Redragon K552 Review

The Redragon K552 offers solid features and performance at a low price. The N-Key rollover and individual key lighting make it a budget-friendly mechanical keyboard option. Ergonomic design, durable construction, and plate-mounted mechanical keys ensure a reliable gaming experience.

Performance Comparison

Lighting Customization

The lighting customization options for the Redragon K552 offer a modest range of features. The ease of customization is commendable, as users can easily select their desired settings. It's worth noting that the options are limited to presets, leaving little room for extensive personalization.

The keyboard proved to be user-friendly, with straightforward preset selections that allow for quick customization. However, the absence of comprehensive software limited the extent of customization, leaving users with only onboard lighting options.

The onboard lighting customization is accessible through key combinations like Fn + Ins, Fn + Home, and Fn + PGUP. These combinations offer diverse lighting effects, such as "The Trail of Light," "Breathing," "Normally On," "Ripple Graff," "Pass without a Trace," "Coastal," "Hurricane," "Accumulate," and "Digital Times." While there are 19 different lighting effects and game modes, only two user-defined modes are available, with six color options and adjustable brightness and breathing speed.

The Redragon K552 excels in individual key lighting, with each key being individually illuminated, providing vibrant lighting effects. However, it lacks the ability to select individual colors for each key, which is a limitation for users seeking precise customization.

The keyboard's 18 available presets surpass many competitors, offering a diverse range of lighting effects. However, the inability to layer multiple effects limits the keyboard's potential for more intricate visual displays.

Most of the lighting is focused on the letters on the keys, creating an appealing and visually striking display. However, the inability to select individual colors for each key restricts further personalization.

Performance

In terms of performance, the Redragon K552 gaming keyboard excels in both the N-Key-rollover/anti-ghosting and latency submetrics, receiving an overall high score.

The N-Key-rollover and anti-ghosting capabilities of this keyboard are outstanding, as our testers were able to press over 30 keys simultaneously without any conflicts, proving its responsiveness and precision during intense gaming sessions. This feature ensures that every keystroke is registered accurately, providing a smooth and seamless gaming experience.

When it comes to latency, the Redragon K552 showcases its mechanical tactile design, equipped with fast and responsive mechanical switches. The linear switches offer a quiet click sound and minimal resistance without a tactile bump, resulting in rapid key actuation and reduced input lag. This advantage is especially crucial for gamers, as it allows for quick and precise command execution during gameplay.

This gaming keyboard weds exceptional performance in both N-Key-rollover/anti ghosting with remarkable latency. Its reliable anti-ghosting feature ensures that no keystrokes are lost, while the low latency and quick key actuation enhance gaming responsiveness. With such impressive performance metrics, the Redragon K552 proves to be a capable and reliable gaming keyboard, catering to the needs of both casual and competitive gamers alike.

Ease of Programming and Macros

In terms of ease of programming and macros, the Redragon K552 gaming keyboard fell short in our tests. Our evaluators noted some key aspects that affected its overall performance in this area.

Unfortunately, the Redragon K552 lacks the convenience of complementary software, which hinders its overall usability and customizability. The absence of dedicated software limits the options for personalization and fine-tuning, leaving users with a more basic and rigid experience. While the keyboard itself may be budget-friendly, it comes with certain trade-offs, including the lack of advanced programming features.

Regrettably, the Redragon K552 does not offer programmable buttons, meaning users are unable to assign specific commands or functions to individual keys. It also does not support on-the-fly macro creation, requiring users to rely on preset macros without the ability to create and record their own on the spot. These limitations can be a drawback for gamers seeking a keyboard with customizable shortcuts and macros.

Even with this keyboard's lackluster performance in this metric, it is important to keep in mind the price point. You get what you pay for, but on the positive side, the K552 offers automatic mouse clicking and allows for individual event editing.

Convenience

When it comes to convenience, the Redragon K552 gaming keyboard has been thoughtfully evaluated across four key areas, each contributing to its overall user-friendliness.

The keyboard permits keycap swapping, offering users some level of customization. The Redragon K552 offers a choice of mechanical switches, including brown, blue, and red variants. With the ability to change keycaps easily, users can personalize the appearance of their keyboard to suit their taste.

While lacking dedicated media keys, the Redragon K552 has media controls integrated into the function (Fn) layer. While functional, this setup may require an adjustment period and could be less intuitive during intense gaming sessions.

Unfortunately, the keyboard does not include a USB passthrough, which means users won't have an additional USB port on the keyboard. This feature can be helpful for connecting peripherals and improving cable management.

Palm Rest

The palm rest on the Redragon K552 gaming keyboard was noticeably absent, which is somewhat disappointing for users who value ergonomic support during long gaming sessions. Unlike some other gaming keyboards, this model does not come with a built-in palm rest, leaving users to rely on external solutions or adapt to its design without additional support.

Throughout the testing process, our team of reviewers experienced some discomfort due to the higher positioning of the keys. This design choice meant that their wrists lacked the necessary support, resulting in potential strain and fatigue after using the keyboard for even a short period. While the keyboard itself performs decently and offers responsive key presses, the absence of a dedicated palm rest might be a significant drawback for users seeking enhanced comfort during extended gaming or typing sessions.

Although the option to purchase a separate palm rest is available, it may not be an ideal solution for some users. Not only does this add to the overall cost, but it is not for this specific Redragon model. Using an external palm rest from a different model might introduce compatibility issues, impacting the seamless integration and aesthetics of the gaming setup.

Should You Buy the Redragon K552?

The Redragon K552 gaming keyboard proves to be a noteworthy contender in its price range, providing a reliable and functional option for gamers seeking an affordable yet capable mechanical keyboard. While it may not boast all the bells and whistles of higher-end models, its standout feature lies in its impressive performance, offering a satisfying tactile feel and lightning-fast responsiveness that enhances the overall gaming experience.

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