Glorious GMMK 75% Keyboard Review: Is It Worth It?
â–¼ Summary
– The Glorious GMBK 75% is a budget membrane gaming keyboard priced at $60/£50, featuring a 75% layout, RGB lighting, and IP57 water resistance.
– Its key innovation is the use of MX-style stems, allowing users to swap its standard ABS keycaps for custom keycap sets, a rarity for membrane keyboards.
– The keyboard’s typing feel is criticized as heavy, labored, and fatiguing due to its rubber dome switches, which are also described as louder than modern silent mechanical switches.
– For gaming, the review notes the keypresses feel slower and less precise compared to mechanical or Hall-effect switches available at similar prices.
– The reviewer concludes that while the GMBK offers customizability, better value and performance can be found in similarly priced mechanical keyboards like the Keychron K2 V2 or the Gamakay x NaughShark NS68.
Finding a budget-friendly gaming keyboard that balances features and performance can be a real challenge. The Glorious GMMK 75% enters the arena as a membrane-based option that tries to stand out with a few clever tricks, but it ultimately faces stiff competition from affordable mechanical alternatives.
Upon first inspection, the keyboard presents a fairly standard package for its price. The plastic chassis is reasonably built, though it feels surprisingly light and exhibits a bit of flex. The included ABS keycaps are smooth to the touch but tend to feel slippery during use and will likely develop a shiny wear pattern over time. A notable positive is its IP57 water resistance, offering solid protection against accidental spills. The 75% layout is a pleasant and relatively rare choice for a membrane board, and the inclusion of a volume knob in the top corner is a welcome feature. Interestingly, Glorious states this knob is swappable with those on their premium GMMK 3 mechanical keyboard.
The most significant innovation here is customizability. Contrary to most membrane keyboards, the GMBK features MX-style cross stems on its keycap actuators. This means you can theoretically replace the stock keycaps with any aftermarket set designed for mechanical switches, a major point of differentiation from its rivals.
Where the keyboard stumbles is in its fundamental typing experience. The rubber dome keypress feels heavy and labored, lacking the tactile feedback or smooth actuation of mechanical switches. For anyone accustomed to mechanical or electro-capacitive boards, returning to this membrane feel can be fatiguing and reminiscent of older, bundled peripherals. While these are arguably better domes than some competitors, avoiding the mushy sensation of others, they remain rubber domes at their core.
Glorious markets these as quiet switches, but in practice, they are quite loud, producing a rhythmic, almost clicky drone that lacks satisfaction. For gaming, the heavier keypress translates to a feel that is less fast and precise compared to mechanical switches, not to mention the advanced Hall effect magnetic switches now available at similar price points.
Connectivity is handled by a wired, detachable USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable, though the cable itself feels cheap and has an unpleasant sticky texture. The keyboard is supported by Glorious Core software, which provides a decent interface for remapping keys, recording macros, and controlling the RGB lighting, which can also be adjusted directly on the keyboard.
So, is the GMMK 75% worth considering? It occupies a peculiar market position. Its £50/$60 price tag, RGB lighting, and unique swappable keycaps could appeal to budget-conscious users specifically seeking a customizable membrane board. However, at nearly every turn, similarly priced mechanical options present a more compelling case. Boards like the Keychron K2 V2 offer a comparable layout with swappable mechanical switches and wireless connectivity. For gaming prowess, alternatives like the Gamakay x NaughShark NS68 deliver more durable PBT keycaps and the high-performance features of rapid-trigger switches for faster, lighter inputs.
While the attempt to innovate within the membrane category is appreciated, the GMMK 75% struggles to justify itself when the market offers superior typing and gaming experiences for a comparable investment.
(Source: PC Gamer)
