Photo by Bonus Action
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the price tag can go up quickly. From multi-hundred-dollar Razers to the stylish and expensive GLORIOUS, there are plenty of options – and they can all break the bank. This is where Lemokey shines, offering typists and gamers the X5 96% mechanical keyboard at an affordable price range.
Lemokey doesn’t do it all, but what it does include is top-notch. From a bright, red RGB backlight to the solid construction of the Keychron switches under the keycaps, this wired keyboard is sturdy, stylish, and perfect for any desk setup.
Key Details
- Designer – Lemokey
- Connection: Wired
- Where to Buy: Lemokey Online Store
- Price: $49.99
- Switch Options: Keychron Red and Keychron Brown
- Review Sample Provided: Yes
The Lemokey X5 Is a Sturdy, Well-Built Keyboard
When purchasing a keyboard, the most important element of design for me is construction. Lightweight keyboards feel flimsy or scoot around the desk. The Lemokey X5 96% mechanical keyboard is a solid piece of hardware that meets my needs in the durability department.
The keyboard’s case has good weight, sitting nicely on a bare desk or mat. It doesn’t slip or slide when in use. The keycaps are also of lovely quality and feel velvety when touched.
While not as nice as the caps on my MOUNTAIN Everest Max, for the price range, they are exactly what I would want.
The Keychron Brown Switches under the caps are very responsive, but not so much so that it’s easy to fumble and hit the wrong keys when typing quickly. They have an excellent, low click when pressed that is perfect for fans of the “authentic” mechanic sound.
The 96% Size Is A Mixed Success
One thing to note about the Lemokey X5 is that it is just shy of a full keyboard. When selecting keyboards, I tend to aim for 100% options simply due to my love of a ten-key. The X5 offers that ten key, but the utility keys like PRT SCR, Delete, and Insert are all absent. Directional keys are present, but they are tucked in closely and can be easily fat-fingered if the layout isn’t one a typist is used to.
I struggled to adapt to the layout more than I anticipated and found myself frustrated with how everything was crowded together. While this is a great option for those who want the utility at a smaller desk footprint, it requires adaptability to use as easily as a 100% option.
Limited RGB Options Are a Disappointment
The selection of a gaming keyboard is part usability and part aesthetics. In the world of online streamers, influencers, and YouTubers, keyboards have become part of the personality of those using them in front of an audience. While the Lemokey X5 96% mechanical keyboard rocks a sleek, black, design, it does lose a few points in single-option RGB coloring.
The Lemokey website offers a slew of colored keycaps to match user preferences, but some of these keycaps aren’t going to look as nice when sitting over the red RGB.
Users can change the red backlight to pulse, swirl, or respond to the press of the keys on the surface. However, as someone who prefers a cool backlight, I wish this keyboard offered even a single blue option instead of just red. The lack of colors might be a big setback for people, especially for those who struggle to look at red lighting for extended periods.
Final Score – 8/10
The Lemokey X5 96% mechanical keyboard is a fantastic option for anyone looking to jump into the land of switches and keycaps. It is durable, visually pleasing, and offers plenty of customization options. The quality users are receiving for the price range is fantastic, and I would specifically recommend these keyboards for first-time mechanical users looking to try things out without breaking the bank.
While the single, red RGB backlight is a frustrating limitation, every other aspect of this keyboard makes it a great purchase. For those who are unsure about the X5’s tight key layout, The X3 offers the same great quality with a more traditional footprint at the exact same price. It is a great keyboard, and will upgrade any work or gaming setup it is added to.
**A sample of the Lemokey X5 Mechanical Keyboard was provided to Bonus Action for the purpose of this review**
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