Kingston HyperX Alloy Elite

Crystal-clear Cherry MX RGB lighting ; Dedicated media controls, including a volume wheel ; Software is 100% optional, and HyperX won't nag you about it

Flimsy wrist rest ; Oversized footprint, with a lot of empty space ; The software (somehow) weighs in at over 1.1GB after install

Like the Alloy FPS, HyperX’s Alloy Elite RGB is a perfectly fine keyboard. The only real issue is that it’s a perfectly fine keyboard in an ever-more-crowded market. It doesn’t undercut the competition on price the way G.Skill has, nor does it have a...

Per-key RGB backlighting. Choice of three Cherry MX switch types. Dedicated media keys and volume scroller.

Software needs improvement. No dedicated macro keys.

Bottom Line: True Cherry MX switches, per-key RGB lighting, and a slick, Corsair-style volume roller set apart HyperX's Alloy Elite RGB mechanical gaming keyboard. But its software could do with a touch-up.

Authentic Cherry MX keys ; Beautiful design ; Discrete media keys ; Great performance

Software needs some work ; Typing requires some practice

With top-notch Cherry MX keys, a gorgeous design and stellar in-game performance, there's a lot to recommend in the HyperX Alloy Elite RGB.

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Authentic Cherry MX keys ; Smart design ; Discrete media keys ; Great performance

Garish backlighting ; So-so pricing

The HyperX Alloy Elite has a spacious design, authentic Cherry MX keys, dedicated media controls and an interface that requires no software.

– Solid design with steel frame ; – Cherry MX mechanical key switches (Red, Brown, Blue options) ; – 18 LED light bar at the top of the keyboard ; – Included wrist rest ; – Extremely comfortable

– Not RGB backlit ; – No configuration software

The Alloy Elite is a great entry into the gaming keyboard segment for the HyperX brand. it is a more versatile keyboard that the previously released Alloy FPS and seems to have a better design as well. You really can’t go wrong with a solid steel frame...

Simple, ergonomic design ; Colorful, diffused RGB lighting ; Preloaded with game profiles

RGB lighting hikes price ; Build quality betrays price point ; Underbaked software

The HyperX Alloy Elite RGB is a gorgeous and great-looking keyboard that lighting enthusiasts will love, but its software could use a little more time in the oven.

Reasonably priced and fully featured ; Handy media keys and volume dial ; Comfy palm rest

Seriously thick cable ; No macro programming ; Limited lighting modes

The HyperX Alloy Elite is a reasonably priced gaming keyboard with nearly all the features of its more expensive competitors.

Excellent build quality ; Light bar colors blend well ; Standard bottom row allows keycap replacement

Aging USB 2.0 passthrough port ; Software UI can be clunky ; Keycaps will show finger grease and shine quickly

If you need a light bar on your mechanical gaming keyboard but don’t want or need extra macro keys, the HyperX Alloy Elite RGB is a high-quality option. But competing options feel more polished overall.