Our Verdict
Customizable from an entry degree all-plastic, wired possibility, all the best way as much as a metal-bodied, wi-fi unit, the Wonderful GMMK 3 is meant to be the one keyboard to rule all of them, with a complete of over a billion customization choices. It largely delivers on its promise. Nonetheless, the entry degree plastic model is a bit flimsy, and the very best finish variations get a bit expensive. In between is a wealth of improbable tinkering enjoyable, with essential gaming options comparable to analog-capable Corridor Impact switches and extra.
- Close to endlessly customizable
- Incredible construct high quality and design
- Low value of entry
- Analog-capable due to Corridor Impact switches
- Full {custom} models are costly
- Entry-level plastic possibility is flimsy
- Cable is sort of too chunky
- Cannot improve wired model to wi-fi
The Wonderful GMMK 3 is the third iteration of the corporate’s keyboard lineup, and it replaces each the second-gen GMMK 2 and first-gen GMMK Professional with a single, unified design starting from entry-level wired, plastic choices to high-end aluminum and brass wi-fi models. This implies you may chop and alter virtually each side of the board, from its case to its keycaps and most elements in between. There are just a few limitations however, total, Wonderful can moderately declare that is essentially the most customizable gaming keyboard round.
Vying for a spot on the perfect gaming keyboard lists of the world, the Wonderful GMMK 3 vary is out there in 100%, 75%, and 65% layouts in each Professional and non-Professional configurations, with wired and wi-fi choices obtainable. Costs differ significantly relying on measurement, and whether or not you go for an entry-level model or a totally custom-built unit with a steel body, wi-fi innards, and premium further choices. With costs beginning at simply $119.99, although, you can begin your journey into the GMMK3 ecosystem for a comparatively modest charge.
Specs
| Dimensions (mm) | 333 x 146 x 32.6 (W x D x H) |
| Weight | Diverse, 2042g (assessment pattern) |
| Format | 65%, 75%, 100% |
| Connection | USB-C or USB-C with 2.4GHz wi-fi and Bluetooth 5 |
| Change sort | Cherry MX sort or Wonderful Corridor Impact sort |
| Change life | Not acknowledged |
| Backlighting | Sure |
| Extras | Keycap puller, key change puller, USB-A to USB-C cable, spare keycaps |
Options
As an overarching vary, the headline options that the GMMK 3 and GMMK Professional help are: the usage of Cherry MX or Corridor Impact switches (with analog, Fast Set off, and Snap Faucet equal modes), wired or wi-fi (with Bluetooth and wired) connections, plastic or steel casings, adjustable gasket mounts, and swappable change plates. Plus, you may after all swap the switches and keycaps.
This universality of design makes the Wonderful GMMK 3 lineup concurrently easy and fairly convoluted. That’s as a result of, whereas almost all elements of the keyboard could be interchanged and upgraded, there are some exhausting stops.
The primary of those stops, after all, is the shape issue of every keyboard. Keycaps, switches, and gasket mount pads could be modified between the 65%, 75%, and 100% sizes, however the board’s format constrains every thing else.
Past that, the following exhausting cease is that you could’t improve a wired-only, GMMK 3 (non-Professional) unit to a wi-fi GMMK 3 Professional one. It is a disgrace, because the non-Professional possibility is what supplies the actually low entry value to the system, with the Professional choices instantly demanding over $100 extra. The improve scenario is similar the opposite means spherical however, on condition that the wi-fi models can be wired, there ought to be no motive you’d wish to downgrade.
One other no-go is upgrading from customary Cherry MX-type switches to Corridor Impact switches. The GMMK 3 HE fashions help Wonderful’ personal Corridor Impact switches, which then can present analog enter and the much-publicized quick repress and instantaneous counter-strafing capabilities (comparable to Razer Snap Faucet) of different analog keyboards. You’ll be able to drop Cherry MX switches into the HE board (which can lose the analog operate), however you may’t drop HE switches into a typical non-HE board. It’s also possible to combine MX and HE switches in HE boards.
With all that out the best way, we will look extra intently on the precise {hardware} choices themselves, essentially the most visually hanging of which is the selection of instances. You’ll be able to go for a wide range of completely different coloured plastic instances, in addition to a spread of strong aluminum instances with anodized coloured finishes, such because the inexperienced colour of our assessment unit. You’ll be able to fully chop and alter case tops and bottoms, mixing plastic and steel as you please.
Subsequent up is the selection of change plate. That is the plate onto which the switches are mounted, with the switches then connecting electronically to the PCB beneath this part. The change plate is the half that’s seen beneath your keycaps, so it contributes rather a lot to the look. Plus, given the big variety of construct supplies, it could possibly additionally contribute rather a lot to the burden and really feel of the keyboard. Choices embrace plastic, brass (as used right here), and carbon fiber.
Subsequent on the choices record is your selection of change, with Wonderful providing eight completely different Cherry MX-style switches and 6 completely different HE-type switches. It’s also possible to drop in any of your most well-liked MX-style switches if you happen to select to purchase a barebones unit of the GMMK 3, or if you happen to fancy a change from the preliminary ones you purchased.
Keycaps come subsequent, and Wonderful affords a variety in a enjoyable choice of colours, plus you may, after all, match any of the hundreds of different Cherry MX cross-compatible keycaps obtainable elsewhere. Wonderful’ important choice features a handful of strong colour caps, a handful of gradient colours comparable to our assessment board, a translucent rainbow set, and black caps with RGB shine-through legends, together with some limited-edition choices. Most of them don’t provide shine-through legends.
The ultimate two little thrives are the rotary encoder knob, which is out there in brass, aluminum, and varied shades of anodized aluminum. Plus there are the little badges, that are magnetically hooked up little tabs with clear home windows to point out the RGB indicator beneath.
We’re almost there… The ultimate few bits to decide on are the coiled cable colour (or you may follow the usual non-coiled black cable) and gasket mounts. The latter are small sections of silicone or a silicone-and-PORON combine, that are used to mount the change plate to the case. These present a bit of little bit of cushioning for the plate, and relying on whether or not you select the pure silicone (more durable) or PORON combine (softer), you may differ the give of the board if you sort.
Outdoors all these variations, the board affords little in the best way of true further options, aside from the Corridor Impact analog gaming options. You’ll be able to, after all, customise all the important thing capabilities in software program, however there aren’t any bodily further gaming keys, no USB hub, and no further screens or buttons.
Design
Magnificence is after all within the eye of the beholder however there’s a robust case to be made that the GMMK 3 is among the finest-looking keyboards obtainable. It follows in a well-established custom – significantly within the 75% kind issue of our assessment pattern – with the likes of the Monsgeek M1W and Drop CSTM80 arguably being even sharper in their designs, however that is nonetheless a great-looking board.
Crucially, our commentary isn’t simply primarily based on the inexperienced and gold/brass combo right here. You’ll be able to fully change up the seems to be nevertheless you want, going for a slick black and pink scheme, making an all-aluminum and silver board, or simply mixing up all types of colours for a glance that really matches the respiratory rainbow results you may assign to the RGB backlighting. We noticed and skilled a bunch of various mixtures on the launch occasion for the keyboard, and there have been masses that actually caught our eye, together with the pink and silver choices with white keys beneath.
The place this lineup is barely much less spectacular is within the look and construct of the entry-level model of the board, which is the black model proven on the high of the web page and beneath. It seems to be okay from the highest, and the orange beneath is enjoyable sufficient, however the plastic does really feel a bit too versatile for our liking. All it might take to stiffen up this design significantly is the addition of a change plate materials that’s extra inflexible, comparable to brass or carbon fiber, or upgrading to a minimum of an aluminum backside case, however these instantly bump up the value fairly a bit.
You should buy the GMMK 3 in a wide range of customary configurations, or totally customise your unit utilizing the corporate’s Boardsmith utility on its web site. You’ll be able to experiment to your coronary heart’s content material with colour mixtures to seek out simply the look you need, however if you happen to don’t fairly get it proper, you may at all times simply swap different components later.
One issue to notice is that, if you happen to do go for the aluminum case and a weighty change plate materials comparable to brass, these boards do find yourself being fairly heavy and thus tough to choose up – this board weighs 2,042g or 4.5lbs. That’s nice for stability, however not essentially the most handy if you happen to’re usually swapping boards round or shifting your keyboard out of the best way for different desk actions, particularly as the perimeters of this design are fairly clean – it’s much more tough to choose up than the Monsgeek M1W.
Upgradability
As for the upgrading course of, we have been hoping to obtain a baseline plastic model of the keyboard, together with our {custom} one, to experiment with swapping round components, however this sadly didn’t flip up on time. Nonetheless, we nonetheless dismantled our assessment unit considerably, and the method of doing that is as straightforward as you’d hope for a keyboard that places a lot emphasis on customization.
On the underside of the board are 4 rubber toes, which simply pull out of their holes to disclose 4 screws (notably, there aren’t any adjustable toes for top/angle adjustment). Undo these screws and the case comes aside, with the highest part simply lifting off cleanly. From right here on, you must be a bit cautious concerning the wiring of the board’s PCB resulting in the USB socket on the again edge.
You’ll be able to carry up the PCB to entry the gasket mounts (the black and yellow items spherical the perimeters) and swap out the froth for sound-deadening materials, however something past that is a little more concerned. In reality, you’ll most likely wish to use the included keycap and change removing instruments to tug out all these options earlier than dismantling the case, because the case acts as a help, in opposition to which the entire meeting pulls.
In the end, a full customization job of swapping the change plate specifically isn’t for the faint-hearted and undoubtedly veers into fanatic/tinkerer territory, however Wonderful has made it about as straightforward as attainable.
Efficiency
The general really feel of your GMMK 3 of selection will differ massively relying on, primarily, the switches you’ve chosen, but in addition the gasket materials, the sound deadening system, the case materials, and even the shape issue – the 65% plastic board is barely stiffer than the full-size plastic board, as an illustration.
For our assessment pattern, which makes use of an aluminum case, brass plate, and Fox HE linear switches (described as having a clean, linear really feel and creamy sound), the general key really feel may be very gentle and clean, with the pre-lubed switches gliding effortlessly. The heavy body and sound deadening additionally make for one of many quietest boards I’ve ever examined, measuring solely round 48dB when measured from 20cm above the board.
As such, with the decent-quality PBT keycaps and their pretty customary profile, the typing expertise of this board is superb. I typically favor a tactile really feel for typing, however this board did a good job of convincing me of the deserves of lighter-feeling linear switches.
As for gaming, the general effectiveness of the GMMK 3 will once more be affected by your selection of change, each by way of its really feel and by way of whether or not you go for Corridor Impact switches or not. With customary switches, you get a “customary” gaming expertise, by way of there being no main further options to talk of – outdoors the flexibility to program macros and different key responses by way of Wonderful’ Core software program.
Nonetheless, with HE switches, you may unlock the flexibility to arrange the keys to offer an analog response, which could be helpful for video games comparable to racing and flight sims, the place a clean response is required. It’s also possible to alter the actuation level per key and allow a Fast Set off mode, so you may re-press a key quicker than with regular switches.
Worth
Pricing for the Wonderful GMMK 3 begins at simply $119.99 for the 65%, plastic, non-Professional model, rising to $139.99 for the full-size model of this mannequin. HE variations then begin at $189.99 whereas the Professional fashions begin at $239.99 and the vary tops out at $369.99 for a 75% Professional HE mannequin, though even that’s earlier than including premium extras comparable to a brass change plate.
Our assessment mannequin got here to a complete value of $493.99, making it clearly a really costly keyboard. For comparability, the equally aluminum-built Monsgeek M1W prices lower than a 3rd of the value, and loads of different pretty high-end gaming keyboards value lower than half. Nonetheless, to all intents and functions, this can be a {custom} keyboard, constructed to order in Wonderful’ Texas manufacturing unit, and this value isn’t so dangerous if you evaluate it to particular person {custom} keyboard builders that may typically cost hundreds of {dollars}. In the meantime, a equally specced Drop CSTM80 with an additional brass change plate, steel case cowl, and selection of keycaps prices $351, and that’s not a custom-built unit.
It’s only a disgrace that choosing the really entry-level variations of the GMMK 3 don’t enable a full improve path, as with the ability to spend $120 now, then steadily improve as you go alongside can be a good way to unfold the associated fee and get a really feel for the route you may wish to take with future upgrades.
Verdict
The Wonderful GMMK 3 is a really particular gaming keyboard that mixes an unbelievable quantity of customization choices with the flexibility to begin your {custom} keyboard journey with an off-the-shelf possibility. There merely aren’t every other keyboards that may fairly provide that very same mixture.
What’s extra, it’s a great-looking keyboard, with very good construct high quality and choices to tailor it to swimsuit nearly any fashion selection. Gaming and typing efficiency can be wonderful and could be tuned to your preferences.
The place the scenario will get a bit of tough is with the excessive value of going straight for a custom-built keyboard and the complication of what upgrades you may and might’t apply to completely different boards. Sure, you should buy a board for as little as $120 and improve it, however you may solely improve a lot.
Options
Monsgeek M1W SP
In case you’re searching for a really comparable fashion of board with a heavy obligation aluminum construct, like our {custom} assessment unit, the Monsgeek M1W SP is a good possibility. It seems to be superb – arguably even sharper than the GMMK3 – and is constructed like a tank. It’s additionally wi-fi, although it doesn’t provide HE change choices, though that’s honest when it solely prices $130.
Drop CSTM80
One other very similar-looking board to this 75% GMMK3 is the Drop CSTM80, which can be a customizable mannequin. For a $149 beginning value, you may add new change plates, case covers, base weight plates, and naturally swap switches and keycaps. Nonetheless, it doesn’t provide HE switches and is wired solely.
