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Dream Machines DreamKey vs Drop CTRL
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Dream Machines DreamKey
Drop CTRL
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated May 29, 2023 03:13 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jun 21, 2023 04:06 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
MechanicalYes
ConnectivityWired
SizeTenKeyLess (80%)
Switch TypeMechanical
Variants
- DreamKey (Black)
- CTRL (Black)
- CTRL (Gray)
Our Verdict
Dream Machines DreamKey
Drop CTRL
The Drop CTRL and the Dream Machines DreamKey are mechanical gaming keyboards with different features. The Drop is a TenKeyLess size, and it has a better build quality and better latency. Also, it has a USB passthrough feature. On the other hand, the Dream Machines is a full-size board with incline settings for better ergonomics. The Dream Machines also has a Windows key lock feature, and it has companion software to customize the keyboard.
Main Differences forGaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
9.0
8.4
Software & Programming
9.1
0.0
Backlighting
9.6
8.5
Keyboard Compatibility
7.2
10
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Full-size (100%)
TenKeyLess (80%)
Height
1.5" (3.9 cm)
1.7" (4.4 cm)
Width
17.2" (43.7 cm)
14.5" (36.9 cm)
Depth
5.4" (13.7 cm)
5.5" (14.0 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
N/A
N/A
Weight
2.70 lbs (1.224 kg)
3.88 lbs (1.758 kg)
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
Build Quality Close Up
Keycap Material
PBT
PBT
Ergonomics
6.5
6.0
Side Picture
Curved/Angled
Straight
No
Split Keyboard
No
Key Alignment
Staggered
Minimum Incline
4°
5°
Medium Incline
N/A
N/A
Maximum Incline
12.5°
N/A
Home Row Height
34.5 mm (1.4")
Wrist Rest
No
Hardware Customizability
8.5
Customizability Overview
Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers
Yes
Stabilizer Fixation
Plate-Mounted
Spacebar Stabilizer Size
6.25u
Size Of Right Mod Keys
1.25u
Hot-Swappable Switches
Yes
Switch Stem Shape
Cherry MX Style
Switch PCB Socket
3-pin Cherry
North-Facing Cherry MX Interference
Yes
Backlight Features
9.6
8.5
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Brightness Min
White Shot
RGB
Yes
Per-Key Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Effects
Yes
Yes
Software Controllable
Yes
No
Color
RGB
Color Mixing
Poor
Backlight Clarity
7.0
White Shot
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wired
Wired
Detachable
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
Length
5.8 ft (1.8 m)
4.9 ft (1.5 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
USB type-C
USB type-C
Wireless Versatility
0.0
0.0
Bluetooth
No
No
Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
No
No
Proprietary Receiver
No
No
Battery Type
No Batteries
No Batteries
Macro Keys And Programming
0.0
Dedicated Macro Keys Count
0
Onboard Macro Programming
No
Macro Programming With Software
No
Extra Features
Extra Features
Media Keys
No
Non-Dedicated
Trackpad / Trackball
No
No
Scroll Wheel
No
No
Control Knob
No
USB Passthrough
No
Yes
Numpad
Yes
No
Windows Key Lock
Yes
No
Lock Indicator
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Caps & Scroll Lock
Macro Programmable Keys
All
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
Kailh Box Brown
Cherry MX Brown
Switch Type
Mechanical
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Key Switches
Kailh Box Brown
Cherry MX Brown
Mechanical
Yes
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Operating Force
50 gf
52 gf
Actuation Force
43 gf
43 gf
Pre-Travel
1.9 mm
2.0 mm
Total Travel
3.7 mm
4.1 mm
Typing Quality
8.0
8.5
Typing Noise
9.0
7.5
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
52.4 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
Noise
Quiet
Latency
6.9
7.2
Latency Video
Latency Wired
16.8 ms
12.7 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
Software and Operating System
Configuration Software
Software Picture
Software Tour
Software Name
Dream Machines DreamKey
No Software
Software Windows Compatible
Yes
No
Software macOS Compatible
No
No
Onboard Memory
Yes
No
Profiles
6+
No Profile
Account Required
No
Cloud Sync
No
Macro Programming
Software
Ease Of Use
Okay
Computer Compatibility
7.2
10
Windows
Full
Fully Compatible
macOS
Partial
Fully Compatible
Linux (Ubuntu 22)
Partial
Fully Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Windows, MacOS & Linux
Android
No
Not Compatible
iOS
No
Not Compatible
iPadOS
No
Not Compatible
Wireless Mobile Compatibility
0.0
Android
No
Not Compatible
iOS
No
Not Compatible
iPadOS
No
Not Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Not Compatible
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Dream Machines DreamKey
Drop CTRL
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Dream Machines DreamKey vs Drop CTRL: Main Discussion
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