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The AK820 is the budget killer in our best white mechanical keyboard roundup. The Logitech G713 White Mist is the premium all-rounder pick. They sit at opposite ends of the value spectrum but they overlap surprisingly in what they deliver. Which one’s right for you?
Quick Verdict
- Pick the AK820 if you want the absolute best sound profile and build per dollar, you don’t need RGB, and you’re comfortable doing light stabilizer modding.
- Pick the Logitech G713 if you want a polished out-of-box experience, full-size layout, RGB lighting, an included wrist rest, and brand support.
At-a-Glance
| Spec | AK820 | Logitech G713 |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | 75% (82 keys) | Full size (104 keys) |
| Mount style | Gasket mount | Tray + 2-layer foam |
| Foam layers | 5 | 2 |
| Switch type | Hot-swap tactile (stock) | GX Blue/Brown/Red (soldered) |
| Keycaps | PBT shine-through | Double-shot PBT |
| Knob | CNC aluminum, programmable | Volume roller |
| Lighting | White backlight only | Per-key RGB LIGHTSYNC |
| Wrist rest | No | Yes, included |
| Cable | Detachable USB-C | Fixed USB-A |
| Price | $41 | $83.95 |
AK820 Overview
【75% ANSI Layout & Knob Design】Adopt the most popular 75% AINSI layout,81keys,making it a practical choice for work/gaming. It retains essential arrow and function keys while freeing up desk space.Easy control with the built-in volume knob maded from high-grade CNC aluminum.Rotate left/right to...
The AK820 is what happens when budget manufacturers stop competing on price alone and start matching enthusiast features. Gasket mount, five layers of foam, hot-swap sockets, a CNC volume knob, and PBT keycaps — at $41. Out of the box, the typing sound is deep and uniform. The hot-swap sockets mean you can drop in whatever switches you like over time.
The 75% layout keeps the function row and arrow keys while saving desk real estate. Detachable USB-C cable, programmable knob, and a build quality that genuinely embarrasses keyboards triple the price. The catches: no RGB, lightly-lubed stabilizers that rattle a bit, and software that’s barebones.
Logitech G713 Overview
The G713 Wired Gaming Keyboard from the Aurora Collection delivers low-key vibes with high-key performance so you can express yourself and play your way. Float away with its dreamy white design and comfy, cloud-shaped keyboard palm rest. With a tenkeyless layout and adjustable height, this is an...
The G713 is the polished, well-finished, brand-supported option. Three switch variants at checkout (clicky, tactile, linear), per-key LIGHTSYNC RGB that diffuses cleanly through the white shell, double-shot PBT keycaps, two layers of internal foam, and a wrist rest in the box that’s actually comfortable for long sessions.
It’s full size, so you get the numpad and dedicated media keys with volume roller. The trade-off: no hot-swap, fixed USB-A cable, and double the price of the AK820. The build is rock-solid, though, and the warranty is 2 years of Logitech-grade customer support.
Sound Profile
The AK820 wins here, and it’s not particularly close. Five layers of foam plus gasket mount produces a deeper, more thock-y profile than the G713’s two-layer setup. The G713 sounds clean and dampened but not enthusiast-tier. The AK820 sounds like a $200 board.
Switch Experience
The G713 wins on stock switch quality. Logitech’s factory-lubed GX switches are consistent and well-tuned. The AK820’s stock tactiles are smooth but not in the same league. However, the AK820’s hot-swap sockets let you upgrade — for $20 in nicer switches, the AK820 surpasses the G713 in switch feel. If you’re staying stock, the G713 wins. If you’re modding, the AK820 wins.
Lighting
Clear win for the G713 — per-key RGB versus a single white LED. If you want a glowing rainbow on your desk, the AK820 isn’t the move. If you don’t care about RGB and prefer a cleaner aesthetic, the AK820’s white-only backlight is honestly more elegant.
Layout and Use Case
The G713 is full size — best for typists, spreadsheet jockeys, and people who use the numpad. The AK820 is 75% — best for desk-space optimizers and gamers who want their function row and arrows but don’t need a numpad.
If you’ve never used a non-full-size board, the 75% transition is easy — much easier than going to 65% or 60%. You keep everything except the numpad and nav cluster.
Build Quality
Both feel premium for their price tiers. The G713 has a more substantial in-hand weight and a more refined finish. The AK820’s gasket mount produces a flex profile that the G713’s tray mount can’t match. Different kinds of “premium” — Logitech does mass-market premium, AK820 does enthusiast-niche premium.
Value
The AK820 wins value, easily. At $41, you’re getting gasket mount + hot-swap + 5 layers of foam + CNC knob + PBT keycaps. The G713 at $83.95 is also a great value relative to its category — but the AK820 is the value pick of the entire white mechanical keyboard category, full stop.
Who Should Buy Which
Get the AK820 if: you want the enthusiast experience without the enthusiast price, you’d happily spend an extra 20 minutes lubing stabilizers, or you want hot-swap sockets to grow into.
Get the Logitech G713 if: you want a polished out-of-box experience with no modding required, you need a full layout with numpad, RGB matters to you, or you value the wrist rest and Logitech’s 2-year warranty.
Final Call
Honestly? Buy whichever fits your priorities. The G713 is the better keyboard out of the box if you want full size and RGB. The AK820 is the better keyboard if you care most about sound profile and value. There’s no wrong answer here — both punch well above their price tags. If I had to pick blind, I’d take the AK820 and spend the saved money on better switches and lube. But the G713 is the safer recommendation for someone who doesn’t want a project keyboard.
