Threads
Not Recommended!
Review Summary
Unlike its more expensive older sibling, the Phantom+ fares even worse across all our tests. It has a disappointing typing experience for a modern prebuilt and lacks features the competition offers for the same price, like wireless support. The design is only for those who prefer the aggressive gamer aesthetic, as the build quality around it is not the best either. Unless you love RGB, look past this one.
Hours Tested: 3 Days
Overall
-
Build Quality - 7/10
7/10
-
Design - 7/10
7/10
-
Features - 6.6/10
6.6/10
-
Typing Experience - 6.2/10
6.2/10
-
Performance - 7.2/10
7.2/10
-
Value - 6.8/10
6.8/10
Pros
- RGB looks nice with shine-through keycaps
- Decent build; the case has some heft to it
- Better software than the premium Elite variant
Cons
- Underwhelming sound
- Rattly stock stabilizers with a lot of ticking
- No wireless support
- Stiff-feeling tray mount assembly
- Molding marks all over the case
- Keycaps are not the highest quality
- Sharp edges at the corners
- Software lacks some features
Budget mechanical keyboards with the traditional “gaming” aesthetic have become a rare breed these days. The overnight revolution of semi-custom prebuilts, led by Akko, Epomaker, and Aula, has transformed the market to favor more subdued designs.
Tecware’s Phantom+ lineup of keyboards is an upgrade over their original Phantom adding a lot of new features to bring them up to date with the current landscape. We have the cheaper, non-Elite Phantom+ in for review today so let’s see how it stacks up against the competition.
Key Takeaways
- The Tecware Phantom+ is a subpar keyboard that lacks depth in any department other than RGB and its gamer-y out look.
- Buy the Phantom+ if you’re looking for something that will get the job done while looking inoffensive and well-built.
- Avoid the Phantom+ if your goal is to buy a well-rounded keyboard that has a solid sound, feel, design, and features like wireless support.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Layout | 87-key Tenkeyless (TKL) or 104-key (Full Size) |
| Switch Options | Pre-installed Tecware Wraith switches (Orange, Brown, Pink, Red) |
| Keycaps | Double-shot ABS keycaps in OEM profile |
| Build Quality | Carbon steel plate with ABS case; sound-dampening foam and fillers |
| RGB Lighting | 16.8 million colors per-key RGB illumination with 18 pre-set lighting modes |
| Connectivity | Wired only (USB-C) |
| Hot-Swappable Sockets | 3-pin switch sockets compatible with most MX-style switches |
| Stabilizers | Tecware-branded pre-lubed V3 stabilizers |
| Dimensions |
TKL: L361 x W132 x H42mm (H51mm w/ feet) | Full-Size: L443 x W132 x H42mm |
| Weight | 0.93kg (TKL) or 1.1kg (Full Size) |
| Additional Features | Multi-layered foam padding, silicone spacebar filler, dual-layer fiberglass PCB |
What Makes It Different?
The Tecware Phantom+ is not different from what’s already on the market in any way. In fact, everything about it feels outdated like all the competitors have already moved on from this level of performance. So, in that weird sort of ironic way, it’s different because it’s trying to sell an older formula that doesn’t work anymore.
Unboxing Experience
The Phantom+ comes in a sturdy, well-designed cardboard box with the keyboard’s picture and name on the front indicating whether you have the TKL or full-size variant. The box has a seal which is somewhat unique and a sticker in the corner showing you what switch you got. As usual, you get inside by accessing tabs on either side.
Inside the box, you’ll find the keyboard wrapped in foam, along with a dust cover which is surprising considering the more premium Elite version doesn’t include one. Unlike the Elite, however, this version skips the fancy coiled cable. Similarly, there’s no manual inside but the bottom of the box has a nice graphic showing an exploded view of the board’s internals.
Here’s everything you get in the box:
- 1x Phantom+
- 1x USB-C Cable
- 1x Keycap/Switch Puller
- 4x Extra Switches
Design & Build
The Tecware Phantom lineup sticks to its gamer-centric design, which feels a little outdated now, especially as many budget keyboards have transitioned to cleaner, more modern aesthetics. This model carries over the “case-less” floating switches design seen in the Elite version, where the plate sits exposed at the surface.
However, unlike the Elite, it doesn’t come with a magnetic top cover included, though the one from the Elite is fully compatible. On paper, this should mean identical build quality, but the real-world experience tells a different story. I noticed random streaks and molding marks across the plastic body that were absent in the more premium model. This gave me the impression that Tecware is relegating the less-perfect bodies to the cheaper model, almost like low-binned semiconductors used to create cheaper SKUs.
Without the top cover, the keyboard’s sharp, angled corners are fully exposed, and they can feel uncomfortable if your hand brushes against them. There is no top cover included to combat this. Interestingly, the seam running across the edges of the board where the plate and bottom case join is not as egregious here and, to be honest matches the aesthetic quite well.
The back is kept simple with a few rubber feet and a Tecware sticker box in the center. You’ll find two flip-out feet for height adjustments as well, they feel alright but not as solid as the competition’s. The side profile is very basic, but I actually prefer the raw, angular look without the cover—it gives the keyboard more character. This also leads to a very short front height of only 10mm.
The Phantom is sporting a plastic construction, but it has a surprising weight to it; there’s only about a 200g reduction due to the lack of batteries in this model. Like its older brother, this board has a rough texture on the back but smooth sides with a glossy trim angling inward toward the bottom. The metal plate is also smooth but looks gritty.
Up top, the USB-C port sits on the left side, but unlike the Elite, there’s no connection mode switch here since this version doesn’t support wireless. Strangely, the carvings of the cutout for the switch are still there, which further confirms both models share the same body mold.
Layout & Features
The Phantom+ is a wired keyboard with a TKL or tenkeyless layout which means it lacks a numpad. It uses a tray mount which is not uncommon for gamery-looking budget boards of this caliber. There are two indicator LEDs right below the nav cluster for Caps Lock and Win key lock, the latter of which is different from the power LED on the Elite mode.
The board features a hot-swap PCB with 3-pin sockets and north-facing RGB. However, these are the mill-max-looking cheapo sockets that only play nice with Outemu switches. I tried a KTT Rose and a Gateron Pro Yellow, the only two 3-pin switches I had, and the KTT fit without a problem, but the Gateron just wouldn’t go in.
Today, every single new switch that comes out is 5-pin which means you’ll have to individually chop off the plastic legs from each switch before you can put them in here. Mix that with the shoddy support of whether the switch will actually fit or not and this is just an unacceptable experience in 2024, for this class.
Anyhow, the PCB has a standard 1.6mm thickness, and both the plate and PCB have no flex cuts. There are also no extra layout options. Tecware has put ample foam inside to help dampen the sound, though. You have your standard affair of plate foam, IXPE sheet, PCB foam, and bottom case foam. Most of the weight also comes from the steel plate.
The Fundamentals
The Phantom+ has looked anything but impressive up till this point and unfortunately, its internals only continue the tragic tale.
Switches
The Phantom keyboards come with Tecware’s own Wraith switches, and I’ve got the Browns in my config. These are a 50g factory-lubed tactile with a 63g bottom out. There is no pre-travel as the tactile bump is right at the start of the actuation.
Unlike their linears, there is no spring crunch here and even less stem wobble. They sound decent but tactiles are mainly about the feel. There is a nice, rounded-off tactility here which felt pretty light. Upon opening up the switch I saw that the stem had the slightest bit of lube on it, including the legs. The spring was also glistening.
The tactile bump helps mask the minor rattle produced by the somewhat loose keycap stems. The sound is otherwise not very creamy or loud. These are certainly a downgrade from something like the MMD Princess, but at least I found the sound to be very consistent across all the keys.
Keycaps
The keycaps on the Phantom+ are doubleshot ABS with shine-through legends and come in the standard OEM profile. Compared to the Elite version, these keycaps feature a different font with centered legends that work better for RGB lighting. Since the LED sits right behind the translucent element, the RGB is more vibrant and consistent.
The legends are crisp but thinner than usual; the Elite model benefits from thicker characters that accentuate the RGB (especially in animated effects). The texture looks gritty but is smooth and catches a lot of finger oils. Once again, this is better hidden in the white version that we had with the Elite model.
The keycaps, compared to other budget PBT offerings are not as thick and you can see molding marks on the edges. There is also a decent bit of wobble as the stems are not tight enough. Putting the stabilizer keycaps on a better board like the Lucky65 and its stabs instantly gives this away, to the point where you can just lift it up without applying much pressure.
Stabilizers
Like the more premium Phantom+ Elite, the standard Phantom+ has Tecware’s “V3” plate-mounted stabs that come pre-lubed from the factory. These are really bad and cannot be used stock, which is a shame considering how other prebuilts are packing perfect stabilizers in the same budget.
All the stabilized keys rattle and there is significant ticking. You can take off the keycaps to visibly see the lube they put on the stabs but it’s not doing much. This is only made worse by the loose keycap sitting and the muted sound of the switches. In normal typing, the sound of the spacebar will take you out every single time.
Connectivity & Performance
The Phantom+ is not wireless so there’s no battery inside. You can only connect it through the USB-C port. While plugged in, I didn’t notice any lag or weird issues in both gaming and typing. The latency is average so not recommended for competitive gaming but should be fine otherwise.
Typing Experience
The typing experience is disappointing with poor stabilizers and mediocre keycaps combining to make sure you hear every bit of rattle. The tactile switches feel nice but don’t help add any positive to the sound because they simply don’t have enough character to stand out. There is the slightest hint—nay, idea—of thock but nothing substantial.
The board also feels very stiff to type on due to its tray-mount structure. This is not inherently a bad thing, in fact, I prefer a firmer typing feel but the tray mount doesn’t distribute the sound evenly and has been generally phased out since in modern budget boards.
The Software
You can easily download the Phantom+ software from Tecware’s site and, if you haven’t guessed so far, this board is not VIA or QMK compatible. Nevertheless, the software is actually not bad at all and looks quite a bit better than the one supplied with the Elite model, which is funny. The UI is still screaming gamer, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a huge improvement.
You have options for the RGB controls which include 18 built-in effects but for some reason, the speed of the animated ones is slower than on the Elite model, even if I max it out. One big advantage of this software is a real-time overlay that displays whatever RGB settings you’ve got going on as you configure it. However, there are no reactive music modes like on the Elite.
There are sections for custom keymapping and macros too. The interesting bit is in the “Others” tab where you can customize the polling rate, choosing between 125, 250, 500, and 1000hz (default). There are also toggles for Win key lock, N-key rollover, and swapping WASD for the arrow keys. Clicking the keyboard button in the middle opens the Windows Keyboard Properties panel if you want to configure that for some reason.
Should You Buy It?
Buy It If:
✅ You’re a fan of RGB. The gamer-y look mixed with the shine-through keycaps provide a nice disco show that’s pretty to look at.
✅ You’re not picky about how a board sounds or feels and just want a decent overall experience without thinking about it.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌ You’re after the best value. At its price point, competing keyboards offer far superior build quality, features, and overall performance.
❌ You value sound and feel as the Tecware Phantom+ struggles in both areas, with underwhelming acoustics, inconsistent typing feel, and an uninspired design.
❌ You need good stabilizers. The pre-lubed stabilizers are poorly implemented, with excessive rattle and ticking that detracts heavily from the typing experience.
My Thoughts
For its $58 MSRP, the Tecware Phantom+ is asking far too much when competitors like Aula, Epomaker, and even Royal Kludge are offering much better boards in the same price bracket. While it’s not exactly a relic, this keyboard feels outdated, outclassed, and, pardon my French, but Tecware should simply just copy what everyone else is doing right in the market.
The poor stabilizers, the mediocre keycaps and switches, the underwhelming build quality, and the aggressive design are all ingredients of a soup gone bad. I like the RGB, but you can get that in any modern keyboard and often with much better software so there’s really no point in even considering the Phantom+.
What Others Are Using?
Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋
How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔
I was born and raised around computers only to become the family’s personal IT department. Fast forward a few years and now only two things spark my interest—filmmaking and keyboards. One day you might just see me at the Oscars, but till then stick to my sick custom builds. Being a keyboard enthusiast, I specialize in reviewing, modding, and critiquing them for the people. If you’re a Razer fanboy, my only goal is to convert you to the dark side 😈.
Join Our Community
