[Hardware] NZXT Function MiniTKL Review: Three-Size Switch Swap

[Love Pulse]

 

NZXT has been expanding beyond cases and cooling for a few years now, releasing a handful of motherboards and microphones. But with its move into keyboards, the company seems a bit more bold and confident. The NZXT Function line launched in three sizes: 100%, TKL and a slightly smaller MiniTKL version that saves space by bunching all the keys up against each other. They're offered in black or white options similar to NZXT's motherboards, and there's a surprising amount of customizability for a mainstream mechanical keyboard line. It's clear the company is aiming for a spot on our best gaming keyboards list.   

 

Retail models will ship with linear Gateron Red switches. But if you order direct from NZXT you can choose between five different switches, five accent keycaps and removable cable colors (so you can match or mismatch as you like), and two shades of dye-sublimated PBT keycaps (the retail models ship with glossy ABS caps). But perhaps most impressively, all of the Function keyboards feature swappable switches so that you can easily change up the feel of the keyboard later on by buying and popping in something new. The keyboards include key and switch pullers that make this process easy.

 

In a unique design decision, there's a rubberized volume roller mounted on the upper-left corner to make it easier to adjust audio without moving your hands off your mouse. While its placement is novel and took a bit to get used to, I didn't mind the roller on the left, where you'll also find a few small buttons for mute, Windows key locking, and backlight brightness.

 

But apart from the swappable switch sockets (which are still fairly uncommon in the mainstream gaming keyboard space), the Function keyboards offer little to help them stand out in a very crowded market. If you like the way they look and you want to dip your toe into the custom keyboard world by trying out some different switches, any of the NZXT Function keyboards are worth considering. But if you aren't going to swap switches, there are better options that cost less.