Usage
Most of my time with the CK721 was spent at my main PC at home. This is where I do all of my gaming and general PC-related work. In addition to this use case, and aided by the fact that this keyboard is also wireless, I additionally used it in my office at work for a few days to test out the battery life and wireless capabilities. As far as the feel of the keyboard goes, the plastic base, paired up with the removable aluminum top plate, is quite sturdy. I never noticed any flexing with the keyboard body and I wasn’t really able to flex it at all when holding it in my hands. To my surprise, the ABS keycaps sound really nice on the CK721. I’m not sure how Cooler Master did it, but they have achieved a sound similar to what you would expect from PBT keycaps with the CK721. The only drawback I noticed with these keycaps is that they quickly started to show signs of use in the form of oily looking keys. That is one of the drawbacks of ABS keycaps, but aside from that they look, sound, and feel great.
In my gaming use of the CK721, I found both the wired and 2.4GHz performance to be identical. The linear motion of the TTC Red switches paired with the ABS keycaps resulted in a familiar feeling, as my primary keyboard is configured with Cherry Red switches and ABS keycaps. The OEM keycap profile also served as a familiar layout, and key spacing did not affect my gaming at all. The CK721 was able to slot right in and get me up and gaming with no noticeable differences in feel outside of the slightly different keycap feel compared to my standard keyboard. This was great, as it proved that the CK721 was up to the task of gaming without compromises.
When used in a more production-oriented scenario, the CK721 once again faired well. While I wouldn’t want to use this size of keyboard all of the time at work, due to the lack of a 10-key, my time spent typing e-mails, chatting with coworkers, and creating documentation was quite enjoyable. The typing experience is much better than that found on an OEM membrane keyboard. Not only that, but colleagues passing by always stop to comment on the backlit keys and how different the keyboard sounds compared to theirs at their desk.
Final Thoughts
When I found out that Cooler Master was sending over the CK721 for review, I was instantly intrigued. The three modes of connectivity, which also enable easy portability, really make this pint-sized keyboard standout from the crowd. Add in the customizable control dial, and the added flexibility it provides your workflow, and the CK721 becomes even more impressive. The build quality is great, which results in a great feel and sound coming from this small 65% layout. Aside from software customizations, the RGB LEDs on the TTC switches allow for an almost infinite number of possibilities, while the removable top plate can quickly change the look of the CK721 with a quick swap.
I think Cooler Master has brought together some great features, mixed them together, and produced the CK721. The mechanical keyboard craze is as strong as ever, and the CK721 is a great option from an established company if you are in the market for a versatile and stylish keyboard. Available for $125 at our favorite online retailer, the Cooler Master CK721 earns a 10 out of 10 and the Recommended Award.
Pros
- Solid Build Quality
- Swappable Aluminum Top Plate
- Solid Construction and Feel
- Typing Feels and Sounds Great
- Three Connectivity Modes
- Included Wrist Rest
- Customizable Control Dial
Cons
- Small USB Type-C Opening