The GLORIOUS GMMK PRO is a barebones keyboard that doesn't come with keycaps or switches. It's highly customizable since you can change the cable, get a different rotary knob color, and even replace the included aluminum PCB switch plate for a brass or polycarbonate one. While we got GLORIOUS Panda switches with GLORIOUS PBT keycaps, you can purchase and install any switches or keycaps that you'd like. It's a 75% compact board with spaced dedicated navigation keys, including arrow keys. It has RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys, and you can customize the lighting and set macros to any key within the Glorious Core software. Unfortunately, while it has a fairly high profile, it doesn't come with a wrist rest, so you may need to buy one separately. At the time of writing, the board can only be reserved and purchased from the GLORIOUS website.
Note: We purchased the GLORIOUS Panda switches and GLORIOUS PBT Rain Forest keycaps from the official website, but your experience will vary if you purchase and install different switches and keycaps.
Our Verdict
The GLORIOUS GMMK PRO is great for gaming and feels incredibly well-built, thanks to its all-aluminum chassis and base plate. It has RGB backlighting, macro-programmable keys, and a programmable rotary knob. The GLORIOUS Panda switches on the unit we bought and tested have a satisfying tactile bump, but the overall feeling is still somewhat light and responsive. But thanks to its hot-swappable PCB, you can also use switches of your choosing.
- Feels incredibly well-built.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- Programmable rotary knob.
- Extremely customizable.
- No wrist rest or incline settings.
The GLORIOUS GMMK PRO is good for office use. Thanks to its all-aluminum chassis and base plate, it feels incredibly well-built. It's sold barebones, so it doesn't come with switches or keycaps; however, it's hot-swappable, so you can easily put in whichever switches you prefer based on your needs. The GLORIOUS Panda switches we purchased require some force to actuate a key, but the overall feeling remains somewhat light. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a wrist rest despite its fairly high profile, and it doesn't have any incline settings.
- Feels incredibly well-built.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- Programmable rotary knob.
- Extremely customizable.
- No wrist rest or incline settings.
- Wired-only board.
The GLORIOUS GMMK PRO is a wired keyboard that isn't meant for mobile or tablet use.
The GLORIOUS GMMK PRO is great for programming. Its all-aluminum body feels incredibly well-built, and it also has programmable RGB backlighting, remappable and macro-programmable keys. Unfortunately, since it's a wired board, you can't connect it to more than one device at a time, but it's compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS, although a few functions don't work on macOS. Also, despite its fairly high profile, it doesn't come with a wrist rest, and it doesn't have any incline settings.
- Feels incredibly well-built.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- Programmable rotary knob.
- Extremely customizable.
- No wrist rest or incline settings.
- Wired-only board.
The GLORIOUS GMMK PRO isn't for use with a home theater PC since it's a wired keyboard. It doesn't have a trackpad, so you have to have a mouse on the side to navigate. However, it does have superb backlighting, media keys, and a programmable rotary knob.
- Feels incredibly well-built.
- Programmable rotary knob.
- No trackpad.
- Wired-only board.
The GLORIOUS GMMK PRO provides very good raw performance with very good single- and multi-key latency. It also has an effective polling rate of 1000Hz that's used effectively without being bottlenecked by other latency components.
- Feels incredibly well-built.
- Programmable rotary knob.
Changelog
- Updated May 03, 2024: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed Corsair K65 PLUS WIRELESS to the Wireless Versatility section of this review.
- Updated Mar 13, 2024: We've added a link to the newly reviewed Keychron Q5 Max in the Build Quality section of this review.
- Updated Nov 29, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3.1, which adds a new estimated PCB latency test to the Single-Key Latency section and a new Analog test to the Switches section of this review. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Nov 15, 2023: We've found that latency results are impacted by the placement of the testing solenoid, so we retested this keyboard for consistency with other reviews. This review has been updated, and you can find more information regarding this retest here.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The GLORIOUS GMMK PRO is available in Black Slate and White Ice. We tested the Black Slate variant with GLORIOUS Panda mechanical switches and GPBT Rain Forest keycaps. Note that this board comes barebones, and you need to buy the switches and keycaps separately, so your results may vary since you can install any switches and keycaps you want.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
Unlike most keyboards we've tested, the GLORIOUS GMMK PRO is a barebones, hot-swappable board that doesn't come with switches or keycaps. It's designed for people who want to build a custom board, whether you're an enthusiast or a beginner. That said, it offers more customizations than pre-built keyboards we've tested, from the keycaps and switches to the material of the switch plate.
For other options, see our recommendations for the best keyboards, the best gaming keyboards, and the best mechanical keyboards.
The GLORIOUS GMMK PRO and the GLORIOUS GMMK 2 are two similar hot-swappable keyboards, but they have a few differences. The GMMK PRO comes in a 75% form factor and has a programmable knob in the top right corner whereas the GMMK 2 comes in a 96% full-size or a 65% compact size. The GMMK 2 has slightly improved latency over the GMMK PRO.
The GLORIOUS GMMK PRO is an older model in the same product lineup as the GLORIOUS GMMK PRO 3 HE. The major difference with the newer GMMK PRO 3 HE is that it supports wireless connectivity and uses Hall-effect switches. While both keyboards have hot-swappable PCBs, the GMMK PRO 3 HE is compatible with both mechanical and hall effect switches, while the GMMK PRO is only compatible with mechanical switches. Unfortunately, the software for the newer GMMK PRO 3 HE is also significantly worse, with many features that don't work correctly.
The GLORIOUS GMMK and the GLORIOUS GMMK PRO are both wired gaming keyboards, but the GMMK is a full-size prebuilt board, while the GMMK PRO is a 75% barebones board. The GMMK comes with Gateron Brown switches, but you can always switch them out if you want a different feel. On the other hand, the GMMK PRO doesn't come with any switches or keycaps, so you can buy and install whichever ones you want. Also, it has a programmable rotary knob. Both are compatible with easy-to-use customization software to remap keys, set macros, and adjust the backlighting.
The GLORIOUS GMMK PRO and the System76 Launch are two wired-only, hot-swappable mechanical keyboards that come in a compact size. However, the GLORIOUS is for gaming use, so it has significantly better latency, the ability to program macros, and a rotary encoder knob in the top right corner. On the other hand, the System76 is better suited for productivity uses, so it has better ergonomics as it comes with one incline setting, and it has extra USB ports, meaning it can act like a USB hub. Also, you can completely reconfigure the key layout to best suit your preferences.
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