Head to head · both bought and tested

Meridian 96 vs Sable 104

Both tested here, side by side: measured sound, latency and typing scores for the Meridian 96 and the Sable 104, and which one to buy.

The Meridian 96 scores 1.0 higher overall and costs $95 against $58. Anyone who works in spreadsheets and has run out of desk. Buy the other one if: someone who needs a full-size layout, has the desk for it, and will not remap anything.

Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Meridian 96	Sable 104	Difference
Build	7.5	7.0	+0.5 to Meridian 96
Typing feel	7.5	6.5	+1.0 to Meridian 96
Sound	7.0	6.0	+1.0 to Meridian 96
Stabilisers	6.5	6.0	+0.5 to Meridian 96
Software	8.5	5.0	+3.5 to Meridian 96
Value	7.5	7.5	level
Overall	7.4	6.4	+1.0 to Meridian 96

Measured

Figure	Meridian 96	Sable 104	Difference
Sound	58.9 dB	59.7 dB	0.8 dB quieter to Meridian 96
Latency, wired	4.6 ms	6.2 ms	1.6 ms faster to Meridian 96
Polling	1,000 Hz	1,000 Hz	level
Actuation	46.3 g	57.4 g	-11.1 g — preference, not better
Case flex	0.9 mm	0.7 mm	+0.2 mm — softer, not better

Specifications

Specification	Meridian 96	Sable 104	Difference
Price	$95	$58	$37 cheaper — Sable 104
Layout	96%	Full-size (104-key)	—
Switches	Linear — Kailh Red	Tactile — Outemu Brown (V2)	—
Hot-swap	Yes	Yes	—
Mount	Top mount	Tray mount	—
Plate	Aluminium	Steel	—
Connectivity	Wired USB-C, 2.4 GHz dongle	Wired USB-C	—
Remapping	VIA	Vendor software	—
Weight	1,240 g	1,180 g	—

Shape and footprint

Meridian 96

96% — 100 keys, 20u wide. A full numpad with the gaps removed. Roughly TKL width with everything a full-size has. Highlighted keys are what this layout adds over the next size down.

Sable 104

Full-size (104-key) — 104 keys, 22.5u wide. Everything. The widest board here, and the reason your mouse sits further right than it should. 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. Meridian 96 · Sable 104