The HHKB Studio Keyboard Is an Old Favorite Reimagined for the Present Day

It’s not often that something as well-known as the Happy Hacking Keyboard gets reworked from the ground up. And when it does happen, those changes usually draw criticism from long-time fans. Look at Porsche’s switch from air-cooled to water-cooled engines in the 911, or Microsoft’s transition to a more tablet-like interface for Windows 8. If people are used to something, they won’t appreciate seeing it change drastically, regardless of whether these changes are ultimately good or bad.
The latest iteration of the Happy Hacking Keyboard (HHKB) makes large changes to the model’s nearly 30-year-old legacy, and it can easily be seen in the same light. Besides the layout, almost every aspect of this keyboard has been altered. Thankfully, quite a few of these changes do feel like improvements over previous iterations.
The HHKB Studio is a hot-swappable 60% mechanical keyboard with Bluetooth connectivity, integrated touchpads, a built-in trackpoint, and a unique programmer-oriented layout. The Studio has a PBT plastic case and keycaps, multi-device connectivity, and keymap customization through the company’s proprietary Keymap Tool software. But before we dive into this new iteration, we need to take a look at the legacy.
The Happy Hacking Keyboard has been around for decades. It was designed around the idea of a singular, specialized, long-lasting keyboard that could be used across multiple computers and operating systems (back when such an idea was novel and new). It has been regularly upgraded since to further refine its unique layout and multi-device utility.
The first model of HHKB pioneered its unique layout, cutting keys from the bottom corners, moving the backspace/delete key and adding a second key in the top right, and trading the Caps Lock key for a Control key, which was easily accessible to the pinky. In following iterations, the keyboard moved from a traditional rubber-dome layout to Topre electro-capacitive switches, added USB pass-through, and eventually introduced Bluetooth connectivity. However, across every generation, the unique layout has remained a constant. While the latest model has stayed true to the layout, almost every other aspect of the keyboard has been modified.
One of the most defining factors of the HHKB was the Topre electro-capacitive switch: A soft tactile switch with a rounded bump created by a rubber dome on top of a conical metal spring. The HHKB was one of the only keyboards available with these switches, which was both a blessing and a burden. They were uniquely enjoyable to type on, but at the same time, Topre switches’ rarity and unique construction made modifications to the switches or keycaps far more difficult. Instead of being able to remove and replace individual switches, any modification would involve taking apart the entire keyboard.
Now, the HHKB Studio has adopted the MX-style switch that has become almost ubiquitous in modern mechanical keyboards, bringing it closer to the world of modular keyboard designs. But instead of sticking with an existing mechanical switch, the company has designed its own MX-style switch in collaboration with Kailh, a well-known aftermarket switch manufacturer.
Other noteworthy changes include the new trackpoint in the center of the keyboard, low-profile mouse buttons underneath the spacebar, and touch-sensitive “gesture pads” on the front and sides of the keyboard. The HHKB Studio also maintains the wireless functionality of the previous generation and preserves the extensive use of PBT plastic in the case and keycaps. The Bluetooth functionality is enhanced by an LED bar in the top-left of the keyboard, and the quick-adjustment dip switches on the back are now hidden behind a battery cover.
The HHKB Studio’s switch from Topre to MX-style switches is a controversial change: One could argue it “sold out” by moving to MX-style switches. However, that would be ignoring an important detail. These switches are fantastic to type on. They blend the unique sound and feel of Topre tactile switches with the smoothness of a modern linear switch, creating a silenced linear that produces a soft, deep, and satisfying bottom-out. I’ve never felt another switch like it. And, for fans of Topre switches, I do think this is the best linear equivalent possible.
Taking apart the switches, they appear to be made from a similar construction as Kailh’s clicky switches. Specifically, the design is reminiscent of Box Navy and Box Jade switches. The only major difference is that the actual clicking mechanism (a small spring called a “click bar” that adds a tactile bump and produces a sound when pressed) has been removed, and a sound-dampening pad has been added to the bottom of the switch housing.
As a result, these switches don’t have much spring ping or leaf crunch, meaning the deeper typing sound of these switches is refined and pure. They don’t have the same clean and crisp sound of some high-end keyboards engineered for sound, but they still have a satisfying, natural typing sound that’s hard not to enjoy and is reminiscent of the classic Topre thick. Seeing the similarities of these switches to Topre, there’s an obvious appeal to enthusiasts. But even without this context, these switches are just as good to type on.
The largest issue I noticed is that they have a “mushy” bottom-out due to the sound-dampening pad at the bottom of each switch. While this is typically seen as a bad thing to keyboard enthusiasts, it’s something I’ve come around to in silent switches, especially when it works well with the rest of the switch. The keystroke is smooth enough that there isn’t any noticeable scratch in day-to-day use (it can only be felt when pressing down the switch slowly, but not when typing), and I suspect that the more complex internal assembly adds a level of smoothness and consistency to the switches as well.
The stabilizers are dead silent from the factory too. They don’t rattle, ping, or make any sounds at all—something I can’t say about many pre-built keyboards. This is especially important on a keyboard like this, where disassembly is difficult, time-consuming, and warranty-voiding.
The three mouse keys underneath the spacebar utilize Kailh Choc V2 Brown low-profile tactile switches. They can easily be swapped out for any other switches using the same footprint and height (which, as far as I’m aware, is only other switches from the Choc V2 lineup). They feel alright to type on, and the slight tactile bump creates responsiveness without being much louder than the rest of the keys. Their largest benefit is that they’re completely un-noteworthy, which means they easily fade into the background of regular use.
As far as ergonomics, the Studio uses the standard OEM profile that the HHKB line has previously used, which is almost identical to Cherry’s profile. The keycaps are thick and solid, with a slight bit of texture, and flip-out feet on the bottom can change the typing angle to six, eight, or 12 degrees.
Beyond the new switches, the HHKB Studio introduces multiple novel features while maintaining the unique details the brand is known for. Compared to other 60% keyboards, the HHKB Studio’s biggest advantage is the layout. By replacing the Caps Lock key with a Control key, cutting out the bottom corners, and shuffling around some keys in the top right, it becomes much more efficient for serious typing without being so different that it’s hard to learn. I was able to both type and use modifier keys faster after only a day of use, but could also transition back to a traditional keyboard without much trouble.
The trackpoint and mouse keys are great for quick mouse movements and allow for simple navigation without moving your hands from the home row. They aren’t optimal for anything requiring more precision, like games or creative work, but I found myself using the trackpoint a lot for quick mouse movements when typing. The only downside was that I occasionally ended up bumping the trackpoint when pressing the G, H, or B keys.
On the front and sides of the keyboard, four small touchpads allow for basic forward-and-back movements, such as scrolling, volume controls, or swapping between windows. These are a cool innovation with a lot of functionality, but using them requires you to move your hands from the keys onto the sides. Because their default functions can already be done using existing key combinations (arrow keys, scroll wheel, alt+tab), I hardly found myself using them. However, I could see them being useful for people who struggle to memorize key combinations, or for someone who wants a more streamlined way to scroll or swap between pages.
Removing the battery cover of the keyboard, you’ll find a set of four AA batteries and six small on/off switches. These allow you to change specific aspects of the layout (like activating/deactivating gesture pads, changing scroll direction, or changing the functionality of different keys). Because these changes aren’t reliant on any software or device, they persist no matter what the keyboard is connected to. These feel more like a legacy option than anything else, since past HHKB models have included these switches, but I couldn’t personally find a great use for them when changes made in the Keymap Tool software also seemed to persist across devices.
Similar to Logitech’s MX Master line, the HHKB Studio can also maintain pairing to multiple devices at once, and swap between them freely. Being able to quickly swap between multiple devices is incredibly convenient, and the keyboard can switch almost instantaneously.
Overall, these features are a mixed bag in terms of functionality. Some are incredibly useful, but others feel unnecessary. However, all of them worked well. The only issue I ran into was that sometimes the HHKB Studio’s features would stop functioning or seem a bit jittery. I fixed this by turning the keyboard off and on again, which only took a few seconds, but was irritating.
At this price, you may be gawking at the HHKB Studio’s all-plastic case—how can keyboards from Keychron and Razer use more premium materials at half the price? I don’t think that’s quite the right approach. Despite being made entirely from plastic, this keyboard is rigid and dense. And, more than that, it’s packed with tech. Taking this keyboard apart, you’re greeted by two separate printed circuit boards (PCBs) and half a dozen ribbon cables going between different modules.
It’s constructed well. The plate is directly screwed into the top of the case, creating a stiff and solid top mount, and the switches are held in place by Kailh hot-swap sockets, one of the better options on the market. Along with this, the PCBs are both held in place by multiple screws, ensuring that nothing can move around or rattle during use or transportation.
The interior construction is on-par with previous HHKB models. All of them have been known for their incredible rigidity and durability, and I’m glad to see the Studio isn’t any different. However, I am frustrated by the difficulty of disassembly. To take apart this keyboard, you need to remove the adhesive feet, remove seven screws (and a “do not remove” sticker over one of them), then wedge something between the bottom and side panels of the case to undo the plastic clips holding the case together. Because of this, modifications to the keyboard (like adjusting the stabilizers or adding silencing foam) are both time-consuming and risky.
As far as keycaps go, it will be difficult to find an aftermarket set that fits. The spacebar is a unique size (6u instead of the typical 6.25u or 7u), the G, H, and B keys have to accommodate the trackpoint, and the specifically-sized “control,” “delete,” and split backspace keys are all fairly uncommon. At the very least, it will require using a dremel to make cutouts for the trackpoint. There’s not much reason to swap out these keycaps besides looks. I’m still impressed by the overall fit and finish. The colors look great and the keycaps and case are nicely color-matched.
Overall, this keyboard is fantastic to use. Typing on it feels great, sounds good, and is satisfying. The switches feel robust, and the case is rigid and well-designed. The only real problem is the price. Retailing for $450 (occasionally dipping as low as $330), this keyboard costs significantly more than most picks in my Best Mechanical Keyboards guide.
But there isn’t another keyboard that compares in both functionality and out-of-box usability, between the unique layout, unmatched utility, and novel design. You certainly aren’t getting the same kind of keyboard as a $400 custom keyboard with a metal case, but I do think the sheer level of engineering that went into this model justifies the price.