TOP 5 compact TKL keyboards for gamers

Over the past couple of years, the Redragon brand has been noted for a whole scattering of interesting gaming keyboards, which are gradually gaining recognition in the gaming community. Redragon understands that it is extremely difficult to compete in direct combat with Razer and Logitech caliber bison, so they are looking for workarounds.

Firstly, it is a very convenient separate button for quickly writing macros to memory. Secondly, a block of multimedia keys with a pleasant-to-touch volume wheel in the spirit of a much more expensive Corsair Strafe keyboard. For compact tournament keyboards, this is a rarity. Even more rare are 9 separate programmable keys for macros. One block of buttons is displayed on the panel on the left, the second is located above the F1 – F4 keys. We immediately say that macros to the left of the main keys initially cause slight embarrassment, but this is not so much a problem of this model as of the form factor itself. Similar options from Dell and Logitech also raised many questions.

Among other advantages of Redragon Broadsword Pro, it should be noted a massive, high-quality assembled frame (there is protection from moisture), dynamic illumination of each key, a convenient soft-touch stand for brushes on magnetic latches. As for ergonomics and quality, there is also a complete order. It's hard to say how the blue switches from Outemu used in it will behave over time, but they feel almost no different from the Cherry reference switches. Unless they click damn loud, it's convenient to work on Broadsword Pro only if fate has awarded you a separate office.

Over the past couple of years, the Kingston HyperX gaming division has been actively leaning on gaming peripherals. They rarely shoot, but accurately, so most of the products do not pass by the players, and some become real hits. We do not undertake to judge what the fate of the new HyperX Alloy Origins Core keyboard is, but the impressions from it are the most pleasant. Like the original HyperX Alloy, this esports version stands out with interesting switches of its own design and a case made of a single piece of aluminium.

Let's start with the candles. Among their advantages, Kingston/HyperX engineers note a short stroke to the trigger point and an increased resource for failure (up to 80 million clicks). The full stroke of the key is 3.8 mm, the actuation stroke is 1.8 mm, the pressing force is 45 g. By nature, they resemble traditional red switches, but unlike them they are not so light and are not pressed accidentally under the weight of fingers.

After a couple of weeks of use, the impressions of HyperX Alloy Origins Core are the most positive ― it is a simple, elegant, reliable and very comfortable keyboard without weaknesses. At the same time, it has additional buns like a removable cable or built-in memory, which allows you to record macros, control the backlight or change the assignment of keys. Up to three profiles can be stored in memory. To this should also be added a bright, but not annoying backlight and proprietary software that allows you to fine-tune the keyboard functions, if it is really necessary.

BlackWidow, without the slightest exaggeration, is a legendary series of gaming keyboards. Under these flags, more than a dozen diverse and at the same time inherently similar keyboards have been released, which follow a proven formula for success: ergonomics close to perfect, high-quality materials, reliable assembly, flexible macro control system and branded switches.

In the case of the compact tournament model BlackWidow V3 TKL, the long-proven "green" switches from Razer are used, which in terms of characteristics and tactile sensations resemble Cherry Blue switches. They have a high response rate, average actuation/reset values and a short return distance to the starting position. Only Razer has a longer failure life (80 million) and higher resistance to moisture. By the way, such a combination of characteristics allows you to use BlackWidow V3 TKL for quite comfortable printing. Unless, of course, you are annoyed by the clicking of mechanical keyboards. If confused, then try the version with smooth and quiet yellow switches.

In terms of appearance, the third version of the BlackWidow TKL differs little from its predecessors: it is still the same neat keyboard in a miniature aluminium case with slightly beveled edges. The main innovation is the reinforced Doubleshot ABS keycaps, which were created using double injection molding. As for the RGB backlight, the same Razer Chroma RGB system is used here, which can be configured to your heart's content in the proprietary Razer Synapse application. There you can also set up sets of macros, link individual sets to each specific game, etc. We encounter this software regularly and constantly praise its simple interface and a fairly flexible set of settings.

The Swiss brand Logitech is doing its best to keep the reputation of the main manufacturer of computer peripherals in the world. About ten years ago, they even opened their own research institute, one of the most recent developments of which were Romer-G mechanical switches ― a kind of answer to the popular Cherry MX with some improvements and increased wear resistance. According to the feelings in games, they are closest to the "average" Cherry MX Brown with a tangible tactile response, average pressing force and individual illumination of each key. Typing is also convenient, but don't expect any fantastic impressions. But the click sound is cool, muffled, weighty and expressive. Apparently, the closed case successfully blocks resonances and unpleasant sounds.

It looks minimalistic, but stands out due to the dimensionlessness, the glossy ends and the upper panel made of matte plastic. It is strange that despite the thickness of this panel, Logitech engineers did not use it in any way ― multimedia functions are left to the Fn key, and an aesthetically pleasing but useless void gapes from above. An equally strange solution was saving on removable capcaps. Especially considering the rather adult price tag for this model.

But the rest of the fronts are in order. Ergonomics is interesting. The surface of the key caps here has a rather unusual shape of a trapezoid recess. Moreover, the recesses of the buttons in the area of the left hand are slightly stronger, with the expectation that the fingers do not slip past during a fierce firefight. We also liked how the G Pro lies on the table: two-tiered legs allow you to lift it by 4 and 8 degrees, respectively, and large rubber pads on the bottom provide maximum grip with the table. In general, Logitech turned out to have a great keyboard, but is it worth it? If you need a TKL model exclusively with the same switches, then there are few options. If you are just looking for a good mechanical keyboard, then it has a lot of much more interesting competitors in this field.

Asus ROG Strix Scope TKL Deluxe is a weighty mechanical keyboard with individual RGB backlight (Aura Sync synchronization is supported), a strong metal case and chips like anti-hosting characteristic of professional keyboards. It uses classic Cherry MX Red switches with fast response, low pressing force, weak click and NKRO support (correct operation even when all buttons are pressed simultaneously). This is probably the best option for fast games, but it's not the best option for printing. Traditionally, for red switches, the backlight is at the top, so Cyrillic characters are not highlighted so brightly.

The Deluxe prefix means that the keyboard has a removable stand for brushes with magnetic fasteners. Perhaps the coolest and most comfortable stand on the market. Instead of a piece of plastic with a softtach coating, we are greeted by a very comfortable cushion made of artificial leather, on which you can put your hands and just sit and meditate without starting the game. And it's a pleasure to work on it. Apparently, its presence can be explained by a slightly higher price tag than for similar models from Razer and HyperX.

As for additional functions, for some reason Asus has hit minimalism, so there are no multimedia buttons, separate macros and other charms here. But to configure the keyboard, there is a proprietary ROG Armoury utility with which you can go all out: reassign keys, write macros to memory, control the backlight and save all these settings into separate profiles that can be switched using selected keyboard shortcuts.