Superb GMMK 3 keyboard overview: Deep choices, deep flaws

At a look

Knowledgeable’s Ranking

Professionals

Unbelievable customization choices
Corridor-effect switches and MX sizzling swap
Nice typing really feel

Cons

Software program is deeply missing
Poor wi-fi stability
Extraordinarily brief battery life

Our Verdict

The GMMK 3 presents extra shopping for and customization choices than another keyboard in the marketplace, and its hot-swap HE performance is a technical marvel. Sadly its poor wi-fi efficiency and battery life, mixed with sub-par gaming software program, drag it approach under the competitors even earlier than you think about its excessive value.

So that you’re searching for an “endgame” mechanical keyboard, the final word in luxurious, efficiency, and customization. Then it is best to construct one.

Okay, that’s a bit elitist. Say you’re intimidated by the construct course of, and also you’d want to simply purchase one. Then get a boutique keyboard from a small customized store…and possibly a financial institution mortgage to go along with it.

The GMMK 3 has a trick that no different keyboard can pull off: hot-swap with MX and magnetic switches.

Alright, so that you don’t need to construct a keyboard, and also you don’t need to spend a month’s lease on one. Then Superb has a pitch for you with the GMMK 3. (That’s “Superb Modular Mechanical Keyboard,” when you’re questioning.) It’s a completely modular, hot-swap keyboard, it has three completely different structure choices, it comes with loads of bling choices in lighting and equipment, it presents wi-fi, and it has a web-based configurator that permits you to customise each single a part of the keyboard.

Oh, and it has a trick that no different keyboard can pull off: hot-swap compatibility with each commonplace MX switches and magnetic adjustable actuation switches.

Michael Crider/Foundry

That’s an enormous quantity of customization, some severely premium elements, and tons and tons of choices for a keyboard. It’s additionally some huge cash to pay. Whereas the bottom wired mannequin of the GMMK 3 prices $135 in 65 % measurement, in order for you all these choices maxed out on a wi-fi, hot-swap board with adjustable actuation, you’re a $370 keyboard.

That makes the GMMK 3 Professional HE that I’m testing one of the crucial costly keyboards I’ve ever reviewed, and the priciest gaming keyboard from a significant vendor. And as superb as its choices and technical capabilities are, there are some particular low factors on this design, just like the wi-fi connection, battery life, and software program help.

So sadly a full-fat, all-the-trimmings GMMK 3 is nearly not possible to advocate. Cheaper configurations would possibly make extra sense, particularly when you don’t want wi-fi. However as the final word, no-compromises gaming keyboard that Superb advertises, this package deal simply doesn’t add up.

A hot-swap first

Very first thing’s first: Superb has managed a trick no different keyboard firm has to this point, combining the favored and essential hot-swap swap functionality with adjustable actuation.

To be clear, different keyboards have gotten shut. Keychron presents hall-effect boards that may swap out switches, however solely amongst a tiny choice of HE-modified choices. The GMMK3 HE lets customers select between these restricted hall-effect switches, and lots of of various swap choices utilizing the usual MX format.

Michael Crider/Foundry

Superb instructed me that it has managed this by putting the magnetic sensor to the aspect of the swap underneath the PCB, as a substitute of immediately under it. I needed to open it up to have a look for myself. As you may see, transferring the sensor permits the board to protect compatibility with commonplace two-pin switches and their electrically easy design.

Additionally price noting right here: The GMMK 3 is crazy-easy to open, simply pop off the 4 rubber toes (no glue!) and take out 4 screws. That’s it. An enormous boon for the small quantity of people that need to purchase a keyboard this costly, then mod it additional.

Sizzling swap plus corridor impact is a large deal for that center of the Venn diagram which incorporates each devoted PC avid gamers and premium keyboard followers. Along with the standard strategy of placing the identical kind of swap on each key, you might, for instance, use solely hall-effect switches on the WASD keys, those most vital for analog-style recreation motion. The remainder of the keys may very well be reserved for Holy Ice Cream Purple Panda Deluxe Version switches, or regardless of the stylish one is for the time being.

Michael Crider/Foundry

And you can also make these changes at any time without having to purchase a brand new board, and even open up this one. For those who care about this, it’s an unimaginable promoting level for the HE variants of this keyboard. However when you care about this…you’ll even be very disillusioned that the adjustable actuation characteristic is undercut by the Superb software program, which fails to benefit from it in a single key space. However I’m getting forward of myself.

Tons of options

The GMMK 3 in all its variants presents a ridiculous quantity of each options and customization. Right here’s what you’ll get in each model of the keyboard, at each measurement:

Sizzling-swap swap sockets
RGB lighting, together with aspect RGB strips
Inner padding, together with gasket mounting
Rotary quantity knob
Swappable swap plates (plastic by default)
Doubleshot PBT plastic keycaps
1,000Hz polling price
Change between Mac and PC layouts
Detacheable USB-C cable
Superb switches (numerous)

The “Professional” model of the GMMK upgrades the bottom mannequin with a full aluminum case, wi-fi in Bluetooth and a couple of.4GHz flavors, once more with a devoted swap. A “barebones” model of the Professional comes with out switches or keycaps, and likewise omits wi-fi.

Each the usual and professional GMMK 3 are available “HE” upgraded variations so as to add compatibility with adjustable actuation switches (once more, preserving backwards compatibility with older MX switches). Notably, the Professional HE mannequin solely is available in a wired model when you go barebones.

Michael Crider/Foundry

And at last, most of those variants are provided in three sizes: 65 % (no operate keys or quantity pad), 75 % (no quantity pad), or full one hundred pc. The Professional HE does not are available one hundred pc measurement, and the Professional HE Barebones is 75 % solely.

Whew, that’s a variety of keyboard variations. Superb will promote all of those as commonplace boxed packages in black or white/silver shade choices, however in order for you the complete, custom-made expertise, you should use the Superb on-line retailer to choose what you need at each step. Notably, this contains tons of choices for shade variations within the case and keycaps, plus extras just like the braided cable and even the detachable, magnetic badge that covers the standing LED.

Michael Crider/Foundry

And, naturally, you may select from a wide array of Superb-branded switches with decisions for linear, tactile, clicky, and “silent” switches with inside foam. There are even hall-effect switches which can be tactile — that’s a mixture that doesn’t actually make sense when it comes to gaming optimization, however Superb wished individuals to have the selection anyway. You may also choose your plate supplies: plastic, metallic, or “restricted version” brass.

I used to be invited to make use of a sneak-peek model of the Superb on-line customization software earlier than this overview. The one I picked out makes use of a blue anodized aluminum case, some swanky blue gradient keycaps, and an identical upgraded USB cable. The badge I stored yellow (if solely so it’s simple to see in photographs), however that’s a customization possibility too. Since I’d be testing out the adjustable actuation switches I went with the Lynx HE possibility, which fortunately gels with the aesthetic decisions I picked.

The net configurator is fairly darn good — it jogs my memory of endlessly “designing” Timbuk2 baggage again in highschool. It walks you thru all of the choices and upsells, explaining the variations the place obligatory. For those who’re a keyboard fan, go test it out. As is typical with this type of factor, you may check out all of the completely different decisions with out shopping for something.

Superb

With the blue metallic case, Lynx HE silent switches, themed keycaps, and premium matching cable, the entire for this configuration is an eye-watering $499.99. That’s not as a lot as the costliest boutique design I’ve ever seen…nevertheless it’s in the identical time zone.

Contained in the very fancy field, the GMMK 3 Professional HE got here with each a metallic swap puller and plastic keycap puller, a fairly respectable little screwdriver, alternate gaskets for mounting, and a few pattern switches for different HE variants. I used to be knowledgeable that in contrast to some gaming keyboards I might point out, the GMMK 3’s two-year guarantee will not be voided merely for the case being opened.

Michael Crider/Foundry

I additionally received the additional keycaps for a one hundred pc structure, in the identical field as the flamboyant upgraded USB-C cable. I don’t know if that can be a normal inclusion for normal consumers or not.

Typing and gaming

As you would possibly anticipate with all these high-priced parts, the GMMK 3 Professional HE is nice to kind on. But it surely’s a shock to me precisely how good it felt, since as I mentioned, I’m utilizing the HE switches. As a consequence of their linear nature and complicated development, hall-effect and related optical switches are identified to be a bit loud and chattery.

Not so with these Lynx HE “silent” switches. I believe that, due to the expanded plastic housing that extends additional under the PCB, they’ve a extra mellow really feel and sound. Between that and the inner foam that reduces the noise (not utterly silent however far quieter than another hall-effect swap I’ve used), they’re far smoother and quieter than different HE keyboards I’ve used.

Michael Crider/Foundry

That is likely to be resulting from among the inside sound and vibration absorbing supplies, too — much less elaborate gaming keyboards aren’t as within the “really feel” or sound of the switches, with just a few exceptions like Razer’s BlackWidow V4 75%. I can say that this keyboard with these switches is the perfect for typing that I’ve used within the small however rising adjustable actuation market.

Gaming was additionally a spotlight, because it was even simpler to regulate to my Fortnite setup since I’d been utilizing the board for hours of labor already. Whereas I want stiffer switches with stronger springs, that’s an possibility due to the hot-swap functionality. In fact, when you go along with something outdoors of the six HE switches provided by Superb, you’re again to plain single-point actuation.

Since adjustable actuation is extremely reliant on software program help, let’s discuss that subsequent.

Software program

The Superb Core software program package deal is serviceable for many duties, however notably missing in just a few others. The structure is good and simple, eschewing a variety of the “gamer” thrives that different corporations can’t resist. You may fairly rapidly get to the sections for customized binding, adjusting lighting settings, altering up the polling price, et cetera.

Adjustable actuation contains per-key or world settings in 01mm increments, and “speedy set off” mode, a fascinating characteristic for avid gamers. You may set as much as 4 particular person actions for every key at completely different actuation factors, although truly setting this up is much more cumbersome than in different gaming boards.

Michael Crider/Foundry

However there are deficiencies right here which can be going to grate on some customers, particularly the high-end gamer market that Superb is explicitly courting. Simple binding for analog, controller-style motion inputs wasn’t included. There’s additionally no “snap faucet” mode. Though this can be a controversial characteristic, if I used to be Superb, I’d put that selection on avid gamers and builders and positively embody it.

Maybe most damning for the Core software program is its full lack of per-game profiles, which activate a particular structure when the related recreation launches. I’ve dinged Keychron/Lemokey for this greater than as soon as when promoting a keyboard particularly for gaming. On a design that begins above $100 and goes approach, approach up, it’s an inexcusable omission.

It seems to be like at the least some Superb prospects have been asking for this characteristic for a very long time, and mixed with the brand new and way more complicated adjustable actuation customizations on this model of the software program, its absence is felt deeply.

Michael Crider/Foundry

You may set as much as three profiles to modify between manually, extra when you use the cloud sync operate. And you are able to do among the heavy lifting that Superb Core can’t inside a recreation’s settings menu. However to be blunt, not with the ability to load up a customized structure and actuation for every recreation will most likely be a deal-breaker for avid gamers relying upon this characteristic, particularly for adjustable actuation. They’ll go to manufacturers like Razer or Corsair as a substitute, even with out the far deeper choices for customizing the keyboard’s bodily elements.

Lighting customization is respectable, with greater than a dozen pre-programmed animations obtainable, however no choice to create your individual animated sample past easy key colours and brightness. I discovered the structure editor to be lacking some particular choices which can be vital to me: I couldn’t bind the Print Display operate to a customized key, as a substitute being compelled to stay with the Fn+F12 default, for the reason that 75 % structure doesn’t embody it. Since Print Display is a fairly essential software for my job, I introduced up this problem with Superb, nevertheless it was nonetheless unaddressed after I completed up my overview.

Michael Crider/Foundry

You might get round this by snubbing the Superb software program and utilizing QMK, which I admire. And I’d encourage you to take action when you want that customized binding…however QMK can’t deal with the per-game profiles both because it isn’t gaming software program, and it doesn’t make up for the lacking adjustable actuation software program options.

Put plainly, Superb is approach behind the competitors in relation to software program. The structure gaffes are personally irksome, however I do know avid gamers will discover the fundamental adjustable actuation decisions and lack of per-game profiles specific sticking factors, particularly contemplating the premium value of these fashions.

Wi-fi woes

I’m an enormous fan of wi-fi keyboards. The entire ones I purchase for myself (too many) are wi-fi, so I used to be glad to see the choice right here, the place many boutique distributors assume you’ll be sticking to USB. Sadly that is one other space the place the GMMK 3 isn’t dwelling as much as its excessive price ticket.

Wi-fi efficiency utilizing the two.4GHz dongle was high quality…till it wasn’t. At common intervals the keyboard would merely lose sign or simply flip off solely. And that’s when the battery wasn’t dying.

Michael Crider/Foundry

I received a most of three days of battery life in wi-fi mode, which is in step with Superb’ official estimates. Sadly, these estimates are with the LED lighting enabled. And I all the time flip the lights off, whether or not I’m working or gaming. That ought to give me weeks of efficiency on even essentially the most power-hungry keyboard.

I believe that the hall-effect sensors are sucking down that battery at a speedy tempo, however even that doesn’t account for such a short lifespan until there’s one thing very fallacious with the software program. And given the connection points I’ve skilled, that looks like a particular chance. At a number of factors I needed to disconnect and reconnect greater than as soon as in an eight-hour workday. Sorry if this feels like a damaged document, however that’s not acceptable in a keyboard this expensive.

Michael Crider/Foundry

Each the connection and stability points disappear once you plug the keyboard in, so it’s good that that’s an possibility. However given my expertise, I’d advocate that anybody on this keyboard keep away from the wi-fi improve, particularly in order for you the HE variant with its magnetic switches. The wi-fi fan in me hates to do it, however wants should.

Is the Superb GMMK 3 price it?

Loads of the issues I’ve outlined with this keyboard will be ignored when you’re not all in favour of software program customization or wi-fi. The {hardware} is nice, and the excessive value doesn’t hassle me as a lot as it will with out all these customization choices. On paper, and with out altering something once you plug it in, the GMMK 3 is fairly darn good.

Anybody searching for worth must look someplace much less wonderful.

And it’s additionally true that a few of these points is likely to be mounted sooner or later, with a firmware replace or a variety of work put into the Superb Core software program. However as all the time, I can solely overview what I’ve received in entrance of me proper now. A tool can’t get factors for what it would possibly be sooner or later.

Michael Crider/Foundry

The GMMK 3 would possibly make sense in a particularly particular scenario. In order for you a totally custom-made keyboard, you don’t care about adjustable actuation or wi-fi, you don’t want particular person recreation profiles, you’re okay with utilizing QMK for full structure customization, it suits the invoice…when you’re okay with paying a substantial premium, too.

That’s a complete lot of caveats for what’s marketed as an endgame keyboard. Anybody searching for worth, or hoping to get essentially the most out of that adjustable actuation characteristic, must look someplace much less wonderful.