Xtrfy XG1-R LED Mechanical Keyboard Review

1. Introduction2. Unboxing and First Look3. Testing4. Closing Thoughts5. View All Pages

The Xtrfy XG1-R LED is a fantastic gaming keyboard. While it undoubtedly has a simple appearance, it is not unattractive. Rather, it has just enough going on to hold interest and look appealing when sitting on a desk.

What sets the XG1-R LED apart from the crowd, however, is its on-board macro and lighting options. Doing away with software completely, the XG1-R LED gives the user the ability to set a myriad of macro and lighting options on-the-fly. What's more, they are stored to the board's internal memory so you can plug it in anywhere and access your stored settings.

I can see why the XG1-R LED appeals to eSports gamers – after all, it comes with a stamp of approval from Swedish eSports outfit Ninjas in Pyjamas.

Of course, the Cherry MX Red switches are also a pleasure to use, providing a fast and responsive gaming experience. Rest assured, if you purchase a XG1-R LED, it will not let you down.

There is just one stumbling block to buying one, however, and that is the price. At £114 in the UK and €159 on the continent, it is a fairly expensive keyboard – especially considering it lacks RGB lighting, a USB passthrough or audio jacks, which are features we expect to see on a higher-end board.

I also question how much of the mechanical keyboard market the XG1-R LED will appeal to. For many gamers who play exclusively at home, the on-board memory system may not be so appealing considering you can get a cheaper mechanical keyboard that simply uses accompanying software. Essentially, I fear the XG1-R LED may be too much of a niche product in the grand scheme of things.

It is this which holds the XG1-R LED back from the highest KitGuru award, but if you have the cash, I recommend it wholeheartedly. You can currently pick one up for £113.99 from Overclockers UK HERE.

Pros

• Fantastic on-board lighting and macro options.
• Cherry Reds are as good as ever.
• Simple yet attractive design.
• Approved by Ninjas in Pyjamas.

Cons

• Relatively expensive for what it is.
• Fairly niche.

KitGuru says: Xtrfy are onto a winner with the XG1-R LED. I would be very interested to see other models using the same on-board memory profiles.

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