The Mchose UT98 is an excellent and fully featured mechanical keyboard that thankfully doesn't feel like your typical bulky full-size typing tool.
The 2025 keyboard market is extremely saturated, with mechanical keyboard makers covering practically every possible shape, size, and color a consumer could want. It's a buyer's market, and one that is hard to stand out from without making some shrewd decisions.
Mchose, which makes keyboards along with mice and headphones, is in a similar position to others in offering bold designs and styles. For its latest model, it's decided to collaborate with another online entity and to latch onto that audience.
The Mchose UT98 is a 98-percent mechanical keyboard with interesting design choices, features, and options. It's also made in collaboration with the YouTube tech channel Unbox Therapy.
After an earlier collaboration with the GX87, the new model aimed to retain the feel of the first, but in a quieter package.
Mchose UT98 review: Inside the box
The UT98 is a 98-percent mechanical keyboard, and it arrives incredibly well-packaged. There are foil overlays on the box logos, foam padding, and individual baggies for components.
Inside the box:
- UT98 Keyboard
- Additional keycaps x5
- Spare switches x2
- USB-C Cable
- Quick Start Guide
- Switch and keycap tool
- Dust cover
- User Manual
The UT98 is compatible with macOS and Windows. Thankfully, Mchose included alternate Windows and macOS keycaps to use with your specific configuration.
This is such a small detail, but it's an annoyance when a company produces a high-end product and omits such a small detail that could easily be avoided by adding a few more keycaps.
Mchose UT98 review: Specifications
- Width: 147mm (5.8 inches)
- Length: 401mm (15.8 inches)
- Front height: 18.8mm (0.74 inches)
- Rear height: 42mm (1.65 inches)
- Weight (Ultra model): 2.75 pounds
- Battery: 10,000mAh (909 hours with no backlight / 77 hours with backlight)
- Tri-Mode Connectivity
- MacOS / Windows / Linux Support
Mchose UT98 review: Build quality and features
The UT98 is a 98-percent mechanical keyboard with an amazing build quality. It also has a visually striking multicolor presentation on the plastic case and keycaps.
Mechanical keyboards from other companies can (and do) look good, certainly. But from the color choices to the bold font choices on the keycaps, UT98 looks like a keyboard created by a graphic designer, and nothing about the UT98 feels cheap or poorly made.
Mchose UT98 review: It's a solidly built keyboard, with adjustable feet.
Every component of the UT98 feels custom and durable to withstand years of daily use. Despite using a hard plastic case compared to aluminum, the UT98 feels like one of the best I have ever reviewed.
As of this writing, Mchose offers the UT98 in two models with two color configurations:
- Classic Therapy: A black and white palette
- Retro Therapy: A white, black, grey, and orange palette
The model and color choices for the UT98 are directly linked to the type of linear switches included with purchase as well. The Classic Therapy model includes Silent Peach V3 silent switches, while the Retro Therapy model has Icy Creamsicle HiFi switches.
The Kickstarter page for the UT98 states that the model and switches are chosen via a backer survey once the campaign ends. It stands to reason that consumers should be allowed to mix and match at that point.
A Retro Therapy model was provided for testing, and the Icy Creamsicle keycaps are very satisfying to type with. However, they are not whisper-quiet.
However, I will reinforce that the Icy Creamsicle switches and the Cherry-profile keycaps are very satisfying with the soft "thock" sounds they make. I am very happy with the level of noise.
Mchose is touting the UT98 as the "Silent Yet Satisfying" typing experience. I wish I could confirm that for you here, but I did not have the Silent Peach switches for testing.
Both the Classic Therapy and Retro Therapy models include RGB backlighting, complete with 16.8 million color options and music rhythm options. The RGB lights are very bright and pretty, and thankfully, adjustable.
The UT98 includes two-stage flip-down legs to adjust the overall angle of the typing surface. This gives you three different angles to choose from.
I have never seen or used two-stage legs before, but it's great to have a wider range of options for users with hand and wrist issues.
The center back of the keyboard has a single USB-C port for charging or using the keyboard in wired mode.
Mchose UT98 review: The USB-C port is at the back
The left side of the UT98 includes a sturdy three-position switch for powering the keyboard off, switching to Bluetooth connectivity, and for 2.4G connectivity.
One of my favorite features of the UT98 is the aluminum scroll wheel set into the keyboard case. It has a small ambient light that also functions as a battery level monitor.
I am a sucker for volume controls on a keyboard, and the sleek integration of this approach makes me very happy. I used it often during my days of testing.
Mchose UT98 review: Customization
Unsurprisingly, like other keyboard and peripheral makers, Mchose offers a web-based hub for device configuration and customization through its website.
While I am not a big fan of web-based hubs like this one that demand an internet connection, it is one of the nicest I have ever seen or used. The level of customization for the UT98 is also staggering.
In addition to key commands and setting custom macros, the hub allows users to customize the RGB light settings deeper than the numerous preset options. The RGB presets are robust by default, but it is wonderful to allow this added level of customization.
Mchose UT98 review: In use
Following several days of use, it's evident that this is a fantastic mechanical keyboard.
After testing many keyboards for AppleInsider, this is easily in my top three all-time list. This is coming from someone who doesn't care for large, chunky mechanical keyboards, as I am a low-profile, 60-65 percent keyboard guy.
Out of the box, setting up the UT98 and pairing it with my Mac Studio via Bluetooth took less than a minute.
The UT98 offers tri-mode connectivity via a connected USB-C cable, Bluetooth, and 2.4G. I tested all three and experienced zero issues connecting to my Mac Studio, gaming PC, and my iPad.
Testing as many keyboards as I have, I've come to appreciate good quickstart cards and user manuals. The instructions need to be clear, and thankfully, Mchose delivers on this, which will be great for those new to mechanical keyboards in general.
Mchose UT98 review: The roller is a nice touch.
The intent with the UT98 is to deliver a mechanical keyboard that delivers full-size features. All without feeling like a gigantic, obtrusive plank on workspaces.
Mchose threads the needle by getting the most of a tighter presentation that delivers features outside of the norm on mechanical keyboards. The volume wheel, keycap placements, and unique ideas like the dedicated calculator key to make the UT98 stand out.
The approach works and I thoroughly enjoyed my working experience with the UT98.
The Icy Creamsicle switches are so good that I fully intend to keep the UT98 as my gaming keyboard and eventually swap out for the Silent Peach switches to see just how silent they are. I like this keyboard so much that I will do this out of my own pocket.
Mchose UT98 review: Excellent, fully-featured, crowd-funded
My only issue with the UT98 is not the keyboard or Mchose. It is the use of Kickstarter for the development and funding of the UT98.
Kickstarter has a reputation for being unpredictable when it comes to the funding and delivery of tech products. It is the nature of Kickstarter and smaller, inexperienced creators and studios taking their first steps to bring their dreams and ideas to life.
There can and will be missteps and outright failures.
Mchose UT98 review: An overall decent mechanical keyboard.
Mchose is a fully established company with a large catalog of products, and this is its first Kickstarter campaign. At the time of writing, the project is fully funded, MCHOSE is communicating with backers, and everything appears to be on track for production and fulfillment.
The cost-benefit for purchasing the UT98 through Kickstarter is a discount off the MSRP.
The cost of entry for the UT98 is in the range I would expect for a nice full-size mechanical keyboard, with an MSRP of $139 and a 29% discount through Kickstarter bringing the cost of the UT98 down to $99.
For the quality of the UT98, that is a steal.
The UT98 is a fantastic mechanical keyboard that I will be happy to have on my desk as a gaming keyboard, but the risks of any Kickstarter are valid, and if that is a deal breaker for you, wait until the UT98 arrives in the Mchose online store.
Mchose UT98 Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Compatible with MacOS, Windows, and Linux
- Connectivity with up to 3 devices
- Excellent desktop footprint for a full-size keyboard
- Clever features like the scroll wheel and calculator key
- Solid customization hub (despite being web-based)
Mchose UT98 Cons
- Even the best Kickstarter campaigns can be risky
- Fulfillment is not immediate
Rating 4 out of 5
Where to buy the Mchose UT98
The Classic Therapy and Retro Therapy models of the UT98 are available through the Mchose Kickstarter campaign for $99.
As part of the review, we've also incorporated the fact that it's a crowdfunded project. As a crowdfunded project, there is always the risk of the product not shipping as promised — or at all.
Because of this, AppleInsider doesn't cover the majority of crowdfunding efforts as a rule, unless hardware is available and after an assessment of the team behind the effort and their previous releases, if any.
