The $219 DasKeyboard DeltaForce 65 is a serious mechanical keyboard built for people who care about how their tools feel and perform. Das Keyboard combined a compact 65 percent layout, durable materials, and real customizability into something that does not feel like an afterthought.

A 65 percent layout means that you’re sacrificing some keys, including a set of separate arrow keys and a number pad. That said, if you’re used to this style of keyboard - compact, tight, and aimed at quick movements - you’ll be fine.

The frame is CNC-milled aluminum, giving it real weight and strength. The gasket mount structure and three layers of sound-absorbing material (two poron, one IXPE) create a clean, muted typing sound that feels controlled without being too soft. While I love a clicky keyboard, I’ve found that I now like something with a little less noise. This fits the bill. Typing is firm and consistent, not hollow or rattling like cheaper boards.

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The keycaps are made of thick PBT and use true dye-sublimation to apply camo designs on all five sides. These are not stickers or thin surface prints. They will not fade or wear down. The KCA profile strikes a good balance between modern flatness and comfortable typing height, with a slightly shorter key travel that feels quick without being abrupt. I also like the color offerings including Cyber (the black I have), Urban (a dark blue), Desert (tan), and Jungle (green). The names are little on the nose but they’re cute.

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The Specs

Out of the box, the DeltaForce 65 ships with hot-swappable Gateron Red switches. They are smooth, light, and linear, good for both fast typing and gaming. Since the switches are hot-swappable, you can swap in other switch types without soldering if you want a different feel. The kit includes a puller if you want to do a little DIY.

RGB lighting is fully customizable through QMK and VIA software, with real-time layout remapping and macros if you need them. No firmware flashing required and DasKeyboard has recently released the .json file needed to remap the entire keyboard.

Of particular interest is the matching desk mat. While I can’t use a 65% for very long, I do enjoy the styling and ruggedness of this thing. As you may have seen, I’m a longtime fan of DasKeyboard and this is another win for them. It’s built to last and works amazingly well.

The Bottom Line

Das Keyboard built the DeltaForce 65 to last. The materials are high-end, the typing experience is tuned, and the visual design is distinctive without crossing into gimmick territory. If you want a compact board that feels substantial and customizable out of the box, this is a strong option.