Monsgeek M1W Keyboard Customization Review
The Monsgeek M1W is a 75% layout mechanical keyboard featuring an aluminum housing and a hot-swappable PCB. Its gasket-mount design provides a soft typing experience, and it offers high versatility with support for Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB Type-C wired connectivity.
I’ve built the first-generation aluminum Monsgeek M1W five times while exploring keyboard customization. It works well as supplied, but changing the switches, caps, and internal treatments can alter the feel, sound, and appearance substantially. These are the modifications I’ve tried and what I took from them.
Customization Process: Creating Your Own Monsgeek M1W
1. Tape Modding: The Foundation of Sound Tuning
Tape on the back of the PCB is a simple way to adjust the sound. It can make keystrokes feel deeper and smoother, with the result depending on the tape’s material and thickness. Experimenting lets you settle on the version you prefer.
2. Force Break Mod: Eliminating Echo and Enhancing Stability
Force Break treatment reduces resonance at the joint between the upper and lower cases. Small stickers or masking tape around the screw-hole areas separate the contact points. After doing this, I heard fewer unwanted echoes and a cleaner sound, making the board less distracting to use.
3. Silicone Gasket Adjustment: A Softer Cushion
I removed some silicone gaskets around the PC plate and added foam stickers for cushioning. The difference wasn’t dramatic, but the impact felt a little softer to me.
4. Switch Replacement: The MMD Holy Panda Experience
MMD Holy Panda switches give a pronounced tactile bump and a crisp sound. The resistance is strong initially, then returns smoothly under the finger. Bottoming out has a springy feel, with a low, clear note that stays lively.
5. MAC-Style PBT Keycaps: Balancing Design and Durability
MAC-style PBT keycaps offer a simple yet sophisticated aesthetic. Made of double-shot PBT material, they provide excellent durability and resist shine over long-term use. Various color combinations allow you to create a clean and modern look.
6. Glorious Volume Knob Upgrade: A Touch of Detail
The Glorious volume knob offers a weighted, smooth rotation, adding a sense of luxury to the keyboard’s design. Since the original knob lacks lighting, replacing it improved the visual appeal when used in conjunction with the RGB LEDs.
Pros and Cons of Customizing the Monsgeek M1W
Pros
- Customization Options: You can create your own style through switches, keycaps, and mods.
- Value for Money: The improvements gained relative to the effort are quite significant.
Cons
- Complexity for Beginners: The process may feel daunting for those new to keyboard customization.
- Diminishing Returns: Some modifications may not produce a night-and-day difference.
Conclusion: Creating Your Perfect Monsgeek M1W
Building the Monsgeek M1W five times left me with the feeling that customization doesn’t really have a final stopping point. Each attempt offered another combination of appearance, feel, and practical choices, and each brought its own satisfaction. That doesn’t mean every small mod changes the board dramatically; some differences remain subtle. The value is in using those options to arrive at something that suits your hands and desk. Switches, caps, and internal treatments give the same underlying keyboard room to become a personal build rather than a fixed product that must stay as supplied.
If you’ve customized one, I’d be interested in your experiences or questions in the comments.
Sharing those ideas gives us more options to try on the next build.
