The Lily HHKB 60% mechanical keyboard is back for round 2, this time with an optional EC PCB

Gimme those ever-so-sweet rubber domes, please

I’ve been collecting mechanical keyboards for the last seven years or so, and have built quite a collection. Still, there are endgame boards and then there are endgame boards, which is how the hobby quickly turns into a bottomless pit to toss your money into. Well, my addiction must be fed, and the latest board that’s on my radar is the Lily. It’s a 60% keyboard that only offers an HHKB layout, and it’s back for round two through a group buy, this time sporting an optional Electrostatic Capacitive (EC) PCB, which certainly has piqued my interest.

You have until September 12th to place your order

^{Source: Novelkeys}

Typical for group buys, they run from a start to an end date, and usually not for long. Like any crowdfunding, there is a risk, but seeing that Novelkeys, along with Geon (two very well respected shops in the community), are offering this group buy after successfully delivering on the last one in 2022, the likelihood of non-delivery for round 2 is pretty low. Honestly, every shop involved in this GB is one I’ve personally ordered from in the past and trust to respect their customer.

If you live in the US, Novelkeys is where you’ll want to order the Lily. Expect some sticker shock, as the Lily is a high-end mechanical keyboard, where the difference between the regular sandblasted weight and the polished version is $80. You can rest assured that there are plenty of options to theme the board to your liking, since there are five colors to choose from.

The Lily isn’t cheap, but that’s the cost of perfection

There are two board types on offer: MX and EC, which refer to the PCB type and the style of switches you will be building with. MX is basically the standard switch type, probably the most popular, as it’s used in most boards. And then there is EC, which requires more equipment than just a switch to build with, but you can always secure those parts from Deskeys, one of the more popular brands that sells EC parts like domes, springs, and housings.

^{Source: Novelkeys}

MX starts at $505, and EC at $615

Now, if you choose to go with an MX built for your Lily, the price starts at $505, with the sandblasted weight option. If you want the polished weight, that’ll be $585. Then there is the EC version, which starts at $615 with the sandblasted weight and is $595 with the polished weight.

These prices are not cheap, and thanks to tariffs, are prob higher than they would have been a few years ago. Still, this is the price of perfection, and so if you’re in the market for a premium mechanical keyboard that offers a HHKB layout and EC support, not only are there very few options, but it’s likely the price will be somewhere in the same ballpark, if not exceptionally higher.

If you don’t live in the US, then you can order from one of the many proxies, like Daily Clack in Australia, Geonworks in Korea, Oblotzky in the EU, and Typeplus in Asia. So no matter your location, you should have a shop that’ll fit the bill.

Specs

Don’t wait until it’s too late, like I did with round 1

I honestly kicked myself several times for not jumping on the first group buy for the Lily back in 2022, even missing out on extras. It’s a gasket mount board I’ve wanted to add to the collection for some time, and thanks to a second group buy, I can finally rectify the situation.

No, the Lily isn’t cheap, but neither are the components it is made out of. Milling aluminum and stainless steel costs a pretty penny, especially for a small-scale group buy. Then there are the costs associated with coloring, such as anodization and powder coating, which contribute to the overall price. However, it’s not like those who collect premium mechanical keyboards are unaware of this; sticker shock is nothing new. What really matters is whether or not you think the Lily is your endgame, and for me, it is, at least this month, lol.

Orders are expected to ship in quarter one of 2026, which is a reasonably fast turnaround, seeing that we are already into September, but since this board already had a round 1, turning the second round around faster isn’t a huge surprise.

So, if you’re keen to jump into the world of HHKB, be it with an MX or EC PCB, the Lily looks to be an exceptional choice. If you live in the US, Novelkeys is where you should start looking.

Purchase from Novelkeys

Lily 60 HHKB EC

Lilly 60 HHKB MX