Are you a fan of the HyperX brand? Or maybe you are just a little curious about their mechanical keyboard lineup. Today we are going to dive into each of their different keyboard models and rank them based on features, build quality, price, and aesthetics.
The Best HyperX Mechanical Keyboards (Ranked):
- HyperX Alloy Origins/Origins Core
- HyperX Ducky One 2 Mini
- HyperX Alloy Elite RGB
- HyperX Alloy FPS Pro/ RGB
We’ll dig a little deeper into why the keyboards ranked the way they did and explain some of the details about what makes HyperX keyboards unique, such as their own line of switches.
What is HyperX?
HyperX is a company that focuses primarily on producing PC gaming peripherals. They’re best known for their headsets, such as the HyperX Cloud, but they also make microphones, earbuds, mice, mousepads, memory cards, and other miscellaneous tech. From our personal experience with HyperX, we’ve always been satisfied with the quality and performance of their equipment.
Does HyperX Make Good Mechanical Keyboards?
The purpose of this article is really dive in and take a close look at their mechanical keyboard line-up, but before we do so, let’s talk about how we feel the overall quality of their mechanical keyboards are in a general sense. From our experience, gaming-focused peripheral companies don’t have the best quality and the products tend to be overpriced, so going into this we did not have high expectations the HyperX keyboards to do very well.
But boy were we wrong, after reviewing the HyperX keyboards, we ended up putting one of their keyboards into our favorite mechanical keyboards of all-time, something only reserved for the best of the best. We were blown away by the quality and features when compared with the price of some their keyboards and we’ll explain why.
Let’s kick this list off with our favorite keyboard from HyperX.
1. HyperX Alloy Origins/Origins Core
The Design
The HyperX Alloy Origins is a sleek mechanical keyboard with a floating keycap design and solid aluminum case. The keyboard comes in two different sizes, the Alloy Origins, which is a full-sized keyboard, or the Alloy Origins Core, a tenkeyless layout with no number pad. We opted for the Alloy Origins Core, because we find the tenkeyless layout to be more efficiently sized and compact.
Amazing Build Quality
The first thing that really jumped out at me about this keyboard was how solid and stable the keyboard felt, it’s almost impossible to find such a well-built keyboard within this price range. Out of all the mid-range mechanical keyboards we’ve reviewed in the past, the HyperX Alloy Origins Core really separates itself from the pack. This keyboard has incredible build quality with the sleek aircraft-grade aluminum case and black aesthetic. The keyboard also comes fully loaded with customizable RGB lighting and multiple kickstand height adjustments.
The keyboard is incredibly fun and satisfying to type on coming with your choice between the HyperX Red and Aqua switches. We have purchased the keyboard with both switch types and prefer the Reds. In our opinion, the HyperX Red switches beat linear switches from every other company, including Cherry MX.
Our Only Complaints
The only thing we didn’t like about the Origins Core was the location of the port for the power cable. The keyboard comes standard with a detachable USB-C cable, but for some reason the port is located on the back right-hand side of the case. Usually this port is located on the left side and this location felt a little awkward. Sort of a nit-pick, but that was one of our few complaints.
Where to get the HyperX Alloy Origins/Core
We found the Alloy Origins Core really benefits from upgrading the keycaps to a Doubleshot Pudding set to really let the RGB shine. It’s not really necessary, but this keyboard is already such a steal at its current price point, it’s hard not to. You can find the HyperX Alloy Origins Core on Amazon for a super affordable price. At its current price point, we feel this keyboard is the most bang for your buck purchase you can find.
2. HyperX Ducky One 2 Mini
Compact 60% Layout and Design
The HyperX Ducky One 2 Mini is the first 60% mechanical keyboard layout offered from HyperX. The keyboard was designed originally by Ducky and due to the pure popularity of the keyboard, HyperX decided to make a spin-off model with them that focuses on more of a “HyperX aesthetic” which is basically red and black coloring. The keyboard is almost exactly the same as the original Ducky One 2 Mini, except colored differently and with the option of the HyperX branded switches.
Lacks Some Originality
We found this keyboard lacked a lot of originality, it felt like HyperX was really using it to get on the Ducky One 2 Mini hype train. It would have been awesometo see them take a more independent route and build their own 60% to compete with the Ducky One 2 Mini, but instead they just built their own version of the same keyboard. If you want to read more about different mechanical keyboard sizes, check out this post here.
Great Pick for People who Need a Smaller Keyboard
Besides that, there isn’t much bad to say about the keyboard, it’s plastic and light, but doesn’t flex much. The smaller layout also makes the keyboard much more portable and compact, super easy to take on the go. You also get a few extra colored keycaps so you can further customize some of the different colors. If you’re looking for a 60% keyboard and enjoy the red/black aesthetic, this wouldn’t be a bad purchase.
3. HyperX Alloy Elite RGB
Alloy Elite RGB: Loaded with Features… but too Much?
The Alloy Elite RGB is the flagship, most expensive mechanical keyboard offered by HyperX. So why is this keyboard ranked #3? The Alloy Elite RGB is a full-sized keyboard packed with a ton of different features, but we feel HyperX compromised the build quality in order to do so. Some of the extra features include: wrist rest, light bar, extra media keys, volume wheel, dedicated buttons for lighting, and USB passthrough. So how does the build quality suffer?
Interesting Build: Plastic, Aluminum, & Steel
Even though HyperX touts the steel plate, the back of the case is plastic with a thin aluminum plate on top. In normal circumstances, this design would be sufficient or even really good, but when compared to quality of the all-aluminum Origins Core, it doesn’t match up. HyperX shot themselves in the foot by making their cheaper product (Origins Core) more well put together than their expensive one (Alloy Elite RGB). Coming in at around twice the cost, it really makes you wonder if those features are worth it.
An Absolute Unit of a Keyboard
For me personally, I wouldn’t get much use out of all of the extra media keys and buttons and the non-detachable power cable feels extremely cumbersome. The keyboard has a very large forehead to store all of the extra keys, so between that and the wrist pad, the entire keyboard apparatus takes up almost your entire desk. Overall, we found the keyboard to be clunky and awkward.
Where to Get the HyperX Alloy Elite RGB
If you really need all of the features on the Alloy Elite and don’t mind the large size, then it could be a good purchase for you. You can find the Alloy Elite listed on Amazon through this link.
4. HyperX Alloy FPS Pro/RGB
The Different Model Types and Features
The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro/RGB comes in two different models: a tenkeyless with red backlighting or a full-sized with RGB. The construction of keyboard is very similar to the Alloy Elite, with a thin aluminum top plate, steel plate mid-plate, and the back of the case constructed out of plastic. The design gives the keyboard some weight and makes it feel quite durable, but the different materials produce a slight pinging noise when typing.
Cherry MX Switches
The only switches offered with this layout are the Cherry MX Blue, Brown, and Red switches. We got ours with the Cherry MX Red, but we’re disappointed they didn’t offer the HyperX switches, since we found them to feel slightly better.
Detachable Mini-USB, Strange Choice
The Alloy FPS Pro has a detachable mini-USB cable located on the back right-hand side of the keyboard, sort of similar to the HyperX Alloy Origins. We would have liked the port to be located on the back left-hand side as that is usually the standard location. In addition, the mini-USB is strange. USB-C would be preferred since the cable is reversible, so you don’t accidently try and plug it in upside-down.
Should you Buy the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro?
Overall, there is nothing too special about this keyboard. The price is super affordable and does well compared to other keyboards in its price range, but it does not really stand out in anyway. You can find the Alloy FPS Pro through this link on Amazon.
Different Mechanical Keyboard Switches Offered by HyperX:
HyperX has started its own line of switches to rival Cherry MX. On some of HyperX products they still offer the Cherry MX switches, so we’ll see how the competition matches up and see if it’s worth ditching the old reliable Cherry MX switches for the new HyperX switches. HyperX has three switches they’re currently marketing: Red (linear), Aqua (tactile, and Blue (clicky).
HyperX Switches: Should you make the Switch?
| Switch Type | Actuation Type | Force (Heaviness) | Actuation Point | Travel Distance | Life Span |
| HyperX Red | Linear | 45g | 1.8mm | 3.8mm | 80 million |
| HyperX Aqua | Tactile | 45g | 1.8mm | 3.8mm | 80 million |
| HyperX Blue | Clicky | 45g | 1.8mm | 3.8mm | 80 million |
HyperX Red Switch vs Cherry MX Red Switch
Between the HyperX Red and the Cherry MX Red, the HyperX have a shorter travel distance and actuation point. The force required for actuation is the same. We have found the HyperX Red switches feel smoother and more comfortable. HyperX switches are not as durable as Cherry MX, rated for 80 million keystrokes versus Cherry’s 100 million.
HyperX Aqua Switch vs Cherry MX Brown
Between the HyperX Aqua and the Cherry MX Brown, the HyperX have a shorter travel distance and actuation point. The force required for actuation the same. We have found the Aqua switches have a smaller bump and less feedback. HyperX switches are not as durable as Cherry MX, rated for 80 million keystrokes versus Cherry’s 100 million.
HyperX Blue Switch vs Cherry MX Blue
Between the HyperX Blue and the Cherry MX Blue, the HyperX have a shorter travel distance and actuation point. The force required for actuation is the same. HyperX switches are not as durable as Cherry MX, rated for 80 million keystrokes versus Cherry’s 100 million. The HyperX Blue switch is not released yet, so no word yet on how it feels.
Conclusion
We have always associated HyperX with high quality products and after looking at their mechanical keyboard lineup, they definitely live up to those high expectations. We were absolutely blown away by the HyperX Alloy Origins Core, a keyboard with unparalleled quality at such a low price. We found the rest of the keyboards in their line up to also be quite nice and feel that any keyboard from HyperX could be worth the purchase, depending on what you’re looking for.
There are some things HyperX could improve on, such as moving the location of their power cable port to left side and offering more unique and exciting products, but overall I think they are moving in the right direction to compete in the mechanical keyboard market.
We also talked about the HyperX switch lineup and compared the new Red, Aqua, and Blue switches with the existing Cherry MX switches. Overall, they match up very well and we are excited to see how the release of the HyperX Blue switches does in comparison.