EVGA Z15 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (Linear Switch) RGB Backlit LED, Hot Swappable Kailh Speed Silver Switches, Spanish, 821-W1-15SP-K2

As a quick aside, my judgment on keyboards is mostly based on the functionality/specs and I can overlook some things if it allows me to perform better, although in my opinion this keyboard doesn't really disappoint me in terms of how it feels to use. Also, ever since I experienced the lower input delay of an optical switch board, I'll probably never go back to traditional mechanical, so I've been stuck in the limited optical switch/hall effect switch keyboard market. I've tried several of the other optical switch keyboards as more brands begin to offer them, and up until now I concluded that Bloody provided the best performing optical switch boards for my uses. The Z20 takes the functionality of Bloody's optical switches and puts a better build quality and feel on it. The Bloody B820 (linear) was my favorite keyboard before this, and the reason the Z20 caught my eye was because it's also a 3mm travel distance optical switch keyboard, which there are very very few of.I'll first explain the main thing I'm very picky about when it comes to optical switch keyboards, that can make or break a keyboard for me no matter how good it otherwise is.I primarily do very hard challenges in precision platformers and play osu!mania. As a result, I'm part of the subset of people who perhaps benefit the most from the lowest latency/fastest/most consistent hardware. For the things I do in platformers, I need to be able to consistently do inputs of at least as low as 2 frames (so at least as low as 16ms-17ms). I was surprised to find out that pretty much EVERY other optical switch keyboard was capped at a minimal input of 22ms-28ms (this effectively makes it so that about half the time I do the lowest input the keyboard is capable of, it will actually output as a 3 frame input). The reason I liked the Bloody keyboards was because they had no limitation and were able to do inputs as low as 1ms, giving me full control. The Z20 can do inputs of as low as 1ms just like with Bloody's optical switches, which is more than good but doesn't really matter because anything below 15ms is essentially useless.The second thing I'm picky about when it comes to optical switch keyboards is how low the travel distance is. Ever since I experienced 3.0mm travel I pretty much can't go back, at least for the keyboard I use for osu!mania; travel distance makes a huge difference for speed and stamina for rhythm games, or really any game where you need to mash as fast as you can. The Z20 linear has a 3.0mm travel, which is incredible not only because I feel right at home again, but because SO few other brands offer that, Bloody being the only other one up until now as far as I'm aware. For other games low travel distance isn't really important, but it's nice to know that I'm not really limited in how fast I can press buttons.My thoughts on all the other personally less important miscellaneous things about the keyboard that I can think of:- keypresses are just as responsive as I've experienced with other optical switches, very low input delay- 45g actuation force is great for mashing speed/stamina; I wish brands would make switches with lower actuation force but as far as the main standard values go this is as low as you could ask for- I like that the keys feel softer to press and have lower clack pitch than the Bloody B820 I used before (typing doesn't sound like a rattlesnake to Me LOL)- 4000hz doesn't really matter for the games I play- don't care about special dedicated hotkeys or media buttons- the Top Sensor feature is cool but not really important I feel- there is some key ping, but I can't hear it with headphones on, and otherwise you kind of have to be listening for it- I don't usually use wrist rests, so I can't tell you how good I think it is. All I can say is that it's soft, squishy, and made with leather material.- RGB looks nice with the side bars- RGB software is more limited than others, but I'm fine with any of the default rainbow effects. (it's at least not as bad as Bloody's software lmao)The Z20 is basically a keyboard that functions the same as the Bloody B820 but feels better and has a lot of added features that may or may not matter to you. Nonetheless it's the best keyboard I've used so far, and I've used a lot. If you're thinking you want a keyboard like this but don't want to totally break the bank, I'd recommend just getting the Bloody B820.EDIT 9/3/22: this is now significantly cheaper than the Bloody B820, just buy this if that is still the case.

I can't stress enough this is NOT a clicky keyboard! There is a clicky version, but it's not this one. Linear keys are more quiet with VERY little resistance when you press the key down.I started off my search for a mechanical keyboard expecting to spend less than $50 for both a keyboard and a wrist rest. I quickly realized I would not be able to find a decent mechanical keyboard at that price range so I raised my budget to $70. I honestly didn't do too much research, but I noticed this keyboard had good reviews overall and would occasionally be discounted to as low as $50 so I waited for it to go on sale. I Finally pulled the trigger when I noticed it was being sold for $60.Honestly, I thought I bought a tactile mechanical keyboard so I was thrown off when I pressed a key down for the first time and there was no resistance and there was no clicky sound! That said, I've had the pleasure of using this keyboard for two weeks now and after getting accustomed to it, I can say I do like the feel and sound of it. I've had no issues with the hardware at all, and I haven't downloaded the recommended software. The only thing I've really done is manually change the RGB settings and light levels.Some warning for those who are still interested though: I can't type nearly as fast on this keyboard as my previous one. My max speed has dropped from 140 wpm to maybe around 110 wpm. The keys are EXTREMELY sensitive which makes it prone to many typing errors. I only need to press a key probably 20 - 30% of the way down for the key to register. That makes this keyboard absolutely terrible for typing but very good for gaming if input speed is important and accuracy isn't.

Full disclaimer, at the 175 msrp this wouldnt cut it for me. I got this on a great sale at 60$, which was great, and maybe i could see this being around 100$. EVGA delivers a great gaming keyboard with some flaws that i will get into in this review.I had been trying out new keyboards since i finally opted to stray from my razer blackwidow, and wanted to see what EVGA's clicky optical mechanical switches felt like. They do have a satisfying click to them, but there isnt much feedback from the key itself. This is great for gaming as you can get great response from the keys, but a little less comfortable for me as im used to MX blues or Razer Greens. This strong point is even better with the 4k polling rate, and low latency reported by Rtings review, where it competes well with other more experienced brands in this space.Build quality feels solid, and while it isnt super nicely textured in my eyes its sturdy. There is a headphone passthrough which i used to love (i just got a different adapter on my desk now) and usb 2.0 port for a mouse or controller.The very disappointing factor for me is the keycaps themselves, they feel very cheap / "glossy". The textured ones look cool but feel horrid since they only are half textured. I bought some horizon skylights from drop.com and the keyboard now looks much cooler and feels way better to type on. EVGA needs to fix this in later revisions, and consider using higher quality keycaps as for 175 i would have been returning this, and even 100$ is steep with those.Lastly, the software is very basic. Im gonna play devils advocate and say i like it. Its unobtrusive, doesnt require an account, and you load the configs onto the keyboard which means you dont need to leave it running. It could have more features and probably should for the rgb / macro enthusiasts but please keep the onboard profiles EVGA, its my favorite feature.Other thoughts, the macro keys are nice, and while i havent played with them much yet i do like they are here. The media keys are a bit low but otherwise good. Volume wheel feels better than the blackwidow v3s. The sensor is also nice, although just a gimmick ( nice my rgb doesnt randomly stay on like some lther peripherals, but sometimes it still triggers off my chair).Overall, i like this keyboard and plan to use it for awhile just also consider getting different keycaps for a better experience. Good first attempt EVGA, hope the next ones even better.