Whirlwind FX’s Atom 60% mechanical gaming keyboard is not too totally different from different equally sized choices. The compact construct is an area saver, nice in the event you want further mousing room when you recreation. It will additionally slide simply right into a backpack for journey. (It additionally has a detachable braided USB-C cable to assist with that.) The corporate affords a selection of three mechanical switches, and so they’re all brilliantly lit with RGB LEDs. 

The Atom’s backlighting, or extra particularly the software program that controls them, is the place this little keyboard stands out. The factor is, you do not even want the keyboard to make use of the software program. 

The SignalRGB app permits you to set the keyboard’s lighting to have totally different results throughout common use and when media is taking part in together with varied video games. The app has a library of recreation integrations to select from. I examined the Battlefield V integration, for instance, and it does issues like flip the keyboard lights purple when HP is low or inexperienced if you’re healed. The Fortnite integration will change the keyboard to pink and purple if you take injury or purple if you add expertise. There are numerous video games obtainable and, in the event you actually wish to tinker, you’ll be able to create your individual integrations utilizing the corporate’s open-platform lighting software program.

Nevertheless, the SignalRGB software program permits you to take issues a step additional by increasing the consequences to your different RGB gaming peripherals. It helps greater than 150 gadgets from Razer, Corsair, HyperX, Logitech, SteelSeries and others. It’s also possible to request others that are not supported but. 

Additionally, in the event you desire a full-size keyboard, try the corporate’s second-gen Component keyboard that has the identical change choices but it surely has directional keys and a quantity pad.

Even on Logitech’s lower-end fashions such because the G413 backlit gaming keyboard, the corporate would not low-cost out on construct high quality and elements. It makes use of the identical Romer-G Tactile switches discovered on its extra feature-filled fashions and has the identical slim, easy and sturdy keyboard design with brushed aluminum-magnesium alloy high case. It has a braided USB cable with a USB passthrough port on the again proper and channels beneath for mouse and headset cable administration.

The tactile key change is comparatively quiet with no click on when actuated, only a delicate bump and a brief actuation. In case you love to listen to and really feel your keypresses, this in all probability is not the perfect change for you. There’s only one shade for the backlight — purple — however the backlighting is shiny and the important thing font on this full-size keyboard is simple to learn. Logitech contains 12 faceted keycaps, which is sweet however we did not really feel a lot distinction.

The G413 is programmable with Logitech’s G Hub software program, letting you arrange macros and customized capabilities on the F1-F12 buttons and there is a recreation mode that shuts off the Home windows key. General it is a extra polished mechanical gaming keyboard than the others right here, but it surely’s additionally pricier.

Discovering wi-fi gaming keyboard could be troublesome. These infants are a rarity as a result of the very last thing you wish to do is probably introduce lag into your efficiency. The G613’s Lightspeed wi-fi performs in addition to wired and its battery life is stellar at as much as 18 months on two AA-size batteries. That mentioned, the keyboard has no backlight in any respect, which whereas comprehensible for the ability financial savings, no keyboard backlighting actually kills the gaming expertise at nighttime. You do get six programmable buttons down the left facet, in order that’s one thing.

The G613 makes use of the identical Romer-G Tactile mechanical switches because the G413, so every thing I mentioned about that one applies right here. I occur to love the texture of this change for gaming and typing, although I used to be within the minority for our testing. This wi-fi keyboard is certainly one you must strive before you purchase in the event you can.

The $50 G14 is without doubt one of the most reasonably priced mechanical gaming keyboards obtainable and Aukey has stepped up its recreation with the construct high quality and software program with out growing costs. This TKL keyboard is chunky however nonetheless saves desk house because it would not have a quantity pad; try Aukey’s G12 if you would like that characteristic.

Though the case is all plastic, it has the heft of a steel body. Mixed with the nonslip pads on the underside, this keyboard will not slide round when you’re gaming. Plus, there are two units of flip-out ft on the again providing you with three typing angles to select from — one thing you do not all the time discover on pricier keyboards. And whereas its USB cable is connected to the physique, Aukey did add routing on the underside so you’ll be able to ship the cable out to the left, proper or middle. 

The corporate’s blue clicky switches are good for each typing and gaming with a tactile bump you’ll be able to really feel and hear. These switches have a loud click on to them, one thing to remember in the event you share a workspace). Additionally, there is no such thing as a pinging from the change springs, in contrast to the slimmer full-size G12 keyboard, so all you actually hear is their click on. There may be some key wobble but it surely’s comparatively minor and total it is a strong typing expertise.

The keycap legends are troublesome to learn with the backlight off. Nevertheless, with 18 preprogrammed lighting choices to select from and 4 brightness settings, there’s little purpose to have the lights off completely when you’re working. You may all the time change the keycaps, too, and Aukey features a puller. Software program for the keyboard can be utilized to create your individual per-key RGB lighting, arrange key macros or change key assignments and save a number of profiles. The G14 is a good place to start out in the event you’re simply stepping into mechanical keyboards for work or play.