Mechanical Gaming keyboard Redragon K551 104 Keys with Dust Proof Mechanical Switches Cherry MX Red equivalent Linear switches quiet click sound fast action with minimal resistance without a tactile bump feel
Rainbow LED backlit mechanical USB gaming keyboard 9 different lighting effects and game modes 2 user defined modes 6 colors multiple brightness level breathing speed precision engineered keycaps offering crystal clear uniform backlighting
Ergonomic designed steel series mechanical game keyboards high-quality durable metal-abs construction with plate-mounted mechanical keys and switches that stand up even during the most testing marathon gaming sessions
Anti ghosting all 87 keys are conflict free nkey rollover featuring 12 multimedia keyboard keys and a non-slip ergonomic, splash-proof design comes with gold-plated high-speed corrosion free USB connector for a reliable connection
Compatible with windows 10, windows 8, windows 7, windows vista, or windows xp, limited mac os keyboard support works well with all major computers brands and gaming pcs
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Specification: Redragon K551 Rainbow LED Backlit Mechanical Wired Gaming Keyboard with Numlock Keys for Windows PC (Red Switches)
13 reviews for Redragon K551 Rainbow LED Backlit Mechanical Wired Gaming Keyboard with Numlock Keys for Windows PC (Red Switches)
4.2out of 5
★★★★★
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★★★★★
no n. –
Great for the Price
This is one solid keyboard. If you like what you see, for the price it is hard to beat. There are pros and cons, some subjective, others objective. Here we go:
Pros: * Solid back plate, with no discernible flex. All one’s typing energy goes into the key and not a flimsy flexing frame. * Solid weight, tends to keep it in place (see below about rubber feet) * Real key switches that are Cherry MX clones that I would liken to MX Blue * The switches are Outemu Dongguan Gaote with clear bodies and blue stems * The clear switch bodies allow for a pleasant glow around the key on the back plate * The keys are cylindrical tops (i.e., The keys curve up on the left and right edges in order to cradle your fingertips. The surface is a section of a cylinder.) * The keys are double shot allowing for legend backlighting * It is an ANSI 104 layout * Has a nice array of customizable lighting effects (I have the RGB version) * I have pulled off a few keys and the key stems appear to have the same depth (or length) at least on the few keys I examined. They also mimic the Cherry stems. This would allow one to add o-ring dampeners. With dampeners the “clack” sound of the key bottoming out on the back plate would be reduced, which in turn would allow one to hear the switch click. Dampeners also reduce the downward key travel a small amount depending on the particular o-ring used. Having all the stems the same length would standardized the reduced key travel across all the keys. I will be installing dampeners on all the keys, so I’ll soon know if they all dimension the same. * Key travel is non-linear with a gentle over center bump
Cons: * The font is awkward (to my eye ugly – Ohs and Zeros look like two brackets face to face.) Reminds me of fonts used on old computer games * Keys with shift functions have the two characters side by side rather than vertically stacked * I would like it to be slightly brighter at full brightness * After a month of use, some keys are starting to show a shine * The Function Key row has a non standard (ref: IBM Model M) spacing from the numeric row. I am a fast touch typist and that non standard spacing requires me to look when using the F-Key row. However, the tighter spacing does reduce the front to back foot print. * The cable is attached, and there is no cable channel on the under side limiting the exit to center back. * The back lifters have a rubber like surface which is useful, but the front feet offer no stickiness * There is a perimeter ridge that would damn in any spilled liquids making it harder to clean. It could use a few openings on the down or front side to allow liquids to quickly drain off. * It could use a better manual with clear instructions for the lighting effects * Since the key switches sit on an exposed back plate (a nice feature) when one sits back a bit from the keyboard the tally lights are hidden behind the numeric pad. They need to be brought up to the same level as the key tops.
So for the moment, that is about it. There are better keyboards, but not at this price point. It is a terrific buy.
UPDATE:
With more time on the keyboard, here are some additional thoughts:
* Key tops get shiny very quickly, but since the key legends are double shot molded they will not wear off.
* There is a bit more wobble to the keys caps than I would like, but given the price, it is not bad.
* In spite of the keyboard weight, it moves around a bit too much. This is because the front two feet are hard without any stickyness. The back lifters have a rubber coating which helps, but not enough to keep the board in place.
* I have applied o-ring dampeners to the key caps, and I have found that the distance between the end of the key-shaft and the ridge of the injected molding is not the same on all the keys. (This is where one would install the o-ring dampeners.) Since that dimension is not the same from key to key, then the reduction of key travel is not the same between keys. This mostly is between the alpha keys and the larger key caps and the nav keys. It is a slight variance, and might be annoying to some, but for the price this is not deal killer.
So all and all I am happy with it.
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★★★★★
Shashi B. –
I have ordered this product on March 10th 2023,it has been 2 months and the product is still working good, the keys are really good and supports for gaming a lot, till now I didn’t face any problem!! This is a perfect keyboard for those who do gaming. In other reviews I saw that rgb suddenly doesn’t work after few days Or keys don’t work some time but then those problems didn’t occur for me and I think this product is worth a try for everyone, go for it gamers!! And again after few months I will review again about the condition of the product
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★★★★★
BartC –
This keyboard feels wonderful. It has a nice weight to it, and the red switch keys are very smooth and easy to type or game on (though they really excel at gaming use). I’m typing this review on it right now, and I’m enjoying the buttery feel of the keys. The backlighting looks good and the keys are very easy to see in any lighting situation.
One thing that I’m surprised to see mentioned in very few reviews – the design of the chassis is weird. The board sits recessed inside of a surrounding tray, which unfortunately is extremely efficient at catching dust, crumbs, pet hair… you name it. The walls on the sides around the keys make it more difficult to clean out than if it were simply left open-sided. I see no practical reason for this design. I recommend either buying or making some type of dust cover to go over the keyboard when not in use to prevent debris from collecting down in it, and using some compressed air on it every now and then to get the junk out.
This flaw isn’t enough to make me return this board, because it’s one of the nicest keyboards I’ve ever had the pleasure of typing and gaming on. I like to make the things I buy last as long as possible, and I like to keep them nice and in good condition, so I will be covering the board up when not in use.
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★★★★★
Shashi B. –
The keyboard sounds good for me. But if there was a macro option would be good, pretty descent keyboard for typing and good for gaming but the egg one if you can.. if you like loud switches
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★★★★★
Ramesh –
It is really good but for long run it’s is hectic to remove all the dust of the keys and the keyboard it self I would recommend to buy the smaller one because it doesn’t take thatuch space and anyways I don’t use the number side so take the smaller one
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★★★★★
DillyDil –
I know there are more expensive keyboards. I know there is endless variety and a vast array of aesthetic options. A lot of it is just pointless luxury, and it ends up being delicate or just impractical.
I’ve not spent on a real quality keyboard in a long time, so take that into consideration. I know that I’ve not experienced the full spectrum of functionality here. But I DO have experience with highly loved and acclaimed keyboards like those classic IBM mechanical and older Apple Macintosh keyboards. In terms of action, this is just as good. It’s solid — in fact, this thing is surprisingly heavy. The switches feel incredibly precise and sturdy. It is a good, solid device. Unlike the venerable IBM keyboards of yore, this unit does not waste any desk space with pointless structural flourishes. For being a good full-sized keyboard with terrific action, it certainly does mind its place. It never gets in the way. Form follows function. This is comfortable and pleasing. Good tools should not get in the way of doing a job. This keyboard is never in my way.
I’ve also had cheap keyboards. You know — the ones that you can get in places that rhyme with MallWart. I’ve HAD cheap keyboards. Past tense. And, trust me, it is simply not wise to save money by sacrificing a good keyboard.
I’ve also gotten plastic monstrosities priced in this range from major companies that love overpricing delicate junk. I’ve paid as much as this cost me for something that warped and had no weight.
So, I have some perspective.
I think this is my favorite keyboard. Period. The original Apple PowerMac keyboards come very close. But there is just something about this.
And the cost of this thing is just shocking in light of that. In a good way.
This is not, I admit it, a quiet keyboard. Like those venerable old IBM ps-2 mechanical keyboards, this is an effective and very pleasing keyboard that could probably also double as an exotic percussion instrument in a pinch. The point, is, while I never would do that, I could probably get away with it and still have a working unit. The fact of the matter is that for a good keyboarding experience — one that isn’t vague and squishy and one that has enough kinesthetic feedback for you to have a high degree of accuracy — you need to make some noise. I happen to find this pleasant. If a clicky keyboard isn’t appealing to you, then I’m afraid you’ll have to settle for an imprecise one instead. That having been said, I have heard far, far louder keyboards. This is pleasant, I think. It’s certainly not excessive and the feel of using it is worth a bit of clicking.
The red backlighting is perfect for me. It won’t blind you at night and isn’t distracting in the day, but you can see exactly where things are. And aesthetically, this glowing red is superb. Firey. Warm. Even if I had full RBG functionality, I’d end up setting the color to red anyway.
Altogether, you have to pay for quality. This thing is not a discount store special. That having been said, this thing has no business being as affordable as it is considering how good it is. I honestly don’t think I’d pay for anything different. I just can’t see why. Go cheaper, and the experience is miserable. Anything more expensive will be no better performing than this. If you like gimmicks, gold plating, or prestigious brand names, then you just like wasting money for junk. If you get sticker shock at this price, then you just aren’t thinking about how awful cheap keyboards are and how they just love to fall apart — never mind that using them will raise your blood pressure out of frustration. Either way, when you come to your senses, get this. THIS. Not something else. THIS.
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★★★★★
Abhishek Varma –
Customer service are very good I had key problem, my keyboard was in warranty, they fixed the issue within few minutes.. for product i give 4 stars for customer service I give 5.
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★★★★★
sharath –
First thing first, product description says it’s Vara model but it’s actually Mitra. Upon researching, it seems that Vara was rebranded as Mitra. No where company says it’s Hot Swappable but it is. They say DIY keyboard and provide key puller and switch puller in the box along with 5 extra blue switch which in this price range no company gives.
Am new to mechanical keyboard. I straight away went from my Dell laptop keyboard to this blue switch keyboard. I don’t play games, so I don’t know about it. I use it for my office use. Huge disclaimer, never use it while in meeting or call with clients as it is loud and if you are using normal earphones, all that they will be hearing is your typing. But if you are alone in room, n into those satisfying clicky sounds then this is your choice.
There is obviously a lot of learning curve for me as everything from key travel to key press to pressure applied is different than laptop. It takes hardly 1 or 2 days to get used to.
RGB is bright enough, and good number of effects are there but for typing plain simple static light is best.
One con I would say is that there is no wrist rest and since am coming from typing on laptop with a flat wrist posture, this is Lil bit of a pain. I might have to search for options for wrist rest. Not a huge deal for me though.
If you are getting into the world of mechanical switch mods, I think Redragon keyboards are the best. After few months, I will definitely replace the switches and try brown and red Switchs to see my preference.
Such DIY friendly keyboards, until n unless there is an issue with the circuit board, you don’t have to worry about it at all. I will keep this post updated if any such issues occurs.
GO AHEAD!!! HAPPY CLICKING
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★★★★★
Siddharth –
I legitimately love this keyboard so much. I have now had this keyboard for about 3 years and I use my computer every day, and it has stood the test of time. I’m no mechanical keyboard connoisseur so I can’t give much of a comparison, but I preferred it over a $100+ alienware keyboard so it’s a great value. It is so satisfying to type on that I bought another one to use at the office after getting one for home. It is a little loud / clacky but I like that about it, personally. I have gotten a lot of compliments on the backlighting. The font is a little ugly, but I can’t say I spend much time staring at it so it’s not something that really bothers me.
Overall, I would absolutely recommend this keyboard especially for the price point.
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★★★★★
Kapil Agarwal –
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★★★★★
Megan Sotolongo –
I had been thinking about buying a mechanical keyboard for a long time, but the initial investment cost and unknowns about how loud the different switch types actually were kept me from making the jump. It wasn’t until my cat had learned that by throwing herself onto the numpad that she could functionally stop me from typing and do nothing else for the rest of my life except pet her that I decided to make the leap.
I had concerns about this keyboard’s brightness, as I have my computer in my bedroom, and I was concerned the light would be distracting. However the red backlighting was subtle. It cast a dim glow on the ceiling, but it wasn’t bothersome at all. There’s also a key combo that turns off the light, as well as dimmer controls, which are nice.
The key action is relatively pleasant, compared to the rubber domes I’m used to, and the noise is noticeable, but not unreasonable. While I do have to turn up my television to hear things clearly when typing out anything of length, it doesn’t require me to do so that people particularly notice. It’s quieter than my air conditioner in that regard. When I brought it into the office people noticed a change in the sound of keystrokes, but it didn’t bother anyone. If I were in a dorm room with someone else, though, I could see how this might be an issue with someone else trying to sleep, though.
The switches are, well, not of very high quality, however. They can be triggered before being fully depressed. Indeed, you can even press them down far enough to activate the switch, but not create any kind of click. They also don’t feel particularly stable. I don’t know if that’s the right word, but they all wiggle around a bit. You can twist keys in place, and move them around side to side. This does not fill me with confidence about the long-term reliability of this keyboard, however I have been using it for over a year now and they all still work, so maybe I’m being overly sensitive here.
The keycaps themselves are OK. Large, readable characters that are clear and unambiguous, made of reasonably good feeling material. However I wouldn’t remotely describe them as premium. Average at best. After a year of use many of them, especially the home row, have gone from lightly textured to almost polished smooth from use. This is quite evident in the home row. However there is no flaking of material, and even the arrow decals on the WASD keys are still quite clear. This is more than I can say for keyboards in the two MacBook Pros I’ve owned, which did exhibit flaking and wearing off of decals after about a year or so of use, most prominently on the Command and S keys. To that point, while I primarily use this keyboard at home on my Windows computer the computers in the offices are Macs, and a swappable Command keycap to replace the Windows key would have been nice.
The keyboard does not have true NKRO, however. There are certain situations where if certain (or enough) keys are pressed that other keystrokes will be inhibited. I can’t say with any level of accuracy or confidence any details about this, only that a twelve pound cat throwing herself over the entire numpad, arrow keys, and insert/delete/page-up/down block is sufficient to impede typing. However for all other non-cat situations I don’t anticipate this being an issue for most people, as having the entirety of the numpad being depressed does not cause any issues, so I suspect this is a fringe case.
Ultimately there is an issue with chattering. If this term is unfamiliar, it means striking a key once and having it produce multiple keystrokes. The keyboard went for about ten months or so before developing this issues, and it seems to affect the most heavily used keys, including the space bar, and some of the vowels, leading to some embarrassing typos if not caught and corrected. I would not recommend this keyboard for anyone who intends to do a lot of coding, but for writing in a word processor with a spell check feature it might be acceptable.
However this chattering isn’t bad enough that I haven’t stopped using the keyboard, but it is bad enough that I probably wouldn’t buy this keyboard again. I would say it’s a reasonably good “starter” mechanical keyboard, where one can take this thing into their home or office, use it in the real world, and get a feeling for the things they do and do not like about it, and give them a base reference point when considering their next keyboard purchase.
It’s not a bad keyboard, just not one that’ll last forever.
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★★★★★
Nikhil M. –
The seal was broken and keyboard was delivered without any documentation or extra switches. It smelled of a perfumed cleaning liquid and had weird white marks on the walls of the keys. The lighting on most of these chinese keyboards is obnoxious, and this is just one them with Indian branding.
I’ve asked for a replacement but expectations are low after reading more reviews.
It felt like a sturdy keyboard and the red switches were great, but after using it for 30 minutes or so, the ‘C’ key started getting registered multiple times and the ‘Shift’ key didn’t work now and then.
Honestly, Redragon products are a ‘hit or miss’. I have a cheap Logitech membrane keyboard that still runs good after 10 years. It feels bad to put so much money in and get delivered defective and substandard products. Stop cheating your customers, whoever it is in the supply line.
You can skip this keyboard, and save yourself some worrying if you value your investments.
Also, we need to stop this RGB non-sense. Make keyboards, not disco lights.
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★★★★★
Nikhil M. –
Bought it in RS 2299 red switches rainbow variant
typing- It feels premium while typing no delay it is buttery smooth while typing no issues for typing
build quality- Its sturdy and looks premium not much heavy as a 100% keyboard just one issue there is the keycaps get dirty easily in a few days.Thats the only con for me
lighting- its bright and customizable would be better if we got a software but anyway do FN+Insert to change mode 6 modes are there u can do fn+home for default mode
Features- fn+w switch wasd and arrow keys there are 7 more extra modes for couple of games like pubg cod forza horizon csgo etc do you can customize the keys as u want do fn+9 to customize and read the manual am lazy to tell
I am satisfied by the product i compared it from 14k asus rog strix scope nx red linear switches just the difference is asus one is silent i do recommend modding k552 lubricating and etc it will be worth there are a couple of tutorials in yt for k552/k551 modding
no n. –
Great for the Price
This is one solid keyboard. If you like what you see, for the price it is hard to beat. There are pros and cons, some subjective, others objective. Here we go:
Pros:
* Solid back plate, with no discernible flex. All one’s typing energy goes into the key and not a flimsy flexing frame.
* Solid weight, tends to keep it in place (see below about rubber feet)
* Real key switches that are Cherry MX clones that I would liken to MX Blue
* The switches are Outemu Dongguan Gaote with clear bodies and blue stems
* The clear switch bodies allow for a pleasant glow around the key on the back plate
* The keys are cylindrical tops (i.e., The keys curve up on the left and right edges in order to cradle your fingertips. The surface is a section of a cylinder.)
* The keys are double shot allowing for legend backlighting
* It is an ANSI 104 layout
* Has a nice array of customizable lighting effects (I have the RGB version)
* I have pulled off a few keys and the key stems appear to have the same depth (or length) at least on the few keys I examined. They also mimic the Cherry stems. This would allow one to add o-ring dampeners. With dampeners the “clack” sound of the key bottoming out on the back plate would be reduced, which in turn would allow one to hear the switch click. Dampeners also reduce the downward key travel a small amount depending on the particular o-ring used. Having all the stems the same length would standardized the reduced key travel across all the keys. I will be installing dampeners on all the keys, so I’ll soon know if they all dimension the same.
* Key travel is non-linear with a gentle over center bump
Cons:
* The font is awkward (to my eye ugly – Ohs and Zeros look like two brackets face to face.) Reminds me of fonts used on old computer games
* Keys with shift functions have the two characters side by side rather than vertically stacked
* I would like it to be slightly brighter at full brightness
* After a month of use, some keys are starting to show a shine
* The Function Key row has a non standard (ref: IBM Model M) spacing from the numeric row. I am a fast touch typist and that non standard spacing requires me to look when using the F-Key row. However, the tighter spacing does reduce the front to back foot print.
* The cable is attached, and there is no cable channel on the under side limiting the exit to center back.
* The back lifters have a rubber like surface which is useful, but the front feet offer no stickiness
* There is a perimeter ridge that would damn in any spilled liquids making it harder to clean. It could use a few openings on the down or front side to allow liquids to quickly drain off.
* It could use a better manual with clear instructions for the lighting effects
* Since the key switches sit on an exposed back plate (a nice feature) when one sits back a bit from the keyboard the tally lights are hidden behind the numeric pad. They need to be brought up to the same level as the key tops.
So for the moment, that is about it. There are better keyboards, but not at this price point. It is a terrific buy.
UPDATE:
With more time on the keyboard, here are some additional thoughts:
* Key tops get shiny very quickly, but since the key legends are double shot molded they will not wear off.
* There is a bit more wobble to the keys caps than I would like, but given the price, it is not bad.
* In spite of the keyboard weight, it moves around a bit too much. This is because the front two feet are hard without any stickyness. The back lifters have a rubber coating which helps, but not enough to keep the board in place.
* I have applied o-ring dampeners to the key caps, and I have found that the distance between the end of the key-shaft and the ridge of the injected molding is not the same on all the keys. (This is where one would install the o-ring dampeners.) Since that dimension is not the same from key to key, then the reduction of key travel is not the same between keys. This mostly is between the alpha keys and the larger key caps and the nav keys. It is a slight variance, and might be annoying to some, but for the price this is not deal killer.
So all and all I am happy with it.
Shashi B. –
I have ordered this product on March 10th 2023,it has been 2 months and the product is still working good, the keys are really good and supports for gaming a lot, till now I didn’t face any problem!! This is a perfect keyboard for those who do gaming. In other reviews I saw that rgb suddenly doesn’t work after few days Or keys don’t work some time but then those problems didn’t occur for me and I think this product is worth a try for everyone, go for it gamers!! And again after few months I will review again about the condition of the product
BartC –
This keyboard feels wonderful. It has a nice weight to it, and the red switch keys are very smooth and easy to type or game on (though they really excel at gaming use). I’m typing this review on it right now, and I’m enjoying the buttery feel of the keys. The backlighting looks good and the keys are very easy to see in any lighting situation.
One thing that I’m surprised to see mentioned in very few reviews – the design of the chassis is weird. The board sits recessed inside of a surrounding tray, which unfortunately is extremely efficient at catching dust, crumbs, pet hair… you name it. The walls on the sides around the keys make it more difficult to clean out than if it were simply left open-sided. I see no practical reason for this design. I recommend either buying or making some type of dust cover to go over the keyboard when not in use to prevent debris from collecting down in it, and using some compressed air on it every now and then to get the junk out.
This flaw isn’t enough to make me return this board, because it’s one of the nicest keyboards I’ve ever had the pleasure of typing and gaming on. I like to make the things I buy last as long as possible, and I like to keep them nice and in good condition, so I will be covering the board up when not in use.
Shashi B. –
The keyboard sounds good for me. But if there was a macro option would be good, pretty descent keyboard for typing and good for gaming but the egg one if you can.. if you like loud switches
Ramesh –
It is really good but for long run it’s is hectic to remove all the dust of the keys and the keyboard it self I would recommend to buy the smaller one because it doesn’t take thatuch space and anyways I don’t use the number side so take the smaller one
DillyDil –
I know there are more expensive keyboards. I know there is endless variety and a vast array of aesthetic options.
A lot of it is just pointless luxury, and it ends up being delicate or just impractical.
I’ve not spent on a real quality keyboard in a long time, so take that into consideration. I know that I’ve not experienced the full spectrum of functionality here. But I DO have experience with highly loved and acclaimed keyboards like those classic IBM mechanical and older Apple Macintosh keyboards. In terms of action, this is just as good. It’s solid — in fact, this thing is surprisingly heavy. The switches feel incredibly precise and sturdy. It is a good, solid device. Unlike the venerable IBM keyboards of yore, this unit does not waste any desk space with pointless structural flourishes. For being a good full-sized keyboard with terrific action, it certainly does mind its place. It never gets in the way. Form follows function. This is comfortable and pleasing. Good tools should not get in the way of doing a job. This keyboard is never in my way.
I’ve also had cheap keyboards. You know — the ones that you can get in places that rhyme with MallWart. I’ve HAD cheap keyboards. Past tense. And, trust me, it is simply not wise to save money by sacrificing a good keyboard.
I’ve also gotten plastic monstrosities priced in this range from major companies that love overpricing delicate junk. I’ve paid as much as this cost me for something that warped and had no weight.
So, I have some perspective.
I think this is my favorite keyboard. Period. The original Apple PowerMac keyboards come very close. But there is just something about this.
And the cost of this thing is just shocking in light of that. In a good way.
This is not, I admit it, a quiet keyboard. Like those venerable old IBM ps-2 mechanical keyboards, this is an effective and very pleasing keyboard that could probably also double as an exotic percussion instrument in a pinch. The point, is, while I never would do that, I could probably get away with it and still have a working unit. The fact of the matter is that for a good keyboarding experience — one that isn’t vague and squishy and one that has enough kinesthetic feedback for you to have a high degree of accuracy — you need to make some noise. I happen to find this pleasant. If a clicky keyboard isn’t appealing to you, then I’m afraid you’ll have to settle for an imprecise one instead. That having been said, I have heard far, far louder keyboards. This is pleasant, I think. It’s certainly not excessive and the feel of using it is worth a bit of clicking.
The red backlighting is perfect for me. It won’t blind you at night and isn’t distracting in the day, but you can see exactly where things are. And aesthetically, this glowing red is superb. Firey. Warm. Even if I had full RBG functionality, I’d end up setting the color to red anyway.
Altogether, you have to pay for quality. This thing is not a discount store special. That having been said, this thing has no business being as affordable as it is considering how good it is. I honestly don’t think I’d pay for anything different. I just can’t see why. Go cheaper, and the experience is miserable. Anything more expensive will be no better performing than this. If you like gimmicks, gold plating, or prestigious brand names, then you just like wasting money for junk. If you get sticker shock at this price, then you just aren’t thinking about how awful cheap keyboards are and how they just love to fall apart — never mind that using them will raise your blood pressure out of frustration. Either way, when you come to your senses, get this. THIS. Not something else. THIS.
Abhishek Varma –
Customer service are very good I had key problem, my keyboard was in warranty, they fixed the issue within few minutes.. for product i give 4 stars for customer service I give 5.
sharath –
First thing first, product description says it’s Vara model but it’s actually Mitra. Upon researching, it seems that Vara was rebranded as Mitra. No where company says it’s Hot Swappable but it is. They say DIY keyboard and provide key puller and switch puller in the box along with 5 extra blue switch which in this price range no company gives.
Am new to mechanical keyboard. I straight away went from my Dell laptop keyboard to this blue switch keyboard. I don’t play games, so I don’t know about it. I use it for my office use.
Huge disclaimer, never use it while in meeting or call with clients as it is loud and if you are using normal earphones, all that they will be hearing is your typing. But if you are alone in room, n into those satisfying clicky sounds then this is your choice.
There is obviously a lot of learning curve for me as everything from key travel to key press to pressure applied is different than laptop. It takes hardly 1 or 2 days to get used to.
RGB is bright enough, and good number of effects are there but for typing plain simple static light is best.
One con I would say is that there is no wrist rest and since am coming from typing on laptop with a flat wrist posture, this is Lil bit of a pain. I might have to search for options for wrist rest. Not a huge deal for me though.
If you are getting into the world of mechanical switch mods, I think Redragon keyboards are the best. After few months, I will definitely replace the switches and try brown and red Switchs to see my preference.
Such DIY friendly keyboards, until n unless there is an issue with the circuit board, you don’t have to worry about it at all. I will keep this post updated if any such issues occurs.
GO AHEAD!!! HAPPY CLICKING
Siddharth –
I legitimately love this keyboard so much. I have now had this keyboard for about 3 years and I use my computer every day, and it has stood the test of time. I’m no mechanical keyboard connoisseur so I can’t give much of a comparison, but I preferred it over a $100+ alienware keyboard so it’s a great value. It is so satisfying to type on that I bought another one to use at the office after getting one for home. It is a little loud / clacky but I like that about it, personally. I have gotten a lot of compliments on the backlighting. The font is a little ugly, but I can’t say I spend much time staring at it so it’s not something that really bothers me.
Overall, I would absolutely recommend this keyboard especially for the price point.
Kapil Agarwal –
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Megan Sotolongo –
I had been thinking about buying a mechanical keyboard for a long time, but the initial investment cost and unknowns about how loud the different switch types actually were kept me from making the jump. It wasn’t until my cat had learned that by throwing herself onto the numpad that she could functionally stop me from typing and do nothing else for the rest of my life except pet her that I decided to make the leap.
I had concerns about this keyboard’s brightness, as I have my computer in my bedroom, and I was concerned the light would be distracting. However the red backlighting was subtle. It cast a dim glow on the ceiling, but it wasn’t bothersome at all. There’s also a key combo that turns off the light, as well as dimmer controls, which are nice.
The key action is relatively pleasant, compared to the rubber domes I’m used to, and the noise is noticeable, but not unreasonable. While I do have to turn up my television to hear things clearly when typing out anything of length, it doesn’t require me to do so that people particularly notice. It’s quieter than my air conditioner in that regard. When I brought it into the office people noticed a change in the sound of keystrokes, but it didn’t bother anyone. If I were in a dorm room with someone else, though, I could see how this might be an issue with someone else trying to sleep, though.
The switches are, well, not of very high quality, however. They can be triggered before being fully depressed. Indeed, you can even press them down far enough to activate the switch, but not create any kind of click. They also don’t feel particularly stable. I don’t know if that’s the right word, but they all wiggle around a bit. You can twist keys in place, and move them around side to side. This does not fill me with confidence about the long-term reliability of this keyboard, however I have been using it for over a year now and they all still work, so maybe I’m being overly sensitive here.
The keycaps themselves are OK. Large, readable characters that are clear and unambiguous, made of reasonably good feeling material. However I wouldn’t remotely describe them as premium. Average at best. After a year of use many of them, especially the home row, have gone from lightly textured to almost polished smooth from use. This is quite evident in the home row. However there is no flaking of material, and even the arrow decals on the WASD keys are still quite clear. This is more than I can say for keyboards in the two MacBook Pros I’ve owned, which did exhibit flaking and wearing off of decals after about a year or so of use, most prominently on the Command and S keys. To that point, while I primarily use this keyboard at home on my Windows computer the computers in the offices are Macs, and a swappable Command keycap to replace the Windows key would have been nice.
The keyboard does not have true NKRO, however. There are certain situations where if certain (or enough) keys are pressed that other keystrokes will be inhibited. I can’t say with any level of accuracy or confidence any details about this, only that a twelve pound cat throwing herself over the entire numpad, arrow keys, and insert/delete/page-up/down block is sufficient to impede typing. However for all other non-cat situations I don’t anticipate this being an issue for most people, as having the entirety of the numpad being depressed does not cause any issues, so I suspect this is a fringe case.
Ultimately there is an issue with chattering. If this term is unfamiliar, it means striking a key once and having it produce multiple keystrokes. The keyboard went for about ten months or so before developing this issues, and it seems to affect the most heavily used keys, including the space bar, and some of the vowels, leading to some embarrassing typos if not caught and corrected. I would not recommend this keyboard for anyone who intends to do a lot of coding, but for writing in a word processor with a spell check feature it might be acceptable.
However this chattering isn’t bad enough that I haven’t stopped using the keyboard, but it is bad enough that I probably wouldn’t buy this keyboard again. I would say it’s a reasonably good “starter” mechanical keyboard, where one can take this thing into their home or office, use it in the real world, and get a feeling for the things they do and do not like about it, and give them a base reference point when considering their next keyboard purchase.
It’s not a bad keyboard, just not one that’ll last forever.
Nikhil M. –
The seal was broken and keyboard was delivered without any documentation or extra switches. It smelled of a perfumed cleaning liquid and had weird white marks on the walls of the keys. The lighting on most of these chinese keyboards is obnoxious, and this is just one them with Indian branding.
I’ve asked for a replacement but expectations are low after reading more reviews.
It felt like a sturdy keyboard and the red switches were great, but after using it for 30 minutes or so, the ‘C’ key started getting registered multiple times and the ‘Shift’ key didn’t work now and then.
Honestly, Redragon products are a ‘hit or miss’. I have a cheap Logitech membrane keyboard that still runs good after 10 years. It feels bad to put so much money in and get delivered defective and substandard products. Stop cheating your customers, whoever it is in the supply line.
You can skip this keyboard, and save yourself some worrying if you value your investments.
Also, we need to stop this RGB non-sense. Make keyboards, not disco lights.
Nikhil M. –
Bought it in RS 2299 red switches rainbow variant
typing-
It feels premium while typing no delay it is buttery smooth while typing no issues for typing
build quality-
Its sturdy and looks premium not much heavy as a 100% keyboard just one issue there is the keycaps get dirty easily in a few days.Thats the only con for me
lighting-
its bright and customizable would be better if we got a software but anyway do FN+Insert to change mode 6 modes are there u can do fn+home for default mode
Features-
fn+w switch wasd and arrow keys
there are 7 more extra modes for couple of games like pubg cod forza horizon csgo etc do you can customize the keys as u want do fn+9 to customize and read the manual am lazy to tell
I am satisfied by the product i compared it from 14k asus rog strix scope nx red linear switches just the difference is asus one is silent i do recommend modding k552 lubricating and etc it will be worth there are a couple of tutorials in yt for k552/k551 modding