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What is alexotos?
alexotos is a personal tech blog and community hub focused on custom mechanical keyboards, run by Alex from Toronto, Canada. It combines written content, build services, and a vendor directory for hobbyists.
What you'll find there
- Reviews and guides: The blog publishes hands-on keyboard reviews and practical comparisons, such as a solder vs. hotswap PCB explainer and reviews of boards like the Ducky Cushion 98 and QK100 Mark II. It also runs roundups, including a "Top 5 Mechanical Keyboard Switches" piece.
- Build services: Alex takes on keyboard build commissions, which is useful if you want a custom board assembled without buying tools or learning soldering yourself.
- Vendor list: A curated list of keyboard vendors, helpful for sourcing parts, switches, and keycaps.
- Community: The site points to a Discord plus social channels (Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch, Reddit, Spotify), so it works as a gathering point as much as a reading site.
Who it's for
The stated goal is to document Alex's own setup process and share what he learns, aimed at enthusiasts and newcomers alike. That makes it most useful if you're:
- New to the hobby and want orientation before spending money
- Deciding between convenience (hotswap) and commitment (soldering)
- Looking for a builder rather than doing a commission yourself
- Wanting a vendor starting point instead of random search results
A practical next step
If you're weighing your first custom board, start with the solder vs. hotswap article, then check the vendor list for parts availability in your region. For broader community discussion and group buys, Reddit and Geekhack are long-running alternatives worth comparing.
How can I commission a custom mechanical keyboard build from alexotos?
Commission a build through Alex's dedicated build service, which he runs from Toronto, Canada. The site's main call to action is a Build Service link paired with a Vendor List, and the page states he has completed 1,500+ keyboard builds over 6+ years of content creation. That scale is the practical signal here: this is an established builder taking commissions rather than a one-off favor.
What to expect from the process
- You bring the requirements; he builds. Typical commission variables are the case/kit, plate material, switch choice, keycaps, stabilizers, and whether the PCB is hotswap or solder.
- His own writing treats solder versus hotswap as a real trade-off, not a formality: hotswap gets you a working board in roughly 15 minutes of assembly, while solder needs an iron, steady hands, ventilation, and about an hour. If you want a specific switch feel or a soldered build, say so up front.
- He publishes switch roundups (his 2026 top five includes HMX Yogurt S, TTC x PT, Wingtree Nezuko, Keygeek Y2, and TYPEPLUS Peacock, with a Cherry MX2A bonus pick), so you can reference a switch by name instead of describing it vaguely.
- Reviews on the site cover prebuilt and enthusiast-friendly boards such as the Ducky Cushion 98, the QK100 Mark II, and the Mode Encore, which is useful context if you are deciding whether to commission a build or buy something off the shelf.
How to start
Go to the Build Service page and send a message describing your budget range, layout (60%, TKL, 98%, full-size), preferred switch and keycap style, and your deadline. Ask directly about current lead time, whether you supply parts or he sources them, and what shipping from Toronto costs for your location.
Deciding whether it fits you
| Your situation | Better fit |
|---|---|
| You want a specific switch/plate/keycap combination you cannot buy prebuilt | Commission a build |
| You want a reliable board quickly with no decisions | A reviewed prebuilt like the Ducky Cushion 98 |
| You want to learn soldering and modding yourself | Use his resources and guides instead |
If you are local to Toronto, watch for the Canadian Mechanical Keyboard Meetup posts he writes about — meeting him and other builders in person is the fastest way to scope a commission and see finished work before committing. His community also gathers on Discord, plus Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch, Reddit, and Spotify, so you can ask existing clients about their experience before you pay a deposit.
What are the top mechanical keyboard switches recommended by alexotos for 2026?
Alex's 2026 switch picks, as listed on alexotos, are HMX Yogurt S, TTC x PT, Wingtree Nezuko, Keygeek Y2, and TYPEPLUS Peacock, with a Cherry MX2A as a bonus pick.
What the list tells you
Five picks plus a bonus is a shortlist, not a buyer's guide. Alex writes from the perspective of someone who builds and commissions keyboards rather than reviewing switches in isolation, so the picks likely reflect what he reaches for across his own builds. Each name points to a different sound and feel family — HMX, TTC, Keygeek and TYPEPLUS are separate manufacturers with their own house character, so the list spans variety rather than doubling down on one profile.
How to use it
Treat it as a starting point for sampling, not a verdict:
- Buy a switch tester or a small bag of each before committing to a full set for a board.
- Note that "best" here means best for his taste and builds. If you type all day in an open office, a loud, clacky switch will wear on you and your neighbours regardless of how it ranks.
- The Cherry MX2A bonus pick is the safe reference point. If you have no idea what you like, try it alongside two or three of the others and use it as your baseline for comparison.
A practical scenario
Say you are building your first hot-swap board and want a switch that suits both typing and occasional gaming. Order a tester, spend a week with the five picks plus the MX2A, then buy a full set of whichever one you keep coming back to. Because the board is hot-swap, you can change your mind later without soldering.
For the reasoning behind each pick, read the full write-up on alexotos, where the switch article sits alongside his build and review content.
Should I choose a solder or hotswap PCB for my custom keyboard build?
For most first custom builds, choose hotswap. It lets you test switches without desoldering, and it is far more forgiving if you buy the wrong switch weight or feel. Solder makes sense when you already know the exact switch and layout you want, and you care about a permanently solid connection and the widest PCB choice.
alexotos covers this exact trade-off in its article "Solder vs. Hotswap PCBs," framing it as convenience versus manual labor: hotswap can have a working board in roughly 15 minutes, while solder needs an iron, steady hands, ventilation and about an hour. That is a fair starting point, but the practical difference goes further than build time.
What actually changes
| Factor | Hotswap | Solder |
|---|---|---|
| Switch changes | Pull and swap, no tools beyond a puller | Desolder and resolder each joint |
| Switch compatibility | Limited to the socket's pin type; some switches fit loosely | Any MX-compatible switch with the right pins |
| Feel and sound | Sockets can add a slightly less direct feel | Typically a more solid, consistent typing feel |
| Risk | Bent pins or damaged sockets if you force switches | Cold joints, lifted pads, or burnt boards if you rush |
| Best for | Testing, rotating switches, first builds | Committing to one switch, long-term reliability |
How to decide
Pick hotswap if any of these apply: this is your first build, you are still exploring switch types, you share the board, or you like changing your setup every few months. Pick solder if you have already typed on your chosen switch for weeks, you want a specific PCB that only comes in a solder version, or you are chasing the last few percent of feel and sound.
A middle path many builders take: start with a hotswap board to find your switch, then build a soldered board once you know. For layout and vendor research before buying, the site's vendor list and keyboard resources are worth a look at alexotos.
Is the Ducky Cushion 98 a good pre-built keyboard option compared to custom builds?
For most buyers, the Ducky Cushion 98 is a sound pre-built choice if you want a quiet, near-full-size keyboard without a build project. Alex's review frames it as Ducky's take on a compact 98% layout: you keep the numpad and navigation keys of a full-size board while the footprint stays close to a TKL. The silent switches are described as genuinely good rather than a compromise, and the starting price sits in a competitive part of the pre-built market. That combination — quiet switches, number pad, smaller desk footprint — is the practical reason to pick it over a custom.
Where a custom still wins
A custom build makes sense when you already know what you want and the pre-built can't deliver it. The trade-offs are mostly about control versus effort:
| Ducky Cushion 98 (pre-built) | Custom build | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to a working board | Out of the box | Hours of research, ordering and assembly |
| Switch and feel choices | Fixed to what Ducky offers | Open, within your budget |
| Layout | 98% as sold | Whatever PCB and case you pick |
| Modifying later | Limited to what the case allows | Designed to be opened and changed |
| Cost predictability | One known price | Parts add up, plus tools |
If your priority is a quiet office or shared-space keyboard that works the day it arrives, the Cushion 98 is the lower-risk path. If you want a specific switch feel, a particular mounting style, or a board you can keep tuning for years, a custom is the better fit — and the effort is the point, not a drawback.
Alex's own work leans toward the custom side: over 1,500 keyboard builds and six-plus years of content, with an explicit interest in the community and social side of the hobby. That background is worth weighing when reading his reviews, because someone who builds constantly will notice and care about details a first-time buyer may never think about. His verdict on the Cushion 98 is still useful to a general buyer precisely because he judges the silent switches as good — that is the part most people will actually feel every day.
How to decide
Start with one question: do you want a keyboard, or do you want a project? If it's a keyboard, buy the Cushion 98 and spend the saved time using it. If it's a project, decide on your layout and switch type first, then pick a case and PCB that support them — the build service and vendor list on alexotos are reasonable starting points for that route.
For a concrete scenario: someone who types all day, shares a room, and wants arrow keys and a numpad gets the most from the Cushion 98. Someone who has already tried three switch types and knows they prefer a heavy tactile feel will likely be frustrated by any pre-built, including this one.
How can I join the alexotos community on Discord or attend a keyboard meetup in Toronto?
Join through two channels: the Discord linked from the site's social row on alexotos, and meetups announced in the "Other Stuff" section of the same blog, where a Toronto mini-meetup was posted for July 2026.
Discord
The homepage lists a Discord invite alongside Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch, Reddit and Spotify, and the copy says "Come hang out in the discord." That is the practical entry point: click the Discord icon in the social row, accept the invite, and read the rules or channel list before posting. If an invite has expired, watch a recent YouTube video description or a Twitch stream panel, where creators usually keep a current link.
Toronto meetups
Alex writes from Toronto, Canada, and posts meetups under "Other Stuff" rather than in the keyboard review feed. The July 2026 post describes a mini-meetup in the city and calls the social side of the hobby the most important part. To attend:
- Check the blog's "Other Stuff" category or archive for the next announcement.
- Follow the same social accounts for date, venue and RSVP details, which are rarely in the blog post alone.
- Expect a casual, drop-in format rather than a ticketed convention, based on how the July event is described.
Which route fits you
| Goal | Better starting point |
|---|---|
| Ask quick questions, share builds, buy/sell | Discord |
| Try boards in person, meet local builders | Toronto meetup |
| Learn before committing | Blog reviews and resources |
If you are new, the meetup is the faster way to feel switches and keycaps before spending money; the Discord is better for ongoing help. For keyboard background first, the site's resources include pieces such as "Solder vs. Hotswap PCBs" and a top-switches list, and the build service and vendor list pages sit in the main navigation.
A useful next step: open the homepage, note the Discord link and the date of the most recent "Other Stuff" meetup post, then join the server and ask in a general channel when the next Toronto gathering is planned.
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