Buying Guide
The Best Alice Layout Keyboards
Five keyboards compared, from the RK A70 to the LEOBOG A75, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
An Alice layout splits the main key block into two angled halves on one board, so your wrists sit closer to a natural angle. Every keyboard here is listed with an Alice layout.
Our comparison rests on published figures for layout, switches and connection; where a maker leaves out battery life, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
RK ROYAL KLUDGE A70 Alice
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Getting 7500mAh battery rated for up to 710 hours with the backlight off and 62 hours with RGB on for the least money.
Our take Check price for RK ROYAL KLUDGE A70 Alice (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Keychron Q8 Pro
A full CNC 6063 aluminum body with a double-gasket design.
Best for: Buyers who want full CNC 6063 aluminum body with a double-gasket design.
Our take Check price for Keychron Q8 Pro (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
RK ROYAL KLUDGE A72 Alice
A 7500mAh battery rated for up to 550 hours with the backlight off and 54 hours with RGB on.
Best for: Buyers who want 7500mAh battery rated for up to 550 hours with the backlight off and 54 hours with RGB on.
Our take Check price for RK ROYAL KLUDGE A72 Alice (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Keychron Q8 (Knob, Gateron G Pro Brown)
A CNC-machined aluminum body with a double gasket design.
Best for: Buyers who want CNC-machined aluminum body with a double gasket design.
Our take Check price for Keychron Q8 (Knob, Gateron G Pro Brown) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
LEOBOG A75 Alice
A joystick that maps to the arrow and Enter keys at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the RK A70 costs less.
Our take Check price for LEOBOG A75 Alice (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Getting 7500mAh battery rated for up to 710 hours with the backlight off and 62 hours with RGB on for the least money. | Check price for RK ROYAL KLUDGE A70 Alice (opens in a new tab) |
| A full CNC 6063 aluminum body with a double-gasket design. | Buyers who want full CNC 6063 aluminum body with a double-gasket design. | Check price for Keychron Q8 Pro (opens in a new tab) |
| A 7500mAh battery rated for up to 550 hours with the backlight off and 54 hours with RGB on. | Buyers who want 7500mAh battery rated for up to 550 hours with the backlight off and 54 hours with RGB on. | Check price for RK ROYAL KLUDGE A72 Alice (opens in a new tab) |
| A CNC-machined aluminum body with a double gasket design. | Buyers who want CNC-machined aluminum body with a double gasket design. | Check price for Keychron Q8 (Knob, Gateron G Pro Brown) (opens in a new tab) |
| A joystick that maps to the arrow and Enter keys at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the RK A70 costs less. | Check price for LEOBOG A75 Alice (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
RK ROYAL KLUDGE A70 Alice on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The RK A70 is built around a 7500mAh battery rated for up to 710 hours with the backlight off and 62 hours with RGB on, with a volume roller and three macro keys on top.
Best for
- Getting 7500mAh battery rated for up to 710 hours with the backlight off and 62 hours with RGB on for the least money.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it runs for up to 710 hours. It shares a 65% Alice layout with the Keychron Q8 Pro and Keychron Q8; the LEOBOG A75 goes with a 75% Alice layout. PBT keycaps is unique to it among these picks, while the Keychron Q8 uses double-shot PBT keycaps.
It also offers a gasket mount with five soft layers. Use the RK A70's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Another plus: pre-lubed linear cream, hot-swappable switches. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Keychron Q8 Pro was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 65% Alice
- Switches: Pre-lubed linear cream, hot-swappable
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired
- Battery life: 710 hours
- Keycaps: PBT
Pros
- Compact 65% Alice layout
- Pre-lubed linear cream, hot-swappable switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Up to 710 hours per charge
Also Consider2 of 5
Keychron Q8 Pro on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Keychron Q8 Pro brings to the table is a full CNC 6063 aluminum body with a double-gasket design, plus QMK and VIA programming.
Best for
- Buyers who want full CNC 6063 aluminum body with a double-gasket design.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the RK A70 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Like the RK A70 and Keychron Q8, it has a 65% Alice layout, while the RK A72 uses an alice (72 keys) layout. It is the only pick here with KSA double-shot PBT keycaps; the RK A70 has PBT keycaps instead. It also comes with macOS and Windows compatibility.
Use the Keychron Q8 Pro's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Its price falls between the RK A70 and the RK A72, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the RK A70, which runs for 710 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 65% Alice
- Switches: Keychron K Pro, pre-lubricated, hot-swappable
- Connection: Bluetooth (3 devices), wired
- Keycaps: KSA double-shot PBT
Pros
- Compact 65% Alice layout
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- Full CNC 6063 aluminum body with a double-gasket design
- QMK and VIA programming
Cons
- Costs more than the RK A70 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
RK ROYAL KLUDGE A72 Alice on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the RK A72 brings to the table is a 7500mAh battery rated for up to 550 hours with the backlight off and 54 hours with RGB on, plus five macro keys, a volume knob and media keys.
Best for
- Buyers who want 7500mAh battery rated for up to 550 hours with the backlight off and 54 hours with RGB on.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the RK A70 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also runs for up to 550 hours. No other pick in this guide offers an alice (72 keys) layout; compare the Keychron Q8, which has a 65% Alice layout. It also comes with a touch-sensitive nameplate that opens the online driver.
Use the RK A72's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the RK A70 at the time of writing. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Keychron Q8 Pro and the pricier Keychron Q8, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Alice (72 keys)
- Switches: Hot-swappable
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.0, wired
- Battery life: 550 hours
Pros
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Up to 550 hours per charge
- 7500mAh battery rated for up to 550 hours with the backlight off and 54 hours with RGB on
- Five macro keys, a volume knob and media keys
Cons
- Costs more than the RK A70 at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Keychron Q8 (Knob, Gateron G Pro Brown) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Keychron Q8 is built around a CNC-machined aluminum body with a double gasket design, with QMK and VIA programming on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want CNC-machined aluminum body with a double gasket design.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wired only is a problem.
Why we like it
Like the RK A70 and Keychron Q8 Pro, it has a 65% Alice layout, while the RK A72 uses an alice (72 keys) layout. It is the only pick here with double-shot PBT keycaps; the RK A70 has PBT keycaps instead. It also comes with a Mac and Windows toggle with keycaps for each.
The Keychron Q8 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Its price falls between the RK A72 and the LEOBOG A75, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the RK A70, which runs for 710 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 65% Alice
- Switches: Gateron G Pro Brown tactile, hot-swappable
- Connection: Wired
- Keycaps: Double-shot PBT
Pros
- Compact 65% Alice layout
- Gateron G Pro Brown tactile, hot-swappable switches
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- CNC-machined aluminum body with a double gasket design
Cons
- Wired only
- Costs more than the RK A70 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
LEOBOG A75 Alice on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The LEOBOG A75 stands out for a joystick that maps to the arrow and Enter keys, and it adds a multifunction knob.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the RK A70 costs less.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the RK A70, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the only pick here with a 75% Alice layout; the RK A70 has a 65% Alice layout instead. You also get a gasket mount with four layers of sound deadening and a 48-month after-sales service. Use the LEOBOG A75's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the RK A70 at the time of writing. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Keychron Q8. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the RK A70, which runs for 710 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 75% Alice
- Switches: Hot-swappable
- Connection: Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz, wired
Pros
- Compact 75% Alice layout
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- Joystick that maps to the arrow and Enter keys
- Multifunction knob
Cons
- Costs more than the RK A70 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Alice Layout Keyboards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side five keyboards on layout, switches, connection and battery life from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and battery life and keycaps are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the RK A70 to the LEOBOG A75, state layout, switches and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Keychron Q8 Pro, the Keychron Q8 and the LEOBOG A75 give no battery life; the RK A72 and the LEOBOG A75 give no keycaps.
- Price range
- From the RK A70 to the LEOBOG A75, all sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in an Alice Layout Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Battery life
Here battery life runs from 550 hours on the RK A72 to 710 hours on the RK A70, a 29% spread. The RK A70 is the pick for battery life. The Keychron Q8 Pro, the Keychron Q8 and the LEOBOG A75 give no battery life figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Keycaps
The RK A70 lists PBT; the Keychron Q8 Pro lists KSA double-shot PBT; the Keychron Q8 lists Double-shot PBT. Settling keycaps first narrows 3 picks to 1 or 1 or 1.
Fit and compatibility
Use the RK A70's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. The Keychron Q8 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Features beyond the spec table
The Keychron Q8 Pro: QMK and VIA programming. The RK A72: five macro keys, a volume knob and media keys. The LEOBOG A75: a multifunction knob.
Where your budget lands
Price does little to separate these 5: the RK A70 through the LEOBOG A75 all landed in the $50 to $100 tier, which leaves battery life to decide it.
How to Choose an Alice Layout Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 7500mAh battery rated for up to 710 hours with the backlight off and 62 hours with RGB on for the least money | RK A70 | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want full CNC 6063 aluminum body with a double-gasket design | Keychron Q8 Pro | A full CNC 6063 aluminum body with a double-gasket design |
| Buyers who want 7500mAh battery rated for up to 550 hours with the backlight off and 54 hours with RGB on | RK A72 | A 7500mAh battery rated for up to 550 hours with the backlight off and 54 hours with RGB on |
| Buyers who want CNC-machined aluminum body with a double gasket design | Keychron Q8 | A CNC-machined aluminum body with a double gasket design |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the RK A70 costs less | LEOBOG A75 | A joystick that maps to the arrow and Enter keys at the highest price in the group |
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Key specs side by side
The RK A70 leads on battery life at 710 hours, ahead of the RK A72 at 550 hours. "Not listed" marks battery life where the Keychron Q8 Pro, the Keychron Q8 and the LEOBOG A75 leave the figure out.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection | Battery life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RK A70 | 65% Alice | Pre-lubed linear cream, hot-swappable | Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired | 710 hours |
| Keychron Q8 Pro | 65% Alice | Keychron K Pro, pre-lubricated, hot-swappable | Bluetooth (3 devices), wired | Not listed |
| RK A72 | Alice (72 keys) | Hot-swappable | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.0, wired | 550 hours |
| Keychron Q8 | 65% Alice | Gateron G Pro Brown tactile, hot-swappable | Wired | Not listed |
| LEOBOG A75 | 75% Alice | Hot-swappable | Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz, wired | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the RK A72 compare with the RK A70 on battery life?
The RK A70 leads at 710 hours, with the RK A72 at 550 hours. The Keychron Q8 Pro, the Keychron Q8 and the LEOBOG A75 don't state a battery life figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What makes the RK A70 the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the lowest price of the group at our last check. It suits getting 7500mAh battery rated for up to 710 hours with the backlight off and 62 hours with RGB on for the least money.
Do the RK A70 and the RK A72 differ on layout?
The RK A70, the Keychron Q8 Pro and the Keychron Q8 use 65% Alice; the RK A72 uses alice (72 keys); the LEOBOG A75 uses 75% Alice.
What should I check before buying the RK A72?
Use the RK A72's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. In this guide it ranks third of 5, and second of 2 on battery life (550 hours).
Beyond the specs, what sets the RK A70 and the Keychron Q8 Pro apart?
The RK A70: a 7500mAh battery rated for up to 710 hours with the backlight off and 62 hours with RGB on. The Keychron Q8 Pro: a full CNC 6063 aluminum body with a double-gasket design. The RK A72: a 7500mAh battery rated for up to 550 hours with the backlight off and 54 hours with RGB on.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the RK A70, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Keychron Q8 Pro for a full CNC 6063 aluminum body with a double-gasket design, the RK A72 for a 7500mAh battery rated for up to 550 hours with the backlight off and 54 hours with RGB on and the Keychron Q8 for a CNC-machined aluminum body with a double gasket design if those matter more to you.
Expect a week or two to adjust; the angled halves change where your hands rest on the home row.