The Redragon K552 is a mechanical keyboard with no numeric keypad. This means that there is no number pad, which is useful for gaming. It allows you to play with your arms closer to the desk and in a good position. It has 87 keys. The keyboard has a sloping bottom to encourage natural typing. The casing is all black; according to Redragon, the base is made of metal and further covered with ABS plastic. This gives a real sense of the keyboard’s weight compared to a mechanical keyboard with a full plastic casing. The keyboard has a simple design and is sturdy.
The back of the keyboard has two rubber feet on the bottom. There are kickstands on both sides of the keyboard, which are rubber-coated for extra grip when things get crazy in the game. Without the kickstands out, the keyboard moves easily – there is no USB pass-through, audio jack, detachable USB cable or braided cable, but these special features are not to be expected from a mechanical keyboard at this price. Don’t put it in the bath or wash it in the sink, as water can get in through the gaps between the switches.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]This is a meat-and-potatoes keyboard, with no extra features or design, just standard stuff. However, for the value of Redragons, this keyboard is the only way to go. There is a large Redragon logo above the arrow keys, and the function keys are labelled to the right for some reason. Apart from these quirky design features, the Redragon is a very simple keyboard. The enclosure is also a little peculiar, with the keys and switches sunk into a high enclosure, and I’m not the biggest fan of this design.
Its impressive build quality and stunning RGB lighting with individually backlit keys compete with keyboards twice the price. Unfortunately, this keyboard has few additional features and the clicky Outema Blue switches are loud, so it may not be suitable for quiet offices. However, given its low price, it remains a good option for those looking for a basic mechanical keyboard with respectable performance.
The clicky Outemu Blue switches are satisfyingly responsive and have a short pre-travel distance. Unfortunately, latency is mediocre and the lack of software support means gamers will not be able to set macros or reprogram keys; the RGB full backlighting is suitable for gaming in dark rooms, but does not offer the customisability of a keyboard with companion software It does not offer the customisability of a keyboard with companion software.