If you are a gamer or a typing enthusiast, you know the importance of a good mechanical keyboard. The Gamakay K61 Pro is a keyboard that has been receiving a lot of attention lately. In this review, we will take a closer look at the features, design, and performance of this keyboard to help you make an informed decision.
Gamakay K61 Pro
The Gamakay K61 Pro is a 60% mechanical keyboard designed with gamers and typists in mind. It features a variety of Gateron switches to choose from, including the popular Red, Brown, and Yellow switches, as well as the unique Bumblebee, Phoenix, and Crystal switches. The keyboard also comes with two keycap options – the White Pudding Keycaps and the Weather XDA Keycaps.
One of the key features of the K61 Pro is its gasket-mounted design. This design includes a silicon pad between the top and bottom base to enhance the keyboard’s stability while maintaining the gasket structure’s flexibility. The gasket mount also improves the typing experience by making the keyboard quieter and softer.
The K61 Pro supports three connection modes – 2.4Ghz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired USB-C. It also has hot-swappable sockets on the PCB, which allow users to easily modify or change the switches. The keyboard supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
The K61 Pro comes with pre-lubed Gamakay switches to provide a smooth and quiet typing experience. It also features PBT two-color Pudding Keycaps with excellent oil resistance and high body transparency, making the backlighting shine through brightly. The keyboard has 1600 programmable light effects and supports firmware online upgrade service.
Overall, the Gamakay K61 Pro is a high-quality mechanical keyboard that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Its gasket-mounted design, variety of switch options, and programmable backlighting make it a great choice for gamers and typists alike.
Tech Specs And Features
The following are the detailed features and specifications of the Gamakay K61 Pro:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Keyline Separation | The keyboard has plenty of space to reduce accidental touches, making it comfortable to type and efficient. It has enough space to make it more suitable with mostly keycaps. |
| Hot-swapping of 5-pin shaft holders | The keyboard has built-in hot-swappable stocks on the PCB, making it easy to modify or change the switches. The PCB supports 3/5 pin switches. |
| Gamakay Switch | The keyboard features pre-lubed Gamakay switches that produce less spring noise and click sound. It enhances the typing experience and is ideal for gaming. |
| PBT two-color Pudding Keycaps | The keyboard has PBT pudding keycaps that provide a nice texture and good user experience. The excellent oil resistance and high body transparency make lightning shine. |
| RGB Backlight | The keyboard has a 1600 programmable light effect and is designed to illuminate the keyboard better from the typist’s angle. The premium shine-through PBT keycaps installed makes it possible. |
| Gasket Mount | The keyboard has a silicon pad between the top and bottom base, enhancing its stability and maintaining the gasket structure’s flexibility. It makes the keyboard quieter, and the typing sound will get a noticeable improvement. |
| Three Connection Drives | The keyboard supports three connection methods, including wired, USB, or Bluetooth connections. It is easy to connect your device, and it supports firmware online upgrade service. |
| Automatic Mac/Win system recognition | The keyboard has automatic recognition for Mac/Win systems, and it can save your keyboard setting. The software can work fluently on Mac/Win systems. |
| Brand | GK Gamakay |
| Compatible Devices | PC |
| Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth, USB-C |
| Keyboard Description | Gaming |
| Recommended Uses for Product | Office, Gaming |
| Number of Keys | 61 |
| Keyboard Backlighting Color Support | RGB |
Unboxing The Keyboard
The Gamakay K61 Pro comes with several items inside its box. First is the keyboard itself, which is the main component of the package. Second is a user manual that provides information on how to use and customize the keyboard.
The box also includes a keycap puller, which is a small tool used to remove keycaps from the keyboard. A switch puller is also included, which is a tool used to remove switches from the keyboard. These tools are helpful for those who want to modify or clean their keyboard.
Additionally, a soft tip brush is included to help clean the keyboard and remove any dust or debris that may accumulate on the switches and keycaps. A small Allen key is also included, which can be used to adjust the height of the keyboard.
Lastly, a detachable USB Type C to A cable is included in the box, which is used to connect the keyboard to a computer or other device. This cable is designed to be easily detached and replaced, making it convenient for users who need to travel with their keyboard or switch between devices.
Design and Build Quality
The Gamakay K61 Pro keyboard is a 60% mechanical keyboard that is designed with a sleek and modern look. The keyboard is constructed with a high-quality acrylic gasket mount which helps to reduce accidental key presses while providing a comfortable typing experience.
One of the standout features of the K61 Pro is its keyline separation design. This design ensures that there is plenty of space between the keys, which reduces the chances of accidentally pressing the wrong key. The keyboard also features a silicon pad between the top and bottom base, which enhances its stability and maintains the gasket structure’s flexibility. This makes the keyboard quieter and typing softer while providing a noticeable improvement in typing sound.
The build quality of the K61 Pro is excellent, with a sturdy and durable construction that can withstand heavy use. The keyboard is available in two switch types: Gateron and Gamakay. The Gamakay switch is pre-lubricated, which reduces spring noise and click sound, providing a smoother typing experience. The Gateron switch is also a popular choice among keyboard enthusiasts due to its reliability and durability.
The K61 Pro comes with white pudding or weather XDA keycaps, which are made of PBT material. PBT keycaps are known for their durability and resistance to shine, making them an excellent choice for gamers and typists alike. The keycaps also allow the RGB backlighting to shine through, providing a stunning visual effect.
Overall, the design and build quality of the Gamakay K61 Pro keyboard are top-notch, making it an excellent choice for gamers and typists who are looking for a high-quality, durable, and sleek mechanical keyboard.
The Keycaps
The Gamakay K61 Pro mechanical keyboard comes with two types of keycaps – white pudding keycaps and weather XDA keycaps. The white pudding keycaps are made of high-quality PBT material and have a two-color design, which allows for excellent oil resistance and high body transparency, resulting in a premium shine-through effect when the RGB backlight is turned on.
The weather XDA keycaps, on the other hand, have a flat profile with uniform height, giving a sleek and modern look to the keyboard. Both keycap sets provide a pleasant typing experience and can be easily swapped out thanks to the keyboard’s hot-swappable feature. With these keycaps, the Gamakay K61 Pro offers not only a functional but also a visually appealing keyboard option for users.
The Switches
The Gamakay K61 Pro mechanical keyboard comes with six different switch options to choose from: Gateron Red, Gateron Brown, Gateron Yellow, Bumblebee, Phoenix, and Crystal.
The Gateron Red switch has a linear feel, with no tactile bump or audible click, making it popular for gaming and fast typing. The Gateron Brown switch, on the other hand, has a tactile bump that gives users a slight tactile feedback without the audible click, making it a good option for both typing and gaming.
The Gateron Yellow switch is similar to the Gateron Red, but with a lighter actuation force, making it an even faster option for gaming. The Bumblebee switch has a unique yellow and black design, with a tactile bump and an audible click, providing a satisfying typing experience.
The Phoenix switch is a new switch introduced by Gamakay, with a tactile bump and a sound profile similar to the Cherry MX Brown switch, making it a good option for both typing and gaming. The Crystal switch, on the other hand, is a transparent switch with a tactile bump and an audible click, providing a more tactile and audible typing experience.
Ultimately, the switch you choose for your Gamakay K61 Pro mechanical keyboard will depend on your personal preference and how you plan to use the keyboard.
The Hot-Swappable Feature
The hot-swappable feature of the Gamakay K61 Pro keyboard allows users to easily modify or change the switches without the need for any soldering or technical expertise. The keyboard is built with hot-swappable stocks on the PCB, which means that users can simply remove the existing switches and replace them with their preferred switches.
This feature is particularly beneficial for users who want to customize their typing experience or experiment with different types of switches without having to purchase a whole new keyboard. With the hot-swappable feature, users can easily swap out switches to find the perfect combination of feel and sound for their typing preferences.
Additionally, the PCB of the K61 Pro supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches, which means that users have a wider range of switch options to choose from. This feature provides added flexibility and customization options for users who are looking for a keyboard that can be tailored to their specific needs and preferences.
Overall, the hot-swappable feature of the Gamakay K61 Pro is a valuable addition for users who want to customize their typing experience without having to go through the hassle of soldering or purchasing a new keyboard.
The Stabilizers
The Gamakay K61 Pro mechanical keyboard features stabilizers that are designed to enhance the overall typing experience. Stabilizers are an essential component of mechanical keyboards that help to reduce key wobbling and ensure that each key press is smooth and consistent.
The K61 Pro comes with plate-mounted Cherry-style stabilizers, which are known for their durability and reliability. These stabilizers are designed to fit snugly onto the plate that supports the switches, providing a solid foundation for the keycaps.
In addition, the K61 Pro features a gasket mount design, which further enhances the stability of the keyboard. The gasket mount consists of a layer of foam or rubber between the plate and the PCB, which helps to absorb any vibrations and reduce noise.
The combination of the Cherry-style stabilizers and the gasket mount design ensures that the K61 Pro provides a satisfying and comfortable typing experience. Whether you’re typing up a report or gaming for hours on end, the stabilizers of the K61 Pro will help to keep your fingers comfortable and your keystrokes accurate.
RGB Backlit
The Gamakay K61 Pro mechanical keyboard features RGB backlighting, which is a lighting system that allows you to customize the color of the backlighting for each key individually. With this feature, you can create your own personalized lighting effects, including color cycling, breathing, and reactive lighting, among others.
The K61 Pro also comes with 1600 programmable lighting effects, allowing you to choose from a wide range of preset lighting patterns or create your own custom effects. This feature gives you complete control over the lighting on your keyboard and allows you to set the perfect ambiance for your gaming or work environment.
The keyboard has premium shine-through PBT keycaps installed, which allows the backlighting to shine through each keycap with high body transparency, making the keyboard more visible from the typist’s angle. Additionally, the keycaps are two-color pudding keycaps, which provide a nice texture and good user experience.
Overall, the RGB backlighting on the Gamakay K61 Pro keyboard is an impressive feature that enhances the keyboard’s overall aesthetics while providing a more enjoyable and immersive typing or gaming experience.
Connectivity And Compatibility
The Gamakay K61 Pro mechanical keyboard offers multiple connectivity options to meet the needs of a wide range of users. It supports 2.4Ghz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired USB-C connections, making it easy to connect the keyboard to your device. Additionally, up to five devices can be connected simultaneously, and users can easily switch between them using shortcut keys to improve work efficiency.
The K61 Pro is compatible with a wide range of devices, including PCs running Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 or later, Mac computers running Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger or later, and Linux systems. This compatibility ensures that the keyboard can be used with a broad range of devices, making it a versatile option for users.
The keyboard also offers automatic recognition for Mac/Win systems, making it easy to save keyboard settings and ensuring that the software can work fluently on these systems. This feature simplifies the setup process for users and eliminates the need for manual configuration.
In summary, the Gamakay K61 Pro mechanical keyboard offers a range of connectivity options, including wired USB-C, Bluetooth, and 2.4Ghz wireless connections, and is compatible with a wide range of devices, including PCs, Macs, and Linux systems. Additionally, it offers automatic recognition for Mac/Win systems, simplifying the setup process and ensuring smooth operation on these systems.
Software and Programmability
The Gamakay K61 Pro mechanical keyboard offers impressive software and programmability features to enhance your typing and gaming experience. With the K61 Pro, you can customize and save your keyboard settings, macros, and lighting effects to suit your needs.
The K61 Pro software offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to adjust various settings, such as key remapping, macro recording, and RGB lighting effects. The software also offers advanced features such as keystroke customization and timing settings. You can easily download and install the software from the official Gamakay website.
One of the most significant advantages of the K61 Pro is its programmability. The keyboard supports up to 16 macro keys, which can be programmed to execute a sequence of commands with a single keystroke. This feature is particularly useful for gamers who want to streamline their gameplay and gain a competitive edge.
The K61 Pro also offers an extensive range of RGB lighting effects, including 1600 programmable lighting effects. You can choose from a variety of preset lighting modes or create your own custom lighting patterns. With the K61 Pro, you can personalize your keyboard and create a unique lighting scheme that reflects your personality and style.
Additionally, the K61 Pro offers automatic recognition for both Mac and Windows systems, which makes it easier for you to set up and use the keyboard with your computer. The keyboard also supports firmware online upgrade service, which means that you can easily update the keyboard’s software and firmware to ensure optimal performance and compatibility.
Overall, the Gamakay K61 Pro offers excellent software and programmability features that make it an ideal keyboard for gamers and typists who demand customization, flexibility, and versatility. With its user-friendly interface, advanced features, and extensive RGB lighting options, the K61 Pro is a must-have keyboard for anyone who wants to elevate their typing and gaming experience.
Performance
The Gamakay K61 Pro is a mechanical keyboard that offers impressive performance. This keyboard comes with various features that enhance the user’s typing experience and make it ideal for gaming and office use.
Firstly, the keyboard comes with a choice of six different switch types. The Gateron Red, Brown, and Yellow switches are known for their smooth and quiet operation, making them perfect for typing. On the other hand, the Bumblebee, Phoenix, and Crystal switches provide a tactile and audible click, which is perfect for gaming.
The Gamakay K61 Pro also features a keyline separation design that provides plenty of space to reduce accidental touches, providing a comfortable typing experience and improving efficiency. Additionally, there is enough space to make it more suitable for most keycaps.
The keyboard is also equipped with a gasket mount design, which enhances the keyboard’s stability and maintains the gasket structure’s flexibility. This design makes the keyboard quieter, and typing is softer. The typing sound gets noticeable improvement.
Another exciting feature of the Gamakay K61 Pro is that it supports three different connection modes: 2.4Ghz, Bluetooth, and wired. This means that it’s easy to connect the keyboard to your device, and five devices can be connected simultaneously. The keyboard can be easily switched between devices using shortcut keys, improving work efficiency.
Moreover, the K61 Pro features automatic Mac/Win system recognition, making it easy to save your keyboard settings. The software can work fluently on Mac/Win systems.
The keyboard also comes with pre-lubed Gamakay switches, which provide less spring noise and click sound, leading to a better typing experience. This is perfect for those who type for long periods or engage in gaming sessions.
The K61 Pro features PBT two-color pudding keycaps, which provide a nice texture and good user experience. The excellent oil resistance and high body transparency make the lighting shine brighter. It is designed to illuminate the keyboard backlight better from the typist’s angle, and the premium shine-through PBT keycaps allow for 1600 programmable light effects, letting you create your moment.
Overall, the Gamakay K61 Pro is a high-quality keyboard that offers exceptional performance. With its various features and switch options, it’s perfect for both gaming and office use, and the keyline separation, gasket mount, and pre-lubed Gamakay switches provide an excellent typing experience. The RGB backlight and programmable light effects also add a touch of personalization, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a high-end mechanical keyboard.
Typing Experience And Sound Test (Gateron Yellow)
The Gamakay K61 Pro is a mechanical keyboard that uses Gateron Yellow switches. The typing experience and sound test of this keyboard can be broken down into several components, including key travel, tactile feedback, typing sound, and overall feel.
- Key Travel: The Gamakay K61 Pro has a key travel distance of 4mm, which is fairly standard for mechanical keyboards. This means that the keys will travel a certain distance before they actuate and register a keystroke. The Gateron Yellow switches are linear switches, which means that they have a consistent feel throughout the entire key travel distance. This can be different from tactile switches, which have a bump in the middle of the key travel to provide tactile feedback.
- Tactile Feedback: As previously mentioned, the Gateron Yellow switches are linear switches, which means that they don’t have a tactile bump. This can be a preference for some typists who prefer a smooth keystroke without any resistance. However, others may prefer a tactile bump to provide feedback and help them type more accurately. The lack of tactile feedback in the Gateron Yellow switches can make it easier to accidentally mistype, but this ultimately comes down to personal preference.
- Typing Sound: The typing sound of the Gamakay K61 Pro with Gateron Yellow switches is relatively quiet compared to other mechanical keyboards. The linear switches don’t produce as much noise as tactile or clicky switches. The sound produced is a soft, subtle thud that is satisfying to type on without being too loud or distracting.
- Overall Feel: The overall feel of the Gamakay K61 Pro with Gateron Yellow switches is smooth and consistent. The lack of tactile feedback can make it feel like typing on a cloud, but it may also make it harder to know when a key has been fully pressed. The keyboard has a solid build quality and feels sturdy and durable.
In conclusion, the typing experience and sound test of the Gamakay K61 Pro with Gateron Yellow switches can be described as smooth, consistent, and relatively quiet. The lack of tactile feedback may take some getting used to, but ultimately it comes down to personal preference. The keyboard has a solid build quality and feels like a reliable and durable option for typists.
Price and Variants
Gamakay K61 Pro is a high-quality mechanical keyboard that offers a variety of features for a very reasonable price. The keyboard comes in several variants, with different switches and keycaps, allowing users to choose the one that best suits their needs.
The price of the Gamakay K61 Pro starts at $85.99, which is quite affordable compared to other high-end mechanical keyboards on the market. Despite its low price, the keyboard offers many advanced features that are usually found on more expensive models.
The keyboard is available in six different switch options, including Gateron Red, Gateron Brown, Gateron Yellow, Bumblebee, Phoenix, and Crystal switches. Each switch has its own unique characteristics, allowing users to choose the one that best fits their typing style and preferences.
In addition, the keyboard comes with two different keycap options, including White Pudding Keycaps and Weather XDA Keycaps. Both keycap options provide a comfortable and satisfying typing experience, with a nice texture and excellent oil resistance.
Overall, the price and variants of the Gamakay K61 Pro make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality mechanical keyboard that offers advanced features and customization options at an affordable price. Whether you are a gamer or a typist, this keyboard is sure to provide you with an exceptional typing experience that will enhance your productivity and performance.
Pros and Cons of Gamakay K61 Pro
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Keyline Separation provides a comfortable typing experience | ❌ No wrist rest included |
| ✅ Hot-swappable switches allow for customization | ❌ No USB passthrough |
| ✅ Pre-lubed Gamakay switches for a smooth typing experience | ❌ No dedicated media keys |
| ✅ PBT two-color pudding keycaps provide a nice texture and good user experience | ❌ RGB lighting could be brighter |
| ✅ 1600 programable light effects for customizable illumination | ❌ Some keys are hard to reach due to compact design |
| ✅ Gasket mount design improves typing sound and reduces accidental touches | |
| ✅ Triple modes available (2.4Ghz, Bluetooth, and wired) for easy connectivity | |
| ✅ Supports automatic Mac/Win system recognition for convenient setup |
Overall, the Gamakay K61 Pro keyboard has many great features such as keyline separation, hot-swappable switches, and pre-lubed Gamakay switches, making it a great choice for a mechanical keyboard. However, it does have some drawbacks such as the lack of a wrist rest and USB passthrough, and the compact design may make it difficult to reach certain keys.
Should You Buy The Gamakay K61 Pro?
If you are looking for a high-quality, budget-friendly mechanical keyboard, then the Gamakay K61 Pro is definitely worth considering. With its key features such as keyline separation, hot-swappable five-pin shaft holders, pre-lubed Gamakay switches, PBT two-color pudding keycaps, and RGB backlighting with 1600 programmable light effects, the K61 Pro offers a lot of value for its price point of $85.99.
One of the standout features of the K61 Pro is its keyline separation. This feature provides plenty of space between keys to reduce accidental touches and provide a comfortable typing experience. The design also focuses on efficiency, making it more suitable for use with most keycaps.
Another impressive feature of the K61 Pro is its hot-swappable five-pin shaft holders. This means that the PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches, allowing you to easily modify or change the switches according to your preferences. This feature makes the keyboard highly customizable and adaptable to your specific needs.
The pre-lubed Gamakay switches are another highlight of the K61 Pro. Gamakay switches are known for their less spring noise and click sound, which undoubtedly improves your gaming experience. The factory pre-lubed switches also ensure smooth typing and travel.
The K61 Pro also comes with PBT two-color pudding keycaps, which provide a nice texture and good user experience. The keycaps have excellent oil resistance and high body transparency, making the backlighting shine through them beautifully. The RGB backlighting has 1600 programmable light effects, allowing you to create your own unique lighting patterns.
The gasket mount on the K61 Pro further enhances the keyboard’s stability and maintains the gasket structure’s flexibility, making the keyboard quieter and typing softer. The typing sound will also noticeably improve, providing a more enjoyable experience overall.
The K61 Pro supports three connection drives – wired, USB, and Bluetooth – making it convenient for various devices. The keyboard is also compatible with Linux, Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger, Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2, and features automatic recognition for Mac/Win systems, saving your keyboard setting.
In summary, the Gamakay K61 Pro is a feature-rich mechanical keyboard that offers a lot of value for its price point. Its keyline separation, hot-swappable five-pin shaft holders, pre-lubed Gamakay switches, PBT two-color pudding keycaps, RGB backlighting with 1600 programmable light effects, and gasket mount make it a highly customizable and adaptable keyboard suitable for both gaming and office use. If you are looking for a budget-friendly mechanical keyboard that does not compromise on quality and features, then the Gamakay K61 Pro is definitely worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gamakay K61 Pro keyboard?
The Gamakay K61 Pro is a 60% triple-mode mechanical keyboard that features an acrylic gasket mount, RGB backlighting, and a variety of switch options.
What switch options are available for the K61 Pro?
The K61 Pro is available with several switch options, including Gateron Red, Gateron Brown, Gateron Yellow, Bumblebee, Phoenix, and Crystal switches.
What type of keycaps does the K61 Pro have?
The K61 Pro comes with either white pudding keycaps or weather XDA keycaps.
Is the K61 Pro compatible with Mac and Windows?
Yes, the K61 Pro is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems.
How many keys does the K61 Pro have?
The K61 Pro has 61 keys, as it is a 60% keyboard.
Does the K61 Pro support backlighting?
Yes, the K61 Pro has RGB backlighting that can be programmed with up to 1600 different effects.
Is the K61 Pro wireless?
Yes, the K61 Pro supports Bluetooth connectivity, in addition to wired USB and 2.4Ghz wireless modes.
Can I replace the switches on the K61 Pro?
Yes, the K61 Pro has hot-swappable PCB sockets that allow for easy modification or replacement of switches.
Does the K61 Pro have software for customization?
Yes, the K61 Pro has software that can be used to customize keyboard settings and update firmware.
What makes the K61 Pro stand out from other mechanical keyboards?
The K61 Pro’s gasket mount, pre-lubed Gamakay switches, and unique RGB backlighting effects make it a standout option among mechanical keyboards.
