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Head to head · both bought and tested

Castor 65 vs Ferrule 75

Both tested here, side by side: measured sound, latency and typing scores for the Castor 65 and the Ferrule 75, and which one to buy.

Castor 65

8.2
VS

Ferrule 75

8.5

The short answer

The Ferrule 75 scores 0.3 higher overall and costs $89 against $79. Almost anyone buying their first good keyboard, and most people buying their third. Buy the other one if: someone who wants the nicest typing feel available under $80 and can live with the default layout, or only remaps once.

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionCastor 65Ferrule 75Difference
Build8.58.0+0.5 to Castor 65
Typing feel9.08.5+0.5 to Castor 65
Sound8.58.0+0.5 to Castor 65
Stabilisers7.58.5-1.0 to Ferrule 75
Software6.09.5-3.5 to Ferrule 75
Value8.59.0-0.5 to Ferrule 75
Overall8.28.5-0.3 to Ferrule 75

Measured

FigureCastor 65Ferrule 75Difference
Sound53.1 dB54.6 dB1.5 dB quieter to Castor 65
Latency, wired5.2 ms4.1 ms1.1 ms faster to Ferrule 75
Polling1,000 Hz1,000 Hzlevel
Actuation56.8 g55.9 g+0.9 g — preference, not better
Case flex2.9 mm2.4 mm+0.5 mm — softer, not better

Specifications

SpecificationCastor 65Ferrule 75Difference
Price$79$89$10 cheaper — Castor 65
Layout65%75%—
SwitchesTactile — Akko V3 Cream BlueTactile — Gateron Brown Pro—
Hot-swapYesYes—
MountGasket mountGasket mount—
PlatePC (polycarbonate)PC (polycarbonate)—
ConnectivityWired USB-C, 2.4 GHz dongle, BluetoothWired USB-C, 2.4 GHz dongle, Bluetooth—
RemappingVendor softwareVIA—
Weight890 g940 g—

Shape and footprint

Castor 65

65% — 68 keys, 16u wide. Dedicated arrow keys and a navigation column, for one extra unit of desk width over a 60%. Highlighted keys are what this layout adds over the next size down.

Ferrule 75

75% — 82 keys, 16u wide. A real function row on top of the 65% shape — the densest layout that still has F-keys. Highlighted keys are what this layout adds over the next size down.

Where to buy

The full reviews

Everything above is a summary of two longer reviews — including the flaws, the long-term notes and the photographs. Castor 65 · Ferrule 75