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Drop CTRL V1 Mechanical Keyboard

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... / TENKEYLESS (TKL) KEYBOARDS / FULLY-BUILT KEYBOARDS / DROP

Drop CTRL V1 Mechanical Keyboard

Name: Drop CTRL V1 Mechanical Keyboard
Brand: Drop
SKU: drop-ctrl-mechanical-keyboard
Price: 149 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 4.296956 (1347 reviews)

1347

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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:

bmason

The last keyboard I'll ever need

My keyboard history:

Keyboard #1: Ducky - LEDs died within a year.  A piece of junk, but hooked me on mechanical keyboards.

Keyboard #2: WASD Code - great keyboard, lasted for a couple of years, but (a) the ABS keys eventually wore through and (b) there are better switches than Cherry MX Browns, so . . . 

Keyboard #3: CTRL - fantastic keyboard.  Outfitted with Hako Royal Clears for most of the keys, except for some keys (like Enter) which got a Kailh Box Navy (for a little click) and some keys (like the shift keys) which got Hako True Violets (my pinkies don't bang the keys as hard as the rest of my fingers).

The CTRL is probably the last keyboard I'll ever need.  Don't like the switches? Swap 'em out!  Don't like the backlight colors?  Reprogram 'em.  Don't like they keycaps? Buy new ones.

Now all I need is a 21-key numeric keypad to match it.  (NUM Mechanical Keyboard, anyone?)

UPDATE Feb 2, 2021: Still love this keyboard.  No double-typing issues (yet).  Still waiting for a matching keypad . . .

Would recommend to a friend.

Wazza10

Got mine yesterday and couldn’t be happier with it. The board is absolutely gorgeous. Everything works great and the led features and bright and vibrant. 10/10 would buy again but I hope they don’t make it again so I can lord it over all my friends hahaha. Can’t wait to get some of the key caps I’m waiting on from massdrop to customize it.
https://massdrop-s3.imgix.net/img_comment/KYTRtoIPQCGI18hj6g00_E3A52633CE0D49E989AE43FE76796CEE.jpeg

See all 1.3K reviews

Q&A Highlights:

Drop+MechKeys

4497

Can I change the keycaps on this keyboard?

senenc

143

Not just the keycaps. You can also change the switches to your liking.

Drop+MechKeys

4497

Is this keyboard loud?

Chrismas

It depends on what switches are installed. The switches are easy to change with the included switch removal tool.

See all 259 questions

Customer Reviews

4.3

(1,347 reviews)

(765)

(381)

(100)

(38)

(63)

87% would recommend to a friend

By Feature

Sound

SilentLoud

Feel

StiffFlexible

Build Quality

4.4

(25)

Paired SwitchPopular among reviewers

TFDracz

Jan 31, 2026

Activities:Work & Gaming

Paired Switch:Linear

Keyboards Owned:0

Verified Buyer

First Keyboard

Great beginner board to the hobby. Taking apart my CTRL was an easy experience and helped me learn a lot about my mods. and what I like and don't like. Great Learning kit,.

Recommends this product? Yes

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Davenukem

Jan 17, 2026

Activities:Work & Gaming

Paired Switch:Clicky

Keyboards Owned:2

Verified Buyer

A great entry point into an addiction

Above all else, the Drop Control was an impressive prebuilt keyboard for its time. Since its release, many keyboards have come out that have eclipsed the Control’s overall value proposition. That said, it remains a solid board. There are still aspects of it you won’t find in many other prebuilts—most notably the open layout and the magnetic feet. Those are deliberate design choices, and there are certainly desk setups whose aesthetics would be well complemented by this board. It served me well for a long time. It’s no longer my daily driver, but at the time of purchase, it was among my favorite keyboards.

Recommends this product? Yes

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oJohnnie

Dec 8, 2025

Verified Buyer

Solid Keyboard

Really high quality keyboard that’s been my go to over the years. Really clean led integration. Very customizable as well!

Recommends this product? Yes

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M.Garcia

Dec 7, 2025

Activities:Work & Gaming

Paired Switch:Linear

Keyboards Owned:20

Verified Buyer

The keyboard that started it all for me.

This was my first custom mechanical keyboard that wasn't a Razer or Corsair, and a hotswap board. It led me down the path of this hobby. I learned how to mod and lube stabilizers, use foam and different switches on this board. I even used vinyl on the face of the board to use a comic book theme to it. Compared to more modern boards, this one doesn't sound or feel the greatest, but the nostalgia makes this one a keeper for me. I eventually moved everything over into a high profile case, which I love the look of. If they ever do a new version of this, color me interested in seeing how they improve on the formula. The LED ring still looks good to this day.

Recommends this product? Yes

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zlatkoyankov

Nov 24, 2025

Paired Switch:Tactile

Keyboards Owned:6

Verified Buyer

wonderful product

This is the first TKL for me. I like it very much good quality. The key are too hard I prefer less pressure but it is nice that I can change them easy. Wonderful product purchase new one for other place I need it

Recommends this product? Yes

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EricBourland

Nov 19, 2025

Paired Switch:Clicky

Keyboards Owned:20

Verified Buyer

hardest working keyboard in my town

My family (of five) uses and loves this keyboard. It's taken a beating over the years, and is ticking along. The switches are due for a change, and I'm looking forward to a fun, interesting project of swapping out key switches. - EAB

Recommends this product? Yes

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Eylerion

Sep 23, 2025

Activities:Gaming

Keyboards Owned:3

Verified Buyer

Good Quality

Easy to clean, had since 2019 serving me well. Durable despite being moved multiple times. Recently replaced it but kept as a back up if need be.

Recommends this product? Yes

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Sklump

Apr 3, 2025

Activities:Work & Gaming

Paired Switch:Clicky

Keyboards Owned:4

Verified Buyer

it works!!

good keyboard it works!

Recommends this product? Yes

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Tyberious

Mar 1, 2025

Activities:Work & Gaming

Paired Switch:Tactile

Keyboards Owned:12

Verified Buyer

The best keyboard I have ever owned

After owning it for several years, I have to say it's the nicest and longest living keyboard I've owned. Now I'm ordering V2 because it adds even more refinement on top.

Recommends this product? Yes

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