I have been a fan of keyboards with modular options for as long as I knew they existed. I love the concept of being able to change things up on a keyboard to make it feel like it is truly your own. While that normally just means changing some keycaps or switches, the Mountain Everest Max Keyboard takes things up a notch with how much you can customize it.
With its modular design, customizable features and premium build quality, this keyboard has everything needed to make it feel uniquely yours. After spending time with the Everest Max, the fact that the keyboard is now listed at $99 is shocking, making it one of the best values currently available in PC peripherals. It may not be perfect, and the software could use some work, but for content creators and gamers, the Mountain Everest Max is a robust offering that is built to fit your workflow, whatever it may be.
The presentation and build quality of the Mountain Everest Max Keyboard are striking, even from the moment you remove it from its unique box. The keyboard is constructed from two brushed aluminum plates that give it a sturdy, premium feel. This solid foundation is complemented by a full RGB lighting strip that runs around the entire frame, adding a touch of flair to its otherwise minimalist design. The keyboard feels solid and well-made, staying firmly in place during intense gaming sessions thanks to its weight and magnetic feet.
Even from unboxing the keyboard, modularity is the key aspect, and from the moment you set everything up, it invites you to make it your own. It comes with a detachable Numpad and media dock—both of which can be placed on either side of the keyboard, depending on your preference. This flexibility allows users to configure the keyboard to their liking, whether they prefer a traditional full-size layout or a more compact ten keyless (TKL) setup. The Numpad even includes four customizable LCD keys, similar to Elgato’s Stream Deck, allowing for quick access to macros or specific functions.
“The presentation and build quality of the Mountain Everest Max Keyboard are striking, even from the moment you remove it from its unique box.”
Honestly, I was impressed by everything and could not wait to show it off to anyone who came into the CGM offices—until I moved it around my desk. While the modular design is innovative, the connection between the Numpad and the keyboard can feel somewhat flimsy, and it doesn’t always stay securely attached when moving the keyboard around the desk. This detracts slightly from what is otherwise an excellent design. I would move the keyboard to eat lunch or take a photo at my desk, and find the Numpad disconnected when I pulled it back. This is a minor point, but due to how I use my work area, it did get frustrating.
The keyboard supports hot-swappable switches, meaning you can easily swap out the Cherry MX switches that come pre-installed for other options without needing to solder anything. This feature is ideal for users who want to experiment with different switch types or replace worn-out switches over time. The review unit we tested came with Cherry MX Red switches, which felt great to type on, even though I usually prefer MX Blue when available. Thankfully, Mountain also offers other switch options, like Blue, Brown, Silent Red and Speed Silver, at purchase.
As expected, the Everest Max also allows for keycap swaps, a feature most mechanical keyboards offer. Unfortunately, the stock keycaps are made from ABS plastic—a material prone to wear over time. Thankfully, Mountain sells PBT keycap sets separately for those looking to upgrade. This is a minor issue, as it is easy to change these out if desired, and for a keyboard now priced at just $99, there is already significant value in the Everest Max.
The media dock is one reason I was so excited to get the Mountain Everest Max, and I thought it would be a great addition to my tool set for what I do daily at CGM. Featuring a 240×240-pixel colour display dial surrounded by five physical buttons, it allows users to control volume, adjust RGB lighting profiles, monitor system performance (such as CPU and GPU usage), and more. The only issue I found with the dock is the lack of major customization.
I would love to see more ability to use the dock in different software. While there is quite a bit you can do with it in its present state, it can feel somewhat limited. It feels like a Stream Deck built into your keyboard, so not seeing the level of flexibility available on standalone units feels like a missed opportunity. Thankfully, it does let you use it for OBS and other software, so for 80 per cent of users, it should meet most needs.
That being said, the ability to have quick access to buttons makes it a great addition for creators, streamers, or anyone wanting easy shortcuts. It may be more limited than a full Stream Deck, but it does just enough to be a convenient substitute, and for the price, the value proposition of the Everest Max is impressive.
Typing on the Everest Max is generally smooth and enjoyable, providing a solid base and good spacing for a range of work and gaming. The Cherry MX Red switches provide fast actuation with minimal resistance, making them ideal for anything you would want from a keyboard. I did not find it overly noisy to type on, and it felt solid while giving enough feedback when typing or gaming. It has a different feel compared to the Razer Huntsman I normally use, but I found it relatively easy to get used to, feeling right at home on my desk in under a few hours.
As this is a gaming keyboard, the Everest Max also features per-key RGB lighting with 16.7 million colours available through Mountain’s Basecamp software. While the lighting effects are visually appealing, they aren’t as bright or vibrant as those found on competing keyboards from brands like Corsair or Razer. Additionally, there’s noticeable light bleed due to the floating keycap design—not a dealbreaker, but with so much of what this keyboard does right, this feels like an oversight.
As I alluded to earlier, it is the Mountain Basecamp software where I have the biggest issue with the Everest Max. While it offers a wide range of customization options—from RGB lighting control to macro creation—it can be incredibly buggy at times and feels generally limited compared to competing brands. Basecamp can be slow to load and occasionally unresponsive when making adjustments, needing to be force-closed when trying to set the keyboard up for photos.
These issues are particularly frustrating given how integral the software is to unlocking many of the keyboard’s advanced features, making it a chore to get the keyboard set up as desired. To be honest, if it were not for the software, I would have scored this keyboard much higher—it was that much of a struggle. Thankfully, the issues with the Basecamp software have improved a bit since I first started testing the Everest Max, but I still feel there is work to be done to improve the overall feel of the software. If the recent updates are anything to go by, at least Mountain is putting in effort, and that effort shows.
“As this is a gaming keyboard, the Everest Max also features per-key RGB lighting with 16.7 million colours available through Mountain’s Basecamp software.”
Thankfully, once you’ve configured your settings in Basecamp, you don’t need to keep the software running in the background—everything is stored directly on the keyboard itself. This means you can enjoy your custom profiles without worrying about resource-hungry software bogging down your system. This is something I have said about many brands’ peripheral software, and it all comes down to the fact that most people don’t want something bogging their system down when not in use. No matter how good it may be, and how intuitive, if you are looking to push your system, you don’t want something eating up resources when not in use.
Software issues aside, the usability of the keyboard is fantastic. The Everest Max holds its own against other high-end mechanical keyboards while gaming. With N-key rollover and a 1000 Hz polling rate, it ensures that every keystroke is registered accurately—even during fast-paced gameplay. The customizable macro keys on the Numpad are particularly useful for MMO players or streamers who need quick access to complex commands. I don’t know if I would recommend the keyboard for esports players who prefer a TKL, due to the level of setup involved, but everyone else should have little issue getting this ready for their needs.
Now this is where I would normally talk about the potential biggest issue with the Mountain Everest Max: the price. At around $249.99 US, this keyboard launched at a premium price, but recently Mountain listed the keyboard for only $99 US. This is hands down an incredible price for the level of features this keyboard provides. From the point of testing the keyboard to writing this, I have seen the Basecamp software become more stable, so it seems the company is working to improve the issues. I still would not call it 100 per cent there just yet, but it is getting very close.
The Mountain Everest Max is an ambitious product that succeeds in many areas, even as it stumbles in others, but the company is taking steps to improve the offering, making it a compelling option in the process. Its modular design and extensive customization options make it one of the most versatile keyboards on the market today. The build quality is top-notch, and features like hot-swappable switches and customizable LCD keys set it apart from competitors. If you are looking for the best modular keyboard currently on the market, the Mountain Everest Max delivers—just be prepared for some software struggles as you get everything set up.
