Xtrfy K4 TKL Retro Mechanical Keyboard Overview
PerformancePSU Verdict: 4.8/5
From the Reviewer
The Xtrfy K4 Retro TKL is priced at £89.99 in the UK and we really feel is the proper value level for the unbelievable high quality on provide. The RGB lighting is crisp and saturated, and the typing expertise is cheap however might simply be improved with some low cost modifications.Total, for the value you are paying, you’ll not discover a higher keyboard within the bracket. The K4 simply outperforms a few of its opponents for lower than half of the value.
Professionals
- Retro Aesthetics
- Good Base to Modify
- Crisp RGB Lighting
- Braided Cable
- Construct High quality
Xtrfy is a Swedish firm that has slipped underneath my radar for a very long time till just lately after I put collectively all the info for our most used keyboards by eSports players article after I quickly realised – there’s a whole lot of professional players utilizing Xtrfy {hardware} in tournaments.
As with the earlier Xtrfy K5 keyboard overview, I reached out to the Xtrfy advertising workforce to see if I might see what all of the fuss was about. Initially, I simply wished to have a look at the K5 however they have been good sufficient to ship me this one as properly, so an enormous shout out to Xtrfy for offering this pattern.
Allow us to kick off our Xtrfy K4 TKL Retro Mech Keyboard Overview by taking a more in-depth have a look at what’s on provide and the specs
Specs
On paper, the Xtrfy K4 TKL eSports gaming keyboard is a really related spec to its larger brother the K5 65% however, brings rather less refinement leading to a extra accessible value level. Whereas nonetheless rocking the identical Kailh pink switches because the K5 this mannequin doesn’t assist hot-swappable switches nor does it embody key dampening or a removable USB cable.
| Xtrfy K4 TKL Retro Specs | ||||||||||
| Switches | Mechanical Kailh Pink RGB | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swap Variants | Linear Solely | |||||||||
| Type Issue | 88 Key, TenKeyLess (TKL) | |||||||||
| Lighting | Onboard Controls | |||||||||
| Quantity Adjustment | Sure through shortcut | |||||||||
| Connectivity | Onerous-wired braided, non-detachable USB | |||||||||
| Layouts Accessible | Nordic, UK, US, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian | |||||||||
| Colors Accessible | Retro, Black, White | |||||||||
| Dimensions | 356 x 141 x 39 mm | |||||||||
| Value | £89.99 keyboard in the UK or $155 in the USA | |||||||||
The Xtrfy K4 is out there in 4 completely different choices; The primary is the full-size K4 full with quantity keys however solely obtainable in black. The opposite 3 are all TKL variations; The primary is the retro model we’re reviewing right here and the completely different choices you may spec are both a black or white model.
Unboxing
A have a look at the field reveals that their design workforce know precisely the best way to place their merchandise. A glossy retro design with fastidiously chosen colors to actually it other than the competitors – you immediately really feel a way of bizarre nostalgia.
Upon opening the field, there’s not a lot to see aside from some protecting foam protecting the entrance of the Xtrfy K4 TKL keyboard.
Aesthetics
I discussed earlier than that the packaging design made me really feel like was 8 years previous and again at school once more, I particularly keep in mind the same type in my early years. I admit it’s a really nostalgic expertise – even right down to the retro gray tone of the body and keycaps, they actually nailed it there.
One factor I actually love concerning the Xtrfy K4 RGB keyboard is the triple-tone keycaps, particularly the darker caps that take up the ‘TKL’ portion of the board – they appear to part off the keyboard in my peripheral imaginative and prescient.
To the rear of the K4 TKL keyboard, you’ve a centred and braided USB cable with pink plastic accents to additional bolster the retro theme of this unit. As talked about earlier than, the cable just isn’t indifferent so when you’re in search of a pickup-and-go keyboard you may throw in your backpack you might wish to have a look at the K5 TKL or possibly even the Roccat Vulcan which each include removable USB-c connectors.
Construct High quality
Out of all the mechanical eSports keyboards I’ve reviewed just lately, the construct high quality of Xtrfy mechanical keyboards has been second to none and no, I’m not simply saying that as a result of they have been type sufficient to supply me with some samples to overview, I’m genuinely impressed by the eye to element.
The K4 is, in my view, a well-constructed keyboard that has a good weight to it with out being overbearing in addition to rubberised pads and extendable ft that means it’s not going to go slipping round your desk throughout these clutch gaming moments.
As with the Xtrfy K5 compact 65% keyboard we reviewed, the built-in RGB lighting is amongst one of the best in school bringing vibrant colors throughout the complete spectrum of colors. Usually, I’ve one thing to say within the RGB lighting division however not with this keyboard.
What I’ve discovered to this point is all the costly keyboards look the half in photos such because the Logitech G915 and the SteelSeries Apex PRO TKL however lack in different departments which isn’t one thing I can say for the Xtrfy K4 TKL mechanical eSports gaming keyboard.
Efficiency
I’ll come proper out and say it; The typing expertise is nowhere close to as refined because the Xtrfy K5 65% keyboard however what do you anticipate from a product that’s purposely positioned to be cheaper and simpler to entry that its larger (smaller) brother?
Total, the typing expertise from the Xtrfy K4 TKL keyboard continues to be a lot better than anything I’ve used within the section. The stabs have some good resistance and don’t sound echoey in any respect which is one thing I discovered to be an issue with the Roccat Vulcan TKL Professional. In the event you take a while to tape-mod the keyboard and lube the switches, I might virtually guess that this keyboard would beat anything for the value.
I discover gaming efficiency is all the time exhausting to quantify in relation to RGB mechanical gaming keyboards. Response instances really feel as quick as they are often and are usually imperceptible to us mere mortals so I are inclined to go on really feel, suggestions and the overall consolation while gaming. I discovered with the Logitech G915 that whereas it was an enormous board taking over a whole lot of area, my fingers felt cramped and suffered from a whole lot of overshoot when gaming leading to my urgent the incorrect keys however that’s not one thing I’ve whereas utilizing the Xtrfy K4 TKL.
There are zero noticeable delays within the execution of key presses. The n-key rollover feature ensures that each one keypresses are registered irrespective of what number of keys you press in succession.
Remaining Ideas
Till a few months in the past, I didn’t even know who Xtrfy have been however, after reviewing two of their keyboards now and seeing how they work together with their viewers on social media, I can see these guys going locations in the long run. Remembering that is an £89.99 keyboard in the UK or $155 in the USA, I don’t suppose there’s a lot else within the section that may match the standard on provide this facet of the pond.
Okay, so price-wise, there’s the Coolermaster CK352 which is available in at £60 in the UK or $69.99 in the US however, the refinement and high quality provided are nowhere what you’re getting from the Xtrfy K4 TKL – spending the additional £20 is price it.
I don’t actually see some other competitors on the value level proper now within the eSports match gaming scene. Out of all of our critiques, analysis and testing – it’s trying like Xtrfy keyboards are a number of the finest, off-the-shelf mechanical gaming keyboards presently obtainable providing aggressive value factors. Xtrfy appears to be nailing it on the pinnacle mixing the proper quantity of promoting with high quality. It’s good to see a producer not oversell and underdeliver their merchandise.
The Xtrfy K4 TKL mechanical keyboard is well the most effective gaming keyboards utilized by skilled players proper now, alongside the K5 – I might extremely suggest this keyboard for players or programmers wanting a step up from the run-of-the-mill, off-the-shelf {hardware} that solely appears good in photos and sometimes under-delivers.
