splendid ’ new GMMK 3 has over a billion potential combination . That ’s not just some selling number — if you do the maths on all of the alternative uncommitted , there are over a billion potential configuration . With an encompassing ecosystem of accessories , a redesign keyboard builder , and support for third - party portion you wo n’t even find on thebest gaming keyboards , the GMMK 3 want to be the lastkeyboard you ever buy .

It very well could be , too . Glorious has the aesthetic ending of the spectrum peg , with plenteousness of experience building out accessories for its previous GMMK Pro and GMMK 2 , but the redesigned GMMK 3 goes even further . It pull in otherwise involved keyboard mods simple , allowing you to completely rebuild the control board from the ground up with just about any components you could want .

A notation on this brushup : During my evaluation catamenia , my GMMK 3 educate keyboard chatter . This is where a single keystroke will register multiple inputs . I ’ve founda software solutionto this problem , but it appears the issue is specific to the GMMK 3 . Glorious tells me that this is a software takings when using a particular configuration of a Hall Effect dining table with received MX electrical switch . It ’s work on a muddle now , but I ’ve scored this review with the germ in mind . I ’ll revisit the mark , and any potential awards for the GMMK 3 , once a fix is usable .

Glorious GMMK 3 specs

Have your cake (and eat it too)

The GMMK 3 lineup is absolutely dizzying , so have ’s start with why you should care about the keyboard in the first place . That mainly comes down to the internals , and more importantly , how you’re able to modify them .

The biggest draw for the GMMK 3 is that you could use Hall Effect ( charismatic ) switch or unconstipated 3- or 5 - fall switches . We ’ve determine Hall Effect throw spate of times already , including on keyboards like theMeletrix Boog 75andKeychron Q1 HE . Because of how these switches mold , you normally ca n’t fuse and gibe them with regular replacement . The sorcerous trick of the GMMK 3 is that it supports both .

If you order the GMMK 3 with a Hall Effect PCB , you may swap in either other Hall Effect switches or regular 3/5 - bowling pin switches . That ’s normally something that requires an entirely new PCB . you’re able to use them side - by - side , too . If you want , for example , Hall Effect switches for your WASD key but regular mechanically skillful switches for the residuum of the keyboard , the GMMK 3 tolerate you to do that . To my noesis , there is n’t another keyboard on the market that allows you to do that .

It ’s a short ton of flexibility , but it add up with a caveat . If you go with a Hall Effect board , you could only utilize Glorious ’ Hall Effect switching . Any regular 3- or 5 - pin switches work , but you ca n’t trade in third - party Hall Effect trade . This is n’t splendiferous shut away down its ecosystem — that ’s evident in every other aspect of the GMMK 3 — but a necessary via media to support both Hall Effect switches and steady MX switches .

I built my GMMK 3 with splendid ’ Lynx HE switches , which is a one-dimensional permutation that feels larder still out of the boxful . After playing around with the HE sport — more on those after — I cease up swapping in a heavier set of WS Morandi switch . The fact that I can mess around with different switches while still get the benefits of Hall Effect should I want it is a major plus for the GMMK 3 .

The switches are the main draw , but the GMMK 3 has flexibility elsewhere . splendid offers the keyboard with a polycarbonate , aluminum , FR4 , or brass plate , and you may blame up these plates on their own . In addition , you could choose between atomic number 14 or Poron ( foam ) gaskets , as well as mix and touch them inside the keyboard . I went with an FR4 photographic plate and Poron gaskets , but I already plan on ordering some silicon gasket to change up the feel of the keyboard .

There are ways to fully customize a keyboard outside of the GMMK 3 , but it involves digging through various niche vendors , a lot of foresight , and generally some amount of money squander on components you do n’t want or need . And if you make a conclusion like survive with a Hall Effect keyboard , you ’ll need something completely different to change over back to MX switching . What ’s expectant about the GMMK 3 is that it offers this flexibility after the fact . you could grow with the keyboard , swapping out factor like Odysseus ’ ship until you have something completely raw .

The options

With over a billion combinations , it ’s impossible to go over all of the options the GMMK 3 offers . gratefully , you’re able to work around with the configuration yourself with Glorious ’ novel Boardsmith constructor . It allow you tailor-make a GMMK 3 , which is then deal - build and delivered to you full assemble . At a high level , splendid is offering 14 different versions of the GMMK 3 in three family .

you could see how the 14 keyboard break down below , along with their associated price . These prices are for a prebuilt keyboard , which is useable is either clean or fateful . you could also say a barebones outfit without switches or cardinal cap , or a custom build through Boardsmith .

There are a few vital decisions you need to make disregarding of the route you opt . Here ’s how that breaks down :

you could already see how this compounding of different customization points adds up to create that massive number Glorious citation , but the GMMK 3 perish even further . you may change your switch shell , top and bottom chassis , volume knob , key caps , electric switch , and the fresh charismatic Glorious badge that sits on the outer bound of the keyboard . resplendent is assert an ecosystem of these components , too , so you’re able to put together a keyboard that not only feel personal but also feels cohesive .

Options for the sake of options is n’t a selling point of the GMMK 3 , but the ecosystem sure is . splendid has proved with the GMMK Pro and GMMK 2 that it can maintain a long list of accoutrement for its keyboard , and that ’s all come together with the GMMK 3 . You do n’t need to use splendid ’ own accessary for several of the customization points , either .

I ’ve reviewed countless keyboards from theROG Azoth Extremeto theSteelSeries Apex Pro Minithat are all trying to nail that stark combination of features and aesthetics . The GMMK 3 is n’t essay to nail that combining . Instead , it provides a platform to build the stark keyboard for you .

Personalized for a price

The GMMK 3 is n’t cheap , that ’s for certain , but even the prices you may see in the above section do n’t comprehend how expensive the keyboard can be . you’re able to individualize the GMMK 3 in just about every way imaginable , but you need to be quick to spend up if you desire to fox out your keyboard with all of the bell and whistles .

I wo n’t go through all of the options here — you could assay out Boardsmith if you want to see how much your ideal configuration would run — but some modification fare at a steep price . The default aluminum plate wo n’t conjure the damage , for good example , but a brass plate certainly will . You ’ll also drop extra for one of Glorious ’ limited edition key detonating equipment sets and shell colors , along with $ 50 for an avowedly gamey - lineament coiled USB - atomic number 6 cable .

The GMMK Pro and GMMK 2 were never gaudy keyboards , and the GMMK 3 — particularly the Pro variant — comes with some clear upgrades . Still , mainstream keyboard likeAsus ROG Azothare uncommitted for under $ 250 , and if you do some dig , you may piece up keyboards like the WobKey Rainy 75 for a little over $ 100 . Boardsmith and the custom GMMK 3 it delivers is exceptional — Glorious even write your name in the box — but for the most budget - well-disposed build , a barebones kit is unquestionably the way to go .

The Pro difference

My GMMK 3 sample is the Pro strain , which definitely feels worth the acclivity . Although I have n’t used the groundwork GMMK 3 , there ’s no doubting the quality on display with the CNC aluminum anatomy on the GMMK 3 Pro . The last keyboard I ’ve used that feel this decent with the Meletrix Boog 75 , and if you ’ve ever touched that keyboard , you ’ll have it off how eminent of congratulations that program line really is .

I went with a jade green top plate and electric green bottom case , emphasise by the determine variant Volt primal detonator fix and an electric green badge . It ’s stunning determine up next tomy Fractal Terra casein jade green , and Glorious ’ massive gullible handbuild cable television brings the looking all together . It was n’t hard to get this kind of cohesive flavour with Boardsmith , either . peculiarly with more ecological niche keyboard brands , I ’ve always struggled to find a color system that I ’m truly in erotic love with . With the GMMK 3 , I ’m loose to mix and match to get the perfect look .

The large seller is wireless , however , and it ’s what makes the Pro version worth the upgrade . you may connect with the 2.4GHz dongle , or if you postulate to , connect to a equipment with Bluetooth . A toggle substitution grant you to switch between the three style ( 2.4GHz , Bluetooth , or wired ) , and the GMMK 3 instantly toggle between them . Even when the keyboard put itself to sleep , I was immediately able to resume typing without separately waking the keyboard first .

Alongside the wireless toggle switch , you ’ll find a toggle for Windows or macOS layouts , which is available on both the GMMK 3 and GMMK 3 Pro . Glorious include a few extra keys in the boxwood if you need to use the keyboard with macOS , and if you order a finicky primal cap set through Boardsmith , you ’ll get all of the special keys along with your preassembled keyboard .

Inside Glorious Core

Bringing the GMMK 3 together is Glorious Core , which the company updated alongside the release of the keyboard . compare to mainstream brands like Asus , Razer , and Corsair , Glorious Core is a little barebones at first . It does n’t have the wealth of customization option you find on more rich software entourage . On the other end , it ’s much more conciliatory and responsive than the suite of QMK interfaces you find with enthusiast - level keyboards .

In particular , Glorious Core does n’t have a short ton of lighting options . You still get per - key lighting , along with RGB zone on the badge and sides of the keyboard , and resplendent includes a ticket of preset effects that you could lend oneself to the keyboard withsomecolor customization choice . It ’s a far cry from what you ’ll find with something like Corsair ’s iCue , however , where multiple layers and burden can follow together to create something whole unique . As someone who like a static colour and not much else , Glorious Core works just fine . But you should know about the limited gloss customization no matter .

Glorious does n’t sacrifice when it comes to fundamental bindings and macros , however . you’re able to rebind all of the key fruit to unlike functions , computer mouse control condition , macro , or shortcuts , as well as get up your binding into three layers . This is pretty standard fare for a modern gambling keyboard , but it ’s nice to see regardless .

If you corrupt a Hall Effect PCB , you have even more controls . As with other Hall Effect keyboard , you have an adjustable actuation between 0.1 mm and 4 millimeter , which you may customize globally or on a per - key basis . In addition , you’re able to bind up to four commands to a single key stroke on a Hall Effect switch , as well as employ them in parallel modality — specially utilitarian for emulating biz .

That ’s all well and good , but the veridical drawing card of Hall Effect right now is the rapid trigger characteristic , where the key will dynamically actuate and readjust ground on how far it ’s been pressed , not a set actuation head . It ’s such a liberal deal in competitive plot thatValve banned itfrom use inCounter - rap 2.The GMMK 3 with Hall Effect shift has a rapid induction mode , though it ’s a feature you ’ll need to turn on and off through Glorious Core .

All of your place setting are round up and store in one of three on - board profile , but you could save up even more profiles in the swarm if you sign up for a resplendent business relationship — gratefully , you do n’t need an account to utilise the software . Although kindling is n’t as involved as some other apps , Glorious Core does n’t get in your way much .

It ’s not littered with ads or extraneous options that you ’ll determine in all - in - one apps like Asus Armoury Crate or Razer Synapse , allowing you to quickly dial in your options , save them , and be on with your day .

The last keyboard you’ll buy

I have n’t talked much about the sound or feel of using the GMMK 3 , and that ’s because the keyboard is really what you make of it . I ’ve been fiddle around with my review unit , and with some hand - lube WS Morandi switches and ( hopefully ) silicon gaskets , I ’m eff the way of life it sound and feel . Your GMMK 3 wo n’t fathom , finger , or look anything like mine , though , and that ’s the sweetheart of this keyboard .

brilliant built a weapons platform where , barring some major progress in mechanical keyboard technology , it could very well be the last keyboard you ever grease one’s palms . There ’s an insane amount of flexibility , and from a society that ’s proven over the past several years that it can corroborate a large ecosystem of accessory online and in big box retailers . I ’ve stopped calculate at new keyboards to grease one’s palms with the GMMK 3 and started thinking about way I can fine-tune this keyboard to make it even well .

That ’s just my approach with the GMMK 3 , too . you could build your own from the ground up with a barebones outfit , or get it fully assembled and customized to your tastes through Boardsmith . And if you ca n’t institutionalize to either , a stock prebuilt version is available , too . Regardless of where you ’re enter , it ’s backbreaking to go awry with the GMMK 3 . If you do n’t like something , you could just alter it .

However , I ca n’t recommend the GMMK 3 properly now , at least not the Hall Effect version that I review . As mentioned at the top of this review , what looks like a software bug is causing keyboard chatter on the Hall Effect translation when using received MX replacement . Because of that , I ’m withholding a recommendation for now until splendid has fix the trouble .