Hyte Keeb TKL Overview: Distinctive aesthetic and ultra-smooth switches
Hyte has been positioning itself as in all probability probably the most creative computer peripherals companies, and the Hyte Keeb TKL is definitely… creative. The Keeb TKL is a tenkeyless mechanical keyboard with a gasket-mount design, a novel polycarbonate constructing, and doubtless probably the most RGB that I’ve seen on a mechanical keyboard in a really very long time. The Keeb TKL comes with all of the issues an enthusiast-tier plank should, along with screw-in stabilizers and lubricated switches.
That acknowledged, it is not low value — it retails for $180, which is close to what you’ll pay for the best gaming keyboards. Nevertheless the ultra-smooth switches and the surprisingly unbelievable typing experience make it positively well worth the premium worth.
Specs
| Switches | Hyte Fluffy Lavender Linear |
| Lighting | 155-Pixel aRGB lighting |
| Onboard Storage | Positive, 2 profiles |
| Media Keys | Positive |
| Connectivity | USB Kind A |
| Cable | 6-feet, rubber |
| Additional Ports | 0 |
| Keycaps | Double-shot PBT |
| Software program program | Hyte Nexus |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 15 x 7 x 2 inches / 380 x 180 x 53mm |
| Weight | 2.7lbs / 1,224.7g |
| MSRP / Price at time of launch | $180 |
Design of the Hyte Keeb TKL
The Hyte Keeb TKL is an enthusiast-grade mechanical keyboard with some gaming choices, akin to lightning-fast switches and a ton of RGB. I’m not personally an infinite fan of RGB, nevertheless hey — it is form of a vibe, notably with the Keeb TKL’s distinctive “Crystal Bubble Polycarbonate Case.” Whereas polycarbonate is a reasonably trendy supplies for keyboard circumstances, I’ve not at all seen a keyboard case that’s totally clear.
The bubble case actually appears good, in case you are into the aesthetic. My concern is that polycarbonate plastic turns yellow over time, notably whether it is uncovered to the photo voltaic. To cease this, I would advocate overlaying this board while you are not using it (or using it in a windowless room).
Given the easiest way this keyboard appears, my expectations for sound-dampening had been low. Many keyboard companies discuss sound-dampening, nevertheless I not typically see it carried out properly — and this keyboard wouldn’t appear as if your typical heavy aluminum sound-dampened keyboard. Nonetheless, the Hyte Protect TKL is dampened fully: it choices three layers of sound-dampening foam and a sand-blasted anodized aluminum weight to really eradicate any ping, and it actually works. The keyboard sounds surprisingly good.
Someplace in between all these layers of froth is a 5-pin PCB that seats Durock V2 screw-in stabilizers and Hyte’s private Fluffy Lavender linear switches. In step with Hyte, the switches and stabilizers come pre-lubed — nevertheless I was skeptical. Nonetheless, I ended up consuming my phrases, because of I’ve not at all acquired a keyboard that was in a position to go without having any form of tweaking, nevertheless the Keeb TKL could merely be the first.
The Hyte Keeb TKL comes with an infinite dual-sided knob, which could be reprogrammed in Hyte Nexus. By default, the left facet of the knob adjusts amount and the acceptable adjusts RGB brightness. There’s moreover a programmable button inside the heart that’s set to cycle by RGB modes by default. Whereas I actually like a rotary knob on a keyboard, this knob on the Keeb feels a little bit of low value and has a giant amount of wobble. It actually works advantageous, nevertheless it seems like chances are you’ll needs to be cautious with it.
The Keeb TKL comes with double-shot PBT keycaps in Hyte’s HX OEM profile, which feels equal to standard, non-Cherry-profile keycaps. These keycaps felt advantageous nevertheless didn’t look good: the legends had been actually pretty horrible on the Backspace, Tab, and Caps Lock keys. You probably can, in reality, swap the keycaps, nevertheless then they won’t match the media keys (which are not swappable).
Typing and Gaming Experience on the Hyte Keeb TKL
The Hyte Keeb TKL is just not like several mass-produced gaming keyboard that I’ve typed on in a really very long time, and the reason is the typing experience. It choices Hyte’s Fluffy Lavender switches — to not be confused with CannonKeys’ Lavender switches. The switches operate a 36g actuation energy, which is a little bit of lighter than the favored Cherry MX Purple switches (which have a 45g actuation energy).
On account of the switches have such a lightweight actuation energy, I wanted to be aware when resting my arms on the keyboard as soon as I wasn’t typing. Nonetheless, I was able to modify after solely a number of hours of using the Keeb TKL, and the one typos after that had been my very personal fault.
The switches are previous {{smooth}}. I merely can’t emphasize how buttery these switches are. It’s a giant plus for the Keeb TKL, because of I HATE lubing switches — it’s messy, time-consuming, and expensive (Krytox 205g0 simply is not a cheap lubricant), and it’s merely good to have {{smooth}} switches correct out of the sphere.
Whereas the Hyte Keeb TKL is a gasket-mounted keyboard, it lacks the bounce that this mounting kind typically comes with — I say usually because of I’ve used a variety of gasket-mount keyboards that would not have that bounce, nevertheless it is the sensation of us typically affiliate with gasket-mounting. It’s a little bit of a letdown that the Keeb TKL lacks bounce, nevertheless it nonetheless sounds and feels unbelievable. There was zero case ping, the stabilizers had been fully balanced, and every bottom-out feels light and supported.
The Flappy Paddle media keys, nonetheless, are the polar reverse of the Fluffy Lavender switches — they’re low-profile Blue switches, and I was not a fan. I found them to be mushy-feeling and pingy.
There was no greater time to test the Keeb TKL’s gaming capabilities than now, with the discharge of Title of Obligation: Black Ops 6. The Keeb TKL did unbelievable in my gaming checks, which is what I anticipated. I primarily play the zombies mode, which forces you to be quick, and the Fluffy Lavender switches had been good for that: I was able to strafe and dive spherical hordes of zombies (until spherical 37, as soon as I used to be lastly taken down by the hoard).
Software program program of the Hyte Keeb TKL
It’s been a while since I’ve used Hyte’s Nexus software program program and — like I acknowledged as soon as I reviewed the Y70 Contact — it has somewhat rather a lot to provide.
I found it humorous (nevertheless perhaps a little bit of bit genius) that Hyte lists its completely different merchandise in its software program program, akin to its water coolers, followers, and circumstances. It’s nearly like an advert, nevertheless it isn’t too in-your-face about it.
Key remapping on the Keeb TKL is just like the favored open provide VIA software program program most higher-end fanatic mechanical keyboards use. It seems like Hyte took notes from fanatics not solely whereas designing the keyboard, however moreover whereas designing the software program program.
I regarded spherical and spherical for pretty a while, nevertheless sadly the Hyte Keeb TKL does not have per-key RGB. Whereas this doesn’t impact me rather a lot, it may well positively be a turn-off for people who’re looking for a highly-customizable light current. Nexus does have a variety of completely different RGB customization selections, along with an audio visualizer chance (which I on a regular basis like), nevertheless it isn’t pretty per-key RGB.
That acknowledged, after tinkering with the RGB for prolonged durations of time, it started to look a bit psychedelic — so maybe you don’t actually need per-key RGB in any case.
Bottom Line
Whole, I really appreciated the Hyte Keeb TKL. I’ve reviewed a variety of Hyte’s circumstances, so I was excited as soon as I heard the company was rising into keyboards, and the Keeb TKL didn’t disappoint.
Whatever the lackluster Flappy Paddle media keys and the dearth of per-key RGB, the Keeb TKL is an outstanding keyboard for every typing and gaming. As a substitute of shopping for a haul of mechanical keyboards from a third-party supplier and rebranding it, Hyte designed its private gasket-mounted mechanical keyboard with in-house switches, and the end result could also be very spectacular. Whereas it is $180, which is on the pricier facet, it’s a unique-looking mechanical keyboard with superb sound-dampening, ultra-smooth switches, and an enthusiast-grade typing experience — which is pretty crazy for decrease than $200.
Once you’re looking for one factor a bit of additional aimed towards avid avid gamers, the similarly-priced Arbiter Studio Polar 75 Skilled moreover sounds and feels good, supplies an enthusiast-grade typing experience, and has magnetic Hall Impression switches, which allows for choices akin to “Snap Faucet” (SOCD) and Speedy Set off.
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