Having an OLED screen on a keyboard is not new or innovative in itself. In fact, we have previously covered keyboards that do the exact same thing while also pairing it with more innovative technologies such as analog switches. But somehow Keydous seems to have made it a brand-wide feature to where people seem quite eager to see what's next from the Chinese keyboard brand. Even before the NJ81, there was the NJ68 Pro with its all aluminium case and a rotatable, pop-up OLED display on a 65% keyboard which seems to be a more handy take on this. After all, it's not like you will be looking down at the keyboard and its screen often. The NJ68 Pro also manages to squeeze in a volume wheel to where I can't help but think the NJ81 could have done more too. But then we realize that other keyboard costs significantly more and no doubt Keydous is working on an NJ81 Pro (or equivalent) to further appeal to the hardcore keyboard enthusiasts.

I would say that the current NJ81 already does plenty to merit a recommendation given the vast variety of pre-built and kit options available. It's not often you see a keyboard allowing you to have a brass plate instead of the more typical steel, and then there are more switch options than I can count—but mostly because Keydous needs to sort out its retail channels outside of China quickly, since there is no consistency in the options you get, and even the first-party store has fewer options than a 3rd-party vendor! All the versions come with a large battery and hybrid wireless connectivity in addition to having two foam sheets, pre-lubed stabilizers, and good quality keycaps too. The base typing experience itself is on the better side of average and the OLED screen can be seen more as a means to sway some of you who are willing to put up with the frustrations I came across in both software controls as well as the discrepancy between what the software shows and what the OLED screen actually displays. There's some work left to be done here to further polish the keyboard and thus I can't give it our Editor's Choice award, but a recommendation it will have certainly, given the pros easily outweigh the cons.