DESIGN
To start, as its name suggests, the Yunzii AL66 is an exceptionally compact, gasket-mounted keyboard with 66 keys, which is also its main selling point. The layout is quite standard for keyboards of this size, with no function keys, but you do have delete, page up, and page down keys above the arrow cluster. The keyboard also features a knob, which takes up one additional key slot, and to the left of the arrow cluster, there are two LED lights for the toggle keys which left no room for a right Control key. All in all, the keyboard layout is perfectly functional, not only for those with limited desk space but also for those who simply don’t want or need a comparatively large TKL or even a full-sized keyboard.
AL66 is a beautiful, compact minimalist of a keyboard
As for the design, it is relatively restrained regardless of which variant of the keyboard you choose. Our review sample features a black and beige color combo, but other options include silver, light blue, and pink. In terms of standout design features, I already mentioned the knob, which comes in silver in all variants and is always a nice touch to any keyboard. By default, the knob allows for volume control, but a long press switches it to RGB preset and brightness control, which is great because you don’t have to remember any obscure key combinations to do that.
Another standout design feature is the fairly thick RGB diffusers on both sides of the keyboard. While we’ve seen more elegant implementations of RGB in keyboard housings, this is still an effective way to spice up the design compared to keyboards that typically lack any housing features.
The side RGB panels are a nice touch, but I’d have loved for them to be thinner
It’s also great that the side RGB lighting operates independently of the rest of the keyboard’s RGB, allowing for separate customization. However, with fewer options available, it can be challenging to match it with the rest of the lighting, which can be annoying if you’re particular about such details. One small gripe is that even though the thicker diffusers allow more light to shine through the sides, I would prefer them to be a bit thinner for a cleaner, more high-end look.
As for the rest, one thing that might bother many users is the fact that the Yunzii AL66 has only four rubber feet on the bottom and lacks any sort of angle adjustment mechanism. The keyboard itself features a slight incline, but for many, this won’t be enough to achieve an optimal typing experience.
The build quality is super robust
On the back of the keyboard, you have the control cluster, featuring a switch to toggle the layout between Windows and Mac, a switch to change the connectivity between wired, 2.4 GHz, or Bluetooth wireless, and a USB-C charging port. Conveniently, there’s also a small compartment for the USB wireless dongle, so you don’t lose it when you’re not using the keyboard in that mode.
The keycaps are dye-sublimated PBT, which is excellent for their longevity and quality of the finish. They have a slight texture, so they don’t feel slippery, and they are generally a joy to type on, thanks to the Cherry profile.The font is relatively restrained, and without the RGB, the keyboard looks exceptionally professional, fitting comfortably into more formal environments. Although the keycaps are not shine-through, the RGB is still quite visible between the keys, even during the day, which is always a plus for those who enjoy some lights in their peripherals.
The RGB shines brightly even though the keycaps aren’t shine-through
One thing I can’t praise enough, however, is the build quality. The entire AL66 is made from CNC-machined aluminum with a matte texture. The joints are extremely well-crafted, and the whole keyboard weighs 1.15 kg, which speaks volumes about the quality of the materials considering its size. Suffice it to say, the AL66 won’t move wherever you place it, and you can be confident in its durability no matter how intensively you use it.
The only switch option Yunzii offers for the AL66 is the Milk Switches. These are 3-pin linear switches with 50g of bottom-out force, a 2mm actuation point, and a 4mm total travel distance. The specs hit the golden middle ground, making them suitable for both typing and gaming, which is always a welcome versatility.
The multifunctional knob is a great addition
I mentioned that it’s a gasket-mounted keyboard, but I often see this trend with compact keyboards and the desire to make their sound profile as satisfying as possible—they are filled to the brim with sound-dampening materials, to the point where the gasket mount loses its meaning.
This isn’t necessarily a negative, as it almost eliminates the flex of the typing surface, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re accustomed to a softer typing feel. On the plus side, the AL66 has a relatively satisfying sound profile. While a clacky sound profile is often considered negative, here it is relatively quiet and restrained due to the combination of the case construction, sound-dampening materials, and switches, contributing to the impression of a high-quality keyboard.
PERFORMANCE
As I mentioned, the AL66 supports three-mode connectivity, including wired, 2.4GHz USB dongle, and Bluetooth. I spent most of my time with the keyboard connected via wire and in the 2.4GHz wireless mode, which is very reliable and perfectly suitable for typing or even casual gaming. The Bluetooth mode, of course, supports connection to all Bluetooth-enabled devices and allows you to connect up to four devices simultaneously. Using a key combination, you can instantly and seamlessly switch between them.
The tri-mode connectivity makes for a highly versatile keyboard
The wireless connectivity is supported by a robust 4600 mAh battery. Most wireless keyboards in this price range hover around 3000 mAh, which tells you a lot about the potential battery life of this keyboard. Specifically, Yunzii claims it can last around 90 hours or 4 days of continuous use, which is approximately accurate when using RGB lighting. If you choose to turn off the RGB, you can expect the keyboard to last up to a week and a half to two weeks without needing a recharge, which is honestly an excellent result.
Lastly, there’s the customization aspect. While some might have expected the AL66 to use VIA, that’s not the case. Yunzii does not have a single comprehensive software solution for customizing all their keyboards; instead, each keyboard has its own separate piece of software. This can be annoying for those who frequently switch keyboards, as they need to install yet another piece of software on their computer.
Proprietary customization software leaves something to be desired
With that in mind, the software for the AL66 is serviceable enough. It includes all the basics like creating profiles, remapping keys, creating macro combinations and customizing the RGB. There are also some neat features such as adjusting debounce time and setting how long the keyboard remains active before going to sleep, which are often missing from many budget keyboard software options. It’s unfortunate that the software isn’t available on a MAC, and even in Windows version you lack the ability to customize the side RGB panels, and in general, the software isn’t visually appealing and feels somewhat outdated.
CONCLUSION
All in all, the Yunzii AL66 excels in all the essential aspects of what a keyboard should do. There are certain issues, and while you can’t customize it to your heart’s desire (especially on a Mac), for a price under $100, you get a beautiful compact keyboard with a knob, excellent build quality, versatile connectivity options, great performance, and impressive battery life. We can always be nitpicky about the details, but that definitely sounds like a good deal.
