ASUS TUF Gaming K7 IP56 Gaming Keyboard Review

How Much Does it Cost?

A premium keyboard like this doesn’t come cheap, so I’m not shocked by the £140/$150 price tag. If anything, it’s pretty competitive when it comes to the high-end of the keyboard market. However, most of their competitors don’t have custom 100m keystroke optical switches or and IP56 rating, so the TUF K7 certainly has the edge there.

Overview

ASUS already have a very competitive grasp on the keyboard market. The ASUS RoG STRIX Scope RGB Mechanical Keyboard we reviewed just a week ago is one of the best examples of this. It’s a fantastic looking gaming keyboard that should appeal to many, even at £150. However, the TUF Gaming K7 is a bit more off the beaten track than that and is there for someone who wants a bit of a change, and that’s great!

Optical Switches

There’s really nothing on the market quite like them, and I’m guessing that’s why there’s a hole in the box. If you see this in a retail store you can try out the switches yourself, and I suggest you do. I do think they’re a bit loud, but I know some people love that and don’t care about the noise and even prefer the louder switch. I do think they’re somewhere between an MX Speed due to their shorter travel, and an MX Blue due to their clicky clack. If that’s your idea of awesome, you’re in for a treat. Then again, I’m also very eager to try the linear variant of this keyboard, I think it could be even better.

Understated Ish…

This keyboard looks dark and menacing with the black trim and soft finished aluminium top panel. You could drop it in the office and it’ll look fantastic. Turn on the RGB to full rainbow, however, and it can be as flamboyant as your heart desires. That being said, the addition of the wrist rest, IP56 rating, and the overall build quality make it well suited to a wide range of gaming and work environments, which I’m sure will add to the overall appeal.

Should I Buy One?

If innovation and unique performance is your groove, then the K7 certainly ticks both boxes. It’s a competent work and gaming keyboard with a few extra features that make it stand out from the usual keyboard crowd. For that alone, I think it’s a brilliant breath of fresh air, and highly recommend you try one out should you get the chance.

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