Redragon K550 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, RGB LED Backlit with Brown Switches, Macro Recording, Wrist Rest, Volume…

I have a Corsair K70 RGB Rapidfire keyboard and the Redragon K550 was obviously influenced by Corsair designs. However, the feature set of the Redragon K550 is comparable to the Corsair K95 RGB.The Redragon K550 is better than the Corsair keyboards for the following reasons:* The keyboard can be programmed without drivers although a Windows program to control the keyboard is available.* Color modes can be programmed without an external application* The Outemu Purple switches are my favorite mechanical key switches* The keycaps are better than the keycaps on my K70 (e.g. textured and thicker)* More keys — more macro keys, more shortcut keys* The shifted keys have the characters/symbols side-by-side instead of upside down on the Corsair (which I find very annoying).* The Redragon K550 is less than half the cost of even the Corsair K70 RGB much less the K95 RGB.Other than the keys, the keyboards have similar build quality. The lighting effects are similar.The only two ways that my Corsair K70 is better than the Redragon K550 is:* Has a fabric covered, more flexible cable* The wrist rest is slightly betterI like the Redragon K550 so much that I now have both the Black and White versions. They are the best keyboards that I have ever used.Note: it took me a few weeks to get used to the feel of the K550. The keys initially felt stiff and seemed to grind slightly, but now I like the feel better than any other keyboard that I have ever tried.Here’s my original review of the white keyboard:I’ve been working with this keyboard for several days, and I’m getting used to the stiff keys and tactile feedback, so I’m increasing my rating to five stars. The volume roller was stiff and hard to turn, but has broken in. The keys are stiffer than those on my Logitech G910 Orion Spark RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, which is much smoother, lighter and but has very little tactile feedback.It’s well made and looks good. It has a very thick, non-detachable, inflexible plastic cable sticking out the back, which is awkward. The cable splits into two USB plugs: one for the keyboard and the other for a pass through.Macros are easy to program and are stored in the keyboard, but timing is also stored, which is good and bad, but mostly good. I wish there was a way around the timing though because I have to record macros as fast as possible for them not to be annoyingly slow on playback.The illumination is attractive. I’m using the keyboard on a Mac, so I have not tried the Windows software.Initially, my biggest issue was that the keys were very stiff, requiring more effort than any other keyboard that I’ve used — and I’ve used many. As a writer and a coder, I was afraid the keys might become fatiguing. The keys initially seemed to grind a little when depressed; not much, but it’s noticeable. I thought I would have preferred a clicky, lighter, smoother key switch, but I was wrong — I have grown to prefer the Outemu Purple switches in the K550.Over time, the keys have become smoother and crisper. I am very satisfied with the Redragon K550W mechanical keyboard. It is an excellent keyboard even without considering its low price.

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 This review is for the 

Redragon K550 Yama RGB LED Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (White)

).TL;DR │ Good mechanical keyboard with on-board macro⁽ⁿ¹⁾ and OUTEMU made PURPLE switch⁽ⁿ²⁾. These are unique switches. They feel like a heavier MX BROWN, and feels like an MX BLUE without the click sound. They look stunning, and they are in a price point where you would think these are cheaply made, which they are not. Their build is even better than popular brand names like Corsair. Beware, as of this writing, I can’t use the WINDOWS key with custom lighting.NOTE: Problems with Windows 10? See notes below for a solution.Contents: Intro │ What I Like │ What I Don’t Like │ Differences │ Package │ Notes │ Verdict- – – – -I got this keyboard because I was looking for Cherry MX CLEAR. The cheapest I found was WASD’s Code keyboard. That is $155, plus shipping, single color backlight, no macro, ABS keycap. They charge extra $40 for double-shot PBT. In short, it was overpriced, probably because Cherry MX CLEAR is a little harder to come by. But then I realize, this Redragon keyboard *may* be using something similar to Gateron Zealio, based on users saying it has purple switch. Well, it is NOT, and also not as heavy as MX CLEAR, but they are at least not as mushy as MX BROWN.Based on my experience with Redragon (

K555 Indrah

), I know that their keycaps are PBT double-shot, and most of the build are high-end. I would have bought the black version for the odd chance that these are not the same. Well, I’m happy to announce that they are similar. Materials are the same, and only the color differs. And did I mention that these are less than $100? Unbelievable. I got the white version because, why not?WHAT I LIKE │ + │+ No software bloat!⁽ⁿ¹⁾+ TRUE on-board storage/processing of profile and macros.⁽ⁿ¹⁾+ USB 2.0 pass-through hub.+ Very inexpensive for the build.+ Brushed silver aluminum finish.+ Double-shot injection keycaps.+ Anti-shine keycap texture.+ Floating keys! Easy to clean, and looks fantastic with the under-lighting.+ Detachable wrist rest.+ Volume rocker.+ Keycap puller. Yay!+ It just looks like a $200+ keyboard if you believe the competitors.WHAT I DON’T LIKE │ × │× Custom lighting only works on gaming mode (WIN key disabled). UGH!× If no macro is recorded on a key, it acts as an F key (F1 to F12).× What hell is the Fn key for?× Not user-definable full range RGB.⁽ⁿ³⁾× Windows 10 issue out of the box.⁽ⁿ⁴⁾× Not as simple to set-up as the K555 Indrah.× More expensive than the black version.× Not removable and/or nylon-braided USB cable.× G-keys, multimedia, and lighting keys are not mechanical.× Also, these keys seem to have easy-to-scuff paint.× Not clear housing on the switches.× Hard to understand manual.DIFFERENCES WITH K555 Indrah- Indrah has slightly heavier MX BLUE equivalent switches.- Indrah’s switches have clear housing.- Yama has more macro keys (12 versus 6).- Yama is bigger.- Yama has a honeycomb, less “softer feel” wrist rest.- Yama has dedicated lighting keys.- Yama has dedicated media keys.- Yama has a volume rocker (versus volume up/down keys).- Yama has a USB hub, and uses 2 USB ports.DIFFERENCES WITH BLACK K550 YAMA- White keycaps, brushed silver plate, silver macro keys.- White wrist pad/rest.- White USB cable.PACKAGE │ ✓ ✗ │✓ Aptly priced keyboard✓ Detachable hard plastic wrist pad✓ Printed materials✓ Neat box, bubbles wraps and more plastic.✓ Red keycap puller (not the wire type).✗ NO Keyboard cover- – – – -NOTES⁽ⁿ¹⁾WHY THE “TRUE” ON-BOARD MEMORY IS IMPORTANTWith a “true” on-board memory, the lighting, macro, and key-strokes you save are stored INSIDE the keyboard, and are executed there too. It does NOT need Windows to be running to execute them. It has its own on-board processors to do it. What are the benefits of this function?▶ For macros, there will be no lag/delay since it will not be dependent on Windows software.▶ You can use it anywhere. Even in the lock screen, before “running” Windows.▶ Need to change computers? No re-installing of drivers and software required.▶ Works flawlessly with virtual machines and remote desktops.To put in perspective, Corsair, Razer, and Logitech offers these keyboards at TWICE the price, but they do not even employ on-board memory. It’s like buying a more expensive laptop with integrated graphics versus one with dedicated GPU. It baffles the mind.···⁽ⁿ²⁾OUTEMU PURPLE???▶ I tested it using nickels (US 5¢). Each nickel weights approximately 5 grams. This seems to actuate at 50-60 grams. In comparison, my MX BLUE actuates at 55-60 grams, my MX BROWN actuates at 45-50 grams, and my OUTEMU BLUE actuates at 60-70 grams.The only thing I did not like on this switch is that they do not have clear housing – something about my RGB OUTEMU BLUE I liked, because they make switches with clear housing. Clear housing is better for lighting, especially since this keyboard has floating keys design.···⁽ⁿ³⁾NOT FULL RANGE RGB?▶ While the LED’s are RGB, the user cannot set it up to show any light as you would in other RGB keyboards. It has only 7 predefined colors that the user can set for each key. It still does however, show the full range of RGB colors when using any of the animations. Not a problem in real world usage. Only complaint is that it does not have purple/violet. Closest it has looks more like pink.···⁽ⁿ⁴⁾WINDOWS 10 SOLUTION▶ If you are using Windows 10, it may require a bit more work. This is what you have to do:1. Open Device Manager. (Press Windows Key, type “Device Manager”, press Enter)2. Look for to “Universal Serial Bus controllers”, and expand it (click the ‘>’ button).3. Look for “ND-tech USB adapter” created by the keyboard. (If there are more than one, reinsert they keyboard to see which one.)4. Right-click on that and choose “Update Driver software”5. Choose and click “Browse my computer for driver software.”6. Choose and click “Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.”7. Choose “USB composite device” and click Next and proceed from there.8. You should see two entries under Keyboards called “HID Keyboard Device”.9. Congratulations. Enjoy your new keyboard.Thanks to “Skyhawk0123” for pointing this solution (which was from “Sebastian J.” on Amazon UK).- – – – -VERDICT: I recommend this product.★★★☆☆ | 3 stars out of 5. Not perfect. I’d still prefer the K555 Indrah, as it is more solid in my opinion. It seriously needs a firmware update. The disabling of the windows key with custom lighting killed it for me.Questions? Hit the comments.This review is for the 

Redragon K550 Yama RGB LED Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (White)

).- – – – -TIP: To see bigger photos, click on the review title to open the review page. Hover over the photo, and right-click on the pop-up image, and click “Open in new tab” (Chrome) or “View image” (Firefox). Alternatively, select “Copy image” (Chrome/Firefox) / “copy “(IE) / “copy picture” (Edge) “, and paste in the URL bar.

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 My first mechanical keyboard, upgrading from a $10USD Logitech keyboard/mouse combo and loving it.Pros:Taking it out of the packaging I was actually really surprised as to how heavy it is, the build is great quality and better than the cheap Chinese plastic I was expecting. All of the keys have a distinct “clicky” sound, aside from maybe the space-bar as well as the custom macro keys on the top. The key layout is exactly how I like it with everything being appropriately sized and oriented. I feel like my typing speed is noticeably faster than it was on the cheap membrane keyboard and the responsiveness from the keystrokes is very satisfying. The RGB effects are awesome and really bring this keyboard to life. I included a video briefly cycling through the options (sorry for the shaky hand syndrome). Overall, I really feel this was worth the investment and I hope to keyboard this keyboard around with me for many years to come!Cons:My biggest complaint with the keyboard is that it uses 2 USB ports. I haven’t looked into it enough to know if they serve different functions, but at least for now it seems both are required. Thankfully giving up my two rear USB 2.0 ports on my board won’t hurt me too much, but for others with more limited I/O capabilities it could be kind of annoying. The manual is kind of lazy, not a lot of detail on certain functions of the keyboard such as the RGB controls. I also can’t seem to find a way (if there is one) to just do a static color of my choice for the lights, which if that is the case it will be a big let down. Also, I didn’t receive that little tool to remove the keys with? :(Final thoughts:I can’t really compare this to any other keyboards due to the fact that this is my first mechanical keyboard and everything I have used previously has been membrane. Originally when I was looking around for one I was mostly looking for Cherry MX – Blue switches, because I really wanted the clicky noise, but traded off for the white board to match my case and mouse (Redragon Mammoth – White). No regrets so far, thank you Redragon!

I got this yesterday within 20 minutes was ready to return it and I’m still rather disappointed. I work at home and was excited at the prospect of having macros that weren’t linked to office but system wide. I didn’t care about the lights it was enough that you could turn them off and set them to one single color. The keyboard itself is a lot heavier than I had expected, a good thing. My first disappointment was when I tried to record a macro just a simple sentence that needs injected into all my work documents. I was not expecting to find out that the macro records in real time so there’s literally no time saved over typing it in and faster to copy and paste than a dedicated button on the keyboard which makes the macros utterly pointless! My second disappointment was although I’ve read the instructions several times and watched youtube videos (both of which refer to keys not present on the keyboard) there was no way possible to get it to stay on a static color. The keyboard came with a tiny cdrom. In 2019 what would anyone do with a cdrom, why not a link to a website with whatever’s on the disk. I haven’t used a physical disk in a decade. There’s no link for any software for the k550w model, but I did find software for the k550 black variant and when running that as an administrator (had to guess because it wouldn’t do anything when launched) I was finally able to set a profile to a solid color on the keyboard so that at least works if you download software the company and everyone and their brother tells you doesn’t exist and you don’t need. The macro function of the software unfortunately does not work. I’m working on trying to find a software solution for the macros so I can store a macro key to be something like qwe, store that on a macro key, and use the third party software to make that do what I would of thought the keyboard macro could do out of the box – just inserting text instead of typing it in at the same speed you set the macro up at.The keyboard is ok as far as feel. It’s nothing super impressive or amazing, tbh. I mean it types good, but I’m sure there’s other’s just as well that are cheaper and don’t have gimmicks like macros that turn out to be pointless. The legs in the back seem a little low for the attached wrist rest. I would like it to be a little higher in the back. I put a couple of coasters under the feet and now it’s much better. The only thing that my old keyboard didn’t have that actually worked correctly out of the box is the volume wheel. It was a selling point for the keyboard and at least it doesn’t disappoint it’s smooth and has a good feel to it. I like the volume wheel a lot. I’m sure I’ll eventually grow to love this keyboard once I waste hours of my life going through a bunch of crappy free macro software programs 95% of which I will wish I never bothered to try and uninstall within minutes just to find a workable third party solution for what I would of expected the keyboard macro could do out of the box, simply store text and paste it in at the touch of a button, which this underwhelming keyboard can do, just at the speed you would type it in anyway making it an utterly pointless feature. The keys make a plastic clacking sound not the sound over would associate with a mechanical keyboard and are soft and spongy.

– Even though it’s Redragon custom Outemu key(purple) and not cherry mx, it doesn’t feel bad at all compared to other Cherry Mx keyboards that I’ve used before. Very quiet keys actually, I think it’s just as loud as my Cooler Master QuickFire Cherry Mx Red. You can also feel the slight bump, so I’d say that the keys are like quiet version of Cherry mx brown. Perfect for environments that require silence.- Solid metal construction, not braided but thick(about 0.6-0.7cm diameter) cables. I think this keyboard will really last for a long time.- No additional software, but macros are very easy to set. Just press Rec, choose which gaming macro button you want to set, type your macros, press Rec again and you’re done. If you don’t edit any G1-G12 buttons, they are basically your alternative F1-F12 buttons.- 7 different backlight colors and few different modes. You can personalize the backlit color on each key and save it in 3 profiles(L1~L3). How to personalize the backlit is actually on the manual, but I’ll write it below just in case people don’t understand what it says(It’s not in perfect english).- Lots of multimedia buttons including volume wheel.- Solid wrist rest, also durable.***How to personalize different backlights for each key1. Turn on the winlock key that’s above the pause/play key. It should light up.2. Then press the profile key that you want to edit/save (L1~L3)3. Press [LR] key. All the lights will be off and the keyboard will not type anything.4. Customize each key by pressing it however many times you want to in order to change colors. There are 7 colors, so press the key 7 times to reach the last color.NOTE: Additional macro keys(G1~G12, [Rec]) and multimedia/profile keys are not backlit. Don’t touch them while doing this.5. After you customize all the backlight colors, press the profile key that you chose earlier again(L1~L3).6. Press [LR] again.7. You’re done. If you want to use your personalized backlights instead of default modes, you must turn on the winlock and choose the profile that you edited.*******From my experience, you must customize EVERY key in personalization mode in order to use all the keys. If you leave any key without backlit color, that key will not work while using keyboard.***How to delete all the backlight profiles- Press [LR] and hold for 5+ seconds. When all 3 profile keys flash at the same time, every profile will be back to default.