Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Triple-mode wi-fi
- Included wrist relaxation
- Capable operate layer
Cons
- Cheap switches
- Narrow USB port
- A bit dear
Our Verdict
In phrases of worth, the CK721 is roughly common, with factors each for (included wrist relaxation, dual-mode wi-fi) and in opposition to it (ABS keycaps, low-cost switches).
Price When Reviewed
$70
Best Prices Today: Cooler Master CK721 keyboard
$78.33
99.99
It looks like each producer is attempting to hit the favored compact-semi-custom-keyboard-with-a-rotary-dial area of interest as of late, from the over-the-top Asus ROG Azoth to the utilitarian G.Skill KM250. Cooler Master’s CK721 has been round longer than each of them, however hits a stable medium between the ultra-budget and the mad-money high-end. This compact however extremely practical keyboard received’t blow away anybody with its characteristic listing, however its wi-fi efficiency and type-friendly setup make it worthy of consideration.
Further studying: See our roundup of the best wireless keyboards to study competing merchandise.
As a model Cooler Master has a little bit of a gamer leaning, however the CK721 is a bit more buttoned-down than the same old fare. It makes up for a scarcity of bombast with a concentrate on performance. The $100 board has each Bluetooth and a pair of.4GHz, plus the same old RGB and programming choices. It hits proper on the center of the pack by way of options and worth, and might need scored decrease if it wasn’t for a stable operate layer and included wrist relaxation.
As a model Cooler Master has a little bit of a gamer leaning, however the CK721 is a bit more buttoned-down than the same old fare.
While missing within the extra elaborate choices seen in a lot of the competitors, Cooler Master’s providing is serviceable, and may attraction to those that need a stable wi-fi choice with none distractions.
Cooler Master CK721 design and specs
At a look, the CK721 may look like it’s aiming for the ultra-custom angle, one thing just like the Keychron Q1 at a lower cost. Unfortunately, no: Cooler Master opted for some relatively low-rent elements on this board, like TTC switches (clicky Blue, clean Red, or tactile Brown) which might be a bit wobbly and chattery. In phrases of typing it’s truly fairly good in the event you like a whole lot of noise and suggestions in your keys…however in the event you don’t, you’re out of luck, as a result of this board doesn’t characteristic hot-swap switches.
Michael Crider/Foundry
Other parts are equally on a budget aspect. The keycaps, whereas engaging and that includes interesting printing (and tons of performance because of useful capabilities printed on the decrease aspect), are ABS plastic. That’s a ding in opposition to it at this worth level, whereas cheaper boards are offering real PBT keycaps. Cooler Master does provide PBT caps on the nearly-identical MK721…however since that and a flowery coiled cable are the one variations between them, I don’t assume it’s actually well worth the $40 improve.
The CK721’s charging port is tremendous slender, so different USB-C cables could not work with it.
Michael Crider/Foundry
On the opposite hand, the sandblasted aluminum faceplate is relatively fetching, as is the matching rotary dial. Both of them can be found in a darker “space grey” with matching black keycaps in the event you want. The 2.4GHz wi-fi dongle tucks away in a particular hole on the left aspect, reverse the unobtrusive Bluetooth/dongle/USB change on the precise. And there’s an identical white braided USB-C cable, which you’ll wish to grasp on to, as a result of the opening across the charging/information port on prime is so slender and slim that your different USB-C cables most likely received’t match it. Annoying.
Focus on productiveness
What the CK721 lacks in refinement it makes up for in productiveness. I at all times prefer to see a alternative of Bluetooth and dongle-based wi-fi, although the packaging and guide make no point out of super-low latency for avid gamers. The keyboard is totally filled with capabilities and sub-functions on nearly each single key, with the choice to modify between Windows and Mac layouts on the fly, or 4 totally different person profiles. You may even program lighting patterns and macros while not having in addition up the Master+ software program bundle.
That does make issues a bit complicated in the event you’re utilizing a number of layouts or machines. For instance, in the usual Windows mode, controls for Mute, Volume Down, and Volume Up are FN-,, FN-., and FN-?, respectively. But press Fn-Right Shift to modify to Mac mode, they usually’re now Fn-0, Fb–, and Fn-+ to match Apple’s commonplace structure…along with nonetheless being mapped to the comma, interval, and query mark. That’s as well as to the amount wheel and its built-in mute button, which work in each modes.
Michael Crider/Foundry
But an abundance of choices isn’t a nasty factor, and also you’ll get the grasp of truly utilizing the board after just a few weeks. The included RGB lights are nothing fancy (you need the Roccat Vulcan sequence if you would like a lightweight present), and also you’ll most likely wish to preserve them off anyway to protect battery. With the lights on full blast and animation I managed a bit over two days of labor and gaming on it, whereas I’ve but to exhaust the battery in any respect with the lights out. Such is often the case, it doesn’t matter what sort of wi-fi you’re utilizing.
How is the Cooler Master CK721 for typing?
I’m glad to see Cooler Master embrace a wrist relaxation with this keyboard, which actually ought to be commonplace on something on the $100 mark or larger. It’s a bit fundamental, simply black cloth over foam, nevertheless it matches the scale and spacing of the board and my RSI appreciates it. Ditto for the rotary dial, at all times a plus for anybody who’s continually enjoying media.
Michael Crider/Foundry
I want I might say the identical for the switches. When even the most cost effective boards on the market are utilizing high quality switches from Kailh with stabilizing braces on the stems for smoother motion, it’s exhausting to get enthusiastic about TTC switches, that are chattery and wobbly. They get the job completed, positive sufficient, there’s simply nothing to get enthusiastic about right here. (Yes, I get enthusiastic about change stems, sue me.)
Should you purchase the Cooler Master CK721?
In truth, “nothing exciting” sums up the board fairly nicely. For each excessive level, I can discover an equal low level that virtually evens it out. For instance, the aluminum face plate might be eliminated and changed…however the one different choice is the black coloration, and Cooler Master doesn’t promote it individually, so all the additional design work appears to be for nothing. The wonderful software-free choices are counter-balanced by the MasterPlus software program itself, which continually hung and crashed once I tried to make use of it to replace the keyboard and program {custom} layouts quicker.
Michael Crider/Foundry
In phrases of worth, the CK721 is roughly common, with factors each for (included wrist relaxation, dual-mode wi-fi) and in opposition to it (ABS keycaps, low-cost switches). It is that factor which a critic most dreads writing about: the median, which elicits neither reward nor scorn. It’s effective. And that makes it relatively boring to learn about, if not essentially use. (Incidentally, it turns into rather more interesting on the $68 street price Amazon was showing on the time of writing.)
The CK721 is that factor which a critic most dreads writing about: the median, which elicits neither reward nor scorn.
The CK721 may flip your eye if you would like a compact, type-friendly wi-fi board that doesn’t spring for gaming extras or {hardware} customization choices, and also you by no means wish to set up a driver program. But if you would like extra premium elements or the choice to swap them out, it’s good to look elsewhere. At this worth level I’d go for the Varmilo Minilo, until you completely should have that radial dial. Then I’d spring for the Keydous NJ80-AP.