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Leopold FC980MBT Review | 64 Data compared

Avg. price:~£110Layout size:1800-compactConnection type:USB / BluetoothSwitch type:mechanicalPolling rate:1000 Hz

Leopold FC980MBT Review: Compare 64 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Keyboards category and whether it is worth buying.

Leopold FC980MBT
6.4/10

Overall score

Score
6.4/ 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 71% of models
Score components

80%

6.5

Technical score

20%

6.0

User score

â–¼Worse than 71% of keyboards
7.4

Value for money

Value for money
7.4/ 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 74% of models
Score components

70%

6.4

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

â–¼Worse than 74%
6.5

Technical score

Technical score
6.5/ 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 61% of models
Score components

34%

7.5

Connectivity & Power

28%

3.3

Switches

20%

10

Materials

12%

4.1

Features

6%

8.4

Design

â–¼Worse than 61%
6.0

User score

User score
6.0/ 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 98% of models
Score components

70%

7.2

User ratings

30%

3.2

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 98%
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Where to buy
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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 Leopold FC980MBT

Technical score
Technical score
6.5/ 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 61% of models
Score components:

34%

7.5

Connectivity & Power

28%

3.3

Switches

20%

10

Materials

12%

4.1

Features

6%

8.4

Design

6.5
User score
User score
6.0/ 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 98% of models
Score components

70%

7.2

User ratings

30%

3.2

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
6.0
Popularity
Popularity
3.2/ 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 76% of models
Popularity:
Leopold FC980MBT has a popularity score of 3.2 points, which is lower than that of 75.1% of products in this category.
3.2
Value for money
Value for money
7.4/ 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 74% of models
Score components:

70%

6.4

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

7.4
Switch type
mechanical
Switch feel
linear / tactile / clicky
Switch name
Cherry MX
Actuation force
45 g
Min actuation distance
?
Show more
Keyboard type
mechanical
Layout size
1800-compact
Layout standard
ANSI
N. of keys
98
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 / Bluetooth
This keyboard offers USB / Bluetooth connectivity, which is more versatile than 42.7% of keyboards and equal to 14.3% of keyboards.
Multi-device pairing
yes
This keyboard supports multi-device pairing. 4.5% of keyboards support multi-device pairing.
Bluetooth version
5.1
This keyboard uses Bluetooth 5.1, which is newer than 67% of keyboards and equal to 23.5% of keyboards.
Mac compatibility
no
This keyboard is not Mac compatible. 42.4% of keyboards work with Mac.
Battery life
N/A
Show more
RGB lighting
yes
This keyboard has RGB lighting. 12.4% of keyboards have RGB lighting.
Per-key RGB
no
This keyboard does not have per-key RGB. 72.8% of keyboards offer per-key RGB.
RGB zones
0
Market range: <0 – >104
This keyboard has 0 RGB zones, which is fewer than 86.3% of keyboards and equal to 13.7% of keyboards.
Underglow / side lighting
no
This keyboard does not include underglow lighting. 8% of keyboards include underglow lighting.
Backlight direction
N/A
Show more
Case material
plastic
Plate material
steel
Keycap material
PBT
Keycap profile
Cherry
Legend method
double-shot
This keyboard uses double-shot legends, which are more durable than 25.1% of keyboards and equal to 74.9% of keyboards.
Show more

Leopold FC980MBT vs the average keyboard

246810TotalDesignConnectivity & PowerSwitchesMaterialsFeatures
  • 11 more keys
    This keyboard has more keys than the average keyboard (98 vs 87). The average keyboard has 87 keys.
    98 vs 87
  • 11 more keys
    This keyboard has more keys than the average keyboard (98 vs 87). The average keyboard has 87 keys.
    98 vs 87
  • No hot-swap support
    This keyboard does not support hot-swappable switches, the average keyboard does. 64.7% of keyboards support hot-swappable switches.
  • Less versatile connectivity
    This keyboard offers less versatile connectivity than the average keyboard (USB / Bluetooth vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth). The average keyboard offers USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth connectivity.
    USB / Bluetooth vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
  • No per-key RGB lighting
    This keyboard does not have per-key RGB, the average keyboard does. 72.5% of keyboards offer per-key RGB.
  • 83 fewer RGB zones
    This keyboard has fewer RGB zones than the average keyboard (0 vs 83). The average keyboard has 83 RGB zones.
    0 vs 83
  • No onboard memory
    This keyboard does not include onboard memory, the average keyboard does. 85.6% of keyboards include onboard memory.
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This keyboard uses an older Bluetooth version than the average keyboard (5.1 vs 5.2). The average keyboard uses Bluetooth 5.2.
    5.1 vs 5.2
  • 33.6% lower user score
    User score
    6.0/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Leopold FC980MBT
    the average keyboard
    Leopold FC980MBT has a lower user score than the average keyboard (5.99 vs 8).
    5.99 vs 8
  • 94.8% less popular
    Leopold FC980MBT is less popular than the average keyboard (3.16 vs 6.2).
    3.16 vs 6.15
  • 33.6% lower user score
    User score
    6.0/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Leopold FC980MBT
    the average keyboard
    Leopold FC980MBT has a lower user score than the average keyboard (5.99 vs 8).
    5.99 vs 8
  • 94.8% less popular
    Leopold FC980MBT is less popular than the average keyboard (3.16 vs 6.2).
    3.16 vs 6.15
  • 5.3% worse value for money
    Leopold FC980MBT has worse value for money than the average keyboard (7.44 vs 7.8).
    7.44 vs 7.84
  • 30.3 mm wider width
    This keyboard is wider than the average keyboard (386.6 mm vs 356.3 mm). The average keyboard width is 356.3 mm.
    386.6 mm vs 356.3 mm
  • Less versatile connectivity
    This keyboard offers less versatile connectivity than the average keyboard (USB / Bluetooth vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth). The average keyboard offers USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth connectivity.
    USB / Bluetooth vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This keyboard uses an older Bluetooth version than the average keyboard (5.1 vs 5.2). The average keyboard uses Bluetooth 5.2.
    5.1 vs 5.2
  • No hot-swap support
    This keyboard does not support hot-swappable switches, the average keyboard does. 64.7% of keyboards support hot-swappable switches.
  • No per-key RGB lighting
    This keyboard does not have per-key RGB, the average keyboard does. 72.5% of keyboards offer per-key RGB.
  • No onboard memory
    This keyboard does not include onboard memory, the average keyboard does. 85.6% of keyboards include onboard memory.
  • 83 fewer RGB zones
    This keyboard has fewer RGB zones than the average keyboard (0 vs 83). The average keyboard has 83 RGB zones.
    0 vs 83

Video reviews

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

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: June 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Leopold FC980MBT

  • Exceptional build quality, often described as 'built like a tank' with a solid internal steel plate.
  • Premium 1.5mm thick PBT double-shot keycaps that resist shine and have a satisfying gritty texture.
  • Compact 1800 layout provides full numpad functionality while saving significant desk space.
  • Excellent sound dampening thanks to an internal felt mat that reduces 'ping' and hollow noises.
  • Versatile connectivity with both Bluetooth 5.1 and a detachable USB-C wired mode.
  • Long-lasting battery life using standard AAA batteries, avoiding the degradation of built-in li-ion packs.
  • Highly regarded stock stabilizers that are often better than most other pre-built brands.

What customers don't like about Leopold FC980MBT

  • Non-standard bottom row and right shift size make it difficult to find compatible third-party keycap sets.
  • Lack of backlighting or RGB may be a downside for users who work in dark environments or prefer gamer aesthetics.
  • Bluetooth latency can be higher than 2.4GHz wireless, making it less ideal for competitive gaming.
  • Absence of official software for macro programming or key remapping without using external tools.
  • Some users reported a noticeable 'ping' sound on larger keys like the spacebar despite the dampening mat.
  • The 1u sized '0' key on the numpad requires a learning curve for those used to standard full-size layouts.

Verdict

The Leopold FC980MBT is a premium mechanical keyboard featuring a compact 1800 layout that retains a full numpad and arrow keys within a space-saving 98-key footprint. It offers versatile connectivity via Bluetooth 5.1 (pairing up to four devices) or a detachable USB-C cable and is powered by two AAA batteries for long-lasting wireless use. Key characteristics include 1.5mm thick double-shot PBT keycaps with the proprietary 'Step Sculpture 2' profile, authentic Cherry MX switches, and an internal sound-dampening felt pad for improved acoustics. Main pros are its tank-like build quality, exceptional typing feel, and multi-device wireless versatility, though cons include a non-standard bottom row that makes aftermarket keycap customization difficult, lack of backlighting, and the absence of programmable macro software.

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