I’ve used many keyboards in my lifetime but Glorious PC Gaming Race has done something extremely magical with their latest mechanical keyboard, the GMMK PRO. It’s a fully customizable keyboard that looks and performs amazingly and feels as premium as it gets. It’s truly a keyboard that gamers, enthusiasts, and pros will enjoy. Even though this keyboard has had some delays due to Covid-19, I can assure you that it is definitely worth the wait.

What’s in the box

Normally, the GMMK PRO comes as a barebones kit that you build from the ground up.

Here’s what’s included:

• GMMK PRO

• Keycap Puller Tool

• Switch Puller Tool

• Braided USB Cable

It would be kind of hard to review a keyboard without keys or switches though so Glorious was kind enough to send me some of their products to help really bring the PRO to life! They sent me the GPBT Rain Forest Keycaps, a Glorious Coiled Cable, 3x boxes of the Glorious Panda Switches, and even an adorable Glorious Panda Desk Toy.

Everything comes in premium-looking boxes that each have their own pop of color to them. The inside contents are extremely easy to get to as there isn’t too much packaging or paperwork within either. It’s extremely organized and leaves the products to be the stars of the show.

Aesthetics and Build Quality

I’ve got to say, as someone who’s never put a keyboard together before it was rather overwhelming seeing everything separated like this. My worries were set to the side though as it was actually extremely easy to get set up. The online instructions are straightforward and do a great job at giving you the dos and don’ts when putting the keyboard together.

I did have some hiccups choosing some of the final keys as the keycaps set has extra pieces because it has enough keys for a full-size keyboard. I tried finding a source on what keys they wanted me to place but there seemed to be no concrete choice. It really is up to you how you’d like the keyboard to appear. As someone who loves to be creative, I dig the level of originality that the PRO allows you to play with.

The pieces and parts themselves are extremely premium in look and build. The switches and keycaps are sturdy plastic and react very nicely when being pressed. There’s no loss in feedback and the keys never feel cheap. The rotary knob has to be one of my favorite aspects of the PRO. It’s just as smooth as the keys and looks aesthetically pleasing.

When it comes to the keyboard itself, the build quality is through the roof. I have never felt a keyboard build as sturdy as the GMMK PRO. It’s even got a lot of weight to it. I really like it because I often have problems clumsily knocking into my keyboard and scooting it across the desk. This thing stays put until you intentionally move it. It’s kind of like an anchor.

Onto the overall aesthetics side, this thing is very easy on the eyes. The keycaps look fantastic with the metal body of the keyboard, alongside the lights underneath the keys and on the sides of the keyboard itself. I would’ve preferred that the light be a bit brighter but it still shines nice and bright with the lights off.

Having the heavy influence of customization at hand, it’s easy to want to trick this thing out. Using the Glorious Core software, you’re able to customize the lighting colors and patterns to get the feeling you’re going for. There are some pretty unique lighting patterns that actually surprised me.

I really appreciate the fact that Glorious has these types of keyboards that appeal to both enthusiasts and newbies like myself. They offer so many different options on their website for you to customize these with that the possibilities are endless. That doesn’t even include the fact that the keyboard is also compatible with third-party options as well.

Specs and Special Features

Here are some notable features for the GMMK PRO

• US ANSI (83 keys, including clickable Rotary Encoder)

• Gasket mounted design

• RGB - 16.8 million color RGB LED backlight (south-facing) and LED sidelights

• Pre-lubed Glorious GOAT stabilizers (screw-in)

• Full NKRO

• Removeable USB-C 2.0

• Modular (hot-swap) Switches

• QMK Compatible

• 3 Preset Save Spots

Gameplay

I’m not going to lie, it took me some getting used to the tenkeyless design of the PRO. That’s not to say that it was a bad experience though. The tenkeyless design is specific to gaming and up until now, I’ve always used a traditional type of keyboard layout. It didn’t take long though for me to get used to the changes and enjoy the feel of only needing to focus on a smaller space.

Turning the keyboard slightly was made easier because of the size and became a better gaming experience overall. I used the keyboard to play some Halo: The Master Chief Collection and came out of it feeling refreshed. I normally use clickier switches with my keyboards but the Glorious Panda Switches are buttery-smooth, making me question my life’s choices up until this point.

Joking aside, the switches are extremely reliable in their feedback. The keyboard has an old-school feel that I couldn’t get enough of. The rotary knob comes in handy as well when you need to quickly cut the speaker shredding audio that can often come through when you start a game.

Glorious also has its own software that allows you to change the keyboard’s lighting, keybindings, and performance. It’s a pretty standard app and doesn’t appear to be much different than any other software for peripherals. I will say that the software is very easy to use from the start.

Although, it’s currently in beta right now so there are sometimes where colors would disappear from my keyboard. I’m sure once the app fully launches these problems will have been fixed. It is QMK compatible though so that is definitely a plus as well.

What It Could Have Done Better

There isn’t much to complain about when it comes to the GMMK PRO. I’d definitely say that the lighting not being brighter is the only complaint that comes to mind.

Verdict

Glorious always manages to put out some of the very best gaming equipment available and the GMMK PRO is no exception. Between its extremely premium build, the way it feels when you use it, and the near-endless amount of customization options, this is a keyboard that anyone will definitely enjoy. I’d go as far as to say that this is the best keyboard that I’ve ever used. If you’re someone who’s interested in upping their keyboard game, this is the one for you.