Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Free Standard Shipping in the US on orders over $99
Free Standard Shipping in the US on orders over $99
shopping_cart
Drop CTRL V1 Barebones Mechanical Keyboard
01 / 08
... / TENKEYLESS (TKL) KEYBOARDS / DIY KEYBOARD KITS / DROP

Drop CTRL V1 Barebones Mechanical Keyboard

bookmark_border
291
Where's the price?
To negotiate the best possible price for our customers, we agree to hide prices prior to logging in.
1.2K requests
·
Free Returns in USA
Product Description
To put it simply, the CTRL mechanical keyboard has it all. Constructed with a solid aluminum frame with a built-in switch plate, it’s stable and fortified Read More
Review Highlights:
expand_less
The keyboard you need to buy!
Buy a bare bones keyboard and buy your own switches! Totally recommend that, it's cheaper and you'll end up with backup switches just in case one or two get funny years later into use! This keyboard is absolutely stunning in its machined aluminum frame. Everything is sturdy, build quality is astounding. The finish everywhere is pleasing to the touch. The keyboard has QMK firmware which makes it more or less fully customizable! Switches can easily be hotswapped which is awesome if you want to buy different switches or replace them. FYI most switches can be bought for pretty cheap. I love the caliber of RGB brightness, diffusion, and customization on this board. Overall one of my favorite purchases I've made beside buying shares of TSLA!
check
Would recommend to a friend.
Decent quality for the price - Space Grey
This is a great starter board with hot-swap. Great accessories kit including: Keycap puller, magnetic back stands, USB-C cable. Will grab another unit again given the chance.
check
Would recommend to a friend.
See all 291 reviews
Q&A Highlights:
expand_less
What kind of switches can I use with this - PCB mount or plate mount?
They are Plate mounted, but if you get PCB mounted switches you can just cut off the two extra thingys, i forget the words for them
Is there a full sized version in the works?
There is the Drop SHIFT which is a full sized keyboard, but the only barabones version of the SHIFT available as of now is the high profile version.
See all 53 questions
You Might Also Like
Piifox Weightless Planet PBT Keycap Set
$59
Drop MT3 Dancer Keycap Set
$99
Eminent Crafts x Dwarf Factory Yu-Gi-Oh! Artisan Keycap
$64.99
Drop + The Lord of the Rings™ MT3 Dwarvish Keycap Set
$99
NANAMI DESIGN City Map V2 Stitched-Edge Desk Mats
$29
Drop MT3 Dusk Keycap Set
$89
KeysMe AIM04 75 Gaming Mechanical Keyboard
$189
Drop MT3 Skiidata Keycap Set
$120
Drop + Balance DCX BIM Keycap Set
$99
Drop DSA Astrolokeys Keycaps by sailorhg & cassidoo
$95
Mechcables Red Samurai Custom Coiled Aviator USB Cable
$69
Womier K66 V2 Hotswap Acrylic RGB Mechanical Keyboard
$70

Customer Reviews

4.4
(291 reviews)
5star
(166)
4star
(87)
3star
(25)
2star
(6)
1star
(7)
89% would recommend to a friend
By Feature
Sound
SilentLoud
Feel
StiffFlexible
Build Quality
4.3(18)
ActivitiesPopular among reviewers
Paired SwitchPopular among reviewers
search
close
Images
keyboard_arrow_down
Sort by: Newest
keyboard_arrow_down
Cancer_Prime
18
Aug 9, 2024
Activities:Work & Gaming
Paired Switch:Tactile
Keyboards Owned:1
checkVerified Buyer
Simple but does its job well
This is the board I started the hobby with, and I'm very pleased with the overall quality, even though the stabilizers need some love. I like the fact that you can customize the individual color of every key using Drop's software.
Recommends this product? Yes
Was this helpful?
Vote
Reply
bookmark_border
more_vert
i1sK1epMtH57TbbGuzddz
16
Aug 5, 2024
Activities:Work & Gaming
Paired Switch:Linear
Keyboards Owned:1
checkVerified Buyer
Where it began
The stabilizers rattle. Wish it had a rotary knob. Couldn't get a non-greyscale color barebones. But still worth it as a starting point into the hobby! Still looks and feels great years later!
Recommends this product? Yes
Was this helpful?
Vote
Reply
bookmark_border
more_vert
bigdroop
1
May 19, 2024
Activities:Work & Gaming
Paired Switch:Linear
Keyboards Owned:5
checkVerified Buyer
Solid board with good build quality
The board itself is solid and well made but the fact that it's only for 3-pin switches is frustrating.
Recommends this product? Yes
Was this helpful?
Vote
Reply
bookmark_border
more_vert
KobeIkje
10
Apr 17, 2024
Activities:Work & Gaming
Paired Switch:Linear
Keyboards Owned:2
checkVerified Buyer
Simple and solid
The stabilizers are not good, the rest is all I expect from this keyboard. Macros and lighting has nice customization. Not much more to add, just a solid keyboard for a solid price.
Recommends this product? Yes
Was this helpful?
Vote
Reply
bookmark_border
more_vert
KeebNate
0
Mar 30, 2024
Activities:Work & Gaming
Paired Switch:Linear
Keyboards Owned:2
checkVerified Buyer
Solid keyboard!
First time builder. Keeb was easy to build and i've had no issues. Lighting could be better on it.
Recommends this product? Yes
Was this helpful?
Vote
Reply
bookmark_border
more_vert
Warpig
2
Jan 23, 2024
Activities:Gaming
Paired Switch:Tactile
Keyboards Owned:4
checkVerified Buyer
Pretty Good, VS is better
I like this board a lot, especially the floating keys. The stabilizers included are not good, but my understanding is that on the V2 they use the Drop Phantom Stabilizers, which I do like and have in my V1. I am a fan of the look and feel but would understand this design not being everyone's favorite.
Recommends this product? Yes
Was this helpful?
Vote
Reply
bookmark_border
more_vert
Tinga
3
Dec 18, 2023
Activities:Work & Gaming
Paired Switch:Tactile
Keyboards Owned:2
checkVerified Buyer
Overall ok purchase. Like it, but don't love it.
Well constructed, lights are bright and DCX keycaps look and feel great on this keyboard. Only qualm I have is the stock stabilizers are noisy and should be replaced. They have a cheap "loose metal" sound when typing on them. I have not replaced mine yet. I used Zealio V2 78g switches. These are my favorite switches since they still have the tactile feel without the noise.
Recommends this product? Yes
Was this helpful?
Vote
Reply
bookmark_border
more_vert
LoudBrownGuy
2
Oct 23, 2023
Activities:Work & Gaming
Paired Switch:Tactile
checkVerified Buyer
Good keyboard, if you want floating keys
Good keyboard but you can find a better keyboard at this price.
Recommends this product? No
Was this helpful?
Vote
Reply
bookmark_border
more_vert
Firebolt
2
Sep 29, 2023
Activities:Work & Gaming
Paired Switch:Tactile
Keyboards Owned:4
checkVerified Buyer
Overall decent for a starter, had some gripes
For the most part, it’s a decent quality product, and for the price you get a good starting point from which to build upon, although future modifications are limited. I paired mine with some lubed & filmed Holy Pandas, trimmed & lubed everglide stabs, stupidfish case foam, tape mod & red/black skylight keycaps. Definite QC problems with the keycaps, but the rest was great. Main gripes came from the less than overt listing images showing whether it was the ‘high profile’ or ‘low profile keyboard’ (I went with the low profile). And how tight the tolerances were for the plate stabilisers & switches. On more than one occasion I’ve cut my finger on the metal removing the stabilisers, or broken/bent a switch puller beyond use trying to remove my switches. Makes the typing feel great, but makes modding/repairs an absolute PAIN!!
Recommends this product? Yes
Was this helpful?
Vote
Reply
bookmark_border
more_vert
Eric1245
34
Keyboard Club Member
Sep 28, 2023
Activities:Work & Gaming
Paired Switch:Tactile
Keyboards Owned:5
checkVerified Buyer
v2 is better!
nice - look nice - usb c 2 port nice - price bad - not 5pin swotch bad - stabilizer so buy v2!!
Recommends this product? No
Was this helpful?
Vote
Reply
bookmark_border
more_vert
Showing 10 of 314
keyboard_arrow_up
Newest
314 OF 314 POSTS
keyboard_arrow_down
Oldest
Recent Activity
Related Products
Drop + Kerbal Space Program Artisan Keycap
$55
$65
| 15% OFF
Free Returns in USA
8
Terra Keycaps Chalk PBT Keycap Set
$69
$80
| 14% OFF
2
access_time
Drop + T0mb3ry SA Carbon Custom Keycap Set
$29
$49
| 41% OFF
10.8K sold
Free Returns in USA
5.7K
10.8K sold
Drop + The Lord of the Rings™ Rohan™ Artisan Keycap
$65
Free Returns in USA
6
access_time
Drop + Matt3o MT3 3277 Custom Keycap Set
$99
$120
| 18% OFF
6.4K sold
Free Returns in USA
492
6.4K sold
KeysMe Green Luck PBT Keycap Set
$35
$75
| 53% OFF
New Arrival
Comment
access_time
Drop MT3 Dasher Keycap Set
$120
4.1K sold
Free Returns in USA
167
4.1K sold
WOBKEY Rainy75 Mechanical Keyboard
$115
7
access_time
© 2024 Drop
Company
About Drop StudioStudent DiscountPrivacy PolicyTerms of UseCookie Settings
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trust
Drop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collection
Collaborate With Us
Become an AffiliateFor Brands & Designers
Support
ContactCommunity GuidelinesHelp CenterSitemap
Follow Drop
© 2024 Drop