The HyperX Alloy Elite RGB Mechanical Keyboard Review: A New High-End Challenger
by E. Fylladitakis on January 24, 2019 8:00 AM EST
Nearly all growing companies attempt to diversify and expand into other segments of the market, yet very few do so as boldly as Kingston did. They are one of the oldest companies in the PC business but were almost exclusively focused on memory-related products. Even after they founded HyperX, their “advanced” or “gaming” side-brand, the company remained almost exclusively focused on RAM and flash memory products.
However a few years ago, HyperX took a leap of faith and decided to diversify their products range to include gaming peripherals. They initially released a single mechanical keyboard, the Alloy FPS, a keyboard that was designed to be durable and practical, but with a minimalistic design. Their release came at a time when keyboard designs were gradually getting more complex and extravagant, with users appreciating HyperX’s fresh approach and making the Alloy FPS a huge success.
After the initial success HyperX had entering the peripherals market, they released several input and audio related products, as well as new mechanical keyboards, establishing a foothold on the peripherals market. To that end, for today's review we are taking a look at the latest and most advanced mechanical keyboard that the company currently offers, the HyperX Alloy Elite RGB.
At first sight, the new keyboard looks just like the Alloy Elite that the company released about a year ago, and accordingly many would wrongly surmise that HyperX merely added RGB lighting to it. However, the latest version of the Alloy Elite mechanical keyboard goes well beyond its predecessor, adding advanced programmability options, improved software, and RGB lighting, making it a much stronger contender for the high-end mechanical keyboard market. And just as well, as with a price tag of $140, HyperX needs something that can go toe-to-toe with the best keyboards if they want to charge matching high-end prices.
Packaging and Bundle
We received the HyperX Alloy Elite RGB in a large, sturdy cardboard box. The artwork is relatively simple, focused on a picture of the keyboard itself, yet it stands out a lot due to the many colors involved. Two extra stickers at the top right and bottom left corners of the box indicate the installed switches and the keyboard’s layout respectively.
HyperX includes eight extra “gaming” silver-colored keycaps, as well as a keycap puller, into the keyboard’s bundle. Four of the keycaps (WASD) are also textured, while the other four (1234) are not. We also found basic installation and support documentation inside the box.
A removable full-size plastic wrist rest is also supplied alongside with the Alloy Elite RGB. A tread-plate pattern, similar to that of the textured extra keycaps, covers more than half of the wrist rest. The surface of the wrist rest is treated to feel soft and smooth to the touch.
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NoWayMan - Thursday, January 24, 2019 - link
I recently ordered a third Alloy Elite, as I've been very happy with the first one I started using about six months ago. I'm an infrequent gamer, was looking for something better for typing, and based on various articles wanted to give Cherry switches a try. However, an integrated wrist rest was also high on my list, and that alone narrowed the field a hugely! The HyperX Alloy Elite is also a lot tamer in the lighting, with simple red backlighting, as I didn't want RGB configurable LED's. Having this new RGB version push down prices on the original is a plus in my book, the latest regular Alloy Elite I picked up on Amazon was only $60.SkyDiver - Thursday, January 24, 2019 - link
I just got this keyboard a few months ago. It is my first mechanical keyboard since the 1990's. I was using Logitech Wave keyboards for a long time, but the the keys eventually lose their spring. I like the weight of this keyboard. When I would play games with other keyboard, I'd get a little rambunctious and the keyboard slide around and almost fall off my desk.I mainly use it for crunching in spreadsheets. It is nice to get back to a keyboard with real tactile feedback and heft. I forgot that it had the NGenuity software download until I saw this review.
qlum - Friday, January 25, 2019 - link
Owning this keyboard for about half a year I'd say its fine. However the software does have its limitations. Especialy the macro functions are rather useless as they directly replace key functionality and dont work with key combo's. There is also the matter of the caps lock light being hidden the way I use it.notR1CH - Sunday, January 27, 2019 - link
Ordered one after reading this review and I'm noticing the space bar makes an annoying ringing sound from the spring. Anyone else experiencing this or did I get a dud?fvbounty - Sunday, January 27, 2019 - link
I've had this keyboard with MX blues since April of last year, and its has good or better than my Corsair K90, Ducky Legend and My Ducky Shine 5....I use the software for just using static colors and its alright....get it you won't be sorry!sabaali - Monday, January 28, 2019 - link
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Regrads!
inmytaxi - Wednesday, January 30, 2019 - link
I have a HyperX Alloy Red and the keyboard has started freezing up. I tried to access the firmware which is supposed to be a fix but there is nowhere I can find on their site to download it. Supposedly the possibly new possibly not firmware fixes this, but I cannot even get a response from them. this is probably user error, I am just confused why their firmware is not something I can find for a product I purchased from them.mikegray - Thursday, January 31, 2019 - link
I've been using the non-RGB version of this keyboard with Cherry Blue switched for a over a year now. for the most part, it's a dream - but there is one extremely annoying aspect - and it looks like this one has the same problem: The CAPS LOCK key doesn't light up when it's on - and the little light that DOES go on is so well hidden behind the minus key on the number pad that you have to lean waaaay over the keyboard to actually see it. This is EXTREMELY ANNOYING FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO ACCIDENTALLY SHOUT ON THE INTERNET. (Oops.)gertas - Thursday, January 31, 2019 - link
How it can be high-end challanger if it fails in basics?! like backligt leaking all around keys! unacceptable.Xenx - Thursday, January 31, 2019 - link
That's actually a feature when it comes to RGB keyboards. The users want it to do that. That isn't to say all users, but enough.