Redragon K556 RGB LED Backlit Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, 104 Keys Hot-Swap Mechanical Keyboard w/Aluminum Base, Upgraded Socket and Noise Absorbing Foams, Quiet Linear Red Switch

Beautiful!!

In brief: Pro -Customizable switches and key caps; field replaceable with no need to solder -Comes with several blue switches to set for special keys/try out a different switch type -Feels and looks like good overall build quality. Nice metal base with the best risers I have seen (things to raise the back of the keyboard to give an angle) Con -minor rough spot on the chamfer on front of base, dosent look pretty and I smothed it out to ensure that I would accidentally get cut (unlikely it didnt feel sharp but better safe than bloody). -Backlighting, I didnt see a way to turn it off other than to dim it but likely just overlooked where it says how to do that. -Personal preference would have been to have a removable USB cable instead of an permanent cable Overall/Review I am having to do much more typing lately to update system documentation and after using a mechanical keyboard while visiting one of my remote offices I decided if I was going to be tortured I should at least be tortured in comfort. Thus I decided that I wanted a mechanical keyboard the problem is that I havent really used any keyboard other than what is on my laptop or comes standard with a computer when you order it from a company. Thus the journey of buying a mechanical keyboard began. Not having much experience with all the different aspects of a mechanical keyboard, particularly switch types, I decided that if I wanted one I had to find one that would allow me to change switch types fairly easily so that I could try out different types as the desire overcame me. This keyboard fit the bill and even provided some extra switches to use of a different color (user experience) than was on there which I love. By doing that it let me see that I was right to go for brown over blue switches because I think that the extra clicky noise would have been distracting for me and possibly my neighbors. Secondly the fact that the switches used are modeled after the Cherry MX, it opens up a world of keycaps to chose from for further customisation down the road. The overall construction of the keyboard is solid, and as I stated the only issue I had was a rough spot along the from chamfer that was smoothed out with a few gentle strokes of 600 grit sandpaper. The only other negative I have is that the cable provided, while seeming to be of high quality, permanently attached. This would have been nice so that I could transport it easier and unless I am mistaken will likely be the part that breaks first, years down the road. The weight of the keyboard is wonderful, its rubber(?) feet are very grippy, it is easier to lift it up and move it over trying to push it around your desk. Furthermore the feet, those things near the top of the keyboard that can be flipped out to raise it up if you want, are the most solid ones I have seen and if they get broken I think it will be due to someone trying to break them. The RGB is smooth, both in movement and color transitions and are easy to switch among the various presets and to turn off just dim completely. Not an overall fan for everyday usage, but it is useful for darker environments. Reason I gave only 4 stars is that I think having a replaceable USB connector in place of the permanent connection would have been nice and I dont care much for the key caps. I feel like the key caps are slightly narrower than I like and the font on them is somwehat distracting but the quality of the caps themselves so far seems excellent. The caps have no visible manufacturing marks visible and other than feeling slightly narrower and have a sharper edge that I like/am used to, feel very nice on the finger. I really like my purchase and feels so far feels like a solid keyboard which I can modify in the future should i get the itch to try a different switch.

I have been using this keyboard since 2017, so I think its fitting that I leave a review for it. This review is for the original listing with standard OTEMU Brown switches. I am aware of the fact that they now come with OTEMU BOX Browns, but the experience is basically identical. Lets go over the basic parameters first: Unboxing Experience: So the box itself is alright, it serves its purpose of holding the keyboard itself. In the box, it comes with the keyboard itself, a keycap puller, a keyswitch puller, and ten extra key switches in a different variant. Since my keyboard used gateron browns, they gave me gateron blues to try out. Box itself doesn’t come with very much, other than these items. The most useful to me were the extra switches in the box. Both the keycap and key switch puller broke after a few uses. the key switch puller in particular broke the clips on some of my key switches. Serviceable, but I would rather buy my own toll in this case. Looks: This keyboard is so damn sturdy. Up until that point, I was used to cheap plastic keyboards. So the mostly metal construction is excellent! I couldn’t feel very much flexing while typing. The keycaps are okay. they are double shot, so they won’t wear out as much as ABS. The font itself is much more of the “gamer” aesthetic. I used them for about two years before replacing them for better looking keycaps. the lighting itself is good, though controls are basic. Changing color profiles without software is a nice touch, though some savvy hackers have found a way to change colors without official software. The all black design makes it fit in with most builds, though it does stand out on a lighter colored desk. the only real downside is the the secondary function keys have their labels printed on as opposed to part of the injection mold. So eventually those legends will wear away, which I have somewhat done in those two years of using the keyboard. There is a Small Red Dragon Logo above the Arrow keys and a sticker on the back detailing the keyboard information. Its very minimal, and actually decent all things considered. Feel: This keyboard won’t win any rewards for being different. The keys themselves are fine for typing, better than membrane keyboards in all regards. There is rattle and wobble on both the key switches and stabilizers, but they are not deal-breakers at this price point. The metal reinforced backplate and metal frontplate do a good job of keeping the board stable while typing, though there is no padding behind the keyboard so it does sound a bit hollow. No lube anywhere, so scratching noises will be common. Features: So this board has hotswap capabilities, but only for OTEMU Switches. Do not try to use Gateron, Cherry, Kalih, or other brands. The pins wont fit the post mounts. This is good for interoperability between different OTEMU brand switches, but you have to desolder the pins if you want anything else. This WAS a selling point back in 2017, however they recently removed it since its only really applicable to OTEMU brand switches. Again, the RGB is a nice touch, including the preset profiles. The design is held in by multiple screws, which makes dis-assembly for modding a breeze. The USB cable itself is connected to the board using a 5-pin header, so if you break the cable, you can easily replace it using a soldering iron. The keycaps are OEM profile, so you can buy an aftermarket set and put them on the keyboard no problem. the stabilizers are plate mounted, so you can replace them with cherry OEMs once they break. Honestly, if you want to use this board as a cheap base for your next keyboard, then this might be for you. Even still, this is a surprisingly reparable keyboard. Downsides: Honestly, I only have two downside for this board. That being a non-removable USB cable. If they had just added a removable port, either USB-Micro B or USB Type-C, it would make this keyboard so much better. Like, they could’ve done it so easily too. The piece that holds the wire in place is not a through hole permanently attached to the chassis, its a rubber piece that holds the cable in place. there is enough clearance to put in a female USB Type C Header in there. The other reason is the OTEMU-only hotswap sockets. I know that kalih brand switches (or similar) are more expensive to implement, but this would allow you to use ANY switch possible. Right now, you can only use OTEMU switches. Yes, they have good variants such as the reds and blacks, but it sucks that its only these brand switches and nothing else. There is also the minor downside of some of the screws losing their paint over time, though, you won’t be able to see them from the top of the keyboard. Verdict: Overall, a good keyboard for the time. Back in 2017, when there were not very many cheap mechanical keyboards on the market, this would have been the no-brainer choice. But nowadays, there is a lot of competition in this market. I would hope that Redragon would be keen to revise this board, with the possibility of a removable cable. Its still a good keyboard, but its becoming harder to stand out with so many competitors.

My kiddo who is very picky (we went through like 3 keyboards) loves this product. Responsive, cool lighting and easy to clean.

Customization: 8/10 Putting this first so people can see: THIS KEYBOARD HAS CUSTOMIZABLE INDIVIDUAL RGB (16 MILLION COLORS) BACKLIGHTING. Download the Redragon DEVARAJAS software, go to any profile, select the Coastal lighting preset, and use the tiny pencil and eraser icons to add/remove any color you pick to the keys in the diagram (see pictures). You also get 4 mini profiles via drop-down menu within the Coastal preset - FPS, MMO, MOBA, and RTS. Be careful though, because switching to a different mini profile off of your customized one will delete any previous customization youve done on that and revert to its default. This is my main quibble with Redragons software - why is the individual key customization so difficult to find and so easy to accidentally delete? However, it is a big plus that it is possible on a keyboard of this low a price and quality. I am not sure why individual RGB customization is not advertised more clearly as I almost decided against buying this keyboard due to apparent lack of that feature. The product description touts 18 BACKLIT MODES: Press FN+INS-PgDn to enter Pro-gamer mode. RGB LED adjustable lighting with 6-themed backlights -18 lighting models and later mentions Multiple RGB Themes. Packaging: 8/10 Came in a solid box, things were secure. No issues. Quality: 8/10 Pretty great especially considering this kb is only $60. Not much flex, good weight. Cable is sturdy. Other reviewers have covered this area pretty thoroughly. I personally enjoy the floating switches. For those who are unaware / did not notice, the key switches sit flush with the keyboard surface instead of being recessed, which for me means it is way easier to clean (crumbs/hairs/dust dont fall into a black hole). Aesthetics: 9/10 Clean, minimal. Thin silver bezel border. No wasted real estate. The brushed steel effect is also much less apparent than in the stock pictures - very faint unless you hold it up to the light. A plus for me but if you are going for that look, you may be disappointed. I was honestly really expecting something obnoxious and glaring to pop out (you know Redragon, I know Redragon), but I am simply not offended by anything on this keyboard. This is quite a shock to me. Even the branding is a discreet Redragon logo in matching silver, allowing one to avoid any instances of the embarrassing and loud REDRAGON font. Speaking of fonts, the keycaps font is clean and readable. Both main and secondary characters are properly located in the top half of the key to maximize the LED backlighting. The only quibble I can find is the @ key which has a bit of a strange cutout in the middle that eats into the a, but it is not readily confused with any other symbol so it gets a pass from me. Overall: 8.5/10 At this price ($60 at time of review), the K556 is a surprisingly good bargain and can hold its own against kbs $20-40 more expensive. - Decent build quality - Macros and individual key RGB customization (although difficult to find) - Clean, understated, refined look...something I never thought I would say about a Redragon product.

I purchased this KB with the Impression that it was a mechanical KB with click it instead operates like a membrane keyboard, no click not happy about that. Update: 02/14/2023 : Redragon stands 100% behind their products and puts their customers first. They allowed me to keep the keyboard and gave me a full refund. Furthermore, they discounted me 20% off new keyboard purchase with the features that I was looking for.

I love this keyboard! Being my first mechanical keyboard I couldn’t be happier, and for the price the quality is definitely there, it feels super premium and the lights that you can customize make it even better! Now my office has a really cool and modern touch to it.

I love this keyboard. Love the colors too. And I have a free suggestion to Red Dragon on how to improve their keyboards. I hate dust. You should add a hinged plastic cover to the keyboard to keep out dust when not in use. Just lift it up and youre ready to type. No charge for the idea, but feel free to send me one if you like the idea. Thanks.

I have only been using the Red Dragon K556 going on three days now but the seller is asking for an honest review. So far, I am very happy with the entire process. I had originally been looking for an office keyboard that had some sort of back lighting and I had gone through a couple of much cheaper options before upgrading to this one from Red Dragon. When I first opened the packaging it was shipped in, I was a little concerned due to the minimal packing materials but upon inspecting the keyboard itself, it was in perfect condition, not a dent or scratch to be found. This is the first keyboard I have used that has an aluminum casing, It is very sturdy and I like the heft of it when moving it around. It just feels like a well made piece of equipment. The keyboard stays in place on the desk and doesnt slide around. I read one reviewer who said that by sliding the keyboard on the desk, the plastic tilting tabs on the bottom tended to flip closed on one side or the other making the keyboard wobble. This, so far, has not been my experience. I am able to slide it around a bit without affecting the tilting tabs. When first plugging it in, I noticed the nice length of the USB cable. It is plenty long enough to reach my tower that sits about two feet over and one foot down and I still have a nice excess to move the keyboard around a bit. I knew before purchasing that there were many more lighting functions one the K556 but I dont think I appreciated just how many options you have with back lighting colors and patterns. There are 9 different solid color options and I have not even explored how many light pattern options there are. I can tell you that there seem to be many multi-colored options to choose from. I primarily like one solid color but it can be fun to explore all the different options when you just dont feel the work happening. All colors can be completely turned off or they can be set to any of five levels of brightness. This K556 came with brown switches which have proved to be exactly what I had been looking for previously. I didnt really know much about switch brands, such as outemu or cherry but this brown switch is much quieter than the previous blue I used. Mind you it is not silent but it doesnt make much more noise than a soft clicking. The keys are very responsive, being what I suppose is a tactile keyboard. I notice that when typing faster, I dont have to mash the keys. Its almost as if they are two stage keys where you can feel the halfway mark which is as far as I need to push to get a response. The keys spring back instantly and smoothly. I had read another review where the reviewer experiences some sort or ringing or vibrating sound (I dont remember exactly) but they thought it may have been related to the aluminum casing or something. (Again, I think I am remembering this correctly) I do not experience any other sound other that the keys making their normal soft clicking. I have not used this for gaming, hence the three stars for the gaming feature but I cant imagine it being a poor gaming keyboard. Overall, I am very happy with this purchase but again, I have only been using it for three days now. Customer service instantly emailed me to ask for a review and to assure me that they were available within 24 hours should I have any problems. Hopefully it wont come to that. All of this was to say that so far, I am very happy with this purchase am am hoping for long usage.

I also have a K552 and K598, which have a metal-like material for key caps, this one has plastic. The LED brightness on the keys seems dimmer with the plastic key caps but not by much. The surface for the light to shine through seems smaller on the plastic key caps, as compared to the metal key caps. This is not an issue for me, it is merely an observation. With metal key caps and brown switches, you still get a clacking sound. With these caps, its much softer. Im still looking for the right combination so my next one will be metal key caps with brown switches on a 104 key keyboard. And another wireless TKL with half-height keys for portability (I hope... these things are heavy!).