The ROCCAT Pyro keyboard is excellent for gaming, especially considering its price point. It has low latency, media hotkeys, and customizable RGB backlighting. It also has an Easy-Shift[+] function, which lets you unlock a second layer of programmable controls. The linear TTC Red switches feel light and responsive, although the pre-travel distance is longer than other linear switches. Unfortunately, while it feels well-built, its plastic chassis exhibits some flex. Also, it uses ABS keycaps, which feel slippery and are prone to develop shine from finger oils.
Our Verdict
The ROCCAT Pyro is excellent for gaming. It has low latency, RGB backlighting, a Game Mode, and an Easy-Shift[+] function. The linear TTC Red switches feel light and responsive, although the pre-travel distance is slightly higher than on some other linear switches. It has a straight, flat profile with a detachable plastic wrist rest and one incline setting, and it feels well-built despite some flex.
- Low latency.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Good build quality.
- Lots of customizations available through software.
- Can't program macros.
The ROCCAT Pyro is a wired board and isn't for use with a mobile device or tablet.
The ROCCAT Pyro is decent for office use. The linear TTC Red switches are very light and quiet, so they shouldn't bother anyone around you in an office. The board feels well-built, but the ABS keycaps feel slippery. It has one incline setting and comes with a detachable plastic wrist rest.
- Good build quality.
- Lots of customizations available through software.
- Wired-only.
The ROCCAT Pyro is good for programming. The TTC Red switches feel light and responsive and help provide a great typing experience. It has RGB backlighting, and It feels well-built. However, there's only one incline setting, and the wrist rest isn't plushy. Unfortunately, you can't use it wirelessly or pair it with other devices simultaneously.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Good build quality.
- Lots of customizations available through software.
- Can't program macros.
- Wired-only.
The ROCCAT Pyro is inadequate for a home theater setup. It's a wired board, so you need a cable running from the board to the computer. Also, you need a mouse to navigate the interface since it doesn't have a built-in trackpad. On the bright side, it has backlighting, media hotkeys, and a volume control wheel.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Good build quality.
- Lots of customizations available through software.
- Wired-only.
- No built-in trackpad.
Changelog
- Updated Jun 21, 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 Jun 02, 2023: Following the update to 1.1, we've made minor corrections in several areas. Previously, our text indicated you could program macros using this keyboard's software, but this was incorrect, and these text sections have been removed.
- Updated May 31, 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 Mar 02, 2023: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed ROCCAT Vulcan II Max/Mini in the Backlighting section of this review.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The ROCCAT Pyro keyboard is only available in black and with linear TTC Red switches. You can see our unit's label here.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The ROCCAT Pyro is an excellent gaming keyboard, especially considering its price point. It performs similarly to many other gaming models, offering customizable RGB backlighting and low latency. However, you can't program macros as you can on many other gaming keyboards. Also, the build quality is lacking due to its ABS keycaps and plastic chassis that exhibits some flex.
For other options, see our recommendations for the best mechanical keyboards, the best gaming keyboards, and, if you're on a budget, the best cheap mechanical keyboards.
The ROCCAT Magma and the ROCCAT Pyro are similar wired gaming boards, but the Pyro is a mechanical board, while the Magma isn't. The Pyro has a dedicated volume knob and linear TTC Red switches. On the other hand, the Magma has rubber dome switches and a semi-transparent base plate that lets RGB light through. Both boards also have very low latency and an Easy-Shift[+] function that lets you enable a secondary layer of commands.
The ROCCAT Vulcan 120 AIMO and the ROCCAT Pyro are similar full-size gaming keyboards, but the Pyro has slightly lower latency. Otherwise, both boards have an Easy-Shift[+] function, which lets you set a second layer of commands to certain keys for as long as you hold it. Each also comes with a removable plastic wrist rest and one incline setting.
The Razer Huntsman Mini and the ROCCAT Pyro are wired gaming keyboards, but the Razer has a much lower latency. Otherwise, the Razer is a better choice if you like compact boards that give you more room on your desk to move your mouse, and it supports macro creation, while the ROCCAT doesn't. The Razer also has PBT keycaps, and it's available with Razer Clicky Optical or Razer Linear Optical switches. On the other hand, the ROCCAT is a better choice if you prefer a full-size board with a wrist rest and a volume control knob. The ROCCAT is available with linear TTC Red switches.
The Razer BlackWidow and the ROCCAT Pyro are both full-size gaming keyboards, but all of the keys on the Razer are macro-programmable. Also, the Razer has lower latency, and its customization software is easier to use and lets you create and save more profiles. On the other hand, the ROCCAT comes with a removable wrist rest, and it has a volume control wheel.
Test Results
The ROCCAT Pyro feels well-built, but there are a few shortcomings due to its price point. It has a plastic chassis with some flex, but the brushed aluminum base plate helps give a bit more rigidity. The doubleshot ABS keycaps feel smooth, but they're also slippery and may eventually develop shine from finger oils. The keys feel stable with very little wobble, and the larger keys also actuate evenly. There are six large rubber pads on the underside that keep it from slipping on your desk, and the incline feet also have rubber edges that help keep the board in place.
The ROCCAT Pyro keyboard has acceptable ergonomics. It's a straight and flat board that has a fairly low profile and one incline setting. It comes with a plastic detachable wrist rest that has a horizontal, lined texture to it. While the wrist rest isn't very plushy, it does add some comfort to the typing experience.
It has customizable RGB backlighting with individually lit keys. If you're interested in a similar ROCCAT keyboard with low-profile keycaps that allow more light to shine out from the switch housings, check out the ROCCAT Vulcan II Max/Mini.
This keyboard has outstanding backlight clarity. That said, there's a slight blue tint between keys when the lighting is set to white. However, this tint might be caused by the light's reflection on the grey, brushed aluminum base plate.
It has a standard rubber cord that isn't detachable.
The ROCCAT Pyro has a few extra features, like media hotkeys and a volume control knob. You can activate Game Mode by pressing FN+Scroll Lock, which disables the Windows key, so you don't accidentally minimize your game. Also, there's an Easy-Shift[+] function that lets you enable a secondary layer of commands while held down.
The ROCCAT Pyro has linear TTC Red switches, which feel very light and fairly responsive, although the pre-travel distance is longer than some other linear switches. The board is only available with these linear switches.
The ROCCAT Pyro provides a great typing experience. The keys feel stable with only a bit of wobble, but it shouldn't be too noticeable while typing. The linear TTC Red switches feel very light and responsive, with no audible or tactile feedback. Thanks to the standard shape and spacing of the keys, you shouldn't feel much fatigue while typing on this board.
The ROCCAT Pyro is quiet and shouldn't bother those around you.
The ROCCAT Pyro has very low latency and should feel responsive enough for most gamers.
The ROCCAT Swarm software offers many customization options, including saving up to five profiles, remapping key assignments, customizing the RGB, and setting character repeats. It also allows you to program keypress sounds, and you can choose from a list of presets or use your own audio file. Like the ROCCAT Vulcan TKL and the ROCCAT Vulcan 120 AIMO, it features the AIMO lighting engine, which reacts to your behavior and makes changes based on your setup, the apps you use, and other ROCCAT devices you connect.
The ROCCAT Pyro is fully compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS. However, the software is only available for Windows. Additionally, on macOS, the Print Screen button acts as an F13 button, and the Scroll Lock and Pause/Break buttons adjust screen brightness if you're using an Apple display.