A keyboard is one of the most essential pieces of a computer setup. Without one, there isn’t a lot that you can do.
HyperX keyboards are aimed at PC and console gamers. The bright colors, loud keys and accompanying software aim to give gamers control over their devices, allowing for precision tweaks while injecting a bit of personality. The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is an excellent choice, as it has the signature light bar, USB pass-through and dedicated media keys.
Before settling on a keyboard, you must ask yourself what feeling you would like when pressing down on the keys. It might seem frivolous, but it forms an important aspect of deciding on a HyperX keyboard.
HyperX manufactures a wide range of keyboards in different sizes. They all function in the same way but some are smaller than the traditional ones.
If you don’t have a preference, you’ll get more bang for your buck by going for a full-size mechanical keyboard. On the other hand, if you travel often with your keyboard and need to store it in a bag, a tenkeyless or half keyboard will be better.
RGB lighting is seemingly included in every gaming peripheral, and HyperX is no different. All of its keyboards have customizable RGB backlighting, so you can change it to whatever color you want. If you aren’t that keen on having your keyboard look like the controls of a spaceship, there is an option to switch it off — or go with a more subdued single color.
A solid keyboard is an investment that should last you a couple of years. But it will only stand the test of time if the construction materials are sturdy, with robust craftsmanship. Plenty of HyperX keyboards use a metal plate as a base, giving them heft and rigidity. It's also relatively easy to feel (or even hear) when cheap plastic is used for a keyboard. So, a good-quality HyperX keyboard uses premium plastic for the switches, keycaps and trim.
It can be challenging when you want to adjust the volume on your computer if your headphones don’t have built-in controls. You’d need to go into the desktop menus and change it from there. But if you have a keyboard with multimedia controls, you can achieve the same result by having the volume, skip track and pause/play buttons at your fingertips. It’s not a necessity, but it's mighty convenient.
Even if you have a keyboard with the full gamut of available options, your fingers can only stretch so far to initiate an action. That is where macro customization comes in handy, as you can easily program several keystrokes and bind them to a single combination. It’s essential during fast-paced games or massive online battle arenas where your character has many abilities with its own key combinations.
The price largely depends on its functions and size. An entry-level wired keyboard costs $30-$40, but a full-size keyboard with macro customization runs $80-$130.
A. Some are, such as the Alloy Elite 2, but most aren’t. However, they are compatible with Microsoft’s Xbox One console and Sony’s PlayStation 5 console.
A. The meaning is that the keyboard has ten keys less than a full-size keyboard. Typically this refers to the lack of a numerical pad on the right side.
HyperX Alloy Elite 2 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
What you need to know: With full media controls and a numerical keypad, you have everything you need at your fingertips.
What you’ll love: This keyboard comes with HyperX Pudding keycaps, which are slightly translucent so that the RGB colors display through. It also features HyperX’s signature light bar for more customization.
What you should consider: It's only available with HyperX Red switches, and you can’t change them to other options.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
HyperX Alloy Core RGB Membrane Gaming Keyboard
What you need to know: This colorful keyboard has six preset LED lighting effects and uses a metal plate for a sturdy base.
What you’ll love: The membrane switches allow for quieter typing and have anti-ghosting technology that lets you press keys simultaneously while registering them quickly. It's spill-resistant, and has a numerical pad and dedicated media controls.
What you should consider: The attached cable is in the center of the keyboard, making effective cable management difficult.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
HyperX Alloy Origins Core Tenkeyless Mechanical Gaming
What you need to know: If you prefer a smaller keyboard, this one doesn’t have a numerical pad and the detachable cable makes it easy to store.
What you’ll love: The keyboard has an aircraft-grade aluminum body, giving it some heft. While it doesn’t have HyperX’s signature light bar, it has dynamic RGB per-key lighting.
What you should consider: It doesn’t have any media controls, but you can program macro keys for that.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Charlie Fripp writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
