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

This thing is awesome.. Not using for gaming (coding) and it is pretty cool. Was looking for that mechanical clicking noise and this is it. Also has some weight to it and feels like an extremely solid aluminum base. Find myself looking for reasons to type now... like this review. So much clicky!!!

I basically do data entry full time and wanted a mechanical keyboard for work. Ive been using it since November of 2021 and have had literally ZERO issues the entire time. Definitely recommend this keyboard on the basis of durability.

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!).

It arrived without a shipping box and the label stuck right on the product box so I was a little apprehensive, but fortunately it wasnt raining or anything, and so far so good. I believe I got a returned product though, as Ive found a couple tiiiny white hairs maybe from a cat or something. But I think thats more Amazons fault. Ive had a passing interest in mechanical keyboards for a while but I could never justify the cost. However, this past Christmas my sister got me some custom keycaps and I discovered that they would only fit on Cherry switches, so it was finally time for me to trade in my crappy $10 keyboard and get something nice! I also wanted something with lights, since Ive never had that before either, and on that front this keyboard absolutely does not disappoint. It has a bunch of modes including some responsive ones that are really cool. I assume the software would make it more customizable but one of the reasons I picked this keyboard over others was that it didnt require software as I play a lot of games and dont want any extra background processes. You can also adjust the brightness of the lights, from completely off to ahh my eyes! lol As for the keyboard itself, I went with brown switches as I knew I wanted something that felt a little more responsive than red and Im pretty happy with my choice. It does make a bit of noise, but thats to be expected with the switch type and the fact that its made of metal. Noise doesnt really bother me. Now, I am a newbie when it comes to mechanical keyboards, but from what I have been able to google up, it seems the stabilizers on this one are a little squishier than Id like. However, apparently that is also to be expected with Cherry stabilizers. I have swapped out the switches on the space bar and delete key to blue and that feels a little better. Thats another thing I really like - the fact that it comes with 6 extra switches of various colors so you can try out different ones or mix and match a little bit. Hopefully the other keys that are a bit squishy-feeling will even out as I use them or Ill get used to them. As for now, it works just fine. All in all, Id say this keyboard is perfect for someone who is new to mechanical keyboards or isnt overly picky and just wants a mechanical keyboard that works, especially since its such a good price. Youd be hard-pressed to find better for less. But if youre a mechanical keyboard enthusiast who is very particular about sound and feel, this might require a bit of modding for you to be 100% happy with it. On the flip side, if you just want something super quiet and dont care about lights or fancy things, this is probably not for you.

First off, this was recommended to me as a good all around keyboard. As a touch typist this is important. Unfortunately my daughter fell in love with the colours and and the sturdiness, so I will have to reorder, and this review will never be complete :D. We are becoming a Redragon family. We tried it with games, papers, and a few other things. THE GOOD: Casing and deck are aluminum, and this quality shows. Yes, real metal with brushed accents, top and sides. VERY solid. Its enough to not flex, and it does not slide around on your desk. Some of Redragons more expensive models dont even have metal cases (why?)! Software has lots of adjustments to colours, brightness, patterns, as well as to responsiveness. Cable is very thick, and long enough if you want to put it in your lap. Keycaps are rounded, and comes with a few spares, as well as a removal tool. Its not too noisy, but very responsive. THE NOT SO GOOD: Adjustment feet dont go very high at all, and only have one setting. The plastic that the keycaps are made with started to go shiny after only 1 WEEK of usage (why?). No wrist rest, but this is minor issue. We purchased the brown key model, but honestly did not really feel of any much tactile response, but we had not used brown before. Additionally, the keys work very near the top, so if you hesitate, or are a light typist, you will click before you want to. Regardless, since the more expensive Redragon models are said to have less metal and more plastic, we may be getting another one of these instead. There is just something about real metal that cannot be beat. Its usually more sustainable.

The keyboard is great, types really well and doesn’t make an extraneous amount of sound. But if you want to keep the LEDs always on and not some ridiculous pattern that’s distracting, you have to download their software. Included in it is a file called HidServ.DLL. Normally that’s included by Windows, but the DLL included with the ZIP file downloaded has extreme anti reverse engineering tactics applied like encrypted strings and checking if a debugger is attached. If you download the software, delete HidServ.DLL as it’s not even needed by the EXE to run at all.

This is an amazing keyboard for the price. The one I received only came with extra red keys, but I dont mind that at all. I did have some issues getting the right software for the keyboard, but some emails with support fixed it in just a short time. Works great for gaming and typing. Ton of fun with all the different modes, especially with the one that causes ripples when you type. If you can type fast, its like chaos at your fingertips.

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.

After having gone through a few ultra cheap mechanical keyboards I can definitively vouch for this keyboard as very much worth the step up to lower mid-rage. It is thee one to get. It hits everything I want. Obviously price is reasonable for the average person. The look is crisp, clean, and neat. I cannot stand gaudy PC peripherals so it was nice to get something so solid and clean. Even the logo is minimalist and not obnoxious. It has some decent heft to it. The base is heavy and not going to move on you. Easily the heaviest keyboard I have owned. It has backlighting that can be controlled with variety and can even be turned off completely. And it has the choice between brown and red switches. I went with brown as I like the tactile feedback but was going deaf from ultra cheap blue switches I had on previous keyboards. They are lovely. Ive had mine over a year now and it still works. But. I did lose some response accuracy in a couple switches over the year. These are cheaper switches and I guess you do get a little of what you pay for. Left CTRL was the first to go and I chalked that up to the angle of my pinky pressing it. I thought perhaps it was getting too much horizontal lateral pressure being pushed away from the keyboard to the left rather than a precision up and down strike. I replaced the switch with one of the extras. The keyboard comes with a keycap removal tool, a switch extraction tool, as well as a row of sample/extra switches. These include two blue, two brown, two red, and two black. Havent had an issue with the Left CTRL since. Unfortunately my C switch ended up with the same issue months later. Which killed the lateral contact theory. Another quick replacement and Ive been good to go. I am just all but certain another key/switch will peter out eventually. End of the day it has been a wonderful daily driver of a keyboard for over a year now. I type an above average amount daily during the week and game with it on the weekends. Ive put in some good miles on it and having to replace two switches on it doesnt sour my opinion at all. If I had paid hundreds for it, I might be upset. But I paid a reasonable price and got a more than reasonable keyboard. I would happily buy this fella again.

This keyboard works great for me. I needed a lighted keyboard for better visibility. I love the many color settings. The construction is so sturdy I doubt if it will ever wear out! If anything on it does, there are replacements readily available.