3-Key Mechanical Macropad with Knob – Acrylic Build, Hot-Swap & Per-Key RGB | AX05 K03 VT1

The AX05 K03 VT1 is a 3-key mechanical macropad with a dedicated knob — a minimal, purpose-built input device for anyone who wants a small set of programmable keys and a scroll or volume control alongside their main keyboard, without adding bulk to the desk. The acrylic sandwich construction gives it a distinctive transparent look that showcases the RGB from every angle, making it one of the livelier options at the budget macropad tier.

The build is a four-layer acrylic stack held together by four corner screws from the top. A transparent acrylic top layer acts as the switch plate, sandwiching the PCB between two clear layers that let the RGB bleed through the body, while a black acrylic bottom layer provides contrast and houses rubber foam feet for grip and vibration isolation. The four-screw corner assembly keeps the layers compressed and aligned — the result feels more robust than the material cost suggests, with no flex or rattle between layers in normal use.

The three 5-pin hot-swap key positions ship with Drinkey Green clicky switches — an audible, tactile clicky switch that suits deliberate macro inputs, where accidental actuation matters more than silent operation. The 5-pin sockets accept switch swaps without soldering, so the Drinkey Greens can be replaced with any preferred 3-pin or 5-pin MX-mount switch to change the feel or sound. ABS Cherry-profile keycaps cover all three positions with a familiar, widely compatible profile. North-facing per-key RGB is vivid through the transparent body — visible not just through the keycaps but across the whole chassis, a distinctive look for a desk setup.

All inputs are fully programmable through a proprietary Windows application covering key remapping, macro recording, knob function assignment, and lighting configuration. For a budget macropad, the programmability depth is solid — the software covers the core customisation needs without additional third-party tools.