The REALFORCE GX1 is a gaming keyboard with Topre electro-capacitive switches. These switches combine the characteristics of more conventional mechanical switches and rubber dome switches, providing a distinct and unique typing sound and feel. Using the configuration software, you can customize the actuation point (sensitivity) of individual keystrokes as much as you can with other gaming keyboards that support adjustable actuation settings, which typically use optical or Hall effect switches.
You can buy this keyboard with 30g or 45g switch weight options. For more information, see the Differences Between Variants section.
Our Verdict
The REALFORCE GX1 is an impressive gaming keyboard. It has good overall build quality and very good gaming performance, making it suitable for playing casual or competitive titles. This keyboard also supports a range of customization, including adjustable actuation and reset points, as well as other advanced features like Dynamic Mode (aka Rapid Trigger) and Kill Switch (aka SOCD) that provide advantages in specific gaming situations. For more details about these features, see the Keystrokes section. Unfortunately, the latency performance is somewhat inconsistent compared to other dedicated gaming keyboards. It's very unlikely you'll be able to notice any variability while playing, but it can impact your performance ceiling if you play at a very high competitive level.
- Very good latency performance.
- Customizable actuation and reset points.
Supports popular adjustable actuation features like 'Rapid Trigger' and SOCD.
- RGB backlighting and shine-through keycaps make legends clearly visible in darker rooms.
- Latency performance is more inconsistent than other gaming keyboards.
The REALFORCE GX1 is decent for office use. It has good build quality, and its Topre switches offer a distinct, satisfying typing experience. It's also very quiet, so it's very unlikely to bother anyone around you, even in a noise-sensitive environment. Unfortunately, it's a wired-only model that doesn't support multi-device pairing, and it lacks compatible software options for macOS and Linux operating systems. It also has a fairly high profile, which means it's most comfortable to use with a wrist rest. Unfortunately, there isn't one included in the box.
- Extremely quiet.
- Topre switches offer a distinct, satisfying tactile experience.
- No compatible macOS or Linux software.
- Minor build quality issues, including switch wobble and stabilizer rattle.
The REALFORCE GX1 is a wired-only keyboard that isn't suitable for mobile or tablet use.
The REALFORCE GX1 is decent for programming. It has good overall build quality, and its proprietary Topre switches provide a distinct, high-quality typing experience. Additionally, it has full RGB backlighting and shine-through legends which provide good visibility if you prefer working in darker rooms. While it doesn't have dedicated macro keys, you can record macros to any key using the configuration software or with hotkeys directly on the keyboard. Unfortunately, it lacks compatible software options for macOS and Linux, and its fairly high-profile design makes it most comfortable to use with a wrist rest for longer periods.
- Extremely quiet.
- Topre switches offer a distinct, satisfying tactile experience.
- RGB backlighting and shine-through keycaps make legends clearly visible in darker rooms.
- No compatible macOS or Linux software.
- Minor build quality issues, including switch wobble and stabilizer rattle.
The REALFORCE GX1 isn't designed for use in an entertainment or home theater setup. It's a wired-only keyboard, so you'll have to sit close to your computer to use it. It also lacks dedicated media keys. That said, it has full RGB backlighting with shine-through keycaps, so you can read legends in the dark.
- RGB backlighting and shine-through keycaps make legends clearly visible in darker rooms.
- Wired-only.
The REALFORCE GX1 offers very good raw performance. It supports a 1000Hz polling rate that isn't bottlenecked by other latency elements. Overall, latency performance is also very good, but it's also somewhat inconsistent compared to many other dedicated gaming keyboards. To be clear, you're very unlikely to ever notice a difference in-game, but this variability can impact performance if you play at a very high competitive level. Lastly, while it supports full N-key rollover, it doesn't send multiple keys per USB report, and its chord split performance is only adequate, so it isn't particularly well-suited for rhythm gaming.
- Very good latency performance.
Supports popular adjustable actuation features like 'Rapid Trigger' and SOCD.
- Latency performance is more inconsistent than other gaming keyboards.
Changelog
- Updated Aug 26, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.4.1. This update removes the Key Release test and a video element from the Multi-Key Latency section, resulting in minor score changes. See our full 1.4.1 changelog for details.
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Updated May 15, 2025:
We've written text for the new Adjustable Input Granularity box, added with Test Bench 1.4, and we've made sure all text throughout the review reflects any changes.
- Updated May 15, 2025: We've updated this review with our new Test Bench 1.4 methodology. It adds a new Output Type classification in the Switches box, indicating whether the keyboard's output is non-adjustable, adjustable, or analog. It also introduces a new Adjustable Input Granularity test, which improves comparability between keyboards with adjustable input.
- Updated Aug 08, 2024: Review published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The REALFORCE GX1 is available in a Black colorway with 30g or 45g switches. We bought and tested the 45g switch variant. You can see the label of our unit here.
| Name | Size | Product Code | Switch Weight |
| REALFORCE GX1 | TKL (80%) | X1UD13 | 30g |
| REALFORCE GX1 | TKL (80%) | X1UD11 | 45g |
There are themed collaboration colorway variants and Japanese layout variants that aren't listed in the table above, but we expect our test results to apply equally to these models as well.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The REALFORCE GX1 is a wired gaming keyboad that allows you to adjust the actuation point (sensitivity) of individual switches. What sets it apart from other popular gaming keyboards with similar functionality, such as the Apex Pro TKL (2023), the Wooting 60HE, or the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro, is that each of those keyboards uses optical analog or Hall effect switches, while the GX1 uses proprietary Topre switches. Like Hall effect or optical analog switches, Topre switches use a contactless mechanism to register keystrokes. This keyboard also supports additional features, including Dynamic Mode (known as 'Rapid Trigger on most other keyboards) and what REALFORCE calls a 'Kill Switch,' which is a feature that the wider community variously refers to as Snap Tap, SOCD, or Null Binds. For more details on these features, see the Keystrokes section later on in this review.
This keyboard is a great pick if you're interested in an adjustable gaming keyboard with the distinctive typing feel of Topre switches. Unfortunately, it can be hard to find in stock and is often quite expensive, particularly as it's most readily available from third-party resellers. Furthermore, while it has impressive overall gaming performance, it doesn't match the raw performance ceiling of the other competing options we mentioned previously.
For more recommendations, see our picks for the best keyboards, the best gaming keyboards, and the best keyboards for typing.
The REALFORCE R2 and the REALFORCE GX1 are keyboards with proprietary Topre switches. The R2 has a full-size form factor and is more of a straightforward model for productivity and everyday browsing. The GX1, on the other hand, is a dedicated gaming keyboard. It offers better latency performance and allows you to adjust the actuation and reset point of individual switches. It also has full RGB backlighting with shine-through keycaps.
The Wooting 60HE and the REALFORCE GX1 are analog gaming keyboards. Both allow you to customize the actuation and reset points of individual switches. The Wooting has a smaller compact (60%) form factor and uses linear Hall-effect switches. It also has significantly better raw gaming performance. The REALFORCE, on the other hand, is a larger TKL model that uses tactile Topre switches, which provide a distinct, satisfying typing feel with a soft bottom-out.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) and the REALFORCE GX1 are analog gaming keyboards. They both allow you to change the actuation and reset points of individual switches. On the one hand, the SteelSeries provides significantly better latency performance. It also includes a wrist rest, dedicated media keys, and a programmable OLED display. Comparatively, the REALFORCE uses Topre switches, which are quieter and offer a tactile typing experience that is rare for an analog keyboard.
The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL and the REALFORCE GX1 are analog gaming keyboards that allow you to customize the actuation and release distance of individual switches. The Razer uses optical-analog switches which have a linear typing feel. It also provides significantly better raw gaming performance. Comparatively, the REALFORCE uses Topre switches, which are much quieter and provide a satisfying tactile feel with a soft bottom-out, which is particularly unusual for an analog keyboard.
Test Results
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