A Pricey Beginner Board – Review Geek

What do you look for in a mechanical gaming keyboard? Media controls, hot-swap capabilities, RGB lighting, and key finishing options? You’ll find it all in NZXT’s Function Tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard, but at this price, veteran veterans want more.

Whether you want a numpad for quick Windows PIN logins, a Tenkeyless layout for desk space management, or a mini TKL configuration for travel and tight fits, the new NZXT Function Keyboard range has it all.

But if you’re looking for buttery soft keystrokes and an affordable price… keep looking.

Build, Features and Form Factor

To lead with the admirable aspects, the foam clad aluminum top plate is an excellent base. The 778g board feels solid when you type on the keys, even for someone like me who hits every key on the bottom. The foam layer that rests between the chassis and the circuit board dampens quite a few sharp clicking noises.

Speaking of sound, if you’re looking for dedicated media controls, NZXT will meet you halfway through. The left side of the keyboard features a dedicated volume wheel and media keys such as Play/Pause are available in conjunction with the function key (FN).

You’ll also find three buttons on the left side of the board; from top to bottom they control the Mute function, the Windows key lock and the brightness level of the RGB lighting.

The RGB lighting on the NZXT Function Keyboard is respectable, but nothing to write home about. Choosing the standard versions gives you ABS translucent keycaps for an extra pop, while custom NZXT BLD PBT black or gray keycaps block out more light. Use the function key (FN) and F1 to F4—standard procedure to scroll through RGB profiles.

If you’re a fan of wrist rests, you’ll be happy with NZXT in this department, as long as you don’t order the Mini TKL version – the magnetic wrist rest is only included in the full size and Tenkeyless form factors.

The original 2-meter detachable USB-C 2.0 cable that comes with the function keyboard is beautifully braided and long enough for both spacious setups and cable management configurations. If you’re opting for keycap accent colors, you’ll probably also consider getting a NZXT Accent Keyboard cable.

While the accent cables look great and work great with the color of accented keys, you should know that you will have to pay an extra $20 for a colored cable of the same quality. For some, the fluid design scheme is worth it; for others, the standard black cable is fine.

Moving to the back of the keyboard, you’ll see adjustable legs for ergonomics and rubber pads to keep the board from moving while typing or gaming.

The included keycap puller, keyswitch remover, extra keycaps and replacement switches are appreciated additions.

NZXT BLD: to adjust or not to adjust

That is the question; at least when you consider a possible increase of $50 to $120 from the original MSRP.

A major talking point of the NZXT feature board is customization, and NZXT BLD is the place to be if you’re looking for something a little extra. If you prefer gray keycaps over black or white, you immediately add a standard $10 mounting fee to your total.

Add to that some accented keys (you can choose from blue, cyan, purple, red, or yellow) for $20, and a matching accent cable for another $20, and now the same board that goes past $130 becomes a steep $ 180. Of course, this is before you even touch the stock switches.

If you’re a streamer, content creator, or attend meetings while working from home, you may want to opt for the Gateron Aliaz Silent or Silent Black Ink switches. However, be prepared to burn a $70 hole in your wallet for the upgrade.

If this is your first mechanical keyboard, or if you’re not used to greased stabilizers in general, you probably won’t have a problem with the feature’s default switches. And technically there are no problems. I didn’t notice any ghosting, double keystrokes, or direct degradation of the switch. N-key rollover is also a huge plus for consistency. The problem lies in how it feels to use the keys.

I’ve been using a function board with Gateron Blue switches for the past few weeks. Blue switches are supposed to feel clicky and tactile by design, but that doesn’t mean they have to sound stiff and sharp because of loose, rattling stabilizers. You can also choose Gateron Red or Gateron Brown switches with NZXT BLD. Fortunately, you have the option to swap them out for any MX-compatible 5-pin switch of your choice.

Remark: If you forego customization and opt for a standard Function keyboard, it comes equipped with Gateron Red switches.

And sure, the argument can be made that a hot-swappable board should not be defined by its switches. But if you’re concerned about more than matching the accent colors on your NZXT Lift, should you pay $180 for a board that needs upgraded parts from the get-go? If you ask me, the answer is a resounding no.

NZXT CAM: Macro Mapping and Exposure Software

This was a disappointing area for the feature of NZXT’s Lift Gaming Mouse, which had settings that I thought were easy to navigate in the custom lighting and macro configuration software, NZXT CAM.

Unfortunately for Mac and Linux users, NZXT CAM is only available on Windows – and it doesn’t look like NZXT CAM will be coming to other platforms anytime soon. Continuing on that note, the macro mapping options leave something to be desired.

I don’t use a lot of keyboard macros, but the few I wanted to set up got me tucked away somewhere.

Instead of using the keyboard that takes up two-thirds of the screen, or even “Remap keys”, scroll down to the “Macros” section and select the small “Add Macro” button.

From here it’s pretty easy with a few twists. Name your macro, add it, and select your activation key. If you want to use the function key (FN), you need to check the box “Use FN for activation key”.

Next, record your macro; if you want you can add each function individually and set the delay times manually. From this point it is not clear what to do. There is no “Confirm” button or visual feedback, you just need to go back to the keyboard screen.

To remap some, go to the “Remap Keys” section and drag your selection of keys, numbers, or special onto the key you want to remap. It’s not the most intuitive solution, but it’s not that bad once you get the hang of it.

On to the RGB lighting software. It’s not bad: you have four customizable built-in profiles to choose from. You can’t create custom lighting effects in NZXT CAM like you can with Razer Synapse, but the presets (color modes) available cover most of the basics you’d expect from a gaming keyboard. You’ll find the same options for the NZXT Lift, allowing you to match RGB presets and accent finishes to your peripherals.

Choose something better

If you have an accent color NZXT Lift mouse, the key highlighting feature offers a smooth design that is sure to bring your setup together. Other than that, there are few reasons to buy a NZXT Function keyboard instead of something that offers the same capabilities with a better tactile feel and lower price tag, like a Ducky One 3 or Keychron Q3 QMK.

With a lower price, NZXT would have hit the nail on the head. But as it stands, their Function keyboard and Lift mouse are only viable at a discounted rate, because you’ll almost certainly want to customize it.