Named after the Carina constellation, which signifies the hull of a ship in Latin, this keyboard is one vessel with a formidable foundation. Built with a frosty acrylic case and fully programmable RGB LEDs, the Carina is designed to brighten up any space. Sculpted in the 60% form factor, it’s space-efficient and portable. Unique to the Carina’s design is the combination of a tray-mount construction and hot-swap capability. In lieu of an integrated plate, the keyboard features a tray mount, allowing you to easily switch to a new plate material (three of which are available) for a different switch feel. Even with this added layer of customization, we’ve retained the keyboard’s hot-swap capability, so you can plug in new switches on the fly—no soldering required. Perhaps best of all, it takes just a Phillips-head screwdriver and a few easy steps to assemble.

When it comes to LED lighting, the Carina is second to none. Choose from millions of colors for every single key, set the keyboard to cycle through the entire spectrum, or opt for a single color to match your workspace—the possibilities are endless. What’s more, the LEDs are situated toward the center of the PCBA (as opposed to the edges), which makes them appear even smoother under typical lighting conditions. Don’t worry about flickering, either: the LEDs display at a high frequency of 100 hertz for clarity, night or day.

Customizing your keyboard is essential, especially for smaller layouts. That’s why the Carina features a fully programmable PCBA, designed for modification. Using QMK firmware, you have total control over every key. Plus, the configurator allows you to customize keymapping so you can easily fine-tune your keyboard for gaming, work, or play. It’s also outfitted with the latest USB-C connection for reliable performance.

A keyboard’s plate is a slim piece of material (usually metal) that sits between the switches and the PCBA. Depending on the material you choose, the plate will interact with the switches differently. In an effort to offer even more customization, the Carina is available with your choice of three add-on plates. First is aluminum. The most common material found in custom keyboard kits, aluminum offers a good balance of stiffness and flexibility to complement most switches. Second is brass. With a higher stiffness rating than aluminum, it provides an even sturdier feel. Last is copper. Similar to brass in its chemical makeup, copper provides a rigid, satisfying feel. Many typists prefer to match stiff plates with tactile switches to accentuate their tactility, while others prefer to pair flexible plates with linear switches for a more dynamic feel. If you can’t decide, get all three and find what works best for you.