Glorious has released the GMMK Eternal, a wired mechanical gaming keyboard using a compact 96% layout with hot‑swappable switch support. The board ships with Glorious Fox linear switches and includes three internal layers of sound dampening.
The keyboard connects using a detachable USB‑A‑to‑C cable, and its hot‑swap PCB supports both 5‑pin and 3‑pin MX‑style switches, so you can swap to whichever mechanical switches you prefer. Stock units ship with Glorious Fox linear switches, which offer a 50–60g actuation force and are rated for 50 million clicks. Glorious uses OEM‑profile double‑shot ABS keycaps with shine‑through legends, giving the board a familiar feel for anyone used to standard ABS gaming keyboards.
The casing combines an aluminium top plate with an ABS bottom shell, with two‑stage flip‑out feet for angle adjustment. Inside, three layers of dampening are used to reduce hollow noise, including a molded silicone pad and two sheets of PU foam. The 96% layout keeps the numpad and function row while freeing up desk space, and users can customise keycaps, switches and the cable if they want to personalise the keyboard further.
Glorious Core, the company’s Windows‑only software, handles per‑key RGB lighting, key remapping and macro recording. The keyboard is also compatible with macOS, ChromeOS and consoles. The GMMK Eternal is priced at £89.99 in the UK.
KitGuru Says: Are you considering the GMMK Eternal for your next keyboard upgrade?
Wooting has announced the 80HE+ TKL keyboard, introducing the new Lekker Large knob alongside several hardware updates first seen on the 60HE V2, including a stiffer FR4 plate, refined acoustic dampening and updated switch options.
According to TechPowerUp, pricing for preassembled 80HE+ models matches the existing 80HE line, while the module version is priced lower and includes a daughterboard for custom builds. Prebuilt zinc models now ship with a 4u Lekker Large knob, and ABS buyers can purchase the knob separately at a reduced price. Wooting has also revised its zinc‑coating process to improve durability following earlier finishing issues.
The updated design uses a stiffer FR4 plate and new Lekker Tikken switches with a closed‑bottom housing for a more muted sound profile. A split spacebar layout in a 2.75/1.25/2.25u configuration is available exclusively for the 80HE+ module at launch. Wooting has also added a dark translucent top case for the ABS Dark variant, along with a fully assembled Frost option.
Pre‑orders for the 80HE+ range open on September 17th, with shipping scheduled for mid‑October.
KitGuru says: Did you try the original Wooting 80HE? Do you think the changes are worth the upgrade to the 80HE+ model?
Razer is moving into the custom‑mechanical keyboard market with the Reclusa X Mini 65%, the first entry in a new lineup built around hot‑swappable hardware and enthusiast‑grade components. The compact 65% wired board uses factory‑lubricated Razer Orange Gen‑3 tactile switches and a hot‑swappable PCB supporting standard 3‑pin and 5‑pin switches.
The Reclusa X Mini 65% includes dual‑layer silicone dampening to reduce hollow noise and resonance. Above the plate, the keyboard uses double‑shot ABS keycaps with a tri‑colour finish. South‑facing LEDs improve aftermarket keycap compatibility and support per‑key Razer Chroma RGB lighting.
The keyboard operates at a wired 1000Hz polling rate and integrates with Razer Synapse. Input controls include Razer Snap Tap, Snap Flex and Dual‑Keypress Priority. The Reclusa X Mini 65% will be available for £59.99/$49.99/€69.99 in US, UK, German, French and Italian layouts.
Razer says the Reclusa series is aimed at users who want a pre‑assembled board with room for customisation. More models are planned for the lineup down the line, so maybe we will eventually see TKL and full-size options.
KitGuru says: With the Reclusa X Mini, Razer is offering users an affordable, hot-swappable 65% keyboard that can serve as the foundation for further upgrades.
The Epomaker HE75 V2 promises the holy grail of 2026 gaming keyboard specs: a wireless, 75% layout Hall Effect board equipped with a massive 8000mAh battery, all for under £90. On paper, it looks like an incredible budget powerhouse poised to challenge keyboards twice its price. But does the real-world user experience actually live up to the impressive physical hardware, or are there frustrating compromises hiding beneath the surface?
Switches: EPOMAKER Creamy Jade HE Switches (Hall Effect).
Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, and Wired USB-C.
Polling Rate: Up to 8,000Hz (1,000Hz recommended).
Battery: 8000mAh (2x4000mAh).
Keycaps: Semi-transparent (PC material).
Acoustics: Pre-lubed switches, zero-rattle stabilizers, and internal PE foam sheet.
Closing Thoughts
The Epomaker HE75 V2 is a keyboard that delivers incredible hardware and value but is ultimately held back by a lack of software testing and attention to detail. On the physical front, it is a triumph. For under £90, you are getting a wireless Hall Effect keyboard with butter-smooth switches, perfectly tuned stabilizers with absolutely zero rattle, and a deep, marbly acoustic profile. When we put it through a 240fps end-to-end click latency test, the HE75 V2 at 1000Hz (14.46ms wired / 16.54ms wireless) actually beat out my personal premium custom Hall Effect board by a few ms.
Interestingly the keyboard was fastest in the 1000Hz mode then on the 8000Hz mode (14.46ms vs 15.96ms) which means at the very least that 8000Hz offers, once again, an exceptionally small improvement.
However, the user experience surrounding that hardware is highly frustrating. First, despite the fact the 8000mAh battery is massive (and lasts at least 1 week with all the bells and whistles cranked to the max), it charges at a painfully slow 3W, meaning a full charge takes nearly 24 hours. Worse still is the firmware and software implementation. A hardcoded shortcut (FN + Shift) disables Rapid Trigger entirely, but the desktop driver fails to reflect this change and still shows the feature as “enabled”.
If you accidentally fat-finger this combination, you lose a crucial feature without any visual warning on your monitor. Combine this with a clunky, unresponsive app interface, and you are left with a fantastic piece of hardware that feels like it skipped the final QA testing phase.
You can buy the Epomaker HE75 V2 for under £90 HERE.
Pros:
Incredible value for a wireless Hall Effect gaming keyboard.
Fantastic click latency.
Smooth “Creamy Jade” switches and perfectly tuned, zero-rattle stabilizers out of the box.
Massive 8000mAh battery easily lasts a full week on 2.4GHz, even with RGB.
Cons:
Hardcoded FN + Shift shortcut accidentally disables Rapid Trigger without updating the software UI.
Painfully slow 3W charging speed means a full recharge takes nearly 24 hours.
Terrible software UI makes adjusting switch actuation depths unnecessarily frustrating.
Plastic chassis and PE foam design means it lacks a unique acoustic character.
KitGuru says: The Epomaker HE75 V2 offers top-tier Hall Effect performance and brilliant acoustics for an unbeatable price, but frustrating firmware bugs hold it back from true perfection.
Razer has introduced a new special‑edition Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless 8KHz, created in partnership with esports organisation Sentinels.
The Sentinels Edition is the second product to come out of the Razer x Sentinels collaboration. It uses a red anodised aluminium top plate paired with black doubleshot PBT keycaps, matching the team’s red‑and‑black colour scheme. Beyond the cosmetic changes, the keyboard retains the same compact tenkeyless layout and competitive focus as the standard Huntsman V3 Pro TKL.
Inside, the keyboard uses Razer Analog Optical Switches Gen‑2 and supports 8000Hz HyperPolling. Rapid Trigger is included, along with movement‑focused input options such as Snap Flex, Snap Tap, Dual‑Keypress Priority and Dynamic Keystroke. Profiles and settings can be adjusted directly on the keyboard or through Razer Synapse Web, which allows configuration without installing desktop software.
The Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless 8KHz Sentinels Edition is available now starting at £249.99 / $219.99 / €269.99 in a US layout.
KitGuru says: Razer has always had strong ties to the esports world. Are there any other teams you would like to see get exclusive colourways for Razer peripherals?
Gaming peripheral brand Attack Shark has announced the R86 HE Carbon Fiber Magnetic Switch gaming keyboard, scheduled for release on September 7th.
Built around a 75% layout with 82 keys, the R86 HE keyboard combines a carbon fibre composite top case, an 8000Hz polling rate, and custom Huano Glass Jade magnetic switches. Performance handling relies on a custom esports chipset that delivers 256K scanning and an 8000Hz polling rate, enabling response times down to 0.08ms.
Attack Shark claims a 0.005mm Rapid Trigger precision for key actuation and resets. The board also offers full-key RGB lighting and dual-side dynamic light strips. Adjustments for key remapping, switch profiles, and lighting effects are managed via web-based or desktop software.
Structurally, the chassis features a carbon fibre composite top case, anodised CNC aluminium alloy side accents, and matching carbon fibre keycaps. Internal damping uses a five-layer stack comprising PE foam, IXPE switch pads, PET acoustic film, switch socket foam, and bottom silicone padding to minimise case resonance. A fibreglass positioning plate houses the Huano Glass Jade switches, which support independent curve tuning alongside compatibility with other magnetic switch types.
KitGuru says: How much thought do you put into minimising latency when picking new gaming peripherals?
Yunzii has introduced the AL21, a wireless mechanical numpad aimed at users who want a compact add‑on for TKL or 65% keyboards.
The AL21 uses a CNC‑machined aluminium case with a gasket‑mounted layout and internal dampening foam. It supports hot‑swap 3‑pin and 5‑pin switches, comes with PBT keycaps, includes a small multifunction knob and offers RGB lighting with full N‑key rollover.
Connectivity is tri‑mode, with Bluetooth, 2.4GHz and USB‑C wired options. Yunzii claims up to 90 hours of use with RGB disabled, or around 10 hours with lighting enabled, powered by a 1500mAh battery. Key remapping, macros and lighting effects are handled through a browser‑based configuration tool rather than a traditional software install.
The AL21 is available now in black, white or pink for $49.99, and ships with Yunzii’s Cocoa Cream V2 linear switches.
Do you prefer having a separate numpad, or do you stick with a full‑size keyboard?
Turtle Beach has announced the Vulcan II XP Full-Size Mechanical RGB Gaming Keyboard, updating its low-profile lineup with hot-swappable switches and SOCD input technology.
Turtle Beach's new Vulcan II XP supports both 3-pin and 5-pin hot-swappable switches. By default, the keyboard comes equipped with Titan HS mechanical switches, and you can select factory pre-lubricated linear switches for smooth keystrokes or tactile switches for light tactile feedback, both rated for 50 million keystrokes. Internal sound-damping foam and pre-lubed stabilisers work alongside the switches to reduce typing noise and board vibration.
Other gaming-oriented features include full N-Key Rollover, anti-ghosting, and ReacTap SOCD, which prioritises the most recent directional input for counter-strafing – just don't use it in Counter-Strike 2, because Valve has banned it. Easy-Shift[+] allows secondary key assignments and macros, while Game Mode locks the Windows key to avoid accidental presses while gaming. A dedicated multi-function media wheel provides volume adjustment, push-to-mute, and navigation. Once you set everything up, you can save up to five setting profiles to the board itself, so you can carry your preferences across different PCs. All software adjustments are handled through Turtle Beach's Swarm II software.
The keyboard is built to last thanks to its brushed aluminium frame, and you get per-key RGB lighting too with native Windows Dynamic Lightning support, so your LEDs can change based on the content running. For connectivity, you get a detachable USB-C cable. In the box, you'll also find a detachable wrist rest.
Pre-orders have already opened up, ahead of full retail availability on October 25th. The Turtle Beach Vulan II XP will cost £119.99/$149.99/€129.99 at launch.
KitGuru says: Do you prefer a low-profile keyboard design, or are you happy with standard sizes?
Razer has announced the Razer Xbox 25 Anniversary Collection, a limited-edition peripheral lineup created in collaboration with Xbox to mark the brand's 25th anniversary. The range includes translucent green versions of three core products: the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K mouse, the BlackWidow V4 75% mechanical keyboard, and the Hammerhead V3 X HyperSpeed earbuds.
Each peripheral in this collection features an Xbox-inspired translucent green aesthetic alongside anniversary branding. The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K mouse includes Razer's Focus Pro 35K Optical Sensor Gen-2, a HyperScroll Tilt Wheel, 13 customisable controls, and HyperSpeed wireless support. Moving to the keyboard, the compact BlackWidow V4 75% offers hot-swappable Gen-3 Orange Tactile Switches, a dedicated Xbox key to open the Xbox Game Bar, dual-sided underglow, and a magnetic leatherette wrist rest.
Rounding out the collection, the Hammerhead V3 X HyperSpeed earbuds feature 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity with SmartSwitch technology. Razer rates the earbuds for up to 35 hours of total battery life, alongside IPX4 water resistance and surround sound support across Xbox and PC platforms.
All of these peripehrals are now available to order. The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K mouse is available for $179.99, the BlackWidow V4 75% keyboard for $209.99, and the Hammerhead V3 X HyperSpeed earbuds for $99.99.
KitGuru says: Translucent hardware is having a real comeback moment, and Razer's anniversary lineup brings a solid retro Xbox aesthetic to a group of proven gaming peripherals.
If you fancy a cheeky little PC upgrade that doesn't involve raiding your savings for memory or storage, then how about sprucing up your peripherals? Your mouse and keyboard get the most use and abuse on the daily, and although a good clean and maintenance can extend their life by years, sometimes they just get a little too grotty and need to be swapped out. Keyboards, however, can command a good chunk of cash these days too, so finding a great deal like today's really helps you land a winning upgrade. At Amazon, you can clip a coupon and add the code Q2BJETPO at checkout to pick up the Hexgears low-profile Immersion A3 TKL gaming keyboard for just $42.20. That's a saving of $30.59 on the current list price, and a superb value considering this keeb launched at $159 in 2024.
The Hexgears Immersion A3 features plenty of bright, gamer-ready RGB lighting with onboard profiles and more available via the Hexgears software. The keyboard also features a small TFT screen that gives you current keyboard info, such as a Caps Lock indicator and battery life updates. You can also upload customizable GIFs to personalize your peripheral further.
The Immersion A3 TKL is very thin, and it doesn’t take up much desk space, thanks to its compact TKL layout. There's a choice of switch types, with all versions available for the same price. Choose between Kailh White Rain (silent, linear), Kailh Black Cloud (tactile), or Kailh Hide Mountain (clicky). All of these switches are low-profile and come pre-lubed, with a total travel distance of 2.8mm. The Immersion A3's PCB is hot-swappable, with other 3-pin switches, so you can change up your low-profile switches in the future if you have a preference or fancy something different.
Immersion A3 TKL: was $72.79 now $42.20 Hexgears Immersion A3 combines the small footprint of a TKL keyboard with low-profile keycaps and switches, and multi-connectivity with 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, plus a wired connection. There's even a small TFT screen to monitor battery life or host a personalized GIF.
Clip the coupon, then add code Q2BJETPO at checkout to receive the combined $30.59 discount. View Deal
A wireless, low-profile keyboard for just $42.20 is an absolute bargain, especially with so many features. Its versatile connectivity allows the Immersion A3 to connect to multiple devices easily via 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth (up to three connections), or wired via a 5.9-foot (1.8m) USB-A to USB-C cable.
The Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless is an ambitious attempt to pack almost every premium keyboard feature under the sun into one sleek, low-profile chassis. Retailing at a hefty £239 MSRP, it features smooth low profile optical switches, a bright integrated screen, per-key RGB, and an 8,000Hz polling rate. But by opting for optical switches over Hall Effect in the name of battery life, has Corsair actually delivered a coherent wireless experience, or is this keyboard crippled by frustrating compromises?
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:01 Streamdeck functionality
02:34 Corsair web hub
03:22 OPX low-profile switches + keycaps
04:31 Screen, rotary dial and RGB
05:46 Pricing discussion
06:42 A cascade of bad decisions…
09:04 Slow wireless reconnection
10:04 Actual keyboard experience
11:05 Rattly stabilisers…
11:46 Closing thoughts
Software: iCUE, CORSAIR Web Hub, and Elgato Stream Deck app.
Battery Life: Up to 57 hours without RGB and at 1000Hz
Closing Thoughts
The Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless is a product in conflict with itself. On paper, it looks like a productivity and gaming powerhouse. Its integration into the Corsair and Elgato ecosystems is fantastic, allowing you to configure custom macro keycaps with remarkable ease. The OPX low-profile optical switches are smooth and snappy, offering a quick 1.5mm actuation that feels right at home if you prefer laptop-style keyboards. I also love Corsair's push toward the Web Hub, which gives you near feature parity without forcing you to keep the bulky iCUE desktop app running at all times.
However, the hardware compromises are baffling. I think Corsair skipped Hall Effect switches to save battery life, but then added a bright screen, per-key RGB, and an 8KHz polling rate. The result? The battery dies in roughly 10 hours of typical use if you use all of those features, and then takes a painfully slow three and a half hours to recharge. Because it dies so fast, you will likely leave it plugged in permanently, making the omission of true Rapid Trigger Hall Effect switches a massive missed opportunity for gamers. The software-based Snap Tap feature simply isn't a replacement for Rapid Trigger, and utilizing it can even get you kicked from competitive games like CS2.
Throw in intensely rattly stabilizers that constantly tick as you type, a slow 3 to 5 second wake-from-sleep delay, and a strange wireless interference with other wireless mice, and this keyboard becomes very hard to recommend. Even at its occasional discounted promotional price of £189, there are simply too many better, more focused alternatives on the market.
You can buy the Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless for £239 HERE.
Pros:
Excellent Stream Deck integration with distinct, dedicated macro keycaps.
The screen and per-key RGB are bright and easily visible in daylight.
OPX optical switches are smooth and responsive right out of the box.
The Web Hub software is a great, lightweight alternative to iCUE.
Cons:
Terrible battery life and very slow charging (maxes out at just 7.1W).
Lacks Hall Effect switches (and genuine Rapid Trigger) at a premium gaming price point.
Stabilizers are intensely rattly, ruining the acoustic and typing experience.
Wireless dongle caused bizarre interference and lag with other high-end gaming mice.
Frustratingly slow to wake from sleep, often missing the first few keystrokes.
KitGuru says: The Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless attempts to do it all, but terrible battery life, rattly stabilizers, and the lack of Hall Effect switches make it a confusing and overpriced package.
Razer has introduced the Huntsman V3 Pro Low‑profile Tenkeyless 8KHz, a slimmer TKL variant of its analogue optical esports keyboard. The board uses new low‑profile switches and supports adjustable actuation alongside an 8,000Hz polling rate.
The keyboard uses Razer’s Low‑profile Analog Optical Switches, offering adjustable actuation from 0.1mm to 2.8mm, with Rapid Trigger Mode for faster key resets. Total travel sits at 2.8mm, and the front height measures 19.5mm to reduce wrist angle. Razer claims the board can achieve an average latency of 0.39ms at 0.1mm actuation when paired with its 8,000Hz polling mode.
Advanced input features from the full‑height Huntsman V3 Pro also carry over. Razer Snap Flex enables separate press and release bindings, while Dynamic Keystroke allows up to four actions on a single key based on actuation depth. The switches are pre‑lubricated and sit on internal dampening to soften impact noise. Profiles save directly to onboard memory, with further configuration available through Razer Synapse Web.
There are loads of budget mechanical keyboard options, but few companies do affordable clackers better than Keychron. And the company's 87-key mainstay, the Keychron K8, is on sale at Woot for the lowest-ever price of just $34.99 when you add the code KEYCRON. In fact, if you're a new Woot customer, the price drops $5 more to just $29!
For this surprisingly low sale price, you get a compact TKL layout, Gateron Red linear switches, and a white backlight – sorry, RGB fans. Note this is the Mac-specific model, but it of course supports both Windows and macOS, and Keychron includes extra keycaps for both operating systems. This model is also wireless, but solely via Bluetooth, so serious gamers will want to connect via the USB-C port for faster response times.
This 87-key keyboard is nicely compact, sports Gateron Red linear switches, keycaps for both Mac and Windows, and a white backlight. It is wireless, but is Bluetooth-only, without an RF USB dongle. So you may want to plug the keyboard in while gaming.View Deal
This model sports a plastic chassis, rather than the metal of some pricier models. But it doesn't look or feel cheap. I used a similar (slightly more compact) Keychron K2 for years as my main keyboard for work and gaming, and it served me well until I upgraded to the prettier, more premium K8 HE last year. I've used three or four Keychron keyboards extensively over the past several years and have had no serious hardware issues with any of them. My original K2 even survived a soup spill (once I cleaned it and let it thoroughly dry before turning it on again) years ago.
When a keyboard like the Keychron K8 is on sale for just $34, there's no reason to opt for no-name budget options. You could certainly spend more and get something with magnetic switches, RGB, a volume knob, and a metal chassis. But if you spend less, you'll almost certainly wind up with something significantly worse than the Keychron K8.
Desk space is an important commodity, and for some, it's an ongoing battle to keep as much free space as possible. Apart from regularly removing clutter, one thing that has popped up over the years is the minimization of keyboard sizes. Gamers have gotten used to sporting tiny 60% keyboards in an effort to free up more space for unhindered mouse movement, but what if you still want a useful keyboard for your day job that has a number pad and some function keys? Well, that's where this keyboard sits: the Corsair Vanguard 96 RGB has a discounted sale price of just $119.99 at Best Buy, a hefty $60 knocked off the $179.99 list price.
The Corsair Vanguard 96 RGB mechanical gaming keyboard is a 96% keyboard that compacts the layout so it can fit a number pad, arrow keys, function keys, six G-keys (macro/elgato), an LCD screen, and even a rotary dial, all while keeping the overall dimensions of the keyboard around the standard size of a TKL (TenKeyLess) keyboard.
To achieve this compact form factor, some of the traditional key dimensions have changed, such as the zero key on the number pad and the removal of the right CTRL button. So a little muscle memory reprogramming may be needed to fully acclimatize to this keyboard.
Other features of the Corsair Vanguard 96 RGB include an 8000 Hz polling rate for super low-latency gameplay, pre-lubed Corsair MLX switches, a hot-swappable PCB (supports 3 & 5-pin switches), RGB lighting, four-layer sound-dampening foam and silicone, and Elgato Virtual Stream Deck integration.
Vanguard 96 RGB 96% Mechanical Gaming Keyboard: was $179.99 now $119.99 A compact and colorful gaming keyboard that squeezes in a full number pad, F-Keys, and G-Keys with Elgato Stream Deck integration. Place pictures or animated GIFs on the full-color LCD screen and easily control your volume with the rotary dial. Pre-lubed Corsair MLX switches offer a smooth gaming and typing experience with sound dampening to keep the key-clackiness to a minimum. View Deal
We haven't reviewed this particular model of the Corsair Vanguard, but we did cover the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96, which has the same layout and functionality as the Corsair Vanguard 96 RGB in today's deal, but uses Corsair's MGX magnetic switches instead of Corsair's MLX mechanical switches. So if you want a better idea of the keyboard in this deal, check out that review.
Keychron has launched the massive C100 8K macro pad, featuring a 10-by-10 key layout and an 8K polling rate, offering ultra-fast response times and 100 total macro keys.
The C100 8K macro pad houses 100 keys in a grid layout, offering customisation across all inputs except for the four corner keys. Keychron equips the device with pre-lubed Keychron Apex Red linear switches paired with transparent ASA keycaps for per-key RGB visibility. Designed with a hot-swappable PCB, the unit allows users to swap out stock switches for alternative options.
Featuring over 22 RGB backlight settings, the C100 8K can be configured to the user's liking, offering a mix of RGB modes, including two custom lighting zones or per-key RGB, which allows you to set the colour and effect of each key. Customisation is handled via the web-based Keychron QMK launcher, eliminating the requirement for dedicated desktop software.
This isn't wireless, so you will need to run another cable along your desk. The macro pad supports Windows, macOS, and Linux systems, priced at $64.99.
KitGuru says: 100 total keys makes this the largest macro pad we've personally seen to date. I'm not even sure how you would make use of all of those keys, but there's bound to be some enthusiasts out there with a few ideas.
Electronic Materials Office (EMO) has announced the Altar II, an ultra-slim mechanical keyboard measuring 4.75mm thick with 1.8mm of key travel.
Built around a macOS-compatible 75% layout, the Altar II keyboard (via ITHome) features a unibody CNC-machined aluminium alloy chassis. On the right side, EMO has integrated a speaker alongside an M-Dial magnetic replaceable knob in the top-right corner. Typing's handled by proprietary ESPtype keycaps featuring varied heights across different zones, crafted using REGEN polymer made from at least 50% recycled plastic.
Inside, two layers of damping padding work alongside a Harmonic Synthesizer system that relies on resonant actuators to provide tactile feedback. Illumination comes from red LED backlighting that dynamically adjusts brightness based on ambient light. Battery life stretches up to 30 days of wireless use, while a two-minute quick charge supplies up to two days of power.
Reservation spots are currently open for $1 ahead of a Kickstarter campaign launching on November 10th. Early backers can secure pre-order pricing at $249, early-bird spots at $279, and standard crowdfunding tiers at $299 before retail pricing hits $349. EMO expects shipping to begin in early summer 2027.
KitGuru says: At just 4.75mm thick, the Altar II looks like an ambitious piece of hardware, though those interested will have to wait quite a bit, as it won't release until next year.
Epomaker has officially announced the RT75, a retro-inspired 75% mechanical keyboard featuring a hot-swappable 1.54-inch TFT screen, tri-mode wireless connectivity, and gasket-mount construction.
Priced at $91.79 with Epomaker's Creamy Jade linear switches or $93.49 with Crystal Tactile Silent switches, the RT75 keyboard (via TechPowerUP) lands in Retro White, though other colour options may follow. Its layout includes a 1.54-inch TFT display for showing custom GIFs, a clock, or system stats. Users can hot-swap the display for four extra switches, effectively shifting the layout closer to TKL dimensions.
Underneath, MX-style sockets feature south-facing per-key RGB backlighting controlled via Epomaker Driver 3.0, available as a browser utility or dedicated software on Windows and macOS. Internal construction combines a polycarbonate plate, a Poron gasket mount, and six layers of sound damping. Cherry profile dye-sublimated PBT keycaps sit on top, while the ABS case houses built-in storage for the 2.4GHz receiver.
Unfortunately, there are no adjustable feet on the keyboard, so you get a fixed 5.8° typing angle. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB-C wired modes, with a 1000Hz polling rate over wired or 2.4GHz connections. Power is supplied by a 5000mAh battery for wireless use.
KitGuru says: Are you a fan of the current wave of retro-inspired peripherals and PC cases? Or do you prefer a more modern look?
Keychron, which is known for making some of the best mechanical keyboards, just announced the C100 8K macro pad, which is available on Amazon and the Keychron website for $64.99. This massive device features a 10-by-10 customizable keyboard, allowing you to set its functionality as needed (except for the four corner keys). It also uses exclusive pre-lubed Keychron Apex tactile switches, paired with transparent ASA keycaps, making it easier to see its per-key RGB lighting.
The C100 8K is not just any macro pad, though. It features hot-swappable switches, so you can easily replace the Keychron Apex switches with ones that you prefer. It also has an 8K polling rate, making it the perfect macro pad for high-stakes competitive matches. This makes it the perfect addition for those who need a macro pad for both gaming and productivity. The online Keychron QMK launcher also makes it easy to customize the keyboard without requiring you to install software directly on your PC.
This macro pad is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, meaning it will work with most major desktop operating systems. It’s the perfect addition for those who want to be more efficient and find that their MMORPG mouse still doesn’t offer enough buttons for their needs. Because Keychron is known for making some of the best wireless and budget mechanical keyboards, we have high expectations for the functionality and feel of the C100 8K. The only drawback that we can see is that it doesn’t come with a wireless option, so it might be annoying or even a no-go to those who want a wire-free desk.
100 keys might be overkill for most people, but these are actually crucial for those with specialized workloads. Aside from productivity enthusiasts and gamers who want to keep all complicated macros and commands at their fingertips, these are also useful for video editors who work on projects that have hundreds of layers, photo editors working on thousands of images, programmers who frequently input the same commands over and over again, and more. This is also great for sim enthusiasts who want to recreate all the buttons found in race cars, aircraft, trucks, and more, without spending more money on specialized panels. And if they have access to a 3D printer, they can even build their own specialized keycaps for the C100 8K macro pad, turning it from a generic macro pad into something that shows the actual buttons they use for their sims.
We've seen a keyboard with a built-in macro pad, and a keyboard with a touchscreen and a separate, add-on numberpad, but what if you want a keyboard with a numberpad and a built-in macropad without having to spend an extra $100?
I guess that's why there's the Turtle Beach KB5 — a full-size, wired mechanical keyboard with low-profile switches, an 8,000 Hz polling rate, and a built-in 2.4-inch touchscreen that functions as a mini macro pad (with six buttons). It's got the built-in numberpad, unlike the Corsair Galleon 100 SD and the Turtle Beach KB7, as well as the touchscreen / macro pad, though its version is about half the size. Still, maybe that's all you really need. The KB5 is also significantly cheaper than both of those keyboards, which retail for $300 and $200, respectively.
The Turtle Beach KB5 is available now, in black, for $149.99.
Design and Construction of the KB5
The KB5 is a full-size low-profile wired mechanical gaming keyboard with extra macro keys, a volume roller, and a full-color 2.4-inch touchscreen in the upper-right corner (above the 10-key numberpad). It has a roomy layout and is slightly larger than the average full-size keyboard, measuring approximately 18.78 inches (477 mm) wide by 6.89 inches (175 mm) deep. It's 1.06 inches (27mm) thick at its thickest point, including the keycaps.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
The KB5 has a silver brushed-aluminum top plate with a coppery accent in the upper-left corner. It has a sturdy metal roller bar on the top toward the left side — though it's not really close enough to the left side to be in the corner, and I found it a bit awkward to have to reach over my function row to use the roller. I would have preferred it in a corner or even on the side, like the volume roller on the NZXT Function 2. It's a nicely-built roller, however — thick, metal, clickable, and with etched diagonal lines for grip.
The keyboard also has a row of five macro keys on the left side, as well as a 2.5-inch color touchscreen in the upper-right corner, above the 10-key numberpad. The touchscreen bumps up past the rest of the keyboard — the touchscreen side is just under 7 inches deep, while the other side is about 6.25 inches deep — so it doesn't cut into your keys. The KB5 has a full function row, a full 3x2 navigation cluster, arrow keys, and a full 10-key numberpad, along with the standard alphanumeric keys.
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The KB5 features Turtle Beach's (formerly Roccat's) signature aesthetic — an open board with flat, shallow keycaps that leave the switch exposed, which makes for both easy cleaning and brighter, more visible RGB lighting. The keycaps are low-profile double-shot PBT, with shine-through legends; the board comes with four textured keycaps that you can use to replace the W/A/S/D keys (or, I guess, any four keys) for better recognition.
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The bottom of the board is plastic, with six rubber anti-slip pads and two sets of plastic flip-out feet for angling the keyboard toward you. It's a fairly lightweight keyboard, weighing just under 2 pounds (1.96lbs / 887g), not including the wrist rest (which weighs an additional 7.5 ounces / 213g). This is about the same as the Logitech G515 Lightspeed, though the G515 is a TKL while the KB5 is full-size (plus a touchscreen and macro keys).
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
In the box, the KB5 comes with a plastic wrist rest, a 5.9-foot (1.8m) USB-C to USB-A cable, four textured keycaps for replacing the W / A / S / D keys, and a keycap puller.
Specs
Size
Full-size
Number of keys
109
Switches
Titan Low-Profile (linear)
Backlighting
Yes
Onboard Storage
Yes
Dedicated Media Keys
Yes (volume roller, touchscreen)
Game Mode
Yes
Additional Ports
0
Connectivity
Wired (USB-C)
Cable
5.9ft / 1.8m USB-C to USB-A
Keycaps
ABS
Construction
Plastic chassis Aluminum top plate
Software
Swarm II
Dimensions (LxWxH)
18.78 x 6.89 x 1.06 inches / 477 x 175 x 27 mm
Weight
1.94lbs / 880g
MSRP
$149.99
Release Date
May 2026
Typing and Gaming Experience on the KB5
The KB5 comes with Turtle Beach's Titan low-profile linear switches, which are rated for up to 50 million keypresses and have an actuation point of 1.2mm and a force of 42gf. These are traditional low-profile mechanical switches — not magnetic Hall Effect switches like you'll find on the KB7 (and KP7). They're linear, which means a smooth keypress with no audible or tactile bump, and they're pre-lubed so they're pretty smooth.
While I'm not a huge fan of linear switches, the KB5's are quick and stable, and you get a decent little 'thunk' when you bottom out on the keyboard's aluminum top plate. The typing experience is very similar to that of the KB7, which is to say that it's very pleasant for a mainstream gaming keyboard with low-profile linear switches.
The keyboard has flat, shallow keycaps made of double-shot PBT. They have a slightly matte texture and should resist shine better than ABS keycaps, but I'm not fully convinced that'll be the case (maybe they just feel cheaper because they're thinner, overall, than regular keycaps, though). The keycaps are wide, with slightly curved tops, and the keyboard is roomy — I didn't have any problem getting used to the layout for the most part, though the extra row of macro keys on the left did throw me off a few times (this happens whenever there's an extra row of macro keys).
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The touchscreen is located above the numberpad, and is fairly responsive. It responds to both taps and swipes (you can swipe through "pages" of controls / buttons), and I found the 2 x 3 layout a little more intuitive to navigate than the KB7's much larger layout — though still not as intuitive as it would be with tactile buttons, like the Corsair Galleon 100 SD has. In addition to the six customizable "buttons" on the touchscreen, there's also some other info displayed at the top — your current profile (you can switch between profiles by tapping this) and some keyboard info (e.g. numlock, caps lock, scroll lock).
The KB5 is also a solid keyboard for gaming, thanks to its quick, responsive linear switches and 8K polling rate. While it doesn't have magnetic switches like its pricier sibling, it does implement Turtle Beach's ReacTap, which is a software solution similar to simultaneous opposing cardinal directions (SOCD).
Features and Software of the KB5
Like all Turtle Beach products, the KB5 ships with firmware from 2001 (or at least it feels like it) and requires at least 16 mandatory updates before it can be used with the brand's Swarm II software. I'm exaggerating, of course — but not much.
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Once I managed to get the KB5 up to date on firmware (and Swarm II up to date on software), I was able to customize the touchscreen, keyboard, and lighting. Swarm II is kind of mandatory for this keyboard, as you can't really customize the touchscreen without it — and the touchscreen is a large part of the selling point here. There's not a ton you can do with the touchscreen that you can't do with regular keys, at the moment. There are options for keyboard / Windows / multimedia functions, opening apps and websites, and assigning macros. And there are a couple of "dynamic" options such as a timer setting and performance monitoring, but it's not a robust ecosystem like that of Elgato or Loupedeck. Still, it's probably enough to get you started, and the Swarm II app includes a handful of templates in case you're out of ideas.
Keymapping is pretty straightforward, and you can map keys to do most of what you can map the touchscreen to do (save for visual things, such as performance monitoring, obviously). You can record and save macros in the app and configure ReacTap. You can also customize the lighting from a handful of presets (or per-key, if you so desire). The keyboard can save up to five onboard profiles, which you can switch between by tapping the profile number in the upper-left corner of the touchscreen.
The Bottom Line
The KB5 is actually a pretty nice compromise, and I like it better than the pricier (and fancier) Turtle Beach KB7. I love having a built-in numberpad that doesn't cost an extra $100 to snap onto the side of the board, and the smaller touchscreen is actually more manageable to use quickly and without (really) looking. The KB5 may not have magnetic Hall Effect switches, but its low-profile linear switches feel and sound pretty good for a mainstream gaming keyboard. And at $150, it's basically half the price of the combined KB7 keyboard and KP7 numberpad.
Of course, if you're really dedicated to making your keyboard a streaming deck substitute, the Corsair Galleon 100 SD is the only real option. Not only does it have physical buttons, it also has knobs — and it's supported by Elgato's Stream Deck software, which is still the real differentiating factor for macropad and touchscreen devices these days.
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