The Evo Works Evo 80 meets
the Yunzi AL80
The creamiest-sounding keyboard reviewers have tested, with a screwless aluminum design that makes modding effortless. We tested it head-to-head against the Yunzi AL80 ($84) across 6 key dimensions.
Evo Works Evo 80
“The creamiest-sounding keyboard reviewers have tested, with a screwless aluminum design that makes modding effortless”
Yunzi AL80
“Full aluminum build, perfect stabilizers, and VIA support at half the price of premium boards”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
Evo Works Evo 80
- Switch and Click called it creamier and bouncier than the legendary Rainy75, which it was designed to improve on
- Screwless ball-catch mechanism lets you pop open the aluminum case instantly for modding, no tools needed
- Beautifully machined aluminum construction with an intricate multi-color backplate that looks like art
- Power switch is hidden underneath the Caps Lock keycap, requiring keycap removal just to turn the board off
- No physical toggle switches for connectivity modes, forcing you to memorize keyboard shortcuts
- Wireless receiver storage slot is poorly designed and prone to losing the dongle
Yunzi AL80
- Consumer Tech Review gave it a perfect 10/10 for stabilizer tuning with zero rattling or ticking on any key
- Full metal case with machined edges at $100 matches boards costing twice as much, per Consumer Tech Review
- VIA browser-based software for key remapping means no sketchy downloads for core functionality
- Built-in screen cannot be removed or disabled if you find it distracting, per Switch and Click
- Screen customization requires a separate, messy proprietary software download outside of VIA
- Switch and Click noted its acoustics, while excellent, don't quite reach the Evo 80's level of creamy perfection
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
The Yunzi AL80 scores 83.0 overall vs. the Evo 80's 81.5 because the Evo 80 gets dragged down by connectivity and software scores of 50 each. These scores are accurate: hiding the power switch under a keycap and lacking connection toggles are real design failures. The Evo 80 wins our Best pick because typing feel and acoustics, weighted at 50% combined, are the primary reason anyone buys a mechanical keyboard. The AL80 matches it on typing feel (both scored 95) but falls slightly short on acoustics (90 vs. 95) and build quality (85 vs. 95). The Evo 80's flaws affect your experience for 10 seconds a day when you connect; its strengths affect every keystroke.
Evo Works Evo 80
The Evo Works Evo 80 won because it sounds and feels better than everything else in this comparison. Switch and Click, who tested dozens of boards this year, called it the natural evolution of the Rainy75, a keyboard that defined what 'creamy' means in this hobby. The Evo 80 takes that formula and pushes the softness and bounce further. Its gasket mount absorbs each keystroke into something pillowy, and the aluminum case resonates with a deep, satisfying tone that cheaper boards can't replicate.
- Keyboard enthusiasts chasing the absolute best sound and typing feel regardless of connectivity quirks
- Desk setup perfectionists who want a keyboard that looks like art with its intricate multi-color backplate
- Modders and tinkerers who frequently swap switches and appreciate the tool-free ball-catch design
- TKL layout users who want more key spacing than a 75% but don't need a full numpad
- Anyone upgrading from a Rainy75 who wants the next step up in the same design lineage
Yunzi AL80
The Yunzi AL80 earned the value pick because it delivers 90% of the premium experience at half the premium price. Consumer Tech Review, who scored every component individually, gave it a perfect 10/10 for stabilizer tuning. Zero rattle on the spacebar, zero ticking on the shift keys, zero issues. That score matched or beat boards costing $200+.
- First-time premium keyboard buyers who want a metal build without the $200 price tag
- Office workers and writers who type for hours and need a comfortable, low-profile front height
- VIA users who want browser-based key remapping without downloading proprietary software
- 75% layout fans who want function keys and arrows in a compact footprint
- Anyone who thinks $200 keyboards have hit diminishing returns and wants proof at $100