Usage
I have used the Cherry MX 10.0N RGB for an extended testing period, and have used it as my daily driver at work for most of that time. Most of my use of this keyboard has been with regards to your standard office work tasks like writing emails, creating documentation, etc. And while I have a strong preference for Red and Brown style mechanical switches, the MX 10.0N RGB’s low-profile speed switches really impressed me. With their dull clicking sounds and linear travel, these switches make typing for long periods of time quite enjoyable. I did have to get used to the key spacing on the MX 10.0N RGB, as I found myself doing quite a bit of mis-typing at the start of my time with the keyboard. While I have quite a bit of experience typing on a laptop, where keycaps are typically closer to each other, I found the spacing of the keycap tops on the MX 10.0N RGB to be a bit tighter than I was used to. But with a little bit of time I was able to adjust and become quite proficient with this layout.
My gaming testing consisted of multiple Apex Legends rounds, and this is where my preference for Red and Brown switches was most noticeable. Having grown so accustomed to the feel of standard Red and Brown switches for gaming, it was tough to get used to the low key travel and keycap height while gaming. That being said, I was not really held back by the keyboard, and I’m sure that after a longer period to adjust to the low-profile Cherry switches and keycap spacing, I would be gaming like normal again. The other thing that took a bit of adjustment to get used to was the change back to a full-size keyboard, and how much room it takes up on my desk. I have become so accustomed to gaming with a TKL keyboard and the space it provides for my mouse, that I often found myself running into the right side of the keyboard body during my gaming testing. This is definitely something I could overcome with time, as I spent the majority of my yearly years of computer gaming using a full-size keyboard.
Final Thoughts
From the start, I had a hunch that this keyboard was going to be a solid performer, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. There are only two downsides I found with the keyboard itself, and neither one is a deal breaker. The use of ABS keycaps is a bit of a letdown, but they feel and sound great, and most likely keep the cost down compared to PBT. Secondly, the small USB Type-C opening limits you to certain cables, so the use of some custom cables may not be possible. The lighting of the MX 10.0N RGB is top-notch, and each keycap was well-lit, even those with sub-legends for secondary functions.
Regarding the “feel” of the keyboard, the MX 10.0N RGB is a very solid keyboard, and at no point did I notice any flexing of the keyboard with normal use. The metal body provides a much sturdier base to build off of than those keyboards that employ plastic or a combination of plastic and metal for this task. Everything about the Cherry MX 10.0N RGB feels premium, and that is exactly what we would expect from the company making the premier mechanical keyboard switches.
Overall, the Cherry MX 10.0N RGB is a stellar example of a well-designed, and well-executed, low-profile mechanical keyboard. Cherry as provided users with great form and function, and at a reasonable price too – available now for $159.99 at our favorite online retailer. In the end, the Cherry MX 10.0N RGB provides a great typing experience, and earns a 9 out of 10 and our Recommended Award.
Pros
- Super-Thin
- Frameless Design
- Solid Construction and Feel
- Cherry MX Low Profile Speed Switches
Cons
- Not PBT Keycaps
- Small USB Type-C Opening