Yes, Xtrfy’s RGB keyboard lighting really is that good. It’s a good mix of vibrancy and configuration that helps it stand out despite not having any software configuration options. It has a variety of lighting configurations and settings for you to mess around with via keyboard shortcuts. Typing on the K5 RGB Keyboard As with all of Xtrfy’s products, the K5 RGB Compact is driverless, meaning that you control its features via the board itself as opposed to through a software kit. That’s fine with me, as I am not a macro user and aside from changing the RGB I rarely customize my keyboards, but if you’re into tweaking and tinkering with rebinds and the likes you may want to think twice. Still, the vast majority of gamers won’t ever need any software, and the board is pretty easy to use so all of this is no problem if you ask me.

On the K5, everything from the switches, stabilizers and keycaps to the cable, frame and even the little plate for the logo is swappable. Custom parts are available separately so you can add what you want to the K5 Compact Barebone. Out of the box, the K5 comes equipped with Kailh Red mechanical key switches, trusted by pro gamers for their light touch, fast actuation, and durability of 70 million keystrokes. If you’d ever like to change them, they’re hot-swappable so you can easily replace them with any compatible MX-style switches – no soldering required. The K5 comes in two different editions as standard. And to give you all possibilities of customizing your keyboard, everything from the switches, stabilizers and keycaps to the cable, frame and even the little plate for the logo is swappable. Switch choices are impressive bringing a healthy selection of brands and even variants to choose from such as:

Most keyboards on the market come with just a few configuration options. They come as is with just a few switch options for you to choose from. Your keyboard is never faster than its ability to detect your keystrokes – no matter how many times per second it reports to the computer (Polling rate). The K5 features a new super-scan technology, scanning all keys every half a millisecond. A few years ago, we introduced the fastest gaming keyboard. The K5 is even faster.

For those of you that love a braided and coiled keyboard cable, there is 11 different variations, all designed specifically to match the keyboard frame colours. Overall, the XTRFY K5 Configurator provides one of the most versatile custom keyboard builders around. Unboxing K5 RGB Keyboard Unboxing Xtrfy haven’t only thought of the looks, though. Inside the board you’ll also find a ton of enthusiast-level additions that are meant to enhance the auditory and tactile experience. There’s a layer of foam between the PCB and the top plate, for example, as well as some sound dampening foam on the bottom of the case. While I appreciate the gesture and the desire to bring these features to mass-produced boards, I have to say that there’s some work to be done here. Small doesn’t mean less. This keyboard is extremely compact yet fully featured, with per-key customizable RGB illumination, macros, media controls and more. All settings are made using the keys. No software needed. Elgiganten A/S | Arne Jacobsens Allé 16, 2. - 2300 København S. | CVR: 17237977 | Alle rettigheder forbeholdes | [email protected] | Vi tager forbehold for tryk- og korrekturfejl samt afgifts- og prisændringer. Vi gør i øvrigt opmærksom på at din bestilling ikke er bindende for Elgiganten, før Elgiganten har behandlet din ordre og sendt en bindende faktura. Something that caught my eye with the K5 RGB Compact (I will sometimes refer to it as ‘K5’ throughout this review) is that it’s the first mass-produced keyboard that I’ve seen with a shine through case. I’m not much of an RGB fan when it comes to my daily driver keyboards but I love a good light show on gaming keyboards, and if that’s something that you’re also a fan of you will absolutely love the K5 RGB Compact in the transparent white color. The board also has a button combination that you can use to boost the RGB (you will need a USB 3 port for that though) and that really brings out the goods. Sure, it’s completely useless as far as your gaming performance goes but oh boy does it look good.It’s all there, of course. There iscase foam, there is PCB foam, and the stabs are lubed. It’s just that there’s either not enough of one thing (foam) or too much of another (lube), culminating in a product that has a lot of great ideas behind it but stumbles when it comes to the execution.Is it a badboard? No, not really, but at this price point there are better alternatives to consider. The Silent Red switches are linear and smooth with low operating force, and come with a patented damping to minimize noise, while the durable PBT keycaps bring a firm, high-quality feel to every keystroke. This keyboard is a custom edition of the Xtrfy K5, featuring CHERRY MX Silent Red switches and Tai-Hao PBT keycaps. A combination that brings you a satisfying, quieter and more premium typing experience. Before we dive into this review, I would like to thank Xtrfy for providing this sample for a keyboard review. I would like to also state that this does not impact how I approach our review. We do not give manufacturers any chance to review our work before it is published. We remain neutral in our approach. Your keyboard is never faster than its ability to detect your keystrokes – no matter how many times per second it reports to the computer (Polling rate). The K5 features a new super-scan technology, scanning all keys every half a millisecond. A few years ago, we introduced the fastest gaming keyboard. The K5 is even faster. UNBELIEVABLE RGB.

This keyboard comes in a 65% format – bringing you an extremely compact design without sacrificing the convenience of arrow keys.Shaped by the community’s input. Trusted by top players. Xtrfy’s 5th-generation keyboard brings you the performance you need. With the customizability to make it yours. Another aspect which I wasn’t quite prepared for was its size. I thought a ten-keyless (TKL) keyboard was small but this is on another level – A gaming keyboard for the pure minimalist. This is a creamy-sounding keyboard out of the box. My first introduction to mechanical keyboards was the SteelSeries APEX TKL Pro which, while it is a very good keyboard, I have come to realise with experience – The Apex TKL Pro is not the most refined experience when typing or hammering away at an article or game – you can hear it a mile away. This keyboard comes in a 65% format – bringing you an extremely compact design without sacrificing the convenience of arrow keys. HOT-SWAPPABLE MECHANICAL SWITCHES.

As an off-the-shelf gaming keyboard experience, initially, I am impressed with the quality of what’s on offer, but, there are some inconsistencies which do let it down, but it is not all bad, bare with me – they can be fixed. The K5 also comes with super-scan technology. This scans all keys every half a millisecond so that any key presses are detected and registered pretty much instantly (and faster than on a regular mechanical keyboard) and while I always applaud innovation like this I can’t say that I noticed any perceivable difference when using the board for gaming and work. I’ve never had any issues with a (quality) mechanical keyboard feeling laggy or unresponsive so don’t get this board thinking you’ll be half a second faster on the draw than your enemy because that simply will not be the case. Again: the technology is cool, and I applaud innovation (as long as it doesn’t get in the way of the actual performance of the product, which isn’t the case here) but I don’t consider this to be a selling point. Sound Test Xtrfy K5 RGB Compact Review – ConclusionIs there likely a better keyboard out there? absolutely, but, from my experience testing a variety of different brands and models, I can safely say, this is amongst the best for overall comfort and quality. I would be happy to spend my own hard-earned money on this gaming-focused keyboard. Mechanical Keyboard Final Beauty Shot