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Scored using Keyboards Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Keyboards Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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Kreo Hive 98 Review | 64 Data compared

Avg. price:~£35Layout size:1800-compactConnection type:USBSwitch type:mechanicalPolling rate:1000 Hz

Kreo Hive 98 Review: Compare 64 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Keyboards category and whether it is worth buying.

6.0

Overall score

Score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the keyboard's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best keyboards on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
Score components

80%

6.0

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 84% of keyboards
6.0

Technical score

Technical score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Keyboards category across these key areas: Switches, Design, Connectivity & Power, Features, Materials.
When it matters
When you want to compare keyboards based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components

34%

6.1

Connectivity & Power

28%

4.2

Switches

20%

7.0

Materials

12%

6.7

Features

6%

8.7

Design

â–¼Worse than 76% of keyboards
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the keyboard.
When it matters
When you want to understand how a keyboard performs in daily use or gaming and how reliable it is in terms of typing feel, noise level, comfort, and long-term durability.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of keyboard Kreo Hive 98

Technical score
Technical score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Keyboards category across these key areas: Switches, Design, Connectivity & Power, Features, Materials.
When it matters
When you want to compare keyboards based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components:

34%

6.1

Connectivity & Power

28%

4.2

Switches

20%

7.0

Materials

12%

6.7

Features

6%

8.7

Design

6.0
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the keyboard.
When it matters
When you want to understand how a keyboard performs in daily use or gaming and how reliable it is in terms of typing feel, noise level, comfort, and long-term durability.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the keyboard.
When it matters
When you prefer a keyboard that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Kreo Hive 98 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 82.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the keyboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a keyboard that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
Score components:

60%

6.0

Overall score

40%

10

Price

7.2
Switch type
mechanical
Switch feel
linear / tactile / clicky
Switch name
?
Actuation force
44 g
Min actuation distance
1.2 mm
Min actuation distance
1.2 mm
â–² Better than 60% of models
Market range: <0.1 mm – >2 mm
This keyboard has a minimum actuation distance of 1.2 mm, which is shorter than 59.8% of keyboards and equal to 16.3% of keyboards.
Show more
Keyboard type
mechanical
Layout size
1800-compact
Layout standard
ANSI
N. of keys
98
N. of keys
98
â–² Better than 67% of models
Market range: <64 – >108
This keyboard has 98 keys, which is more than 67.3% of keyboards and equal to 1.7% of keyboards.
Profile
standard
Show more
Connection type
USB
Connection type
USB
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
This keyboard offers USB connectivity, which is less versatile than 57.6% of keyboards and equal to 42.5% of keyboards.
Multi-device pairing
N/A
Bluetooth version
N/A
Mac compatibility
?
Battery life
N/A
Show more
RGB lighting
yes
RGB lighting
yes
â–² Better than 12% of models
This keyboard has RGB lighting. 12.4% of keyboards have RGB lighting.
Per-key RGB
?
RGB zones
98
RGB zones
98
â–² Better than 74% of models
Market range: <0 – >104
This keyboard has 98 RGB zones, which is more than 73.8% of keyboards and equal to 1.5% of keyboards.
Underglow / side lighting
no
Underglow / side lighting
no
â–¼ Worse than 8% of models
This keyboard does not include underglow lighting. 8% of keyboards include underglow lighting.
Backlight direction
north-facing
Show more
Case material
plastic
Plate material
?
Keycap material
ABS
Keycap profile
OEM
Legend method
double-shot
Legend method
double-shot
â–² Better than 25% of models
This keyboard uses double-shot legends, which are more durable than 25.1% of keyboards and equal to 74.9% of keyboards.
Show more

Kreo Hive 98 vs the average keyboard

246810TotalDesignConnectivity & PowerSwitchesMaterialsFeatures
  • Volume control wheel
    Volume wheel
    yes
    â–² Better than 62% of models
    This keyboard includes a volume wheel, the average keyboard does not. 38.3% of keyboards include a volume wheel.
  • 0.5 mm shorter actuation distance
    Min actuation distance
    1.2 mm
    â–² Better than 60% of models
    Market range: <0.1 mm – >2 mm
    This keyboard has a shorter minimum actuation distance than the average keyboard (1.2 mm vs 1.7 mm). The average keyboard has a minimum actuation distance of 1.7 mm.
    1.2 mm vs 1.7 mm
  • 0.1 mm shorter key travel
    Total travel distance
    3.9 mm
    â–² Better than 59% of models
    Market range: <3.2 mm – >4 mm
    This keyboard has 3.9 mm of total travel, while the average keyboard has 4 mm.
    3.9 mm vs 4 mm
  • 0.1 mm shorter actuation distance
    Max actuation distance
    1.9 mm
    â–² Better than 70% of models
    Market range: <1.6 mm – >4 mm
    This keyboard has a longer maximum actuation distance than the average keyboard (1.9 mm vs 2 mm). The average keyboard has a maximum actuation distance of 2 mm.
    1.9 mm vs 2 mm
  • 11 more keys
    N. of keys
    98
    â–² Better than 67% of models
    Market range: <64 – >108
    This keyboard has more keys than the average keyboard (98 vs 87). The average keyboard has 87 keys.
    98 vs 87
  • 24.6% lower weight
    Weight
    737 g
    â–² Better than 75% of models
    Market range: <605 g – >1.6k g
    This keyboard weighs less than the average keyboard (737 g vs 978 g). The average keyboard weighs 978 g.
    737 g vs 978 g
  • 15 more RGB zones
    RGB zones
    98
    â–² Better than 74% of models
    Market range: <0 – >104
    This keyboard has more RGB zones than the average keyboard (98 vs 83). The average keyboard has 83 RGB zones.
    98 vs 83
  • 3.71x cheaper
    Kreo Hive 98 is cheaper than the average keyboard (£35 vs £130).
    £35 vs £130
  • 3.71x cheaper
    Kreo Hive 98 is cheaper than the average keyboard (£35 vs £130).
    £35 vs £130
  • 11 more keys
    N. of keys
    98
    â–² Better than 67% of models
    Market range: <64 – >108
    This keyboard has more keys than the average keyboard (98 vs 87). The average keyboard has 87 keys.
    98 vs 87
  • 24.6% lower weight
    Weight
    737 g
    â–² Better than 75% of models
    Market range: <605 g – >1.6k g
    This keyboard weighs less than the average keyboard (737 g vs 978 g). The average keyboard weighs 978 g.
    737 g vs 978 g
  • 10.25 mm lower keyboard height
    Height
    28 mm
    â–² Better than 85% of models
    Market range: <24.1 mm – >44 mm
    This keyboard is lower than the average keyboard (28 mm vs 38.25 mm). The average keyboard height is 38.25 mm.
    28 mm vs 38.25 mm
  • 0.5 mm shorter actuation distance
    Min actuation distance
    1.2 mm
    â–² Better than 60% of models
    Market range: <0.1 mm – >2 mm
    This keyboard has a shorter minimum actuation distance than the average keyboard (1.2 mm vs 1.7 mm). The average keyboard has a minimum actuation distance of 1.7 mm.
    1.2 mm vs 1.7 mm
  • 0.1 mm shorter key travel
    Total travel distance
    3.9 mm
    â–² Better than 59% of models
    Market range: <3.2 mm – >4 mm
    This keyboard has 3.9 mm of total travel, while the average keyboard has 4 mm.
    3.9 mm vs 4 mm
  • 0.1 mm shorter actuation distance
    Max actuation distance
    1.9 mm
    â–² Better than 70% of models
    Market range: <1.6 mm – >4 mm
    This keyboard has a longer maximum actuation distance than the average keyboard (1.9 mm vs 2 mm). The average keyboard has a maximum actuation distance of 2 mm.
    1.9 mm vs 2 mm
  • Volume control wheel
    Volume wheel
    yes
    â–² Better than 62% of models
    This keyboard includes a volume wheel, the average keyboard does not. 38.3% of keyboards include a volume wheel.
  • 15 more RGB zones
    RGB zones
    98
    â–² Better than 74% of models
    Market range: <0 – >104
    This keyboard has more RGB zones than the average keyboard (98 vs 83). The average keyboard has 83 RGB zones.
    98 vs 83
  • Less versatile connectivity
    Connection type
    USB
    â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
    This keyboard offers less versatile connectivity than the average keyboard (USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth). The average keyboard offers USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth connectivity.
    USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
  • No pre-lubed stabilizers
    Pre-lubed stabilizers
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
    This keyboard does not have pre-lubed stabilizers, the average keyboard does. 81.4% of keyboards come with pre-lubed stabilizers.
  • 6.15x less popular
    Kreo Hive 98 is less popular than the average keyboard (1 vs 6.2).
    1 vs 6.15
  • 9.2% worse value for money
    Kreo Hive 98 has worse value for money than the average keyboard (7.18 vs 7.8).
    7.18 vs 7.84
  • 35.7 mm wider width
    Width
    392 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    Market range: <290 mm – >442 mm
    This keyboard is wider than the average keyboard (392 mm vs 356.3 mm). The average keyboard width is 356.3 mm.
    392 mm vs 356.3 mm
  • 6.15x less popular
    Kreo Hive 98 is less popular than the average keyboard (1 vs 6.2).
    1 vs 6.15
  • 9.2% worse value for money
    Kreo Hive 98 has worse value for money than the average keyboard (7.18 vs 7.8).
    7.18 vs 7.84
  • 35.7 mm wider width
    Width
    392 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    Market range: <290 mm – >442 mm
    This keyboard is wider than the average keyboard (392 mm vs 356.3 mm). The average keyboard width is 356.3 mm.
    392 mm vs 356.3 mm
  • Less versatile connectivity
    Connection type
    USB
    â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
    This keyboard offers less versatile connectivity than the average keyboard (USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth). The average keyboard offers USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth connectivity.
    USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
  • No pre-lubed stabilizers
    Pre-lubed stabilizers
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
    This keyboard does not have pre-lubed stabilizers, the average keyboard does. 81.4% of keyboards come with pre-lubed stabilizers.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Third-party reviews

What we like about Kreo Hive 98

  • Excellent value for money for a budget mechanical keyboard
  • Compact 98% layout includes a number pad and dedicated volume wheel
  • Aesthetically pleasing retro 90's design with multiple colour options
  • Bright and customisable RGB lighting with various effects
  • Includes features like case foam for sound dampening and a detachable USB-C cable
  • Sturdy build quality for its price point
  • Comes with extra switches, a keycap puller, and a switch puller in the box

What we don't like about Kreo Hive 98

  • Hot-swappability is limited to Outemu-style (3-pin) sockets, making it difficult to swap with other brands
  • Keycaps are basic ABS plastic and legends can appear blurry when backlit
  • Stabilisers (especially the spacebar) can be loose, rattly, or loud
  • The metal volume knob can be stiff or require extra force to turn
  • Software lacks polish and has been reported as difficult to use or buggy
  • Reported long-term reliability issues, such as keys failing or RGB malfunctions after a few months
  • After-sales support and RMA processes can be slow or unresponsive

Verdict

The Kreo Hive 98 is a compact 98-key mechanical keyboard that combines the utility of a full-sized numpad with a space-saving 96% layout. It features hot-swappable Outemu switches (available in Red, Blue, or Brown) rated for 60 million keystrokes, a dedicated metal volume knob, and vibrant per-key RGB lighting customizable via software. Built with a sturdy ABS plastic frame and internal sound-dampening foam, it offers a 1000Hz polling rate and N-key rollover for high-speed performance. Main pros include its space-efficient hybrid design, smooth tactile volume control, and excellent value-for-money for a hot-swappable board. However, cons include potential issues with rattling stabilizers, legends on colored keycaps that may appear slightly blurred under RGB, and a lack of dedicated keys for Print Screen, Home, or End, requiring software remapping.

Compare Kreo Hive 98 with other products in the Keyboards category

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