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Logitech’s G915 TKL is one of the best gaming keyboards I’ve ever used, especially when it comes to models without ten keys. And for $230, it’s also one of the most expensive. With its low-profile keyboards, comfortable switches, beautiful RGB lighting, reliable wireless connectivity, and discreet media keys, I love everything about the design and performance of the G915 TKL. But there’s no denying that it’s too expensive for most people, especially since its full cousin, the Logitech G915, costs just $20 more. This is our Logitech G915 TKL Review.
Logitech G915 TKL Review: Design
Measuring 15.2 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches, the Logitech G915 TKL is one of the smallest and lightest gaming keyboards around. Like all keyboards without ten keypads, give up the Numpad. But, unlike other keyboards without ten keyboards, you don’t have to make any other compromises. The G915 TKL features full enter, backspace and delete keys, as well as a row of round media keys and a volume button at the top. These are the first things to go on a keyboard without ten keys, and I was both surprised and happy to find them here.
Otherwise, the Logitech G915 TKL is just a beautiful device, with a brushed metal finish, low-profile keyboards, and raised switches that light up in any color you want. In addition to media keys, you’ll also have buttons for 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth, Game Mode (which disables individual buttons during gameplay) and brightness, as well as shortcuts for macro recording.
There’s only one thing missing: i.e., a wrist rest. Since the keyboard is so low to the ground, my wrists tend to hurt after using the Logitech G915 TKL for a while, especially since my wrists tend to rest right on the edge of my desk. While wrist supports usually add cost to a keyboard, a keyboard that already costs $230 should be able to add one for free.
Logitech G915 TKL Review: Keys
Like the full Logitech G915 TKL, the Logitech G915 TKL offers you a choice of three different low profile key switches: GL Tactile, GL Linear, and GL Clicky. The model I reviewed had Tactile keys, but I’ve used both Linear and Clicky before, and each has its charm. Linear keys are silent and require full pressure to operate; Tactile keys are quiet and work halfway; Clicky keys are noisy and run halfway.
The Logitech G915 TKL helped me gain one of my most incredible performances ever on a Typing.com test: 120 wpm (words per minute), with 99% accuracy. To compare, my regular Logitech G810 gave me 112 words per minute with 97% accuracy. The GL Tactile switches are only faster and more responsive.
Features
The most useful feature of the G915 TKL is its wireless connection. Wireless mechanical gaming keyboards are still a rarity, and the great Logitech G915 is currently the best on the market. The G915 TKL has everything that works for its full-size cousin, including its flawless performance in both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth configurations.
Otherwise, the Logitech G915 TKL runs on the Logitech G Hub software, just like other modern Logitech games. With this program, you can adjust lighting patterns, reassign the top-row function keys, and set profiles for individual games. Everything works the way it’s supposed to, although hardcore enthusiasts may regret not being able to reprogram every key.
Logitech G915 TKL Review: Performance
I tested the G915 TKL with Doom Eternal, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, Tomb Raider, and World of Warcraft to see how well it performed in different genres. Like other keyboards, the Logitech G915 TKL worked beautifully, parsing my keystrokes accurately and precisely each time. I could run and shoot with the best of them in Doom, command my armies with ease in Age of Empires, reach distant ledges in Tomb Raider, and beat up my entire art revolution in World of Warcraft.
It is also important to note that I did not encounter any missed signal or moment of delay. The wireless performance was impeccable for both productivity and gaming. While I can’t promise that this would be as good in a busy tournament environment, I bet it would work well, especially on the 2.4 GHz setting. Players who are heavily dependent on macros should keep in mind that the G915 TKL has no extra keys, but it does allow you to reprogram one of the function keys and create your macros. That should work fine for everyone except the most dedicated MMO mavens.
Battery Life
Logitech claims that the G915 TKL can get 40 hours of battery back-up with RGB illumination at 100% brightness, and my tests confirmed this; the keyboard draws about 20% of its battery every eight hours or so. You could theoretically get a much longer battery life if you turn the backlight off, although you may not know how beautiful the lighting on the keyboard looks. You can charge the battery in about four hours via micro-USB, and of course, you can use the keyboard while it’s charging.
Logitech G915 TKL Review: Conclusion
There’s no moment in our Logitech G915 TKL review to talk about price in a vacuum, but it’s worth repeating: $230 for a gaming keyboard is extremely expensive. That’s about four new games for the full amount or a great wired keyboard-mouse-headset combo. And yet, if you’re searching for what the G915 TKL offers, this is about as good as it gets. It’s a beautiful, comfortable, well-designed wireless gaming keyboard with all the features you need and nothing you don’t need.
There are not many other options on the market like this, period, and it is not clear how quickly a manufacturer could try something like this again. I can’t recommend the G915 TKL to most people; however, if you’re willing to pay a premium price, you’ll get a premium gaming keyboard in return.