- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Our Verdict
- Test Results
- Differences
- Compared to others
- Discussions
The HyperX Alloy Core RGB is a poor gaming keyboard. Its rubber dome switches feel unresponsive due to their high pre-travel distance, and the absence of programmable keys and software support is disappointing as well. However, its quiet typing noise makes it suitable for noise-sensitive work environments, and it has good compatibility with most desktop operating systems. On the whole, it doesn't feel much different from an average office keyboard and may be a good option for those on a tight budget.
Our Verdict
The HyperX Alloy Core RGB is a sub-par keyboard for most uses. It has a fairly quiet typing noise, but the keys' high pre-travel distance can feel unresponsive and it doesn't come with a wrist rest. The lack of programmable keys is disappointing for gamers and programmers, and even though it has full RGB backlighting, customization is limited.
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.
See our Gaming recommendationsThe 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.
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.
- 5.5 Mixed usage
- 4.7 Gaming
- 0.8 Mobile/Tablet
- 6.6 Office
- 5.7 Programming
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Good compatibility.
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Dedicated media keys.
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No software support for customization.
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Rubber dome switches can be tiring.
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Test Results
The HyperX Alloy Core RGB is a large, full-size keyboard with an added row of dedicated media keys at the top.
The build quality is okay. The keyboard has a full plastic frame that exhibits quite a bit of flex, and the keycaps are made of ABS plastic, which feel cheap. The rubber dome switches are mediocre, but slightly better than the ones found on the Razer Cynosa Chroma. HyperX advertises this keyboard as being spill-resistant, though this isn't something we test for.
The HyperX Alloy Core RGB's ergonomics are decent. It doesn't have a particularly high profile and the keys have a fairly standard spacing. It has one incline setting; however, it doesn't come with a wrist rest, though you can purchase one separately from HyperX.
This keyboard's backlighting is disappointing. There are five lighting zones and customization is done on the keyboard, since there's no software support at this time. There are 10 color presets and six lighting effects to choose from, one of which is a rainbow effect, as shown in the picture.
The keyboard has a braided cable and it's not detachable.
This is a wired-only keyboard.
There are dedicated media keys at the top right corner of the keyboard. At the top left corner, there are keys to control the backlight, as well as a 'Game Mode' key, which locks the Windows key to prevent accidentally minimizing your game.
This keyboard uses rubber dome switches. Although it doesn't take much force to actuate the keys, there's a fairly big hump to get over before a keystroke is registered, as the pre-travel distance is quite high.
Typing quality on the HyperX Alloy Core RGB is mediocre at best and doesn't feel any different from a typical office keyboard with rubber dome switches. It doesn't require much force to actuate the keys, but their high pre-travel distance make them feel unresponsive. The keys are stable and well-spaced, which is great for typing accuracy, though the ABS keycaps feel rather cheap to type on.
Typing noise on this keyboard is quiet and shouldn't be bothersome for surrounding colleagues. The keys are stable and they don't rattle at all.
The HyperX Alloy Core RGB doesn't have software for customization. Backlight customization is done on the keyboard itself.
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.
Compared to other keyboards
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.
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.
The Razer Cynosa Chroma and the HyperX Alloy Core RGB are similar keyboards in most uses, as they're both budget membrane keyboards with RGB backlighting. The only real difference is that the Cynosa has more customization options due to its software support, and the Alloy Core has dedicated media keys instead of hotkeys.
The SteelSeries Apex 3 is much better than the HyperX Alloy Core RGB. The Apex 3 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 it has software support, which the HyperX Alloy Core doesn't have.
The Redragon K552-RGB is a much better keyboard than the HyperX Alloy Core RGB. The K552 has mechanical switches that provide a better typing experience, though the clicky switches may be bothersome for some. The K552 has a significantly better build quality and its RGB backlighting has more customization options; however, it may not be the best choice if you like having a NumPad, as the K552 is a tenkeyless keyboard.
The Logitech K840 Mechanical Keyboard is significantly better than the HyperX Alloy Core RGB. The K840 has a better build quality thanks to its aluminium plate, and it has mechanical switches that feel light and responsive. The K840 has software support for customization, but it doesn't have dedicated media keys like the Alloy Core and typing noise can be louder if you bottom out the keys.
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