Our Verdict
The HyperX Alloy Core RGB is a poor keyboard for gaming. The keys have a high pre-travel distance that can feel unresponsive, and the keyboard doesn't have any dedicated macro keys for MMO games. As there's no software support or onboard memory, gamers won't be able to save profiles. The RGB backlight is great for gaming in a dark room, however, customization is limited to presets only.
- Good compatibility.
- Dedicated media keys.
- No software support for customization.
- Rubber dome switches can be tiring.
The HyperX Alloy Core RGB is a wired-only keyboard and can't be used with mobile devices.
The HyperX Alloy Core RGB is decent for office use. The keys have a low actuation force that feels light and shouldn't cause any fatigue. Although the keyboard doesn't have a particularly high profile, you may still need a wrist rest for optimal comfort, and there isn't one included in the box. Fortunately, typing noise is kept to a minimum, so you won't have to worry about bothering your surrounding colleagues.
- Good compatibility.
- Dedicated media keys.
- No software support for customization.
- Rubber dome switches can be tiring.
The HyperX Alloy Core RGB is a sub-par keyboard for programming. The keys are easy to press, but they feel unresponsive and can be fatiguing when typing for a long time. The lack of programmable macro keys can be frustrating and its backlight has limited customizability.
- Good compatibility.
- Dedicated media keys.
- No software support for customization.
- Rubber dome switches can be tiring.
- Good compatibility.
- Dedicated media keys.
- No software support for customization.
- Rubber dome switches can be tiring.
Changelog
- Updated May 12, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update introduces new Backlight Features and Backlight Clarity test boxes. We've also added a new Switches test box, added additional test comparisons to our Hardware Customizability test box that we introduced with our last Test Bench. For an in-depth look at our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated Apr 26, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.1. This update adds several new tests addressing Hardware Customization, Macro Keys And Programming, and Wireless Mobile Compatibility. We've also added new objective evaluations to the Typing Noise test, and we've simplified several tests and removed several others that were no longer relevant. For an in-depth look at all our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated Apr 14, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Feb 10, 2020: Review published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
There are no other variants of this keyboard. The other keyboards in the HyperX Alloy lineup all have mechanical switches instead of rubber domes.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The HyperX Alloy Core RGB is a budget keyboard with rubber dome switches and shouldn't be compared to other mechanical gaming keyboards. Overall, it feels like a regular office keyboard with basic RGB backlighting and is very similar to the Razer Cynosa Chroma. For other options, check out our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards, the best keyboards for writers, and the best RGB keyboards.
The SteelSeries Apex 3 is much better than the HyperX Alloy Core RGB. The SteelSeries has a significantly better build quality, typing experience, and ergonomics. Also, it comes with a wrist rest, and the keyboard is much more customizable since every key can be reprogrammed and has software support, which the HyperX doesn't have.
Overall, the Logitech G213 Prodigy is much better than the HyperX Alloy Core RGB. The Logitech is more comfortable due to the built-in wrist rest, has macro-programmable keys, and software support for customization. However, the HyperX has a better build quality and brightness control for its backlighting.
The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is much better than the HyperX Alloy Core RGB. The Alloy FPS Pro has mechanical switches that feel much more responsive than the rubber dome switches found on the Alloy Core, and it has a significantly better build quality. The Alloy FPS Pro has individually lit backlighting instead of the zone lighting of the Alloy Core, but the Alloy Core has dedicated media keys.
The HyperX Alloy Origins is a significantly better keyboard than the HyperX Alloy Core RGB. The Alloy Origins has a much better build quality due to its full aluminium frame, and it has mechanical switches that provide a much better typing experience. Also, the Alloy Origins has software support for customization, however, the Alloy Core makes slightly less noise when typing, which is more suitable for noise-sensitive environments.
Test Results
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