It appears like every manufacturer is trying to hit the popular compact-semi-custom-keyboard-with-a-rotary-dial niche nowadays, from the excessive Asus ROG Azoth to the utilitarian G.Skill KM250. Cooler Master’s CK721 has been around longer than both of them, but hits a strong medium in between the ultra-budget and the mad-money high-end. This compact but extremely practical keyboard won’t blow away anyone with its function list, however its wireless performance and type-friendly setup make it deserving of consideration.
Further reading: See our roundup of the best cordless keyboards to learn about completing products.
As a brand name Cooler Master has a little a gamer leaning, however the CK721 is a little bit more buttoned-down than the typical fare. It makes up for a lack of bombast with a concentrate on functionality. The $100 board has both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz, plus the typical RGB and programming alternatives. It hits right at the middle of the pack in regards to functions and value, and might have scored lower if it wasn’t for a solid function layer and consisted of wrist rest.
As a brand name Cooler Master has a little bit of a gamer leaning, however the CK721 is a little bit more buttoned-down than the typical fare.
While lacking in the more elaborate options seen in much of the competition, Cooler Master’s offering is serviceable, and might interest those who want a strong cordless alternative with no distractions.
Cooler Master CK721 style and specifications
At a glimpse, the CK721 might look like it’s going for the ultra-custom angle, something like the Keychron Q1 at a lower rate. Regrettably, no: Cooler Master opted for some rather low-rent parts in this board, like TTC switches (clicky Blue, smooth Red, or tactile Brown) that are a little shaky and chattery. In terms of typing it’s really pretty good if you like a lot of sound and feedback in your keys … however if you do not, you’re out of luck, due to the fact that this board does not feature hot-swap switches.
That’s a ding against it at this price point, while more affordable boards are using real PBT keycaps. Cooler Master does provide PBT caps on the nearly-identical MK721 … however because that and an elegant coiled cable are the only distinctions in between them, I do not believe it’s truly worth the $40 upgrade.
The 2.4 GHz wireless dongle tucks away in an unique hollow on the left side, opposite the unobtrusive Bluetooth/dongle/USB switch on the. And there’s a matching white braided USB-C cable television, which you’ll want to hang on to, because the opening around the charging/data port on top is so narrow and slim that your other USB-C cables most likely won’t fit it.
Concentrate on efficiency
What the CK721 does not have in refinement it makes up for in performance. You can even configure lighting patterns and macros without needing to boot up the Master+ software bundle.
That does make things a little complicated if you’re utilizing multiple layouts or makers. In the basic Windows mode, manages for Mute, Volume Down, and Volume Up are FN-,, FN-., and FN-?, respectively. Press Fn-Right Shift to switch to Mac mode, and they’re now Fn-0, Fb–, and Fn-+ to match Apple’s basic design … in addition to still being mapped to the comma, period, and concern mark. That’s in addition to the volume wheel and its integrated mute button, which work in both modes.
An abundance of options is not a bad thing, and you’ll get the hang of really using the board after a few weeks. Such is normally the case, no matter what kind of wireless you’re utilizing.
How is the Cooler Master CK721 for typing?
I’m thankful to see Cooler Master include a wrist rest with this keyboard, which actually should be standard on anything at the $100 mark or higher. It’s a bit fundamental, simply black fabric over foam, but it matches the size and spacing of the board and my RSI values it. Ditto for the rotary dial, constantly a plus for anybody who’s continuously playing media.
When even the most affordable boards out there are utilizing quality switches from Kailh with stabilizing braces on the stems for smoother action, it’s difficult to get delighted about TTC switches, which are chattery and unsteady. (Yes, I get excited about switch stems, sue me.).
Should you purchase the Cooler Master CK721?
The aluminum face plate can be removed and replaced … however the just other choice is the black color, and Cooler Master does not sell it individually, so all the additional style work appears to be for nothing. The excellent software-free alternatives are counter-balanced by the MasterPlus software itself, which constantly hung and crashed when I tried to utilize it to update the keyboard and program custom-made layouts faster.In terms of value, the CK721 is approximately typical, with points both for (consisted of wrist rest, dual-mode wireless) and versus it (ABS keycaps, low-cost switches). And that makes it rather boring to read about, if not necessarily use.
The CK721 is that thing which a critic most dreads writing about: the mean, which generates neither appreciation nor refuse.
The CK721 might turn your eye if you desire a compact, type-friendly wireless board that doesn’t spring for video gaming bonus or hardware personalization alternatives, and you never wish to set up a motorist program. However if you desire more superior parts or the option to swap them out, you need to look in other places. At this cost point I ‘d choose the Varmilo Minilo, unless you definitely have to have that radial dial. Then I ‘d spring for the Keydous NJ80-AP.
