After I returned Razer BlackWidow TKL, I was looking to purchase another mechanical keyboard. You can see my review on Razer BlackWindow TKL here: https://jimmy1photo.wixsite.com/blog/post/razer-blackwidow-tkl
I found out about Glorious GMMK TKL:
Check Glorious GMMK TKL price on Amazon https://amzn.to/3znOcP1
The company's full name is Glorious PC Gaming Race (or Glorious for short). Glorious focuses on keyboard and mouse only, targeted toward enthusiasts. Glorious is one of the first company to introduce modular RGB mechanical keyboards in 2016. Keyboard model name is GMMK, which is acronym for Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard.
Today, Glorious is well known for its GMMK Pro keyboard. Many consider GMMK Pro as end-game keyboards, and it is priced for end-game. Just the barebone keyboard cost $170. Complete pre-build from Glorious is $350. If you customize your own build by adding cost of switches, keycaps, and cables, total cost is $300+. It does have excellent spec: rotating knob for volume control (programmable to other functions); aluminum case; gasket mounted design; various plate material options (aluminum is default, with brass and polycarbonate options for additional cost); open source firmware compatibility (QMK/VIA).
GMMK Pro is offered in full-size and exploded 75% design. This 75% layout has Function rows that is separated by a gap from number keys row. And it has a rotating volume control at upper right. Many other keyboard makers have started to copy GMMK Pro's 75% design/layout.
Check Glorious GMMK Pro prices on Amazon https://amzn.to/3OuWqu2
Before Glorious came out with GMMK Pro, it had GMMK v1, which is available in Full Size, TKL, Compact. I will focus on GMMK TKL, since that is the size I'm interested in. GMMK TKL is offered in both custom or pre-built. For custom, the final cost is higher but consumer can choose the switches and keys. The pre-build is available with 2 color options (black or white); only Gateron Brown switches; and black or white matching keycap color. Luckily for me, Brown switch with lowest resistance tactile feel is exactly what I want. The price for GMMK TKL prebuild is quite competitive at $80.
Check Glorious GMMK TKL price on Amazon https://amzn.to/3znOcP1
Features
GMMK TKL has top surface made of metal; double shot ABS keycaps; LED lit (shine thru) key caps; hot swappable north-facing switches; 6-ft detachable and braided USB cable. Included are 2 key pullers; switch remover; and 2 extra keycaps. 1 key puller is plastic and is attached to bottom of the keyboard for quick access. 2nd key puller is metal and comes separately in the box. The 2 extra keycaps are red ASCEND (for Esc) and Glorious logo for 1.5u width keys (for Ctrl, Windows, Alt, Fn, Menu).
Obviously, the price difference is significant between GMMK v1 and GMMK Pro. One big difference is the size options: v1 is available in Full Size, TKL, Compact; whereas Pro is available in 75% only. Then GMMK TKL (or any v1 sizes) compromises on the design, build, and quality. As these keyboards are not in the same market, my comparison below is not between v1 vs PRO. I will focus on on GMMK TKL vs other similarly priced keyboards that I have used in person, such as Razer BlackWidow TKL and Epomaker TH80,
Feel
GMMK TKL has medium quality and feel. Typing experience is not thocc, but it is also not high pitched and hollow. It is in somewhere in the middle. Gateron switches are Chinese knock off of Cherry. They provide better value, with similar performance. So nothing wrong with the switches. Because they are not lubed, they are a bit scratchy. The large keys do not jiggle, but they also don't feel very stable when depressed and do not have solid thocc sound.
Design
GMMK TKL has a premium look and feel. The edge has a contrasting border. It is shiny aluminum on black background.
GMMK TKL is low profile keyboard. The entire top surface of the keyboard is flat. There are no raised edges around or surrounding key bed. Looking from the side, edge is thin and switches are clearly visible. Whether you like this design is personal preference. The positive is that it is easy to clean. I have couple cats. One cat loves to sit on my desk near the keyboard. Cat hairs do get in between the keys. Low profile keyboard is easy to clean. Cat hair blows right out from the edges.
There are 2 additional LEDs on the keyboard top surface. Fn+Win allows disabling Windows key on the fly. And LED will show this lock status. Another LED is to show CapsLock status when enabled.
One downside is the keyboard only has 2 height adjustment. Either no feet or with feet. I use the highest angle anyways, so it doesn't bother me. If you tend to use the middle height, then that can be a problem on GMMK TKL
Build
GMMK TKL weighs 790 grams. Although it is not heavy, it feels very solid. The top surface of the keyboard is solid aluminum. Keycaps Legend
This is personal styling. I don't like the key legends on GMMK TKL. Some letters are made up of left and right halves. For instance, O and 0 look like ( ). Other letters have open holes in them: B, D, P, Q, @, #, % etc. They are a bit hard to read and ugly.
Software
GMMK Pro supports open source software/firmware. GMMK v1 must use GMMK own software. This GMMK v1 software is average. GMMK software allows LED customization, macros, and polling frequency adjustment. Its interface is a bit confusing and not self-explanatory. It's not as well developed or full featured like Razor's software, but it is also better than half-baked incomplete software from Chinese keyboard makers.
Software allows only 3 profiles for LED color. Each profile can be preset LED patterns, modifications of the preset patterns, or completely customized key color scheme. I find editing key colors easier on GMMK than Razer. For instance, I use a standard LED pattern in Profile 1 (rainbow). Then customized individual keys for Valorant in Profile 2 (WASD is red for movement, QECX is orange for abilities, 1-3 is green for weapons, 4 is blue for planting spike). Then I can customize another set in Profile 3 for different game PUBG (WASD is red for movement, QE is orange for peeking, C is orange for crouch, 1-5 is green for weapons, etc).
Keyboard functions can only cycle thru preset patterns. These customized profiles cannot be loaded thru keyboard. Sofware must be used to select each of these 3 profiles. But once profile is selected, can exit the software. And at next reboot, previous profile is remembered loaded without software.
Comparison
I have personally used and owned these 3 entry-level mechanical keyboards: Razer BlackWidow TKL, Glorious GMMK TKL, and Epomaker TH80 75%. Here is comparison of the 3 keyboards:
​ | Razer BlackWidow TKL | GMMK TKL | Epomaker TH80 |
Weight | 1002 g | 790 g | 1024 g |
Keycaps | ​Double-Shot ABS Standard Thickness Shine-Thru Legends OEM Profile | ​​Double-Shot ABS Standard Thickness Shine-Thru Legends OEM Profile | ​PBT Extra Thick No Shine-Thru MDA Profile |
Switches | Razor (Worst?) | Gateron (Medium) | Gateron Pro (Best) |
PCB | ​Not Swappable North Facing | ​Hot Swappable North Facing 3-pin | ​Hot Swappable South Facing 3- or 5-pin |
Feel (Thocc) | Hollow | Medium | Thocc |
Build | Medium | Best | Medium |
LED | Medium | Best | Worst |
Software | Best | Medium | Worst |
Summary
Glorious GMMK TKL is a great entry level mechanical keyboard. Its advantage is the build quality and styling. And for LED key color customization. Can have different custom key colors for different applications or games.
Check Glorious GMMK Pro prices on Amazon https://amzn.to/3OuWqu2
Check Glorious GMMK TKL price on Amazon https://amzn.to/3znOcP1