The Vortex Race 3 is a solid overall mechanical keyboard. It's one of the better-built keyboards we've reviewed so far, and it's offered in a wide variety of Cherry MX switches, so you'll be sure to find one that suits your needs. The keys have a linear level design and feel very nice to type on. The typing experience is light with the Brown switches, but the ergonomics of the board aren't the best. It only features one incline setting that can be set by screwing in additional feet. It also has a non-typical layout with a TKL 75% design. It's about the size of most 60% or 65% keyboard but features a few more keys like a TKL keyboard. This enthusiast keyboard also comes with colored keycaps for a more unique style.
Our Verdict
The Vortex Race 3 is good for gaming. Its keys are quick to actuate, and it feels very responsive. It's also one of the better-built keyboards we've seen so far, so it should last you a while. However, this version lacks backlighting, although there's one with RGB lighting.
- Amazing metal build quality.
- Excellent typing quality.
- Low latency.
- Macro-programmable keys.
- No dedicated software with interface.
- No backlighting.
The Vortex Race 3 is a wired-only keyboard that isn't designed to work with mobile smart devices.
The Vortex Race 3 is a good keyboard for the office. The model we tested has Cherry MX Brown switches, which offer an excellent typing quality with great tactile feedback. It's also quiet enough to use in an open-office environment, but going with clicky switches might not be. On the upside, it's a very well-built keyboard that should last you for years, and it's also fully compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, which makes it very versatile.
- Amazing metal build quality.
- Excellent typing quality.
- Fully compatible with Windows and macOS.
- No dedicated software with interface.
The Vortex Race 3 is a decent keyboard for programmers. It has an excellent typing quality and is available with many different Cherry MX switches, so you should find one that suits your needs. However, it doesn't have the best ergonomics, although the keycaps have a linear level design which is quite comfortable to type on. Programmers should also appreciate the ability to program every key and to create three additional layers.
- Amazing metal build quality.
- Excellent typing quality.
- Macro-programmable keys.
- No dedicated software with interface.
- No backlighting.
- Wired-only.
The Vortex Race 3 is bad for use with a home theater PC. It's a wired-only keyboard with no trackpad, so you need to run a cable from the couch to the computer and a separate mouse for navigation. Although our unit doesn't have backlighting, you can get one that does.
- Amazing metal build quality.
- Excellent typing quality.
- No dedicated software with interface.
- No backlighting.
- No trackpad.
- Wired-only.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 04, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Mar 06, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Mar 03, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Feb 27, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Vortex Race 3 is available in a lot of different switches. Most of our review should still be valid for all of them, but the overall typing experience should change drastically depending on which switches you go for. You can choose between Cherry MX Brown (which we tested), Red, Blue, Black, Silent Red, Silver Speed, and Clear. There's also a variant of this keyboard that has RGB backlighting. This variant is available with Silent Black switches rather than Clear switches.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The Vortex Race 3 is a mechanical keyboard that stands out for its unique design. It's categorized as a TKL 75% layout, which is about as small and compact as a 60% or 65%, but has a few more keys, similar to a TKL layout. It's available in many different switches, which is great. It's also one of the boards with the best build quality we've tested thanks to its full metal frame. For more options, check out our recommendations for the best keyboards, the best mechanical keyboards, and the best keyboards for writers.
The Redragon K552 KUMARA RGB and the Vortex Race 3 are both TenKeyLess mechanical keyboards with significant differences. The Redragon has clicky Outemu Blue switches and full RGB backlighting, which the variant of the Vortex we tested lacks, although there's a variant with RGB lighting available. The Vortex has a non-typical TKL layout that's similar to the size of a 60% keyboard but with several more keys. It also has significantly lower latency, more solid-feeling build quality, and better typing quality. Our version has Cherry MX Brown switches, but it’s also available with a range of other Cherry MX switches, including Red, Blue, Black, Silent Red, Silver Speed, and Clear, as well as Silent Black, specifically available for the RGB variant.
The Das Keyboard X50Q is a slightly better keyboard for professionals than the Vortex Race 3. Its full-size design gives you access to more keys but does take a bit more space on your desk, especially if you use the included wrist rest. On the other hand, the Vortex is better-built thanks to a metal frame, but it doesn't have any backlighting like the Das, although an RGB variant exists. The X50Q also gives you access to 'applets' to show you desired information, which the Vortex can't do.
The Ducky One 2 Mini V1 is better than the Vortex Race 3, although mainly because it has backlighting, which the Vortex lacks. The Vortex has better build quality, and it's better for gaming because it has lower latency. Also, even though both of our units are fitted with Cherry MX Brown switches, the Vortex's are lighter and easier to actuate. The Ducky provides a better typing experience. That said, both keyboards are available in a wide variety of switches, so the typing experience depends on which ones you get.
The Obinslab Anne Pro 2 and the Vortex Race 3 are quite different. The Vortex is a wired-only 75% keyboard, while the Obinslab is a compact 60% and can be used wired or wirelessly. The Obinslab's wireless connectivity makes it more versatile because it can be used with more types of devices. Also, it has a multi-pairing feature that lets you pair up to four devices simultaneously. The Obinslab is much better for gaming due to its lower latency and software support. Our Vortex unit doesn't have backlighting, but you can a variant that does. Both keyboards provide an excellent typing experience and are available in various switch options.
Test Results
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