HyperX HX-KB1SS2-UK Alloy FPS RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Kailh Silver Speed Switches (UK Layout)

Product Information

If you prefer a smaller model, the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a TKL keyboard, but it has a single red color backlight instead of RGB.

The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB is a fantastic gaming keyboard that's quite similar to the HyperX Alloy Elite 2, though it comes with different switches that have a much shorter pre-travel distance for more responsiveness. From the lighting tab you can change the color of the keys, create/edit zones, perform per key illumination and choose one of the 7 available effects. The Alloy FPS RGB is the latest to hit the desk for testing, with its 104-key layout and full range of RGB LEDs, the switches used in this model is the make or break deciding factor for many.There are hotkeys for media control and a Game Mode that acts as a Windows Key lock, which prevents you from accidentally minimizing your game.

That’s a bit surprising as well—the rest of HyperX’s keyboards come in Cherry MX Blue, Brown, and Red variants, but you’re stuck with Silvers here. Finance is provided by PayPal Credit (a trading name of PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH). All of the Alloy models sport a frameless design, which exposed the switches so that the LED lighting shines better and further.The product remains the property of HyperX but is on extended loan for future testing and product comparisons.

It comes with a detachable wrist rest and has dedicated media keys, a volume wheel, and a USB passthrough. The exposed steel plate is cleaner looking than a framed keyboard, and it does allow for the RGB LED lighting to not only shine through the keycaps, but also does flood out over the top of the keyboard as well. Far to the right are the lock LED indicators next to the HyperX name, as well as a full number pad, with optional arrow keys on it.While many will never see the PCB or anything inside of the keyboard for that matter, since we had it open, why not see what is going on. Overall I was very pleased with the light, fast feel of the keyboard – though I realize that I have grown quite accustomed to the 4 mm travel and slightly heavier feel of Cherry MX key switches, so a longer period of adjustment would be needed before I could be as comfortable with these switches.

We do like that the bottom of the feet have a rubber pad on them for added grip, but this can make the feet collapse if you find yourself shifting the keyboard around on the desk a lot. Begin by removing the keycaps on the front to expose screws as seen above, and then remove the rubber pads at the top on the back to access two more screws hidden underneath. Hammer away all you like: short of twisting it between your hands, the Alloy FPS RGB is solid as a rock. Paperwork can be found under it, and the cable is found in the section of cardboard with the hole to lift it out.The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is a better overall keyboard than the HyperX Alloy FPS RGB, though both are exceptional for gaming.