The Das Keyboard 5Q Cloud-Connected Mechanical Keyboard Review: How To Get Noticed

Per-Key Quality Testing

In order to test the quality and consistency of a keyboard, we are using a texture analyser that is programmed to measure and display the actuation force of the standard keyboard keys. By measuring the actuation force of every key, the quality and consistency of the keyboard can be quantified. It can also reveal design issues, such as the larger keys being far softer to press than the main keys of the keyboard. The actuation force is measured in Centinewton (cN). Some companies use another figure, gram-force (gf). The conversion formula is 1 cN = 1.02 gf (i.e. they are about the same). A high-quality keyboard should be as consistent as possible, with an average actuation force as near to the manufacturer's specs as possible and a disparity of less than ±10%. Greater differences are likely to be perceptible by users. It is worth noting that there is typically variance among keyboards, although most keyboard companies will try and maintain consistency - as with other reviews, we're testing our sample only.

The machine we use for our testing is accurate enough to provide readings with a resolution of 0.1 cN. For wider keys (e.g. Enter, Space Bar, etc.), the measurement is taking place at the center of the key, right above the switch. Note that large keys generally have a lower actuation force even if the actuation point is at the dead center of the key. This is natural, as the size and weight of the keycap reduce the required actuation force. For this reason, we do display the force required to actuate every key but we only use the results of the typically sized keys for our consistency calculations. Still, very low figures on medium sized keys, such as the Shift and Enter keys reveal design issues and can easily be perceptible by the user.

The exclusive Gamma Zulu mechanical switches that Das Keyboard is using are, without a doubt, very consistent. The disparity is a little higher than what Cherry’s (genuine) products usually display, but it is by all means excellent. There is virtually no chance that a user will be able to discern any difference between any keys just by touch. The average actuation force of the keys is 48 cN, very similar to that of Logitech’s Romer-G switches, yet the shorter travel distance does make the keypresses feeling a little stiffer overall.

Hands-on Testing

I always try to use every keyboard that we review as my personal keyboard for at least a week. My typical weekly usage includes a lot of typing (about 100-150 pages), a few hours of gaming and some casual usage, such as internet browsing and messaging. I tend to prefer Cherry MX Brown or similar (tactile) switches for such tasks. In theory, the Gamma Zulu switch resembles Cherry’s MX Brown switch, therefore the Das Keyboard 5Q should have been very comfortable for long typing sessions.

However, in my experience, that was not the case. While I cannot state that the Das Keyboard 5Q is uncomfortable, the key presses feel slightly mushy and the return force feels a bit on the high side when the keys bottom out. I believe that the vast majority of users will find it acceptable and get used to the feeling quickly, but my fatigue levels were definitely somewhat higher over using a keyboard with MX Brown switches. The saving grace of the Das Keyboard 5Q is the excellent wrist rest, which is one of the most comfortable that I have ever seen.

Although the Das Keyboard 5Q is targeted more towards professionals rather than gamers, the Gamma Zulu switches clearly are designed with rapid response in mind. The keyboard does react exceptionally to rapid keypresses and feels very responsive. The key travel is shorter and the return force of the switch is rather high, reducing the key travel and reset times. The difference over a typical mechanical switch is no more than a few milliseconds, which definitely is not important for most gamers, but competitive/professional gamers probably do care for even that tiny bit of time. If we could identify one disadvantage here, it would be the mushy feeling of the keypresses that will remind users of typical membrane-based keyboards.