
ordered it in sale price $89.99 a worthy keyboard i love it really love it
Melody (verified owner) –
I have to say I was a newbie to mechanical keyboards. It took quite some time to build my own complete keyboard, especially with stabilizers, but the process was really interesting. I’m proud to have my very own unique keyboard now.
Anette S (verified owner) –
Be happy with the keyboard, but I wish there were more choices for switches and keycaps available here.
stephen (verified owner) –
fast shipping and the package was in very good condition build it with cream yellow switches and sounds great
John Kelly (verified owner) –
Surprisingly heavy and unique, budget keyboard for starters or hobbyist
Scott (verified owner) –
Superb value for the money. This board comes with everything that you need from a barebones kit to build that enthusiast level board. The board itself is a gorgeous purple colour, and is packaged super well to avoid being damaged in transit. Most of the items come stored within the board, and the selection of foams that it comes with is awesome. The one thing that I wish I was aware of is that adding case foam very much limits the gasket performance, so be aware of that. The plate provides a good amount of flex, and matches the sound profile that I like. The case itself is very sturdy and the aluminum gives it a solid heft – it’s a surprisingly weighty board. The side accents did need a little bit of shimming to prevent rattle, so I just used very small pieces of the VHB insulation layer. The stabilizers in the box seemed very good, and lubed up nice. I’m a huge fan of the alice layout, and this board is no exception, especially being a 65% layout. I don’t miss any of the F-row keys, nor the home and end keys; they are accessible by layers with the Fn key. If you want, you can also absolutely use Via to re-program as needed. Initially I was a bit turned off by the square bottom, rather than a case that follows the edge of the bottom keys, but with some SA keycaps, a wrist wrest was needed, and having a flat bottom edge makes compatibility much friendlier.
Considering all that came in the box, the build quality of the board and the very pretty colour, I would absolutely recommend this board if you are looking for a budget premium alice keyboard. For the price, it provides such an immense value, especially being an aluminum case.
Laura (verified owner) –
Not a traditional alice keyboard. Well built and sturdy and pleasurable typing experience
sharpnova (verified owner) –
Overall im happy with the board, just wish it came in pre-built because im lazy boy
Samuel Welborn (verified owner) –
It has been a while since I was in the mechanical keyboard scene, I probably build my previous board in 2020 or so. So when I saw this keyboard on sale for ~85 bucks, it seemed to good to be true. Although I got it on sale, I am going to be reviewing it as if I payed full price for it.
After I ordered this with DHL, it got to my house in like 4 days from Hong Kong to Seattle! Granted I payed like 20 bucks for express shipping, but you can’t really complain with speeds like that. When it got to my house I was absolutely blown away. I never expected it to be so heavy. I have bought aluminum keyboards before, but just a few years ago, 100 bucks would only get you one of the laser-cut layer sandwich type aluminum boards. The Monsgeek is so chunky I worry my desk might collapse under it. Maybe in 2024 this is more standard, but if you had came up to me a week ago, handed me this keyboard and asked me how much it cost, I would have guessed 300 dollars.
It comes with so many layers of fluff to stuff it with, which seemed silly to me since it is already so dense, but it really does make a huge difference with sound. I never really worried about sound before on my keyboards, but I finally get it. I’m waiting on a set of AKKO WOB building block keycaps, but in them mean time I am using the keycaps from a ~2014 Rosewill keyboard (from the time when everyone thought Das Keyboard with Cherry Blues was the best keyboard ever created) and it makes even these thin, cheap keycaps sound like heaven.
Aesthetically, there isn’t much more you could ask for. Some don’t like the rectangular shape, but I think it looks very kind of retro-futuristic, brutalist even. I thought I would just end up turning off the RGB since I don’t really care about such things, but you can set it to be more subtle than rainbow gamer vomit. I have it set to just do a little flash of pink whenener I press a key and I think that looks very cool on my black-on-black setup. Basically, if you don’t like RGB keep an open mind, it’s easy to turn off worst case scenario.
I guess my biggest complaint is how hard it is to shop for keycaps for it , not many sets come with 2.75U spacebars and such. It seems like your best chance is Akko (monsgeek parent brand so not a surprise) and keychron, since they also sell Alice boards. Can’t really blame Monsgeek too much for that though, but if it were me I would just give the board 1u thumb keys (but then it wouldn’t really be alice).
The firmware experience is amazing, but that is mostly thanks to VIA. I remember having to flash keyboards with the command line in Linux, so just being able to use a simple GUI and not even having to flash it between changes is amazing. Even if you don’t buy this keyboard, in my opinion if it isn’t VIA compatible, it’s not worth buying at any price.
As for gaming on this board, I give it a 4/5 in that category. Obviously the switches you get make a huge difference here, I got Macaron Yellow switches from a lesser known brand, but they are basically slightly nicer Kailh Red Switches. Long story short, this keyboard is just fine for gaming. I am one of the rare defenders of using a keyboard for 2D platformers and fighting games and this keyboard does those perfectly, I really like the split posture for that. It is also just fine for FPS games, but if that was primary what you wanted to play I would recommend an actual split keyboard so you could make more room for your mouse, since this keyboard is so large. Unless you also happen to use a trackball for games like me, lol.
9.5 out of 10 keyboard, would buy again.