Cherry MX 10.0N RGB Mechanical Low Profile Keyboard Review
A Solid Foundation for Fast Fingers
We recently received a Cherry MX 10.0N RGB for review, which the Cherry product page describes as a “mechanic(al) MX low profile keyboard with RGB lighting and metal housing”.
Not only does this keyboard look chic with its slim profile and black aluminum body, but it’s outfitted with genuine German-made Cherry MX Low Profile Speed RGB switches.
The features of this the Cherry MX 10.0N RGB are as follows:
- Original CHERRY MX low profile switch “Made in Germany”
- Over 100 million actuations per key guaranteed
- Sturdy metal housing with extra flat construction height
- Innovative metal base for height adjustment
- Removable USB-C to USB-A cable
- RGB lighting with numerous lighting modes and customisation options
- Durable key lettering (laser etched & varnished)
- Anti-ghosting and N-key rollover
- 8 Megabyte onboard memory
Product Specifications
- SKU: G8A-25010LVBUS-2
- Color: Black
- Type: Wired
- Key Technology: CHERRY MX LOW PROFILE
- Lifetime standard key: > 100 Million actuations
- Labeling technology: Laser
- Number of keys: 104 + 4
- Connection sockets: USB
- Cable length: 160 cm
- Dimensions (product): ca. 425 x 127x 16 mm
- Weight
- Keyboard with cable: 854 g
- Keyboard without cable: 812 g
- System requirements: Windows 7, 8, 10, 11
- Warranty: 3 years
Pricing
Manufacturer Description
“The CHERRY MX 10.0N RGB is a premium mechanical keyboard, yet as slim as modern office keyboards. This is made possible by the CHERRY MX LOW PROFILE RGB SPEED switches, which are exclusively manufactured in Germany. With an overall height of just 22 mm, you can type ergonomically and comfortably even without a palm rest. This slim elegance stands in stark contrast to the sturdy and solid metal housing. The fold-out base is also made entirely of aluminium. As a special feature, it folds back automatically as soon as you lift the keyboard. Whether with or without the stand, the keyboard is always stable and non-slip on the table.”
Keyboard Design
The keyboard has a decidedly premium look and feel thanks to the aluminum housing, and it is very slim with a height of just 16 mm.
The keyboard features a unique rotating height adjustment bar that operates like a laptop hinge, and I found that I was able to position this at various heights as the rubber feet kept it in place nicely.
Key caps are ABS, and they offer “laser etched & varnished” letters. Double-shot key caps could make the experience even more premium – however, though I’ve been enamored of PBT caps in recent years, these caps feel just fine.
Key Switches
Of particular interest are the key switches that Cherry has implemented in this board, which are Cherry’s MX Low Profile Speed RGB. These keys are significantly lower in height compared to standard MX switches, and offer the following characteristics:
- Linear switching
- 45 cN operating force
- 1.0 mm pre travel
- 3.2 mm total travel
- No click
Via Cherry:
“Thanks to the successful switch characteristics of the MX Speed Silver combined with a particularly low overall height, the CHERRY MX LOW PROFILE RGB Speed Silver triggers directly and extremely quickly. Thanks to the 35 percent lower overall height, the fastest switch in the CHERRY family enables a slim keyboard design and ergonomic working. Thereby, it maintains the successful typing feel of the CHERRY MX Speed Silver and helps to react quick-wittedly and promptly in gaming sessions.”
Read more about the switches here (link), and you can access the data sheet for these switches here (PDF).
Usage Impressions
And now for the subjective portion of this review. This might be the best low profile mechanical keyboard I’ve used. It has a very light, fast feel, and while it isn’t clicky at all it still has that linear mechanical feel. The board is also very quiet.
Now, speed switches aren’t my preference in general, so I wasn’t expecting to like the feel. Regardless, I really like these Cherry MX Low Profile RGB Speed switches. I’ll add that I make more mistakes typing vs. the less responsive scissor switches I normally use to write reviews like this one, though not anywhere near as many as my last standard-profile speed switch experience (basically, if a key is very easy to actuate I’m probably going to brush against and add random characters to my work while sloppily typing).
Having explained why a sloppy typist like me struggles with them, I still think speed switches are ideally suited to a low-profile keyboard like this. The shallow actuation occurs just past the 1 mm mark, and there is a total travel of 3.2 mm. Each key stroke feels crisp, and the keys bounce back with a lively action (in other words, they are fast in both directions).
For gaming I still like standard profile keyboards, and I don’t play anything competitive enough to make use of speed switches in that context, but this is one of the most enjoyable keyboards to type quickly on that I’ve ever used.
The keyboard can be customized using the CHERRY KEYS application (page link), and for additional configuration options – including RGB lighting effects – Cherry offers their CHERRY UTILITY software (page link).
Final Thoughts
The Cherry MX 10.0N RGB is a rock-solid board with an elegant, functional design and outstanding – and very responsive – feel. It’s also very quiet, providing membrane-like noise levels without the mush.
It retails for $159.99 on Amazon, which seems fair considering the aluminum construction and premium key switches. I’d love the option of PBT double-shot keycaps, but that would add to the cost.
Overall I think this is a board you need to check out if you have the need for speed.
Review Disclosures
This is what we consider the responsible disclosure of our review policies and procedures.
How Product Was Obtained
The product is on loan from Cherry for the purpose of this review.
What Happens To Product After Review
The product remains the property of Cherry but is on extended loan for future testing and product comparisons.
Company Involvement
Cherry had no control over the content of the review and was not consulted prior to publication.
PC Perspective Compensation
Neither PC Perspective nor any of its staff were paid or compensated in any way by Cherry for this review.
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Cherry has not purchased advertising at PC Perspective during the past twelve months.
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Great photography. Would love to see this in ten-keyless formfactor.
Keyboard prices are out of control, this is a nice piece but $159 is just, wow.
Personally I have been enjoying a Tecware ‘Phantom L’ low-profile tenkeyless with the cheaper Outemu switches. It is decidedly less premium but I’d guess it’s 80% as nice for only $35. I recommend it for review.
Only used this 24 hours so far. Its nice that the caps lock, num lock and scroll lock keys change color when pressed. Audio control keys on the upper right are a plus. The sound is a little quieter since its deeper pitched than my previous Cherry Brown keyboard. The lighting could be brighter; was a little difficult to get used to after using a standard keyboard with Cherry Brown switches and led lighting. The back height adjustment could be a little higher but I guess its OK since its supposed to be low profile. The front edge is a little sharp and would have been better angled like the sides. (I mainly got this because I wanted a wired keyboard for desk use that would be similar to the feel of the Logitech MX Mini wireless keyboard that I use when watching TV).
For those of us that live in dry or desert climates where we might build up a slight static charge when we’re walking around, the static discharges when you touch the aluminum case and the keyboard lights momentarily blink out, which can be disconcerting.