The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 is an outstanding mechanical gaming keyboard. It has features most gamers are looking for, such as macro-programmable keys and customizable RGB backlighting. The proprietary HyperX Red switches provide a good typing experience and have a low actuation force. The dedicated NGENUITY software offers excellent customization options, but it's only available on Windows. It feels well-built with a steel plate on top, but the ABS keycaps feel like they're a bit cheap. It has dedicated media keys, great if you listen to music while gaming, and it has a USB passthrough, allowing you to connect your mouse or to charge your phone. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a wrist rest and you may feel tired typing on it for long periods.
Our Verdict
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 is an outstanding gaming keyboard. It features proprietary HyperX Red switches, which have a low actuation force. It has full RGB backlighting and every key is macro-programmable. Sadly, using it may feel tiring for long gaming sessions and it doesn't come with a wrist rest.
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Macro-programmable keys.
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RGB backlighting.
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Linear switches are light to press.
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Onboard memory.
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Doesn't offer much in terms of ergonomics.
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ABS keycaps feel a bit cheap.
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 is a wired keyboard that can't be used with mobile devices.
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 is decent for office use. The proprietary HyperX Red switches don't offer tactile feedback, so it's more difficult to know if you've actuated a key. However, the keys are well-spaced and they're very easy to actuate. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a wrist rest and you may feel tired using it for long periods.
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Good typing quality.
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Linear switches are light to press.
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Doesn't offer much in terms of ergonomics.
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ABS keycaps feel a bit cheap.
Good for programming. The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 offers good typing quality with well-spaced keys. It has full RGB backlighting, and you can set macros to virtually any key. Unfortunately, the linear switches don't offer any feedback, and it may feel fatiguing typing on this keyboard for long periods without a wrist rest.
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Macro-programmable keys.
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RGB backlighting.
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Good typing quality.
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Doesn't offer much in terms of ergonomics.
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ABS keycaps feel a bit cheap.
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Doesn't offer much in terms of ergonomics.
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ABS keycaps feel a bit cheap.
- 8.9 Gaming
- 0.9 Mobile/Tablet
- 6.9 Office
- 7.3 Programming
- 3.9 Entertainment / HTPC
- Updated May 12, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update introduces new Backlight Features and Backlight Clarity test boxes. We've also added a new Switches test box, added additional test comparisons to our Hardware Customizability test box that we introduced with our last Test Bench. For an in-depth look at our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated Apr 26, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.1. This update adds several new tests addressing Hardware Customization, Macro Keys And Programming, and Wireless Mobile Compatibility. We've also added new objective evaluations to the Typing Noise test, and we've simplified several tests and removed several others that were no longer relevant. For an in-depth look at all our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated Apr 26, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 21, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Aug 20, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Aug 12, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Aug 06, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Jul 30, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Compared To Other Keyboards
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 is an outstanding full-sized gaming keyboard. It has more features than some other mechanical keyboards, such as a USB passthrough and dedicated media keys. Unfortunately, you can't get it in a variety of switches, like the similarly-priced Corsair K70 RGB MK.2, and the proprietary linear switches aren't ideal for office use because they don't offer tactile feedback. Also see our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards, the best mechanical keyboards, and the best RGB keyboards.
The HyperX Alloy Origins is better than the HyperX Alloy Elite 2. The Origins feels better-built, the linear switches have a lower pre-travel distance, and the typing quality is better. However, the Elite 2 has dedicated media keys and a USB passthrough.
The Razer Huntsman is slightly better than the HyperX Alloy Elite 2. The Razer comes with proprietary Razer Optical switches, which are easier to press and offer a low pre-travel distance, but they're loud. On the other hand, the HyperX has a USB passthrough, dedicated media keys, and the HyperX Red switches are quiet.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro is much better than the HyperX Alloy Elite 2. The SteelSeries has unique optical switches that you can customize the pre-travel distance, and at its lowest, they offer a quick gaming experience. Its software is also compatible with macOS and it has better ergonomics. However, the HyperX has a Windows Key Lock.
The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB and the HyperX Alloy Elite 2 perform very similarly and are both remarkable choices for gaming. The FPS RGB has a detachable cable, though it can only be used wired, and uses linear switches with a much lower pre-travel that results in a very responsive feel, which is great for gaming. On the other hand, the Elite 2 has more extra features, like dedicated media keys, a USB passthrough, and a control wheel.
The Corsair K70 RAPIDFIRE is a bit better than the HyperX Alloy Elite 2. The Corsair comes with a wrist rest, the switches have a much lower pre-travel distance, and it offers better typing quality. However, the HyperX has onboard memory and full RGB backlighting.
The Corsair K95 PLATINUM is better than the HyperX Alloy Elite 2. The Corsair comes with a wrist rest, it has dedicated macro keys, and the Cherry MX Speed switches we tested have a much lower pre-travel distance. However, the keycaps on the HyperX feel a bit more solid and don't come off as easily.
Test Results
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 is a full-sized keyboard that takes up a good amount of space on the desk. It's deeper than the HyperX Alloy Origins because it has dedicated media keys on top.
Great build quality. The top plate of the frame is steel while the rest of the keyboard is made out of plastic, including the top row with the dedicated media controls. The volume wheel feels good, but the other media keys feel cheaper in comparison. It's sturdy, and even though it flexes just a bit, it shouldn't be an issue for most people. The ABS keycaps feel solid, but they give off a slippery and cheap feel. The keys wobble a bit, but it's not too distracting.
Okay ergonomics. The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 has one incline setting. The feet feel solid and prevent the keyboard from sliding around easily.
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys. You can customize the color and lighting effects through the dedicated software.
This keyboard has a thick braided cable with two USB endings. One ending is to connect the keyboard to the computer, and the other is for the USB passthrough.
This is a wired-only keyboard and can't be used wirelessly.
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 has a good amount of extra features. Every key is macro-programmable through the dedicated software, except for the media keys. There's a 'Game' mode that acts as a Windows Key Lock, which prevents you from accidentally minimizing your game. The USB passthrough works; you just have to make sure both USB plugs are connected to the computer.
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 comes with proprietary linear HyperX Red switches, which are similar to the Cherry MX Red switches found on the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro.
The linear HyperX Red switches have no tactile bump and they don't require much force to actuate.
Good typing quality. The keys are well-spaced, so you won't accidentally hit the wrong key. The ABS keycaps feel a bit cheap on the surface, but they're solid and don't wobble all that much. The higher pre-travel distance leads to a slower typing speed than other keyboards with linear switches.
Unfortunately, you may feel fatigue while typing without a wrist rest. If you want a better typing experience, take a look at the Razer Pro Type.
The HyperX Red switches are quiet and shouldn't bother others around you.
The HyperX NGENUITY is currently only available to download on the Microsoft Store. You can set macros, customize RGB lighting, and you can save as many profiles as you like on the program. The keyboard has onboard memory for up to three profiles, and you can carry those profiles to another computer that doesn't have access to the software, such as a macOS computer. You can access the cloud sync feature through your Windows Live account, which is a nice touch because you won't have to create an extra HyperX account.
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 is only fully compatible with Windows. All keys work on Linux, but there's no software support. There's no software on macOS, and the Pause/Break and Scroll Lock keys don't work.