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Drop ALT vs Drop SHIFT
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Drop ALT
Drop SHIFT
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated May 09, 2022 04:32 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated May 29, 2023 03:10 PM
Unavailable
Missing store
ConnectivityWired
SizeCompact (65%)
MechanicalYes
ConnectivityWired
SizeCompact (96%)
MechanicalYes
Variants
- ALT (Black)
- ALT (Gray)
- SHIFT (Gray)
Our Verdict
Drop ALT
Drop SHIFT
The Drop ALT and the Drop SHIFT are very similar keyboards. However, the ALT is a smaller, compact model without function keys, while the SHIFT is a compact full-sized keyboard with all the standard keys. That said, both options have similar build quality and ergonomics. They are available with the same Cherry MX, Kaihua, or Halo switches, and both offer an excellent typing experience. They also share the same customization options through Drop's website and the QMK toolbox, which aren't very user-friendly.
Main Differences forGaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
8.3
8.2
Pre-Travel
1.9 mm
2.2 mm
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Compact (65%)
Compact (96%)
Height
1.3" (3.3 cm)
1.3" (3.2 cm)
Width
12.7" (32.2 cm)
15.2" (38.7 cm)
Depth
4.4" (11.2 cm)
5.5" (14.0 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
N/A
N/A
Weight
1.57 lbs (0.711 kg)
2.43 lbs (1.100 kg)
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
Build Quality Close Up
Keycap Material
PBT
PBT
Ergonomics
7.0
7.0
Side Picture
Board Design
Straight
Straight
Minimum Incline
-5°
-4°
Medium Incline
0°
0°
Maximum Incline
5°
4°
Wrist Rest
No
No
Backlighting
9.5
9.5
Backlighting Picture
White Shot
Brightness Max
Brightness Min
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Color
RGB
RGB
Individually Backlit Keys
Yes
Yes
Color Mixing
Good
Good
Effects
Yes
Yes
Programmable
No
No
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wired
Wired
Detachable
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
Length
5.0 ft (1.5 m)
4.8 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
Extra Features
Extra Features
Media Keys
Hot Keys
Hot Keys
Macro Programmable Keys
No
No
Trackpad / Trackball
No
No
Wheel
No
No
USB Passthrough
Yes
Yes
Numpad
No
Yes
Windows Key Lock
No
No
Lock Indicator
Caps Lock
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Key Switches
Cherry MX Brown
Cherry MX Brown
Mechanical
Yes
Yes
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Operating Force
51 gf
54 gf
Actuation Force
44 gf
46 gf
Pre-Travel
1.9 mm
2.2 mm
Total Travel
4.0 mm
4.1 mm
Typing Quality
8.5
9.0
Typing Noise
Typing Sample
Noise
Quiet
Quiet
Latency
8.0
8.8
Latency Video
Latency Wired
8.1 ms
6.2 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
Software and Operating System
Software & Programming
0.0
0.0
Software Picture
Software Name
No Software
No Software
Account Required
No Software
No Software
Profiles
No Profile
No Profile
Onboard Memory
No
No
Cloud Sync
No
No
Macro Programming
No
No
Ease Of Use
No Software
No Software
Software Windows Compatible
No
No
Software macOS Compatible
No
No
Keyboard Compatibility
8.2
7.6
Windows
Full
Full
macOS
Full
Partial
Linux
Full
Full
Android
No
No
iOS
No
No
iPadOS
No
No
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Drop ALT
Drop SHIFT
Comments
Drop ALT vs Drop SHIFT: Main Discussion
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