The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB is an outstanding gaming keyboard that feels very well-built, with an aluminum plate on top and small, grippy feet to prevent it from sliding around. It's only available with linear Kailh Silver Speed switches, which have a low actuation force and a short pre-travel distance, providing a light and responsive gaming experience. It also offers extra features like macro-programmable keys and full RGB backlighting, and you can easily customize it within the fantastic HyperX NGENUITY software, though it's only available on Windows. Unfortunately, the ergonomics are only okay, as it doesn't come with a wrist rest and has only one incline setting, but typing on it shouldn't cause much fatigue even during long gaming sessions.
Our Verdict
The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB is an outstanding keyboard for gaming. It feels very well-built and has extra features like macro-programmable keys and a Game Mode that acts as a Windows key lock. It uses linear Kailh Silver Speed switches that don’t require much force to actuate and provide a very responsive feel. The keyboard also comes with full RGB backlighting that’s easily customizable within the fantastic companion software.
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Full RGB backlighting.
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Fantastic software support with plenty of customization options.
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Very short pre-travel distance.
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Doesn't come with a wrist rest.
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Can't be used with mobile devices.
The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB is a wired keyboard that isn't recommended for use with mobile devices.
The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB is only decent for office use. It’s a full-sized model that’s quiet enough for open-office environments. It has great build quality, though the ABS keycaps may feel a little slippery. It provides a good typing experience that shouldn’t cause much fatigue over time, but the quick responsiveness of the switches may lead to more typos if you're not used to it. Also, the ergonomics are only mediocre, as it only has one incline setting and doesn’t come with a wrist rest.
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Good typing quality.
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Feels very well-built.
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Doesn't come with a wrist rest.
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Can't be used with mobile devices.
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Linear switches may lead to more typos.
The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB is a good programming keyboard. It’s only available with linear Kailh Silver Speed switches, which don’t give any feedback at all but feel very light and responsive. The build quality is great, but the ergonomics are only mediocre as it lacks a wrist rest. On the plus side, it comes with nice extra features like macro-programmable keys, full RGB backlighting, and superb companion software offering plenty of customization options.
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Full RGB backlighting.
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Good typing quality.
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Fantastic software support with plenty of customization options.
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Doesn't come with a wrist rest.
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Can't be used with mobile devices.
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No dedicated macro keys.
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Doesn't come with a wrist rest.
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Can't be used with mobile devices.
- 9.0 Gaming
- 0.9 Mobile/Tablet
- 7.1 Office
- 7.3 Programming
- 2.9 Entertainment / HTPC
- Updated Jun 21, 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 May 31, 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 Aug 26, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Jan 22, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Jan 19, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Jan 14, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Jan 13, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Dec 29, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
- Updated Dec 11, 2020: The product has won our suggestion poll, so we'll buy and test it soon.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the HyperX Alloy FPS RGB, which is only available in this size and with the Kailh Silver Speed switches. However, there are similar keyboards available from HyperX, like the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro, but it's TKL, only has red backlighting, no software support, and is available with Cherry MX Red or Blue switches. You can see the label for our unit here.
Compared To Other Keyboards
The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB is a fantastic gaming keyboard that's quite similar to the HyperX Alloy Elite 2, though it comes with different switches that have a much shorter pre-travel distance for more responsiveness. It has a few nice additions, like macro-programmable keys and full RGB backlighting, but it doesn't have a wrist rest and dedicated macros like some other gaming keyboards. However, it does offer good value for its price and should satisfy most gamers. For more options, see our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards under $100, the best gaming keyboards, and the best mechanical keyboards.
The HyperX Alloy Origins performs better than the HyperX Alloy FPS RGB for all uses, though both are fantastic full-sized gaming keyboards. The Origins provides a better typing experience, thanks to its well-spaced and stable keys and proprietary linear HyperX Red switches that feel light and responsive. The FPS RGB uses linear Kailh Silver Speed switches, which have an even lower pre-travel distance, giving it a very responsive feel that’s great for gaming, but may lead to more typos.
The Razer Huntsman and the HyperX Alloy FPS RGB perform very similarly and are both fantastic full-sized gaming keyboards. The Razer uses optical switches, whether clicky or linear. It feels slightly better-built and has two different incline settings. On the other hand, the HyperX uses normal mechanical linear switches, and its cable is detachable, though it can only be used wired. It also has an extra USB port that you can use to charge your phone.
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 RGB is a better gaming keyboard than the Logitech G513, but the Logitech is more versatile and performs better for office use and mixed usage. The HyperX has onboard memory to save your preferred settings, and all of its keys are macro-programmable. It's only available with linear Kailh Silver Speed switches, which have a very responsive feel that’s great for gaming. The Logitech has better ergonomics thanks to its detachable wrist rest, and it comes with dedicated macro keys and a USB passthrough to plug in other peripherals. It’s available in a variety of switches to suit your preferences.
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 Razer BlackWidow Elite performs better overall than the HyperX Alloy FPS RGB, but both options are fantastic for gaming. The Razer feels better-built and more comfortable. It has a wrist rest and more extra features like dedicated media keys, a volume wheel, and a USB passthrough. It also provides a better typing experience and is available in more than one switch type. On the other hand, the HyperX takes a bit less space on your desk, and the Kailh Silver Speed switches it uses have shorter pre-travel and should feel a bit more responsive.
The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is a better overall keyboard than the HyperX Alloy FPS RGB, though both are exceptional for gaming. The SteelSeries is a TenKeyLess keyboard, so it’s smaller and lighter. It comes with a detachable wrist rest and has dedicated media keys, a volume wheel, and a USB passthrough. It’s also fully compatible with Windows and macOS. That said, the HyperX is full-sized, so it has a Numpad and a Windows key lock, and the companion software allows you to create more profiles than the SteelSeries.
Test Results
The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB is fairly large, as it's a full-sized keyboard with a NumPad. If you prefer a smaller model, the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a TKL keyboard, but it has a single red color backlight instead of RGB.
The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB has great build quality. It's made out of plastic with an aluminum top plate and doesn't exhibit any flex at all. The ABS keycaps feel a little slippery, and all the alphanumerical keys have a slight wobble to them, but there aren't any noticeable loose parts. Also, there isn't much rattle as the larger keycaps use stabilizers. The feet are small but feel pretty grippy.
This keyboard has acceptable ergonomics. The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB has only one incline setting and doesn't come with a wrist rest, though it's possible to purchase one separately from HyperX.
The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys. You can fully customize it to your liking in the companion software or cycle through brightness settings and profiles directly on the board.
This keyboard comes with a detachable braided mini-USB cable that retains kinks from the packaging.
This keyboard is wired-only and can't be used wirelessly.
The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB has a few extra features. Every key on the keyboard is macro-programmable within the HyperX NGENUITY software. There are hotkeys for media control and a Game Mode that acts as a Windows Key lock, which prevents you from accidentally minimizing your game. There's also an extra USB charging port on the top right side, right next to where you plug in the mini-USB cable. If you'd like a keyboard with a volume control knob, check out the ROCCAT Pyro.
The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB uses linear Kailh Silver Speed switches. There's no tactile bump to indicate when a keystroke is registered, and they don't require much force to actuate. The pre-travel distance is very short, which results in a very responsive feel, but it may cause more unintentional strokes to be registered.
The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB provides good typing quality. The keys wobble slightly, but it's not very noticeable or distracting during normal use. The ABS keycaps feel a bit slippery and may take some time to get used to. You may also notice an increase in typos if you're not used to the sensitivity of the switches. Overall, it feels pretty light and responsive, and shouldn't cause much fatigue even after typing on it for long periods.
Typing noise is quiet on this keyboard and it shouldn't bother people around you, even if you're in a noise-sensitive environment.
The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB is compatible with the HyperX NGENUITY software, which is only available on Windows. It offers fantastic customization options, allowing you to set macros, customize RGB lighting, and save as many profiles as you'd like on the program. The keyboard also has onboard memory with space for up to three profiles, and you can easily carry those to another device that doesn't have access to the software, like a macOS computer. The cloud sync feature is available by using a Windows Live account, so you don't have to create an extra HyperX account for this.
All default button functions work on Windows and Linux, but there's no software for Linux. There's also no software on macOS, and the Print Screen button acts as F13 while the Scroll Lock and Pause/Break keys adjust screen brightness if you're using an Apple display.