[PLUS] Gaming keyboards in a comparison test

Mechanical keyboards where switches can be switched using hot-switch technology, such as the Epic Gear Defiant or the Tesoro Gram Spectrum, have been niche products until now. Even the Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard (GMMK) that we tested in v12/2019, an abstraction piece that can be fitted with Gateron and Kailh 3-pin keys as well as various keycap variants, has only been partially accepted by gamers. Two years later, things have changed. Custom keyboards, which you can group according to your personal preferences in terms of body color, keycaps as well as keys, are now in vogue. What could be the reason for the sudden popularity? We try to clarify this with our comparison test, among others.

try to classify

Custom mechanical keyboards, which all have a printed circuit board (PCB) capable of toggle switches (hot-switch technology) as a common feature, can be divided into four categories based on their customization options. The first set includes models in which you can only change key switches, as with the Logitech G Pro X gaming keyboard tested here, the keyboard’s PCB switch in a keyless format can only be equipped with a 3-pin variant. As with the Sharkoon SGK 50 S4, the switch circuit board for Series II custom keyboards accommodates all 3-pin and 5-pin switches. In addition, you can replace some keycaps with other variants, which the manufacturer usually offers itself.

PC game consoles