Four years after the original Drop CTRL keyboard dragged so many typing enthusiasts into the world of custom decks, the brand has returned with a V2. Fresh off a recent acquisition by Corsair (though strangely eschewing the brand's own customization software), Massdrop introduced the CTRL V2 towards the end of 2023. The new deck aims to bring the previously outdated model back to life, with refreshed stabilizers, upgraded PCB, and boosted software compatibility.
The new hot-swappable keyboard comes as part of a whole roster of releases. In total there's five models with a range of different layouts each and available in various build states. The Drop CTRL V2 I've been using for the last month comes in at $200 when purchased fully assembled and with Holy Panda X Clear switches. It's not going to be one of the best gaming keyboards on the market, but there are some clear moves here that could lure the next generation of custom hobbyists.
