Even though Cidoo has been in the market for over 10 years, it seems they are only now gaining significant attention in the world of mechanical keyboards. Their recent keyboards primarily cater to those who appreciate modern technology with a retro aesthetic, and the ABM098 is no exception. While the “retro” feel is less pronounced in our black review unit (the gray variant better captures that vibe), the design and tech screams “modern” through and through.
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DESIGN
Cidoo ABM098 is a gasket-mounted, wireless keyboard with a full set of keys in an ANSI layout. The first noticeable thing about it is that it’s relatively compact, despite having a full set of function keys and a Numpad. It manages this by having the arrow keys squished right next to the alphanumerical keys and having a minimal separation between them and the Numpad keys. It’s a perfect keyboard for those looking for a full set of keys but have limited space to work with.
Compact keyboard with a Numpad
It comes in three differently colored variants, and while you’d usually call the black one most boring and safe – that isn’t the case here. While the retro gray or the verdant green might be a better fit for your particular setup, the black is unique in the fact that both the case and the keycaps are actually semi-transparent. Not only does this make the keyboard look unique in itself, but it also has the benefit of making the RGB look even better – despite the keycaps not being traditionally shine-through.
In fact, the inner mold of the double shot keycaps is solid while the outer one is transparent. The effect is really tasteful as it makes the lights bleed through the keycaps instead of outright shining through, which really looks great. This also translates to the casing, overall creating one of the prettiest yet subtle RGB implementation on any keyboard.
The transparent effect is really subtle but looks great
The downside is that this unique appearance couldn’t be achieved using metal, so the ABM098 is entirely made of a slightly inferior ABS plastic. However, both the gray and green variants are also made of ABS plastic, but they aren’t transparent so with the black model, at least there’s a silver lining to the slightly lesser build quality. Don’t get me wrong, though; the ABM098 still feels sturdy and well-crafted. There’s no sign of chassis bending, and even with a forceful key press, there’s hardly any flex, despite the keyboard being gasket-mounted.
Keycaps combine PBT and ABS for pretty but durable build
Beyond appearance, the keycaps themselves differ in build quality when comparing the black model to the gray and green versions. On the latter two, they’re entirely made of PBT plastic, while on the black one, they’re a combination of ABS and PBT. Fortunately, the transparency means that you get all the benefits of ABS like sharp and crisp legends without having to deal with them getting oily and worn out after a certain period.There are also some purely design-oriented and some practical details to note. The bottom features the two level feet and rubber to prevent the keyboard sliding on surfaces. One of the feet is also where you’ll find the convenient if a bit hard to reach dongle compartment.
On top, you have a small RGB strip on the right side of the keyboard, whose effects and colors can be individually adjusted. It’s not groundbreaking, but it does add a small visual flair to the right side of the keyboard. Incidentally, it can also serve as a guide to pinpoint the location of the USB charging port on the back.
Neat RGB detailing
Additionally, there’s a knob located on the less traditional left side, which is used for volume control. Its design matches the plate around the RGB strip and generally fits well with the keyboard’s overall aesthetic. Despite its metallic appearance, it’s made of plastic. However, it offers a relatively good feel with soft tactile increments when turned. Underneath the knob is where you’ll find the caps, num, and wireless LED indicators and underneath that you have a seamless switch to change between wired and wireless modes.
In terms of switches, each variant of the ABM098 comes with its own specific switches that can’t be mixed and matched. The black variant, for instance, features proprietary Cidoo Blue-Through linear 5-pin switches with a POM stem and 55g of actuation force. These are fairly good switches that perform excellently whether you primarily intend to use the keyboard for gaming or typing. These are hotswappable of course, so you can easily change them for something more up your alley.
Blue-through switches feel good and further enhance the RGB
If you’re particular about sound profile, the ABM098 internally features, a layer of silicone, Poron PCB foam and an IXPE switch sheet, which somewhat dampen the sound. However, despite this and the fact that the Blue-Through is a linear switch, the sound is relatively clicky, yet quite clean and satisfying. It might not match the level of a modded enthusiast keyboard, but many gamers looking for a satisfying clicky sound will be quite pleased here.
PERFORMANCE
ABM098 performs admirably in wired and both Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.4 GHz wireless modes. The typing experience is great, and you can take it for a spin in any game you like, both casual and competitive. You can pair up to three devices via Bluetooth and switch between them instantaneously by using simple shortcuts.
Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.4 GHz for the win
The keyboard will even remember the last paired device and connect to it if available as soon as it’s turned on. The 2.4 GHz is what I mostly used on my PC, and it was a breezy and lag-free experience, even in some multiplayer oriented games like Call of Duty and Rocket League.
As for the battery, some spec sheets say it’s a 4000 mAh while others say it’s 3000 mAh. Whichever value it ultimately is, the battery is super-reliable and on par with their V87 keyboard, meaning that with the 2.4 GHz wireless, you get around 2 weeks of mixed usage without the RGB and somewhere around 5��7 days with the lights turned on. This can vary if you have more devices connected through Bluetooth or have a more lavish RGB preset running 24/7 which most people probably won’t.
Super reliable battery even with RGB
As with their other keyboards, the ABM098 can also be customized using the fairly robust VA software. Pair that up with the on-board memory and things like profiles, RGB presets, macro key combinations, key remapping becomes a breeze. You can even create multiple layers of keys to use with different shortcuts, so with little care, the utility of ABM098 can literally go through the roof.
CONCLUSION
The Cidoo AB098 is truly a unique keyboard in all its variants, but especially in black. There’s not much to criticize, and even the point about build quality results in the positive outcome of a distinctive design that tastefully accentuates the RGB lighting. Add to that its compactness without sacrificing the Numpad, diverse and reliable wireless modes, long-lasting battery, and other features, all at a reasonable price of $120, and it’s clear that Cidoo has once again hit the mark with this one.
