A weighted weekly score across community chatter, retail availability, and editorial mentions. Row names link to their deep dive when one has been published. Updated May 18, 2026.
2026 · week21of 52
This week at a glance
biggest riser
Hall Effect / Rapid Trigger
+55%
biggest faller
Cherry MX2A
-28%
breakout
GMK CYL Prussian Alert
+54%
sleeper
Wuque Studio
+16%
Switches
Switch movers
RankNameScore8-wkEditor's note
01
Hall Effect / Rapid Trigger40% of tracked pro esports players now on HE or analog-optical per April 2026 data. Budget HE options now under $70 collapse the price barrier. TMR sensor coverage from CES 2026 still cycling through creator pipeline. Strongest switch-tech trend in the tracker.
+55%40% of tracked pro esports players now on HE or analog-optical per April 2026 data. Budget HE options now under $70 collapse the price barrier. TMR sensor coverage from CES 2026 still cycling through creator pipeline. Strongest switch-tech trend in the tracker.
02
HMX Cloud V2V2 mold (L4 tooling) now widely in stock at US/EU vendors; LumeKeebs and UniKeys comparison posts driving discovery. Factory lube consistency praised in community threads — steady upward velocity from W20's flat 35.
+44%V2 mold (L4 tooling) now widely in stock at US/EU vendors; LumeKeebs and UniKeys comparison posts driving discovery. Factory lube consistency praised in community threads — steady upward velocity from W20's flat 35.
03
Gateron Oil KingNo new drops or reviews this week; long-tail vendor stock keeps it visible but search and social volume unchanged from W20. Slight single-point erosion as HMX Cloud V2 comparison posts pull some discovery traffic.
flatNo new drops or reviews this week; long-tail vendor stock keeps it visible but search and social volume unchanged from W20. Slight single-point erosion as HMX Cloud V2 comparison posts pull some discovery traffic.
04
Cherry MX2ATom's Guide 'sick of Hall Effect hype' piece inadvertently resurfaces MX2A tactility complaints in comment threads. No new revision announcement from Cherry; downtrend continues as HMX and Gateron alternatives dominate recommendation threads.
-28%Tom's Guide 'sick of Hall Effect hype' piece inadvertently resurfaces MX2A tactility complaints in comment threads. No new revision announcement from Cherry; downtrend continues as HMX and Gateron alternatives dominate recommendation threads.
Keycaps
Keycap movers
RankNameScore8-wkEditor's note
01
GMK CYL Prussian AlertGB live May 15 – June 12 across 10 regional vendors including KBDfans, Yushakobo, Prototypist. GeekHack IC thread actively moderated; OG Icon modifiers and custom grey/white base generating strong aesthetic buzz mid-GB window.
+54%GB live May 15 – June 12 across 10 regional vendors including KBDfans, Yushakobo, Prototypist. GeekHack IC thread actively moderated; OG Icon modifiers and custom grey/white base generating strong aesthetic buzz mid-GB window.
02
GMK CYL RamuneGB opened May 15 across 10 vendors (Divinikey US, Prototypist UK, Geonworks KR, Yushakobo JP et al.). Pastel dual-blue plus pink WS1-white colorway driving Instagram and Discord hype in its first full active week. Ships Q3/Q4 2026.
+38%GB opened May 15 across 10 vendors (Divinikey US, Prototypist UK, Geonworks KR, Yushakobo JP et al.). Pastel dual-blue plus pink WS1-white colorway driving Instagram and Discord hype in its first full active week. Ships Q3/Q4 2026.
03
DCS Grass ValleyGB window May 1 – June 1 now in its final weeks; Prototypist-led with Geonworks/MiNoKeys support. Broadcast-era retro colorway appeals to vintage-inspired builds. Community reception positive but set sits in a quieter discovery window mid-GB.
flatGB window May 1 – June 1 now in its final weeks; Prototypist-led with Geonworks/MiNoKeys support. Broadcast-era retro colorway appeals to vintage-inspired builds. Community reception positive but set sits in a quieter discovery window mid-GB.
04
MT3 ProfileNo new MT3 GB opened this week; existing sets moving through production pipeline without notable community event. Drop.com stock-drop cadence unchanged. Flat trend continues from W20 as Cherry-profile GMK sets dominate mindshare.
flatNo new MT3 GB opened this week; existing sets moving through production pipeline without notable community event. Drop.com stock-drop cadence unchanged. Flat trend continues from W20 as Cherry-profile GMK sets dominate mindshare.
Layouts
Layout movers
RankNameScore8-wkEditor's note
01
75% LayoutKeychron Q1 Ultra 75% receiving highest volume of Q Ultra review traffic this week; MKBGuide and UniKeys round-up articles both crown 75% the 'golden ratio' layout for 2026. Rotary knob standard across form factor reinforces recommendation dominance.
+35%Keychron Q1 Ultra 75% receiving highest volume of Q Ultra review traffic this week; MKBGuide and UniKeys round-up articles both crown 75% the 'golden ratio' layout for 2026. Rotary knob standard across form factor reinforces recommendation dominance.
02
Split / ergo (Voyager, Glove80)Steady baseline; Glove80 community Discord remains highly active, Voyager still recommended in beginner ergo guides. No new hardware or firmware release this week to spike signal. Holds W20 score as structural RSI-awareness demand stays consistent.
flatSteady baseline; Glove80 community Discord remains highly active, Voyager still recommended in beginner ergo guides. No new hardware or firmware release this week to spike signal. Holds W20 score as structural RSI-awareness demand stays consistent.
03
Alice layoutCommunity debate sharpens around Alice offering less wrist freedom than true splits; competitive-gaming coverage continues to cast doubt on ergonomic claims. Keychron B11 Pro foldable Alice launch noted but seen as mass-market rather than enthusiast signal.
-23%Community debate sharpens around Alice offering less wrist freedom than true splits; competitive-gaming coverage continues to cast doubt on ergonomic claims. Keychron B11 Pro foldable Alice launch noted but seen as mass-market rather than enthusiast signal.
Vendors
Vendor movers
RankNameScore8-wkEditor's note
01
Mode DesignsEncore 2026 pre-orders (opened Apr 16, shipping Jul 2026) entering peak word-of-mouth window; Crown Mounting System coverage in PC Gamer and Green-Keys this week. Prologue 98% teaser sustaining anticipation in background.
+34%Encore 2026 pre-orders (opened Apr 16, shipping Jul 2026) entering peak word-of-mouth window; Crown Mounting System coverage in PC Gamer and Green-Keys this week. Prologue 98% teaser sustaining anticipation in background.
02
CannonKeysSteady in-stock rotation including Wuque Studio OA switch and various GB extras. No major new GB opened this week; community trust baseline solid but nothing to spike discourse. Holds near W20 flat score.
flatSteady in-stock rotation including Wuque Studio OA switch and various GB extras. No major new GB opened this week; community trust baseline solid but nothing to spike discourse. Holds near W20 flat score.
03
PrototypistDCS Grass Valley GB mid-run and GMK CYL Ramune and Prussian Alert as regional vendor keeps pipeline busy, but no new GB opened specifically from Prototypist this week. Slight deceleration from W20's active-window spike; trend settles to flat carry.
flatDCS Grass Valley GB mid-run and GMK CYL Ramune and Prussian Alert as regional vendor keeps pipeline busy, but no new GB opened specifically from Prototypist this week. Slight deceleration from W20's active-window spike; trend settles to flat carry.
04
NovelKeysSpring Cleaning Sale now past; no major new GB or switch launch announced for W21. In-stock inventory rotation continues. Slight score drift downward from post-sale traffic decay but no negative catalyst; holds flat band.
flatSpring Cleaning Sale now past; no major new GB or switch launch announced for W21. In-stock inventory rotation continues. Slight score drift downward from post-sale traffic decay but no negative catalyst; holds flat band.
Brands
Brand movers
RankNameScore8-wkEditor's note
01
KeychronTom's Hardware Q6 Ultra 8K review published; 660-hour battery and 8K ZMK story generating mainstream press pickup. V Ultra lineup launch window imminent. Silk POM switch praised in roundups. Strongest brand momentum in the tracker this week.
+38%Tom's Hardware Q6 Ultra 8K review published; 660-hour battery and 8K ZMK story generating mainstream press pickup. V Ultra lineup launch window imminent. Silk POM switch praised in roundups. Strongest brand momentum in the tracker this week.
02
Wuque StudioPaper80 TKL clearing positive YouTube review cycle via Whatever Studio collab; Original Aspiration switch stocked at CannonKeys attracting budget-premium linear buyers. Minor positive uptick from W20's flat-8 as brand visibility improves.
+16%Paper80 TKL clearing positive YouTube review cycle via Whatever Studio collab; Original Aspiration switch stocked at CannonKeys attracting budget-premium linear buyers. Minor positive uptick from W20's flat-8 as brand visibility improves.
03
Cherry (GMK parent)No MX2A update announcement; clone-vs-GMK pricing discourse intensifies as quality Chinese manufacturers close the gap. Geonworks 2026 GMK warehouse sale signals oversupply on older sets. Cherry brand sentiment continues structural slide in enthusiast channels.
-20%No MX2A update announcement; clone-vs-GMK pricing discourse intensifies as quality Chinese manufacturers close the gap. Geonworks 2026 GMK warehouse sale signals oversupply on older sets. Cherry brand sentiment continues structural slide in enthusiast channels.