The G-Lab Keyz Elite 300 GRW is a mechanical gaming keyboard aimed at users who want a compact design without giving up essential keys. Priced at €89.99, it offers a 75% layout, three connection options and a selection of features that are uncommon at this price.
The 75% format removes the numeric keypad while keeping the arrow keys, the F1 to F12 row and several navigation controls. This saves desk space and leaves more room for mouse movements, particularly useful in games that require broad movements. The layout also remains practical for writing and everyday work.
The white and gray design gives the keyboard a clean appearance. Its key legends are placed on the front faces rather than on top, creating a more minimalist look. Although this arrangement can make special characters less immediately visible, it is easy to get used to. A multimedia wheel in the upper-right corner provides quick volume control.
The keycaps use PBT, a material designed to resist wear and becoming glossy over time. The legends are molded into the material rather than printed on the surface. The keyboard uses pre-lubricated linear mechanical switches, which provide a smooth, non-tactile press. The exact switch manufacturer and actuation force are not specified in the documentation.
The switches are hot-swappable, allowing them to be replaced without soldering. Users can therefore experiment with compatible switches to change the typing resistance or sound. The keyboard also uses a five-layer gasket-style construction intended to soften keystrokes with flexible elements between the case and the plate assembly.
In use, the Keyz Elite 300 GRW provides a comfortable typing experience for both gaming and writing. Its sound is clearly audible but avoids the overly metallic character that can make some mechanical keyboards distracting in shared spaces.
The keyboard does not offer the adjustable actuation points or Rapid Trigger features found on magnetic models such as the Wooting 80HE. That is expected from a conventional mechanical keyboard, but it limits the available gaming adjustments.
The main weakness is the configuration software. Customizing lighting and macros requires downloading and extracting a ZIP archive before installing a program with an dated interface. This feels particularly disappointing compared with The G-Lab’s magnetic Elite HE models, whose settings can be accessed through a more modern browser-based interface.
Connectivity is one of the keyboard’s strongest features. It supports USB, Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless through the included dongle. The 2.4 GHz connection is the preferred option for gaming because it is designed to provide the lowest latency, while Bluetooth is useful for laptops and tablets without using the receiver. The USB cable can be used during charging or for a wired connection.
The 4,000 mAh battery is rated by the manufacturer for up to 80 hours without lighting and 20 hours with RGB enabled. In testing, RGB use required a recharge after six days. Because the lighting reduces the claimed battery life substantially, users may prefer to turn it off when it is not needed.
The The G-Lab Keyz Elite 300 GRW delivers a convincing combination of compact design, comfortable typing, versatile connectivity and replaceable switches. Its outdated software, limited visibility of the legends without RGB and much shorter battery life with lighting prevent it from being an unqualified recommendation, but the keyboard offers a well-balanced package for its €89.99 price.
Sources: Numerama.