The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a decent gaming keyboard with an impressive build quality. The Cherry MX Red variant that we tested offers a great typing experience; it feels light and responsive, while keeping typing noise to a minimum. Unfortunately, even though this keyboard has backlighting, it's limited to a single red color and there's no software for customization. Overall, it's a keyboard that's designed for those who only need the bare minimum; if you need more features, you may want to take a look at the HyperX Alloy Origins.
Our Verdict
The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a decent keyboard for gaming. It feels very responsive and won't cause any fatigue during long gaming sessions. MMO players will find the lack of dedicated macro keys disappointing. For those who like dark room gaming, the keys are easy to see due to its great backlighting, but customization is limited, as there's no software support at this time.
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Great build quality.
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Great typing experience.
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No software for customization.
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No programmable keys.
The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a wired-only keyboard and can't be used with mobile devices.
The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a satisfactory keyboard for office use. The keyboard is comfortable to type on and isn't fatiguing, but it doesn't come with a wrist rest if you need the extra support. Its typing noise is quiet and shouldn't bother your colleagues, and it has good compatibility with all desktop operating systems, though some keys don't work on macOS.
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Great build quality.
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Great typing experience.
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No software for customization.
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No programmable keys.
The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is an okay keyboard for programming. Its mechanical switches offer a light typing experience that won't tire you out, and it has a great build quality that should last for years. Sadly, it doesn't have any programmable keys, but it does have good compatibility with all desktop operating systems.
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Great build quality.
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Great typing experience.
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No software for customization.
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No programmable keys.
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Great build quality.
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Great typing experience.
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No software for customization.
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No programmable keys.
- Gaming
- Mobile/Tablet
- Office
- Programming
- Entertainment / HTPC
- Updated Feb 26, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Feb 11, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Jan 31, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Jan 29, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Jan 20, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro with Cherry MX Red switches, but it can be purchased with Cherry MX Blue switches as well. Aside from the overall typing experience, most of our results are applicable to the other variant. There's also a full-size version called the HyperX Alloy FPS, which has a NumPad, but it uses Cherry MX Brown switches instead.
Compared To Other Keyboards
The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a pretty basic mechanical keyboard. It doesn't have a lot of features compared to other keyboards on the market, but its Cherry MX switches feel great to type on. It's very similar to the Redragon K552 KUMARA RGB, though it doesn't have as many customization options for its backlighting. For other options, check out our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards under $100, the best gaming keyboards, and the best mechanical keyboards.
The HyperX Alloy Origins is significantly better than the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro for gaming. The Alloy Origins has a much better build quality and full RGB backlighting, whereas the Alloy FPS Pro's is only in red. The Alloy Origins' latency is much lower, and it uses proprietary linear switches that are easier to actuate. It's also more customizable because it has software support, which the Alloy FPS Pro lacks.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 and the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro are both mechanical gaming keyboards. The Origins 60 has RGB backlighting and much lower latency, and all of its keys are macro-programmable. Also, the Origins 60 has customization software. On the other hand, if you want a dedicated F-row, dedicated arrow keys, and you don't mind only having red backlighting, the FPS PRO could be a good choice. Also, the FPS PRO is available with Cherry MX Red linear switches and Cherry MX Blue clicky switches, while the Origins 60 is only available with HyperX Red linear switches.
Although they're both designed for gaming, the Logitech G413 and the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro are quite different. The Logitech is a full-size keyboard and is only available with Romer-G Tactile switches, while the HyperX is a TKL keyboard that's available with Cherry MX Red or Blue switches. The Logitech is better for gaming because it has much lower latency, macro-programmable keys, and customization software.
The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro and the Logitech G413 SE are both wired-only mechanical gaming keyboards, but the Logitech performs slightly better for this use. The Logitech is a full-size board that uses Long Hua Brown switches, which have a shorter pre-travel distance and offer tactile feedback when pressed. Also, the board's latency is much better, and it has a better build quality thanks to its PBT keycaps. On the other hand, the HyperX comes with your choice of switches, so you can get the board with Cherry MX Red switches, which feel better for gaming as there's no tactile hump to get over.
The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro and the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 are two wired, mechanical gaming keyboards, but the Origins 65 performs better overall. The Origins 65 feels better built, has full RGB backlighting, and all of its keys are macro-programmable. Also, its latency is significantly better, and it comes with companion software for customization, which the FPS Pro lacks.
The Redragon K552 KUMARA RGB and the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro are good TenKeyLess gaming keyboards with great build qualities. The Redragon has full RGB lighting, 18 lighting effects, and you can set colors for individual keys. It comes with clicky Outemu Blue switches and doesn't have any other switch types available. On the other hand, the HyperX has significantly better latency, a better-feeling typing quality, and although it has backlighting, it's only in red and only has six lighting effects. Our unit has linear Cherry MX Red switches, but it’s also available with clicky Cherry MX Blue switches.
The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is much better than the Logitech K840. The HyperX has a significantly better build quality and backlighting, while the Logitech doesn't have backlighting and has cheap pad printed keycaps. The HyperX's Cherry MX Red switches provide a much better typing experience compared to Logitech's Romer-G switches, but the Logitech has software support and programmable keys.
The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB is a better overall keyboard than the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro. The FPS RGB is a fairly large full-sized keyboard that comes with full RGB backlighting, macro-programmable keys, and outstanding software support for easy customization. On the contrary, the FPS Pro is a small, TenKeyLess keyboard designed for those who need the bare minimum. It only has red backlighting and doesn’t have any software support, meaning you can’t reprogram keys.
The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is much better than the HyperX Alloy Core RGB. The Alloy FPS Pro has mechanical switches that feel much more responsive than the rubber dome switches found on the Alloy Core, and it has a significantly better build quality. The Alloy FPS Pro has individually lit backlighting instead of the zone lighting of the Alloy Core, but the Alloy Core has dedicated media keys.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is a much better gaming keyboard than the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro. One of the main differences is that the Razer has dedicated software, allowing you to set macros to any key, which you can't do with the HyperX. It also has full RGB backlighting and the HyperX is limited to the color red. The Razer has much lower latency and comes with Linear Optical switches, which provide a light gaming experience, and the HyperX is available with Cherry MX Red and Blue switches. Typing feels better on the HyperX because the keys don't feel as sensitive.
The Varmilo VA87M and the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro are almost identical in feature and performance. The Varmilo feels better built because it has PBT keycaps, and it's available in more switch options. The Varmilo has white backlighting, while the HyperX's is red.
The Ducky One 2 performs better overall than the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro. The Ducky is available in different variants, including one with full RGB backlighting, and you can get it with a wider variety of switches. All keys are macro-programmable on the Ducky, and it offers better typing quality. However, the HyperX is fully compatible with Linux, and since it's a TKL keyboard, it's easier to carry around.
The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a wired TKL board, while the ASUS ROG Claymore II is wireless full-size model with a modular numpad that you can place on either side of the board or remove completely. The ASUS is a better gaming board thanks to its much lower latency, macro-programmable keys, passthrough, and Windows key lock. Also, it has customizable RGB backlighting, and you can use the board wired or wirelessly, while the HyperX has red backlighting, and you can only use it wired. The HyperX is only available in linear Cherry MX Red switches, while the ASUS is available with proprietary linear and clicky ROG RX Optical Mechanical switches.
Test Results
The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a small, tenkeyless keyboard. There's a full size variant with a NumPad, the Alloy FPS, but it uses different switches.
The build quality is great. The frame is plastic on the bottom with a steel plate on top. The board exhibits a little bit of flex, but its build feels fairly sturdy. The keycaps are made of high-quality ABS plastic and the kickstands feel solid. If you want a keyboard with PBT keycaps, consider the Varmilo VA87M. For a budget-friendly alternative, consider the Logitech G413 SE.
Ergonomics are okay. The keyboard has one incline setting and it doesn't come with a wrist rest, though you can purchase one separately from HyperX. If you want a wrist rest included, then check out the Corsair K55 RGB.
The keyboard only has red backlighting. Since there's no software support, customization is done on the keyboard. There are six lighting effects to choose from. If you want full RGB lighting, look into the HyperX Alloy Elite 2 or the HyperX Alloy Origins 60.
The keyboard comes with a detachable braided cable.
This is a wired-only keyboard. If you want a similar keyboard with wireless connectivity, check out the Corsair K63 Wireless.
There are hotkeys for media control and a 'Game Mode' hotkey to lock the Windows key, which prevents you from accidentally minimizing your game.
- HyperX Alloy FPS Pro keyboard
- User guide
- Mini-USB to USB cable
We tested the Cherry MX Red variant of this keyboard. These switches are linear, so they don't have a tactile bump to indicate when a keystroke is registered. Actuation force is low and shouldn't require a lot of force to press the keys. If you're interested in a TenKeyLess keyboard that's also hot-swappable, check out the Drop CTRL.
Typing quality is great. It feels light and responsive, and shouldn't cause any fatigue over time. Although the keycaps are ABS, they feel nice to type on; however, the spacebar has a slight wobble. It feels very similar to the HyperX Alloy Origins, but just a tad heavier due to the higher actuation force.
Typing noise is quiet on this keyboard and should be fine for most offices, but it can be loud if you bottom out the keys, and the spacebar has a slight rattle.
The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro's latency is decent and is likely fine for everyday tasks and casual gaming. However, if you're a more serious or competitive gamer, you may prefer a keyboard with exceptionally low latency, like the EVGA Z20.
There's no software for customization. If you want a similar keyboard with software, check out the Logitech G413 instead.